Vanishing Part Six

GLOBAL INVESTIGATIONS

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The two women had been riding, walking for what seemed like hours. Bobie finally dropped her horse’s reins to the ground and said, “I don’t know about you but I am tired and need to rest. From the look of the horses they could use a breather too.”

Sky nodded then reached out and picked up the reins Bobie had dropped to the ground. “First we need to find some place to hitch the horses, sure don’t want to see them take off and leave us on foot.”

Sighing, Bobie tipped her head to the left and said, “Really Sky, these are horses that belong to Lottie, they seem to be kept in a corral. They are not some wild mustangs. Most horses I have been around will stay put if the reins are dropped.”

Sky chuckled and said, “Might be worth it to see your horse take off leaving dust behind but that would mean we would have to ride Flurry back double and I doubt he would like that.”

“Gee,” Bobie reached out and grasped the reins from Sky’s hand and continued, “you are the stubbornness redhead I have ever known.”

Sky raised her eyebrows, watched the woman walk toward a large rock setting on the ground and wrap the horse’s reins around it. “Tell me Miss. Parker, just how many redheads do you know?”

Giving her horse a last pat on the neck she turned to face Sky who was leading her horse to a larger boulder nearby. “Well--two.”

“If you ask me and I know you didn’t, two is not a lot to go by. What if your horse was spooked by a rattler, or a
coyote, or . . .”

“All right you win. Pal is not my horse, but if a rattler or a wolf were to charge or make a noise up close, I think even a tied horse would take a hike.”

Sky sat on a flat rock, gazed up at the blond and replied, “Maybe that is one of the reasons we get along so well, it is never dull.”

Sitting beside the woman, Bobie bumped her shoulder lightly against Sky and said, “I think we could even raise the temp on a dull day,” she was holding a silver flask, took a drink then asked, “what now?”

Sky leaned back on her hands, gazed at the horses then the area and said, “Not sure, guess we should head back if we are going to return to camp sometime today.”

“But we haven’t accomplished anything, at least not anything having to do with the disappearances.”

“We have been together, no one for miles that is a good thing.”

Suddenly Bobie felt chill bumps and reached up rubbing her arms saying, “As warm as it is out here, I feel a chill. Maybe we are not as alone as you might think.” She stood and began walking a circle gazing in all directions.

Sky watched her intently, both women were hot, clothes wrinkled, a bit of dust here and there but Bobie Parker looked beautiful she seemed to flourish no matter where she was. “If I haven’t said it, woman you are a sight to behold.”

Bobie turned looked at her wrinkled up her forehead and said, “So is the Titanic.”

Getting to her feet, Sky took several large strides, approached Bobie and said, “True, it is a sight to behold but you know what I meant. Besides, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in my eyes you are perfection, Helen of Troy had nothing on you.”

Grinning, Bobie teased, “Wow! Helen of Troy huh?”

“Don’t go getting that look on your face; I may be older than you but not that much. If we were not out here, you would be in for it.”

Gazing into Sky’s warm eyes, Bobie leaned close and said, “In for it huh? When you look at me like that . . . I can’t wait.”

Sky shifted on the balls of her feet, her body was glowing and not from the sun. “Keep that up and there will be no place safe for you Parker.”

Wrapping her arms around Sky she pulled her close and whispered, “Case anyone is listening, I am safest when I am with you.”

Sky looked up as if to get an answer from the sun, the tall women was at most befuddled. “Bobie - -”

Snuggling close, placing her head on Sky’s chest, she mumbled, “Bobie what?”

“If you don’t stop this, I will not be responsible if someone comes upon us.”

“Spoilsport,” Bobie stepped back shrugged adding, “I give you this Richmond but when we get back all bets are off.”

“Just the way I like it. Now back to the question what do we do now? Go back or go on?”

Bobie sighed and said, “Go back. We don’t have any vittles, not even a lot of water. So unless you know of an oasis we should go back.”

“Then back it is,” Walking toward a large boulder that looked as if someone with a paintbrush had done some strange looking painting on it, she added, “I’ll be over here for awhile. Give you time to check the horses.”

