The Deadliest Stunt Chapter 10

The Deadliest Stunt

Chapter 10

Reed was worried. I didn’t blame him. He tried calling his father again on his cell but again it went to voicemail.

Mom doesn’t have a phone, Reed remarked. Maybe I’ll try Leland.

Again no answer. Was it because they were unable to answer—or didn’t want to answer? It was all very mysterious.

I called Canning and was glad he was on duty. Thanks for clearing that issue up in customs, I said.

No problem, Justin, is everything OK?

Not really I said wryly. We’re back at the fairgrounds but no one seems to be here. The buses are here but no one is around.

OK, I’ll be right over.

About 15 minutes later Canning pulled his police car into the fairground lot. His partner, Denton was with him. They got out and approached us. Are you OK, Reed?, Officer Denton asked and Reed nodded. Do you need to go to the hospital to be checked out after your ordeal?

No, Reed said, I’m fine. I’m just worried about my folks and the crew. No one is around. If Dad had to go off on an errand he would at least leave Mom here—or somebody here to guard the buses. He won’t answer his phone either.

Canning nodded. Well, let’s try his bus. You said it was locked? He left a spare key with the police in case of an emergency, I have it, he remarked, pulling it from his pocket.

We proceeded to the bus and Canning unlocked it and went inside. He returned a moment later, his face grave. He pulled his radio from his pocket and called the dispatch to send an ambulance.

Your mom is inside, he said to Reed. She’s alive, but is unconscious.

What! Reed blurted, pushing past Canning into the bus. I followed him. Ruth was laying on the couch, a nasty welt on her forehead.

Mom! Reed said, trying to revive her but she was out cold. The ambulance arrived a few minutes later and took her to the hospital. I drove Reed there in my SUV.

We’ll look for the others, Canning said before we pulled away. We’ll keep you posted.

Once at the hospital, I called Mom and told her what had happened. She was just on her way out the door and asked if we needed anything. I said we were fine, but I would be a while.

Take care of yourself, she said. And let me know what happens.

I will, Mom. Thanks.

Reed stayed with his mom and once she was taken care of, I returned to the fairgrounds. Canning and Denton were there along with a forensic team, scouring the buses and the fairground for any clues to where Xander and his team were. Someone had attacked Ruth Wyatt but why?

I was utterly exhausted having not slept the night before. I needed to sleep—and soon. But we had to find Xander. Where was he? Where was Rhys—and Leland?

I was no closer to finding out who was trying to sabotage Xander’s stunt show or why.

And no closer to finding the mysterious woman. What role did she play in all this and who was she?

Rhys was involved but I didn’t know how. And who had attacked Ruth—and why? So many questions still rolled around in my brain.

I decided to return home and crash for a while. The police were looking for Xander and his crew. Reed was with his mom at the hospital.

I pulled in the drive of my house at 11 am. I was starving but couldn’t think of food. Just my bed. I kicked off my shoes at the door and headed up to my room. I was just laying down on my bed when my cell phone beeped an incoming message.

It was from Van.

<noticed Leland hes acting weird>

I sat back up and texted back

<your not in school? Where is he?>

<free period hes here by the school grounds across the street talking to a blond woman>

<Im on my way>

I dragged myself to my feet and went to the washroom to splash cold water on my face to wake myself up. I bounded downstairs and pulled on my high-tops at the door, and headed back out to my SUV.

Port Salser Collegiate was on the main street of town in the east end of the city not far from my house, on the other side of the Salser River. Across from the school was a strip mall with stores and a fast food restaurant, a pizza place and a tailors.

I pulled in the parking lot and saw Leland—still talking to the mysterious blond woman! They seemed to be arguing.

He noticed my SUV right off as I was pulling into the lot, and dashed to his own car—a rental, the blond woman getting in beside him. He pulled out of his spot and left the parking lot, me following right behind him.

I called Canning on my hands free phone and told him where I was. He and Denton would try to meet me as soon as they could, they were still at the fairgrounds.

I followed Leland as he drove west and then north past the Port Salser Mall, headed in the direction of the fairgrounds which was north of the city limits. Canning was coming south and saw Leland’s car and managed to pulled it over.

