Seventy Two Hours

This story is like "Saving Morgan," but with more plot and excitement.

Seventy-Two Hours

Junction City

A text, "In my office, now."

I got out of my cubicle and walked towards Lt. McConnel's office. I need two years in narcotics on my resume to get promoted and assigned to homicide. I want to be there for my twenty-sixth birthday. I have six months left.

I stepped into the Lieutenant's office.

"Close the door."

I sigh and close the door. Assuming I'll get another verbal assault over some contrived failure on my part, I ignore the chair in front of her desk. No need to sit and have her physically lord over me. She can't hurt me, I've got a hook, a mentor who watches out for me. He's powerful and has kept the Lieutenant from damaging my career.

Mary McConnell gets up. She's big, almost six feet tall, and a former college swimmer; that was ten years ago. She's kept at it, so she's in very good shape. Tough to tell with the uniform on, but I've had the other detectives describe her--in graphic detail.

She walks around the desk and into my space. I should have taken the chair; this is new. She stands, nearly touching me. We're eye-to-eye.

"I've got another shit job for you. This one's a doozy."

"Whatever you want, Lieutenant," I reply flatly.

She gives a half-smile. I feel her hand on my thigh, moving towards my center.

"Now we both know that's not true."

I back up, out of reach. The smile leaves.

"You're a good-looking man, in great shape. Your time here could be a lot better, you know."

Just what I need. To have the whole force believing I fucked my boss to get transferred. Nobody will look at my ability; they'll just assume. I know she's fucking the guys on the squad. They talk. But this is their endpoint; they're happy here, and Mary likes her little stud pool. They are all so similar; they could be brothers. She literally hand-picked every one of them. She didn't want me. My mentor played hardball to get me here, and she's been trying to corrupt me or drive me out for over a year. I get every garbage case. Don't care. Everybody knows, and it's enhanced my rep, so bring it on, lady.

"I'm learning a lot about the narcotics unit and the work we do," I said. Not a lie, I know a lot more than I ever would have asked. Nobody's corrupt; it's just, well, you can figure it out.

Mary goes back behind her desk, which she had put on a riser, so you're always looking up at her. Geez. "Well, you're not gonna learn shit from this one. I tried to ignore it, but the Chief got involved. Shit flows downhill, and you're my favorite toilet."

I shifted my weight to one foot, telegraphing boredom. She glared. "Some rich girl got into a cult and now claims to have escaped and has proof that the cult is dealing fentanyl and killing people. I've seen this so many times. Spoiled princess, looking for attention. Go get her and bring her back so I can interrogate her, get her to cry, admit she made the whole thing up, and send her home to her mansion. Fucking rich cunt."

Mary McConnell, champion of women's rights.

Me, practicing my poker face, "Where is she? When do you want me to go?"

'Mistress Mary,' as I've heard the other detectives refer to her, is poking her phone, "Here are the deets," Her trying to be cool.

I check my phone. "That's Warrenton, on the other side of the national forest. It's six hours away. Why are we involved?"

"She claims she was abducted here. The Chief likes the human-interest angle. That's all you need to know. Get going."

"Department going to pay for a room?"

"Only on the way out. You wanna play with her on the way back it's on your nickel."

I put my phone in my pocket. "Only you would think of that," I said, turning to leave. Her retort, directed at my back, was, "Coulda been you."

Not in this lifetime.

Hour Zero, 08:00 AM Day 1

Warrenton--the name is bigger than the place. There is a main street, a few side streets, and a lot of logging equipment. I stepped out of the only motel in town, got in the car, and headed for the Simpsons.

The house was a small ranch on a heavily wooded lot on the edge of town. I stopped my marked but very worn-out cop car in front. The small front porch was filled by a biker. I knew that because he looked like every biker I'd ever seen. He got up and walked over to my window.

"Can I help you?"

I don't know what the fuck is going on. I pull out my badge and ID; he takes them, looks between the picture and me, and hands them back. "Mr. Simpson said you'd be coming."

I'm not interested in why this guy is here. I see three more in the yard and a few hanging out in the woods.

"May I go in?" Always best to be polite when you're the only cop, and there are twenty bikers.

He backs up and turns, "Yeah, sure, you check out."

I got out of the car and shifted my belt. The weight of my Sig-Saur nine and the two extra mags pulls my pants down. I'm wondering what tale this brat told to get all these guys 'protecting' her.

