Sophie held the phone for a few moments without speaking. Finally, she let out a deep sigh and said, “Sarah, I’m about to be the sensible one here, and don’t you ever tell anyone. I wouldn’t want that to get around, but here goes: don’t do it.”
“What? You’re always ready for an adventure.”
“Not this kind of adventure,” Sophie responded. “I’ve seen what’s been happening, and I’ve listened, and everything I’ve heard makes me think this isn’t some everyday crime. I believe we’re talking about some very dangerous people – people connected to things we don’t want to know about.”
Sarah sighed. “I suppose you’re right, but…”
“Just stay out of it.”
“But I want to do something to help Ruth,” Sarah groused. “I feel so helpless, and I thought I might find out something from this woman’s old neighbors. There just might be some connection.”
“Sarah, let’s think about this. If you moved tomorrow, your address would still be on the internet, along with your age and your associates, whatever that means, right?”
“Your point?”
“My point,” Sophie responded emphatically, “is that we’re talking about people who can not only make a woman disappear, they can erase all evidence of her existence. Stay out of it, my friend. I don’t want to lose you too!”
“I guess you’re right, but someone needs to be checking this out.”
“It sounds to me like a job for that cute detective up there, what’s his name?”
“Jake?” Sarah responded. “Jake Krakowski.” She could hear Sophie’s mischievous smile.
“Ah yes, Jake. Why don’t you call him and tell him everything you learned and suggest he check out the neighbors.”
“Well, I don’t know if he can do that, Sophie. He told Charles that his department had been taken off the case. The FBI took over, remember?”
“I know, but if you were to ask him to do this one teeny little favor for you…” Sophie responded, her voice dripping with innuendo.
“Sophie, stop that. I’m a married woman and old enough to be his mother.”
“But Charles did say he thought the detective was sweet on you, right?”
“Sophie, stop!” Sarah grumbled. She was glad they were on the phone, and her friend couldn’t see her blushing. “But I think you might be on to something here,” she added. “He could, at least, check it out.”
“Call me after you talk to him.”
“I will. Thanks, Sophie, I promise that I will never tell anyone how sensible you have become.”
“I appreciate that.”
Now where did I put that number? She looked in her purse, but it wasn’t there. Thinking back, she remembered that he had handed her his card as they were saying goodbye in the café, and she had slipped it into her jacket pocket.
Sarah dialed the number, hoping she wasn’t doing the wrong thing. The phone rang eight or nine times, and she was prepared to leave a message when suddenly he picked up. “Krakowski, here.” Sarah identified herself and started to explain why she was calling when the detective interrupted her.
“Sarah,” he said more warmly than one would expect from a police detective. “I was hoping I’d hear from you,”
Could Charles possibly be right?
* * *
“No, honey, I’m not upset with you for calling Jake. In fact, I wanted to ask him to question the neighbors myself, but I knew he couldn’t do it officially. I’d even thought about going up there myself.”
Sarah didn’t tell him she had considered doing the same thing herself.
“What did he say?” Charles asked.
“He was very interested when I told him that all references to Tina Manchester had vanished from the internet. I even told him about the DUI, and he started to say something about the FBI but didn’t finish it. I think he’d say more to you. Maybe when he calls back, you can talk to him.”
“I think he’d rather talk to you,” Charles replied waggling his eyebrow.
“Don’t start,” she responded trying to look offended. “What do you want for lunch?”
Chapter 18
The phone was ringing when Sarah came in from the backyard with Barney. “Sophie, good morning,” she answered, seeing her friend’s name on the phone.
“I have some news, possibly good news,” Sophie reported.
“We all need some good news, Sophie. What is it?”
“Tim came over last night and said he and Penny had been talking.” As promised, the day Sophie left the hospital and went to stay with Tim, she had announced a family meeting. She told Sarah later that Penny had cried and pleaded, and Timothy had listened. Sophie had also said that her son explained why he was considering the job, and she could understand. “He’s a young man,” she had said. “He wants to be productive.”
“So what’s this possible good news?” Sarah asked.
“He talked to the recreation department at the community center up the street about starting up a baseball team for seniors. It seems we have a retired orthopedic surgeon living here who specialized in sports medicine. They contacted him, and he’s willing to work with Timmy to make sure these old guys don’t get hurt.”
“Sophie, that’s wonderful. Is he going to stay then?”
“He said he’s considering it. He can see what this potential move is doing to Penny.”
“I’m glad he’s willing to listen to her. It must be hard to suddenly be the parent of a teenager.”
“He’s becoming a really good dad,” Sophie replied proudly. “He also found an online degree course in Safety, and he’s thinking of enrolling so he can be considered for local jobs.”
“Safety? What do they teach?”
“I didn’t understand it all, but he mentioned construction safety, and I guess workplace safety in general. It’s actually what he was doing in Alaska on the pipeline. I guess this class would just upgrade his skills and maybe broaden his knowledge so he could work in other settings.”
“Sophie, it sounds like he just might stay.”
