Pursued by Patricia H. Rushford

it,” Lisa whispered as she opened the door. Jennie stepped in. The hairs on the back of her neck snapped to attention. Several pairs of eyes peered out of the darkness. A large form loomed off to her right. “There’s someone—or something in here,” she yelped.
    Lisa stepped up beside her and turned on the light. “Don’t worry,” she reassured. “They’re stuffed.”
    In the light, the form Jennie had seen turned out to be a black bear standing on its hind legs, ready to attack. Jennie’s gaze wandered over the room. It looked like a hunter’s trophy room—an elk head held a prominent position over the fireplace; a deer, a cougar, and a couple of fish that had to be six feet long nearly covered the walls. In addition to the bear, Jennie noticed a couple of pheasants, a coyote, and several other small animals she couldn’t name.
    Jennie whispered, “He’s got more animals in here than the zoo.”
    â€œAllison said he used to hunt a lot.”
    Beaumont’s den had a forest green carpet with rich dark mahogany wood. “I wish Dad could see this.” As soon as the words slipped out, her memory kicked in. He’s gone, McGrady. Tears stung her eyes and Jennie quickly wiped them away. She glanced at Lisa.
    â€œHe would love it.” Lisa gave her a knowing smile and hooked her arm through Jennie’s. “Come on. The gun collection is over here.”
    A combination book and gun case lined an entire wall of the den. With one swift pass, Jennie found what she was looking for. A metal plate beneath the indentation that once housed a gun read 1880 Colt Lightning­ Pinkerton Detective Agency.
    â€œYou think this is the same gun the guy had the other night?” Lisa asked.
    â€œI’m sure of it. But why? Why steal an old gun like this when it’s so easy to buy them on the street?”
    â€œThen again,” Lisa said, “why buy a gun when you’ve got a whole case of them right here?”
    Jennie tried to undo the latch holding the doors. “Locked. Whoever took the gun either has a key or had easy access to it. This is beginning to look more and more like an inside job.”
    â€œB.J.?”
    â€œOr Rocky, or Mr. Beaumont.” Jennie pulled the note pad and pen out of her back pocket. “Or maybe Allison herself.”
    â€œNot Allison,” Lisa said, shaking her head. “Don’t forget, I walked upstairs with her. Paige and I were there when she found the message.”
    â€œYes, but while we were swimming she did go inside for a few minutes to use the bathroom.”
    â€œThat’s true, but so did Paige and I.”
    Jennie wrinkled her nose. “We’re not getting very far. We’re missing something. I just can’t think what.”
    Jennie entered the information about the missing gun on her note pad. “We’d better get back upstairs before someone notices we’re gone.” Jennie turned to go just as the lights went out and the door clicked shut.

10
    â€œM-Maybe it was the wind,” Lisa stammered.
    â€œShh…” Jennie put her ear to the door. “Footsteps.” She glanced at Lisa. “Definitely not the wind.”
    Jennie switched on the light and pulled on the doorknob. When it wouldn’t budge, panic edged in. She gasped, remembering the fire…she and Sarah trapped in that cabin… Easy, McGrady, pull yourself together. There’s no fire…this isn’t Florida.
    â€œJennie, what is it, what’s wrong?”
    â€œI…nothing.” Jennie looked at the large wooden door. “I’m just trying to find a way out of here.” She tried to imagine herself taking a running jump, lying flat out and hitting the door with both feet, then quickly dismissed the idea. That was more Gram’s speed. Jennie hadn’t taken a karate lesson in her life.
    She glanced over at the gun case. If she had to, she