Peg Leg's Lost Treasure

That made Tuck chuckle even more. "Unbelievable," he said, shaking his head.

Breakfast was as big as dinner. After everything was all packed they made a show of everyone shaking his hand and wishing him luck. "Is he watching," he asked one of the detectives.

"Yep, he's back in his favorite spot and he's got a horse trailer hitched up. As soon as you get in the truck, he'll turn around go back the other way for a little while until he's sure you're out of sight, then he'll turn around and start following you from a safe distance. Just drive normally. When you stop tonight, don't try looking for him in case he has eyes on you."

"Okay," Aaron confirmed with a slightly shaky voice. "I... ah... I guess I'll see you guys in three or four days. Don't lose me."

"We won't, Aaron, don't worry. We'll have both of you under surveillance the whole time. Now get going."

There was no vehicle in the grove of trees as Aaron passed. He had been a little nervous about towing a trailer, but it tracked so nicely he didn't even know it was back there. He set his cruise control for the speed limit. He didn't want to take a chance on either he or Sean getting pulled over. After a few hours of traveling, he noticed civilization was getting more and more scarce. He saw a gas station and pulled in to fill both tanks and grab a burger. He wasn't in there for more than twenty minutes. The guy behind the counter told him the turn-off he was looking for was only ten minutes up the road. That's the one that would take him into the desert.

Aaron took a deep breath as he made the turn. There was no going back. He would soon be the only person for miles around, except for the other person who wanted to kill him. He said a little prayer that those detectives knew what they were doing.

After a couple of hours, the road turned to a dirt trail. The terrain was still flat enough to drive on, but he could see the mountains ahead. He had no idea how far away they were, but he figured he'd reach them at some point the following day.

The so-called road was hardly discernable from the rest of the sand. He wasn't about to get lost so he stopped for the night as soon as it was getting too dark to see. There was plenty of food and water for the animals in the trailer. After taking care of them he pitched the neat little tent from the survival kit they packed and dug out something to eat. He studied the map by the light from his kerosene lantern to make sure he knew exactly where he was. From what he could figure, he guessed he'd hit the mountains sometime the following afternoon. It couldn't be soon enough for Aaron. He wanted to get it over with.

The next day he fixed breakfast, had a couple of swallows of water, took care of the animals, and started his trek toward the mountains. It was probably the most boring trip he'd ever taken in a vehicle. For the longest time, it seemed like they were still as far away as when he started. After a couple of hours, he noticed them finally looking a little taller.

It was two o'clock by the time he ran out of flat land. It was too early to set up camp, so with a deep breath and a small prayer, he pocketed the truck keys and started leading the animals from the trailer. He packed all the provisions on the two mules and securely tied it all together with the diamond hitch he was taught by Tuck's ranchhands. When he was all done he stood back to admire his work. "Two mules but no Sister Sara," he joked, referring to an old western movie.

Dakota was next. Aaron saddled him up and gave them all a drink of water before starting out. "Well, Dakota, I'm counting on you to get us through this ordeal." The horse gave him a reassuring neigh in response.

Sean was a couple of hours behind and slowed down when he saw the change of pace with his tracker. It was still moving but barely. That had to mean Aaron was now on horseback, heading up into the mountains. He wasn't sure how far a person could see from that elevation, but he wasn't going to take any chances of being spotted.

He decided it was a good time to take a rest. He didn't have all the stuff with him that the idiot ahead had. He had some food and water, but that was about it; after all, he'd have all of Aaron's provisions after another day or two.

Sean watered his horse and sat inside his air-conditioned truck for an hour while snacking on a granola bar. He was in no hurry. He'd set up camp next to Aaron's truck. By the time he got there, it'd be too late to start heading into the mountains. He'd start out again at first light.

Aaron was having fun. He'd almost forgotten about Sean as he wondered how many old prospectors had used the forgotten trail he was on. It was barely even visible as it wound its way through the rocks and sagebrush. This was truly an adventure he'd remember until his dying days. Hopefully, that would entail a long memory.

It was slow going. Aaron was hoping to make it across the highest part of the mountain range by nightfall, but hadn't quite made it. Luckily, he found a flat spot where he could make camp.