Bobie watched the tall redhead amble toward the boulder and grinned, it was obvious she felt Bobie more than she wanted her to know. Realizing they both needed to cool off, if that was possible, Bobie kicked at the dirt and headed toward the horses. Pal and Flurry seemed to be happy doing nothing for it was obvious they had been treated to an outing probably more strenuous than usual.

She checked each hoof, each shoe and if there was a pebble lodged she would remove it. Didn’t take long to realize the two horses had been shod recently. Removing a canteen of water from a tie on the saddle, Bobie poured water into her cap and held it for the horses to drink from. She had checked the time and realized they really needed to start back. Once the animals were finished drinking and her cap was fully soaked she replaced the canteen and called out, “All done here, Sky best we be getting back now.”

The woman waited for an answer but there was none. Turning to see what Sky was up to, she froze. The boulder was there but there was no sign of the tall redhead. Quickly making her way to the boulder Bobie called out, “Sky! This is not funny. Come on, let’s go!”

There was no answer and no sight of the woman. Bobie felt chills again but this time it was because she feared something had happened to Sky when she had been so busy with the horses. After following Sky’s shoe prints in the dirt for a short way, she stood and gazed at the ground. Finally dropping to her knees and surveying it more closely.   The tracks ended but how could they? The dirt was the same it was as if something reached down and lifted Skylar Richmond into . . .” She jumped to her feet and ran toward the horses. Quickly mounting the palomino she reined the animal in the last direction she had seen Sky.

Several hours’ later horse and rider returned to where Flurry stood patiently waiting. Bobie was downtrodden and Pal was just tired. She dismounted, tied the reins near Flurry’s then walked to the boulder once more. Her mind was mulling over and over everything that had taken place. There was no reason for Sky to be gone but she was. Bobie felt tears well up in her eyes and reached up to brush them away as they trailed down onto her cheeks.

Ever since they first arrived at Puerto Springs, her body told her to go back, this was not a good place to be. But Sky shook off her doom and gloom feelings that is until things at camp started to go haywire. Pacing back and forth, Bobie cursed under her breath. She finally tilted her head back and let out a scream that echoed the area like a boomerang. The horses perked up and restlessly began to move back and forth. Upon seeing this she started toward them saying in a calming tone, “Whoa, it’s all right, calm down, take it easy everything’s ok.”

It was beginning to get late in the afternoon, wouldn’t be long before the shadows of darkness began to cover the area like a swiping blanket. Sky had not returned there were no caves close by; there were no abandoned wells the woman just vanished.   Bobie took out a pad of paper from a cargo pocket and scribbled a short note to Sky. Sky, you up and disappeared. After searching for you for hours it is late and I have to get the horses back, I also need to get people together to start a search party. Love, B.

By the time Bobie came within sight of Jim Granger’s place, both horses were plodding along and she was sitting lower in the saddle. Didn’t take her long to rein in Pal when she saw the police car setting near the jeep. There were several uniformed men talking to Jim Granger. She was too close to turn even if she did, where would she go . . .

Jim Granger saw the woman on the palomino leading White Flurry’s reins and the men turned to see what caught Jim’s attention. For a few minutes, they thought the blond was going to turn the horse and make a run for it; instead, she headed for Jim’s place once more.

As Bobie rode up to the corral and dismounted, she was greeted by Jim and the two officers. “I am glad to see you. I hope you can help.”

They looked at her with disbelief in their eyes. Jim took the horses reins and asked, “Where’s the redhead? Did Flurry toss her?”

Bobie shook her head replying, “No. She never had any problems with Flurry.”

One of the uniformed men asked, “Then where is Skylar Richmond?”

Swallowing and feeling like it welled up in her throat, Bobie replied, “I don’t know.”

“Jim said the two of you rode off together and now you are back alone but with the horse Miss. Richmond was riding. Don’t tell us you do not know, we sure don’t and it was you with her. Want to try that answer again?”

Bobie closed her eyes hoping she would open them to Sky’s warm smile but all she could see was the two uniformed men. “She disappeared. I need to get a search party formed.”

