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The deadbolt hadn’t been turned, so I pulled out my Navy knife and flicked it open with my thumb. The sound of it clicking into place caught Natty’s attention, and when I wedged it into the door to jimmy the lock, he started protesting.

  Once the door was open, I stepped inside.

  From the porch, Natty said, “Are you crazy? We could get arrested for this.”

  “That’s funny coming from a drug dealer.”

  “With two convictions. I can’t risk a simple breaking and entering. They’d send me upstate for five years.”

  I walked farther into the house, looking for any clues about the people who lived there.

  Reluctantly, Natty followed me inside. “We could both be killed. Is that what you want?”

  I didn’t turn to face him when I said, “All I want is to find Bailey Mae.”

  When I got to the rear of the cabin I noticed Bart in the backyard. He was sniffing something and interested in it.

  I went out the back door and Natty followed. When I got to Bart, I kneeled down to pat his back and said, “What did you find, boy?” That’s when I realized there were several sets of tracks in the snow from the rear of the cabin heading up into the hills. It was a well-used path and the latest set of tracks was fairly fresh.

  Without a word I started the trek up the hill, following the tracks. Natty started to protest, but then just followed me.

  Chapter 24

  The trail was firm, with the snow piled on either side. I was surprised how steep the incline was and felt my heart rate start to climb as I kept a steady march up the path. After a few hundred yards I was glad we’d left Bart on the porch of the cabin. He seemed happy to let us go on our way, and I knew he’d be safe there.

  Natty started to complain as the path entered the thick woods and continued to go higher. Every once in a while I could see remnants of the old resort and where a road off to the side followed the path. The road would be tough to navigate in winter, but in summer it seemed wide enough for any kind of vehicle. Unless you had a snowplow—then it could be open year-round.

  The cold wind whipped down off the mountaintop and made me shiver even though I was working pretty hard. Natty’s breath became more ragged as his lifestyle started to catch up with him.

  Natty said, “What are we doing out here in this frozen tundra?”

  “You know exactly what we’re doing: looking for Bailey Mae.”

  “You don’t think this is a little crazy? We go from asking people if they’ve seen a missing teenager to trekking through the woods behind someone’s cabin? This seems pretty thin and a waste of time.”

  “You don’t have to be here.”

  “Mom said I did. Besides, I can’t leave you out here alone. I just think our time could be spent more efficiently. There’s nothing out here. We’re following some kind of old hunting trail.”

  We cleared a rise in the trail and stopped, amazed by what we saw.

  In front of us, about a hundred yards away, was a small cabin with the lights on and smoke coming from the chimney. I had never seen it or heard anyone mention a cabin all the way back here. It was more like a shack, hastily constructed to protect people from the weather.

  I had to look at Natty and say, “What were you saying about nothing being back here?”

  Then Natty mumbled, “Maybe you are a good investigator.”

  Chapter 25

  We carefully moved around to the front of the shack, which had a window on each side of the only door. As we got closer, we could see one guy inside, sprawled out on the couch with a computer on his lap. He was in his thirties and kind of pudgy but looked like he’d been in pretty good shape at one time. Now he just looked like a couch potato. The fireplace made the room look cozy, and for some reason it pissed me off.

  Natty eased up beside me and took a peek.

  Then I realized what was on a plate next to him on the couch: a piece of Bailey Mae’s coffee cake.

  I pulled Natty away from the window and said in a low voice, “Ever see him before?”

  Natty was sheepish and finally stammered, “No, well, I mean, maybe. I think.”

  “Natty,” I growled.

  “Yeah. I guess I sold him some weed once.”

  I glared at him.

  “Maybe a few times. And a little coke. And some pills. That ADHD shit.” He paused and cocked his head like a puppy. “What’s the look for? Any good businessman needs to diversify.”

  “I thought you only sold pot to regular customers.”

  Natty shrugged. “After the first time he was a regular customer. And just how am I supposed to remember everything and everyone?”