While they were stopped and Canning approached, Leland shifted the car into gear and took off again headed north away from town!

Canning raced back to his car and took off in pursuit. I decided for safety’s sake to hang back and return to police headquarters and wait. I didn’t want to be involved in a chase. It would be dangerous.

A thought suddenly occurred to me as I was driving back into town.  Instead of heading to the police station I went back home. I kicked off my shoes at the door and raced up to my room. I pulled out my laptop and started my search. The mysterious blonde woman was with Leland. So obviously they were connected. I realized now that it was probably Leland that had helped her escape the fairgrounds when I had chased after her. He was in cahoots with her the whole time! I ran my search on Leland/Lester and did search for his daughter Suzanne Mandrell Martinson.

I found a photo of his daughter. It was the young woman we were chasing.

So they were connected.

So what was Leland’s connection to the sabotage? Was he in cahoots with his daughter or had he been trying to stop her? I didn’t believe this because he had seen the girl at the fairgrounds when she came out of the stunt plane and didn’t let on he knew her. So he must be in league with her.

But why? Why did Leland and his daughter want to stop the stunt show? I did a little more digging and found out that Suzanne Martinson was married to Leroy Martinson. Where had I heard that name before?

I googled his name and realized he was a stunt man too! Not as famous as Xander Wyatt. But why would I have heard his name? Stuntmen weren’t usually famous enough for their names to be recognizable. Xander was a little different. He was almost as famous as the stars of the movies he was in—but he was the exception.

A small trade magazine article dated about a year back mentioned Leroy Martinson as the original stuntman for the new Masked Avenger movie but that he had been fired due to not showing up for work and missing key stunt sequences. He had been seriously injured in one stunt that had gone wrong.

That was where I had heard his name. When a stuntman is injured and almost killed then it would make the entertainment news. I soon found the article that mentioned the accident and that it might be sabotage, or just plain carelessness, but nothing was ever proven.

Did Leroy Martinson think that Xander Wyatt was involved in that sabotage incident and now he was getting revenge by sabotaging the stunt show?

Maybe.

But if that were true, why would Xander sabotage Leroy Martinson’s stunt? To get on the Masked Avenger movie?

The movie was a huge blockbuster but Xander wouldn’t need that particular job, he could get virtually any movie stunt job he wanted.

These facts rolled around in my head with the many questions I had about the case. Where were Xander and Rhys and the rest of the crew? Who had attacked Ruth? And more importantly why?

My cell phone buzzed an incoming call. I picked it up. Hello?

Justin Macdonald. You will listen carefully to what I have to say. It was a female voice.

Who is this? I said, sitting up in my chair.

You will stop your investigation. Xander and his family will not be harmed. What happened to Ruth Wyatt was only a warning. We now have Reed. You will leave us alone. The stunt show will not happen. I hope I’ve made myself clear on this.

The woman hung up. I did a search on the last call and it was made from a payphone at the Port Salser Mall. I quickly called mall security and told them to be on the lookout for Leland Mortimer and Suzanne Martinson. Then I called Canning. No answer.  I tried Denton’s number and he picked up on the third ring.

Justin, something’s happened. We’ve been in an accident in our patrol car.

Are you OK? Is Paul OK?

Yes, I’m fine, but Paul’s in the hospital. We were chasing Leland and his daughter and they caused us to crash on the 401. It was a huge pile up—no one was killed thankfully but we lost them.

I just got a call from Suzanne. They’re at the Port Salser Mall. I’ve alerted security. I’m heading there now.

I’ll meet you there. Paul’s going to the hospital right now. I’ve given my report and they’ve told me to go home for the rest of the day. But I want to catch these slime balls.

I’ll be there in 10.

I hurried downstairs but didn’t make it to the door. Leland Mortimer was standing in the doorway. Alone. Holding a gun trained right at my head.

You don’t listen very well, do you, son? He said with a sneer.

Your daughter just warned me off the case, but I don’t take kindly to threats. You didn’t expect me to back off so easily.

No, I can see that, he muttered.

Put the gun down, I said. It’s not worth it. I know about Suzanne and Leroy, your son in law, I remarked.

