Desperate Rescue - Janet Feldman Series

As the dust settled, the sheriff sauntered over to Jake’s window as his deputy approached the passenger side. Tommy impulsively locked the door. Janet knew locking the door was useless but didn’t say a word. The deputy ordered Seth out of the back of the truck and to come around to the front. Jake was also ordered out of the truck and asked to place his hands on the hood, “in plain sight.”

  Seth walked up to the sheriff, who shook his hand. “You’re a good boy, Seth.” The sheriff smiled smugly, slapping him on the back. “Yes, sir, a good boy. Follows directions real good.”

  Jake maintained his position but stared at Seth, who lowered his gaze to the ground. Jake then looked at Janet through the front windshield of his truck. She stared back at him. So much for protecting her, he thought to himself, then shook his head slightly and looked away.

  The sheriff invited Janet to step out of the truck, but she sat frozen to her seat.

  “Now, looky here, missy. It’d be best if you did what you was told to do. I’d hate to have to make you do anything. You hear what I’m saying? I’d feel real bad if I had to hurt you or anything. So why don’t you just slip on outta that there truck and be real nice about it?”

  “I’ll get out. But I won’t be nice at all!” She was defiant.

  “That suits me just fine since we’re not really looking for nice girls. Just one’s that do what they’re told to do. Now, come on over here!” The sheriff indicated that he wanted her to stand next to him. Instead, Janet walked over to Jake and stood next to him. “Well, I guess we’ll just have to teach you some manners, won’t we?” The sheriff jerked his head at his deputy, who walked over to Janet and took her by the arm in a firm grip.

  “Let go of me!” Janet screamed, struggling. Jake reached for Janet and tried to slug the deputy, without success.

  “Seth!” the sheriff bellowed. “Take the girl! Put her in my car!” Seth hesitated. “Now, boy, or you’ll be sorry. Do what you’re told!” The tone of the sheriff’s voice meant business.

  Seth reluctantly walked over to Janet and relieved the deputy of her. Glancing at Jake and Tommy, he led her to the sheriff’s squad car and put her in the backseat.

  “Seth,” she pleaded. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m sorry, Janet,” he spoke softly and apologetically, “I’m really sorry.” He shut the door and walked back over to the sheriff.

  “Now, that’s a good boy. You go on over there and get in the deputy’s car. And as for you, Jake, just be glad you missed Bernie with that swing of yours. I might have had to lock you up for assaulting a police officer.” With that, he laughed and walked over to his car. Together, both officers started their cars, got them turned around, and headed for the highway in a flurry of dust and debris. Janet turned around in her seat and stared back at Jake and Tommy, fear in her eyes.

  They disappeared from view, and Jake was left standing in the wake of their dust. Tommy climbed out of the truck cab and came over to stand next to Jake. “What happened, Jake?” He was totally confused by everything.

  “I wish I knew, Tommy. I wish I knew.”

  Minutes later, he and Tommy were headed back to Cold Creek and his store and gas station. Jake’s thoughts were in a whirl. What did happen back there? And what about Seth? Why was he helping the sheriff with this? “I thought Seth was on our side,” he said out loud.

  “Me too,” Tommy replied quietly. “I thought he was our friend...and Janet’s friend.”

  “Yeah.”

  They rode the rest of the way in silence. About four hours later, they were pulling into the town of Cold Creek and made their way down the street to the store and filling station. It was about nine o'clock in the morning. He pulled in around back to his house and parked. He and Tommy got out and went inside. Uncle Pete greeted them instantly, with concern written all over his face.

  “Jake!” he exclaimed and hurried over to embrace his nephew. “Where’ve you been?” He was so agitated. “And Tommy!” He hugged him too.

  “It’s a long story, Uncle Pete. I think Tommy and I both need hot showers and some breakfast. Then we’ll fill you in on everything.”

  “Okay! I’ll fix breakfast, and you two go get showered up.” Uncle Pete headed for the kitchen while Jake helped Tommy get ready for a shower, getting him a clean towel and clothes.

  Half an hour later, both were sitting at the table having breakfast with Uncle Pete and filling him in on everything the best they could. A lot of it didn’t make sense to them and certainly didn’t make sense to Uncle Pete either.

  “What about them other two fellers up there in the mountain though?” Uncle Pete was asking.

  “I have no idea who they are or what they are doing,” he replied. “Well, sure, we know who Greg Danes is, but I don’t know who the other guy is. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him before,” Jake took another bite of breakfast. “Oh, heck, Uncle Pete, maybe we have seen him around. It was so dark up there. I really don’t know.”

  “It’s okay, son. It’s okay,” he reassured his nephew. “Just finish your breakfast and we’ll think about this some more later on. You two need some rest first.”

  “You’re right. I am exhausted,” Jake agreed.

  “Me too,” Tommy said with a yawn.

  Uncle Pete cleaned up the dishes and ordered Jake and Tommy to go lie down. They didn’t argue. Even though it was early morning, both boys headed for bed and a much-needed rest.