Adrift: The Complete Novel Read online

“Who is they?”

  “I can’t tell. They’ll kill me.”

  Hollie looked at me. Dread filled my gut. It felt like the night before when Kelly had stood up for me. I didn’t want this man to do the same. He’d pretty much confirmed what I’d thought.

  “It’s okay. You don’t need to tell us. Believe me when I say that the last thing I want is for you to get hurt.” I started for the door.

  “But…” Hollie started.

  “It’s okay, Hollie. We’ll figure it out some other way. Sorry about your place.” I reached into my pocket and pulled out three crisp hundred dollars bills, setting them on the bar. “This isn’t much, but I hope it’ll help.”

  Hollie followed my lead, and we headed to the door. As I opened it, hot summer air blanketing me in an instant. I turned suddenly. “Did Johnny stay after the cops left last night?”

  I could see the inner struggle as Wally deciding how much to say. In the end he didn’t say a thing, instead he nodded.

  I did the same, and walked out the door.

  +++

  “Well that sure is some story.” Sweat beaded on Chief’s Knox’s forehead as he made some final notes. “Anything else you’d like to add?”

  Johnny sat across the conference table, never making eye contact. Max Laney sat stoically next to the police chief, his gaze never leaving his grandson.

  “No, sir. That’s all I remember.”

  Knox nodded and closed the folder. “I hope you know how serious this is, son.”

  “Yes, sir. I do.”

  Knox turned to Max Laney. “Mr. Laney, if you wouldn’t mind staying with your grandson, I’m gonna go put in a call to the DA. I wanna make sure we take care of this properly.”

  He left the room and Laney looked to his grandson. “You just make sure you keep your story straight.”

  Chapter 13

  We didn’t say much on the way back to Hollie’s farm. I ran through my options, part of me wanting to stay and avenge Kelly’s murder, another part of me wanting to run. The trees rolled by as my thoughts churned. Hollie did the same, never taking his eyes off the road.

  As we pulled down the side road leading to the house, I spotted a late model Bronco parked just inside the tree line. I pointed to the trees. “Who lives on that land?”

  Hollie glanced that way. “The Baxters. Nice enough. Pretty much stay to themselves.”

  “Do they own an old Bronco?”

  “Not that I remember.”

  +++

  “Thank you for your testimony, Mr. Laney. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I have to see the judge.”

  The District Attorney shook Max Laney’s hand and nodded to Chief Knox.

  Once he’d left, Johnny turned to Knox. “What happens now, Chief?”

  “Well, I’ve gotta wait for the warrant first. Should have that soon. Then we’ll see. I appreciate you fessing up, son.”

  “It’s how my granddad raised me. I’m just so sorry.” Johnny put his face in his hands, prompting an awkward silence.

  Knox rose to go. “Mr. Laney, if y’all wouldn’t mind hanging tight, I can have one of the girls run out and get some food.”

  “That’s very nice of you, Darryl, but I think I’ll pass. Don’t want to overstay my welcome. A coffee would be wonderful though. Black, no sugar.”

  “Yes, sir. I’ll be right back.”

  The door closed and Laney smiled at his grandson. “Hang in just a bit longer.”

  +++

  I told Hollie I wanted to go for a walk to clear my head and come up with a plan. He said he’d do the same while he started on dinner.

  It wasn’t dark yet, but that didn’t matter. I’d been trained to do things in broad daylight without a soul knowing. Leaving from the rear of the house, out of sight of the main road, I jogged a long curving path, finally ending up in the stretch of pine.

  Taking a hard left, I moved through the woods, back in my element, thoughts of Camp Lejeune’s training grounds in the front of my mind. Snake Eyes.

  +++

  I was covered in sweat by the time the Bronco came into view. I’d snuck in behind the vehicle, senses tingling. Maybe it was nothing, but I wanted to know. A hundred yards away, the driver’s side door opened and a man stepped out, walked five feet, unzipped his fly and relieved himself.

