The Ice Widow's Ledger

Alden watched, a smile playing on his lips. “You always were a fighter, Aris. Even as a boy. But you never knew when to quit.” He nodded to his men. “Take him. And the safe.”

The men grabbed Aris, one on each arm. He struggled, but it was no use. They dragged him out of the bunker, into the cold night air. A car was waiting, engine running. They shoved Aris into the back seat, the safe beside him. Alden climbed into the passenger seat.

As the car pulled away, Aris looked back. He thought he saw a figure in the trees, watching. Martha. But he couldn’t be sure.

The car sped through the night, taking Aris further and further from Pine Creek, from safety. He was alone now, at Alden’s mercy. The ledger was gone, taken by Alden’s man back at the cabin. The safe was in Alden’s possession. All Aris had left was his wits, his determination. And the memory of Eleanor Vance’s face, her eyes urging him on.

The slow dance of evasion had begun. Alden thought he’d won. He thought Aris was beaten. But Aris had one last card to play. He just had to stay alive long enough to use it.

The car sped through the night, taking Aris further and further from Pine Creek, from safety. He was alone now, at Alden’s mercy. The ledger was gone, taken by Alden’s man back at the cabin. The safe was in Alden’s possession. All Aris had left was his wits, his determination. And the memory of Eleanor Vance’s face, her eyes urging him on.

The slow dance of evasion had begun. Alden thought he’d won. He thought Aris was beaten. But Aris had one last card to play. He just had to stay alive long enough to use it.

They drove for what felt like hours, twisting and turning on back roads Aris didn’t recognize. Finally, the car slowed, turned onto a dirt track. They bumped along for another mile or so before pulling up in front of a small, dilapidated cabin. It looked abandoned, the windows boarded up, the roof sagging.

Alden’s men dragged Aris out of the car, into the cabin. Inside, it was cold and dark, the air heavy with the smell of dust and decay. They shoved Aris into a small room, empty except for a chair and a cot. One of the men tied his hands behind his back with rough rope, the knots tight enough to bite into his skin.

Alden stood in the doorway, watching. “Comfortable, nephew?” He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Don’t bother trying to escape. There’s nowhere to go. And even if you did manage to get out, you’re miles from anywhere. You wouldn’t last the night.”

He turned to his men. “Watch him. I’ll be back in the morning. We’ll see how talkative he is after a night in this place.”

The men nodded, their faces impassive. Alden left, closing the door behind him. Aris heard the car start up, drive away.

He was alone with his captors. They didn’t speak, just sat in the other room, playing cards, their voices a low murmur. Aris tested the ropes, but they held fast. He shifted on the hard chair, trying to find a comfortable position. It was going to be a long night.

He must have dozed off eventually, because the next thing he knew, he was being shaken awake. He blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. One of Alden’s men was in front of him, a finger to his lips. “Quiet,” the man whispered. “We’re getting you out of here.”

Aris stared at him, confused. Was this a trick? Some new game of Alden’s? The man seemed to read his thoughts. “Martha sent me. She’s waiting outside. We don’t have much time.”

The man cut Aris’s ropes, helped him to his feet. Aris’s legs were stiff, his hands numb, but he forced himself to move. The man led him out of the room, past the other guard, who was slumped over the table, snoring. They slipped out of the cabin, into the pre-dawn darkness.

Martha was waiting by the tree line, her face tense. She hurried forward when she saw them, enveloping Aris in a quick hug. “I thought we’d lost you,” she whispered.

Aris hugged her back, his throat tight. “How did you find me?”

Martha grinned, a fierce, triumphant grin. “I told you I had friends. One of Alden’s men owes me a favor. A big one. He called me, told me where they were taking you.” She nodded to the man who’d freed Aris. “This is Bill. He’s been helping me. Helping us.”

Bill nodded, his face serious. “Alden’s got this town in a stranglehold. It’s time someone stood up to him.”

Aris shook Bill’s hand, gratitude washing over him. “Thank you. I won’t forget this.”

“We need to go,” Martha said urgently. “Alden will be back soon. We need to put some distance between us and this place.”

They set off through the woods, Martha leading the way. Bill brought up the rear, keeping watch behind them. They walked for hours, the sun rising slowly, casting long shadows through the trees. Finally, Martha called a halt. They were on the outskirts of Pine Creek, hidden in a small copse of trees.

“We need a plan,” Martha said, passing around a thermos of hot coffee. “Alden will have this town locked down. He’ll be looking for us. We need to get that evidence to someone who can help.”

“The state police,” Aris said. “They’re the only ones with the authority to investigate Alden. But how do we contact them? Alden will have the local lines monitored.”

Martha thought for a moment. “Silas Croft. He’s got a ham radio. He can get a message out.”

Aris nodded. “It’s a risk. If Alden finds out Silas helped us…”

“It’s a risk we have to take,” Martha said firmly. “Silas knew Eleanor. He’ll want to help.”

They made their way to Silas’s cabin, sticking to back roads and alleyways. The town was quiet, but Aris could feel the tension in the air, the sense of watchfulness. Alden’s eyes were everywhere.

Silas opened the door at their knock, his face lined with worry. He didn’t look surprised to see them. “I heard what happened. The whole town’s talking.” He stepped back, letting them in. “Alden’s got a bounty out on your heads. Says you’re dangerous criminals.”

Martha snorted. “We’re the dangerous ones? That’s rich, coming from him.”

Silas led them into a back room, where a ham radio sat on a cluttered desk. “I can get a message to the state police. But it’ll take time. And Alden’s men will be monitoring the frequencies.”

“Do it,” Aris said. “We’ll keep watch.”

Silas nodded, sitting down at the radio. He put on a pair of headphones, began tuning the dials. Aris and Martha took up positions at the windows, watching the street. Bill stood guard at the door.

The minutes ticked by, each one feeling like an hour. Aris’s nerves were stretched taut, his every sense on high alert. He strained his ears, listening for the sound of approaching cars, of footsteps on the porch.

Finally, Silas pulled off the headphones. “It’s done. I got through to the state police barracks in Greenville. They’re sending a team. Should be here within the hour.”

Aris felt a surge of relief, so strong it almost buckled his knees. They’d done it. They’d gotten the message out. Now all they had to do was survive until the cavalry arrived.

But Alden wasn’t going to make it easy for them. As if on cue, the sound of engines roared outside, tires screeching to a halt. Car doors slammed, heavy footsteps pounded up the steps.

“Alden’s men,” Bill said tersely, drawing his gun. “They’ve found us.”

Aris’s heart sank. They were so close. So close to finally bringing Alden to justice. He couldn’t let it end like this, cornered like rats in a trap.

He looked at Martha, at Bill, at Silas. Their faces were grim, determined. They knew the risks. They knew what was at stake.

“For Eleanor,” Aris said quietly.

They took up positions, ready to fight. The dance was almost over. One way or another, it would end here, in this small cabin on the edge of town. Aris just hoped it would be an ending Eleanor would be proud of.

Aris just hoped it would be an ending Eleanor would be proud of.

The first kick shook the door on its hinges. Bill backed away, his gun trained on the entrance. “Get ready!”

Aris grabbed the heavy poker from the fireplace, his knuckles white. Martha picked up a cast iron frying pan, her jaw set. Silas stood behind them, a rifle in his trembling hands.

The second kick splintered the wood around the lock. The door flew open, rebounding off the wall with a crash. Alden’s men surged in, guns drawn.