“I know, kid. I’ve heard that as well. Listen closely. I’m going to be outside here for a while. I need to try and get hold of somebody on my radio, and it may take a while. Try to stay awake but pretend like you’re asleep, and if you see me again tonight, be ready to jump out this window.”
“And you will catch me?” Joshua asked.
“Count on it.”
Patty was a wreck and Rico stayed with her in the West’s kitchen. Neither would get any sleep this night, and he was mostly quiet as she told story after story of her sweet boy, not once mentioning anything about her former husband.
Mac’s radio chirped around 9 p.m.
“Mac, it’s Drake. Are you there?”
“I’m here. Did you make it home okay?”
“Well, it’s about that, sir.”
Hearing the story from Drake, Mac told him to stay put until he radioed back.
“Sorry for the late-night visit, Cory,” said Mac. “Hi Cameron, good to see you.” Sorry to interrupt your Monopoly game—man, I used to love playing that. Anyway, I need to borrow your dad for a few minutes.”
“Sure, Mac. Good to see you too. Besides, I have houses and hotels on most of my properties already, so the game is pretty much in the bag.”
“Can I get you a drink, Mac?” asked Cory. “I’ve got some single malt that needs opening.”
“Not now, unfortunately,” Mac replied. Once outside, he explained the situation, as he heard it from Drake.
“What do you think, Cory? Should we try a rescue right now quietly or shelve the idea until tomorrow when we have more time?”
“It’s a tough call, and I’m guessing John, Bill, Samuel, and the council haven’t been briefed.”
“There’s no time if we attempt it now. By tomorrow we would have plenty of time to discuss it at length. I guess what I’m asking is, if it were your boy, what would you do?”
“Take the shot. That’s what I would say. If it works, you’re golden, and if it doesn’t, then at least they know we’re coming for Joshua. Either way, we show force and determination.”
Mac smiled. “That’s exactly what I thought you would say.”
He radioed Drake, “It’s a go. Call me as soon as you’re clear.”
Drake had been waiting for the call, debating between a tree-crawling rescue or drop-out. Both were dangerous for the young boy, but drop-out was faster and would give them a much-needed head start.
He threw several small stones at the window and got Joshua’s attention. Opening the window, Drake instructed him from the ground.
“Lock the bedroom door as quietly as you can if there is one.”
“There is, and I did,” replied the frightened boy.
“Now, push out the screen, all the way,” instructed Drake.
“I’m scared,” said the boy, pushing hard on the screen and popping it out. It dropped 20 feet to the ground below.
“Good. Now I want you to sit in the window with your legs hanging over the side… That’s it, just one step at a time, kid.”
He sat sideways on the window sill and put one leg over the edge. His legs trembled, and his body shook with fear.
“I hear somebody coming,” he called down in a panicked voice.
“It’s okay, just keep coming… Swing your other leg over. We’re almost there.”
The door handle twisted back and forth, becoming more forceful each time.
“You had better open this door, boy, or you’re going to get it good,” came the voice from inside the house.
Loud banging on the door with fists and feet ensued. Joshua heard a cracking sound as the door was kicked over and over.
“They’re coming,” he cried out loudly, “They’re coming. Don’t let them take me, mister. Please don’t.”
A bright light lit part of the room, with someone walking towards Joshua.
“Jump, Joshua, jump! I’ll catch you,” called out Drake.
The small boy swung his other leg over and counted down for his jump as any young boy would do.
“Three, two…wait a minute. Okay, now I’ll...”
He was grabbed from behind and pulled, kicking and screaming, back inside, with yelling throughout the house about an escape.
Drake ran into the cover of the trees as 20 people poured out multiple doors, including the front and back, as well as the mudroom on the east side.
Flashlights shone wildly in all directions, with a dozen shots fired without direction into the moonlit night. Once your eyes get used to the dark, you can see everything on a clear night like this, Drake thought, as he viewed not a single person firing in his direction.
He crept farther back into the woods, knowing their eyes would be adjusting as well in a couple minutes.
“Sorry, little man,” he said quietly. “We almost had you…almost.”
* * * * * * *
Chapter Twenty
Saddle Ranch
Loveland, Colorado
Drake stopped half a mile away, with no followers he could hear, and radioed Mac.
“We were close, but I couldn’t save him, not tonight. I hope I didn’t make things worse for him there.”
“No,” replied Mac. “It just means our negotiations will have to be more structured now. You did good and I’m proud of your efforts. Now go home and get some rest. I’ll see you down here tomorrow.”
* * * *
Mac was sitting with Cory outside on the patio, now awaiting radio calls from anyone hearing the shots from the ridge, as they did.
“Now I could use that drink,” said Mac, as he took the radio calls from Bill, John and Samuel, as well as a few of their security team.
“We’ve got
