Tracking Concealed Evidence, page 8
Jamey had paused and faced her. “I’m so sorry.”
She shrugged. “No biggie.” Except it was. And why had she told him the painful secret? “I guess your teaching just gave the verse new meaning for me.”
“You’re welcome,” he said with a grin. “Let’s wrap up this hike. The end is near.”
Gratitude for Jamey swelled her heart. Who was this man? He loved the Lord, was incredibly knowledgeable, and yet detested law enforcement. Her very identity. That would certainly be a problem in their relationship.
Shaylee stopped dead in her tracks. What was she thinking? They had a working partnership out in the wilderness. Nothing more. She nodded, agreeing with her internal evaluation, and continued walking. Jamey either didn’t notice she’d held back, or gave her space.
“I just remembered another benefit of fires,” he said when they entered a forested path.
Shaylee hurried to catch up to him. “Oh yeah?”
“The fire clears thick growth, so sunlight reaches the forest floor. It also destroys damage-inflicting disease and insects. And remember the butterflies?”
She smiled. “Yes.”
“The wildflowers bloom again, providing them a habitat.”
“So, after death new life begins.”
“Exactly.”
“God is too cool.” Shaylee considered the way her heart had died in so many ways over her grief in losing Zia.
She’d given up on everything, including the good stuff. Friendships. Church. There’d been no romantic relationships to speak of before, and she didn’t have the inclination for such time-draining activities. She hadn’t walked away from God, but she had refused to participate in the church community. She’d disconnected, isolating herself.
Could her near-death experiences bring life to new beginnings? She hesitated at the edge of the clearing and traced a small purple flower with her fingertips. “I’m willing to try again, Lord.”
“Yes!” Jamey patted her shoulder and pointed. “My truck is over that ridge, hidden in a grove of trees. We’re almost home.”
* * *
Jamey had never appreciated his Chevy Silverado pickup more in his life. He took good care of it, though a new paint job was in order based upon the pockmarked side panels. But the truck’s tires were solid, and he preferred the manual transmission. Most important, he didn’t owe anything on the reliable vehicle. Seeing the block of steel was like returning to an old friend, and the thousand pounds he’d borne throughout the day slid off as he hurried forward. Bugsy joined his enthusiasm and tugged hard on her leash. “I’m coming,” he laughed.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you two wanted to get out of here,” Shaylee teased.
“You got that right.”
Soot dusted the truck but thankfully the fire hadn’t reached the valley or neared the ridge enough to do harm to it. Jamey unlocked the doors using his key fob, and opened the passenger door. Shaylee settled into the seat with the puppy securely in her lap. He loaded Bugsy into the back seat and slid behind the wheel. The engine coming to life sounded as joyful as the “Hallelujah Chorus.”
“Yay, God! I could get used to this gratitude thing you do,” he explained to Shaylee.
She chuckled. “I can name worse habits.”
“Absolutely.” Jamey shifted into Reverse. “I had to take a back road, which requires driving in a big loop, but we should be out of the traffic for the fire crews since they’ll go up the main highway.”
“Will it be closed because of the fire?”
“It’s a neglected, single-lane, minimum-maintenance road, so I don’t think so.”
“I didn’t realize manual trucks even existed anymore. I learned to drive on a clutch.”
“Me, too. This pickup and I have been through a lot together. She still runs and I actually like the manual better. Makes me feel like I have more control over the vehicle.” He pulled onto the road. “Where to first? The police department?”
“No, my house. I’ll call my boss from there.”
Jamey must’ve exhaled his relief a little too loudly, because Shaylee turned to look at him. “I’m so grateful you said that. I’d prefer to avoid walking through the PD,” he explained.
“I’m hoping you’ll allow me to change your opinion.”
Jamey worked his jaw, contemplating his rationalized response. He owed her a reason for why he held such an opposing attitude. “For the record, I’m not against everyone in law enforcement. I appreciate what you do for the sake of your job and the public’s safety. I believe in taking down bad guys to protect our communities.”
“Okay...”
“It’s complicated.”
“I’m listening.”
Would Shaylee bite his head off when he told her? They’d finally gotten to a place where their conversation was comfortable again. He sighed. Spill it. She already knows about the trial. “I support upholding the law, but all those involved in Baxter’s case made me a joke.”
“How?”
“Science isn’t like people see on TV. There’s no forty-five-minute investigation with jaw-dropping tantalizing testimonies and a slam dunk where the scientist comes in and produces evidence with a super cool explanation. In truth, science is a part of the whole and it’s very rare that one piece of evidence alone solves the case.”
“True. But yours was a portion.”
“Exactly. The only scientific portion. Without a body, the prosecution already had an uphill battle with Zia’s case.” Much like the treacherous mountain road Jamey drove on at the moment.
“Her car was discovered parked at the lake, but without evidence of foul play, all that did was provide reasonable doubt. Regardless of Baxter’s ludicrous claims, Zia would never have just walked away from her life or from me. Her bank account and credit cards weren’t even used after her disappearance,” Shaylee added.
