Caching Out Read online

  Tate let his vehicle coast slowly down the dirt road even though it was now too dark for anyone to see any dust being raised. A half mile from Walt’s house, he pulled over, the wheels dipping into the ditch, gravel and rocks crunching under the tires as he braked. Pulling a flashlight from the glove compartment, he turned it on keeping the beam low to the ground. He slid from SUV and eased the door closed with his hip then. The loud metallic click echoed into the still night and Tate winced.

  Following the road, he jogged to Walt’s driveway then slipped into the foliage on the fence line, making his way closer to the house. No lights. Shit, maybe they’re not here. A creaking sound from behind the house now caught Tate’s attention.

  The barn.

  Taking a chance, Tate ran from the cover of trees to the side of Walt’s house. He kept to the shadows and walked to the rear corner of the house where he had a clear view of the barn. Both the main doors were closed, but a faint glow of light peeked eerily from a two inch crack at the bottom. He took a deep breath. Now what?

  Pulling the passenger door open, Gavin shook Emma’s arm. “Time to wake up, bitch. The chase is over, but the party is just beginning and I want you awake for it.” He shook her hard and waited a few seconds for her to respond. “Shit. She’s out cold.” Reaching inside the car, Gavin locked one arm around Emma’s waist, hoisting her out before dropping her on the barn floor.

  Emma resisted the urge to tense when he touched her. You probably won’t get another chance at this. Her butt hit the hard-packed dirt floor of the barn with a thud. Letting her body roll back Emma brought her feet up, kicking at the man with all her strength.

  A solid blow to the mid-section knocked Gavin off his feet. He fell back on the floor of the barn and was surprised for a minute, then laughed. The woman struggled to stand and failed so she tried scooting backward toward the door. Gavin pulled a length of red cord from his pocket and advanced on her. “You’re going to be so much fun. I love it when they fight.”

  As soon as the Gavin was close enough, she kicked at him again, her blow glancing off his thigh this time. He was ready for her this time and when she kicked, he grabbed her ankle and twisted, forcing her face down on the floor. He wrapped the cord around her ankles and pulled it tight then stepped back. “Now, where’s my coin bitch?”

  Emma rolled over and looked at the crazed man in front of her, knowing that if she gave him the token he would have no reason to keep her alive. “Why is the coin so important to you? It’s nothing but a toy, it doesn’t have any value.”

  Watching his face twist in anger, Emma knew that she’d hit a nerve. The killer loved that damn coin. Just keep him talking Emma.

  Kicking her on the leg, Gavin pointed to the computer sitting on a wooden work table behind him. “I know that you have it, in fact I always know where it is so, give it to me.”

  Scooting back further from his reach, Emma faltered. “Okay, so I have it. Why don’t you tell me about the coin? What’s so special about it and why do you put it in geocaches and then kill the people who find it?”

  Slamming his hand down on the hood of the car, Gavin snapped. “Enough!” Turning he walked to the work table and opened his backpack, pulled a syringe out. He twisted the orange safety cap off. Holding the needle up to the soft light of the computer screen he pushed the clear liquid upward until a drop oozed from the needle. He gave it a good thump.

  “Maybe you’ll be a little more helpful once you fall in the K-hole, bitch. Actually, you won’t be helpful at all, but then you won’t care if I do a little body search, either.”

  Trying to scoot further away, Emma realized that she’d moved as far as she could, her back now rested against the barn doors. “No need for that, I’ll give you the coin.”

  Rushing her, Gavin jabbed the needle into her upper thigh, pushing the drug into her muscle. “Yes, you will give me my coin, or I’ll just take it after I’m through with you, doesn’t matter much to me at this point.”

  Emma stared at the man in front of her. His mouth moved but she couldn’t hear his words over the loud buzzing in her ears. “Wha...” She tried to speak but gave up, leaning her head back on something hard as the barn walls pulsed in and out like a strange house of mirrors. Panic filled her gut as she stared at the man standing over her. This is it. She struggled, but failed to move.

  Smiling, Gavin watched the woman, knowing the exact instant that she fell into the K hole. “You’re there now. Pretty cool, huh?” He walked to the work bench and pulled a small gray plastic case from his backpack. Flipping the case open and running his finger across a set of small blades he smiled. “It’s time now, Mama. But first, I get to have a little fun.” Taking the knives with him Gavin knelt next to Emma.

  Outside, Tate slid closer to the barn. It’s too quiet in there. There’s got to be another way in, it’s too big to only have one door.

