Deadly Intent (12 page)

“How can a house abduct someone?”

Paul glared at the man.

He laughed. “Just joking.”

“Yes, sir. A funny joke.” Trent took a step closer to the man. “The thing is we have enough to get a warrant. But that could make things messy for you. Or we can take a quick look around to make sure no one’s here, and then be on our way.”

“Your choice.” Paul chimed in.

Reuben Moore shrugged. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to give you a hard time. Just a little taken aback. It’s not every day the FBI shows up on my porch. Come on in.” He opened the screen door and unlocked his front door.

“Not a problem.” Trent said.

“Where do you want to start?”

“Your house, you decide.”

After searching the first floor and seeing nothing amiss, they moved to the second floor. Paul searched each room carefully, looking for any sign that Maven might have been there.

Paul opened the door to the last room. His heart rate spiked. “Oh, I didn’t know you had children.”

Reuben’s face flushed. “I don’t. My sister has a kid. I thought they’d cleaned up the room when they left.” He brushed past Paul, picking up the toys on the floor. He tossed them on the bed. “You’d think they could have done that much. Some people are just slobs, I guess.”

“I guess. What’s his name?”

“Who? Oh, you mean the nephew. His name is…uh…Joshua.”

“Great name. Any day now, I’m going to be a grandpa for the first time. I can’t wait.” Paul turned and walked out of the room.

“That’s wonderful. Children are such a blessing. Wish I had one of my own.” Rueben led the way down the stairs. “The kitchen and basement are this way.” He pointed down the hall.

“Not necessary. We’ve seen more than enough.” Paul turned towards the door, but gave Trent a meaningful look.

Trent looked confused and opened his mouth to say something.

Paul put a hand on his arm. “Thank you so much for your cooperation.”

“Of course. Just being a good citizen.”

“And I can’t thank you enough.” Paul opened the screen door and motioned for Donald Decker and Trent to leave.

Once they were in the car, Trent turned to Paul. “What was that all about? We should have checked the basement.”

“No need to. We wouldn’t have found anything. That’s why he was being cooperative. He knew we wouldn’t find what we were looking for.”

Donald asked from the back seat. “So, you don’t think he’s the man or this is the house?”

“On the contrary, I know this is the house and he’s the man.”

34

Maven heard a lot of footsteps up above. Not just one person. Did Reuben have company? She hoped so. That would give them more time. Maven yelled out. “Check every nook and cranny in that room. He had it locked for a reason.” She hugged Joshua to her.

“There’s not much to check. It’s a very small room.”

“Good, then it won’t take long to find what he was trying to keep hidden.”

“I found it! I found it!” Lara’s words were filled with joy and awe. “I can’t believe it.”

“What is it?”

“It’s a small metal door behind the furnace.”

The other women were murmuring, their words indistinct but excited.

Excitement coursed through Maven’s blood as well. “Can you open it?”

“Hold on. It’s really rusty.” After some grunting, her voice carried back to Maven filled with disappointment. “I can’t budge it. I’m not strong enough.”

Tricia said, “Well, get out of the way. I didn’t do all those pushups for years for no reason.”

“Let me help,” Denise said.

More grunts.

“We got it,” Denise squealed.

“What do you see?” Maven asked.

“It’s like a tunnel of some sort. But it goes upwards not straight.”

Maven’s mind flitted through the possibilities. “It’s probably a coal chute. That should lead you outside.”

“You really think so?” Denise’s words were lost in sobs.

“I do think so. You need to hurry. He probably has the lid covered over with dirt so it may take some time to dig the dirt away, but I think you can do it.”

Denise spoke up. “I’m the smallest. Let me go first. See if I can get through the chute.”

Lara came back to Maven, her face streaked with tears. “I can’t believe this. We might really get out. We have to find a way to get you out of those handcuffs.”

“Don’t worry about me. Just get out and go get help. As fat as I am, I probably couldn’t squeeze through the chute anyway.”

“You’re not fat.”

“Maybe not, but I’m sure not as skinny as you women. Didn’t he feed you?”