The gun lowered slightly as he opened his mouth in surprise.

You messed with the wrong group of people, I said. You don’t know me very well if you think I’m going to let this drop. You’ve been trying to ruin Xander for a while now. Why?

Leland was quiet.

Is it because Leroy got fired from the Masked Avenger movie and Xander took over? I didn’t really think that was all of it, but I had to start somewhere.

No, of course not, he spat. My son in law is an imbecile. His accident was his fault. You have no idea what’s going on here. You need to leave my daughter alone. I had nothing to do with the sabotage.

But your daughter does?

You don’t expect me to tell you, do you? He said with a smirk. It’s my concern, not yours.

No, I don’t really expect you to tell me anything. If I could keep him talking—hopefully Denton could catch Suzanne at the mall.

Oh, and that little phone call you just made, he said with a smirk. Your police officer friend won’t find Suzanne at the mall. The call was redirected through a pay phone there. You were on a wild goose chase, he added. You won’t find her.

Now it was my turn to look surprised but I hid it well.

I am going to shoot you now then your family will be so distraught that Xander’s career won’t be important to anyone. Imagine, son of famous detective gunned down trying to help famous stunt man. It might even make a good movie of the week. But Xander won’t be doing the stunts for it, he chuckled at his own stupid joke.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Matt, who had gotten up from his nap, come around the front of the house. I tried not let on that I had seen him, but my eyes flickered and Leland caught it. He turned to fire his gun at Matt but a shot rang out first and Leland collapsed where he stood!

The Deadliest Stunt Chapter 9

The Deadliest Stunt

Chapter 9

That’s not good news, I muttered. I was sure they were together.

Reed said he’ll explain everything once we go and pick him up. I should leave now, it’ll be a long trip.

I’ll go get him, I said, turning to Matt. Will you come with me?

Sure, Matt said. Road trip, sounds like fun.

Are you sure? Justin, I’ll give you gas money.

Don’t worry about it, I said. Reed’s my friend. I don’t mind, really. Matt will keep me company for the trip there.

They’re in the Galesburg Rest Area, near the city of Kalamazoo. Manny will wait there until you arrive. It’s about a 5 hour drive. It’s 7 now so if you leave now you should be there about midnight.

Sure, I said. Let me gas up the SUV and we’ll be off. I have my passport in the glove compartment.

I have mine with me, Matt said, patting his wallet.

Xander pulled his own wallet from his jacket and handed me $100—for gas and dinner, he said. I tried to refuse but he insisted.

I called Mom on my cell and told her of our little adventure and to not wait up—I wouldn’t be back until tomorrow morning.

What about school? She asked.

I think I can miss one day—besides, I could go to school right after if I have to. I’ve already done my homework and I just had a nap.

Very well she said. Drive safely.

Soon we were off. I drove while Matt was in the passenger seat. We cranked up the tunes and were soon headed west. The sun lowered in the sky as we approached Detroit. We made it across the Ambassador bridge and thru customs and were soon on the I-94 headed west.

The trip to the rest area was without incident. We had stopped in Detroit for dinner—a quick burger and fries and pulled into the Galesburg rest area at 12:15 am—Monday morning.

I found the equipment bus where Manny, the driver was waiting with Reed.

Good to see you, I said to him and he nodded.

Thanks for coming to get me, Justin, he said solemnly. It really means a lot.

This is my friend Matt, I said, introducing him to Reed. They shook hands.

I’ll be off then, Manny said. He was about 60 with dark hair and was short and a little overweight.

Thanks for everything, Manny, Reed said, shaking his hand. Manny moved off and got on the bus and started the engine.

Are you ready to leave? I asked.

Reed nodded then yawned. I’ll tell you everything on the way home. Let’s go, can we? I want to see Dad and tell him what happened.

We hopped back in the SUV, Reed up in the passenger seat and Matt in the back. He would try to catch a quick nap, then take over driving for me once Reed related his experiences.

Once back on the interstate, Reed began his story. I decided to go to the trailer last night—well Friday night, he said, yawning again. Rhys was with you and your friends, so I decided on an early night. I was headed to the trailer when a strange woman met me at the door. I didn’t know who she was, but she seemed to know me.

