Luck of the Draw Page 18

  “That’s a shit pile of coin,” his friend agreed. “People have killed for a lot less.”

  “But then that would mean that someone close to her was the attempted killer,” he said. Isn’t that what he feared?

  “There isn’t any chance that she’s starting to remember who she saw the night her father and stepmother were murdered, right?”

  He glanced over at the PI. “She can’t even remember what happened a few days ago.”

  “Just a thought,” Billy said. “You’re right. It’s probably family or someone close to her that has access to the money.”

  “That’s why I’m acting like a crazy man by going after her. I don’t trust these people and I don’t think Joslyn does, either.” Even if he didn’t catch the ambulance, he would go to every sanitarium in Seattle. He would find her.

  The exit came up fast. He took it, looking for the first gas station. These towns along the interstate between Whitefish and Seattle were small. There was only one gas station, a large new convenience store slash casino slash fast food mart all rolled into one.

  He pulled into the first open bay and started to get out when Billy grabbed his arm to stop him and let out a curse. “Like I said, it all comes down to luck, and buddy, you are one lucky bastard.” Billy pointed to the ambulance that had just refueled and was pulling out, headed back to the interstate.

  * * *

  SID MADE A few calls and tracked down former convenience store clerk Jerry Fulton. The man had quit the convenience store after the robbery, gone back to college for a while and ended up working for a highway contractor. Right now they were putting up a new bridge down by Polson.

  Grabbing his hat, Sid headed for the door. He wanted to talk to Jerry in person, get a feel for the now twenty-nine-year-old. He found the young man leaning on a shovel at the new bridge site as he waited for some heavy equipment to finish a job and move.

  Sid flashed his badge even though he was in uniform and had driven up in a sheriff’s department rig. “Can you spare a minute to talk?”

  Jerry glanced at a man who was obviously in charge of the job. The man motioned for him to go ahead and take his break. Sid and Jerry walked back to the patrol SUV but stopped short of climbing inside.

  “What’s this about?” Jerry asked, sounding scared.

  “The convenience-store robbery and shooting.”

  The young man looked down at his boots, stalling. He dug the toe of his boot into the dirt and rubbed the back of his neck, clearly nervous. “I already told the cops everything I know. Why are you asking about it again?”

  “You had a gun behind the counter,” Sid said. “Where did you get it?”

  Jerry’s left eye began to twitch. “It was one I picked up. I hated working the night shift. It didn’t feel safe and as it turned out...”

  “Do you remember where you got it?”

  “A gun show.”

  “Did you know it was unregistered?”

  “You mean did the guy make me fill out some papers on it, no.” Jerry rubbed his neck again, then stuffed his hands into the pockets of his jeans as if not knowing what to do with them. “Is that a problem?”

  “Do you know what happened to the gun after the shooting was over?”

  The young man frowned, looking down at his work boots again. “I just assumed the cops took it.”

  “Did you see it between the time you dropped it and when the cops arrived?”

  Jerry shook his head, avoiding eye contact for a moment. “Look, I don’t remember much about that night. It was a nightmare I’ve tried to forget. I looked into that man’s eyes...” He shuddered. “Have you ever looked into cold-blooded evil?” Sid had. “If that cowboy hadn’t hit him... And then when his brother came charging in, I could tell he planned to kill every last one of us.”

  “That’s when you pulled the gun you had behind the counter and shot George Rutledge,” Sid said.

  “I was afraid to go for the gun before that,” Jerry said. “I’d never been so scared in my life. I just pulled the gun and started firing. It was so surreal. I couldn’t believe when it was over that I was still alive.”

  “What about the woman?”

  Jerry seemed to start at the question. “Like I told the cops, there was a woman in the store at the time, but I don’t remember her.”

  “And a boy of about eight or nine? Did you happen to see him?”

  Jerry frowned again. “I did see a kid. I’d been watching him when the crazy guy with the gun entered the store. Kids that age—ones that are alone...” He shrugged. “You have to watch them or they steal you blind.”

  It was clear that Jerry’s experience as a convenience-store clerk had left him cynical. But it was also clear that he was more comfortable talking about thieving kids than the robbery.

  “Did you see the boy leave?” Sid asked.

  “Once the man with the gun came in... I didn’t see anything but the dark end of that barrel pointed at my heart.”

  “But it wasn’t pointed at your heart the whole time. I believe when the robber grabbed the woman, he put the gun to her head,” the sheriff reminded him.

  “Yah,” Jerry said and ducked his head. “I remember the guy saying he was going to kill her, but I was busy trying to get the money out of the damned cash register. I really wasn’t paying any attention. The cops wanted a description of the woman but I couldn’t give them one. My mind was a hamster going like hell on a wheel. I couldn’t remember the combination for the safe and I knew that guy was going to kill me after he killed her.”

  Jerry had been twenty-two, still wet behind the ears, Sid reminded himself. “But you had it together enough that you grabbed the gun under the counter when the second robber came through the door.”

