The Twelfth Of Never: A suspense mystery romantic thriller (25 page)

"Why don't we go in?" Gideon took Jenny by the arm.

"What is it?" Jenny asked turning in the direction
of the road but saw nothing.

Gideon pushed her toward the door. He quickly opened it and
looked at the two sitting at the table. Carla came from the kitchen when she
heard the commotion. Gideon strolled across the room, quickly reached for the
phone, dialed a few numbers, and then slammed the receiver down.

"It's dead," he said then turned to Jake.

Gideon walked over and whispered something into Jake's ear so
as not to alarm Jenny or her parents, but the gesture only made Jenny more
anxious.

Jake quickly unstrapped his gun while Gideon runs up the
stairs. It was not long till Gideon reappeared a few moments later, tucking the
envelope under his belt.

Jenny could see the bulge under his left arm, and she knew it
could only mean one thing. The trouble he feared earlier was here.

Jake turned the lights off in the living room then went into
the kitchen. There was no noise except a few farm animals that had not bedded
down for the night yet. The windows were all open, and the yard lights along
the drive lit up the grounds.

Then a strange thud
sound and the slow hissing noise filled the quiet night air. Gideon stared out
the back window. The little sports car and dark sedan rested on wheel rims,
both useless for a get-a-way. The sound of glass shattering caused all to run
to the front of the house. The yard was shrouded in darkness, only evening
shadows could be seen due to the lack of a moon that night.

"What are we going to do?" Jake asked.

"You keep an eye on that side of the house," Gideon
pointed to the kitchen. "I'll go to the front. So far I've only seen
two." Gideon turned to Joe. "You get that shotgun. We may need you
for backup."

"Just tell me what you want."

"You and Jake watch these windows." Gideon then
turned to Jenny. "Stick close to me."

Carla stepped forward. "What should I do?"

"You stay here with Jake and your husband."

"You leaving us?" Jake asked.

Gideon looked at Jake and shook his head. He took hold of
Jenny's hand and then watched as Jake and Joe strategically covered the kitchen
windows. "Tell me if you see any hint of movement."

There was silence in the house while the occupants waited for
whoever was outside to make a move. Finally after ten minutes of stalemate
tactics, it was established only the two men were out there, but even then they
were not sure. It would only be a matter of time before they stormed the house.

Gideon turned to Jenny. "Do your parents have a
cellar?"

"Just a crawl space under the kitchen."

Gideon and Jenny slowly crept below the level of the window to
the kitchen. "Where is it?" Gideon asked.

There's a trapdoor under that rug." Jenny pointed to the
rug near the pantry.

"Open it, and then you and your mother go down
there," Gideon ordered. He took the envelope from under his belt and gave
it to Jenny. "You hang on to this for now."

Jenny just stared up at Gideon, too petrified to move when she
realized she might never see him again. "What about you?" she
whispered.

Gideon was taking control. He reached down for the gun
strapped to his calf and handed it to Jenny. "I'll knock three times
before I open the door. Otherwise, prepare to defend yourself and your
mom."

"I can't."

"You have to." Gideon touched her arm.

"What about you?"

"Don't worry," Gideon looked her in the eyes and
wanted to tell her how he felt but could not. Instead his job took over.
"Colby's address and private number are written on the envelope. Whatever
happens, it has to get to him before Monday. Remember Jenny, only to Colby.
Don't trust anyone else."

"Why, Gideon?" Jenny asked, almost in tears.

"It's the first date on the map, I think that's when the
summit is taking place."

"But I won't go without you."

"It's the only way. Remember, three knocks." Gideon
squeezed her arm, then opened the trapdoor and helped her down the steps.

Jenny watched Gideon gently take her mother's hand and help
her down the ladder. Even in the dark, Jenny felt his piercing eyes as he
stared at her before shutting the trap door. Jenny took hold of her mother's
hand and held it firm. It was the only means of assurance she could give the
frail woman next to her. Once they heard the rug being laid over the trap door,
Jenny realized that no matter what happened above, they would have to stay put
if they were to survive. Her whole body shook thinking about Ian coming after
her. She worried that maybe Gideon was not up to this confrontation.