  Tate heard Emma asking the killer about his coin and why it was important to him. That’s it Em, just keep him talking.

  Sliding around to the side of the barn, Tate let his hands glide against the rough wood feeling for a door or loose board. He turned the corner and walked along the rear of the barn. He had gone only a couple of feet when he felt it. A door. Gripping the iron door knob he slowly turned it. It opened without a sound. Sliding into the dark room, Tate squinted, letting his eyes adjust before seeing a faint glow of light coming from the wall in front of him.

  Thank God. He heard them clearly now. Was the killer was talking to his mother? Was there someone else in there too? Tate counted to three before he pushed the door open.

  “Police! You touch her with that knife and you’re a dead man.”

  Tate took in the scene before him in a flash. Emma in a near-comatose state, her back propped against the barn door, her head tilted at an unnatural angle, the killer squatting next to her with a knife in one hand and Emma’s arm in the other.

  “Drop the knife and stand up. Do it! Move away from her.” Tate demanded.

  Looking back at the woman, Gavin shrugged his shoulders and rising to his full height he turned, lunging at the man with the gun, the knife raised above his head.

  “Get down!” A voice boomed from the doorway, startling both men.

  Tate fell, pressing his body to the floor, his gun still drawn, eyes locked on the killer. He couldn’t take the shot, he wouldn’t risk hitting Emma.

  Gavin saw the old sheriff standing in the doorway for a split second, then one shot rang out, echoing into the night.

  The old bastard shot me! Gavin dropped to the hard barn floor, the knife flying from his hand. Struggling to stand, he cried and fell back, his voice gurgling as blood seeped into his mouth. “Mama, I’ve got to get Mama. She needs me.”

  Martin kneeled at the dying man’s side. “Just lay still, we’ll get an ambulance on the way, but I don’t think you’ll be seeing your mama anytime soon.”

  Looking at the killer’s chest Martin sighed. It was a clean shot, an accurate shot….a killing shot. “What’s your name?” he asked.

  His eyes wide with fear, Gavin coughed blood from his mouth. Looking at the old sheriff he saw the ugly truth in his eyes, he was done. With his last breath, Gavin looked at the uniformed man and said, “Fuck you.”

  Tate jumped up and ran to Emma. He pulled her face around to his and felt for a pulse, even though her eyes were clearly open. “Damn it, it’s way too fast.” Juggling his cell with nervous hands, he dialed 911 and demanded an ambulance be sent to Walt’s house. “Come to the back, near the barn and hurry!” He scooped Emma into his arms, and rushed out of the barn and into the cool yard, hoping that the fresh air would help bring her around.

  How much did he give her? Tate worried. The stuff had killed Walt almost immediately and Emma was a lot smaller. “Where the hell is that ambulance?” Dropping down on one knee he let Emma’s body slide down onto the cool grass. “Hold on, Em. I hear the sirens; they’re almost here, baby.”

  Standing over the killer, M
artin shook his head. Damn, he hating killing, even when killing was the right thing to do. He double checked that the man was actually dead and to his relief, there was no pulse at all. Martin was glad to leave this mess of a whack job behind and check on Tate and Emma.

  “Miss Emma going to be alright?” he asked, kneeling down next to them.

  “I think so, she’s starting to come around, but her heart is pounding. What about our serial?” Tate asked looking up at his friend.

  “Dead. I see the ambulance lights. Won’t be but a minute now.”

  The paramedics pulled to a smooth stop a few feet in front of Tate and Emma, and two county cruisers pulled in behind it. A squat and balding man in a blue uniform rushed to Emma’s side, plugged his stethoscope into his ears and bent to listen to her heart.

  “Ma’am, can you tell me your name?” No response. Pulling her right eyelid open wide he flashed a pen light across her face.

  “She was injected with Ketamine,” Tate said. “I don’t know how much, but it happened sometime in the last hour and a half.”

  Rounding the ambulance, a tall thin woman pushed a gurney through the damp grass and stopped behind her partner.

  “Pupils are responsive, BP is one sixty over ninety eight, pulse one forty. Respiration is shallow, but steady. We’re going to need a twelve lead and an IV for the ride, Susan.” The short man barked orders to his partner and then turned to Tate. “We’re taking her to County for some observation, Chief Echo. Ketamine generally wears off in a couple hours or so and I expect she’ll come around by the time we get her to the hospital and they get her stabilized.”

