Chapter 5
Amazingly, the thought pattern was felt by Laurie as she came to, slowly opening her eyes and staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Confused, she thought, "this isn't Denver?", then full awareness dawned,
Panic-stricken, she forced herself into a sitting position, then groaned as pain shot through her neck. Looking down, she saw her wrists and ankles shackled, and fear made a knot in her stomach.
Closing her eyes, she tried to reach Steve and Rick, then felt both men respond. "Laurie, honey, are you all right?" Steve called out to her. "No, I can't move very well, I think that monster who took me did something to my neck." she told him, almost weeping with relief.
"Don't cry, darlin', I'm coming!" she felt Rick faintly, reassuring her. "We're on our way to the hotel to pick up your trail and then going to get Robin, she's safe with the police."
Her feeling of hope that she would soon be rescued was interrupted when the door to the room opened and two men came in.
"Good morning, Mrs. Simon, I hope you feel better. I apologize for Luther's treatment of you last night." the younger of the two smoothly told her. "Who are you, and why did you let that man nearly break my neck?" she cried, deciding to play weak.
"I'm Jayson Maxwell, counsel to the late Horace Willowby. I'm sorry you don't feel good, I'll give you something to take the pain away, then I'll have you eat something so we can begin." he explained.
"Begin what?" she returned, mystified.
"Recording your book on tape; Mrs. Simon. Leland Johnson assured me you understood the terms. If you cooperate, you'd be set free. If you don't, you'll never see your husband or children again." Maxwell answered.
"Oh, no, not that again! Please!" she cried. The dapper man shook his head. "I know, we did try to warn you, but with a million dollars at stake, you should know I'll stop at nothing to get what I want."
As the big man stepped forward, holding a gun on her, Maxwell brought a glass of water to Laurie's side. "Here, drink this, Mrs. Simon." he ordered.
"No, drugs of any kind make me sick to my stomach." Laurie begged. Grasping her chin, he told her, "There's no use struggling, this will make you feel better!"
Unable to dodge the glass held to her lips, Laurie took two sips of the bitter liquid, then sank against the pillows the big man placed in back of her neck.
"I'll leave you for now, Mrs. Simon, I need to prepare for your taping session. After you've rested, you can even talk to your children, I'm sure that will make you happy." Maxwell grinned at her stunned expression, and then the two men left the room.
Feeling woozy, Laurie managed to raise her hands to the pendant around her neck, only to find it missing. "NO!" she cried, then heard Steve's concerned response. "Honey, what's wrong, did they threaten you again?"
"Maxwell, guy who worked for Willowby, he made me drink something, so tired." she thought. "Tell Rick I love him, be careful and find me please."
Closing her eyes, she heard voices calling to her, then nothing.
Steve looked at Rick as he came out of the cockpit of the Cessna.
"She's been drugged, that animal who took her forced something on her. Our
only hope is that we find out which one Willowby's properties is in the area." Steve told him, worried.
Rick gave him a determined look. "We'll find Laurie, I'm not stopping until I do!"
"Pop!" Robin came out of her chair and rushed into her father's arms, as he came into the waiting area of the Denver police station. Clutching her to him, Rick tried to calm her. "Honey, it's ok, I'm here! We've heard from your Mom, she's sore but all right."
"It was awful, that man looked like a caveman the way he was holding Mom!" she hiccupped. Her father cleared his throat, then released his embrace to let Robbie greet his sister. "I'm proud of you, Robin, I just saw the sketch you helped them put together. Captain Martin already has i.'ded. the creep, he's an escaped convict with a record as a mob enforcer." her brother explained, sitting her down.
Rick stroked her hair. "You kept your head, sweetie. Now I'm going to send you and your brother home with your Uncle. This way I know you'll be safe!" Looking over her head at Robbie's startled face, he added, "I got a message just now before we left the hotel, if we don't call off the police, you and your sister are next."
"How did they know we were here, Pop?" Robbie found his voice as he sat down next to her. "I don't know son, but when we were leaving the hotel with Captain Martin, a bellman brought a phone over and said I had a message. Unfortunately it was on an auto dialer, so we couldn't trace it." Rick said.