The next afternoon, the California State Police noticed Sean picking up his pace and closing the gap between him and Aaron. He was only about three miles behind as Aaron navigated his way down the other side of the mountain range. Lieutenant Mathews radioed his men and told them to get ready. He was pretty sure Sean was going to hit early the following morning.

Aaron could feel the hair standing up on the back of his neck as he reached the foothills. For a long time, he'd had the feeling someone was watching him. A couple of times, when he stopped to water the animals, he was sure he saw the sun reflecting off of something shiny in the rocks above him. "Just stick to the plan, Sean, just stick to the plan," he whispered to no one.

He still had a little better than three hours of daylight; too early to make camp but he did want to give the animals a rest, not to mention himself. He pulled the map out of his saddlebag and found a rock to sit on. As near as he could figure, he was about twenty-five miles from where X marked the spot. He assumed that was where Sean would make his play. He knew from a variety of sources that the terrain ahead wasn't mountainous, but it was rocky and he calculated a maximum speed of about three miles per hour. That would get him to his destination by early afternoon the following day. "What do you say, Dakota, you rested up? Yeah, me too," he replied to the horse's response.

He was a little nervous as he swung his leg over the saddle. I sure hope those guys know what they're talking about because I bet I make a great target for a backshot, he thought. Since he was still in the saddle after the next mile, he started to breathe a little easier.

That night, Aaron was getting that feeling again as he set up camp. Every nerve in his body was telling him time was getting close. He didn't sleep well that night, even as tired as he was.

The next morning he was anxious to get moving. A simple can of peaches was breakfast. If he got hungry on the trail, he could always stop for a quick snack. He was all packed up and just about ready to mount up when he heard a weak voice behind him.

"Help, help me, please."

Aaron turned and saw a man slumped over his saddle as his horse lumbered closer. His heart skipped a beat. This was it. He told himself to calm down and think. The cameras! He had to turn them on. He reached up and pretended to adjust his glasses as he flipped the switch on the inside of the temple, then adjusted his belt as he started the video in the buckle. God, I sure they know where I am, he silently prayed.

Aaron walked up to meet the horse, pretending to see if he could help the stranger. When he was close enough Sean sat up and pointed a revolver in his direction. Aaron stopped in his tracks. He'd done some target shooting now and then, mostly at a range with his friend, but he was certainly no firearms connoisseur. The only thing he noticed about Sean's gun was that it was big. Sean kept it pointed at Aaron as he climbed down from his horse.

Aaron already had his hands in the air. "What... what do you want?"

Sean grinned. "Why Aaron, don't you recognize me? How about now?" he said, covering his right eye with his left hand.

"Jones? I... I don't understand. What are you doing here? I thought you said you'd never make it this far in the desert."

Sean had never felt so confident about anything in his life. He had all the marbles and was in full control of everything. Arrogance was literally oozing from every pour. He couldn't help but laugh. "God, you're dumb. How the hell can any man with as much money as you have fall for something as stupid as a lost gold mine? Brenda's not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but even she's smarter than that."

"Brenda?" Aaron reiterated. "How do you know my wife?"

Again, Sean was bursting with superior pride. "You dumb shit, I've been fucking her for the last six months."

"You're lying," Aaron erupted with indignant denial, playing his part to the hilt.

"You think so? Do you really think she was out with the girls all those Friday nights? How would I know about the way she twirls her tongue when she gives blow jobs, or the short little breaths of air she takes when she's coming, or how she wraps her legs around her man when he's plowing into her? Huh, how would I know all that?"

"Does... does she know you came out here to kill me?"

"Of course. In all fairness, she wasn't too keen on it at the start, but you've got your money all wrapped up in tight little bundles that no one else can touch. That was your downfall.

"Your wife is madly in love with me. She wanted to divorce you and marry me, but when she said you had a prenup, I reminded her of all the things she'd be giving up. She loves that house you bought her and there's no way she'd ever give up the Mercedes. Once I showed her there was no other way to keep her in the luxury to which she's grown accustomed, she was all in."

"You'll never get away with this," Aaron said, borrowing the line from every murder mystery ever written.