Jamey nodded, remembering the details from the case. “The puparia I found proved there had been human remains in the trunk but didn’t specify whose. And when Baxter’s legal team pounced on it with that...that...” He searched for words to describe their expert. “Anyway, their refutation was that anybody could’ve driven the SUV. Once their expert finished his assessment, he baffled the jury with a convoluted explanation. Basically, they buried ‘Bug Dude’s’ testimony by confusing the jury.” Bug Dude. That was what they’d called Jamey. “It’s my pride that’s wounded. Plain and simple.”
Shaylee was a welcomed member of the blue brotherhood. She would never understand what it felt like to be on the outside of the organization that relied on your advice, then trashed you with ridicule the next minute. He’d trusted them, sacrificed his personal life by putting the job first, and worked his hardest on the combined mission to put away bad guys. And when he’d needed their support, they’d abandoned him.
“So the prosecution hinged all their hopes on your testimony, and when it didn’t go as planned, they tossed Bug Dude out with the bathwater?” Shaylee asked. “No wonder you’re bitter.”
“I wouldn’t say I’m bitter per se,” he grunted. “Ugh. Fine. Yes, I guess I am. Thing is, I loved being an entomologist. Baxter destroyed that.”
“I can’t imagine losing my career. It’s all I know. I’ve made it my life.”
“Same here. Well. Had.”
“Seems to me the prosecutor should have had more evidence than the insect casings. But we’d hoped the little they had would be enough.”
“They had some, mainly circumstantial, though. And contrary to popular belief, you can have a case based on circumstantial evidence, but there has to be a lot of it.”
“I’m sorry they treated you badly.”
The words were a strange balm to his heart. Was it possible his own perception was clouding his judgment? Maybe he wasn’t the biggest joke in the department. He could only hope. “Well, once I find Zia’s body, I’ll have the evidence against Baxter. He won’t be able to squirm and slither out of it with his lies and money.”
“Nothing would make me happier.”
They drove in silence and he downshifted to gain torque to climb the mountain. The engine growled with determination as they crested the hill, and gravity assisted in their descent down the other side. They picked up speed. He pushed in the clutch and tapped the brakes, but the truck didn’t slow.
He tried again.
Nothing.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know.” Attempting to reduce his speed, he again pressed the pedal to the floor.
The truck accelerated.
“Jamey.”
He shifted into Neutral, foot slamming the brake against the floorboards several more times.
They barreled on.
The curving topography became more treacherous and dangerous. He gripped the steering wheel tighter. Centrifugal force shoved them to the left and right as he maneuvered the narrow, single-lane road. In order to make the next corner, Jamey had to go wide, taking the apex in the center of the road to keep the truck on all four tires.
“Jamey!” Shaylee cried again.
“I don’t have any brakes!”
He searched ahead for anything to slow them. The road flattened and a large open field filled with wildflowers and bushes came into view. Jamey downshifted, the truck growling in protest from the high speed that conflicted with the lower gears.
They slowed, yet moved too fast for the turn he’d need to make.
He again downshifted.
The engine gave a low rumble and continued slowing.
Still too fast, but better. If he could pull off into the field, he’d have dirt and plants to help reduce their speed.
“Make sure your seat belt is tight and you have hold of the puppy.” Jamey glanced in the rearview mirror, catching sight of Bugsy. If he hit anything, she might be hurt. “Pray like you’ve never prayed before.”
Shaylee’s petitions filled the cab while Jamey’s mind agreed with her pleas. He spotted the wide span of bushes. Better than a tree. And hopefully as strong. Again, he downshifted, now in second gear. The truck’s speed had decreased, but not enough to stop without rolling the vehicle.
“Lord, guide us, please,” he pleaded, jerking the wheel. The force sent him leaning hard against the door. They bounced across the ground, dirt and rocks slamming the underside of the truck. He aimed for the long row of brambles and bushes, praying the foliage would slow them down before they reached the tree line.
He lowered into first gear, worried he’d destroy the transmission, or worse, they wouldn’t stop. The truck whined against the high RPMs, fighting the slower speed. He prepared to blow the engine.
The approaching trees grew bigger, closer with each second.
“Bugsy, floor!” he ordered. “Brace, Shaylee!”
With a slam, they rumbled through the prairie land and over the bushes. His truck pressed through like a stubborn bull forcing its way through a wall. The tree line posed a potentially unpleasant resolution.
“Please stop. Please,” Jamey whispered. He squeezed his eyes shut, prepared to hit the trees.
But the resistance helped, and finally, the vehicle stopped.
Jamey opened his eyes in disbelief at the tree trunk kissing the edge of his hood. He quickly killed the engine and leaned his head against the steering wheel, silently praising God for the amazing rescue.
He spun around, ensuring Bugsy was okay. She sat on the floorboard of the back seat, looking up at him. Tail thumping.
Jerking to look at Shaylee, he asked, “Is there any danger we haven’t faced today?”
SEVEN
Shaylee blinked, one hand braced against the dashboard, the other protecting the puppy. She stared in disbelief at the tree trunk just inches from the pickup’s hood.
“Are you okay?” Jamey’s voice registered, drawing her attention.
Unable to speak, she nodded, prying free her claw hold on the truck. She scooted back in the seat, withdrawing her hand from the puppy, who appeared oblivious to the brush with death.
