Chapter 7

Caitlin sat on the couch and finished reading the book she had started a few days earlier. She couldn't help but feel bored. All her work was done. She had her clues going out to String daily and now all she could do was wait. Her feelings were mixed about the outcome. Of course she didn't want to give up Airwolf and working with the guys whenever Michael requested it. But, she longed for him to find her, to figure out what she was trying to tell him. She wanted him to know how much she loved him and her heart belonged there at the cabin. But, could she really give up who she was just for him? She was furious at him for making her choose. Could she just give him back the ring for good and walk away? How could she after all they had been through together? If only she could make him see that he fell in love with adventurous Caitlin, not some boring girl who sits on the sidelines. Still, time would tell. Soon, he had to figure out her messages.

Caitlin made herself a light lunch and sat out on the front porch of the cabin. It was beautiful day and she took in the fresh air. A few moments later and eerie feeling came over her. She stood up and walked to the right side of the porch, thinking she heard something. Suddenly she was grabbed from behind. She tried to fight back with all her skills but the grip on her was too tight. She was quickly slammed to the ground and her hands were tied behind her back.

"Who are you?" she screamed. "What do you want?"

"All in good time," Cameron repeated. "All in good time."

He pulled Caitlin to her feet and then pushed a gun to her head. "Don't get any ideas," he said. "Move inside."

He pushed her inside and threw her down on the couch. "Well, well," he said. "What a nice and cozy place you have here. I think I'm going to enjoy my visit."

"Who are you?" she asked again. "What do you want with me?"

He laughed at her and then sat down on the opposite side of the couch while still pointing the gun at her.

"I'm Ian Cameron," he finally said. "I believe you knew my parents. You killed them."

"Oh," said Caitlin. "No, I knew your parents but I didn't kill them. They nearly killed me."

"That's just a technicality," he said. "Your boyfriend killed them so it might as well have been you. But, that doesn't matter now since he's finally dead."

Caitlin couldn't believe what she had just heard. He had to be lying to her. "No!" she yelled. "No, he's not dead."

"Tsk, tsk, you poor dear," said Ian. "I know you don't want to believe it but it's true. He burned to death at Santini Air. Of course, his brother is another story."

"Saint John?" she said, nearly sobbing. "What about him?"

"He survived the bombing of that jeep," he replied. "So, I've got to go back and clean up that mess. Next time he won't be so lucky."

"Why are you doing this?" she asked again. "I didn't kill your parents."

"No, but you were still the main cause of it," he replied. "Ah, but since I have the time, I'm going to take this nice and slow. I plan to have a lot of fun with you before I kill you."

Caitlin's mind was racing. She had to find a way to get out of there before it was too late. She tried to stand up. He jumped up and threw her down on the ground, jumping on top of her.
"So, this is how you want it?" he said. "Okay, I'll play it this way."

"No!" she screamed and pushed him off of her. He fell back and his head hit the corner of the table temporarily disabling him. His gun flew to the side of fireplace. She ran out of the cabin as fast as she could go, her heart beating faster and faster as the adrenaline kicked in. He recovered quickly, stood back up and grabbed the gun.

Caitlin felt the hot seer of the bullet at is hit her in the thigh. She screamed out in pain but she didn't stop running. She couldn't stop. She knew that she had the upper hand in knowing the area. She realized that she could hide out and he'd have a hard time finding her.

After several minutes of running, Caitlin found a hiding place in a large overgrowth near the lake. "Calm down," she thought to herself. "Lower your breathing or he'll hear you."

She turned her thoughts to things that would help her relax. "String's touch," she thought. "He always helped me to relax. God how I miss him."

Suddenly she heard a yell ten feet from her. "Come out come out wherever you are," he said. "I can play hide and seek as good as the next guy. Just wait, in time, I'll find you."

Caitlin couldn't stop the tears from running down her face. Her whole world was coming down around her. String was dead and she'd been shot. How long could she hide out there? Would anyone else come looking for her besides Cameron? Exhaustion and pain finally overtook her as she passed out.