The other man about six foot placed his right hand near his weapon and reached out grasping one of Bobie’s arms he quickly snapped on a cuff and it took little time to cuff the other wrist as well. “In case you wonder what is going on, I am placing you under arrest.”

Bobie fell back against the corral fence her wrists stinging from the bite of the cuffs. She blinked her eyes, trying to comprehend what this man said. “Arrest--for what?”

He looked at the other law officer, and then replied, “Well for the disappearance of the four men at your camp and now it seems Miss. Richmond.”

“I had nothing to do with the four men and I would never have let anything happen to Sky. I would die for her.”

“Are you sure it might be the other way around? Seems to me she is missing too.”

“Look sheriff, I am not a criminal. I was a deputy Sheriff and for a while, I was Sheriff of Springfield, Arizona. I am sure you must know this.”

He sighed and said, “Hate to say this but not all law enforcement is on the square young lady. Yes, I know all about you. The Springfield department has nothing but good things to say about you but people change.”

“Not me. Instead of me in cuffs we need to get back out there and find Sky.”

The two men nudged each other as the Sheriff replied, “Only place you are going Miss is to jail.”

“No! Please send someone out to find Sky!”

He motioned to the other man who grabbed Bobie’s left arm and said, “Before you take her to the car, be sure and read her, her rights. Don’t want an ex-cop crying this was not done right.”

As the officer led Bobie to the patrol car he did indeed read the Miranda rights and when finished opened the door and said, “Slide in.”

Once inside Bobie did her best not to grimace from the tightness of the cuffs. She gazed up at the officer standing outside the door and said, “I have the right to make a call.”

He nodded. “Sure do. Once we are back to the jail you can call. However, who are you going to call? Seems Richmond is missing, the four men at the site are missing too.”

“I can call out-of-state?”

He guffawed, “Call is in-state. We do not pay long distance here. Now sit yourself back while I go see what is keeping the Sheriff, he went to talk to Jim.”   He shut the door and walked toward the barn.

Bobie was doing all she could to get out of the cuffs but they were not budging. She wondered why she had been cuffed in front but happy for this hindsight. Reaching out she grasped the door handle but to no avail. She gazed around the car, it didn’t have all the up-grades made available to most police cars instead it seemed to just be a four door car without all the bells and whistles. There were lights, and probably a siren but nothing else. She could maneuver into the front seat but from there where would she go . . .

The men had not returned from the barn. She was bone tired and her wrists were tingling from the cuffs. The man had put the cuffs on too tight and as hard as she tried to wiggle out of them they did not budge, all her struggling had done was cause pain. Finally, she tried to stand and lean forward falling into the front seat. From there she was able to lift the door handle. When the door opened, she pushed it open and made her way out, carefully closing the door.

Looking around, she hoped to find something to help her get away. She did, Jim Granger had left Pal tied to the corral fence near the horse trough. He had taken Flurry into the barn. Bobie muttered a silent thank you and made her way to the horse. She had taken two steps before a bullet landed in the dirt not far from her feet. Turning she saw the Sheriff with a deadly grin on his face, aiming a revolver in her direction. “Stop in your tracks young lady unless you want to feel the effects of a bullet!”

“Don’t shoot!”

“Down on your knees!” The man was followed by the deputy and Jim Granger who was gazing at the goings-on as if he was watching some sort of movie.

The sheriff approached cautiously and upon nearing her, he said, “Bill, would you help the lady up and this time when you put her in the back seat, cuff her to the door handle.” He then turned to Jim and said, “Your horses are fine, we’ll take Miss Parker in, then start a search for the remains of the others.”

Bobie was led back to the car and as the sheriff had instructed this time she was also cuffed to the door handle. There was no way she was going anywhere until they unlocked the cuffs.

The deputy bit at his lower lip and said, “Shouldn’t have done that Miss, Sheriff doesn’t like to be shown up.”

She stared into the man’s dark eyes and felt a chill travel her body. “Sure wouldn’t want to make his day then. How long till we get to town?”

He replied, “Sheriff has a few stops in the canyon not sure how long it will take but you will be fine. Sit back and relax.”