I tried to get away from her—she was annoying me, asking me stupid questions. Then someone walloped me from behind. When I woke up I was on the equipment bus, tied up and gagged. It was dark but I recognized the cargo hold, I helped fill it many times. I was moved from there later on then returned to the cargo hold where they left me. I didn’t see anyone, I was blindfolded the whole time.

I was finally able to get myself untied. I thought someone was still watching me to make sure I didn’t escape, but once I was loose I realized no one was there.

What happened when you tried to call me? I asked.

My battery on my phone cut out. I had just enough juice to send you a quick text. It’s completely drained now, he remarked.

Well, you’re safe now. But I have to tell you what happened. I proceeded to relate my experiences with Rhys and the fact that he was now still missing.

We don’t know if he’s being held captive somewhere or if he’s gone off on his own accord. We don’t know his part in all this. He was talking to the woman, who was most likely the one who was talking to you when you were taken. And he wanted to keep  me occupied—that was why he was being all friendly to me all of a sudden. I tried to text you but he got upset. Then later on he drugged me and left my house. I haven’t seen him since.

I know my brother is a jerk sometimes, but I can’t believe he would do something like that on purpose. Maybe he was being forced into doing it?

That’s something I hadn’t thought of, I replied. Maybe something to do with the mysterious woman. She had been aboard the stunt plane and there was sabotage to your Dad’s parachute. So she seems to be the key to all this. Do you have any idea who she is?

No, Reed muttered.

We drove in silence for a while, the lights of the passing cars lulling me into a slight trance. I jerked up a few moments later when I saw flashing lights in my rear-view. Had I been speeding? I checked the odometer and I was only a few notches above the limit. Hardly cause for a traffic stop.

The car approached but passed me a few minutes later. So they weren’t after me. Must be an accident up ahead, I thought, lowering my speed.

What’s up? Matt said from the backseat. You ready to switch?

Yes, I said. But a cop just passed with the lights flashing. Kind of woke me up.

I pulled over at the next rest stop and Matt came up front to drive. Reed elected to go in the back seat and I got in the passenger seat. We got some coffee at the rest area then continued on to Detroit, arriving around 3 am.

We crossed the Ambassador bridge and proceeded to go through customs. After asking us the usual questions the man went back inside his booth and returned a moment later.

Please pull over, sir, he said to Matt. We need to ask you some questions.

Is there a problem, sir?

Just pull the car over there, he said again, pointing to a parking spot next to one of the customs buildings.

Matt complied. Another man met us and asked us to get out of the SUV and to follow him inside.

We were ushered into a small room where we were met by two police officers. One was an older man with thick blond hair and a bushy moustache. The other one was younger, taller with darker features and a brush cut. He was clean shaven.

 You’ll need to surrender your cell phones. Then you can have a seat gentlemen, the older officer said sternly.

What’s going on? I asked, a little annoyed, handing over my cell. Reed and Matt did the same. We had only been in the States for a few hours. What was the problem?

We’ll ask the questions, he retorted. He turned to Reed. Are you Reed Wyatt?

Yes, Reed said nervously.

Do you know these gentlemen?

Y-yes, he said, glancing at me. Justin Macdonald and Matt—I don’t know his last name. I just met him, but he’s a friend of Justin’s. Justin’s my friend. W-why, what’s wrong?

You’re positive?, the younger cop said.

What’s going on? I asked again, but got a stern look from the first cop. Look I don’t know what’s going on here, but Reed is my friend and my friend Matt and I came over here to retrieve him from a bus that was hauling equipment for his father, a stuntman named Xander Wyatt. Reed had been kidnapped—

Kidnapped? The blond cop blurted, looking at me with a hard look. Was this reported to the authorities?

Yes, I said. The authorities in Port Salser, Ontario, where it happened. If you could call them and try to speak to an officer, Paul Canning he will corroborate my story. I know it sounds a little farfetched but he can explain everything.

Reed nodded. Justin’s right. I don’t understand why you’ve stopped us. Can you tell me why?

