Chapter 16
Revelations in the Aftermath
There was yet another explosion and the men were driven back to their hiding place behind the cruiser, just in time to escape the flaming car door that struck the roof with a heavy scraping of metal on metal. It slid onto the hood and then to the ground with a sizzling sound. They jumped, startled by the very real danger still erupting around them.
It seemed an eternity before the explosions grew tired of wreaking havoc all around the constable’s cruiser. When it was safe, the constable rose cautiously, motioning for Ned and Tim to remain in place until he gave the all clear.
“Okay, gentlemen, you can come out now, he said, surveying the damage. The cruiser’s roof was dented and scraped, there were radiating small cracks in the windshield, and a small dent on the hood. Otherwise, the cruiser had fared well, all things considered.
“Wow, that was just too close,” the constable gasped as he called for backup.
Tim helped Ned crawl out from behind the cruiser. They walked onto the road, shocked by the smoldering landscape spread out before them.
Metal, tires, plastic, car seats, glass shards everywhere. The smell was ghastly, toxic.They pulled their jackets around their faces, but even their eyes stung. And the heat …
There was a long silence as the three men backed away from the scene.
At a safer distance, Ned bent to examine larger pieces of pitted metal scattered beside them. He stood slowly, in obvious pain. Then he pointed at the metal pieces. “See how this metal is pitted?” He pointed now to the road itself. “And see that huge crater there? Look at its jagged edges, officer. That's the work of Semtex. You can put your money on it. This wasn’t an accident. This was a professional hit.”
The constable looked at him, suddenly wary. “You two seem to know an awful lot about this … what? An accident? No, not an accident.” He paused to gather his thoughts. His hand moved slightly to rest on his pistol. He narrowed his eyes as suspicion grew.
The constable’s stealthy maneuver did not go unnoticed by either man.
Tim watched the scene unfold. He knew what was coming next.
Before the officer could pull his weapon, Ned had his badge in his hand. The officer read it, and his suspicion immediately gave way to respect. He removed his hand from his pistol.
“You are the Attorney General’s Chief Investigator?” he said with deep respect. “Here in the Liscomb Sanctuary?”
Ned explained, “I have a cottage here , a few miles back. It's been a vacation home, in my wife’s family going way back, a century or so.”
“What shall I call you, sir?” He stretched out his hand. “I'm Daniel, Daniel Fraser.”
Ned took his hand in a long handshake. “Call me Ned, Ned Sullivan. And this is my friend, Tim Callahan.
Tim offered a broad smile and extended his hand as well. “Nice to meet you, Constable Fraser.”
“Just Dan will do.” He paused to study the destruction. “I'll take your word about the Semtex, Ned. We are not used to events like this out here in the wilderness sanctuary. Poaching is all. Brawls. Domestic disputes. The usual stuff. This is my first major crime, but I get the feeling you two are involved somehow.” He looked from Ned to Tim.
Tim glanced at Ned who nodded his head.
“Well, we thought we were following a kidnapper. When we saw a car that looked like the kidnapper’s car, well, we thought…” He paused. “But the cars are gone, and any evidence with them.”
Ned broke in, his hand on Tim’s shoulder. “When I told you to open the trunk, we thought my daughter was inside. I jumped to conclusions. I made a mistake. It was the right car make but the wrong model.”
Ned was weak and leaning hard on Tim. He was feeling woozy. Tim was alarmed. Ned's forehead felt feverish. “Dan,” he said, “let’s get him back to our car. We have water and ibuprofen there, and he will be much more comfortable sitting.”
The two men together were able to walk Ned the fifteen yards back to the car.
Daniel commented, “This looks to be the same model and color Toyota that the older woman was driving. If this wasn't an accident, then why was she driven off the road? Why did the hit-and-run driver run off into the woods?” He rubbed his chin with his fingers. Revelation! “Oh, I get it now. The hit-and-run driver thought Mrs. Mallard’s car was yours!”