After a moment, Robin asked, "Did you have any luck tracking Mom's transmitter? Her father nodded. "Yes, honey, we've narrowed it down to three places, including an abandoned hotel near the Arizona border. Oscar's going to try to pin down the location via the OSI locator beam. but it's going to take at least an hour."
Just then A.J. came to the door. "I have a cab, Rick, if we hurry we can make the next flight to Phoenix. Can you go with Robin and make sure we got everything, Rob?" "Sure, Uncle A.J., come on squirt, let's make sure you didn't leave any stuffed animals this time!" he teased, bringing a reluctant smile to her face.
"Rob, that's terrible, I accidentally dropped Snooky by the pool, how was I to know Uncle Steve would drive all the way back to get it!" she pretended to pout, following him out the door.
Rick shook his head, wanting to laugh at his kids. A.J. sighed. "How did we get so lucky with those two? He's trying to make her feel better, and she's playing along."
"I don't know, little brother, I just have to make sure nothing happens to them." he replied. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them at all times!" A.J. promised.
As they exited the building, A.J. went to join his niece and nephew at the curb. Suddenly a van screeched against the curb, then a door opened and an arm reached out and grabbed Robin and pulled her in. "Stop!" Robbie yelled and lunged forward, trying to retrieve his sister. As A.J. ran toward the open door, Rick yelled for help from the front desk. Turning back to his children, he went to help his son only to see him disappear inside the van as it sped away from the cab stand. "No! Stop them!" he hollered, as a squad car peeled away and went after them.
"A.J.! oh no!" he gasped, finding his brother collapsed against the sidewalk. "Are you all right, don't move!" he told him, seeing a line of blood on his forehead. "Rick, I almost had her and something hit me, we've got to find them!" he dazedly replied, trying to sit up.
"We will, just stay still. They're going to pay, A.J. This is the end, I've been playing by their rules, now it's my turn!" Rick growled.
While Rick was caring for his brother, Laurie had come to. Gathering her strength, she had managed to sit up, surprised that the numbness had receded in her arms and legs. Making sure she wasn't going to fall over from dizziness, she hobbled to the uncovered window and looked out to see nothing but rocks and trees. Off in the distance she could almost see a highway, then hills and sky.
Looking along the bottom of the panes, she found a rusted catch, then prying at it, managed to loosen it. Lifting it up, she opened the window wide enough so satisfy herself that she could get out.
Lowering the glass, she got back to the cot, where she caught her breath, then tried to reach Steve. "Laurie, keep talking to me, we're trying to narrow down where you're at. Can you see out at all?" she heard.
"Yes, I made it to a window, we're out in the middle of nowhere. There's a highway or road in the distance, then desert and trees all around. I think this place is one story, it's hard to tell but I was able to get the window open. Let me know when you guys get close, I can try to climb out!" Laurie told him.
As Laurie tried to ease into a more comfortable position, she snared her handcuffs on the bedsprings. Pulling the chain between the cuffs free, she got an idea.
While she worked on her restraints, Rick was watching Rudy examine his brother in the first aid room of the police station. After almost an hour, the patrol car that had taken off after the van holding his children had returned without success. The officers had found the van abandoned in an alley way, motor still warm.
A note was inside, "Stop searching for your family or they're dead! They will be returned when Mrs. Simon has finished."
Rick had wanted to crush the paper in his fist. Damn it, how could they have known where they were? All of a sudden he knew, and he had a way of proving it.
"Robbie, Robin! Are you all right!" Laurie cried, seeing her children handcuffed and disheveled in front of her. The brutal Luther pushed them at her as stumbling, the brother and sister fell onto their mother's cot. Reaching for them, she kissed them and held onto them as Robbie replied, "yes, Mom, we're ok, just worried about you!"
Robin started to cry as she added, "Mama, I was afraid you were hurt, your poor neck!" Trying to comfort her, Laurie's eyes blazed as she looked at the two men. "How dare you lay your hands on my children! You could have done anything to me you wanted, but taking my babies to force me to make your tape, that's inhuman!"
Maxwell actually looked uncomfortable, as he said, "I'm sorry Mrs. Simon, but I was advised by Leland Johnson you wouldn't cooperate without some kind of persuasion. I'll leave you and your children alone for a little while, then I expect you to start recording your stories. The sooner you start, the faster I release you all."