We had a phoned in report that a young man matching your description was being held by two other men against your will and were attempting to cross the border this morning in an SUV matching the description and licence plate of the vehicle you were driving, the older cop remarked.

This is not true, Reed exclaimed. These are my friends. I’m certainly not being held against my will.

Who made this report? I asked anxiously. Someone was trying to delay us returning home. But why?

The younger officer responded. We’re not at liberty to say. You’ll have to remain here until we sort this out.

The two officers left us alone in the small room. There was only a small metal table and the three hard plastic chairs that we were sitting on.

Wow! Matt muttered. This is crazy. I wonder who made the report?

I wonder if it was our mysterious woman? I remarked. We can’t make any calls either—they took our phones. I’d like to talk to your Dad, I added, looking at Reed. Tell him you’re OK.

Reed nodded. I know, he said. This is really weird.

I glanced at my watch. It was now almost 5 am and I was really starting to get tired. We should have been nearing home by now but it looked like we would be stuck here for a while.

About an hour later, one of the officers, returned, the younger man with the brush cut. You’re free to go, he said. We spoke to Paul Canning of the Port Salser police and he was able to corroborate your story.

It took an hour to sort that out?, Matt blurted out.

The young officer turned to him. Yes, he said evenly. These things have to go through proper channels. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will of course investigate this false claim and will be in touch with the Port Salser police if we find out anything.

He handed back our cell phones and led us out into the morning mist. The sun was just peaking over the horizon when I started the SUV and we continued on into Windsor then on the 401 for the trip back to Port Salser. I was driving again.

Reed called his father but there was no answer. Matt called home and told Mom we would be a little bit later than usual. She wasn’t too thrilled that I would be missing school, but understood our predicament when Matt related what had happened at customs.

My eyes were scratchy from exhaustion when I drove thru the city limits of Port Salser 3 hours later. It was now 9 am and I was ready for bed. I dropped Matt off at home first then continued on to the fairgrounds to drop off Reed and to talk to Xander.

The tour buses were parked in their usual spot. I parked in the regular parking lot and we headed to the entrance to the fairgrounds. No one seemed to be around.

We checked out the main fairground field and the stunt plane was gone. No one was around here either. It was as if everyone had left.

Reed tried calling his father again but the phone went to voicemail.

Well, the buses are still here, I remarked. They must be there.  I followed Reed out of the fairgrounds to where the buses were parked at the far west side. Reed knocked on his father’s buses door but no one was there. The door was locked.

Dad doesn’t usually keep it locked during the day, Reed remarked. In case anyone had to get in. I don’t know why it’s locked. I don’t have a key.

Let’s try your bus. Maybe Rhys is back, I suggested, though I doubted it. Something wasn’t right.

We went over to Reed’s bus and the door was open. We went inside but found nothing out of the ordinary.

No one’s been here since Friday night, Reed said. I left my bed unmade and these dishes in the sink. Nothing has been touched. Rhys hasn’t been here.

I wonder where everyone is? I muttered. I think we need to involve the authorities. I think your parents are missing.

The Deadliest Stunt Chapter 8

8

Wait here a minute and watch my food, will you? I said, getting up from my seat.

Dude, where am I going to go in a hurry?, he muttered, but I ignored him and headed to the exit

Was it something I said?, he called out.

I burst out of the side door nearest the drive through and approached the car. As I came up to the passenger window I noticed a child’s car seat in the back. Inside was a sleeping baby. I glanced at the woman in the driver’s seat and realized I had been mistaken.

Justin? The woman said with a curious look on her face as she rolled down the passenger window. Is everything OK.

Yes, Ms. Caldwell, I said sheepishly. Ariel Caldwell was a teacher at Port Salser Collegiate who was currently on maternity leave. She resembled the woman from the fairgrounds, but I could see now that Ms. Caldwell had longer hair. Sorry, I thought you were someone else.

No worries, Justin. Hope you’re doing well in school this year. See you around.

Thanks, I muttered as I turned away and headed back into the restaurant. I sat back down at the table. Evan had a curious look on his face. Saw you talking to Mrs. Caldwell. How’s the baby?