  Placing a hand on Tate’s shoulder Martin insisted, “You go on with her Tate.” He gestured to the two county deputies behind him. “Me and the boys have got the scene covered. We’ll wait for the coroner and CSU and then you can come by my office and give your statement tomorrow.”

  Nodding, Tate watched the paramedics loading Emma onto the gurney his heart still beating out of his chest. What if he hadn’t found her in time? What if Martin hadn’t shot the guy when he did? What if Emma had overdosed from the Ketamine? What if?

  It was all Tate could think about.

  CHAPTER 41

  Three Days Later

  The bell over the diner door clanked when Tate and Emma walked in. Martin was drinking coffee in a booth near the door. Standing until Emma was seated, Martin said, “Miss Emma, it is real good to see you up and around.”

  Emma laughed, “It’s good to be up and around Martin. I can’t thank you enough for coming to my rescue. Tate told me what you did and I owe you one.”

  Grinning at Emma and then Martin, Tate said, “We both owe you one, hell the whole town owes you one.”

  His face turning a dark shade of red, Martin cleared his throat. “Did you find out anything on Gavin Wheeler when you called the Little Rock police?”

  Tate shook his head. “Some. He was raised there, a good student but a loner, no trouble with the law. His mother lives in a very upscale Alzheimer’s clinic that he paid for and will continue to pay for through a trust that he’d set up to cover her expenses well beyond her life expectancy. Seems he actually loved his mom.”

  “It’s good news too that Chad Green will be okay. Just a crack on the head, but he’s good to go I think.”

  “Yes,” Tate agreed, “It could have been way worse for everyone involved.”

  “The bureau has closed three cold cases fitting the same profile as the Pine Ridge cases and they’re looking at several more,” Emma said, changing the subject. “I caught a little hell for being involved without prior approval, but since the case got solved it’s not going to be a problem.”

  “That’s great, Miss Emma,” Martin said. “Anytime they don’t want you over at the FBI, you’ve got a spot on my team.”

  “Aww…That’s sweet. Unfortunately, duty calls. I’ve got a flight out tomorrow, but I’m sure going to miss you.”

  Martin shook Tate’s hand. “I’ve got rounds and county patrol today, but I’ll be seeing you at the courthouse.” He was surprised when Emma stood and pulled him into a fierce hug.

  “Sheriff Crawley, you are one special man.” Emma said, pulling back to drop a kiss on Martin’s cheek.

  Watching Martin leave the diner, Tate pulled a laminated menu from behind a chrome napkin dispenser and slid his chair closer to Emma. “It’s our last night together, Em, want to make it memorable and have the meatloaf special?”

  “Absolutely,” Emma grinned as Reva stepped up to take their order.

  CHAPTER 42

  Tate pulled the SUV into a parking spot at the Pine Ridge Airport and turned to Emma. “You could stay, you know that.”

  Cupping his face with her hand, she said, “You could come with me.”

  Last night had been a long awaited dream and he didn’t want it to end. Tate pressed her palm against his lips, squeezing her hand gently. “Thank you for coming to my rescue and getting the mayor off my back.”

  Bright tears filled Emma’s eyes and she nodded, afraid to speak still arguing with herself. Damn it Emma, why don’t you just stay? You love him, you know you do. He loves you too. No! Stop it! You know you can’t stay, you always knew you couldn’t stay, nothing’s changed. Suck it up, buttercup, and get on that plane.

  Silently they walked together into the Pine Ridge Airport, Tate pulling Emma’s baggage behind them.

  Tate’s heart ached, but he would not beg her to stay. It was her call and he’d known all along she would leave. At least she was leaving in one piece and if nothing else he was grateful for that. Reaching the security gate, Tate pulled Emma against him, his lips gently touching hers.

  Emma wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer as her fingers sneaking into the base of his hair. Emma gave him one last squeeze, took a deep breath then turned and stepped through the security controlled gate without looking back.

  “I love you, Emma Gage-Echo,” Tate whispered. “One of these days, I’m going to convince you that we belong together. Even walls fall down sometimes, Em. Even walls.”

  About the Author

  Tammy Cheatham grew up in rural East Texas and learned to love books and reading at an early age. Her writing career began in the fifth grade when she won second place in a UIL writing contest but was put on hold while she pursued a career and raised a family. With her three children all grown up, Tammy elected to retire from her full time job and return to her first career choice, writing fiction. Today, Tammy lives in South Texas near San Antonio with her husband.

  Dedication

  To Angie and Alicia, my sisters in crime and to my Lillie who always believed.