I look at my phone as I ring the bell, Jade Manning, 25. The door opens.

"Oh, Detective Scott. We were expecting you yesterday, your Lieutenant called."

Just like 'Mistress Mary' to ding me from two counties away, "She was incorrect. Where is Ms. Manning?"

Harv, according to my notes, looks around like a cartoon spy, "I wanted to speak to you in confidence, not upset the young lady."

Oh fuck, another cop show addict, "What information do you have?" I pretend to look at my phone, ready to take notes.

"I've emailed our statement, but I'll give you the highlights. We stopped at the Walmart in Junction City for the night. Jade came out of the dark and begged us to take her away. I sent you a picture," Harv pauses, "I blurred her face, you know. The internet and all."

I tapped my phone, and a picture came up of an average height and weight twenty-something girl wearing, I guess you'd call it, a dress, crudely cut out of rough grey cloth. She was filthy, and her hair was long and ragged. Gotta hand it to her; she has some act. Her face was blurred to obscure it. I looked up; Harv wasn't done.

"She had a backpack, no phone, no money, no ID. She begged us to get going, so we did. As we drove, she told us about the drugs and murders. Her story rambled. She was sure they'd come after her. I saw a truck behind us, I made a few turns, and he stayed with me. That's when I called the guys. I'm a biker, you know, and we stick together. These guys came out and escorted us home and have been guarding us ever since."

Holy shit, what a circus. "Have there been any problems?"

"A car full of guys drove by the house, but when they saw the brothers, they took off. I'm all for helping out, but I'm glad you're here."

I faked looking interested, "Okay, good to know. Um, where is Ms. Manning?"

I assumed the filthy tart was in the garage; Harv turned to the small hallway and raised his voice slightly, "Marge, bring her in, please."

Harve explained, "Marge cleaned her up and got her some clothes and underwear. She only had that raggy dress thing on. Marge did her hair, too."

"Jack?"

I looked up from my phone into my sister's eyes, "Jade?"

She'd changed a lot since I'd seen her last. That raggedy dress had concealed her body. She was tall now, probably five-eight, a little too thin, but still had a shape that would keep a man's attention. The nicely trimmed, clean blond hair and green eyes helped. She had grown into a beautiful woman.

Jade dropped her backpack and ran to me, not slowing down until we collided, nearly knocking me off my feet. I hadn't seen my sister since I was ten. Her face was buried in my neck, sobbing and mumbling, "Never thought I'd see you...... I missed you.....so happy."

We stood in that modest home and hugged. Jade felt good in my arms. When we were together, I was her protector. We shared all our kid secrets. When she went away, I cried for a week, and then anytime I thought of her, I cried again. I swore to myself that, no matter what, I would find her.

Jade released me, and we looked at Marge and Harv staring at us. Jade blushed and held my hand. "This incredibly handsome man is my brother. We were fostered out at age five. We were in the same families for a few years, and then, at ten, I was adopted. Jack was a discipline problem, and my family didn't want him."

I picked up the thread, "I bounced from family to family, finally aging out. I joined the Marines. They cured my attitude problem. I did one tour, got discharged, and joined the police department. I could never remember the name of the family that adopted Jade. I have been searching for her since I got on the job, with no luck."

Jade was flexing up and down on her feet, smiling from ear to ear, "Until now."

Marge smiled, "Wow, we are honored to be responsible for bringing you two together."

Jade stood next to me, squeezing my hand. I looked at her, "Well, Jade, you ready to go?"

The smile left. Jade bent over and picked up her backpack, "Yes, we need to get out of here."

Harve waved me over, whispering, "Would you like the guys to go with you?"

I patted him on the shoulder, "Thanks, Harv, but with a marked police car, we'll have no problems."

We said our goodbyes and walked to the car in silence. Jade slung her backpack in the front seat and got in, buckling up.

"You want to put that in the back seat?" I asked.

"No."

Jade's initial joy was gone. I handed her my phone with the information Mary had given me, "Is that accurate?"

Jade took my phone and moved it around, examining the whole thing. "I haven't held a phone in almost a year," she said.

She scrolled the screen, her face tight. "Yes, that's what I told Marge and Harv. I have a list of their dealers and suppliers and their route." She kept my phone and poked buttons as I drove. Stopping, her finger ran over the screen, a tear formed at the edge of her eye. She wiped it off, put the phone on the seat, and stared out the windshield.

