In the Blink of An Eye by Jerry Baggett (ebook reader for surface pro TXT) 📕

“Let me stay with him, please.” She had a firm grip on Grant’s arm.

Samantha backed away. “You’ve been beaten and tormented. You may have serious injuries. The authorities will need to hear your story.”

Movement from the thin man caught Dick’s eye. He’s reaching for something inside his clothing. He waved the Glock. “I wouldn’t try that if I were you. It might get you shot!”

Dick leaned down and removed a small caliber hand gun from the man’s front pocket. “Your one-eyed friend here has gone into shock. I think he’s bleeding out. He’s getting ready for that long trip everyone takes alone. How many violent deaths are you two responsible for, aside from the abuse of this poor girl?”

Suddenly, a thought hit him. “Samantha! Take Grant’s phone and call Agent Hunt. I believe we have a couple of his most wanted here with us. You remember his conversation about the man they call Big Ugly? This man fits his description to a T. I believe he’s going to bleed out, there on the ground. The paramedics aren’t here yet. They might have saved him.”

Dick looked up at the sound of a loud engine. A sheriff’s helicopter hovered in the intersection. Grant shouted to be heard above the noise. “Help has arrived. I’m going to the hospital with Maria, if they let me. We can’t abandon her after all she’s been through. They’ll want statements. I need to be with her through all the questioning.”

Dick stepped in close to Grant. “This is important. I’m going to have the sheriff’s people secure the road into this area before they leave. Sam and I are going back to that burned house for a better look at things before we catch up with you. We’ll find out where they’re taking Maria and meet you there at the hospital. I want to hear her story first-hand after she’s rested and cared for.” He put his hand on Grant’s shoulder. “She’s going to be OK now. But don’t forget, Grant. You’re still on someone’s hit list, along with Samantha. So be careful, once you leave the hospital.”

Sheriff’s Sergeant Curry scowled at the two men on the ground. “We’ll take care of these two until the DEA enforcement people get here. They’re brothers, with long records of drug dealing and violence. The bigger man, the one you just put on the road to hell, was recently released from prison. He spent ten years in federal prison for a fatal barroom knifing. There’s a third brother running loose out there someplace. No doubt he’s still causing trouble.” He turned back to Dick. “I’ve been a law enforcement officer a hell of a long time, and I’ve never seen a self-defense tactic like that before. Have you had some kind of training for that kind of stuff?”

“You might say that, Sergeant. I was fortunate enough to participate in the combat officer’s hand-to-hand self- defense course.” Dick asked. “What does the paramedic say about the girl’s condition? She’s in bad shape, it seems.”

“She has severe internal damage. That’s all he could say until she’s examined in the emergency room where they have more equipment.”

“Where’s the hospital they’re taking her to?” He handed Dick a card with the address of the closest hospital.

Dick’s cell vibrated in his pocket. “Thanks for a quick call-back, Agent Hunt. You’ve obviously been filled in on what happened! We wanted to get word to you immediately. I’m sorry to say, I was wrong about this man being one of your most wanted. The sergeant said he’s well known and recently released from prison.”

“You’re a lucky man, Dick. He would have killed you. He’s the brother of the man we’re looking for. The whole family’s a nest of snakes. Now, what’s the condition of our missing informant?”

“She appears to be in terrible condition. The paramedic thinks she has severe internal damage. These bastards used her violently and then beat the hell out of her, only because they could. She told Grant she was brought up here by Harvey Marino, the club manager, and another man, called Hans. He must be the missing brother you’re after. Maria said they were looking for a place to hide out until the pressure let up.”

“So I’m told,” Hunt said. “They’re a step ahead of us. Grant told me that you and Samantha were going to look around the McGowin Trust property some more before returning to the island. Be damn careful out there alone. Don’t put Samantha at any additional risk. Hans Hampel will be after you with blood in his eyes after he finds out you killed one of his brothers.”

“We’re not planning on being here more than an hour or so, before heading back. Perhaps we’ll catch you at the hospital.”

A heavy mist began to fall. Dick removed the piece of tin roof covering the chest. Nothing had changed. “Stand back, far enough away from the mud and ash I throw out. I’ll shovel some of the stuff away and attempt to lift the old trunk out of the hole. It shouldn’t be terribly difficult.”

Within minutes, He had cleared enough dirt away to grasp one of the handles. He attempted to lift that end of the chest. “Damn. The handle came off in my hand.” He reached for the other handle. “There’s too much decay and deterioration. I’m going to lift the lid. Come on in close now for a look at what we have here. I’ll give you a running commentary on everything, as I go through it.”

The decayed, worm-eaten wood fell apart as he folded the lid back onto the ground. “The metal hinges have rusted up and pulled loose from the soft wood. There’s a velvet cloth on top of the tray. Worms have eaten most of it. No! it must have been a