Page 82 of Special Agent Murphy

Chapter Forty-eight

Kayti couldn’t believe that such a miserable character ever made enough sales to keep his store afloat. She’d have driven miles out of her way just so she didn’t have to deal with the bat-shit crazy old prick. No wonder Mark wouldn’t want to move in with his uncle.

“Look, we’re not here to make trouble.”

“Trouble follows that boy and his father like shadows. I don’ want nothing to do wit them no more. My own brother, he stole from me when they left the last time. No way I’m having them back to do it agin.”

“Well rest at ease. Mark’s living with me now, and he won’t be moving here. All we need from you is some information.”

“You want him living in your house? He’s a sneaky little shit, all eyes, never says nothing, creeps around the place, gave me the willies.”

“Blame his father for that. Have you seen the story on TV about a young teenager, sixteen to be exact, who was recently kidnapped?”

“I got no TV. Wouldn’t watch the idiot box even if I had me one. I listen to the radio, so yeah, I heard.”

“I have reason to believe she might be near here, held in a cabin close by this lake.” Kayti opened the photos showing Draper and then Viktor. “Ever seen either of these two men?”

Sid held the phone real close until it almost brushed his scraggly gray beard.

Kayti pulled it away and with a swipe of her fingers enlarged the image. “Is this better?” She handed it back to him and watched the recognition light up his beady, bloodshot eyes.

“Yep, that’s the one.” He pointed at Draper. With a sneer in his grumpy voice, he admitted, “That’s the bastard who took one of my best lures and refused to pay the price. Said as how they wasn’t worth more’n five bucks. That’s all he left.”

“When did this happen?”

“What’s it to you?”

Kayti had enough of the vile creep’s nonsense. She moved her jacket aside and showed him her badge. “I’m Agent Edwards and if you don’t cooperate, I’ll make it my mission to get you placed in a cell next to your asshole of a brother for obstruction of justice. So fuckie, don’t mess with me, not when there’s a young girl’s life hanging in the balance.”

Kayti saw the shock on Mark’s face before the grin showed up that he turned away to hide. She also saw the disgust on Sid’s face before he shrugged.

“I ain’t messin with no cops. He’s in one of the Holiday cabins on the right side of the lake, a ways back to town.”

“Do you know which cabin?”

“Nah. All’s I know, the guy’s a thief. If you see him, arrest him and you can tell him Sid sent you.”

Kayti headed back to the car with Mark trailing. “Did you see a sign back there for Holiday cabins?”

“Sure, didn’t you?” He looked her way and added, “Forget I asked. Of course, you didn’t. Just return to the main road and go back about a mile. I’ll let you know when it’s close so you can turn in.”

They parked at the main entrance and decided to walk in from there. The first place looked vacant, as if no one had been living there for some time. She went back to get the car, and they proceeded further until they saw the outline of another dark building.

She parked again a ways from the place. “Stay here. It looks empty, but I’ll go check to make sure.” As she walked closer, she noticed the night closing in and knew that time was no longer on their side.

Glancing at her phone, she saw it was four thirty-five. The trees blocked whatever daylight was left and made it seem later.

Good Lord! She prayed she’d find Misti in the final cabin on this lane because this place was also deserted. Returning to the car, she drove a few miles further. Through the trees, they saw the lights.

She purposely turned the car to face the exit, scraping the front fender against one of the trees. Ignoring Mark’s hiss of concern, she passed him the keys. “Keep these in case you need to make a run for it. You can drive enough to get away, right?”

“I guess. What are you going to do?”

A female scream rang out and chilled her to the bone. “I’m going in. Call Murphy and tell him where we are.”

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