by Norma Lehr
She stood, stretched, and took three deep breaths before heading for the bathroom. Pressed against the sink, she studied herself in the mirror, wondering how she’d get through the rest of this night. Her body felt exhausted, but her mind wouldn’t turn off. She filled a water glass and sipped. A distraction was needed. Late night TV always helped but there was no screen in the room. Still holding the smartphone, she went back to sit on the edge of the bed. Too late to call and chat with anyone. Her twins in Santa Barbara might still be up, but they would have questions she was unable to answer about their grandmother. She could check in with Margie and ask how business was doing at Starduds. But Margie always retired early. Abby folded her arms and searched the room for a book or magazine. Something. Anything. Even legal or medical. A technical read might put her to sleep. But there were no books in the polished bookcase. The three shelves held headsets, a high-powered set of binoculars, along with miscellaneous radio memorabilia from the past.
Abby shoved the phone back into her bag. This time, when her fingers brushed the paperback cover of her mother’s book, Deadly Poisons, she silently cried, Bingo! This would do. She propped three comfy pillows behind her head, curled up and opened to the page where she had left off reading the night before in Yucca Valley. Before she could begin, Sharita’s voice came through to her loud and clear. Book 186.
At two a.m., Abby jumped up with a strong flash of recognition. She struggled to catch her breath. The message that came through Sharita was the pointer: 186. The page number in the book … And at the bottom of that page could be the answer to the doctor’s death.
What she’d found here and in Yucca Valley chillingly came together like pieces in some sinister puzzle. She immediately called the police station. A woman cop answered and told her Dawson was out of town and wouldn’t be back until later. She tried Blade again. His message—same as before. She rubbed her forehead and paced the room. Why hadn’t she asked for Heath’s phone number when she’d had the chance?
Dawn broke close to seven. Fully dressed, Abby had already planned her next moves. She opened the bedroom door and listened. The house was silent. She reached for her bag, stepped lightly down the hall and out the back door. Logan’s car was gone. He’d certainly left early. Did he have Renee with him? She hesitated in the empty driveway before she whirled around, went back inside and peeked into Renee’s bedroom. Her friend was asleep with the comforter pulled up to her chin.
After Abby left the Hollywood Colony, she made a couple of turns to reach Palm Canyon Drive. The early morning town looked nearly deserted. A few stragglers wove along the sidewalk, presumably after a night out. Shop owners holding take-out drinks were busy unlocking their shop doors, getting ready for a day of sales.
To her left, a huge sun rose up strong. She slipped on her dark glasses and pulled down the visor. On the drive to Logan’s last night after dinner, her first thought had been to call Dorie the next morning, to ask if she could keep the rental car for another couple of days. Now, with the new information swimming around in her head and her definite plan to spy, she couldn’t risk being seen in the Lexus. She’d drive by the bungalow, drop off Dorie’s car, and call a cab. Make it a smooth move before either of her aunts stirred.
If her plan worked out, she might need Blade’s picks for another lock. But any chance of getting them now was nil. If she did manage to find the VW this early, the car would be locked up tight. She had, however, borrowed the binoculars from the bedroom bookshelf. What Sterling had used them for in the past, she had no idea. But she might put them to use in her plan. With a bit of adjustment, they fit her eyes fine. Now they lay on the passenger seat next to a large manila envelope she took from Sterling’s office. She recalled looking through opera glasses at Lake Tahoe last fall. They had come in handy when Abby had followed Renee to a campground, thinking her friend might be in danger.
After taking a left off Palm Canyon Drive, she drove another block and made a right, which brought her to the entrance of the Caliente. She drove in and cruised past Blade’s cabin. The Volkswagen was gone. Blade, where are you? She made a quick stop, walked back and left a note propped on his doorknob. Tried to call earlier.
When she reached Ginny’s, she cruised slowly into the driveway and turned off the Lexus. After carefully closing the car door, she peered through the front windows of the house. Didn’t appear to be any movement inside. Minutes later, when a cab pulled up to the curb, Abby placed Dorie’s keys between the front screen and the wooden door and hurried down the driveway to hop in. “Take me to a car rental, please.”