  I looked back at the cabin and crept toward it with Natty close behind. I pulled my pistol from under my shirt.

  Then he grabbed my arm and said, “Wait, what are we doing? Do you have any idea what kind of trouble we could be in for using a gun in a home invasion?”

  “Yeah, I do. But this guy might lead us to Bailey Mae.” I jerked my arm away from Natty and stepped up to the door.

  Chapter 26

  The door was unlocked. I was disappointed I didn’t get to kick in anything in a dramatic fashion. We rushed inside just the same. The effect was perfect. Couch Potato Man stared in stunned silence for a moment then tried to get to his feet, knocking the plate with Bailey Mae’s coffee cake onto the floor.

  The sight of my gun pointed at him slowed the man down. Now he eased back onto the couch and said, “You scared the shit out of me.” He looked at Natty and said, “I’m all paid up with you. What’s the problem?”

  I said, “Where’s the girl? Where’s Bailey Mae, you son of a bitch?”

  Couch Potato Man said, “I have no idea what you assholes are talking about. Who the hell is Bailey Mae?”

  Then he stood up. That was his mistake. I was pissed off and he was in range, so I popped him in the face with my left fist, keeping the gun pointed at him with my right hand. Although I felt it in the cut on the back of my hand, I was glad to get off a good, solid punch that knocked him back. He tumbled across the couch and landed on the hard floor. He immediately covered himself with his hands like there was a gang about to pummel him.

  I was breathing hard as I stood over the man with the pistol still in my hand. “Don’t make me ask you again. Where is she?”

  Couch Potato Man kept his head down with his hands shielding his face. “Please don’t hit me,” he whined as he scooted away from me, toward the couch. He sat up with his back against the couch but kept his hands up like he was terrified. Was this some kind of act? Was he buying time? I didn’t care. I needed answers.

  Couch Potato Man said, “I didn’t do anything to anyone. I don’t know anyone named Bailey Mae. I’m basically camping here. Squatting.”

  I noticed his eyes shift to the right, looking past me. About the same time I caught a movement outside the window. Before I could turn, the door burst open.

  Natty squawked like a bird.

  I spun and found a gun in my face. My eyes ran up the barrel to the owner. It was the woman from Mabel’s photo.

  Chapter 27

  The man standing next to her said, “Put the gun on the ground. Do it now.”

  That was a command from someone who had either military or police experience. I slowly bent down to place the gun on the floor, but I kept my eyes on the couple who’d stepped inside the shack. The man was also from the photo. He was lean and in good shape, with close-cropped hair. The woman was about five foot ten and had straight black hair that hung to her neck, with very little styling. She had sharp lines to her face and didn’t look like she took much shit.

  I didn’t make any sudden movements and did nothing to cause alarm or force them to shoot. But as I stood back up, I felt a strong emotion—and it wasn’t fear. It was anger. These people thought they could do whatever they wanted in my town. They probably took Bailey Mae, and now they were pointing guns at my brother and me.

  Natty could never keep his mouth shut. As a kid he was fea
rless, even though he didn’t have the muscle to back it up. Sure enough, he said, “Just who the hell are you guys?”

  Now Couch Potato Man was standing up behind us, no doubt looking forward to some payback. But like the other two, Couch Potato Man was now focused on Natty.

  Natty continued. “I sold this slacker some weed. He didn’t seem so bad. What the hell is your problem?” He jabbed his finger at the couple.

  While the armed couple focused their attention on my idiot brother, I eased my right hand into my front pocket. No one even noticed. My brother could hold people’s attention.

  He said, “If you assholes think you can move in on my territory, I got news for you.”

  I made my move. My Navy knife was out and flicked open in a heartbeat, while they all stared at my brother like he was some kind of evangelist who had gone insane on the pulpit. I was close, but not quite close enough. That forced me to try something crazy, but this whole situation was crazy. I leaned into it and threw the knife. Hard. It hit the woman in the upper chest, knocking her back, and she staggered from shock.

