The Guardian

the police when they showed up.
    As he started to leave Amber came up to him. “You’re the one they call the Guardian aren’t you?”
    Not knowing exactly what to say, he knelt down. He brought the three girls close to him so they could all see into his eyes. “That’s right, but that’s going to be our secret, okay? You just remember though, no matter where you are I’ll be watching over you, deal?”
    They all smiled and gave him a big group hug. He pulled them close, hugged them tight for a moment. Standing up, he smiled down at them knowing they would be okay. As he walked away, he heard the door locking behind him.
    He had to make a call and move very quickly. He knew that with this case it wouldn’t take Halloway and Griffin long to get there. He had to hurry if he wanted to be done and gone by the time they did get there.
    Chapter 87
    It didn’t take the woman long at all to come up with a composite sketch of the man she had seen. Halloway had it plastered all over the TV and flyers were going out. He was unaware that the Guardian already had his man secured and the girls out of harms way.
    Griffin came into the room from the kitchen where she had been talking with Ms. Sanford and the police artist. “We think we know what car he used,” she said. “We think it’s an early model Jaguar. We’re not sure of the exact model, but probably an “E” type.”
    Halloway looked pleased. “Good, put out an all points and see if we can’t coral this guy before he feels us coming and slides away.”
    About that time, his phone was chirping. He snapped the phone from its holder, “Halloway” he said.
    The voice on the other end came through scrambled, just like the other calls. “I’ve got your man. The girls are safe.”
    “You’re kidding me right. This is a-okay?” Halloway said unable to believe what he was hearing. He started pacing, waving at Laura, and motioning her to come over to him.
    “Sorry, not okay. I wouldn’t see the humor. Do you want directions or do you want to stand there and analyze why you couldn’t find them first?”
    “Of course I do. Don’t be so smug. Where are they? You’ll have to give me the details.”
    “Go out SR160 towards Pahrump. There’s a large house on the south side of the freeway about three miles out. It has a large wall of railroad timber and bunch of large trees surrounding the house. There’s a large gate in the front. Once inside, head to the rear of the property. There’s a large mound that protrudes from the base of the mountain. That’s where he was keeping them. He’ll be in there and the girls will be in the house, safe and sound. Any details you can get from them.”
    “Okay, but you need to fill out a report…” the phone went dead.
    “He hung up on me.” Halloway was more hurt feelings than pissed.
    Griffin came over, “What’s up? Did I hear you talking to our Guardian?”
    “Ya, he’s found the girls and the suspect. He gave me directions on where they’re at. Then, as I tried to get him to give me more info, the bastard hung up on me.”
    “Well, we can worry about that later. Let’s get some units out there. Where is it?”
    “It’s in a house out on SR160 towards Pahrump.” He said as he headed back into the kitchen to tell the girls mother.
    “They’ve found them and they appear to be alive and unharmed,” he said as he entered the kitchen.
    Ms. Sanford jumped out of her chair. Her eyes immediately filled with tears, her hands covering her mouth “Oh thank God. I have to see her. Where is she?”
    “One of our officers will take you with them. You can meet us there.” He said. “I’ll have Officer Stone take you over with her.”
    Halloway was on the radio, pointing fingers and giving orders to everyone getting things going so that they could get to the girls as quickly as possible. From where they were on Jones, it was about a thirty-minute drive. He was hoping that at this time of day the traffic wouldn’t be as bad.
    As they raced down Jones, Halloway was still stewing over the fact he hung up on him.
    “You know he won’t be there when we get there. You know that right. That’s why he called. How in the hell did he find them so quickly? I can’t believe this guy.”
    “Look, just try to calm down.” Laura was saying. “He doesn’t have to stay there. He said all he cared about was getting the girls back safe. His only condition was that he not be busted in the process. He’s only covering