Suddenly she heard Steve, and relaying to him that Robbie and Robin were being held with her, she told her friend, "I've got to get them out of here, I think I know how!"
"Wait a minute", she told Maxwell. "I'll make your recording, but I at least need something warm to wear, I'm freezing." She lowered her head, giving the impression she had surrendered.
"Of course, Mrs. Simon, I'll be right back." he smiled, then followed the large man out of the room. Hearing the lock turn, Laurie waited a minute, then let out a sigh.
"Robbie, what happened, how did they get you two?" "That monster Luther, he grabbed Robin off the curb, then when I reached in to stop him he pulled a gun and told me he'd kill her if I didn't get in. Uncle A.J. had Robin's arm when that jerk hit him, I hope he's all right!" her son explained, worried.
Closing her eyes, his mother reached Steve, then her eyes widened. "Your uncle's ok, as a matter of fact he's with your father and Uncle Steve and Oscar and Rudy; they're in a helicopter on their way here. I need to get you two out of here, though, they found out that Maxwell has an accomplice in the police department and he broke down and told them you and your sister are going to be killed, to eliminate any witnesses!"
"Oh no, Mama, I don't want to leave you, they'll kill you if we escape!" Robin insisted, as Robbie nodded in agreement.
"No, honey, I'm the cash cow here, they'll have no choice but to let me live to finish this stupid tape! The guys will be here long before that! Now, let me show you how to open the window, then as soon as they take me out of here, you take off! Robbie, they drugged me with some water earlier, if they try that with you, hold it in your mouth and pretend to swallow, but spit it onto your shirt if you have to." she added.
Abruptly they saw the doorknob turning, and Robbie pretended to have been blotting his mother's face with his handkerchief. "It's going to be ok, mom, we'll be right here when you finish." he said aloud.
"Here you are, Mrs. Simon." Jayson Maxwell announced, coming into the room and setting a bundle of clothing on the bed. Laurie started to move toward the change of clothes, then looked at the manacles on her hands and ankles. "How am I going to be able to change with these on?" she whimpered. "I'll unlock your chains, but I warn you, don't try anything or I'll let Luther have charge of your son and daughter!" he replied. Unlocking her chains, he left the room so she could pull what turned out to be a warm pair of pants and sweater on. Donning plain white socks, she shivered as she realized the only shoes they had provided were a pair of slippers.
"Quick, Robbie, let me show you the catch, and here." she pulled a broken wire out of her sleeve. "See if you can pick the lock on your cuffs." Going to the window, she undid the catch, then loosened the window enough so it was wide enough for her son to squeeze through.
"Count to ten after I leave, then you two get out of here. Your father is going to flash shave and a haircut at you, when you see that, head for the helicopter. I'll draw out my story as long as possible, make sure your Uncle Steve covers the exits so none of these animals gets away!" she told them.
A minute later they heard the lock turn, then Luther was back with his gun pointed at her children, as Maxwell bowed and said, "After you, Mrs. Simon."
As he led her down a cold and dark hall, Laurie listened to Steve as he told her they were going to land some distance away, then he would go ahead of Rick and Oscar. A.J. was going to stay with Rudy as back up just in case and two units of the Colorado Highway Patrol were waiting on the other side of the highway.
"Just make sure you get Robbie and Robin out of here, I can handle these two!" she flashed at him.
"Honey, Rick says let us handle them, no heroics, we'll come in and get you, please. Just be ready!" Steve ordered, sounding like her uncle. Biting back the temptation to say so, she let Jayson Maxwell lead her into a room that looked like something out of one of Willowby's palaces. Hung with dusty velvet curtains, the room smelled of damp and featured a large overstuffed chair which Maxwell placed her in. Handing Laurie a brush and mirror, he allowed to tidy her hair and then pinned a microphone on her top.
Standing in back of a video camera, he put a lamp on her, then lights in back of her, that made her feel like she was in an interrogation. "All right, Mrs. Simon, let me hear one of your stories, an unpublished one, if you please." Maxwell instructed.