“Maybe, and if he does, we’ll have Charles to thank. Timmy keeps quoting things Charles said to him. He respects Charles, and I think he’s beginning to see him as a father figure.”
“Charles is a good man,” Sarah said with a loving smile that Sophie couldn’t see, but she could hear it.
“He is,” Sophie agreed. “And as far as this move goes, we’ll just have to wait and see, but I know he has to make a decision soon. He has to either leave for Altoona or let them know he isn’t coming.”
“So what are you up to today?” Sarah asked.
“To tell you the truth, ever since you suggested driving to Chicago, I’ve been stir crazy. I’d love to go somewhere – not Chicago, mind you, but somewhere. Any ideas?”
“It should be somewhere you won’t have to walk much.” Sophie would be on her crutches for another few weeks. “By the way, how’s physical therapy going?”
“It’s fine. I have a young therapist who seems to understand about old folks. She’s taking it slow, but she said walking around was a good thing to build up my strength. How about the quilt museum in Hamilton? I’d like to see some applique now that I’m getting into this.”
Hamilton was only forty-five minutes away and would be an easy trip as long as Sophie could walk. “In fact, Sophie, they have wheelchairs there if you need a rest. Let’s do it.”
They spent the next few hours visiting in the car and walking through the museum. Sarah had only given cursory glances at the appliqued quilts in the past since she was making pieced quilts, and she enjoyed the careful examination that Sophie was giving them.
They were both impressed by the Baltimore Album Quilts. Sophie read the sign aloud which explained that they originated in the 1840s in Baltimore and were made by the more prosperous quilters who were able to use new fabrics rather than scraps. Each very intricate block was unique, the sign said, and often designed by the quilter herself. “I could ne
ver design one myself,” Sophie commented, “but I’d like to make one, maybe a little simpler than these.”
“There are patterns for making a Baltimore Album Quilt with templates for the applique. I think Ruth has a book in her shop. Let’s stop there on our way home.”
When they got to the shop later that afternoon, Delores had just finished a class and was ringing up one of her student’s purchases. When she was finished, Sophie told her what she wanted to do, and Delores showed her the book. Sophie’s face fell as she thumbed through the instructions. “This looks very complicated,” she said, looking disappointed.
“I was thinking about starting a Baltimore Album class next month,” Delores responded. “I have one other customer who’s interested. If you want to learn, that will make two, and a few others might sign up.”
“I just might sign up too,” Sarah said, eager to get her mind on something new.
“Do you want to buy the book today so you can start getting familiar with the quilt?” she asked Sophie.
As Delores headed for the book section, Sarah called after her saying, “Pick up one for me, too, please.”
They paid for their books, and Delores wrote a note to Anna, asking her to advertise the class and to order more books. “This will be fun,” she added as she placed the books in a bag.
All three women were excited about the possibility of the class, but their enthusiasm was diminished by the realization that Ruth was not there to enjoy this moment with them. She always loved it when her customers were about to learn something new.
* * *
“I heard from Jake this morning,” Charles announced as Sarah walked into his den.
“Oh? Did he go to Tina’s neighborhood?”
“He did, and he learned zilch. No one knew her personally, but they saw her come and go every day, seemingly going to work. They never saw visitors and they never had an opportunity to talk with her.”
“But she went to work? Did he find out where?”
“No. He talked to her landlord who said he accepted her without an application. An outfit called Browning Associates had said they needed a furnished place for an employee, and he agreed to accept her without a lease. The company vouched for her and paid a year in advance.”
“Did Jake talk to Browning?”
“Couldn’t. No such company.”
“What?”
“But Jake had a good question for us.”
“What’s that?”
“He asked why we are pursuing this as a lead. This Tina person is obviously not Ruth and apparently had no connection to Ruth. I told him her picture came up on a facial recognition database when they fed Ruth’s picture in.”
“He said it looks like a coincidence, and I’m inclined to agree. I think you and I got sidetracked. I’m sure the FBI knew better.”
“We were just hopeful…” Sarah said sadly. But then brightening up, she added, “But I have some good news on another topic.”
“What’s that?”
“Tim is considering staying here.” She told him about the possibility of a senior citizen’s baseball team, and that Tim is exploring online classes to upgrade his skills in case he decides to look for a job locally. Sophie said she thinks you may have had a big influence on her son.”
“This is good news. I hope it works out for them.” Charles sighed and turned back to his computer screen looking troubled. “I guess we should forget about the elusive Tina Manchester and come up with a new idea for finding Ruth.”
“I wouldn’t dismiss Ms. Manchester too soon,” Sarah responded.
Chapter 19
An isolated cabin outside Chicago
As the freight train rumbled past within yards of the rundown shack, it shook the walls causing bits of the deteriorating ceiling to crumble and fall to the concrete floor. Ruth lay on the cot where she spent most of her time since they brought her to this lonely place. Three times a day someone lifted the access cover and came down the steps with a meager meal which was wordlessly placed next to her. Her restraints had been removed, and she’d been told never to make a sound. She remained silent. Her only hope was to stay alive.