Sean just laughed as he walked over to Dakota and took the reins. Aaron had the two mules tied in tandem so as Sean led the horse over to his own, all of Aaron's supplies went with him.

"Damn, I almost forgot, throw me the keys to your truck."

Aaron dug in his pocket and tossed them over. "Very good," Sean said as he stuffed them in his own pocket.

Sean stepped in the stirrup and swung his leg over the saddle. "I've already gotten away with it. I'm not going to shoot you, I'm simply going to leave you here. Shit, we've got to be a hundred miles from the nearest civilization. How far do you think you'll get with no water? No water, no food, no horse, no truck... fuck, I'll bet you don't make it twenty miles.

"Brenda's going to wait five or six days before calling anybody, just to make sure you're dead first. By the time they find you, your body will be picked clean by the buzzards, and Brenda and I will live comfortably on your money forever after, or at least until I can figure out how to get rid of her."

"How the hell did she ever fall for a guy like you?" Aaron asked.

"Oh, I can be quite charming when I want to be. Your wife isn't the first broad to fall for my line of bullshit; although I have to admit, she's the first one to ever agree to kill her husband," he laughed.

"At least leave me some water."

Sean chuckled again. "Well now, wouldn't that be defeating the purpose? After all, the whole point is for you to die." With a tug of the reins, Sean's horse turned his ass to Aaron. Sean looked back at his victim one more time. "With a little luck, maybe you'll be bit by a rattler. At least it'll be quicker." With that, Sean gave his horse a kick and they all took off at a fast walk. Aaron watched as his arch-enemy put more real estate between them.

"Okay, guys, any time," he muttered to himself. He couldn't help but look around for rattlers. When he was satisfied he was safe, Aaron sat on a rock and pondered his immediate future.

After fifteen minutes of silence, he was starting to get nervous. What if they really did lose the tracking signal? What if they had no idea where he was? He was wondering if he should stay where he was or start walking toward the mountains. He decided to give it a few more minutes. If he still didn't hear anything, he'd start his trek back. Luckily, after just a few more minutes, he heard a helicopter coming his way.

*****

Sergeant Dave Wyland, along with two other uniformed police officers from Arlington Hills waited in a parking lot on the outskirts of Chicago. It was only about half-past nine, Chicago time, so they hadn't been there very long when Dave's car radio squawked. He reached over, grabbed the transceiver, and hit the button. "Sergeant Wyland," he answered.

Trudy, the Arlington Hills Police dispatcher was a cute little thing with a voice that made any emergency sound a walk in the park. "Dave, I have a lieutenant Mathews on the line for you. I'm going to patch him through."

"Okay, Trudy, thanks."

The next voice he heard was masculine. "Sergeant Wyland, the suspect is in custody, I repeat, the subject is in custody."

"That's good news, lieutenant, thank you. How about my cousin, he okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine. We have a helicopter en route to pick him up."

"Great," answered Dave. "Now I guess it's our turn," he said with a sigh. "I'm not looking forward to it, but I really have no choice. Thanks again for all your help, lieutenant."

Dave climbed out of his unmarked squad and walked over to the other unit. "Okay, guys, we're on."

The two uniformed policemen followed him into the building. Dave flashed his badge as they all walked past the shocked receptionist without saying a word. Brenda was sitting at her desk and saw the three men heading her way. She recognized Dave right away.

"Dave, what's going on?"

"Brenda Brookfield, you're under arrest for conspiracy to commit murder."

"WHAT?" she screamed.

"Stand up and place both hands behind your back."

"No, Dave this is all wrong." She knew better than to struggle with them. It would obviously be hopeless, so she stood and let them cuff her while Dave read her, her rights.

"Ms. Brookfiled, it is my duty to inform you of your rights. You have the right to remain silent..."

She interrupted. "Dave, no, this is a mistake..."

"If you give up this right, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law," he continued.

"Dave, I'm telling you, you're making a mistake. Please listen to me..."

"You have the right to an attorney. If you can not afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you. Do you understand these rights, ma'am?"

"Dave, this is all a mistake," she whimpered.

"I know, Brenda, and you made it," Dave sadly commented.

