by S. J. Braden
“I’m about to board a plane now to Memphis. I’ll be there in about three hours, I’ll help you and we’ll find Colleen. What do you know about the person?”
“He’s unbalanced and stupid. I wish I could say don’t come, but honestly, I need some help. I don’t know who this is, what they want, or what their plans are. I’m in the middle of a big case I’m helping the police with. I have to find some way to get out of the middle of that so I can concentrate on finding Colleen, again without raising suspicions.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way. When it’s all done, then you can make your excuses to anyone you need to. What did you tell the cops at the marina?”
“I told them I don’t know what happened. I didn’t mention the note. I didn’t tell them about the picture, I didn’t tell them I can’t find my wife. I mentioned something about maybe faulty wiring, or maybe the original owner, who is supposedly incarcerated on drug charges in Florida. I muttered how buying something as distinctive as a yacht at an evidence auction is apparently a bad idea. They said they would contact me after the investigation is complete. I hope I threw them off track at least for a little while. I’ll save the note to turn over after we find Colleen and get her home safe.”
“Court, I hate to ask this, but are you sure Colleen wasn’t on the boat? How much damage did the explosion do?’
“I’m sure. The explosion was a big flashy number, but not much damage. The fire department was able to board and check for any bodies. I’m pretty sure the boat is a total loss, but its more smoke and fire damage than blown to pieces parts damage.”
“By the way, Abby called right after your earlier call. She called Pierce and Frankie, who are also flying in to help. They won’t get there until tomorrow, but they’re coming. Together we’ll get this done. They know not to tell anyone what is going on, especially Frankie since he’s with the Marshal’s service. He’ll be here as your friend, not in any professional capacity. No one there should recognize him and his New Orleans accent will further disguise him.”
“You know, I supported Colleen when she refused a protection detail at the start of this last trial. I’m kicking myself right now. If something happens to her, there’s no way I can go on without her.”
“I hear you, friend. We’re going to find her. My plane is boarding now, I’ll see you in three hours. Where do you want me to meet you?”
“I’m going to drop by the precinct for this case I’ve been working on and tell them something has come up with my business and I’ll be away for a few days. Then I’m heading to the house.”
“Um, buddy, dropping by a precinct probably isn’t a good idea for you right now. How about a phone call, text message, or email?”
“Crap! You’re right. Thanks. I talked to Colleen’s assistant and she told me Colleen left early for home. Meet me at the house. Oh damn, what am I thinking? I’m not thinking. I’ll pick you up at the airport.”
“I can take a taxi you know.”
“Yeah, for a bloody damn fortune to get to my place. Actually, I’m pretty certain they got her from the house or on her way home. I can’t report her car missing until I go home. Wait! I can’t do that either since the note said no police. Shit! There is nothing I can do right now. I’ll go to the office and wait for more contact I suppose. It would be nice for you to go to the house with me. I’m not looking forward to what I may find there. I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“I’m on my way.”
Chapter 11
Leaving the airport, Court drove the Chevy Tahoe SUV like a formula one race car. Court liked the Tahoe because it was the only vehicle that still offered a front bench seat. Jake was sitting between them on the front seat and kept sliding into Trent’s lap. If the situation wasn’t so serious, Trent would have laughed at the big black lab. As they pulled into the driveway, Court slammed on the brakes, and barely had the truck in park before he jumped out.
Half way up the drive, sat Colleen’s car. The driver’s side door was open and the dome light inside was beginning to dim as the battery weakened from hours of the light being on and the door open indicator dinged a bit more slowly than usual. Trent got out of the truck and Court yelled back to him, “Grab my camera out of the back please.” Trent approached cautiously watching each foot step to make sure he wasn’t stepping on some bit of evidence in the dark. He watched enough crime television shows to know he didn’t want to interfere with any evidence. Court said, “Oh listen to Lucy. She’s furious.”
Trent listened and asked, “Should I go open the door and let her out?”
“Not yet, let’s see what we find.”
Court took the camera and began snapping pictures of everything to save for later, when he could call in the police. When Court found one of her shoes, and then the other as though they had been flung from her, he broke down. Tears filled his eyes, his hands began to shake and his knees folded as his head shook back and forth and he muttered, “No. No. No.”
Trent took the camera, hugged his old friend and said, “Well at least we have her shoes, because if she lost them, when she gets home, there will be hell to pay. At least you can tell her you have them.”
The attempt to calm Court helped bring him back and he responded, “You’re right about that. Thank God for small favors. These are her favorite pair.”
“I’ll continue taking photos of everything. I got the photos of the shoes, why don’t you take her shoes and Jake in the house and check on Lucy. I’ll meet you at the house in a minute. We should leave your truck here I imagine. I’ll close the door on Colleen’s car, but leave it here. I know we don’t need to disturb anything more than we have to, but save the shoes, old man.”
“Thank you Trent, I’m so glad I waited to come home until you got here.”
