Page 102 of Pied Sniper

“It won’t take the police too long to pinpoint the cabin. There aren’t any other residences out this way,” I replied. I debated whether or not to tell Tiffany I was kin to a significant percentage of the Montgomery Police Department but I decided against it. I didn’t know if it would work in my favor or not. They could either freak out and let me go or freak out and hide my body somewhere. I couldn’t risk the latter. My lifelong fear of getting eaten by a raccoon might actually come true.

“They’ll probably track my cellphone,” I said, “I made a call on the main road.”

“That’s great! Someone will definitely come and get us.” Tiffany leaned against the shed wall, but instead of looking more relaxed at the news of an imminent rescue, she looked tense. She closed her eyes and I used that moment to scan the shed again. My initial assessment was spot on. The entry and exit were through the only set of closed doors and I had to assume they were padlocked. There was no way of getting out until someone unlocked them. Then I focused on Tiffany’s restraints. They looked tightly locked but I supposed it wasn’t unfathomable that she had a way out, especially if she was in on her own kidnap plot.

So why was she in here with me? I winced, my head getting clearer, and the thoughts easier to process now.Of course!She wanted to know how much I knew! After all, if I discovered their hideout as part of an investigation, someone else could too. The question was: how fast? And if they didn’t make their escape, Tiffany’s whole scheme, along with her role in it, would be exposed. Plus, having her look like a captive would add to her story if they all fled, and left me behind. I could attest to being held captive with her, adding more credence to her tale.

They probably did know who I was, I decided, and now that I stumbled upon them, they had to change their plans quickly. They sent Tiffany to find out what I knew and who might be looking for me. That was smart but risky. Once they got that information, if they relocated to a new hideout, we’d be back to square one in our investigation. Despite my suspicion, the most I could tell anyone was yes, Tiffany was alive but she seemed scared. Even if Davy paid the ransom and Tiffany were returned, she could still get away with it. I hated the idea that I might be her best witness and alibi.

I had to get out of here and fast.

“Ohhhh,” I groaned, putting my bound hands first to my stomach and then to my head. “I feel so bad.”

Tiffany squinted at me. “What’s wrong?”

“I feel nauseous and my head is thumping. My vision is also blurry,” I lied. “I can’t see straight. I think I’m hurt worse than I first estimated.”

“You were unconscious,” said Tiffany, a note of worry lacing her voice. “Can you open your eyes?”

I pretended to force them open, squinting. “Everything is so dark,” I whined. “I can barely see you!”

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“I might vomit,” I said. “Do you think I have a concussion? I’m so tired. Maybe I’ll just go to sleep.”

“Um, no! Try to stay awake! Hello? Hello?” Tiffany panicked as I slumped to the ground, slightly turning away from her so I didn’t have to worry about any facial movements giving me away. “Hey! Wake up! Hey!” Tiffany paused and I heard her scramble towards me. She pressed two fingers to my wrist and when she tried to pry open my eyelids, I had to roll my eyes back and not thwack her hands away. “Wake up!” she tried again, rocking my shoulder. “Oh, shit. This isn’t good.” She pushed back and I heard footsteps. “Cal! Huey! She passed out. I think you hurt her really bad.”

“What?” came a muffled voice.

“Open the door, you idiot. That woman you hit passed out. She was barely conscious for ten minutes!”

The door creaked open, sending in a gust of cold air. “Is she dead?” asked a man.

“No, I checked. She still has a pulse.”

“Leave her.”

“She said her vision was funny and she couldn’t see and she was worried she would hurl. Vomiting is a sign of a serious head injury. She might be dying.” There were footsteps, but they were moving further away. I was pretty sure Tiffany was standing with the man she called.

“Shit.”

“Yeah, shit, all right!” whimpered Tiffany.

“What did you find out?”

“Nothing. She said her name but we knew that. She pretended she didn’t even know who I was.”

“Maybe she doesn’t.”

“I’m all over the news! Plus, she was driving my car,” Tiffany finished triumphantly. “Of course she knows who I am. Abigail must have given her the keys.”

“She could have stolen them.”

“Really? And just happened to drive out here? How stupid are you, Huey?”

“Maybe she really does have a head injury. We should get her some ice, and then get out of here,” said the man named Huey.

“We can’t leave her here. She said she told people where she was going and she made a phone call. They might be coming for her. If she dies, you could do time for murder!”

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