Searching her memory, Laurie looked at him, then the camera. "Maybe this will tell you how love can bring you through anything," she started, then told of the first Christmas her Grandmother Casey spent as a married woman. "Gene was late, and as the snow drifts were high, I expected he had decided to stay in town." she related. As Laurie spoke, she focused on Steve, who had landed the helicopter and had let Rick and Oscar head toward the back of the old resort.
As Laurie reached the middle of the story, telling how Casey Adams had taken her horse Lightening into a blizzard to find her missing husband, she felt Rick's voice, saying "I've got them, darlin', Robbie and Robin are safe." The relief must have been apparent in her face, as Maxwell gave her a piercing look. Stopping the tape, he asked, "What is it, Mrs. Simon?"
"Why nothing, Mr. Maxwell, don't tell me a wife finding her husband isn't cause for joy or hope. Do you get nothing out of the meaning of my Grandmother's life; she was ready to give her life for her husband!" she blurted. Suddenly an alarm went off, then Maxwell looked at a video screen and blanched. "Luther, we've got to get out of here!" he called.
Seizing the moment, Laurie swung at the ex-lawyer, knocking him over and onto the floor. "Touch my children, will you!" she yelled, hitting him again, then ran out of the room. Slamming the door behind her, she ran down the corridor, mentally calling to Rick. Abruptly she heard footsteps, then slid behind a door as her husband responded "Hide, Laurie, I'm coming!"
Just then the lights went on, and she tried to hold her breath in as heavy steps sounded nearby, then stopped. Looking around for a way out, Laurie saw a doorway at the end of the hall.
Waiting a minute, she dashed for the exit, only to see the evil grin of Luther come out from behind the opposite corridor. "Get away from me you creep! "she shouted, then screamed as he advanced toward her. Dodging his grasp, she limped away from him and opened the door to what appeared to be a main lobby, ghost-like in the early evening light.
At once he was on her, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her in his arms. "No!" she cried, then froze as he grated, "One more sound and I'll kill you!"
"Let her go, now!" came Rick's voice, and surprised, the ex-convict dropped Laurie onto the floor, then whipped out a gun. She rolled away from him before he could reach for her, then covered her head as shots rang out.
Amazingly, the thought pattern was felt by Laurie as she came to, slowly opening her eyes and staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. Confused, she thought, "this isn't Denver?", then full awareness dawned,
Panic-stricken, she forced herself into a sitting position, then groaned as pain shot through her neck. Looking down, she saw her wrists and ankles shackled, and fear made a knot in her stomach.
Closing her eyes, she tried to reach Steve and Rick, then felt both men respond. "Laurie, honey, are you all right?" Steve called out to her. "No, I can't move very well, I think that monster who took me did something to my neck." she told him, almost weeping with relief.
"Don't cry, darlin', I'm coming!" she felt Rick faintly, reassuring her. "We're on our way to the hotel to pick up your trail and then going to get Robin, she's safe with the police."
Her feeling of hope that she would soon be rescued was interrupted when the door to the room opened and two men came in.
"Good morning, Mrs. Simon, I hope you feel better. I apologize for Luther's treatment of you last night." the younger of the two smoothly told her. "Who are you, and why did you let that man nearly break my neck?" she cried, deciding to play weak.
"I'm Jayson Maxwell, counsel to the late Horace Willowby. I'm sorry you don't feel good, I'll give you something to take the pain away, then I'll have you eat something so we can begin." he explained.
"Begin what?" she returned, mystified.
"Recording your book on tape; Mrs. Simon. Leland Johnson assured me you understood the terms. If you cooperate, you'd be set free. If you don't, you'll never see your husband or children again." Maxwell answered.
"Oh, no, not that again! Please!" she cried. The dapper man shook his head. "I know, we did try to warn you, but with a million dollars at stake, you should know I'll stop at nothing to get what I want."
As the big man stepped forward, holding a gun on her, Maxwell brought a glass of water to Laurie's side. "Here, drink this, Mrs. Simon." he ordered.
"No, drugs of any kind make me sick to my stomach." Laurie begged. Grasping her chin, he told her, "There's no use struggling, this will make you feel better!"
Unable to dodge the glass held to her lips, Laurie took two sips of the bitter liquid, then sank against the pillows the big man placed in back of her neck.