  There was something familiar about the man, but it wasn’t until he turned to step back into the truck that I recognized the sling on his arm. It was one of Johnny’s goons.

  I weighed my options. Take him down, interrogate him, or let him be. I was torn. This man hadn’t done a thing to incur my wrath.

  My mind made up, I carefully backed away from the Bronco, retracing my steps back to Hollie’s. I’d see how it played out.

  +++

  “You sure he’s there?”

  “Yeah. Him and Hollie came back. Haven’t seen him leave.”

  “You somewhere that you can’t be seen?”

  “Just where you told me to be, Johnny, on Baxter’s property, across the road.”

  Johnny looked to his grandfather, who sat listening. “Stay put and make sure the cops don’t see you.”

  “You got it.”

  Johnny put the phone back in his pocket. “Everything’s set.”

  +++

  Hollie glanced over his shoulder when I walked in, shirt dark with sweat. “You go for a run?”

  “Had to check something out.”

  “What’d you find?”

  “They’re watching the place.”

  Hollie stopped stirring the pot. “Who?”

  “The guy with the bad shoulder, from that first morning in the barn.”

  “Honey?”

  “Yeah, I couldn’t remember his name. What do you think they’re up to?”

  Hollie scratched his head. “I don’t know, but I don’t like it. Come give me a hand with dinner and we’ll talk about it.”

  +++

  “Okay, now you all know your jobs. It’ll be just like we talked about. I’ll go to the door with Al. The rest of you know where to go.” Chief Knox waited for questions. There were none. He’d gone over the plan three times. It was not rocket science. “All right then. Let’s saddle up.”

  Twenty men, including two additional officers from the Sheriff’s department, stood and walked to their vehicles.

  +++

  We’d just finished dinner when I heard vehicles coming down the gravel drive. It sounded like they were coming fast. “Are you expecting someone?”

  Hollie’s ears perked up. “Nope. Why don’t you go upstairs and I’ll see who it is.”

  +++

  The ten squad cars pulled in front of the house, each passenger out as soon as the driver stopped, moving into their assigned positions. More than one young cop had his finger on a trigger.

  +++

  I crouched next to the window, looking out. They’d sent in the cavalry, but for what? I heard Hollie open the door.

  “How can I help you, Chief?” he asked nonchalantly, speaking loudly for my benefit.

  “Evening, Mr. Herndon.” The chief pulled a wad of paper out of his pocket. “I’ve got a warrant for the arrest of a suspect in the murder of Kelly Waters.”

  My stomach clenched.

  “Who would that be? Me?” asked Hollie.

  “No, sir. We’ve been told that a man, whose name we do not have, is said to be staying on your farm.”

  “Well that’s news to me son. Wait, you’re talking about my friend. He left, hmmm, must have been two days ago.”

  The chief shuffled nervously, trying to make a decision. “Would you mind if we take a look in your house?”

  Hollie laughed. “Actually I would mind. You see,” Hollie’s voice lowered slightly. “I’ve got a female guest inside. We were just sitting down to eat when I heard you coming up the drive.”

  Now the cop looked nervous, glancing at his troops, them looking to him for an order. The shuffling again. “I…uh, can you tell us how we can find your friend?”<
br />
  “Your guess is as good as mine. He said he was on his way to South Dakota. Wanted to see Mount Rushmore.”

  “How about his name? Could you tell me his name, Mr. Herndon?”

  I strained to hear. Would Hollie lie for me again?

  “Of course. I’ve got nothing to hide. His name is Peter Vallon. Goes by Pete.”

  The cop pulled a pen out of his shirt pocket, writing the name on the back of the warrant. “Do you have a phone number for Mr. Vallon?”

  Hollie chuckled. “Pete’s a bit of a hermit. Doesn’t do technology. Prefers stopping by to calling. Hell, I didn’t even know he was coming until he knocked on the front door.”

  “May I ask where you met Mr. Vallon?”