Court returned to his SUV and let Jake out, who stopped to smell the ground all around Colleen’s car before following Court into the house. Court greeted Lucy, told the agitated dog that everything would be okay and filled both Lucy and Jake a bowl of kibble and refilled the water bowl. Jake never drank from a bowl. He only drank from a water bottle so Court held the water bottle for Jake then opened the refrigerator and found the macaroni and cheese and meatloaf Colleen had pulled out of the freezer that morning before leaving for work. He was surprised because he usually did the cooking since it was difficult for Colleen with just one arm. She was quite adept at taking care of things but it was astounding how many things just were not possible with only one hand or one arm. He showed Trent as he placed both dishes in the oven to warm.
“Have you called Colleen’s brothers and sisters?”
“No. Todd was just diagnosed with cancer. Brenda’s husband died last month. Gloria’s daughter just had twins and she has her hands full helping with that and Randy is in Japan visiting his daughter. I can’t add to their loads right now. If Dad recognized me when I called and remembered Colleen is my wife, he wouldn’t remember she was kidnapped by tomorrow. Thanks for coming. There really wasn’t anyone else I could call except folks we work with. I’m not ready for that and I don’t know who to trust yet.”
“Here’s hoping we find her before anyone has to know she’s missing.”
Trent excused himself to make some phone calls before it got any later. He first called Pierce, then Frankie to get their arrival times. They would both arrive the next morning. Pierce would arrive from Roanoke at 8:45 a.m. and Frankie would arrive from New Orleans at 9:40 a.m. Trent made a plan to pick up both men at 9:45 after he secured a rental car. Frankie agreed to call Pierce to let him know. Trent then called Abby.
“Hello Handsome, are you okay? Are Court and Colleen okay?”
“I’m fine, Court is okay, Colleen was kidnapped and is held somewhere with what appears to be a bomb around her neck.”
“Oh no! I know Court is beside himself. Are the police involved?”
“The police are investigating the explosion of the The Mari. The kidnappers warned Court not to involve the police, so he had
to withhold the information he does know from them and even try to steer them in a wrong direction in regards to the investigation. You know that doesn’t sit well with him. But Colleen’s safety and return are the most important things.”
“What do the kidnappers want? I didn’t get the impression they were wealthy. Is it money they want?”
“Actually, whoever it is, appears to be playing with Court. They say it’s a treasure hunt and if he finds all the bombs they will lead him to Colleen.”
“Wait! Find all the bombs?”
“That’s what the note said. We don’t know if this is someone with a grudge against Colleen or Court. Hopefully, Frankie and Pierce will be able to help us out when they get here in the morning. Dinner’s ready. I’m going to eat with Court and we’re going to try to get some sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow, Gorgeous.”
“Okay, please be careful and tell Court we are thinking only positive thoughts for Colleen. Goodnight.”
Chapter 12
Trent got up to clear their dishes and carried them to the sink. “When I get done with the dishes, I’ll go out and check the vehicles for any more clues. You need to try to get some rest so you can keep going and be effective. Pierce and Trent will be here in the morning. If you can take me to the airport I’ll rent an SUV for us to have a second vehicle with room for all of us and pick the guys up. Frankie’s flight arrives about an hour after Pierce’s. I should have them both by around 10:00 a.m.”
“Sure no problem, you don’t have to check the vehicles, there are no new clues there since we got home.”
“How do you know?” Trent asked with wonder.
Court pointed to the two dogs laying at his feet, “If anyone was anywhere near the house these two would have alerted us.”
“Even with Colleen’s car still parked half way to the street?”
“Oh yeah. I’m sure Lucy knew something was happening with Colleen earlier, she just couldn’t get to her. We have reinforced windows because Lucy went through one trying to get to Colleen one day when the mailman stopped to chat with her.” Trent watched in amusement as Court gave Jake water from a water bottle. He knew that Jake wouldn’t drink from a bowl, only the bottle but still found it so amusing to watch. Colleen joked that she wished Jake could learn to hold his own bottle. It was such an oddity and trademark that all K-9 graduates from Court’s company named Jake’s Explosives Academy received a water bottle with Jake’s picture and Jake, The Sniffer printed on it.
“Wow, okay then. I guess we just have to sit and wait for more directions. That’s frustrating, I know you want to get on with this even more than I do, but some rest is imperative I believe.”
“You’re right. I doubt I’ll sleep with the image of my Baby Girl with a bomb attached to her lovely neck imprinted on my mind, but this old body can rest even if I don’t sleep. Thank you again for coming. If I was here alone right now I know there’s no telling what I would do, but most likely whatever I did would be a bad idea. The stilettos and I will retire to our room now. Both guest rooms and bath are made up and ready, take your pick and if you need anything or hear anything let me know.”
“You know I will, and back at you. No desperado going off on your own if you get a call or anything. We need to stick together. We don’t know who these guys are or what they’re capable of yet.”
“Aye aye captain, see you in a few hours.” Jake and Lucy followed Court from the kitchen. Trent noticed his friend looked much older, fatigued and distraught than he did a few months ago when he and Colleen joined Trent on a trip to Ecuador to meet Abby. Those were much happier times to be sure and he wondered what the next day would bring.