  Her male companion fired as I moved. The round went wide and I was on him before he could pull the trigger again. I was bigger and had momentum. He went down and his pistol flew across the floor. I put him in an arm lock, making him gasp in pain.

  When Couch Potato Man moved toward the pistol, Natty took action. He threw a solid elbow into the man’s chin. Nice. Then he shoved the man back onto the couch. Right where a couch potato belonged.

  We had no time to waste. I twisted my body and broke the other man’s arm.

  The woman was on the floor in shock.

  Natty picked up the loose pistol. “Now this is what I’m talking about.” He pointed the gun at Couch Potato Man.

  I rolled away and onto my feet. My anger came out in a scream. “Where’s Bailey Mae?!”

  Chapter 28

  Natty looked like he enjoyed holding the gun on Couch Potato Man. I had other things to do. The man on the floor, closest to me, was moaning and holding his arm. The woman by the door was barely conscious. Now I had both her pistol and mine.

  I looked at Natty and said, “Pull off a couple lamp cords and grab some rags from the kitchen. Let’s tie these jerks up.”

  Natty hesitated at first, then tucked the gun in his belt and ripped the cord from a floor lamp, then the cords from some old blinds. The cords and a couple of longer dishrags made for decent restraints as we tied the men’s hands behind their backs. The man with the broken arm whimpered. Then, for good measure, I tied each man’s ankles together with a lamp cord. That would keep them from having any ideas about running.

  I carefully examined the woman on the floor, then eased my knife out of her chest and used a dish towel and duct tape over her wound to stem the bleeding. She moaned and seemed to be in and out of consciousness. Then her eyes focused.

  “Get me to a hospital.” Even in this state she was scary.

  I gave her a smile and said, “No problem. Just tell me where Bailey Mae is.”

  She looked puzzled.

  “My cousin, fourteen, cute, brown hair.” I took time to look at each of the other assholes. Couch Potato Man wouldn’t meet my eyes. The other man said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but she needs help. Now.”

  “So do I.”

  Then I thought of a way to make them talk.

  Chapter 29

  I knew Natty would never look at me the same way again, but we had to get some answers. I got his attention and said, “Come on, let’s drag them all outside.”

  “Outside? Are you crazy? It’s freezing out there.”

  “Exactly.”

  The snow was still coming down hard and the wind had picked up. None of them had coats on. They weren’t ready to be stuck outside. That made me realize the couple with the guns had come to the shack from somewhere close.

  Natty was silent as we dragged them out the front door. I pulled the two men about twenty feet from the shack, then tightened the cord tied around their ankles so they couldn’t get loose or walk. Natty was careful with the woman as he eased her onto the snow a few feet from the men.

  Couch Potato Man rolled so he could face me. He had a hitch in his voice when he said, “You can’t do this.”

  “Apparently I can.” I calmly took Natty by the arm and led him back into the shack. The door was open so they could clearly see inside. A little psyops, just like the military would use.

  Once inside I stoked the fire, found a turkey sub in the refrigerator, and gave half to Natty, then had him plop down on the couch within view of our hosts.

  I said in a low voice, “Let them see you eating.”

  I poked around the shack. Aside from Bailey Mae’s coffee cake, there was nothing of any interest. The laptop Couch Potato Man was working on was a high-end model with a tough outer body, and the screen was secured by a password.

  When I was done, I grabbed my half of the sub and sat down next to Natty. Both of the men stared at me from outside. I toasted their discomfort with my sub and gave them a smile.

  Chapter 30

  Natty surprised me with his compassion. I didn’t realize drug dealers were so concerned with other people’s needs.

  He said, “We can’t let that woman die out there.”

  “She knows how to save herself.”