  “Sure.” A pause. “I think it was…hmmm…I’ll be damned if I remember. Must be getting old!”

  Squinting, the policeman waited for more. “Sorry to bother you, Mr. Herndon. I would recommend calling us if Mr. Vallon contacts you.”

  “I sure will. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got a date to get back to.”

  Without waiting for permission, Hollie stepped back in the house and shut the door.

  After a moment conferring with his troops, more than one of whom looked annoyed, the caravan left the way they’d come. I waited for the police to disappear before coming downstairs.

  Hollie was waiting. “Well, at least now we know what Laney’s plan is.”

  I nodded, still wondering why he’d lied for me. He didn’t know me. For all he knew, I could have picked up the girl at the bar and killed her. My alibi was tenuous at best. “Who’s Peter Vallon?”

  Hollie smiled. “An old soldier from Korea. Crazy as a bat on cocaine. Never liked the man. Swear he was stealing from the rest of the platoon. Couldn’t prove it. If he’s still alive, maybe he’ll get a knock on his door from the police.”

  I shook my head, endlessly surprised by the old man’s actions. “I guess that settles it. I’ll grab my pack and make my way out of town.”

  “What, and miss the adventure?”

  I looked at him like he was out of his mind. “You’re kidding, right? Did you see how many cops were out there?”

  Hollie waved my comment away. “I’m not worried about them. Darryl Knox is about the biggest idiot I’ve ever met. He couldn’t find his ass with both hands unless he had help.”

  “What do you think we should do?”

  He grinned. “Take the battle to the enemy.”

  Chapter 14

  Max Laney gritted his teeth, trying to hold his temper. “What do you mean he wasn’t there?”

  “Mr. Herndon said he left days ago.” Knox wiped his blotchy face with the back of his hand.

  “And you believed him?”

  “I couldn’t bust into his house, Mr. Laney.”

  “You had a warrant!” Laney’s temper finally rising.

  “It was for the arrest of this Peter Vallon. I can’t go searching personal property without the judge signing a new warrant.”

  Max Laney took deep breaths, counting to ten. As a younger man, he’d freely exhibited his fury, often to terrific effect. After maturing and taking over the family business, he’d worked hard to reform his image. He was a well-respected businessman, and popular figures like Max Laney did not have public temper tantrums.

  He knew the man they were trying to frame was still at Hollister Herndon’s farm thanks to Honey’s surveillance, but he couldn’t tell that to Knox.

  “You’re right. I’m sorry for stepping over the line. You know what you’re doing. If there’s anything I can do please call.”

  Knox relaxed. “Thank you, but totally unnecessary for you to apologize, Mr. Laney. We’re all pretty torn up about Kelly.”

  Max patted the chief on the shoulder. “That we are. Poor girl. Please let her family know that I’d like to pay for all funeral expenses. We’ll get her a really nice plot that will do justice to her beauty.”

  “That’s very kind of you. I’ll let Mr. Waters know.”

  +++

  “What happened?” Johnny scratched his swollen nose.

  Max Laney buckled his seat belt. “It’s on us now. How quickly can you get your friends to the house?”

  Johnny smiled wickedly. “I’ll call them right now.”

  +++

  We spent the rest of the daylight hours preparing. If Max Laney and his thugs wanted a fight, we’d be ready. Hollie manned the backhoe as I went about the task of setting out a few surprises for any unwelcome guests.

  Hollie parked the backhoe, climbing out gingerly. “I’m headed in. You coming?”

  “I’ve got a couple more. Be in soon.”

  Hollie turned and headed inside, leaving me to the falling night. My time. I wouldn’t be sleeping. Didn’t want to. Too many memories. Too much to do.

  If the enemy made a move, I wouldn’t let Hollie get hurt. I would stand in their way, just as I’d done many times in the past. Silent, alone, waiting.

  Chapter 15

  Johnny had rounded up his troops. Most lived in town. Sitting in Max Laney’s spacious living room were fifteen guys of varying ages. The majority were Johnny’s friends from high school. All had, at one point or another, a run-in or three with the law. It wasn’t a stretch to describe them as thugs.

