The Search for Amelia

“Search everywhere. Amelia must be in these woods somewhere. The perp has a two hour head start. We have set a perimeter around his pickup. We’ll close in from there. Be alert at all times. If he slips through our net, Lia is dead.” Stan scanned the volunteers and policemen present for a reaction. Only steely eyed resolve met his statement. “You all know your search quadrants. Let’s go.”

Harold, retired police officer, squinted in the bright sun. His eyes followed Stan jumping from the stump. Stan strode to his cruiser and drove away. The rest scattered in various vehicles.

“You coming, Harold?” Brad inquired.

“Yeah. What quadrant do we have?”

“Third. Northeast section.”

“Which quadrant is Stan assigned?”

“Third as well. Southeast section. Why?”

“Just curious. You’re a rookie. The whole quadrant is a bunch of volunteers and rookies. The other quadrants have much more experience.”

“You’re right. Does that mean something?”

“I think it does. Let’s follow Stan.”

“But what if the killer escapes through our section?”

“Trust me. He won’t.”

Harold dropped the accelerator and mud sprayed everywhere.

……………………….

Harold and Brad spied the cabin. Stan and a giant of man chatted on the porch. Amelia stood next to them -- Hands bound, mouth gagged. Brad flipped open his phone, but shook his head. “No coverage here,” he whispered, “and if we use the radios, no one will believe Stan is involved.”

“What service you on?”

“AT&T. Why?”

Harold flipped open his phone. He smiled. “Verizon. I’ve got coverage. I’ll call Capt. Joe Pickerelli in Morganstown, and explain. He’ll believe me.”

“How did you figure it was Stan?”

“Followed the ransom money. Had to be an inside job. Then Stan called her Lia, not Amelia. Only someone who’s spent time around her would have called her by her nickname.”



300 Words
Flash Story Must contain: Giant, Money, Search