As the Blazer approached the ridge, Cranston saw the road stop at a large rock pile. The road was a washout. “It’s a dead end,” he said. “What now?”
“I don’t know. This road hasn’t been used in decades, but I didn’t figure there’d be a washout. But somehow we’ve got to get past it and to the access road. I’ll have to make this up as I go.” Jim maneuvered slowly off the road and into the trees. Both men pulled in the mirrors as the vehicle eased carefully through the tight fit on its way along the top of the ridge. Breaking into a clearing, Jim pointed to the small access road fifty feet below them. “There.”
“Now how do we get down there? It’s straight down a cliff,” Cranston asked.
Jim looked around as he drove slowly out into the clearing. There were two cliffs on either side of a rockslide saddle that stretched from the clearing to the road. “We’ll have to take the rocks.”
“The what?” Cranston exclaimed. “That’s crazy! One wrong move on those unstable rocks and we’ll end up in that ravine with a ton of boulders to bury us.”
“Its not that far, we can make it,” Jim reassured him. It had been along time since Jim had taken any major risk, and like Cranston, he was feeling the exciting adrenaline rush that only comes from being on the edge. His entire body and mind was fully alert and engaged as he slowly inched the Blazer out onto the flat shale rocks.
Both men held their breath and Jim maneuvered slowly. Some loose rocks slid out in front of them down the hill and into the ravine. They were half way there when the vibration from the vehicle started the rocks moving. The Blazer started to slide, slowly at first, but quickly accelerated as the flat rocks slid over the top of each other.
“We’re going to roll!” Cranston yelled as he braced himself against the dashboard. Jim tried to stay calm as he maneuvered the Blazer like a surfboard across the moving sea of sliding rocks. The roar of the landslide was deafening as he struggled to stay on top of the rocky wave. He was able to stay in just enough control to get the front wheels clear of the rocks when they hit the road.
The front tires dug in while the sliding rocks carried the rear off the far end of the slope as the rocks tumbled over the edge and crashed into the ravine. Just over the cliff edge, the rear axle scraped angrily against the ground as the back wheels dangled in the air. Instantly, Jim gunned the engine and the front wheels pulled them clear of the rocks and onto the road.
“Huh! That was close!” Cranston exclaimed as he looked back realizing how easily they could’ve been thrown into the ravine and crushed by tons of stone. He immediately felt light headed and sick at the possibility.
Both men could hear the thunderous sounds of rocks crashing against one another, but Jim didn’t look back. As he drove quickly down the road, he pointed to a sparkling blue image below them. “There it is!” Jim exclaimed. “It won’t be long now.” Jim was true to his word as the Blazer covered the distance quickly. Throwing up a cloud of dust, the 4x4 hurried down the empty road to Henderson’s home and came to a stop in front of it. Both men jumped out, rushed onto the porch, and looked at the clock.
The seven shingle was showing in the window. Cranston quickly looked at his watch. “Two hours fast, alright.”
Jim reached into the little window and turned the wheel back moving it to the five o’clock position. The shingle was completely shattered. Both men looked at each other with excitement.
“Let’s get the cover off,” Jim said as he checked the right side of the clock. Cranston checked the left side, and in unison both men released the pins and pulled the cover off. Cranston took it and rolled it out of the way. Jim could see the bullet lodged in the back panel of the clock. Removing the Leatherman’s accessory tool from his belt, Jim gently dug the bullet loose. “I’ve got it!” He stood up and lifted the bullet in the air in front of Cranston’s face.
“Yes! I’ve finally got that little jerk!” Cranston cheered. “Let me see it.”
Jim handed it over. “Now all we have to do is match it to this one that I took from the firing range and it’s all over—case closed!” Jim pulled a small plastic bag from his pocket and showed Cranston the other bullet.
He was suddenly revitalized. The feelings of despair at losing his two friends had been replaced by the elation knowing that he could now avenge them.
The smile on Cranston’s face slowly faded as he examined the bullet from the clock carefully. Jim’s heart stopped when he noticed his change of expression and was afraid to ask what was wrong.
“It’s badly damaged,” Cranston said slowly. “I can’t be sure without a microscope, but I don’t think there’s enough here to get a match.”
Jim’s mood sank when he heard this. In all the excitement he hadn’t examined the bullet. In desperation, he grabbed the bullet from Cranston and looked for himself.
The bullet was squished flat. There were some rifling marks on its side, but they were badly scared. Jim slowly sat down on the bench and let out a heavy sigh knowing that the chance of being able to match the two bullets was slim to impossible.
“I’m sorry, Sheriff,” Cranston said as the deflated feeling returned. “I guess it wasn’t meant to be. This kid is lucky beyond belief.”
Jim placed his head in his hands and slowly rubbed his temples. He’d come too far to fail now, he told himself. He couldn’t give up. If there was any possible chance of proving the charges against Bradley, he had to try. After a few moments of silence, Jim stood up. “I guess there’s only one thing I can do,” he said, soberly.
