Three-Year Rule

Amy’s small SUV pulled slowly up in front of the cabin to stop next to Elizabeth’s truck. The door to the cabin was open slightly. The light from inside the house was just bright enough to light up the small porch. No movement came from the house as the SUV idled quietly. A few moments later the SUV shut down, and the headlights went out.

  Barking came from the garage across the yard. Everything else was still and silent. A few more minutes passed with no activity. Amy’s SUV’s lights went on, and its engine started. It began to move slowly toward the garage. Suddenly a series of thuds sounded. A halo of arrows struck the front and rear tires on the right side of the vehicle.

  Franklin knew he had her. Amy’s tires lost all pressure and immediately went flat. She wasn’t going anywhere. He stepped out of the shadows from behind the stables. He moved slowly toward her. The car door opened as Franklin neared. A figure stepped out into the dim light. Franklin froze; it wasn’t Amy’s silhouette.

  “Sheriff’s department!” Randy shouted, raising his gun. “Drop your weapon, or I’ll put a hole in your chest.”

  Suddenly the area exploded in a burst of light. An array of police vehicles surged into the clearing. Franklin held his ground, not moving. He held the bow in one hand and pulled the pistol from his belt with the other. Randy walked around the car, and said again, “Drop your weapons, Franklin. It’s over. Amy’s not coming. You’re about to die right here, right now. Drop the gun on the ground in front of you if you want to live.”

  Franklin surveyed the growing number of state troopers. They spilled from their vehicles and began pointing their guns at him. His eyes slowly went back Randy, and he said, “I told Elizabeth it was a good night to die. She begged to differ, but it really wasn’t her choice.”

  “Tell me where she is, and things will go easier for you,” Randy said with venom in his voice.

  Franklin shrugged his shoulders and said, “She’s on a picnic.” With that, he raised his pistol toward Randy, and the air filled with gunfire.

  Randy rushed forward to kick the gun away from Franklin. He lay bleeding on the rocky driveway. Randy knelt beside him and said, “Where’s Elizabeth.”

  Franklin smiled and refused to answer. Josh pushed his way through the small crowd of troopers. He shoved Randy away from Franklin. “Where is she?” Josh growled, taking hold of the front of Franklin’s shirt and shaking him.

  “Search the house and the out buildings.” Randy shouted to the others, “She’s a petite brunette.”

  “Where is she?” Josh’s voice grew louder as the emotionless face stared up at him.

  Franklin seemed oblivious to his wounds and the amount of lifeblood flowing from his body. He gazed up at the stars. He tilted his head to one side when the distant cry of a wolf reached them. “There, you see,” Franklin whispered, “dinner is served.”

  Josh released him and rose but stopped when a flash of red color caught his eye hanging out of Franklin’s pants pocket. He jerked at the fabric, and a small red flag landed in his hand. Josh jumped to his feet and ran to Randy’s truck. He pulled Randy’s spare rifle out from under the rear seat and shouted to Randy, who was moving toward the garage. “She’s on the ridge!”

  Josh sprinted across the yard heading for the woods beyond the stables. Randy yelled, “Josh!” as he passed, and tossed him his flashlight adding, “I’m right behind you!”

  Randy ran to his truck shouting orders to have the ATV’s pulled off the back of Josh’s truck parked behind the police vehicles. He climbed into his truck and started the engine.

  Josh dove into the thick layer of brush and small trees that lined the clearing. He could hear Randy’s truck crashing through the underbrush on the far side of the stables. He was cutting through the woods trying to reach the maintenance road.

  The trees and thorny brush tore at Josh’s face and jacket. He raced toward the summit where they laid the first line of flags. Franklin didn’t have enough time to go much further. Elizabeth had to be just beyond the summit. “Beth!” Josh screamed as he reached the highest point. He stood for a moment praying she would respond. His only response was the call of the wolves coming ever closer. He was running out of time.

  Josh pushed deeper into the trees looking for any sign of Franklin and Elizabeth’s passing. Suddenly a flash of yellow fabric caught his eye. He rushed toward the thick and snatched it from the bush. He moved the flashlight across the ground; there had to be tracks.