Chapter Thirty-Three
“No need toput on the siren,” Colson said as the police cruiser slipped and spun on the icy roads. “No one’s out on the road. This way we can sneak up on them.”
“How did you guys get through the roadblock?” Brian turned around and asked Connor and Larry who sat in the backseat. “Sheriff said local traffic only.”
“We own that cabin,” Connor said. “So that makes us locals. Plus all of us have chains, and the town fire chief let us through.”
“Ah, yes. I should have known. Well, glad to have you along. I’m going to call this into the station and let my deputy know what’s going on. Get them ready on standby in case we need backup.” Todd gave the details to his dispatcher. “I also need you to put a trace on Mr. and Mrs. Wonder’s cell phones.”
“That’s right,” Brian said. “I don’t recall seeing Cait’s purse at the house. Do you think the perp has it?”
“It’s possible. It will be more proof of her whereabouts should we need it.”
The going was slow due to the road conditions, and Brian couldn’t keep himself still. His knee jittered and his heart felt too large for his chest. What if he never saw Cait again? What if she was already dead? The dog had obviously tried to defend her and failed.
He had to pull himself together and stick to what was known. Falling apart wouldn’t help anyone. Once he had Cait in his arms again, he’d buckle up the strength to tell her he loved her. Other people said those three little words all the time. But for him, it felt like giving his entire identity away. He wasn’t exactly sure what love felt like, and it would be horrible if he’d lied and misled her.
Minutes later, the radio crackled alive. “Got a bead on the location. Mr. Wonder’s phone is at Thornton’s lodge, and Mrs. Wonder’s phone is off. Last location was in town. We also have a possible suspect. Chad and Linx claim they saw a car parked at the cabin when they dropped off Cait. Linx wrote down the license number. We traced it to a rental car and the company gave us a name. Thomas Harper of Folsom, California. We’re running him through the database right now.”
“He’s an ex-con,” Brian said. “I knew him in high school, and he was sent to prison for selling drugs to a minor. He could be dangerous.”
Todd talked into the radio. “The perp’s an ex-con. We’re looking at a possible hostage situation. Requesting a SWAT team and a negotiator to meet us at Thornton’s place.”
He turned away from the radio. “Anything more you guys can tell me about Harper?”
“I never liked him,” Connor said. “I always thought the choirboy and boy scout thing was an act. Didn’t know him that well.”
It was obvious Cait’s family had no clue she had been involved with Tommy. Although to her credit, Tommy had been moderately popular in high school and drove a red Corvette. He’d also been in the drama club, and that was where Cait had met him.
“Tommy hates me,” Brian said. “I was the chief witness who sent him to jail. He was also involved with Mrs. Thornton in her drama club.”
Todd whistled long and low. “Chickens coming home to roost. Who wasn’t involved with that woman?”
“I hate speaking ill of the dead,” Connor said. “But that woman should have been prosecuted.”
“We all had a crush on Alana, I mean, Mrs. Thornton,” Brian explained lamely. Now, in retrospect, he was aware of how Alana had manipulated them, and that her behavior was criminal. Back then, she’d made him feel like a worthy man, attractive and desired.
“Then it looks like Tommy was jealous of you because she gave you that antique fire engine,” Todd surmised. “And he wants to get back at you for putting him in jail.”
“Pretty much so.” Brian didn’t want to mention Cait and her involvement with the douchebag. It galled him that Cait had had feelings for the captain of the drama club—someone who knew how to string together romantic sayings, even if he didn’t mean any of it. Tommy had played the male lead and lover of Cait’s character in every high school musical and play. That was how they’d hidden their off-stage relationship so well, without anyone other than Brian clued into their escapades.
“I’m going to kick Tommy’s butt,” Connor said. “He’d better not hurt my sister.”
“No. I’m going in after her,” Brian said to Connor. “I want the first face Cait sees to be mine.”
“No one’s going anywhere unless I say so.” The sheriff turned the car up a narrow, snow-covered lane. “This perp is dangerous and he could have a gun, not to mention the hostages.”
They approached the vacation house at a slow speed. It was recessed down a steep driveway, one that would be difficult getting out of if the snow turned into ice. A car sat in the driveway, and an upstairs room was lit.
Sheriff Colson parked the police cruiser on the street and shut off the engine. “You guys stay back. I’m going to assume he’s armed and dangerous and wait for backup.”
Todd walked down the driveway toward the car, shining a light on the license plate.
Brian couldn’t sit still and do nothing. Every minute Cait was with Tommy meant more opportunity for him to harm her. Without looking at Larry and Connor, he edged himself out of the police car.
The snow had stopped falling, and the lodge looked deceptively peaceful, sparkling under the light of the moon. An owl hooted as Brian made his way around to the back of the house.
He crept up to the windows, hoping to get a glimpse of Cait. The curtains were closed, but if he could get close enough, he might be able to see between the gaps.