“What’s that?”
Pulling another clear plastic evidence bag from his shirt pocket, Jim put the squished bullet inside it. “For the moment, let’s say that the bullet is too badly damaged for a match. That only leaves one possibility—Chet Green.” Jim’s voice was filled with conviction. “I’m going to bring him in for questioning. If we confront him with what we know, he’ll cave. I’m sure of it.”
“We?” Cranston looked at him as if he were crazy. “Like I said before, Sheriff, messing with the press is suicide! Green is going to know a run around when he sees it.” Cranston shook his head. “If you’re determined to carry out this course of action, count me out. I think you’re playing with fire if you mess with this reporter.”
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re only facing retirement. I’ve lost two friends, my career, and I’m possibly facing murder charges when they match my prints. Not to mention the position in the community I’ve worked so hard to attain. I’ve protected these people like a father for almost thirty years. What’ll they think of me now, if I can’t bring Buck and Rick’s killer to justice?” Jim immediately thought of Nikki and sadly wondered if she’d stay with him through it all. “When Bradley matches the prints, I’m going to lose everything.” Jim shook his head. “No, I don’t have anything else to lose. I have to try something!” Jim walked off the porch and to the Blazer with Cranston following him.
“Remember, Sheriff. If you do this, I can’t help you,” Cranston said as he got into the passenger seat and closed the door. “I’ll stay around and observe, but if it starts to fall apart, there’s no way I can save you.”
“I understand,” Jim replied as he opened his door and reached for the radio. What he needed to do now required the assistance of his best deputy. “Harper to Rissley, come in, Joe.”
Deputy Rissley had just straightened out a fender bender when the call came in. “Go ahead, Sheriff,” squawked the radio.
“What’s your twenty?”
“Highway twelve, just east of Morton,” she replied.
“Go into Morton and find Chet Green. I want you to bring him to the station for questioning,” Jim ordered.
“Roger that, Sheriff. I’m on my way.”
“By the way, highway twelve just west of Morton is closed. You’ll have to find another way back,” he said into the radio.
“Don’t worry, Sheriff. I know a few bac
k road short cuts,” Rissley assured him.
Jim looked closely at the bullet one more time, then pressed the button on the radio. “Joe, listen closely. This is what I want you to do.”
As Cranston listened to Jim’s instructions, his eyes grew wide with shock and he wished he hadn’t heard what was being planned. Crazy fool, he thought to himself, wondering if Harper actually believed he could pull it off. When the instructions were complete, they both sat in silence for a minute staring at the lake.
“So, how are we going to get back?” Cranston broke the silence.
Jim thought for a second then smiled. “The same way we came in.” With that, he hit the gas.
“Oh my gosh,” Cranston cringed. The Blazer kicked up dirt as it turned around and headed back up the road.
Bradley slowed his car as he approached the long line of vehicles stopped on highway twelve. What was going on now? he wondered as he stopped behind the last car in line. He didn’t have much cushion time before the evening news, so he had to arrive at the station early enough to plant the opium, then arrest Harper on prime time television.
Timing was everything, he reminded himself. He thought it ironic that the traffic congestion he created to slow down the Sheriff’s department was now working against him. He decided to call Chet to make sure everything was ready when he arrived.
He smiled to himself as he dialed a number on the car phone, then listened to it ring over and over. “Come on, Chet, answer your cell phone,” Bradley said impatiently. Maybe he was with his TV crew, he thought. Hanging up, he dialed another number.
“KJY News, this is Ms. Stapleton,” came the voice from the other side.
“This is Agent Bradley. Is Chet there?”
“No, he’s not,” the irritated voice said. She disliked Chet immensely. Since they met, he’d been trying to run the show his way, and that had caused several arguments. She also resented Chet’s relationship with Bradley. If it weren’t for Chet’s exclusive, she would’ve told Chet to hit the road. Unfortunately, she needed him, so she swallowed her pride and took the abuse. “He was supposed to be here by now. We’ve got to get together and plan out the evening report.”
“Don’t worry about that, Chet has everything under control,” Bradley reassured her. “Just get your crew to the Sheriff’s station, pronto.”
“We’re really close to there, now. What’s going on?”
“I can’t be specific now, but I’ll say that I’m going to make a major arrest that will blow this case wide open,” he replied with a smile.
The voice on the other side suddenly became very excited. “I’ll page Chet, then we’ll meet you there in thirty minutes.”
Alan hung up. Well, that takes care of them. Now if this traffic would just cooperate, he thought. Alan wondered where Chet was and hoped he remained focused on what their objective was. He shook off the feeling. He’d known Chet for a long time and knew that after he had a chance to think, he’d see it Alan’s way and do what he was told. Damn! This traffic was a nightmare. Alan waited in his car and tried to stay calm as precious minutes ticked away.