"I'll leave you for now, Mrs. Simon, I need to prepare for your taping session. After you've rested, you can even talk to your children, I'm sure that will make you happy." Maxwell grinned at her stunned expression, and then the two men left the room.
Feeling woozy, Laurie managed to raise her hands to the pendant around her neck, only to find it missing. "NO!" she cried, then heard Steve's concerned response. "Honey, what's wrong, did they threaten you again?"
"Maxwell, guy who worked for Willowby, he made me drink something, so tired." she thought. "Tell Rick I love him, be careful and find me please."
Closing her eyes, she heard voices calling to her, then nothing.
Steve looked at Rick as he came out of the cockpit of the Cessna.
"She's been drugged, that animal who took her forced something on her. Our
only hope is that we find out which one Willowby's properties is in the area." Steve told him, worried.
Rick gave him a determined look. "We'll find Laurie, I'm not stopping until I do!"
"Pop!" Robin came out of her chair and rushed into her father's arms, as he came into the waiting area of the Denver police station. Clutching her to him, Rick tried to calm her. "Honey, it's ok, I'm here! We've heard from your Mom, she's sore but all right."
"It was awful, that man looked like a caveman the way he was holding Mom!" she hiccupped. Her father cleared his throat, then released his embrace to let Robbie greet his sister. "I'm proud of you, Robin, I just saw the sketch you helped them put together. Captain Martin already has i.'ded. the creep, he's an escaped convict with a record as a mob enforcer." her brother explained, sitting her down.
Rick stroked her hair. "You kept your head, sweetie. Now I'm going to send you and your brother home with your Uncle. This way I know you'll be safe!" Looking over her head at Robbie's startled face, he added, "I got a message just now before we left the hotel, if we don't call off the police, you and your sister are next."
"How did they know we were here, Pop?" Robbie found his voice as he sat down next to her. "I don't know son, but when we were leaving the hotel with Captain Martin, a bellman brought a phone over and said I had a message. Unfortunately it was on an auto dialer, so we couldn't trace it." Rick said.
After a moment, Robin asked, "Did you have any luck tracking Mom's transmitter? Her father nodded. "Yes, honey, we've narrowed it down to three places, including an abandoned hotel near the Arizona border. Oscar's going to try to pin down the location via the OSI locator beam. but it's going to take at least an hour."
Just then A.J. came to the door. "I have a cab, Rick, if we hurry we can make the next flight to Phoenix. Can you go with Robin and make sure we got everything, Rob?" "Sure, Uncle A.J., come on squirt, let's make sure you didn't leave any stuffed animals this time!" he teased, bringing a reluctant smile to her face.
"Rob, that's terrible, I accidentally dropped Snooky by the pool, how was I to know Uncle Steve would drive all the way back to get it!" she pretended to pout, following him out the door.
Rick shook his head, wanting to laugh at his kids. A.J. sighed. "How did we get so lucky with those two? He's trying to make her feel better, and she's playing along."
"I don't know, little brother, I just have to make sure nothing happens to them." he replied. "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on them at all times!" A.J. promised.
As they exited the building, A.J. went to join his niece and nephew at the curb. Suddenly a van screeched against the curb, then a door opened and an arm reached out and grabbed Robin and pulled her in. "Stop!" Robbie yelled and lunged forward, trying to retrieve his sister. As A.J. ran toward the open door, Rick yelled for help from the front desk. Turning back to his children, he went to help his son only to see him disappear inside the van as it sped away from the cab stand. "No! Stop them!" he hollered, as a squad car peeled away and went after them.
"A.J.! oh no!" he gasped, finding his brother collapsed against the sidewalk. "Are you all right, don't move!" he told him, seeing a line of blood on his forehead. "Rick, I almost had her and something hit me, we've got to find them!" he dazedly replied, trying to sit up.
"We will, just stay still. They're going to pay, A.J. This is the end, I've been playing by their rules, now it's my turn!" Rick growled.
While Rick was caring for his brother, Laurie had come to. Gathering her strength, she had managed to sit up, surprised that the numbness had receded in her arms and legs. Making sure she wasn't going to fall over from dizziness, she hobbled to the uncovered window and looked out to see nothing but rocks and trees. Off in the distance she could almost see a highway, then hills and sky.
