Chapter 21

All of the town of Hammonton was included in the state-designated Pinelands Area. There was land that was forested with other areas dedicated to farming, namely cranberry cultivation. The whole area was flat with no high areas as landmarks which would make it hard to find a vantage point for surveillance of either house.

Osbourne's house was an old wooden home set in several acres with wooded land surrounding it and a large acreage given over for agriculture. It was located north of Hammonton down a narrow single track with another access road that led directly to the farmed area. Maybe Osbourne rented out that area to a local grower because there was no other road that ran through the wooded area near to the house. It was a large property with four bedrooms plus bathrooms on the first floor then two lounge areas, a kitchen and dining room downstairs.

According to the county records the property had been bought by Osbourne's parents and had been modernized over the years. Fortunately, any building work had been overseen by an architect, so Ethan had managed to get into his computer and download the plans for the house.

I considered carefully whether or not Lizbeth was involved or even her old boss Osbourne. It could have been coincidence with the car, or someone may have stolen it but I knew in my heart that they would somehow be involved. Then again Hector had told me that Lizbeth was still working at the bonds office so maybe she wasn't aware of what was going on. I decided though that if we were travelling down to Hammonton then it would be prudent to check her house there.

The house that Lizbeth had inherited from her mother was older and smaller but was closer to the main town. Her mother, Clare Norton, had worked hard to keep her and her daughter with a variety of jobs over the years. From waitressing, to picking and packing during the season, to cleaning. What concerned me was the derelict building next door to where the house was, we'd need to check that one out as well.

It had been two days since I'd seen Steph and I was keen to make a move, but I was also sensible enough this time to realize that we needed to act as a team and be well prepared with as much information as possible. It was a 90 mile drive, that would take us about 2 hours to drive before we reached our final destination. Finding somewhere to stay that was secluded had been a nightmare, it seemed the area around Hammonton didn't cater for short term rentals, well not one that would suit our needs. In the end we'd found an old shack just inside the forest that had maybe once been a hunting cabin. That meant that we needed sleeping bags, convenient food and some makeshift cooking equipment. Who said that staying stateside was more comfortable than being in some South American jungle?

By the time we'd sorted out our supplies we were ready to start our surveillance of the two properties. CJ and Santos were going to Lizbeth's house while Ethan and I were going to scout out the property belonging to Osbourne. We were going in light for this first outing, just weapons in case we came across anyone who started shooting at us. The aim was to find a position that would give us cover but have a view of the house.

It was night time, with the clear sky above us giving some ambient light to see with. Ethan and I were going to be using the track across the cultivated area assuming that they would be empty of workers. It gave us an opportunity to get our bearings and also the lay of the land before we came to the wooded area surrounding the rear of the property. We were both quiet as we walked, making good time, but as we started to near the house, I actually began to hope that maybe Steph was here. Once the house was in view, we used the cover of trees to survey the area for the best place to observe from, without being seen. A hollowed section between the large roots of two tall mature trees gave us excellent cover.

Once Ethan had scouted around the area, he wasn't sure if we could use the thermal imaging camera due to the distance and movement of trees between us and the house, but a boom microphone could work. The hollow would allow us to set the boom up on a tripod along with a high zoom camera. The house was in darkness as we settled ourselves into the hollow to wait and watch, the temperature around us, whilst cooler, wasn't too uncomfortable and the still night air enabled us to be very aware of everything around us. Occasionally there would be the rustle of leaves from above and even from the ground, but we were able to identify those noises as movements from nocturnal animals. As I looked at that house, I just knew that Steph was there.

The house was in darkness as we watched with no evidence of occupation, but then it was the early hours of the morning so maybe everyone was asleep. There didn't appear to be anyone patrolling the house and from observing the external structure neither of us could see any signs of security around the building. No red eyes that hinted at cameras or wires that might indicate external sensors, but having been caught out with pressure mats, I wasn't going to be taking any chances by moving any closer.

It was 0400 hrs when we left feeling confident that our hiding place would be invisible even in the daylight, being out of view of the windows at the back of the house. We compared what we were seeing with the plans that we had and were confident that they accurately described the layout inside. Ethan was going to be working on a plan to be able to detect if there were any sensors or booby traps, me, I was intent on being here later in the morning because I knew that would be when we would be able to identify if the house was being used.

I was surprised when we returned to our base that CJ and Santos were there and interested in what they had discovered. We were each sat down on the floor on our sleeping bags with water in our hands for each team to report their findings.

"We looked at the building next door first. While it looked to be locked up the side entrance only had corrugated sheeting against the door. It's an old wooden building with wooden floors and long wooden tables but the amount of dust and dirt suggested that it's been empty for a while"

"A place used for packing maybe?"

I suggested knowing the crop of fruit that was picked.