When the cabbie had driven a couple of miles down the street, Abby dialed Ginny and left a message about where to find the keys. She set the black bag beside her on the seat with the binoculars balanced nicely on top.
At the U-KNOW car rental agency, she chose a black Chevy Equinox. On the way to the police station, she stopped at a Starbucks and ordered a tea to-go. Back inside the car, she carefully filled the large empty envelope taken from Sterling’s office with what she believed to be hard evidence pointing to the killer. She also wrote Dawson a note of explanation on one of the flash drive printouts.
Inside the station lobby, Abby handed the envelope to the woman at the desk. “Please make sure your chief gets this as soon as he returns. It’s most important.”
Outside, she gazed up at the clear desert sky as she finished her tea. Her list of to-dos was shrinking. Time to set off on her quest. Messages had been left for the important ones. The fact she hadn’t been able to reach them caused her grave concern, but like other crucial times in her life, she was left to handle things on her own. No choice! Time was of the essence. She dropped her disposable cup in the trash bin before she slipped into the driver’s seat. With a turn of the key, she said with passion, “Trish, hang in there. I’m getting this crazy, scary game on the road.”
Blocks from the station, she pulled over next to a curb and rang Renee. Without giving an explanation, she left a message asking her to keep Logan away from her aunts until she returned. She had barely signed off when her phone buzzed. Reynolds’ voice came across breathy but clear. “Abby. Your mother called. Can you come by the office this morning? I will be with patients until eleven.”
Her mother called. He didn’t say she left a message. Means he talked to her.
She’d have to put her thought-out plan temporarily on hold. Stepping on the gas, she headed back to Palm Drive. After parking the Equinox behind the building next door to the dental office she walked quickly around to the front. As Abby entered through the door into the waiting room, Reynolds walked briskly down the hall in his white lab coat. Tears shone in his eyes as he took both of her hands. “Abby, my girl, I’m so relieved. Now you can be too. Trish is fine. Says she’s staying put, away from the maddening crowd.” He let go of Abby’s hands and clapped his together in prayerful thanks.
“What else did she tell you? Where is she?”
Reynolds threw up his hands. “Your mother said she’d let all of us know when the time came for her return. I pushed for more, but she was adamant. She made it clear she didn’t care to see anyone.”
“That’s all? Did she say she’d been abducted? Or did she say she set up her car to look like it?”
Reynolds looked confused. “Abby, I have told you everything. Now, excuse me, dear, while I call Chief Dawson and relay the news.”
Abby didn’t wait until he was off the phone. Instead she waved goodbye and left the office. Back in the car, she studied the map provided by the rental agency. She left the main drag and cruised the streets, jotting down highway signs that led out of town. In Trish’s notes, she’d named the person who knew the location of the cabin in the woods, but she’d neglected to include directions. If Abby’s hunch was right, that’s where she’d find her mother. If she’d gone there on her own, Abby would talk her into coming back to tell all. If Trish was being held captive, Abby was prepared to deal with it. Time now to wait and watch.
CHAP
TER 18
She spent all day spying and tailing her suspect, but the waiting finally paid off. The binoculars came in handy as she followed and watched his every move. If her theories were correct, the car ahead of her now winding up the hill on Highway 10 would lead her to the cabin and her mother.
On one precipitous curve an oncoming car nearly clipped her fender. She gulped and eased her foot from the accelerator as she peered out her side window. Barely five p.m. and darkness was setting in. The tall trees next to the highway grew denser the higher she climbed, making it difficult to keep a safe distance from the car ahead. If she switched on her brights, it might cause suspicion. She gripped the steering wheel and squinted through the windshield as the Equinox climbed higher and higher into the woods.
When the car turned left at the town of Banning, Abby slowed and dropped back. Before she made the turn, she read the road sign:
Idylwild Panoramic Hwy. Mt. Jacinto State Wilderness. Idylwild 25 mi.
