CHAPTER 16
Barrett was beginning to think Mary Jo had run into problems when he heard the siren. The thugs all looked at each other with confused expressions.
Snaggletooth swore. "What's he doing?"
"Maybe it ain't Lucas."
While their attention was distracted, Barrett moved closer to Billy Ray. He was so frightened that he was shivering. This was probably their best chance to get out of there. When the siren stopped, all the men were watching the area toward the trailer. It was now or never.
He put a finger to his lips and nodded his head toward the woods behind them. Billy Ray nodded vigorously. Barrett put himself between the men and Billy Ray as they quietly moved away. They reached the forest before one of the men noticed.
"Hey! They're running away!"
Barrett lunged forward. "Run!"
Billy Ray darted into the forest. Barrett couldn't run, so he dived into the brush and pulled out his gun. When the men began running after Billy Ray, he fired one shot into the ground at their feet and then rolled away. He expected a bullet to follow him, but no one fired. Instead, they headed for their ATV's.
"Let's get out of here!" Someone yelled.
For a moment there was chaos, but then a calm voice spoke from the other side of the clearing.
"Put your weapons down and get away from the ATV's, boys, or someone is going to get blasted with this shotgun."
Snaggletooth was the first to toss his weapon on the ground. "We ain't done nothin'."
"The rest of you; put your weapons down." They complied. A beam of light covered them. "Put your hands over your head and move away from your weapons."
When they were far enough from their weapons, Barrett stood. "This is Barrett Monroe."
"Come on in, Monroe."
Barrett walked into the light with his hands over his head, gun in one hand. He didn't want to get shot, but if the thugs decided to resist, he wanted to be ready.
"You don't have to hold your hands up. I know who you are. Come over here."
Barrett glanced toward the forest. "Billy Ray?"
"I'm here, Mr. Monroe," Billy called from the forest.
Barrett walked to where the officer waited before he called Billy Ray to them. Mary Jo met them both and gave them each a big hug.
"I thought for a little while there I wasn't going to get help in time, but this officer finally listened to me."