"Possibly. There are loading areas at the back"

At least that took one building out of the equation, one less for us to have to keep watch on.

"The house was empty, and it wasn't in the best of conditions. A look through the windows showed dust sheets over the furniture so we took a look inside. There's no power to the place so I'd say it's been locked up for a while"

Did that mean that this Lizbeth Norton was still somewhere around Trenton just as we thought? I wasn't sure what it meant but at least now we could focus on the house that belonged to Stanley Osbourne. Would it be possible for Ethan or CJ to approach the house under the guise of a delivery man? I pushed that idea from my thoughts as quickly as it came to me. Correll worked for the FBI so I really wasn't sure if he would know which men were working with me, plus he'd be very suspicious of that happening. I didn't want to spook the man and have him disappear again taking Steph and Lainey with him. That made me wonder how many men there were with them. Steph had always been very proactive at finding her way out of situations and of escaping, so I wasn't sure how she was being held captive there. Maybe there were guards inside or they had a way of restraining her. Yeah, I was working on the assumption that she was inside that house, she had to be.

"We found a dig out that should give us cover and a way to stay concealed"

I found myself focusing onto Ethan as he told the others what we had discovered. My biggest concern was accessing that wooded area during the day without being seen.

"We need to find a better way of getting there, the fields are too open. Maybe we need to look for a way of coming in from an area to the west, through the trees"

I watched as Ethan nodded his head in agreement and as he said, "In the morning"

Yeah, we needed a couple of hours sleep before we regrouped and decided on the plans for what we would be doing next.

Three hours was all that I needed to rejuvenate myself. I felt more in control of myself as I walked outside to use our makeshift toilet. Probably a good thing for what we were about to embark on, though I was sure it was because I was so sure that I had found Steph again. Entering the shack, the others were up and about, mixing some of the dried food from packets that we'd brought with us. The hot oatmeal was sufficient for my needs, because I was keen to get back to that house.

I was pleased to see Ethan busy on his laptop as he ate sure that he would be able to find a better way to access the property. Once we'd finished eating and tidied away, we were back sat on the floor as we planned out our day. Ethan and CJ had all sorts of electronics with us to scan and detect the area for hidden sensors, booby traps and the use of security systems along with methods of trying to establish exactly who was in the building.

We were also trying to look for ways of using the van and the thermal imaging camera. We wouldn't be able to use the current decal, so Ethan was sending what we needed to Hector for him to produce new plastic for the van and some overalls for us. Hammonton Township Municipal Utilities Authority was responsible for ensuring the water supply, so we decided that once the van was ready, we'd set up on the road where we had a view of the house.

That wouldn't happen until the next day and would require one of us to pick up the package from the local FedEx office in town.

"I think we could probably get to the property from here. It's further to walk but there's a place to maybe park up the truck where it won't be seen"

I looked at the satellite image that Ethan had on his laptop, amazed at the definition of the image that we were looking at.

"Is that fencing?"

"Yeah. It could be electrified but I doubt it"

The boundary of the property to the west was almost part of the forested area with no obviously tracks close to it.

"If we park the truck here then it won't be seen"

I saw what Ethan meant by the distance from where we needed to be, but didn't see that as a problem, it just meant carrying equipment with us. If we managed to get Steph and Lainey out, then it might become a problem because I wasn't sure how they might manage that distance. We would need to think that one out. For now, we had to do a full reconnaissance first.

Two hours later I was laid on my stomach in the dig out of the old roots from the trees. I had binoculars with me, a zoom camera and the microphone boom. I wasn't on my own. I think Santos was worried that if I saw Steph, I'd go charging in. I was very tempted to do that but wouldn't, I wasn't going to be that stupid again. CJ had taken the truck into town to see what he could find out about Stanley Osbourne and I suppose how he looked he would be able to blend in. Ethan was back at the base getting the van ready for the new decals and sorting through equipment. He would also be checking through any chatter on media sites and on the dark web.

I had the feeling that this was going to be a long and boring surveillance but once in my zone I was totally focused on what was in front of me, my mind totally empty, except for the sounds around me. The house was silent and still with no evidence that anyone was inside. Between the edge of the trees and the house was a grassed area that was in desperate need to be cut. Surrounding the grass was what were shrubs and bushes before they separated to allow access to a small path that led to a verandah that was the full width of the house. There were wooden chairs and a small table furnishing the verandah, with a door that I assumed led into the house at one end. Windows overlooked the verandah, but they seemed to have a fine drape pulled across, meaning that it was impossible to get a view into the inside.

