Page 96 of Mia Amata

“Follow the road around.” Jacob did, he and Josh had never been past this before as it was always marked as no entrance. The road turned into no more than paths for two tires. He glanced back at Ron who nodded. He followed it around the lake until they were about straight across from Jacob’s house.

They pulled up behind a truck belonging to the sheriff’s department and parked. As they climbed out, they were met by a sheriff’s deputy. He shook Ron’s hand, who introduced him to Jacob and Josh. He offered them his condolences, then turned to Ron. “You are not going to believe what we found here.”

He led them in a little deeper until they came to an opening where a little cabin stood. He motioned to it, “I’ll show you what we found there in a minute. Let’s go this way first.”

He started walking to the bushes, and they followed him. Pretty soon they came to the lakeshore. Jacob said, “That’s our house!” as he pointed across the lake.

The deputy nodded. He showed them the blind that Allen had made. “We figure he sat in here, watching your house.” They looked inside, seeing a pair of binoculars in there along with a couple of empty water bottles. The deputy showed them tracks leading down to the ice, “He must have crossed here.” Jacob just shook his head in disbelief. “So we must have been getting reflection off his binoculars from time to time.”

“I believe so,” the deputy said. “Come on, let’s head back to the cabin.”

They made their way back to the cabin. “Follow me around back.” He led them behind the cabin where they found a car. “The car was almost completely hidden under branches and snow. We had someone bring the keys from the guy’s belongings that were found at the victim’s house. We found this.” He opened the trunk and showed them weapons, ammunition, a raft, and oar. “It seems he used the raft to paddle across before the ice cover.”

Josh exclaimed, “He was here that long?”

“Yes, it seems that he got here in about late October, early November.” He motioned them to follow him. He led them back around to the front of the cabin, opening the door. They all crowded in, there wasn’t much room in there. “It appears this was an old hunting cabin he found. He made some repairs to it, using the fireplace for heat.” He pointed to the packages of food on the shelf above the fireplace. “MREs?” Ron asked.

“Yep. He has plenty there to last another month or two.” They looked around and Jacob noticed a pad of paper on the table that had writing on it, it was in an evidence bag. The deputy saw him look at it. “He had extensive notes on you, your wife, your daily activities. They haven’t all been read through yet, but it appears he was watching you really close.”

Jacob was furious at this invasion of their privacy. The deputy went on, “It seems he had some plan to kidnap your wife, bring her here, and torture her.” Jacob felt sick to his stomach. He wanted to leave and get the hell out of here, but the deputy said, “There is one more thing to show you. If you gentlemen would step back, please.”

They all did as he asked. He reached down, putting his index finger in a small hole, what looked initially like a knothole in the floorboard. They heard a click, then he pulled up. To their amazement, it revealed a small wooden enclosure.

“What the hell?” Jacob said.

“We found his drawings of this. He had tried to burn them, but we were able to get the idea.” He pulled out his phone and showed them all a picture of a drawing they had rescued from the fireplace. It showed a hole in the floor with a woman lying in it. Jacob couldn’t stand it anymore. He ran out the door, running to the trees, throwing up in the bushes. The others followed him out but respectfully waited until he could pull himself together again. Once he was able, he rejoined them.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

Ron looked at him, “I would have reacted the same way, don’t worry about it.” Jacob gave him a nod of thanks.

The deputy said, “Well, that is all we have found. We are almost finished here, need to get all the evidence bagged up.” He turned to Jacob, “I’ve been in touch with the government about this cabin and what happened here. They are going to send a group in to tear it down and burn it.” Jacob nodded.

Ron said, “I’m going to stay here and help out, I think the deputy can give me a ride back to my car.” The deputy nodded, “Happy to.”

Jacob shook their hands, “Thank you.”

The deputy shook his hand, but said, “I just wish we had caught him before this all happened.”

Chapter 32

Josh and Jacob went back to the hospital. They pulled into the parking lot, parking next to Josh’s pickup.

“You OK?” Josh asked.

“Again, with the stupid questions.” Jacob smiled wryly. “No, but I have to be. I have a daughter to take care of. I can’t let Mattie down there. Do me a favor?”

Josh nodded, “Name it.”

“Can you tell Mom and Dad what the cops found across the lake? I just don’t have it in me.”

“Of course. I’ll call them when I get home. Let me know if you are taking Jayden home tonight.”

Now it was Jacob’s turn to nod, “I will.” They both climbed out of Jacob’s truck and Josh gave Jacob a hug before climbing in his truck and driving away. Jacob made his way into the hospital, going straight to the NICU. Dr.Patel was just coming out, seeing Jacob putting a gown on he said, “No need for that, Jacob,” Jacob must have looked panicked for a minute. “Oh no, no,” Dr.Patel said holding up his hands.

“I’m sorry. I should have been more considerate of what you have been through. I just meant that your daughter is ready to go home. You don’t need to gown up. The nurse is in there getting her dressed. She passed her hearing test, and the car seat test and her lab is looking really good. The nurse will show you how to use the car seat if you need her to and then you can take your beautiful baby girl home.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Jacob said, shaking his hand. “That is the best news I’ve had.”

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