A sign on the opposite side of the street pointed back to Palm Springs, 24 miles. She switched on the heater. One thing she hadn’t planned on: a drop in temperature. All she had brought was a sweater. Cold night. She shivered. As she put the car back in gear, her phone buzzed. Renee. Abby couldn’t talk now. Had to get back on the highway and make a left.
Renee’s message: “Logan was gone when I woke this morning and he didn’t come back all day. Hope I didn’t do something to upset him. Anyway, when it got dark, I called a cab and now I’m at Ginny’s. Think I’ll stay here tonight and wait for you. Call me.” A pause. “Where the hell are you?”
Abby rubbed her brow. Yes. Stay put with the aunts. Stay safe. This mission had to be made by her alone.
Without using the signal, she turned left while checking her rearview mirror. One car a fair distance back. Was she being followed? She shook her head. Not possible. Who would spot her in this car? Yet, still …. She draped the binoculars around her neck and stepped on the gas. At Highway 243, she made a left. Sweet Mary! The curviest road yet lay ahead. She sucked in her breath and followed at a safe distance. Having lost sight of the car each time she negotiated a curve, she felt relief each time she spotted it again straight ahead. She made two more checks in the mirror on the driver’s side. No sign of headlights. After tailing it for three more treacherous dark miles, she saw the vehicle ahead slow and turn off the highway to the left.
The driver gunned the motor and headed up a dirt road, giving her a short reprieve from the curvy one she’d been driving. When the car was out of sight, she pulled over and switched off the motor and headlights. She had to contemplate her next move. If she followed up the side road too soon, she’d be spotted for sure. Abby slumped in her seat and peered through the windshield. Dark, dark night. Creepily silent. Where was the moon? Even a slice of light through the black treetops would help. The binoculars still hung around her neck. Not much use to her now. She patted them. Maybe they would be later. An owl hooted its lonely call. She cracked her window to listen. On any other night, she would have lingered here in this spot, thrilled to hear the night calls of nature. She grimaced. Any other night.
Two or three minutes later she jumped when a car door slammed. That meant the driver couldn’t be too far up the side road. She straightened in her seat. Should she walk it? With a click, she loosened the seatbelt, shoved her arms through her sweater sleeves then wrapped it around her. This is it ….
Abby opened the door and slid out. Standing alone in the dark on the blacktop, she felt the faint whisper of wind and the heavy thudding of her heart. She could only guess what lay ahead. Doubt crept in. Would she be able to handle this alone? It wasn’t like he was a stranger. Throughout the day she had rehearsed what she would say when she reached the cabin. Go girl! she told herself in silent encouragement. It’s Showtime.
The dirt road was filled with ruts. She used the penlight on her key chain but it only provided a tiny circle of light. Probably better this way. She didn’t want to draw attention. If he suspected he was being followed he might watch and wait for her. A surprise visit would work best. She slung her black bag over her shoulder and picked her way along, regretting her choice of shoes. Her stylish sandals didn’t provide the support needed and she stumbled twice in chuckholes, which meant she had to stop and get her bearings. Up ahead, a faint yellow light glimmered between heavy tree limbs. Light radiated from a high window in a cabin on a knoll. A chimney to the right of the window let out a curl of smoke that spiraled high above the pines.
She came to a dead stop. When she reached the cabin, what if her mother was unable to speak? What if she met with a dangerous face-off? She’d try Blade one more time. At least give him the Highway number. Tell him she was on to something important concerning Trish. Convince him she had to handle this alone. Convince him she had the situation under control. By now she hoped Dawson had returned to the station and shown Blade the large envelope containing Trish’s last chapter. The one written before she dealt cards the night of the deadly shuffle.
She pulled out her phone, punched in speed dial and waited for the ring. Nothing. Should have left a message for him earlier when she had the chance. She looked up at the towering trees. Damn! No reception here.