  Max Laney mingled with the men who almost bowed to him in deference. To them, Max Laney was a god. Rich, powerful and ruthless. He was the man they wanted to be. He’d promised to compensate them for their time, handsomely.

  The plan was to pay a visit to the Herndon farm and take Hollie’s houseguest, by force if needed. Max Laney wouldn’t take part. He never did, at least not since his twenties.

  Johnny walked into the room, a sawed-off shotgun leaning against his shoulder. “We’re leaving in five minutes. Grab your shit and get outside.” He waited until his men had exited and turned to his grandfather. “I’ll take care of the problem.”

  Laney’s eyes steeled. “You better, and remember, we want him alive. He’s no good to us dead.”

  +++

  They came just before midnight. Typical. If they’d had any tactical training they would’ve waited until a couple hours before sunrise. It was the best time to assault, even if the enemy was waiting.

  I sat in the second story of the barn, night vision scope glued to my eye. “Here they come.”

  Hollie shifted in the hay next to me. “How many?”

  I counted. “Five vehicles.”

  “Are they spreading out?”

  “No. They’re coming right down the road.”

  Hollie grunted.

  +++

  Johnny rode in the fourth vehicle for the simple reason that he’d underestimated the blonde stranger before. For all he knew, the dude could be lying in wait. Johnny Laney wasn’t taking any chances. Screw what his granddad had said. If he could get a clear shot, he would take it.

  +++

  The lead vehicle cruised over the only rise in the dirt road, it’s headlights illuminated the path ahead. The man in the passenger seat squinted, pointing to a patch less than twenty feet ahead. It looked like someone had laid hay on the road.

  “What’s tha…”

  The rest of his words came out in a scream as the front of the truck plunged into the ten foot hole, slamming hard, the second vehicle plowing in right behind.

  +++

  We’d hoped to get at least two vehicles out of commission. We got three. The fourth and fifth swerved violently, narrowly missing the trap. I leaned in close to Hollie. “The two others pulled over.”

  The intent hadn’t been to kill anyone. What we wanted was for them to stop and think, and stop and think they did.

  +++

  Johnny jumped out of the truck, shotgun scanning left and right as if he expected a battalion ambush.

  Groans and shouts sounded from the wreckage. Johnny pointed at the mess. “Get those idiots out.”

  The younger Laney continued to scan the area, wondering what to do next. Too much was ri
ding on the night’s impromptu operation. He couldn’t fail in his task.

  +++

  I handed the scope to Hollie and hopped to my feet. “I’ll start phase two.”

  “You sure you don’t want the scope?”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  Hollie nodded, looked down at our handiwork, and chuckled.

  +++

  At least six of his men were out of commission with a combination of head and shoulder injuries. Nothing life threatening. “You pussies stay here,” growled Johnny. “The rest of you fan out. Same plan as before.”

  Weapons gripped tightly, the band moved off warily, each man having lost their cockiness.

  +++

  I knew they couldn’t see me from where they stood, but I sprinted anyway, not wanting to waste a second. It took me just over a minute to set the next part of our production. Smiling, I moved back toward the house, hoping that Hollie would keep his promise and stay out of the way.

  +++

  The ten remaining toughs moved forward, spread out along fifty yards. Suddenly, up ahead, a spark lit, then caught. WOOMPH, went the flames as first one, then two and then three stacks roared to life. Laney’s thugs stopped.

  +++

  I couldn’t see the enemy through the flaming hay mounds. Averting my eyes from the glare, I focus on the periphery. My mind wavered, images from the past, screams coming from…

  Shaking my head, I settled in, readying my first shot.

  +++

  “Keep moving!” Johnny hissed, more annoyed than scared. He’s seen plenty of burning hay bales in his life. If his target wanted to be taken down by the light of their flames, Johnny didn’t care.