“Sometimes. Not all the time.” Lara leaned over and hugged Joshua. “
Chico
, we’re all getting out. We’re going to be free.
Libertato
.“

Tricia came out. “She’s up there. Dirt is falling through the chute. How are we going to get the handcuffs off you?”

“Don’t worry about me. Just go and get help.”

Denise came back in. “Come on. I’ve got a small opening. It’s not very big, but I think we can make it.” Her dirt-covered face was streaked with tears—happy tears. Her mouth fell open as she realized what the rest already knew. “We can’t leave you.”

“Yes, you can.” Maven’s voice was firm. “Get out of here. Now.”

Footsteps creaked above their heads. It sounded like one person this time.

Maven motioned for them. “Go, now. Before he gets down here. Hurry. Go find a house to call the police.”

“I’m not leaving you.” Lara met her gaze.

“Oh yes, you are. You need to take care of Joshua.”

“His name isn’t Joshua. It will be Moses from now on.” She ruffled her son’s hair. “Right, Moses?”

“Right.” He smiled. “My name is Moses.”

All the women were smiling and crying at the same time as they moved out of sight, Moses in the lead.

When they were gone, her tears started. “And Moses did save his people.” Maven whispered as tears streaked down her cheeks.

The latch clicked, and the door above opened.

35

The two men stared at Paul.

“How do you know it’s the right house?” Trent asked as he turned the ignition.

“The toys. Didn’t you notice the toys on the floor?”

“I saw them, but so what?” Donald Decker asked.

“Moses was always arranging his toys into a perfect circle. Moses was the boy in that room. And that means if Moses was in that room, that man has Moses and Maven.”

Trent nodded. “Makes sense. But where’s he keeping them? I didn’t see a thing that we could use for a search warrant or an arrest warrant.” He slowly turned the car around, and they drove down the drive. “Well, think quick. We can’t sit in the man’s drive all day.”

“But…” Donald tapped on the backseat. “Let me think a minute. Something about that house didn’t feel right. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

At the end of the drive, Trent turned to go back to the park.

“It sure is a big house for one person.” Paul commented.

“That’s it.” Donald snapped his finger. “The house is huge. But that living room wasn’t all that big. Victorian houses had huge rooms.”

“What are you thinking, Decker?” Paul asked.

“I think all those permits he took out were so he could do some construction that we couldn’t see.”

“You mean like hidden rooms?”

“Exactly. Think about it. All the other rooms in the house were huge. Triple the size of that living room.”

“Do you think he’ll let us back in?” Paul asked.

“I doubt it, but we can try.” Trent pulled back in beside the waiting limo. He stared straight ahead. “What’s going on? Look.”

One…two women and a child were running across the field.

“Is that Moses?” Paul asked, squinting.

“Not sure, but I’m going to find out.” Trent opened his door.

Paul got out and ran toward the boy. “Moses!”

Trent, Donald, and the limo driver followed.

One of the women launched herself into Paul’s arms sobbing. “I…I … My name is Lara. Lara Holt.”

Trent stepped up to them. “Lara Holt who’s been missing for more than six years?”

The woman nodded. “That’s me.”

Another woman spoke up. “We don’t have time for a reunion now. Maven and Tricia are still in there with…with him. He’s going to…to kill them.”

36

Maven closed her eyes in prayer, thanking God for freeing the other women. Whatever happened to her was worth it. The three women and Moses were free and able to have a life again.

Tricia walked back in from the furnace room.

“I told you to leave.” Maven’s blood iced in her veins.

Tricia wiped the tears away. “I wasn’t going to leave you to face that monster alone.” She picked up the toilet seat.

“What is going on down here? I left this light off. You know the rules.” He walked down the steps.

Tricia ran towards him, holding the toilet seat like a bat. “The rules have changed.” She swung, hitting Reuben in the head.

He moaned and crumpled to the ground.

Tricia grabbed the keys from his pocket. She ran back to Maven, holding them up like a trophy. “I got them.” She leaned down and slid the key into the handcuffs.

“I don’t think so, Tricia.” Reuben was standing with a gun in his hand. “You know what happens when you don’t follow the rules.” He aimed, and the gun exploded.