Great, I said with a smirk. I thought she was someone else. I proceeded to fill Evan in on my latest case and how the mysterious woman at the fairgrounds resembled Mrs. Caldwell.

That’s what I like about you, Justin, Evan said. Tenacious to a fault. Even stopping innocent people in drive thru lanes to get to the bottom of a case.

Ha, ha, I said, shaking my head.

I finished my chicken sandwich as Evan and I talked about school and about the latest sports scores.

I have an appointment, he said finally. A new doctor wants to do an experimental surgery on my spine, he remarked. I might be able to walk again.

Evan! That’s great news, buddy. Why didn’t you say something earlier.

He just shrugged. I don’t know. But it’s a very radical treatment and it might not work.

Think positive, I said.

I am, he replied. I’m positive that if I don’t leave now I’m going to miss my appointment. Can you drive me?

After dropping Evan off at the doctor’s office—he said he could take a taxi home—I headed home myself. I wanted to do some research on some of the people involved in the charity event. The saboteur could be anyone—someone in Xander’s group—or the fairground staff—or even someone from the charity, though that was highly unlikely. Still—

It was quiet at home. Dad was still away. Mom was back from Aunt Maureen’s and Kimmy was up in her room doing homework. I filled Mom in on the latest developments and that Reed and Rhys Wyatt were missing. I left out the part where I had been drugged by Rhys last night right here in the house.

Oh, Justin, I hope you can find them, Mom said. That must be awful for Xander and Ruth, what with Ruth being ill.

I nodded. I’ll find them and find out who’s behind the sabotage. The Deadliest Stunt show will go on as planned next Saturday. The sooner this is cleared up the sooner Xander can practice. I saw the stunt plane and motorcycle today that Xander is going to use. Looks very impressive.

What’s impressive?, a voice behind me remarked. I turned to see my friend Matt Logan who had just come in the back kitchen door. He kicked off his dress shoes at the door and approached Mom and me. Matt worked for Dad as an operative and had a small apartment over our garage where he was now living. It had recently been partially destroyed by a fire, but Matt was a master handyman and soon had the repairs done. The place looked even better than it had before the fire.

Matt was about 27 and was tall and slim with reddish blond hair and a thin beard that he had recently started growing. He was dressed in dark dress pants and a purple button up shirt with a cool tie that was loosened at the neck.

You are, I said with a grin. Working on a Sunday?

Yeah, he said, sheepishly. Met a client for lunch. What’s this about the stunt show next Saturday? I thought it was cancelled.

That’s what everyone is supposed to believe, I remarked. I filled in Matt on the latest developments of the case and he whistled when I related about the sabotage to the stunt plane and motorcycle and about Reed and Rhys Wyatt going missing.

Whoa! You’re up to your neck in it again, he remarked. Let me know if there’s anything I can help with.

Sure, I said. I’m going up to my room now to do some research. I headed to the stairway and bounded up the steps to my room. I booted up my laptop and did some cursory searches on the people involved. There was a fair bit of information on Xander Wyatt but not much on the people working for him. The website for Xander’s stunt company, Wyatt Stunts, listed Leland Mortimer as his manager but there was not much on his background. I checked Raina and Denny as well but the seemed clean—no arrests or any suspicious activity.

I pulled out a special key that Dad had given me that fit in the USB port and was able to access special “top secret” websites. These sites had a little more in depth information culled from police and government databases around the world. Only Dad knew that I had access, not even my friends knew. Plausible deniability, was what Dad called it.

I went right for Xander Wyatt, but he was as clean as I had hoped. He had no prior convictions and he ran a clean company as far as the databases were concerned. I breathed a sigh of relief. I really liked the Wyatt’s and hoped that they weren’t behind the sabotage. I had no real reason to suspect Xander, but I had to cover all bases.

There wasn’t much on Reed or Rhys but then again they were minors. They had not been to juvenile hall or whatever it was called nowadays. Rhys did have some trouble back in L.A. a few years back—a theft charge related to his school that was soon dropped. He seemed to be the troublemaker of the two. I had read about that earlier, anyway.

