Tick tock, tick tock.
“Jenna, what does the message say?”
Kane’s voice jolted her back to reality and, holding the cellphone in trembling fingers, she relayed the message.
“He’s not given you a clue, there has to be more. He’s a gamer, he has to give a clue or it’s no longer a game, it’s just a threat.” Kane cleared his throat. “Is there another message?”
As if on cue, her cellphone buzzed again and a video file arrived. “There’s a file attached. I’m opening it now.”
Blackhawk moved around the desk to stand beside her as the video file played. Knowing Kane would want exact details Jenna wanted desperately to drop into her professional persona and tried to slow her heartrate. It wasn’t about her, or some lunatic chasing her, it was about saving Sara Nelson. On the screen, Sara sat on a boulder in the forest, a rope around her neck tied like a hangman’s noose. Her mouth was covered and her head hung down. As she breathed, the hair falling over her face moved.
Jenna relayed the information to Kane. “I’ll send you a copy.”
“I know that place.” Blackhawk took the cellphone from her and replayed the file repeatedly. “It’s close to the swimming hole in Stanton Forest, the one near Stanton Road.”
Jenna stared at him. “That’s a narrow trail. We’ll need horses if we plan to get there in a hurry.”
“Our dirt bikes are right outside.” Blackhawk picked up his cellphone. “Kane, we’re heading out now.”
Jenna got slowly to her feet. “Not wi
thout me, you’re not.” She lifted the new Kevlar vest and shrugged into it, then pulled on the helmet. “Kane, what’s your status?”
“I found nothing in Anderson’s truck. I’m in his house now. There’s no cellar. The place looks clean. I’ll grab his laptop and head in your direction. I’m not far from that location.”
Jenna could hear Kane’s boots clattering over a wooden floor. “Bring everyone up to date. I’m leaving now.”
“Roger that. Stay safe, Jenna.” He disconnected.
After giving Maggie a rushed update, she moved swiftly out the door and down the steps to meet Blackhawk and Joe astride their dirt bikes. She eyed Blackhawk’s blue and white machine with concern, then bit down hard on her cheek to take her mind off the pain in her back and swung her leg over the seat. She settled in snug behind him, found the footrests and hung on tight. The motorcycles roared and they headed down Main Street.
The suspension on the bike was surprisingly good but the vibration was like a baseball bat to the spine. Jenna rested her head on Blackhawk’s wide back, inhaling the scent of his leather jacket as the houses flashed by. As the men pushed the speed to the bikes’ limit, the forest became a band of green. Then all at once they slowed and Blackhawk turned off the highway and followed Joe down a narrow trail deep into the forest.
Bushes and low branches seemed to reach out to grab her at every hairpin bend and switchback. As they traveled deeper into the tall pines, the temperature dropped and frigid air buffeted her cheeks. The dirt bike stopped and she could hear Blackhawk’s voice over the engine. “We’ve found her.”
Jenna peered over Blackhawk’s shoulder to see Sara in a clearing a short distance away. The girl appeared to be alive. She slipped from the bike. “She looks okay, thank God, we’re in time.”
Ahead, Joe leapt from his bike and ran toward Sara.
“Stop, wait for us, you idiot.” Blackhawk turned off his engine, slid from his seat and cupped his mouth. “Joe. Stop! It could be a trap.”
A groaning sound came from the trees, and then a loud crack sent birds flying high in the air. In a twang like an arrow leaving a bow, a spear shot through the air. The sharpened wooden stake thumped into Joe’s shoulder, flinging him to the forest floor. A split second later, Sara flew high into the trees then dropped with a sickening snap to hang by her neck, feet twitching. From the angle of her head, Jenna could see it was too late for Sara. Her stomach cramped and she turned towards the bushes and vomited.
“Jesus.” Blackhawk pulled a hunting knife from his belt. “Stay here, I’ll cut her down.” He took off, moving in a careful wide arc around the clearing. “Joe, if you can hear me, stay down.”
He moved fast, leaping over bushes, but Jenna could see his head moving in all directions searching for another trap. He’d reached Sara moments later and was sawing at the rope to release her. With one hand on the cord, securing Sara, he attempted to lower her slowly but the rope slid through his hands and she tumbled to the forest floor in a nauseating thud.
Jenna wiped her mouth and scanned the area, searching for tripwires, then retraced Joe’s steps. A length of fishing line lay across the dirt track. Taking careful steps, she inched her way to Joe’s side. He was out cold but alive. Apart from the wicked stake sticking through his shoulder, he had an egg on his head. Jenna checked him, pressing two fingers on his jugular and relieved to feel his pulse under her fingers. She reached for her cellphone and called the paramedics, explaining the situation and the danger involved. Next, she called Kane. “It’s all gone to hell. Sara’s dead and Joe has a stake through one shoulder, paramedics are on their way.”
“I’m making my way to you now.” Kane’s voice was reassuring. “The others are close behind. No one found anything at the homes and we’ve taken all their computer equipment.”
“Roger that.” Jenna turned to see Blackhawk returning. “I’ll send Blackhawk to give you a ride.” She heard Kane’s sharp intake of breath. “I’ll be fine.”
“Stay on the line with Kane and I’ll move Joe into the cover of the trees.” Blackhawk dragged his unconscious friend into the bushes, and then turned to her. “Stay here.”
Jenna crawled into a secluded area and Blackhawk ran back to his dirt bike. As the noise of the engine disappeared in the distance, the forest closed in around her. She’d never felt so alone and pressed the cellphone to her ear. “Dave.”
“I’m here.”