  “That was pure adrenaline. Like I told those cops, it was all just a blur. I would have shot my own sister if she’d come through that door at that moment holding a gun.” He shook his head. “I never want to go through anything like that again.” He glanced to where the other workers had taken a break but were now headed back to their jobs. “I really need to get back to work. You never said what this was about.”

  “The gun you used that night has turned up in another shooting.”

  All the color drained from Jerry’s face.

  “A witness said they saw you drop the gun on the floor after you shot the second robber. But that witness didn’t see what happened to it after that.”

  Jerry was shaking his head, eyes wide. “I have no idea. No idea at all.” But he looked scared as he began to walk backward away. “Sorry I wasn’t more help.”

  “Oh, you’ve helped more than you know,” Sid said and tipped his cap before returning to his cruiser.

  * * *

  GARRETT GASSED UP the pickup quickly and then pulled onto the interstate again. He didn’t slow down until he saw the ambulance ahead of them. Only then did he back off the gas pedal. He left enough room between the two vehicles that the ambulance transport driver wouldn’t notice he was being followed, not with all the traffic on the interstate this summer season.

  He and Billy had debated abducting Joslyn at the gas station before the ambulance could get away but nixed that idea. There had been too many people around not to mention security cameras. They felt that some people would get the wrong idea and things could go south quickly.

  “So what is it about this woman? I have to ask,” Billy said now that they were back on the road.

  Garrett chuckled. “You’re the only person I ever told about what happened two years ago.” He shook his head. “It was bizarre the way we met. All of it.”

  “Which could have been a sign.” He held up his hands. “Just sayin’.”

  “As it turns out, she was running from something back then. Maybe the same thing she was running from this time. That’s the frustrating part. I have no idea what. I’m
not sure she does. But it definitely appears someone wants her dead. I just hope it isn’t the people who hired that ambulance in front of us.”

  How easy it would be to give her an overdose on the way to Seattle. He said as much to Billy who immediately shook his head. “Naw, I doubt whoever these attendants are, they weren’t hired to murder her. If you’re right, nothing will happen until they get her wherever they’re taking her. So she should be safe for the moment.”

  Garrett held on to that as he watched the ambulance ahead of them. “What if I’m wrong about her?”

  His friend laughed. “Doesn’t matter. You’re still nuts about her.”

  He laughed. “I am. I know Alistair Vanderlin wants me to believe that she doesn’t know who she was or what she was doing those few months we spent together. But he’s wrong. She was Joslyn Charles, the woman I fell madly in love with. And the other day when she looked into my eyes... It’s still there, the way we felt about each other, the way we still do.”

  “What do you think about her so-called family?”

  “I’ve only heard about them from her and the sheriff, but I keep thinking about the fear I saw in her eyes. I suspect they could be behind the attempts on her life even though it’s clear to me that she doesn’t want to believe it.”

  “Tell me about this family of hers,” Billy said, taking out his cell phone.

  Garrett listed them. “The guardian, Alastair Vanderlin, the older stepsister, Amethyst, the older stepbrother, Peter, and the family lawyer, Benjamin Purdy and the psychiatrist, Neal Foster.”

  “Interesting family for a woman with a lot of baggage.” He held up his hands again. “No judgment. Just an observation. None of them are blood relatives, not that blood relatives don’t kill each other over all kinds of things, especially money.”

  “I keep thinking about how when the attendants had come for her, they immediately sedated her as if she was a danger. But to whom? Yes, there is a lot of money involved, but let’s not forget Joslyn saw her father and stepmother murdered. If the man in prison really isn’t the killer, then the real murderer has to have been worried all these years that she might remember. Maybe this recent memory loss is a precursor to her remembering what happened all those years ago.”

  * * *

  DOROTHEA WAS GLAD no one was around when the sheriff called. Just the sound of his voice made her smile. She knew her delight showed on her face and she didn’t want any of the Sterling brothers to see it. They’d tease her to high heaven and back.

  “You have any plans Friday night?” Sid asked.

  Her smile broadened. “Let me check my calendar.” It was a joke and they both knew it and laughed. “Why, it seems I’m free. What did you have in mind? You said you wanted to see that new comedy that’s out now.”

  “I do but I had something different in mind. I thought maybe we could go out to dinner, some place nice.” He mentioned an expensive elegant restaurant uptown.

  She felt her heart take off like a horse on locoweed and had to clear her voice before she spoke. “That sounds nice.”

  “Good. Let’s plan on it then.” Dorothea heard noise in the background. “I should go. I’m sure we’ll talk before Friday night, but you might want to buy a new dress. My treat.”

  A new dress? Did she even own a dress? Her heart drummed so loudly in her chest that she thought it would bust its way out.

  He disconnected before she could speak. She stared at her phone, her thoughts in free fall. Eleanor was right. Sid was going to ask her to marry him. Was she ready for this? Tears welled in her eyes and her smile was back, more bright and bigger than ever.

  * * *

  GARRETT DIDN’T KNOW how many more miles he drove before ahead of them, he saw the ambulance signal to leave the highway. “Looks like we’re getting gas again,” he said, nudging a sleeping Billy.

