Page 84 of Mia Amata

Waking up in the morning, I got dressed and headed out to get my morning cup of coffee. I let Lucky out on my way to the kitchen and then went back to the doors to watch Lucky for a few minutes. Lucky romped around in the snow for a little bit, looking like he was having a good time. It amazed me how big he has gotten in just a few months. He ran down to the beach, standing there staring off at the other side of the lake again.

I looked over and saw the glint of something again. I went into the garage, getting Jacob’s binoculars, using them to look across the lake where I saw the glint. Panning the shoreline of the opposite side of the lake, I caught the glint of light in the binoculars again, trying to focus on it. I thought I saw something move, but after looking for a few minutes I couldn’t make out anything so gave up. Lucky wanted back in, I needed to get to work. Leaving the binoculars on the table, I went down to the office.

Lucky seemed nervous or upset today. He was in front of the doors watching outside, pacing back and forth all day. I tried to let him out a couple of times, but he refused. I continued to work, but his pacing unnerved me a little bit. After work, we went upstairs, Lucky pushing the door to the basement shut behind us. He then went to the French doors, staring out, pacing back and forth.

“What is wrong Lucky?” I asked, walking up to the doors.

Opening the door, he ran out this time, heading straight to the lake, even going out on the ice a little bit. He stood there, barking, looking at the opposite side of the lake. Pacing back and forth on the ice for a little bit, then running back to the house. I let him back in, but he spent the rest of the evening next to the doors, alternating between pacing and lying in front of the doors.

After a small supper, I was sitting on the couch, trying to watch TV. Something about Lucky’s behavior that day had me on edge. When Jacob called that evening, he must have sensed my mood. After we shared our day’s activities with each other, Jacob enjoying the conference so far, he asked how my day was otherwise. When I hesitated a bit before replying, he asked, “What’s wrong, Mattie?”

“Nothing,” I said. I didn’t want to worry him over a feeling.

“I can tell something is bothering you, what is it?”

I hesitated a minute, then said, “It is probably nothing, but I feel on edge today.”

“Did something happen?” he replied.

“No,” I said. “Not really. Lucky has been pacing in front of the doors, staring out across the lake nonstop. When I let him out, he actually ran out on the ice, barking something across the lake from us. It is probably nothing, but he has continued to stay by the doors tonight.”

There was a pause on Jacob’s end, “Do you want me to come home?” he asked.

“Oh no, Jacob,” I replied. “I’m fine. It just has me on edge, seeing him unsettled. I’m sure there is nothing to it.”

“You could go stay with Josh and Randy, or have Randy come stay with you if it would make you feel better. I can call them if you want me to.”

“No, Jacob,” I said. “Don’t do that. I’m fine. I can call them if I need to. Lucky is just nervous, it put me on edge. Maybe there is some animal around that has him on edge.”

“Probably,” Jacob said, obviously not quite convinced. “Call me anytime if you need me. I’ll fly home on the next plane if needed.”

“Enjoy the conference, Jacob. I’ll be fine. I love you,” I said.

We hung up the phone, deciding I was tired I went to take a bath to help me relax and then climbed into bed, Lucky lying on his blanket.

Chapter 30

Allen watched as Megan went through her morning routine, made coffee, and let the dog out. What was with that damn dog? This time it came out onto the ice, barking in his direction. He glanced back up at the doors with his field glasses and was surprised to see Megan looking back in his direction with what looked like a pair of binoculars. He backed away from the small opening in his blind that he used to look out of.

He put the glasses down, wondering if she could see him after all. He stayed hidden for about 20 minutes, then took a chance, deciding to look again. The dog must have run back up to the house, he didn’t see the dog in the yard anymore. Megan was no longer standing at the door either, she had gone downstairs to start her workday. The deck hid her from view down there, but he could see there was a light on, so he knew she was at her desk.

Tonight was to be the night, but he needed to make sure she would be home alone. He decided he had some time, so he went back to the cabin, napping throughout the day. He waited until a few minutes before Megan usually ended her shift at work, then walked back to the blind. He had everything packed onto the sled that he thought he would need for the trip over to Megan’s that night. He had heard snowmobiles on the lake during the day, it was a small lake, so there were not many, but a few were good.

He was hoping to be able to blend his tracks with theirs. There were two places he had observed the snowmobilers getting on and off the lake throughout the day, so he planned out the route he would have to take to hide his tracks with theirs. It looked like fate was on his side though, it started snowing about lunchtime and has been snowing all day. He hoped it would keep up through the night. He looked up the forecast on his phone and saw that the storm should last for at least 48 hours. That was perfect, it would make any search for Megan harder.

He tried looking across the lake, but the snow was making it difficult. He could make out lights, but other than that, visibility was not good. He would stay until the lights went out, then head back to his cabin to rest until about midnight, then he would start his trek across the lake. Thankfully, he didn’t have long to wait, as she shut the lights off about 10 that night. He went back to the cabin, resting until midnight.

He checked his pack, to make sure it had what he needed. He checked his guns and put one around his ankle, the other in the back waistband of his fatigues. He didn’t bother with the night goggles; the snowstorm would hinder his view. He would have to rely on his compass to keep him going in the right direction. He had a flashlight in his pocket, he put his Bowie knife in a sheath on his hip. Deciding he was ready, he left the cabin, got the sled, and headed down the path to the lake.

The trek across the lake was slow, but he was able to keep his direction easily. He could make out some of the landmarks he had gotten to know while watching Megan. Soon, he made it across the lake, working his way up the backyard to the house. He stayed close to the tree line but was not worried that Megan would spot him. He got up level with the house, pulling the sled over to the basement doors. He quietly slid the basement door open and stepping in, leaving his boots outside the door like he did before.

Shutting the door behind him, he slipped out of his parka, leaving it by the door. He took off his gloves, lying them on his parka. He took out a pair of sterile gloves from his pocket, slipping them on, so he didn’t leave any fingerprints behind.

He listened carefully, and after not hearing anything, he headed to the stairs. Reaching into his pocket, he activated the devices, shutting off all cell phone access. He made his way up the stairs quietly, listening the whole time to make sure that Megan was still asleep. Pausing at the door to the kitchen, he listened again, after not hearing anything, he slowly pushed the door open. He stepped into the kitchen, making his way to the living room, leaving his backpack on the kitchen floor.

***

In the bedroom, Lucky perked his ears up, hearing something he stood up, growling. I heard him and woke up. Listening carefully, I didn’t hear anything, but Lucky growled again, heading to the bedroom door. I climbed out of bed, trying to walk to the door. Lucky got in between me and the door, blocking my way.

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