Read Online Captive Justice: A Private Investigator Mystery Series (A Jake & Annie Lincoln Thriller Book 4) by Rayven T. Hill - Free Book Online
Authors: Rayven T. Hill
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thinking,” Annie said. “The kidnapper could have asked for much more money. It seems like a hundred thousand is a small amount compared to what one would expect a ransom to be.”
“We’ve been over that before,” Hank said.
Annie spoke slowly, her brows drawn together. “Yes, but I think he’s going to strike again unless we catch him first. He’s not going to be satisfied with that amount, especially if he gets away with it this time.”
“I’m afraid you might be right.”
“What do we do now?”
Hank replied, “We can only wait and see what the officers turn up and wait for the return of Mrs. Gould.”
Chapter 16
Thursday, September 1st, 7:15 AM
TRENTON SCOTT’S old pickup truck rattled and rocked as he hugged the steering wheel. He was leaned forward and squinting at the road ahead as he expertly dodged potholes and patches of loose gravel.
There wasn’t much traffic on the road this time of day. In fact, this backroad didn’t see much traffic at all any more, with drivers now choosing the new and better roads to the north. Only old farmers like him were apt to be seen along this route.
He slowed and eased to the right to allow a white van to pass him, coming from the opposite direction. Trenton shook his head. It was traveling much too fast for this old road. Where on God’s green earth could anyone be going in such a hurry?
He’s liable to blow a wheel bearing, the stupid fool.
He eased back into the center of the narrow road and picked up a little speed. The missus would be expecting him back for lunch and he wanted to get those parts and have the tractor fixed up and running before noon.
He drove awhile, humming to himself, working out his plans for the rest of the day.
What in tarnation is that?
Trenton pumped the brakes and brought the vehicle to a stop. The gears ground as he worked it into reverse, and then he backed up twenty feet and stopped. He leaned sideways and peered through the dusty passenger side window.
Looks like somebody lying in the ditch. Can’t see too good from here, but it shore don’t look natural to me.
He dropped the transmission into neutral, pulled back on the emergency brake and swung from the vehicle. He headed over to the edge of the road for a better look.
He stopped short and squinted again.
“Well, I’ll be darned,” he said out loud. “It’s a woman I think and she shore ‘nuff looks dead to me.”
~~*~~
HANK GLANCED at the clock above the stove. It was 7:37 AM. He pushed aside his half-finished coffee and reached for his ringing cell phone. This can’t be good news.
He listened intently a moment and then sighed deeply as he clicked off the phone. The body of a woman was discovered earlier this morning along County Road 10.
He finished his coffee in one gulp, dropped the cup in the sink, grabbed his keys, checked his service weapon and left his apartment.
He’d been in contact with Dr. Gould a little earlier. The doctor’s wife hadn’t shown up and there was no word from her. And now the body of a woman was found.
As he climbed into his Chevy, he felt a wave of anger come over him. Anger mixed with helplessness. After almost twenty years on this job, he’d seen his fair share of victims. It never got any easier. Whether or not this latest victim was Mrs. Gould, it still incensed him when people preyed on others.
The body had been found several miles from town and in a few minutes, Hank turned onto County Road 10. In the distance he saw flashing lights as he approached the scene.
The already narrow road was constricted to one tight lane, with police cars parked on either side of the now busy thoroughfare. Hank pulled in behind a cruiser fifty feet from the center of attention and shut down the engine. In his rearview mirror he saw the forensics van pull in behind him and lead crime scene investigator, Rod Jameson, swing from the passenger seat.
Hank stepped out and greeted him.
“We’ve been over that before,” Hank said.
Annie spoke slowly, her brows drawn together. “Yes, but I think he’s going to strike again unless we catch him first. He’s not going to be satisfied with that amount, especially if he gets away with it this time.”
“I’m afraid you might be right.”
“What do we do now?”
Hank replied, “We can only wait and see what the officers turn up and wait for the return of Mrs. Gould.”
Chapter 16
Thursday, September 1st, 7:15 AM
TRENTON SCOTT’S old pickup truck rattled and rocked as he hugged the steering wheel. He was leaned forward and squinting at the road ahead as he expertly dodged potholes and patches of loose gravel.
There wasn’t much traffic on the road this time of day. In fact, this backroad didn’t see much traffic at all any more, with drivers now choosing the new and better roads to the north. Only old farmers like him were apt to be seen along this route.
He slowed and eased to the right to allow a white van to pass him, coming from the opposite direction. Trenton shook his head. It was traveling much too fast for this old road. Where on God’s green earth could anyone be going in such a hurry?
He’s liable to blow a wheel bearing, the stupid fool.
He eased back into the center of the narrow road and picked up a little speed. The missus would be expecting him back for lunch and he wanted to get those parts and have the tractor fixed up and running before noon.
He drove awhile, humming to himself, working out his plans for the rest of the day.
What in tarnation is that?
Trenton pumped the brakes and brought the vehicle to a stop. The gears ground as he worked it into reverse, and then he backed up twenty feet and stopped. He leaned sideways and peered through the dusty passenger side window.
Looks like somebody lying in the ditch. Can’t see too good from here, but it shore don’t look natural to me.
He dropped the transmission into neutral, pulled back on the emergency brake and swung from the vehicle. He headed over to the edge of the road for a better look.
He stopped short and squinted again.
“Well, I’ll be darned,” he said out loud. “It’s a woman I think and she shore ‘nuff looks dead to me.”
~~*~~
HANK GLANCED at the clock above the stove. It was 7:37 AM. He pushed aside his half-finished coffee and reached for his ringing cell phone. This can’t be good news.
He listened intently a moment and then sighed deeply as he clicked off the phone. The body of a woman was discovered earlier this morning along County Road 10.
He finished his coffee in one gulp, dropped the cup in the sink, grabbed his keys, checked his service weapon and left his apartment.
He’d been in contact with Dr. Gould a little earlier. The doctor’s wife hadn’t shown up and there was no word from her. And now the body of a woman was found.
As he climbed into his Chevy, he felt a wave of anger come over him. Anger mixed with helplessness. After almost twenty years on this job, he’d seen his fair share of victims. It never got any easier. Whether or not this latest victim was Mrs. Gould, it still incensed him when people preyed on others.
The body had been found several miles from town and in a few minutes, Hank turned onto County Road 10. In the distance he saw flashing lights as he approached the scene.
The already narrow road was constricted to one tight lane, with police cars parked on either side of the now busy thoroughfare. Hank pulled in behind a cruiser fifty feet from the center of attention and shut down the engine. In his rearview mirror he saw the forensics van pull in behind him and lead crime scene investigator, Rod Jameson, swing from the passenger seat.
Hank stepped out and greeted him.
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