The house was occupied though as the boom microphone picked up the sound of water running from drainage pipes coming from the kitchen and the bathroom. That in itself gave me some consolation that eventually I'd be lucky enough to actually see someone, though unless they came outside, I would struggle. I was too far away to pick up any sounds emanating from inside the building

It was 1800hrs when my waiting paid off, it was beginning to get dark, that period of time when the light from the sun was beginning to set below the horizon. The lights in the house started to come on as the daylight began to wane making it possible to see more of what was going on inside the house. Okay, silhouettes of people moving behind the drapes, but from seeing those and then lights going on in other parts of the house gave me some idea of how many people were possibly inside the house. At an estimate I judged that were at least four people inside. I waited and watched with Santos a few feet away doing the same when suddenly the door at the back of the house opened and someone walked out onto the verandah, slamming the door behind them.

I watched the figure as they stepped down onto the first step from the verandah and then sat down, pulling their knees to their chest. The light was poor to see clearly and even with the infrared goggles seeing a face was impossible as the large hood pulled over their head covered any features. I didn't need to see the face to know that it was my Babe sat there on the step. Her posture was as though she was holding herself together, one that I'd seen before when she'd been upset or felt down with herself.

As the door opened again and a second figure walked out, I was grateful for Santos's quick thinking as he pushed some earphones over my head. I was sure that I recognized this second figure as Correll. The same height and build with glasses that reflected the light as he walked over and sat down next to Steph. I felt myself tense as his hand rested over her shoulders as though to comfort her and that ramped up to tension when Steph shrugged his arm from her and put distance between them. Santos had the mic pointing toward them so hearing what was said came across loud and clear.

"Go away Ryan, I need some fresh air and to be on my own"

Her voice sounded soft almost a whisper as she told him that, but he didn't move.

"I'm sorry. But being out here isn't a good idea, someone might see you"

I was slightly confused with what he had said, as though Steph had the freedom to be where she wanted to be, that she was there of her own choice.

"I don't care anymore. Why Ryan, why you did you do it?"

"It was an accident, like I told you. That gun just went off, I'm not used to handling those things"

Were they talking about when he had shot me with those tranquilizers?

"You killed him Ryan"

I almost felt like jumping up and shouting out that I was here when I heard Steph say that, her voice choked with tears.

"It was for the best. He's a paid mercenary, he would have killed all of us and taken Lainey. That's what he does"

"No he doesn't, you don't know him like I do"

There was my Babe, her voice stronger as she turned her head toward him.

"His last mission, he got a kidnapped boy out, but he killed every man there, in cold blood. It's what he does, why he's used for those kinds of jobs. No witnesses left"

I felt my heart drop at hearing what Correll was telling Steph. Yes, I'd got that boy out and yes the kidnappers were all dead, but it wasn't a choice that I'd made, it had been a necessity to protect the boy and ourselves. I closed my eyes praying that Steph wouldn't believe what he was telling her and then it dawned on me, the ghosts and demons that always haunted me were now getting their vengeance on me. It was one of the reasons why I had tried to keep a distance between Steph and me because I never wanted her to know what kind of monster I was, afraid that she would hate what she saw.

My attention was drawn to the door opening again and another figure coming out of the house. This one was definitely a woman by the shape of her body, and she had a confidence in how she carried herself. She walked up behind Correll and Steph, her arms across her chest as though she was either cold or annoyed.

"Get lost Ryan"

Came the authoritative voice of what was definitely a woman. It amused me slightly when I saw her kick him, but it had the effect of getting Correll to stand up and move away from them. The woman waited until Correll had gone back into the house before she sat down as he had done next to Steph. Her arm around Steph had a different response and I watched as Steph leant into her.

"Ignore him girl, he doesn't know shit"

"It doesn't matter now. I never got a chance to explain anything to him. He'll have died hating me"

Why would Steph think that? I could never hate her, regardless of what she ever did.

"Girl, he'll have known more than you think, and you know what, he would never hate you. I think he'll have felt the same for you as you felt for him"

"Did we do the right thing?"

I was still reeling from had been said when the question went through me and had me asking what it was that they'd done.

"Girl, if he could, he'd be saying that he was so proud of you"

I watched as Steph lifted her head and wiped her eyes and face. She'd been crying, the tears catching the light as they flowed down her face.

"He always used to say that. What are we going to do Ellie?"

I caught onto the fact that Steph had referred to the other woman by a slightly different name, but I was waiting for what Lainey would suggest, hearing a sigh come from her. I needed to know why they were here; were they being forced to stay or was it their choice? Instead of either of them saying anymore they helped each other up onto their feet and suddenly they were out of view and back in the house.

I didn't know what to think following that overheard conversation. I knew that I just wanted to stay there watching the house. It was as though I was keeping watch over Steph, so when Santos started to move and pulled me back with him, I felt so guilty for leaving her. Collecting together our things we silently walked away from the house and through the trees. It seemed so still and quiet as we moved, making us extra careful as we walked through the leaves and undergrowth. Ethan was there with the truck when we got back to where he had dropped us off. Santos must have messaged him to meet us. It was silent as we made our way back to base, I really didn't know what to say and wasn't sure that I wanted to know what Santos thought. I was pretty sure I'd find out when we met up with the other two men.