It still struck me as odd how twin brothers could be so different. Rhys seemed to dominate his brother and Reed was almost afraid of him. Maybe there was some underlying condition that had caused this as I was under the impression that twins shared the same DNA and were virtually two halves of one whole, for lack of a better explanation.

Now, Leland Mortimer was a different story. It seemed he wasn’t being entirely truthful about his background. Leland Mortimer was not his real name! He was born Lester Mandrell in Miami, Florida. I noted that Raina was from Miami as well.

Leland/Lester had gotten into some financial trouble and had filed for bankruptcy 10 years previous, prior to coming to work as Xander Wyatt’s manager.

Was Xander aware of this?

I pulled out my cell and gave him a call. Yes, Justin, he said, picking up on the second ring.

How’d you know it was me?

Got you in my contacts. Any word about my boys?

No, not yet but I’m working on it. Say, I dug up some information about Leland. Is he there with you?

No, not at the moment. Look, is this about his past? I know about Lester Mandrell.

Oh, I said, disappointed.

He told me about his troubles in Florida. He told me all this when I was interviewing him for the manager job. I did some checking and he paid for his past indiscretions. He’s clean now.

Very well. Sorry to bother you. I’ll let you know if I have any leads on the boys.

Thanks Justin. I told Ruth you were checking out some leads to where they went and that it seemed they went off with some other teens. I didn’t know what else to tell her.

That’s fine, I said. I’ll do what I can to find them soon. With that I hung up and got back to work. I did some more digging on Leland/Lester.

He was divorced from his wife and had two children, a son and a daughter, both grown up now. No photos were available. But there were names. Lee Mandrell and Suzanne Mandrell Martinson, both from L.A.

I filed this information away for future use and checked out some more names, but everyone else connected to Xander was clean. He ran a tight ship and apparently prospective employees went through a stringent application process to get hired for his crew. He wanted people he could trust, which was understandable in his line of work.

I shut down my laptop and sat back and rubbed my eyes in frustration. I had to find the Wyatt brothers. Did Rhys take Reed somewhere? Did he have help?

It bugged me that Rhys was talking to the woman who sabotaged Xander’s motorbike and parachute. I had to find the connection.

It was Sunday afternoon and I had lot of homework. The next day was school and Reed and Rhys were supposed to start classes at PSC. Looks like they weren’t going to make it. I just hoped that wherever they were, they were safe.

I spent a few hours doing homework, then laid down on my bed and soon drifted off. I awoke to my cell  phone going off on my beside table. It was almost 6. I jumped up and answered it.

Justin! It’s me Reed, the voice said in a hoarse whisper. You have to come and get me. I got myself free but I’m locked—.

Suddenly the phone went dead.

I checked call display and Reed’s number came up, so he had made the call from his cell  phone. But where was he? And was it him or someone pretending to be him?

Of course it was him. If it was someone else trying to lure me somewhere they would have told me where they were—unless they were incredibly dumb, which I doubted.

A few seconds later my phone beeped an incoming message.

<equip bus R>

What did that mean? Equipment bus? Was Reed being held on the equipment bus?

I called  Xander back and he picked up quickly again. I think Reed is on the equipment bus, I said. Seems like he was able to text me. He tried to call me but was disconnected. I’m coming down there.

Wait, Justin. Did you say the equipment bus?

Yes, he texted “equip bus”. I’m assuming that’s what he meant.

If it is we have a problem. The equipment bus is back in the U.S. by now. It left this morning to return to L.A.!

A half hour later I was down at the fairgrounds again. This time Matt came with me. He had changed into shorts and t shirt with flip flops.

We managed to stop the bus in Michigan, Xander was relating. They pulled over at a rest stop on the I-94. The driver, Manny is searching it as we speak. I’m waiting to hear back from him.

A minute later his cell beeped an incoming call. He snatched it up. Yes? He blurted. I watched his face go from terror to a wide grin.

Good, good he muttered. Thank you Manny. Ok, we’ll leave right now and be there in about 8 hours. He hung up.

Reed was aboard the bus, he said with a sigh of relief. He was in the cargo hold. It’s a long story but—

What is it? I asked.

Rhys wasn’t aboard. Reed doesn’t know anything about his brother he hasn’t seen him. Rhys is still missing.