CHAPTER 26

The sky was clear. The stars shined brightly illuminating the
farmyard for all to see. Forty minutes passed since Gideon had secured Jenny
and her mother in the crawlspace, and they were not any closer to a resolution
than when he shut the trapdoor. There were only the two men, one on the kitchen
side of the house behind the big oak at the end of the drive. The other
intruder was behind the row of lilacs that lined the lawn, just before you
crossed the drive to get to the barn.

Gideon tiptoed into the kitchen, he glanced at Jake sitting on
a chair at the back window while Joe stood leaning on the door sill. They were
at an impasse waiting for whatever it was that was going to happen. Gideon
feared more troops were on the way. It would explain the long wait, and he knew
if they were going to do anything, now was the time.

"Any ideas?" Jake asked rubbing his eyes.

"I'm going out to neutralize the one on my side, and then
Jenny and I will make a run for it."

"How far do you think you can get on foot?"

"I don't plan to make it on foot. There's a car in the
barn. If we can make it there, it might flush out the guy from your side and
you can get a clear shot."

"What if there's more than two?" Joe whispered,

Even in the darkness Gideon could see the concern on the old
man's face. "We'll have to chance it, but for now, it's the only
way," Gideon replied.

"Do you want me to get Jenny?" Jake asked.

"No, I'll check the grounds first," Gideon walked
over to Jake putting his hand on his shoulder. "If I don't come
back..."

Jake cut him off. "Assholes like you live forever."

Gideon patted Jake on the head. "You keep that pretty red
head of yours down," and then he walked back to the door.

"Be careful." Jake whispered

Gideon motioned for Joe to follow him. Both men crept into the
living room. What Gideon was about to do was dangerous. One hundred yards
separated the house from the barn. It would be the longest one hundred yards of
Gideon's life.

Joe stared at Gideon as he made his way to the front door.
"It might be safer going out the window in Carla's sewing room." He
motioned to the door that was closed. "There's a big shrub covering the
window."

Gideon crept across the room to the door while Joe watched.
Gideon turned the knob and as the door swung open, an eerie creaking noise
echoed through the darkness. Gideon walked in and was startled at first by the
seamstress dummy standing starkly erect in the corner. There was only the one
window in the room. Joe was right, there was a wall of green from the
honeysuckle outside, but gave perfect cover.

Gideon turned to Joe. "You'd better get back to the
window. And remember, I'll be out there, so no firing."

The old man disappeared back into the living room, leaving
Gideon alone in Carla's sewing room. Gideon glanced around at all the pictures
on the wall. They were all of her son, and Gideon guessed that was why the room
was closed. It was her little shrine to the son lost to her forever.

Gideon opened the window slowly, then took the scissors from
the table and cut the screen. Quietly he slid out of the small window, and when
he touched the ground he crouched and listened. Slowly he crept without a
sound. It was a maneuver he'd learned well from years of training. It was that
training that was kicking in now. His slouched frame blended with evening
shadows. Gideon was motionless for a moment, sniffing the air. It was the scent
of Old Spice that told him the intruder was near. He checked the wind, and then
slowly inched around the lilacs. In the darkness he could see the silhouette of
an object that was foreign to its surroundings. Gideon was within two feet of
the man before he turned, but it was too late. Gideon wrapped one arm under his
chin, the other on his forehead. The snapping sound of bone was all that was
heard. It was like a twig breaking in the night, and then the man slumped
silently to the ground. Gideon just stood there for a moment staring down at
the clump on the ground. Slowly he crept around the perimeter, careful not to
venture beyond the corner of the house where the other man's vantage point
began. Once Gideon was certain it was clear, he slowly edged his way back to
the house and crawled through the sewing room window.

"Gideon, is that you?" Joe whispered. The old man
frantically searched the sewing room doorway for a familiar face, all the while
pointing the shotgun mid-center in the direction of the door.

"Yeah, it's me," Gideon whispered softly. He peeked around
the corner until he was sure Joe knew it was truly him coming through.