She did just that, sit back and watched the man approach the sheriff as they talked for a brief time then both got in the car and soon they were on the dirt road to the canyon.

Mustering up courage she said, “I am innocent, all I wanted was help in finding Skylar Richmond. You didn’t need to arrest me.”

The Sheriff never took his eyes off the road but did gaze at her in the rearview mirror a few times. “That is what most say Miss Parker or should I call you Mrs. Richmond?” He burst out laughing followed by the deputy.

“Not funny Sheriff.” She made a face then looked out the side window.

They had made several stops along the canyon and finally were on their way back to Puerto Springs. They were now on a steeper stretch compared to the winding roads they had been on as the vehicle climbed. “Hope we get out of this area soon and back to the real business of finding Skylar Richmond, Sheriff.” Bobie had leaned forward in the seat while staring at the back of the Sheriff’s head.

He took a second before replying, “Should feel lucky we didn’t leave you out there to fend for yourself woman.”

“Tell you what Sheriff, I’ll take that anytime over being with you and your deputy.”

The man’s eyes glazed over for a second and Bobie was almost certain she saw evil incarnate. It was at this time there was a loud bang as the Sheriff did his best to keep the vehicle in line but without warning it snaked back and forth as if a serpent was after them and suddenly rolled over and over.

When the dust cleared the car was upside down, wheels still turning but no one moved in the car. A tall figure quickly made it down the incline and went about checking the occupants. The pretty blond woman was out, Sheriff and his deputy were also. Both were still alive and so was the woman. First thing was get them out of the car and away from it if at all possible. Didn’t take long to find the key to the cuffs and remove them, then get the woman to safety before going back and doing the same for the two men. The explosion was deafening as the car burst into flames a few minutes later and the occupants would have gone up with it.

Bobie groaned tried to move and muttered, “What happened?”

“Don’t move you could have a serious injury.”

The words were warm and caring, definitely not the Sheriff or his deputy. Blinking she groaned, “Every bone in my body hurts. The Sheriff and his deputy how are they?”

“They will be fine. Just need to get them help. And you too Miss.”

Her head ached, her back, she felt like she had been put in a blender. “Who are you?”

“Who I am in not important, first let me tend to your wrists and see if you can walk.”

Bobie closed her eyes and tried to fight back the pain that was engulfing her body. “Need to call Global . . . Sky missing.”

The first thing Bobie felt was warmth when she opened her eyes and a feeling of protection. Took a few minutes before the details of the last day popped into her mind and she sit-up with a jolt. From the surroundings, she was inside a cave of some sort and it took little time to do all she could to stand up and take in her new surroundings. “Hello. Anyone in here?”

After realizing her wrists had been bandaged, she reached up to touch her face, it hurt, she knew there had to be welts or bruises plenty. Oh well she certainly was not one to rely on looks and at that moment just wanted to know where she was and how she got there. From all she could gather, someone was using this place to live in or to frequent, there were a few pots and pans, drinking water, blankets etc. There seemed to be no one around so she slowly made her way to the entrance of the cave and looked out. The moon had been up for awhile, and as night fell it gave the area a whole new look. In the daylight what was desolate but beautiful as in a painting was now looking like any second some creature would jump out and devour.

Stepping back inside she ambled toward the small fire that had been pitted nearby. The smoke curled up as it made its way toward an opening in the top and out into the world. This was a save place to be, though she was having serious thoughts as to whether she had jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

Sky was still trying to figure out if she was dreaming. If not, she knew something was horribly wrong. Bobie had disappeared, and she was no longer in the painted badland area, instead it looked like something from “Pirates of the Caribbean”. Only this wasn’t a movie this was real. How could it be? Was she losing her mind?

Upon realizing somehow, she had been transported back in time she kept trying to return to Bobie. Her heart beat wildly in her chest. God she had left Bobie alone what must she be thinking . . . After pounding a peg of wood into the ground where she landed; she stood and gazed at the area before her eyes.

Rolling hills, a town or village, a boardwalk, a beach and people scurrying back and forth. There were several galleons anchored in what was probably deeper water as well as longboats making their way toward the beach. Also, what appeared to be carriages pulled by horses, and men and women seeming as if they just stepped out of the pages of history.