  His friend sat up and looked around. “I don’t think they could have picked a more isolated area.” There was no town, just a wide spot beside the road that had a burger joint and two gas stations. The ambulance transport driver chose the gas station that was the least busy, an older one back off the road—with no obvious security cameras.

  “Luck is smiling on you again,” Billy said.

  “Are you thinking what I think you’re thinking?” Garrett asked as he pulled into the other gas station across the road.

  “As if we were both clairvoyant.”

  As the back of the ambulance opened, Garrett felt his pulse jump. He watched the attendant climb out, say something to the driver who was fumbling with a credit card at the pump, and stretched, then looked as if he might go inside.

  “You walk over and do your thing,” Billy said as he opened his door to get out. “I’ll drive the pickup over and fill up the tank. If the attendant goes inside, you grab her. I’ll keep the driver busy and buy you as much time as I can. Once you get her, go. Don’t worry about me. I have friends out here.”

  As the attendant started toward the convenience store entrance, Garrett climbed out and crossed the road, keeping out of sight of the ambulance attendant filling the tank. As he did, Billy pulled the pickup directly behind the ambulance and, stepping out, began filling up the pickup’s tank before striking up a conversation with the ambulance transport driver.

  Garrett ducked between the front of the pickup and the back of the ambulance. When he tried the door, he was relieved to find it opened. He hurriedly climbed inside, knowing he had little time before the attendant came back—or saw what was going on from inside the station. His hope was that the man had gone to the men’s restroom, but he could just as easily be buying snacks and watching from the front window.

  Joslyn lay strapped down on the gurney. She looked pale. There were faint bruises under her lashes. He hesitated for just a moment before he said her name. “Joslyn?”

  Those amber eyes fluttered open. “Garrett.” Her voice came out a hoarse whisper. He saw that she was having trouble focusing and keeping her eyes open.

  “I’m getting you out of here.”

  She nodded as tears began to stream down her cheeks.

  He quickly unstrapped her and lifted her to her feet. “Can you stand?”

  She shook her head.

  He managed to hold her up and open the door. He didn’t bother to look to see if the coast was clear. He lifted her into his arms and, stepping out, carried her to his pickup. As he opened the passenger-side door, he set her down and reclined the seat. She slumped back without a word as he fastened her seat belt.

  Slamming the door, he started around to the driver’s side when he saw Billy. He was in the middle of an argument with the driver who had finished fueling the ambulance. Garrett quickly pulled the gas nozzle from the pickup’s tank, replaced it and jumped behind the wheel.

  But not before the driver spotted him. Recognition flashed in the man’s expression an instant before he tried to get past Billy.

  Garrett turned the key, the engine roared. He shoved the truck into Reverse. The tires squealed as he peeled out of the station. He hated leaving Billy, but he knew that the PI would wiggle out of the tight spot—and pay for the gas before the cops came. Garrett could always post bail for his friend, if it came to that.

  As he was racing away, he saw the other ambulance attendant come running out of the station. The man appeared to be holding a large drink in one hand and a couple of hot dogs in the other.

  He drove back onto the interstate headed in the direction of Montana. He had no idea where he was going or what he was going to do. But he had Joslyn.

  Glancing over at her, he saw that she had fallen asleep. She looked restful. He just hoped he’d done the right thing. But at least he knew she was safe for the moment.

  He hadn’t gone far when his cell phone rang. Joslyn stirred but drifted off again. He hit Accept, seeing it was Billy.

  “Everything all right?” h
is friend asked.

  “I think she’s okay. What about you?”

  “You know me. Got in a little scuffle but I paid for your gas and slipped the net. I called a buddy. Might do some snowboarding up on Mount Hood before I head back. Unless you need me.”

  “Enjoy yourself. And thanks, Billy. For everything. You’re sure you’re all right?” A little scuffle with Billy could mean just about anything. “What happened when they realized she was gone?”

  “Didn’t stick around long enough to see.” He laughed.

  “Have fun snowboarding. And thanks, buddy.” He turned off his phone as there wasn’t anyone he wanted to talk to right now besides Joslyn and he didn’t expect the sedatives to wear off for a while.

  * * *

  JERRY FULTON HAD been a lot more helpful than he’d thought. Sid had watched him walk back to where he’d left his shovel. He’d known Jerry would turn and look back. The young man was as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs, as his grandmother used to say.

  Sure enough, Jerry had turned to glance warily back, then had quickly lowered his head and had kept walking.

  Pulling out his cell, Sid had called Dorothea. He wasn’t sure why he’d needed to talk to her at that moment, but he had. Just hearing her voice made him feel better about everything. He was also glad that she hadn’t mentioned Garrett. Apparently she didn’t know yet what had happened or that the rancher was probably headed for some legal trouble—if not something worse.

  He’d been a little surprised though when he’d suggested dinner at a fancy restaurant he’d heard about. But now that he’d done it, he couldn’t help smiling.

  Not that he was through working today, he reminded himself. He disconnected after a little chitchat with Dorothea. This time he called the warden at Montana State Prison. “I need to see Frankie Rutledge. This afternoon if possible.” He felt the clock ticking. He’d tried to call Garrett but it had gone straight to voicemail. Not good.