"There was a rustling of underbrush," Joe pointed at
the end of the long row of lilacs.

"I know," Gideon said, and then walked over to the
kitchen door, but before entering he turned back to Joe. "If you see or
hear anything else, let me know."

"How did it go?" Jake asked.

"It’s clear on that side of the house. I'm taking Jenny
now. The other one will probably follow us, so you should be okay."

"If he doesn't?"

"As soon as we're safe I'll send someone back for
you."

Jake turned to Gideon and watched as he walked over to the rug
and kicked it out of the way. Gideon tapped three times before lifting the
door. In the dim light of the kitchen he could see Jenny pointing the gun in
his general direction. With hands raised, he quickly stepped forward.

"Hey, it's me," Gideon said.

"Is it over?" Jenny whispered.

"No, you and I are leaving. Jake will stay and take care
of your parents," Gideon said, extending his hand.

"I'm not going." Jenny refused the hand that loomed
in front of her. She just put the gun down and folded her arms.

"It's the only way," Gideon argued.

Jake turned to Jenny. "You don't trust me to keep them
safe?"

Jenny ignored the voice at the window. Neither man saw the
doubt on her face.

"Go with him Jenny," Carla whispered, and then
pushed Jenny toward the ladder.

Jenny stared up at Gideon with his hand still extended. There
was a pleading look in his eyes that even in the darkness she could see.
Finally after a few minutes of silence, she turned to her mother and hugged her
tightly. Jenny picked up the gun and gave it to her mother crouched in the
corner.

"You may need it," she said. Her voice quivered as
she got up and took Gideon's hand.

"Do you want this?" Jenny handed Gideon the
envelope.

"No, you hang on to it."

Gideon took Jenny's hand and then guided her out of the
kitchen. Joe looked over at the two as they passed, but did not say a word. He
was afraid if he did, it would be to stop Gideon from taking Jenny out of the
house. He felt there was safety in numbers, but he also trusted Gideon to do
the right thing.

"Hey, Gideon," Jake whispered from the kitchen.

"Yeah," Gideon turned.

"Don't forget the troops."

"I won't," Gideon said with a solemn look on his
face.

Gideon was not sure if he were indeed doing the right thing.
All he knew was that they could not stay there till morning. Gideon guided
Jenny through the living room and then into the sewing room. He slowly lowered
her out of the window to the ground. Once he jumped out after her, he turned
and whispered.

"We're okay until we hit the driveway. From there we'll
have to make a run for the barn."

"What are we going to do in the barn, ride a cow to
safety?" Jenny suddenly had misgivings that Gideon really knew what he was
doing.

"No! A Mustang."

"Gideon, you can't be serious. It hasn't been run in
years."

"I started it this afternoon, it runs fine."

"But my father..."

"Under the circumstances, I don't think he'll mind."

It had been dark out for almost two hours. The animals were
all bedded for the night. The only noise was crickets and an occasional toad
from the pond. They tiptoed through the darkness along the lilac hedge. It was
a place familiar to her from her youth, but tonight intruders who brought with
them the evils from the outside world shattered the innocence of the farmyard
setting.

"Be careful, there's something lying on the ground."

Jenny turned, while putting her hand to her face. "Oh my
God," she whispered.

"Just don't look down," Gideon shoved her past the
dark mass that lay at her feet.

When they neared the edge of the hedge, Gideon knew their
cover was gone, and they would have to make a run for it. He took a deep
breath, grabbed Jenny by the hand, and then together they dashed to the barn.

Bullets whizzing by, hitting the ground in front of them,
clouds of dust splattered into the air. Then the ear-piercing explosion of Jake
letting a round fly filled the cool silent night. Gideon shoved Jenny through
the barn door. The barn boards splintered with the barrage of rounds being
fired. There was no time to stand around. Gideon could barely see, only a dull
streak of light lit the path down the center aisle. He stumbled but caught his
balance. Once he reached the Mustang, Gideon quickly pulled the canvas off while
Jenny ran to the other side and climbed in. Gideon did not even open the door.
He just hopped in the driver's seat, stepped on the clutch, and turned the key.
He ran the car through its gears to get a feel. When done, Gideon put it back
in first. His right foot eased on the gas as they slowly crept down the center
aisle of the barn in the direction they'd come, keeping the headlights off.

