Sharon Dunn - Mountain Captive

Jude stepped toward her. “What is it?”

“This looks fresh to me.” She aimed her light on the dusty stove top where there was a handprint.

Jude shone his light all around the concrete room. All the other rooms had had an abundance of cobwebs but not this one. “Yeah maybe someone was in here recently.”

He saw the fear in her eyes. He patted her shoulder, hoping to comfort her. They continued their search. “It could have been Ray for whatever reason.”

The only room that looked like it was used on a regular basis was the laundry room, which was clean and contained folded linens, three washing machines and two dryers. Some towels hung over a drying rack. They had worked their way down the entire corridor to the other end of the hotel where there was another staircase leading back to the main floor.

“Let’s head back upstairs,” he said.

She rubbed her forehead, still standing at the base of the stairs. “The one thing I know for sure is that someone was in my room and that at one point they had their hands around my neck.” Her voice faltered.

He leaned a little closer to her. “I know an attack like that can be really scary. I think the best thing to do would be to try to get some sleep. If it would help at all, I can sleep in the chair in your room.”

“Thank you. I think I need that.” She turned to face him. “We were strangers less than ten hours ago. I guess we’re in this together for now.”

He did feel a bond growing between them. It was unusual for him to have an instant connection with anyone. His relationships with women seemed to fall apart before they ever got started. There wasn’t much he could do about liking Lacey other than enjoy the time they did have together. His work here would be finished soon enough, hopefully with a happy ending. He’d head back to North Dakota. His gut twisted into a tight knot when he thought about the kidnapped child.

They made their way upstairs, taking a little time to search the main floor. Laughter spilled out from the ballroom. When they peeked inside Ray and Eddie had set up a chessboard. Eddie’s son must have returned to his room.

They stepped away from the ballroom and headed back to their rooms. They stood on the mezzanine looking down on the ornate but worn carpet in the lobby.

The most likely scenario was that whoever had been in Lacey’s room had been there to rob her. All the same, he could not shut off his cop mind. “Is there some reason why someone in this town might be mad at you or your family?”

“I don’t have any connection to this town. I’m from the other side of the state.” She leaned forward, gripping the railing with her hands and staring off into space.

“I thought you said that you moved around a lot?”

“I do. I live in forest service cabins and campers mostly. I grew up in a little town called Jasper.” Her voice faltered. “Haven’t been back there in years.”

There was a depth of emotion to her comment that he could not begin to plumb. He suspected that there was a tragic amount of pain to her statement. “What about your mom and your dad?”

“They’re dead along with my little brother. The only family I have is my grandmother. Honestly, I don’t think my family has anything to do with why I was attacked.”

Jude felt as though all the air had left the room. He picked up on her defensive tone. “I wasn’t prying. I’m just trying to figure this thing out.”

Lacey turned toward him. “Sorry, it’s a time waster to ask questions about my family, okay?”

Just like him she’d grown defensive when talking about the past.

Jude cleared his throat. He stepped away from the bannister. “Why don’t we try to get some sleep. If he is still here in the hotel, I’ll keep watch for him.”

She studied him for a long moment. “Okay...thank you.” She walked the few feet to her room and shut the door behind her. Jude returned to his room to grab his phone, which had a book on it he’d been reading. He knocked on her door. Lacey opened it.

He collapsed into the chair. She got into bed and rolled over.

Jude read for about twenty minutes, dozed and woke up. He’d left the flashlight on to provide some light. A small tattered Bible sat on her nightstand. Maybe her tragic loss had deepened her faith instead of stolen it. It seemed though that both of them had been running each in a different way. Her job meant she didn’t put down roots or connect to a community. After the shooting, he’d quit the force and closed himself off, preferring to put his energy into his work. Lacey was the first person he’d felt any connection to in ten years.

He couldn’t begin to sort through the emotional rupture that had risen up between them. Right now, he needed to focus on keeping Lacey safe. The storm continued to rage outside as Jude struggled to calm his restless mind.

Lacey awoke. She turned sideways. Jude was no longer in his chair. Even though he might have just slipped out to get something in his room, she felt less safe when he wasn’t close. His agreeing to sit watch was the only reason she’d slept at all. Early morning light shone in from the window. The storm had let up, improving visibility, but it was still snowing.

She heard a noise outside her door.

Her heart beat a little faster. “Jude, is that you?” She ran to the door and flung it open expecting to see him. There was no one on the mezzanine. Now she realized that maybe the noise had come from downstairs. She stepped toward the banister. Down below, she watched as a tall thin figure hurried through the lobby and slipped outside. He’d been wearing a hat, so she couldn’t see what color his hair was.

That had to be her attacker.

She stood on the mezzanine as she reached out for the wall for support.

Lacey’s heart thumped in her chest. The man had taken advantage of the letup in the storm to escape. Fear permeated her whole being.

A heavy silence enveloped her as she fought the terror that raged through her. Seeing the man brought back the trauma of the attack.

Jude came up the hallway and she fell into his arms.

“Hey, Lacey, what happened?”

“I saw him. He left the hotel. He was here all night.” Her voice must have given away how upset she was.

“Hey.” Jude gave her a tight reassuring hug and then stepped back to look at her. Jude led her over to the plush velvet chairs that were outside the hotel room on the mezzanine. “Sit down and catch your breath. How long ago? Maybe I can catch him.”

“It’s been a few minutes. I’m sure he’s gone by now.” She placed her hand on her heart and took in a deep breath. “Where did you go, anyway? I woke up and you weren’t there.”

“I just went down the hall to use the facilities.” The hotel was so old that there was only one bathroom per floor. He rested his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

His hand lingered on her shoulder, and the warmth of his touch soaked through the fabric of her shirt. She’d always thought of herself as a free spirit, someone who didn’t need anyone. But given what had happened to her, she kind of liked having Jude around. Just his presence seemed to smooth over the agitation and fear.

“If he is connected to the kidnapper, why hasn’t he come after me?”

She turned to face him. “There you go again being a detective.”

“I’m trying to figure this thing out.” Jude shifted in his chair.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe I’m just the easier target.” She slumped back in the chair. “I do know one thing. I don’t like feeling like I’m trapped in this hotel.” But going outside meant the tall thin man might come after her.

Ray walked into the lobby holding a box. He shouted up at them. “Storm won’t be the worst of it. It’s the aftermath. Be a few days before the plows dig us out and the roads are passable.” Ray must have heard what she’d said.