Sat again on the floor I was surprised when it was CJ that wanted to talk first as though what he'd found out was important. I wasn't sure how it could be more important than what I'd seen today.

"I ended up in the local bar, trying to get a feel for the area but man, those old men were already drunk when I got there"

I had to admit I perked up as CJ told me that. Finding out information had always been better through listening to what people were saying.

"Seems that Stanley Osbourne is back in town. They were surprised he came back so soon because they'd expected him to be away for a lot longer. Of course, that moved the conversation onto whether or not he'd reopen his business and if Lizbeth would be back as well. Lizbeth, well Elizabeth Norton, listening to those guys talk about her they loved that girl and said how sad it was with her mother dying"

I took back what I'd thought because this kind of gossip was starting to sound like the meanderings of old men to me.

"The point CJ?"

"I'm getting there, gotta build up to it. Seems when the mother was a young lass, she was destined to marry one of the local boys. They'd grown up together and had dated on and off. Turns out Stanley Osbourne was the man that Clare Norton was supposed to marry. Anyway, everything changed after one summer. There were a lot of strangers in town for the fruit picking season, temporary hires, and one of them was a university friend of Osbourne's. Seems this friend had an affair with Clare Norton and by the time he'd returned back to Boston she found out that she was pregnant. Stanley Osbourne, well when he found out about the affair he insisted on a paternity test after the daughter was born. Turns out that it wasn't his and he ended up enlisting as soon as he could"

I looked at CJ as he continued to smile because I was almost certain that I knew what he was going to say next, but was it fact or just supposition?

"I had Ethan here hack a few sites"

"Yeah, I'm not happy about hacking into the FBI medical records mate"

So between them they had managed to find out who the father was and said the name that I was sure they were going to say.

"Ryan Correll"

That told us the connections, but it didn't tell us the why. It seemed that Stanley Osbourne must have come to terms with what had happened between him and Clare Norton and maybe after all those years in the army he'd made peace with her. He'd hired the daughter to work with him so at least he wasn't holding a grudge anymore.

"Why didn't Correll man up and marry her?"

A question that was voiced by Santos. Hell, I'd married Rachel when I found out that she was pregnant. Okay, it hadn't worked out, probably because there was no love between us but even though I'd signed over my rights as a father I still made sure that they were both taken care of.

"Maybe he didn't know"

I offered as an excuse because if he knew and walked away from his responsibilities then I was disliking the man even more than I already had done.

"Steph and Lainey are at the house"

I heard Santos say. I wasn't too sure how to explain what we'd seen and heard, so much of it just hadn't made any sense.

"How are they being held there?"

A logical question because CJ would be wanting to know how we were going to get them out.

"I don't know. It doesn't look as though they are being physically held there but I know Steph, she wouldn't still be there against her will unless there was a real threat keeping her there"

It was all I could really say because it was true. Was it her choice to be hiding out there, that was a question that was plaguing me because I had always hoped that Steph would come to me if she felt that she was in danger, that was always what she had done in the past. What had she done that she was so worried about?

"I'm going to spend the day watching again tomorrow"

I was surprised when I didn't get any arguments about that instead the men were discussing what they would be doing. The van was ready and waiting for the package from Hector so by the afternoon hopefully that would be positioned down the road at the front of the property. CJ would collect the package and then he and Ethan would be with the van and hopefully be capturing some footage from inside the house. That left Santos. I looked at him not sure what he was thinking of doing.

"Something feels off about this whole thing. Steph would look for ways to escape, she would go to you or try to contact you"

"She thinks I'm dead"

Was that why she was so upset, had she planned to try to contact me, but wouldn't she have then tried to contact Santos if she couldn't reach me?

"She's been somewhere between disappearing after the FBI had her. That's seven weeks Ranger. What the hell did she do in those seven weeks, what could she have done to have some regrets yet have Lainey saying that you'd be proud of her?"

He had a valid point, but I still wasn't sure what he was suggesting.

"I'm going back to the beginning. I'll get Hector to team up with me, find the FBI safe house and then chase where her and Morelli disappeared. There has to be something still to find"

I nodded my head agreeing with the way that Santos was thinking but wanted to be sure that if the shit hit the fan here then he would return quickly.

"Regular contact Santos"

I insisted, yeah, I think the both of us knew that either one of us could require back up.

"Use Rangeman"

Because the mission for Raynor had been to find Lainey, my personal mission was to get Steph back and for that I was going to use whatever resources that I had and that included Rangeman.