Spencerville

"I don't know. They came back to Spencerville, she called me and said they were going away to spend time together and talk it out. She said they were going to Florida."

Keith knew they hadn't packed for Florida. "How did she sound?"

"It was all a lie. Damn him, he probably had a gun to her head. That bastard. I called the police here in Chatham, but they said they can't do a thing without proof, and I should call Spencerville..."

"I know. Terry, listen, I'm going to find her and bring her back. Tell me where you think they really went."

"Grey Lake."

"I think so, too. Did she give you any clue on the phone?"

There was a silence, then Terry said, "Yeah, she said something... something about driving through Atlanta on the way, and afterward I remembered that Atlanta is also the name of the county seat in Montmorency County in Michigan on the way to Grey Lake. I think that's where they really went, but I called up there a few times and only got the answering machine. So I don't know..."

"Okay. I think that's it."

"Larry wants to drive up there..."

"No. Baxter is armed and dangerous. I'll take care of it through the local police up there."

"The police won't do anything, Keith. She's his wife. That's what they keep telling me."

"I'll take care of it."

"What happened? I thought you were about to get on a plane?"

"It's a long story, but basically we were stopped by the police."

"Damn!"

"Right. But she was all right when they took her away."

"I don't think she's all right now. My father has been hounding the state police, and he's gotten a lawyer, but... I can't believe that bastard could just kidnap her..."

"When did she call you?"

"Monday night, about six. She said she changed her mind about going with you and that she and Cliff were home and they'd spent the day together at home, packed, and were about to drive to Florida. She said she'd called the kids at school and told them everything was fine, and that she and their father were going on vacation. But I called her kids after I heard from her, and they said they never heard from their mother — it was their father who called early in the morning. So then I called Annie back, but the damn call rang at police headquarters, and I asked them what the hell was going on, and they said the Baxter calls were being automatically forwarded... so then my father went to the police station, and they told him Cliff and Annie went to Florida. It's all a lot of bull."

"Okay, do me a favor — don't rock the boat anymore, and tell everyone the same thing. I don't want to spook him if he's up there. Okay?"

"Okay..."

"What does the house look like, Terry?"

"Oh, jeez... I was only up there a few times... it's an A-frame, dark wood, set back a ways from the lake."

"What side of the lake?"

"Let's see... north side. Yes, north side of the lake, and you can only get to it by a single-lane dirt road through the woods."

"Okay. Tell Larry I said hello. I'll call you both tonight from Michigan."

"Promise?"

"You know I will, Terry. Hey, I'm sorry..."

"No, don't apologize. You did the best you could. That bastard is the devil — I swear he is."

"I'll bring his tail and horns back for you."

She tried to laugh. "Oh, God... I'd kill him myself if I could... Keith?"

"Yes?"

"If she can't be with you, she'd rather be dead than be with him. I'm frightened for her."

"I told her we'd be together again. She knows that."

"I pray to God you're right."

"Speak to you tonight." He hung up and took another Rolodex card out of his pocket and dialed.

The operator gave him the charge, and he put the coins in and heard it ring.

An answering machine picked up, and Cliff Baxter's voice said, "You reached Big Chief Cliff's lodge. Ain't nobody here. If you know where the fish is bitin', or the deer is hidin', leave a message."

The machine beeped, and Keith was tempted, but hung up.

Keith took another Rolodex out of his pocket on which were the mobile phone numbers of Spencerville's ten police cars and the beeper page numbers of all fifteen officers. He dialed a beeper number, hung up, and waited.

The phone rang, and he picked it up. "Officer Schenley?"

"Who is this?"

Keith could tell that Schenley was calling from his mobile phone. Keith replied, "This is Keith Landry."

There was a pause, then Schenley said, "How'd you know my beeper number?"

"Doesn't matter. Are you alone?"

"Yup. Cruising. Looking for you, as a matter of fact."

"Well, here I am."

"Where?"

"Let me ask the questions. Do you have a friend on the city council?"

Again, there was a pause, then Schenley said, "Maybe."

"That's my friend, too."

"I know."

"I need some help."

"I guess you do. I'm surprised you're alive."

"Do you want to help?"

"Hold on. Let me pull over." A minute later, Schenley said, "Okay. Listen, Landry, there's a warrant out for your arrest."

"For what?"