The Secret of the Stones by Ernest Dempsey (reading fiction .TXT) 📕

34

Blue Ridge Mountains

The red Silverado looked like it had been on a mission through Afghanistan. Bullet holes were scattered across the back window, and a few more were dotting the windshield.

Sean looked at Allyson with a quizzical face from the backseat. “So when were you planning on telling us about this little gem of information?”

She returned the glare with a smile. “I already told you, I was just following orders. That information was on a need-to-know basis.”

“Heck,” Joe cut in, “it might be handy to have another gun around. Seems like she’s pretty good with it.”

Allyson raised an eyebrow and grinned at the driver. “Thank you, Mac.”

“It’s not that I mind you helping out,” Sean explained. “I just don’t like surprises. Better to know what I’m dealing with. You know?”

“I understand,” she replied. “Don’t worry. No more surprises.”

“You sure about that?” He looked dubious.

“Pretty sure.” She squinted her eyes at him.

Sean averted his eyes to the passing countryside for a moment before returning to the conversation. “How long have you been with Axis?”

She turned around and faced forward while she answered him. “I’ve only been working there for two years. They recruited me just before I finished college. It sounded like a good opportunity. It’s fast-paced with a lot of travel and student loan forgiveness.”

“One that can become very dangerous,” he added. “It’s a gig that can get you killed.”

“I’m aware of the dangers, Sean. But I do appreciate the concern,” Allyson twisted her head back around to face him. “I’m a big girl, and a well-trained girl at that. I can take care of myself.”

His face blushed a bright red. “I’m sure you can. But it’s a fine line that you walk all the time when you’re an agent.”

“Is that why you quit?”

“Mostly,” he replied. “I got tired of looking over my shoulder, wondering if there was a barrel aimed at me from the shadows. Sleeping was almost impossible. Every little noise made me pop up with my gun drawn.” He paused. “I don’t miss those days.”

“I never have trouble sleeping,” she said defiantly.

Sean let out a laugh and turned his head back to the window. “Give it time; you will.”

The next few minutes passed in silence. Trees blurred by as Joe guided the truck through the twisting highway. “It’s just up ahead,” he finally broke the silence. “I doubt anyone is here at this time of day except for the ranger.”

As the truck rounded a curve going up a slight hill, a black Hummer H2 came into view. A stumpy-looking man in a black trench coat and a flattop haircut was standing in front of the grill.

With quiet calm Sean said, “Mac, they’re here.”

“What?” Joe’s demeanor was not as composed.

“Take it easy. Just drive by, and don’t do anything brash. Let’s just keep going, like we’re going to the visitor center.”

Understanding the situation, Joe continued on past the black SUV. The man standing in front of it had noticed them, but once they had passed, he paid them no mind.

After the pickup rounded the next curve, Sean again spoke evenly, “Tommy’s back there with two other guys. They’re looking at the stones. Looks like they brought some backup.”

“What should we do?” Allyson and Joe thought out loud, simultaneously.

“Turn around up there,” Sean directed, pointing at a gravel turnoff next to the road.

Joe did what his friend asked and pulled the truck off to the side of the little street.

“Okay,” he continued as he loaded another clip into his Ruger. We’re only going to have one chance at this. Mac, here’s what I want you to do…”

35

Cartersville

The police-issue Charger came to a crunching halt on the gravel driveway in front of the log cabin. Trent looked through the windshield, trying to detect if there was any movement inside the dwelling. His partner, Will, had met up with him at the exit off of Interstate 75 and followed the road from there into the national forest a few miles from Cartersville. He pulled his unmarked vehicle into a spot next to Trent.

Will rolled his window down and asked, “You think anyone’s here?”

A silver Nissan Maxima sat off to the side of the house near a carport. Under the outdoor roofing, a white Subaru wagon was parked next to the wooden dwelling. Trent motioned over to the two empty cars. “Not sure, but we’re going to find out,” he said.

After taking a brief look around the back of the house, the two detectives marched up the front steps and knocked on the door. From inside, a dog howled the long, bellowing barks of a hound. A few moments later, they heard a woman’s voice call from inside, “Just a minute.”

They adjusted their stance and tried to look professional, removing their wallets to show their identification. There was a sound of a deadbolt turning before the door opened to a short, pretty woman who looked to be in her late forties. Her hair was brown with a few streaks of gray. Her clothes were simple: blue jeans and a snug-fitting T-shirt that accentuated her slim physique. She smiled at the two strangers and held back the hound that seemed to be a little on edge with the unexpected visitors. “What can I do for ya, fellas?”

Trent spoke first, “Hello. I’m Detective Trent Morris, and this is Detective Will Anderson. We are with the Atlanta Police Department.” The two men raised their badges simultaneously while he talked. “We were wondering if you could help us.”

Her face curled in confusion. “What’s this about? You boys are a little far from home for Atlanta police,