Looking along the bottom of the panes, she found a rusted catch, then prying at it, managed to loosen it. Lifting it up, she opened the window wide enough so satisfy herself that she could get out.
Lowering the glass, she got back to the cot, where she caught her breath, then tried to reach Steve. "Laurie, keep talking to me, we're trying to narrow down where you're at. Can you see out at all?" she heard.
"Yes, I made it to a window, we're out in the middle of nowhere. There's a highway or road in the distance, then desert and trees all around. I think this place is one story, it's hard to tell but I was able to get the window open. Let me know when you guys get close, I can try to climb out!" Laurie told him.
As Laurie tried to ease into a more comfortable position, she snared her handcuffs on the bedsprings. Pulling the chain between the cuffs free, she got an idea.
While she worked on her restraints, Rick was watching Rudy examine his brother in the first aid room of the police station. After almost an hour, the patrol car that had taken off after the van holding his children had returned without success. The officers had found the van abandoned in an alley way, motor still warm.
A note was inside, "Stop searching for your family or they're dead! They will be returned when Mrs. Simon has finished."
Rick had wanted to crush the paper in his fist. Damn it, how could they have known where they were? All of a sudden he knew, and he had a way of proving it.
"Robbie, Robin! Are you all right!" Laurie cried, seeing her children handcuffed and disheveled in front of her. The brutal Luther pushed them at her as stumbling, the brother and sister fell onto their mother's cot. Reaching for them, she kissed them and held onto them as Robbie replied, "yes, Mom, we're ok, just worried about you!"
Robin started to cry as she added, "Mama, I was afraid you were hurt, your poor neck!" Trying to comfort her, Laurie's eyes blazed as she looked at the two men. "How dare you lay your hands on my children! You could have done anything to me you wanted, but taking my babies to force me to make your tape, that's inhuman!"
Maxwell actually looked uncomfortable, as he said, "I'm sorry Mrs. Simon, but I was advised by Leland Johnson you wouldn't cooperate without some kind of persuasion. I'll leave you and your children alone for a little while, then I expect you to start recording your stories. The sooner you start, the faster I release you all."
Suddenly she heard Steve, and relaying to him that Robbie and Robin were being held with her, she told her friend, "I've got to get them out of here, I think I know how!"
"Wait a minute", she told Maxwell. "I'll make your recording, but I at least need something warm to wear, I'm freezing." She lowered her head, giving the impression she had surrendered.
"Of course, Mrs. Simon, I'll be right back." he smiled, then followed the large man out of the room. Hearing the lock turn, Laurie waited a minute, then let out a sigh.
"Robbie, what happened, how did they get you two?" "That monster Luther, he grabbed Robin off the curb, then when I reached in to stop him he pulled a gun and told me he'd kill her if I didn't get in. Uncle A.J. had Robin's arm when that jerk hit him, I hope he's all right!" her son explained, worried.
Closing her eyes, his mother reached Steve, then her eyes widened. "Your uncle's ok, as a matter of fact he's with your father and Uncle Steve and Oscar and Rudy; they're in a helicopter on their way here. I need to get you two out of here, though, they found out that Maxwell has an accomplice in the police department and he broke down and told them you and your sister are going to be killed, to eliminate any witnesses!"
"Oh no, Mama, I don't want to leave you, they'll kill you if we escape!" Robin insisted, as Robbie nodded in agreement.
"No, honey, I'm the cash cow here, they'll have no choice but to let me live to finish this stupid tape! The guys will be here long before that! Now, let me show you how to open the window, then as soon as they take me out of here, you take off! Robbie, they drugged me with some water earlier, if they try that with you, hold it in your mouth and pretend to swallow, but spit it onto your shirt if you have to." she added.
Abruptly they saw the doorknob turning, and Robbie pretended to have been blotting his mother's face with his handkerchief. "It's going to be ok, mom, we'll be right here when you finish." he said aloud.