Sky reached over and pinched her right arm, she felt it. Nevertheless, this was so wrong. There was no way she could be in this era. After lightly slapping herself on the face and cursing she began to walk toward the area below the knoll she was standing on. With each step she mumbled, “Has to be a movie set. Of course, it is a movie set. Must find the producer or director or talk to someone who can steer me back to . . .

She stopped, gazed down at the dirt below her boots, squatted and picked up a handful letting it trickle back to the ground. “Damn, this is nothing like the badlands; this is not the same area.” She reached up rubbing her forehead then ran a hand back through her hair as if it were a comb. “Blasted time warp, look what you got me into now!”

“Be ye friend or foe?!”

The voice was between rough and undecided but Sky immediately knew it was a woman’s. She turned on her heels and gazed up at the tall dark haired beauty that stood, hands on hips, leg spaced as if waiting to duel with this stranger. The sun was blocking her sight, all she could see was the shadow before replying, “I am not here to cause problems. I am lost.”

“Then stand and let me get a good look at you!”

Sky did exactly what was asked but she also made certain to move to the side slowly until she could actually see just whom this person was. “Maybe you can help me find my way?”

The woman was standing her ground, it was apparent she did not want to be blinded by the sun. “Who are you and how did you get lost?”

“You’d never believe me. I might ask just who you are?”

Laughing, The woman tossed her head back allowing flowing dark hair to bounce back and forth with glee. The sun’s rays creating a shimmering glow.

“I take it, you find me funny. I have no idea who you are, or what this place is but I am just about running out of patience.”

Sighing the woman stepped back and smiled. “I am just a someone on my way to the village below. You are welcome to walk with me.”

Sky gazed at the woman’s height as well as her dress. She wore leather pants, a scarlet tunic and at her side was a sheath that held some sort of rapier. “Tell me this is some sort of movie set? That you are dressed for a part?”

The woman gazed at Sky with dubious curiosity then said, “Do not know what is a movie set or dressed for the part but I can assure you, I am real. Do you wish to joust? Are you a bit mad?”

Sky gazed toward the ground and the stick she had drove into the spot then raised her eyes to meet the woman’s and replied, “I do not wish to joust, and I am not mad, just in the wrong place and time.”

“Then you are indeed mad. Best you do not go into the village; they may hang you as a Sorceress.”

Feeling frustrated Sky began to walk back and forth muttering, “Not me that’s mad, it’s you and all this mumbo jumbo.” She turned and said, “You didn’t answer me, if you are not playing a part, then who are you and what is this place?”

The woman placed her hand near the weapon and replied, “I’m not lost. I do not know you, why should I tell you who I am. Best you do not know. But after gazing at your height, hair and body I am apt to say you might be worth a lot to the right people. It‘s a good thing most think of you as a savior.”

It was Sky’s turn to chuckle as she said, “Only one person I might be worth anything to and right now she is in another time and place. No one else wants me and especially here wherever this is.”

“Last I looked there was a big reward for the capture of the redheaded one. You walk into that village and you will offer them your head on a plate.”

Feeling as if she would explode, Sky took several steps backward and replied, “A reward because I have red hair that is just stupid.”

Grinning the woman shook her head in disbelief before she said, “Are you telling me you are not the pirate, Sea Troll?”

Tipping her head to the right Sky replied, “Now I know this has to be a dream for surely no place else would someone call me a pirate much less some sort of sea troll, whatever that is.”

“Not a dream and I have things to do so you had best decide on what you are going to do. Not everyone will greet you with curiosity most would cut off your head or at least take you prisoner. I have to get on with my business; you are welcome to follow, but stay out of the public’s eyes.”

“I’d rather get back to where I came from but for now, I will go with you. Need to figure this out without running into trouble.”

The woman had started walking toward the village and she definitely was not going to stay around any longer. Sky hurried to catch up to her and said, “Will you at least hear me out?”

The woman stopped turned and said, “Once I get you put up and out of the way, we can talk.” She started walking at a faster speed leaving Sky standing and shaking her head in bewilderment.
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