Court started toward Colleen’s closet to replace her stilettos in the empty space of her shoe shelf, but he changed his mind and set them prominently in the center of her dressing table. He didn’t know if it was so she would see them when she got home, or because he wanted to be able to see them. Court fell asleep for just long enough to slip into a dream. Only because he had not slept in days was it even possible. The dream was rather a nightmare stemming from the memory of Colleen laying in a hospital bed following the amputation of her arm. But in this nightmare, her head was gone. He awoke screaming with Lucy standing over him on the bed licking his face, and Jake nudging his shoulder from beside the bed. Knowing there would be no more rest for him, he decided to go to the kitchen.
Trent stretched out in the front guest room. The one closest to Court and Colleen’s master. It was a comfortable room, the bed covered in a beautiful handmade quilt and thick pillows. The walls were a soft pale grayish green and there was a small antique rocker in one corner. He was staring at the stark white dentil crown molding around the room remembering the last time he saw Colleen when they all traveled to Ecuador to meet Abby.
The group was all gathered around a table at Abby’s favorite restaurant in Cuenca and waited for the guest of honor to arrive. Abby and her house-mates arrived at Sebastian’s promptly at seven. Sebastian greeted them at the door as Sarah Frances, Lily Grace and Anne maneuvered into the cafe ahead of Abby. Sebastian greeted each of them individually and the girls wandered off to find a table. Sebastian hugged Abby last and engaged her in a few minutes of private conversation about a new lady he was seeing. Then he walked in with her and was standing beside her when she noticed the large table set up and the group of her dearest friends in front of her, and then she saw Trent. For a split second she experienced disbelief, and then her heart tapping out a rapid cadence, and tears sparkling in her eyes, she ran to him as he stood up from the table and they hugged tightly. Once Abby caught her breath and the drumming in her chest slowed, she asked, “What’s going on? How are you here? Why are you here? Oh never mind all that I’m so glad you are here. Okay, really what’s going on?”
Trent laughed as he waited a beat to make sure she was finished and then gently said, “Happy Anniversary, Abby.”
The tears that a moment ago sparkled in her eyes became a full deluge as she hugged him tight again, saw Sebastian standing there with a silly grin and punched him in the arm, before turning to the rest of the party and hugging them all in turn until she got to Colleen and Court and realized she didn’t know them. Trent was talking with them as she approached and introduced them. Of course, once Trent said who they were, Abby felt like she knew them and hugged them too.
Then he heard Court’s scream. He jolted out of the bed and was in the hall ready to knock on Court’s door when the door opened. Lucy and Jake stood behind Court, confused by all the unusual behavior but followed as Court and Trent went to the kitchen again. Court made coffee and Trent patted the dogs, trying to reassure them it would all be okay. They weren’t fooled for one single minute.
Chapter 13
“Good morning, did you get any sleep?”
“No. Lucy and Jake didn’t either. There has to be something I can do to find Colleen. It’s just not right that I’m sitting here at home and she’s somewhere out there with God only knows who. Oh, crap! I need to call her office and tell them something about why she won’t be at work today. What the hell am I going to tell them?”
“Did you check Colleen’s car for her purse, cell phone, anything?”
“Oh hell no! How could I have not thought of that? When I found her shoes, I literally fell apart, my brain ceased to function apparently.”
“If her cell phone is in the car, could you text or email her office posing as Colleen and explain you have unexpected out of town company? Would that be too out of character for Colleen to do?”
“Brilliant, my friend! Have I mentioned I’m glad you’re here? I’ll go look now. Better take the camera with me now that it’s daylight I may be able to find more clues.
He then went out with camera in hand, and both dogs beside him to see what he could find in Colleen’s car. He found her purse, briefcase and phone were all there. He took more photos around the area although he didn’t see anything he thought would be useful. No tire tracks, nothing dr
opped, etc. He watched the dogs closely to see if they picked up on anything. Since Lucy was a trained K-9 cop and Colleen’s companion, he watched Lucy more intently. She seemed to pick up Colleen’s scent and followed it to the end of the drive, looked around and returned. They must have put Colleen in another vehicle at the end of the drive and Lucy lost the scent. When he returned inside he used Colleen’s phone to send an email to her office manager as Trent suggested. He felt weird posing as his wife, but knew it was necessary.
Trent burst into the house, “Court, there’s another note! It’s attached to the newspaper. You better read it! I used a napkin out of your truck to pick it up so my prints aren’t on it.”
“Lay it on the counter, let’s keep this one as clean as possible.”
Trent did as Court asked, and backed away so Court could read the note. It said,
In this palace, you can see,
something that started in 33.
Even tho they have webbed feet,
they bring the people out of their seat.
And if you’re smart,
which this is unclear,
you’ll save the lives they hold so dear.
So let me make myself very clear,
I really doubt you’ll make it here.
“Oh shit, It’s another bomb and I know where it is. It’s at the freaking Peabody Hotel. Let’s go!”
Trent, Court, and Jake all ran to Court’s truck. Once they were inside and on the move, Trent realized he only thought Court was driving crazy earlier. Trent asked what he thought was an obvious question as Court rounded the corner at the end of the street and Trent grabbed the arm rest of the door to keep from sliding across the seat. “What do webbed feet have to do with this hotel?”