I sensed more, "And?"

Jade took a deep breath. "I've witnessed three murders--executions, and I know where the bodies are buried. Jack, I can bring them all down."

This was real. Like Mary, I had assumed this was a runaway daughter, wife, whatever.

Now, it was my long-lost sister, and she was in very real danger. After all these years, I was back in the role of her protector.

"Do they have the ability to come after you?"

Jade stared out the windshield, "They have a huge amount of money and some very violent people, plus a geek, so, yes, they do, and yes, they will."

I got on 174, a curvy road through the forest but still the fastest way back to Junction City. I checked my watch; we'd be there by five.

"Well, we'll be in Junction City before you know it."

Jade sighed, "Not soon enough, and do not underestimate them."

We had the road to ourselves. I had a question posed when Jade spoke.

"This car stinks like coffee, sweat, and farts."

We both laughed.

"Yeah, that's a long story about my hedonistic boss and her stable of fuck-stud detectives."

Jade stared at me, "What? Oh, you have to tell me," She reached over and squeezed my bicep, "Oh, tell me, you hunky muscular man with his wavy brown hair and gooshy blue eyes. Stud cop."

I blushed, "That's enough of that."

I told the tale, and Jade laughed throughout the whole thing. I had forgotten how much I loved hearing my sister laugh.

"It's not funny, Jade. She is a hedonistic, Amazon dominatrix."

Jade, giggling, "Well, that's different, a man that can use his dick to get OUT of trouble."

I turned my head all around searching, and Jade noticed, "What are you doing?"

"Looking for a place to turn around. I'm taking you back for being mean to me."

Jade leaned over and grabbed my arm, her voice a fake plead, "No, no, dear brother. Do not forsake me."

"Ohhhhh, alright, if you're gonna beg."

Our conversation died. By then, we were inside the Millard Filmore National Forest.

A thousand trees later, I asked, "How did it happen?"

Jade pointed to the phone, "I saved the story; there were witnesses. I was grabbed in a supermarket parking lot. They had been cruising the lot for days. It wasn't random; I was selected."

"What do you me...?" I was trying to form a reply when a huge pickup raced up my butt, swung into the other lane, and blew by. Just as I saw the guy in the bed of the truck, another one slammed into the rear corner of the car. A perfect Pit maneuver. As we shot off the road, I saw the first truck stop, and backup lights went on.

The car flew off the road, down a steep hill, crashing through small trees, headed for the big ones.

"Put your arms down!" I yelled at Jade, her hands were up in front of her face. The airbag, when it let go, would break both. The car went another twenty feet and stopped. No airbags. Then I remembered what the guy in the other truck was holding. A rocket-propelled grenade.

"Get out! Get out! Get the fuck out of the car!" I was screaming.

Jade grabbed her backpack and rolled out her side.

"Get away!" I yelled as I rolled down the hill. I heard the whoosh, and the car exploded into a fireball.

I quickly worked my way around and found Jade on the other side.

"Let's go." I moved away from the flaming car, using it to blind them. The gas tank exploded. We got into a pine forest with no brush.

"Run, jog, whatever, we need to put distance between us and them."

We ran for five minutes and stopped, hiding behind huge pine trees. I watched, missing the infrared headset I had as a Marine. Jade was panting, her eyes wide.

After a minute, I got out from behind the tree, "Come on, let's walk."

At that point, I had no idea where we were, and my phone was on the seat of the car. Other than that, it was a great day. I saw a rise with a cluster of boulders. We settled behind them. I had a view behind us through the rocks.

"What are we going to do?" Jade asked.

I had a map of the forest in my mind from pictures I had seen, "This forest is vast. We can't go back to the road; it's lightly traveled, and they will be watching it. My phone is gone. We're going to have to walk out of here on a different route."

Jade looked around, "How? Every one of these trees looks the same."

I smiled, "Well, my sister, fortunately, your brother was a Marine scout."

Jade stared at me, "Really? I never would have thought."

Then she hugged me, knocking me over and laying on top of me. That's when it started.

She felt good. It had been almost a year since I kicked Beth out, and we hadn't had sex in three months before that. Now, a hot, curvy girl was lying on me, even if she was my sister. I didn't get hard, but I sure had mixed feelings.

"Just like when we were kids, you're my protector."