Ned replied,”I hope that poor woman survives.” He shook his head that he was the cause of that woman’s tragedy. His stomach turned and the bitter taste of bile rose in his mouth. He looked at Tim whose face registered anguish as well.
The sudden silence was broken by an RCMP cruiser approaching fast, squealing to a halt beside Constable Dan’s cruiser. He glanced back as he moved quickly to talk to the officer.
“Look, Ned. You need to see a doctor in Sheet Harbor while I visit Dr. McLeod and hope he lets me use his lab. He has a post doc from the University of Toronto. We’re very lucky to find him out here.”
“A little too lucky, if you ask me,” Ned replied. His head rested on the seat back. Tim was about to look at his wound, but Ned emphatically pushed him away. “It can wait!” He raised his head and looked at Tim. “Okay, okay. I'll go to the Urgent Treatment Center at the hospital when we get there.” He paused, remembering. “Hmm, the last time we were there was in winter. Caroline must have been about 16 then. She fell on the ice, and we thought her ankle was broken.”
“Was it?” Tim was curious, grateful for a change in topic.
“Tim,” Ned grabbed his jacket tightly, “promise me we’ll get her back!”
“Of course we will,” he reassured Ned, though he wasn't at all certain he could keep his promise.
Constable Dan returned, smiling. “Some good news, gentlemen. We found the man who drove Mrs. Mallard’s car off the road! He’s in jail right now. Shortly, my detachment commander will be interviewing him. Sergeant Blackstone is the best man for the job.”
“Wait!” Ned interrupted. “Is there away I could sit in, given my credentials and involvement?”
“All I can do right now is to call in and ask for a delay until you gents get there. Like I said, my commander is good at this.” He looked at Ned carefully. Then added, “I'm sure when he sees your credentials … well, you can ask when you get there.”
“Thanks, Dan, I appreciate it.”
Dan hesitated.” One more thing, gents, before we leave. What can you tell me about your daughter’s kidnapping?”
“I'm here visiting my daughter, but back in D.C., I'm investigating a large criminal case.” He hesitated, not sure how much he was willing to involve the local constabulary. His instinct told him he could trust Dan, but that's as far as he was willing to go. “I don't know that this has anything to do with my job…”
Was this really a lie?
“Or, if this is local, I’ll be getting a text asking for a ransom notice pretty soon. I can tell you I've heard nothing so far. We saw her grabbed and thrown into a trunk. All I want is to get her back.” He wasn't lying now. His heart was racing.
“Was she taken in an Avalon Limited? Is that why you demanded I open the trunk?”
“Yes, we believe so,” Tim added. “But the one we were looking for had its left taillight broken out. We found its pieces in the road a ways back.”
“It's a message from Caroline, I'm sure of it!” Ned’s voice was a sob.
Constable Dan’s face went white. “Broken taillight. Avalon. I stopped a car for a broken taillight.” His voice was a whisper. He looked around as though searching for something. “Oh, my God, I stopped that car outside of Sherbrooke, for a broken taillight. The driver’s passport, registration, everything was in order. Funny, though, he had a Russian accent, I think.” He looked at Ned and Tim. “But his last name was Mack.”
Tim asked, “Did he have a passenger with him?”
Dan spoke as in a trance. “ I knocked on the trunk. Don't know why. Later, I knocked on the trunk again. I even asked him to open the trunk. I could have saved her!”
Ned demanded, “So, why didn't you?”
“Huh? Oh,I got called away. Collision. This one.”
Just then, a loud screech overhead caught their attention. They watched as a hawk circled once, then swept down and landed deftly on the roof of Constable Dan’s cruiser.
“An omen,” Dan said. “Throughout Canada, birds of prey have long held special meaning. Look at his stillness. Patience. Careful observation. He’s planning his next move.” With admiration, he added, “There’s a lot we can learn from birds of prey.”
Ah, you are right, Ned thought. Do we rush and continue to make mistakes, or return to the basics that I taught Caroline?
Observe patiently.
Plan carefully.