“She’s content. Great job shielding her.”
Shaylee glanced down and stroked the sleeping animal. “You should teach emergency driving. That was pretty impressive. Is Bugsy okay?”
Jamey leaned over the seat and glanced behind them. “Yep, she stayed down on the floorboards. I’m grateful we had a manual transmission. Otherwise, I’m not sure that would’ve ended so well. I need to see the extent of the damage.” He opened his door and slid out.
Shaylee’s heart drummed hard against her chest, and her pulse pounded in her throat.
She pushed open her door and joined Jamey, walking the perimeter of the truck.
“How did the killer know where I’d parked my vehicle?”
The pickup was an older model, but Jamey clearly took good care of it. “No offense, but is there any chance the brakes were bad?”
He jerked to look at her. “No. There’s not.” There wasn’t a hint of reservation in his tone.
“Dumb question.”
“Any other day, it would be a possibility.”
“Right.” Shaylee faced the road. “On a positive note, you were right about no one traveling around here. At least we didn’t pass any other vehicles.”
“Yeah, except now we’re going to have to hike across the valley to the nearest road to get a ride.”
“Easy peasy after all we’ve endured.”
“I love your optimism.” Jamey released Bugsy from the back seat. “If nothing else, maybe they’ll allow me to borrow a cell phone to call a tow truck.”
“I’m not sure it’s safe for us to hang out here and wait, though.”
“I agree.”
Shaylee reached inside for the puppy. In her peripheral vision, Jamey removed his backpack and locked the vehicle. The tall grass swayed around her calves, and she scanned the ground before stepping, not wanting a repeat of the mountain dangers.
Jamey joined her, and they crossed the valley, finally reaching the road, empty of passersby.
They perched on a fence and watched for approaching vehicles.
“Where’s a good traffic jam when you need one?” Shaylee quipped.
“Murphy’s Law.”
“Always a crowd favorite.”
He groaned. “If you’ll keep the dogs, I’ll wave down the first vehicle we see.”
“Got it.” She took the leash from Jamey, and Bugsy dropped to sit beside her.
Jamey paced the road, using binoculars from his backpack. “Finally,” he mumbled.
Shaylee spotted the maroon minivan approaching from the oncoming lane as Jamey stepped out, keeping close to the shoulder, and waved his arms to attract the driver.
The minivan slowed, and he hurried to it. After all they’d endured, Shaylee committed the out-of-state plates to memory in case they needed to report another attempt on their lives. Unable to hear Jamey from where she stood, she watched intently as he spoke to the driver while pointing to her and the dogs.
After several seconds, he returned to her. “Daryl and his wife, Tara, have offered to give us a ride to town.”
Once more Jamey astounded her with his effortless ability to talk to people. “Outstanding.”
He took Bugsy’s leash and Shaylee followed him to the minivan.
Both side doors opened simultaneously, and the driver stepped out. “Daryl Moorhouse.”
He extended a hand to Shaylee, and she returned the gesture. “Shaylee Adler.”
“Sorry y’all had some car trouble.” Daryl looked to be in his twenties. He had a shock of curly red hair and kind brown eyes.
Shaylee nodded. “Yes, but thanks to Jamey’s skilled driving, we lived to tell the tale.”
“Hop in. I hope you don’t mind riding in the back. Tara gets carsick now that she’s pregnant.” He gestured at the attractive brunette in the passenger seat, who was smiling and rubbing her ample belly.
Shaylee grinned and climbed inside the van. “Not at all. Thank you for stopping and helping us.”
Bugsy scooted beside her, and Jamey dropped onto the seat behind Tara.
“I’m Shaylee.”
“Nice to meet you.” The woman twisted around in her seat as much as her condition allowed. “My sweet hubby’s always on the lookout to help people.” She glanced at Daryl with adoring eyes.
They were too cute, and Shaylee couldn’t help the twinge of longing in her own heart. Would she ever share a love like that with a man?
“Thanks again for the ride,” Jamey said.
“A puppy!” Tara exclaimed.
“We found her. Poor darling has an injured paw,” Shaylee explained, holding the pup a little higher for Tara to see.
Tara frowned. “Who would leave an innocent baby out there alone?” She reached over to stroke the puppy’s head. “I’m so glad she found you.”
“Me, too.” Shaylee glanced at Jamey and he winked.
Daryl shifted into Drive. “Where did you need to go?”
“Black Hills Police Department,” Shaylee said.
Jamey shot her a look, apparently irritated with her change of mind.
She shrugged. No point in dancing around it. They needed to report everything. Now. His ego or fears would have to take a rest.
Conversation was easy with Tara and Daryl, making the ride quick. The Nebraska couple had traveled to South Dakota for one last vacation before their first child, a boy named Daryl Jr., entered the world. The couple talked over one another, conveniently helping Shaylee and Jamey to keep the focus off themselves.
Shaylee told Tara about some of the best tourist sights while Jamey shared the national park treasures. Daryl pulled up to the PD and turned to face them. “Would you like us to wait?”
“No, thanks. We’ll be able to borrow a vehicle.”