The men rarely spoke to her and offered no explanation for her abduction.
Ruth looked around the room and memorized every niche and corner. She memorized every sound and every word she heard. She kept track of every morsel of food she ate and every odor she smelled. It was all she had to do, and she felt that it would help her maintain her sanity and, if anyone ever found her, perhaps these memories could lead them to the men who had taken her.
For distraction, she sometimes walked for hours around the room, counting her steps and estimating distance. One mile. She even ventured partway up the steps once to see if she could hear what the men were saying, but she discovered they were speaking another language, perhaps Spanish.
And she slept, sometimes all day.
Sometimes she went over the whole thing in her mind, trying to understand -- trying to remember all the details.
I was preparing to unlock my van, she remembered, when the man grabbed me from behind and covered my mouth. He forced me into the van parked near mine. I tried to resist, but he was strong. There was another man in the van. He drove, and the one who grabbed me sat in the back next to me. Once we were out of the parking lot, they stopped, blindfolded me, and tied my hands together at the wrist.
I wanted to know what they wanted, but I couldn’t ask, and they never said. I tried to be compliant, hoping they would let me go. Hoping they wouldn’t kill me.
They drove for about an hour, part of the time through traffic and then on what seemed to be a winding country road. When they stopped, the man sitting next to me pulled me out of the van and took off my blindfold. He left the gag and restraints in place. I recognized nothing.
The two men were rough and crude talking, but they didn’t hurt me. Once we got inside, I saw a third man sitting at the table. He looked surprised and said, “You guys are crazy. Why did you pick her up?” and one of the men, the one with a long scar down the side of his face, said that the boss had ordered them to. The third man shook his head in disgust. “Big mistake,” he muttered.
One of the men kicked a rug aside exposing a trap door. He led me down the steps into the cellar. There was one small window near the ceiling probably at ground level. I quickly looked around for something to stand on to reach the window, but there was nothing. There were two cots near the window and a portable commode in the corner. They left me there wordlessly.
I sat down on the side of the bed and wept, but I couldn’t wipe my tears away nor blow my nose since my wrists were bound, so I forced myself to calm down.
Later the third man came downstairs. He removed all my restraints and said that if I remained completely silent, he’d leave them off. He seemed kind. I started to ask why they had brought me here, but he stopped me and threatened to tie me up again. “Don’t speak or yell,” he said firmly.
When the man was ready to leave, he reminded me to remain quiet, and as he walked up the wooden steps, he looked back at me and said, “Don’t worry, no one is going to hurt you. Just stay perfectly silent down here and you’ll be okay.”
I nodded and didn’t speak. He smiled and left.
Time dragged on, and because of the small window, Ruth was able to tell day from night. They brought her food. She slept. Time passed. Sometimes when she opened her eyes during the night, she would see that the kind man was sleeping in the other bed. At first, it frightened her, but he was always gone when she woke up. It began to make her feel safe.
One day he brought her four books and laid them on the bed. He told her his name was Julio and that she shouldn’t worry. Ruth almost spoke, but he gently shook his head. She began to think she just might get out someday.
Chapter 20
“Hi, Aunt Sarah. Are you busy?”
“Good morning, Caitlyn,” Sarah responded, putting her coffee cup in the dishwasher and sitting down to talk. �
�I’m not busy at all,” she responded. “I just finished the breakfast dishes and got Charles on his way. He went over to help Tim do some career planning.”
“I know,” Caitlyn responded excitedly. “Penny just called me, and she said her dad has been talking seriously about turning down the job in Altoona. She’s so happy. Thank you, Aunt Sarah. I knew you could fix it.”
“I didn’t do anything, Caitlyn, except get people talking to each other. I think it helped for them to understand each other’s feelings about the move. And Charles talked to Timothy about some alternatives. Tim hasn't made any definite decisions yet. I hope Penny isn’t getting her hopes up too soon.”
“Penny said he sounds pretty serious.”
There was a pause in the conversation, and Sarah wondered why Caitlyn was calling. To help her along she said, “So what are you doing today?”
“Well,” she responded hesitantly. “I was wondering if you might want to start on the doll dresses. But it’s okay if you’re too busy.”
“It’s a perfect time, Caitlyn. And bring Sabrina along. I’m eager to see her again, and I know Barney’s going to love her.”
“Really? I can bring her?”
“Of course. She’s welcome to come here anytime. You know, dogs are pack animals, and they love getting together with their own kind. How’s she doing, by the way?”
“She's such a doll. She made herself right at home, and she was already trained. She barks at the back door when she needs to go out. I have to take her on a leash, but Papa is going to have a fence put up out back. The guy’s coming over today to measure and let him know what it’s going to cost.”
“Has Sabrina been to the vet?”
“Yep. We took her right away, and he said she’s in fine shape. He did tell us to be very careful with her back. I guess dachshunds can have serious back problems, and she isn’t supposed to jump from high places like the couch and the bed. We got carpeted steps for her to use by the couch, and Papa put a dog bed in my room. He said Sabrina shouldn’t get up on the bed.”
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