Tricia’s eyes widened, and then she fell to the ground moaning.

“No. No. Don’t hurt her.”

He laughed. “Too late.” He moved closer, the gun aimed at Maven. “You’ll have to be punished, as well. But I think I’ll start the punishment by making you watch her die. And knowing it’s all your fault.”

“No. Shoot me. Not her.”

“Rules are rules.” He aimed the gun at Tricia’s head.

A gunshot exploded.

Reuben grunted and his eyes grew wide. He fell to his knees beside Tricia.

Trent Snoddy stood there with a gun in his hand.

Paul ran past him and to Maven.

“I knew you would find me. I knew it.” Maven sobbed.

“Are you all right?” His arms tightened around her.

I’m OK. Don’t worry about me. Take care of Tricia. He shot her.”

Trent was already kneeling beside Tricia, putting pressure on the wound.

Her eyes fluttered open. “Are the girls safe?”

“They are,” Trent said. “And so are you. An ambulance will be here shortly.”

“I assume you are Tricia Bell,” Paul said, his eyes misty. “I’ve been looking for you for a long time, Tricia.”

“You have?” Tricia mumbled.

“I was involved in the search for you from the start. Your mother refused to believe you were dead.”

“My mother,” Tricia mumbled, and her eyes closed.

Trent shook her. “Wake up, Tricia. Don’t give up now. Your mother’s waiting for you.”

Her eyes fluttered, and she smiled.

Maven clung to Paul. “What about him? Is he dead?”

Trent answered the question. “No way. I didn’t want to kill him. He needs to pay for his crimes.”

“And from the looks of things his crimes are many.” Paul picked up the keys beside Tricia and unlocked the handcuffs.

Maven flung her arms around Paul’s neck.

He pulled her up gently to him.

“I knew you were out there looking for me. I knew you would find me.”

“And I always will.” Paul’s arms encircled her.

37

Lizzie ran out to Paul’s car as he pulled into the drive.

Ella and her parents came out after her.

Maven jumped out.

The women hugged each other, laughing and crying at the same time.

The escaped women were cloistered inside a hospital with each other and their families as the doctors examined them, counselors talked to them, and the police took statements. It would be days, maybe weeks, before the whole story would be told. For now, it was enough that they were free.

And the monster known as Reuben Moore was in another hospital under police guard and police protection. As the story leaked out from the news stations, people congregated, ready to lynch the man.

Paul wanted to do the same, but contained his fury with prayer.

Maven had stayed with the women overnight, but her story was much shorter than the others and the police released her.

“I was so worried,” Ella cried.

“Well, as you can see I’m fine.” Maven hugged Ella, and then her parents. “Paul told me what you all did for me. I can’t thank you enough.”

Sandra Decker smiled. “No thanks necessary. I’m just glad we could do it. And so glad God kept you safe.”

“Amen to that.” Lizzie smiled. “I have to admit I was pretty angry at Paul when he came up with this scheme to find the house. I’m sure glad he didn’t listen to me.”

“All’s well that ends well.” Paul smiled at Lizzie.

“And what a hero you are.” Lizzie hugged Maven as she spoke.

“I am not the hero. Paul and Trent are. And those women. I can’t even begin to imagine how strong they had to be to endure for so many years.”

“Amen to that.” Paul motioned to the house. “Let’s go inside or you’ll have to deal with the whole neighborhood.”

Doors opened, and her neighbors were waving.

“And I will gladly do that. Tomorrow.” She waved back at them and called, “I’ll talk with you all later.”

~*~

Her house was finally empty—almost.

Paul was still there. He was out in the kitchen cleaning up.

Closing her eyes, she leaned back against the sofa. Grateful tears ran down her cheeks.

When Reuben had pointed that gun at her, she’d thought she’d never see her home again or any of the people she loved. Or Paul.

But God had been so good to her. He’d given her another chance at life. And love. How many “second chances” would there be?

When that gun was pointed at her, she’d known she wasn’t done living. That she wanted to love again and be loved. Could there be a different type of bond between them?

His footsteps approached.

Opening her eyes, she smiled at Paul.