Jade got off me, and I missed that feeling, "Yeah, I remember. So, this forest is on a mountain; we're about halfway up. At the bottom is a river that leaves the forest in the town of Willing at the southeast corner. That's our objective."

"How long will that take?"

I sighed, "More than one day. I'm not sure exactly where we are. I just know the general layout. The water in the small streams is potable, but we have no food, no shelter, and no way to make fire. It's going to be a tough walk."

Jade smiled and smacked her backpack, "Not to worry. Let's get going."

It was summer, hot and humid, but the forest was cooler. We were on a mountain, but the grade was mild. I heard a stream in the distance.

"Head for the sound of water. We'll follow that stream to the river."

Jade was leading. Her backpack was old, worn, and stuffed.

"Tell me about it. If you want." I asked.

Jade took a deep breath, "Yeah, I should. It'll help."

This is her story, for now.

I was on my way home from work. I stopped at the store to get what I needed for dinner. I was putting the bags in the trunk when this white van roared up with the side door open. Two guys leaned out and grabbed me. I was on the floor with a towel over my mouth before I knew what happened.

I'll keep this short. I was kept on an old farm. My hands were taped when they brought me in.

Maybe ten or twelve people lived there. Youngest was probably eighteen, the oldest fifty-something. Some of them were nude. I knew it was a cult.

This guy comes out, wearing this cotton gown thing; tall, thin, forties, gray hair, really intense blue eyes. They all called him 'the guide.'

He tells me all this shit about my 'destiny' in creating a new order. I was selected because of my genetic superiority. His plan was that at some time, there would be some super-special bullshit in the stars, and we would 'meld' as he called it, and I would bear gifted children. He put his hand on the side of my face and apologized that, until then, I had to be 'safe.'

I was held down and force-fed a pill. Within an hour, I was a zombie. I don't remember anything other than shadows. I'd get a pill every day.

Three months later, I know because they had a computer and I checked the screen, they fucked up. I didn't get the pill. I was still wicked woozy, but I knew what was going on. From then on, I had a plan. I was going to escape. I pretended to take every pill and kept up my act. But I started collecting things and hiding them in my backpack. I could wander around at will. Somebody was always looking at me, but not very carefully. I think it was just to make sure I didn't get injured. The big event and all.

It took a long time, but one day, there was some crisis. The people there were flaky. Somebody had to go to the mall, and everybody was busy. I think they were behind on drug shipments. Two of the real dummies took me because nobody there wanted to watch me. I took my backpack. At the mall, they locked me in the truck. I broke a window, got out, and the rest you know.

I was walking behind Jade. I felt bad, but she looked hot. I'd watch the perfect round flanks of her ass flex as she walked. I stopped my mind from picturing what that ass looked like, felt like. After a while, I just gave in and enjoyed my taboo thoughts. It would keep my mind off having no supplies.

We had gotten to the stream and were following it. The ground was even and easy walking. I checked my watch. It was two o'clock. We left the house at nine. I was hungry, but I knew most of that was based on having no food. Jade stopped and turned.

We were both sweating, but on her, it looked good. Her shirt was soaked, and I could see the outline of her bra. Jade wasn't big on top, so it wasn't much of a bra, and her nipples were hard from exertion. My guilt bloomed a little, along with my cock. I was very confused.

"Let's take a break," Jade said as she slipped off the backpack.

She sat, and I got a quick look up her shorts. She wore teal panties.

"You hungry?" She asked.

I laughed, "Yeah, maybe I'll find some acorns."

Jade laughed hard as she unzipped the backpack and upended it. Stuff piled out. Granola bars, chocolate bars, dried fruit in baggies, a lighter, two space blankets, a folding knife, duct tape, and a clear plastic tarp.

I stared in disbelief, "What the fuck?"

Jade laughed, "I told you, Jack. I was getting ready to escape. I knew we were in the middle of nowhere, so I kept picking up things and stuffing them in my backpack, which they had tossed in a closet. They thought I was a zombie. Fuck them."

In those seconds, I knew two things, we were going to make it, and I loved my sister. I was going to have to sublimate that, but I felt better admitting it. I took her in my arms.

"Now, who's the protector? Jade, we're gonna get out of her, and it's because of you."

She laid her head on my shoulder. I felt her warm breath on my neck. I had my hands on her lower back, loving the feel of her sweaty shirt and the firm body underneath. Her hair smelled of jasmine and Pine. I fought my stiffening penis.