Brenda had tears leaking from her eyes as the three men escorted her out of the building and into the squad car. Once at the police station, she demanded her phone call.

Dave tried calling Aaron but couldn't get through. Figuring he was still in the desert, he waited and tried again a couple hours later but it still went straight to voicemail.

Later that night, Jack, Dalton and Dave got together at Plato's for a beer. "So what happened, Dave?" Dalton anxiously asked.

"Well, both Sean and Brenda are behind bars. I'm a little concerned about Aaron, though. I've been trying to call him ever since we arrested her, but I haven't been able to get through. It just goes straight to voicemail."

"What about the California cops? Did you try them?" Jack inquired.

"Yeah, I talked to the guy in charge: Mathews. He said Aaron was fine."

"Then I wouldn't worry," said Dalton. "He probably needs some time to himself. Now that it's all over, he's got time to think. Can you imagine having to come to terms with your wife wanting to kill you?"

"Ha," Dave forced a laugh. "I'm having trouble with it and I'm not married to the bitch. I signed the arrest report then took the rest of the day off. I just couldn't handle knowing she was in lock-up."

"How's she doing?" Jack asked.

"I don't know. I was walking out of the station when I heard she wanted to make a phone call. I just had to get out of there. I'm sure she'll be fine."

"I'm just glad everything worked out okay," Jack declared, "and Dalton's probably right about Aaron. The guy's got money, he's in a beautiful part of the country, he may just take some time to try and forget. Shit, I think the first thing I'd do is get laid. LA can be a pretty friendly town."

Dave took a sip of beer then put it down on the table and stared at it as he contemplated. "You guys are right. Aaron needs time to lick his wounds. I'm not going to worry about him. Mathew's said he was okay, that's good enough for me. Again, I want to thank you guys for your help. If it hadn't been for you guys, Aaron might be lying in the desert about now."

"It was our pleasure," Jack offered.

"We all need to get together for dinner and some dancing with the wives. Tracy and I haven't been out much since Lorelai was born. What do you say?"

They all agreed to Dalton's suggestion and made tentative plans contingent on him finding a babysitter.

*****

Home sweet home. Aaron watched out the port side window as the city lights got brighter. Approaching Chicago from over the lake at night was always a breathtaking sight. It had been almost three weeks since he'd left. With the events happening on the homefront, he was in no hurry to get back. He needed the R and R. Hell, he hadn't even turned his phone on since talking to Brenda that last time. He hadn't talked to anyone or told anybody he was coming so he was on his own, although he'd call Dave in the morning. He had special plans for thanking the three guys who saved his life.

It was after midnight by the time he pulled into his driveway. At first, he was surprised when he hit the garage door opener and saw Brenda's Mercedes inside. After the initial shock, he realized Dave wouldn't have just left it at her workplace to be towed; of course, he had someone drive it home. "What would I do without you, cousin?" he mumbled out loud.

Aaron entered the house through the connecting door, flicked on the kitchen light, and dropped his duffle bag in the laundry room. That was something else he had to do the next day. He plopped down in a kitchen chair. Despite being almost as tired physically as he was emotionally, he didn't think he'd be able to sleep right away. He was considering making a pot of coffee when he heard something and turned toward the living room.

For weeks he'd been trying to come to grips with the idea of Brenda not being around, and yet...

"My God, I've been so worried," she screamed, while almost collapsing to her knees. "You poor man, you poor, poor man..."

It wasn't possible, and yet there she was, hunched over, using the back of the couch to support herself. Never had he seen her looking so distressed. She must have been in bed when she heard him come in. Her robe was hanging open and he could see her body heaving up and down in unison with her sobs.

"Brenda! What the hell are you doing here? You're supposed to be in jail."

His statement caused her to literally wail in agony while she shook her head. "No, no, how could you think I'd ever want to hurt you?"

"How could I think? I heard you planning my demise with your lover," he half-shouted. "I heard you on tape!"

"It was a trap," she screamed as she finally raised her head and looked at him with puffy, bloodshot eyes."

"Yeah, a trap for me, to leave me out in the desert to die..."

"No," she cried again, "for him, for Sean. It was, ah... oh what do they call it... a, ah... a sting operation."