The dirt road got steeper. She hesitated before she began to climb the slope. Taking a deep breath, she forged on. After only two steps, Abby slipped and skinned her hand. Her fingers were so cold there was no pain. But she felt moisture and suspected there was blood. She flashed the tiny light across her knuckles. Bloody! She dug through her bag for a Kleenex. The tissue reeked of horseradish. She wrapped her hand, praying the saturated root would help coagulate the blood. She started up the slope again, this time stumbling on a solid branch. She picked it up. Sturdy. With a grip on her newfound staff, she climbed upward and onward.
In the clearing surrounding the rustic cabin she hesitated. A door flung open and a solid rectangle of light illuminated the stone path leading to the porch. “Hello, Abby. I thought that might be you following. I hope I didn’t drive too fast on those dangerous curves.” Reynolds reached out a hand. “Come in. We’ve been waiting for you.”
Abby hadn’t planned on this. She wanted to search around outside the cabin and peek in windows. See where he had hidden Trish. If he truly had. For all she knew, her mother might be content to stay here with him while she avoided the turmoil of the murder investigation.
“Please. Come in where it’s warm.” Reynolds’ voice was tight. “I stirred the logs in the fireplace.”
With great trepidation, she forced a smile as she picked her way up the walk. When she reached the open door, he stepped back, took her staff and moved aside for her to enter. As Abby stepped inside, Reynolds reached for her purse. “Here. Let me help you with your bag.”
Abby pulled back. “No thanks.”
He shrugged as she gripped the leather handle and adjusted it firmly over her shoulder.
“You’re all bogged down. At least let me remove those bulky binoculars.”
Abby stepped back but he was too fast. In one quick move, he slipped the strap over her head. His lips curved to a smile but his eyes grew dark. “Been bird watching, have you?”
“Something like that.” She shivered and turned away. The room looked warm and cozy, with burning candles set on tables and counters. Wood in the fireplace gave off light and warmth. Soup bubbling on an old black stove filled the room with the aroma of herbs.
“You’ve come just in time to join us for dinner. I’ll be dishing up soon.” He padlocked the cabin door. “I’m warming up some of my homemade soup. I make one big pot and it lasts for days.”
Abby fought to keep her voice under control. “Where’s my mother?” She glanced at a small wooden staircase leading to an open loft and motioned with her chin. “Is she up there?”
He turned away and crossed to the stove, where he reached in a cupboard and removed three bowls. “I suppose you’ve told your PI friend all about me.” He turned and glared at her. �
��Am I right? Shall I set the table for one more?”
“You are right. He’s probably on his way. Before he gets here, I want to see Trish. Talk to her. I need to know you’ve kept her safe. You do realize I’ve come to take her back.”
“Oh, Abby, Abby, Abby,” he shook his head, “Trish will always be safe with me. Why do you think I brought her here?” He raised his arms and his chin and made a slow dramatic turn. “This wasn’t Trish’s and my rendezvous in the past, but it can be now.” He brushed off a small table with a dishtowel before he set the bowls down.
A loud groan came from the loft. Abby twirled around. “Mom!” She headed for the steps.
“I wouldn’t go up there just yet.” He held a large slicing knife and shot Abby a warning look. “If you’ll be patient, I’ll go bring her down. We can all have dinner together.” He brushed past her and put his foot on the bottom step. “I hope you’re not planning to try and leave before we eat. There’s only one door out and it’s securely locked. I should think, after all the trouble you took to follow me here, you would want to stay so your mother can see you. Let her know you care about her.” His voice lowered. “Reason with her to do the right thing.” He rested the hand holding the knife on the railing.
Abby bristled. “Of course I care. Why do you think I came here alone? No big fuss. Just let me get her and we’ll leave.” She pointed with her tissue-wrapped fingers. “Bring her down.” Tears rushed to her eyes. “Please. I need to know she’s all right.”
He hesitated, then turned and stared at her. “I can see you’re hurt. Let me remove the bloody tissue and bandage your wound properly. Then I can bring Trish down to dinner. We’ll be like family.”