Andrea, who had been at the meeting insidethe grange, responded, “Go ahead Quinn.” Andrea snuck outside thefront door to take the call.
“Miss Hanson is calling. She says there aretwo men dressed all in black that just broke into Chase Anderson’shouse.”
“On my way, please keep Miss Hanson on theline, I want to know every detail about what’s going on.” Andreaopened the grange hall door and motioned for back-up. Chase andAiden caught the movement and raced out the door to follow.
“You two, hop in the backseat. You are not toleave the car for any reason, but I’m not leaving you alone.”Without argument, they jumped in the backseat, fearing the worst.She filled them in on the way. As she drove, she radioed for Maddyand Ian. “I repeat, are you ok? Are you there?”
Nothing but radio silence. “Shit. Shit. Shit.Quinn, I’m not getting anything from Maddy and Ian, what was theirlast known position?” Andrea drove lights on, siren blasting acrosstown.
“334 Marsdale, checking out a domesticdispute. I last heard from them thirty minutes ago. I’m sending outthe closest unit. I have a county deputy about a mile out, he’s onhis way to their last known location.”
Andrea radioed to the cars behind them, “Iwant 2 units at 334 Marsdale right now. Find Maddy and Ian. Becareful.” Chase looked back to see there were several other unitsfalling in line behind them, two of them veering off southward.
Panicked, Chase leaned to Andrea, “Come on,let’s go find them. My house can wait.”
Shaking her head, Andrea continued on hertrajectory. “We’re stopping at your place first. The chance Maddyis still there is slim. If we can catch the intruders at yourhouse, we may be able to find out where he’s taking her… we have toassume that he’s taken her.” Andrea got back on the radio, “Mike,it’s time. Gather some back-up and make the arrest,” she referredto the presenters. That would make a nice message for those whowere planning on the quick sale and promise of a more lucrativeventure.
They pulled onto the street to Chase’s house.Quinn’s voice came through, “Miss Hanson said the men just drove.Says they didn’t go inside. They ran up to the front door, took afew moments, then ran back down the road. Says they’re long goneand is blaming me for taking so long.”
Andrea growled, “It’s been 6 minutes sinceyou called. We’re pulling in now.” At the house, Andrea barkedorders for Aiden and Chase to remain where they were, or she’darrest them herself. Chase had never been so scared in his life.Every second he didn’t hear Maddy’s voice, the risk increased thathe’d never see her again.
Dylan hadn’t been at the meeting for areason. His attorneys had been presenting, saying Dylan would bethere any minute with refreshments. They’d clearly beenstalling.
Andrea sprinted out of the car, a few otherofficers following. She returned less than a minute later with anote. She passed the note, already bagged as evidence, to animpatient Chase and Aiden frantically waiting in the back seat.Lights still flashing, she whipped out of the driveway so fast,Chase was glad he was still buckled.
Chase could hardly read the note, his handswere shaking so violently. Aiden snapped, “You can’t help her ifyou don’t calm down.” Aiden snatched the note from his tremulousgrip.
Quickly reading the note, Aiden inferred,“Mayberry’s got her. He’s got Maddy. The note says he’ll tell youwhere to find her after you sign over McAllister Fisheries.”
Aiden scowled, “This doesn’t make any sense.Even if you signed everything over to him, which wouldn’t hold upin court, he wouldn’t be able to do anything with the business.He’d be arrested on sight.”
Andrea nodded. “I agree, it doesn’t makesense.” She took the note back and handed it to one of her otherofficers that had jumped into her passenger seat at Chase’s houseto aid in the pursuit. Picking up the radio, with exasperation sheconnected back to Quinn. “Anything on Ian and Maddy yet? When didyou last hear from them?”
Quinn’s voice echoed back, “Deputy is there;he found Ian. He’s alive, but unconscious. No sign of Maddy”
The rig nearly caught air as Andrea flew downthe street towards Marsdale. She radioed for back-up as they flewdown the hill. Chase shook with rage. He needed to get control, orhe wouldn’t be any good to her. With a deep breath, he imaginedhimself deep underwater, letting his mind calm.
The radio chirped again. At the sound ofIan’s voice, Chase’s ears perked up and his heart stopped. Ian’sbreathless voice came through, “He’s got her. He took her.”
Andrea grabbed the radio, “Ian, are youok?”
“Yeah, glad you made me wear the vest. Singleshot, in the chest. Hurts like a son-of-a-bitch though, knocked meout for a bit there. I don’t see any sign of other gunfire; noblood anywhere, no signs of a struggle,” he added, knowing they’dbe desperate to hear news of Maddy. “Hurry over. Area appears to besecure. Hoping there’s a clue I’ve missed. One of the deputies issearching the area and one of ours is just pulling in.”
Tires squealing on the pavement, they roundedthe corner and pulled in front of the house on Marsdale. Ian stoodout front of the dark house, surrounded by red and blue policelights.
Chase was out of the SUV so fast, Andreahadn’t even come to a complete stop. “Where is she? Which way didhe take her?” He ran up to Ian, putting his hand on the other man’sarm to steady him.
Still breathless and grabbing at his chest,Ian managed to point. “I was in and out, but I saw flashes. I knewI had to stay awake long enough to watch where he was taking her.She was unconscious. He carried her over his shoulder like aragdoll towards those trees.” He pointed to the trees in front ofthe beach, handing his radio to Aiden.
Chase didn’t hesitate. He sprinted full speeddown through the patch of trees Ian had pointed to, headingstraight for the beach. Passing the officer already scanning thearea. He didn’t hesitate, knowing full well Dylan had taken her tosea.
He heard Aiden and Andrea right behind him.As he broke through the last of the trees, he scanned the beach,looking for any sign of them.
The deputy was running back towards them,“There’s a sailboat in the distance, might be her.”
Chase could see the track of a small craftthat had been beached but was now long gone. He scanned the horizonand saw a mast and white sailboat in the distance. He fought theridiculous instinct to swim after her, knowing the boat wastravelling too fast for him to ever catch up.
Aiden’s voice interrupted his thoughts.“Dad’s boat is moored at the marina. Come on,” he motioned. Bothsprinted the 200 meters towards the marina without hesitation.
