Page 86 of Protecting the White Bear

"Hopefully, he'll go into the house so we can reach your vehicle, but we have a long hike," Monica said. "Should we go through the woods like we did when we came here? Maybe they won't see us?"

"They'll see, hear, and smell us." Andy had to ensure their detainees didn't plan to run off alone.

Their only chance to get out of there was to stick with Andy and Monica, who were armed.

"Let's get to your SUV then," Monica said.

She headed into the woods anyway because she and Andy had left a trail there for them to trudge through.

He followed her with the other two men, watching for signs of the other bear, and then saw his cousin, Rob. Andy smiled at him and inclined his head. But he was certain his cousin and brother would be concerned that he and Monica had three arrestees and didn't have a vehicle to carry them back to White Bear safely.

Andy and the others kept moving toward his vehicle when Rob ran into the woods out of sight.

"One's gone," Andy said.

"Yeah, but he could show up at any minute," Denny said. “And there’s still the other.”

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Andy suspected that either Rob planned to scare Eloise, Wendell, and Denny into complying on the way to the car or that he had something else in mind. Maybe shifting and dressing, then coming to help him with his charges. He and Monica could sure use the help.

Craig left the house in his woolly bear coat, ran away from them into the woods, and disappeared.

"That's both of them," Eloise said. "We have to go back to the house."

"No, they're still out there and could come back anytime," Monica said. "You don't want to tangle with them."

Wendell was the only one who wasn't saying anything, and Andy was a little worried about that. They were near his vehicle, but Wendell had parked his truck behind Andy's.

"Which pocket do you have your truck keys in?" Andy had to hurry this along and move Wendell’s truck out of the way.

Wendell didn't respond. He looked out of it and didn’t seem half as scared about the bear as Eloise and Denny.

Craig or Rob's vehicle was out of sight. When Wendell didn’t cooperate, Andy searched his pockets and found his keys.Monica pulled out her gun and kept it trained on the three detainees. Then Andy got into the vehicle and drove it off the road and into the snowbank.

When Andy climbed out of the vehicle and ascended the incline, Craig and Rob walked up the drive as if they were meant to be there. "Hey, Andy, Mom wanted you and Monica to come for lunch. We couldn't get through to you, so we came to see what trouble you had gotten yourself into this time."

"Yeah," Rob said. "Have you ever thought of using more backup?"

"No signal. But I'm damn glad you're here. And lunch is mighty welcome."

"You've got a handful; we'll take one off your hands. Who do you want us to take?" Craig asked.

"Denny. Wendell's half out of it, and Eloise knows we won’t put up with her nonsense if she gives us any trouble." Andy handed Wendell’s gun over to Craig. "I'll go with you to watch Denny. Rob and Monica can follow right behind us. That way, we will have a law enforcement officer in the vehicle to watch these guys."

"Okay, let's load them up. We're parked just beyond the drive next to the trees," Craig said.

"Do you want me to drive?" Rob asked Monica.

"Yeah. I'll keep my gun on these two."

They got Eloise and Wendell situated in the vehicle, handcuffing them to the overhang handles.

"This isn't necessary," Eloise whined. "You haven't even read us our rights."

"I haven't questioned you about anything. But sure, I'll read you your rights." Monica did.

Andy said to Denny, "That goes for you also."

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