"Where are you going?" Jenny yelled as Gideon gunned
the engine and spun the tires.

"Out."

"The door isn't big enough," Jenny screamed as
Gideon crashed through the door frame they'd just entered.

"It is now."

Once in the open, Gideon spun the wheel while down shifting
into second. The Mustang skidded out of control, gravel kicked up in a cloud of
dust and then finally it responded. Gunfire from behind pierced the windshield
above Jenny's head, a fine web of cracks blocked her vision, she turned to
Gideon. He pushed her head down, while spinning the steering wheel. They headed
toward the field out back.

Gideon worried about Jake, feared for Jenny's safety, and had
misgivings that what he was doing was right. But there was no turning back and
no time to justify what he did.

Jenny watched the corn plants fly in all directions. She
glanced at Gideon, and then turned around and watch the farm grow smaller in
the distance. "How do you know where you're going?" she yelled.

"Joe and I checked the back forty, remember."

When they reached the end of the cornfield, Gideon took the
small path through the woods. Within minutes they came out onto the old country
road. The light ahead was a beacon of hope. Gideon quickly pulled into the Four
Season's Pub and ran into the bar.

Frank, the bartender, recognized Gideon from that afternoon.
Patrons turned and stared at Gideon in the doorway. Some had been there
earlier. Others were new to him now.

"Where's Joe?" Frank asked. A rag in one hand, a
glass in the other.

"Would you call the cops?" Gideon said, not
answering his question.

"Why, what's the matter?" It was Sam Harrison who
got up off the stool and asked.

"There's trouble at the Morgan farm." Gideon said.

Before Gideon could say more, the bar was cleared. Gideon
figured everyone deserted the place for home, then turned to Frank and was
about to ask again.

"Don't worry, the boys will get there before the
cops."

"Do the pumps work?" Gideon asked.

"Sure, need gas?"

Gideon pulled out a twenty, tossed it onto the bar. "I'll
pump it myself, you keep the change."

"Thanks," was all Frank said, and then walked over
to the phone and started dialing.

Gideon ran out, and quickly filled the tank while watching the
road for cars. There was no traffic. A part of him wanted to go back to the
farmhouse, but his training told him to keep going and not turn back.

Jenny watched Gideon as he screwed the cap back on, and then
finally spoke. "You really cleared that place in a hurry."

"They went to the farmhouse to help," Gideon said as
he got back into the car and headed down the road.

Jenny breathed a sigh of relief, and then rested her head on
the seat. It was going to be a long night. She shut her eyes to try to forget
all that had happened so far. Jenny avoided looking at Gideon. All she wanted
was this ordeal to be over with. Once they reached the highway, the sweet sound
of music let her drift off into never land.

Saturday,
September 17, 1977

When Jenny opened her eyes again, she saw the city lights
looming ahead of them. She glanced at Gideon, his hands gripping the wheel
tightly. Jenny yawned as she sat up and stretched her arms.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"About three thirty."

"I can't believe I slept that long."

"You went through a lot today."

"Do you think my parents are okay?"

Gideon turned to her, "By the looks of those men in the
bar, I'd say yes."

"I'm worried."

"Once I get you safe, I'll find out how they are."

"Where are you taking me?"

Gideon shook his head, and then said, "I'm not
sure."

"That's just great, now we're on the run."

"I've got a plan."

"Pray tell, what?" Jenny asked. She turned to him
and waited to hear what his next move would be.

Gideon tapped his finger on the steering wheel as he thought.
He avoided looking at Jenny for fear she'd see the uncertainty in his face.

"I'm waiting." Jenny said staring.

He sighed deeply, and then turned to her. "Plan A is to
see if Colby is at his New York apartment."

"What's Plan B?"

"I haven't gotten that far yet."