"Here you are, Mrs. Simon." Jayson Maxwell announced, coming into the room and setting a bundle of clothing on the bed. Laurie started to move toward the change of clothes, then looked at the manacles on her hands and ankles. "How am I going to be able to change with these on?" she whimpered. "I'll unlock your chains, but I warn you, don't try anything or I'll let Luther have charge of your son and daughter!" he replied. Unlocking her chains, he left the room so she could pull what turned out to be a warm pair of pants and sweater on. Donning plain white socks, she shivered as she realized the only shoes they had provided were a pair of slippers.
"Quick, Robbie, let me show you the catch, and here." she pulled a broken wire out of her sleeve. "See if you can pick the lock on your cuffs." Going to the window, she undid the catch, then loosened the window enough so it was wide enough for her son to squeeze through.
"Count to ten after I leave, then you two get out of here. Your father is going to flash shave and a haircut at you, when you see that, head for the helicopter. I'll draw out my story as long as possible, make sure your Uncle Steve covers the exits so none of these animals gets away!" she told them.
A minute later they heard the lock turn, then Luther was back with his gun pointed at her children, as Maxwell bowed and said, "After you, Mrs. Simon."
As he led her down a cold and dark hall, Laurie listened to Steve as he told her they were going to land some distance away, then he would go ahead of Rick and Oscar. A.J. was going to stay with Rudy as back up just in case and two units of the Colorado Highway Patrol were waiting on the other side of the highway.
"Just make sure you get Robbie and Robin out of here, I can handle these two!" she flashed at him.
"Honey, Rick says let us handle them, no heroics, we'll come in and get you, please. Just be ready!" Steve ordered, sounding like her uncle. Biting back the temptation to say so, she let Jayson Maxwell lead her into a room that looked like something out of one of Willowby's palaces. Hung with dusty velvet curtains, the room smelled of damp and featured a large overstuffed chair which Maxwell placed her in. Handing Laurie a brush and mirror, he allowed to tidy her hair and then pinned a microphone on her top.
Standing in back of a video camera, he put a lamp on her, then lights in back of her, that made her feel like she was in an interrogation. "All right, Mrs. Simon, let me hear one of your stories, an unpublished one, if you please." Maxwell instructed.
Searching her memory, Laurie looked at him, then the camera. "Maybe this will tell you how love can bring you through anything," she started, then told of the first Christmas her Grandmother Casey spent as a married woman. "Gene was late, and as the snow drifts were high, I expected he had decided to stay in town." she related. As Laurie spoke, she focused on Steve, who had landed the helicopter and had let Rick and Oscar head toward the back of the old resort.
As Laurie reached the middle of the story, telling how Casey Adams had taken her horse Lightening into a blizzard to find her missing husband, she felt Rick's voice, saying "I've got them, darlin', Robbie and Robin are safe." The relief must have been apparent in her face, as Maxwell gave her a piercing look. Stopping the tape, he asked, "What is it, Mrs. Simon?"
"Why nothing, Mr. Maxwell, don't tell me a wife finding her husband isn't cause for joy or hope. Do you get nothing out of the meaning of my Grandmother's life; she was ready to give her life for her husband!" she blurted. Suddenly an alarm went off, then Maxwell looked at a video screen and blanched. "Luther, we've got to get out of here!" he called.
Seizing the moment, Laurie swung at the ex-lawyer, knocking him over and onto the floor. "Touch my children, will you!" she yelled, hitting him again, then ran out of the room. Slamming the door behind her, she ran down the corridor, mentally calling to Rick. Abruptly she heard footsteps, then slid behind a door as her husband responded "Hide, Laurie, I'm coming!"
Just then the lights went on, and she tried to hold her breath in as heavy steps sounded nearby, then stopped. Looking around for a way out, Laurie saw a doorway at the end of the hall.
Waiting a minute, she dashed for the exit, only to see the evil grin of Luther come out from behind the opposite corridor. "Get away from me you creep! "she shouted, then screamed as he advanced toward her. Dodging his grasp, she limped away from him and opened the door to what appeared to be a main lobby, ghost-like in the early evening light.
At once he was on her, grabbing her around the waist and lifting her in his arms. "No!" she cried, then froze as he grated, "One more sound and I'll kill you!"
"Let her go, now!" came Rick's voice, and surprised, the ex-convict dropped Laurie onto the floor, then whipped out a gun. She rolled away from him before he could reach for her, then covered her head as shots rang out.