  Things were quiet outside. It looked like the woman had passed out. Even though I wouldn’t admit it out loud, I was worried, too. After another minute I stood up and casually strolled outside. Even in my coat I felt the bite of the wind. The guy who seemed to be in charge, the one who surprised us with the woman, spoke directly to me.

  “You’re in way over your head, Mr. Mitchum.”

  That got my attention.

  I said, “Look who’s talking. The guy I have in custody. But I’m honored you know my name.”

  The man kept calm. “Don’t wash out here like you did in San Diego with the SEALs. Just walk away from the whole thing. You’ll thank me later.”

  “I’ll thank you right now. I’ll even let you go when you tell me where my cousin is. I’m impressed you know about my military record. You must have some decent connections.”

  The man wasn’t falling for any of my banter and gave nothing away, but Couch Potato Man was looking increasingly scared and was now shivering uncontrollably.

  I stood up and stretched. “Think I might be ready for a nap.” I turned toward the shack. That was all Couch Potato Man needed to break.

  I took one step and he shouted, “Wait, wait. Get us inside and I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

  Chapter 31

  The freezing wind had hurt my exposed face so I knew it had done a number on these three thugs. By the time Couch Potato Man made his plea, I was concerned about leaving the trio out there much longer. I was tempted to take him up on his offer and drag him back inside before he talked, but I knew it could be a ploy. These guys had already proven to be shifty and more cunning than me. Now I had to turn ruthless just to get answers. I needed to hear what he had to say, and I needed to hear it outside. Now.

  I looked at Natty and finally said, “Carry the woman inside and cover her with a blanket on the couch.”

  For a change, Natty did exactly what I asked. He even lifted the woman off the ground completely, instead of dragging her. I had to trust him and not take my eyes off the other two as he secured her inside.

  The guy tied to Couch Potato Man gave me a hard stare and said, “You’re making a mistake. It’s not too late to just walk away.”

  “If that was true, you wouldn’t be trying so hard to convince me. You know we’re about to blow whatever you’re up to and the couch potato here is gonna tell me all about it unless he wants to freeze into a statue.”

  The guy looked at Couch Potato Man and said, “Don’t say a goddamn word, Becker.”

  Becker, one more piece of information to file away. But I liked the name Couch Potato Man better. It was more descriptive.
r />   I leaned down and used my knife to cut the cord around the men’s legs. When Natty popped his head out, I motioned for him to bring the other man inside as well. It had the right psychological effect on Couch Potato Man.

  He was now shivering uncontrollably as ice formed in his eyebrows and his face changed to a dark shade of blue.

  “You better start talking,” I said.

  He hesitated as his eyes drifted past me to the path that disappeared into the woods on the hills.

  I rose to my feet, like I was out of patience. Actually, I really was done with this whining fake tough guy. The woman was safe, and I had no more time to waste. I turned and took one step before I heard him say, “Okay, okay.”

  He had the manic speech of a guy who was not only scared but maybe on too much speed or meth. No wonder I found these guys through a drug dealer. What else was there to do up here so isolated?

  “Was there a girl here? Fourteen, cute, brown hair?”

  Couch Potato Man shrugged and said, “I guess.”

  This time I grabbed him by the throat. It felt like I was holding a block of ice. But it got his attention.

  He nodded his head. “She was here, she was here, but I’m not sure where she went. She wasn’t supposed to see anything. No one was. It was just a misunderstanding.”

  I looked at the cabin in the wilderness and said, “Why are you here? What the hell are you asswipes doing?”

  “Look, I answered your question. Do you want to find the girl or not?”

  I was tired of being jerked around. I had a lot of questions that needed to be answered. I lost it. I pulled my pistol from my belt and shoved it in the creep’s face. The barrel pushed against his nose, making him look like a terrified Porky Pig.

  Couch Potato Man knew I was serious and called out, “Try the trail, try the trail.” He turned his head and I followed his eyes along the trail that led into the woods. “Straight up the path a ways. She might be up there.”