Janine came back into the room, wiping her hands on a towel. Her eyes were red, but she looked stronger. She smiled at him apologetically, sending relief rushing through him.
“Hey Mom, do you remember anything about the hutch that used to live in our kitchen?” Cassie asked.
“The hutch that used to belong to the Reinhards?”
Ben froze. “The Reinhards?”
“Yes. When they first moved to town, they bought that big mansion fully furnished. It was a foreclosure situation, I believe. Or a short sale, something along those lines. Anyway, they sold off most of the furnishings so they could start fresh with all those fancy antiques of theirs. I bought a few things from the sale. The hutch, that little oil painting of Stargazer Beach, a set of wonderful cut-glass tumblers. I never understood why they didn’t want to keep some of that stuff. No sense of history, you know?”
“The Reinhards,” Ben repeated. “The same place where Julie lived?”
“Well, yes, but long before she and her mother arrived. I wish I remember who owned the house before them, but I’d have to think about it. You could probably check the property-tax records if you really want to know where that hutch originally came from. I’m sure Will knows all about that sort of thing.”
Ben and Cassie exchanged a glance. Nothing fired up Mom like rehashing Jupiter Point history. She’d always been fascinated by local lore.
“That’s a great idea, Mom. I’ll let Will know. Maybe our idea about his Army buddies was all wrong.”
“His Army buddies?” Janine exclaimed. “Absolutely not. I don’t believe that’s possible. He stayed close to a few of the other soldiers in his unit, but there’s no bad blood that I remember. I think he would have mentioned it.”
“But one of them is going by a different name now.” Ben couldn’t come up with the name of the man Will was trying to trace.
“Oh sure. That’s different. He became a woman.” Janine’s face turned impish. “Now didn’t that throw your dad for a loop. Good old Hawkeye turning into Ladyhawke, that’s how he used to put it.”
Ben blinked at her, then at Cassie, who was busy cracking up. “Well, that clue sure went in an unexpected direction.”
“Right?” Cassie jumped to her feet and impulsively threw her arms around him. “God, Ben, it’s so good to see you.”
“It sure is.” Having his little sister in his arms might not fill that hole in his heart completely, but it helped. “I’m glad you’re sticking around a little longer. I can’t wait for you to see Knight and Day.”
“Promise to take me up in a plane?”
“Absolutely.”
She drew back, rocking on her heels and tucking her thumbs in her belt loop like some kind of cowgirl.
It was time for him to go, he realized, while he could still do so on a good note. He stepped toward the door.
Cassie followed. “It’s weird, seeing Jupiter Point again.”
“Not much has changed, really. Stargazing, butterscotch sundaes, and honeymooners everywhere you turn.” The door handle felt cool against his hand, an escape route awaiting him.
“Good old Jupiter Point. I missed it, even though I’m such a rolling stone now.”
“Personally, I don’t enjoy traveling,” said Janine, joining them at the door.
“You don’t?” Cassie gave a double take.
“It would never be my first choice. But it seems to be the best way to keep my head.”
How should he say goodbye, Ben wondered? With hugs? Another apology?
Saving him from the decision, she came close and reached up to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. “Goodbye, Benny. My beautiful boy. I’ve thought about you so often. If you only knew.”
And then he was out the door, the touch of his mother’s kiss still on his cheek.
If you only knew… as he jogged down the staircase, Julie’s plaintive song ran through his mind, as if he could hear her voice, see her lips crooning the words, smell the warm skin in the crook of her neck.
With sudden fierceness, he craved her presence. He glanced at the old-school watch on his wrist. Amazingly, he’d been here for an hour. How was it going with Julie? Had she made any progress with the Reinhards?
The Reinhards, from whom his mother had bought their hutch. The hutch that Dad might or might not have been pointing out. Was it a lead? He needed to call Will right away.
After he called Julie.
Even if seeing Mom hadn’t filled that empty place in his heart, the fact that Julie had given him this moment—that was everything.
As soon as he slid into the driver’s seat of his truck, he dug out his phone and turned it back on.
An explosion of texts and notifications scrolled across the screen. Will, Tobias, Carolyn had all called. Julie had texted twice and called once. What the hell?
Then he started reading her texts—and his heart nearly stopped. Felix.
29
The search of the grounds turned up no sign of Felix. It made no sense. He had a phone. He was meticulous about keeping it charged. He had several research apps he liked to consult, as well as a few games that soothed him during stressful moments. He always kept his phone with him. They turned his bedroom upside down, but it was nowhere to be found. The logical conclusion was that he’d taken it with him. So why wasn’t he using it? He hadn’t called Julie, Savannah, Sarah, or anyone else she could think to ask.
A horrible thought kept nagging at Julie. That fateful night outside Ben’s house, her attacker had taken her phone. Had the same thing happened to Felix? Had someone snatched him? He was the son of a movie star and the grandson of the richest family in town. Was someone planning to hold him for ransom?
The terrible scenarios that ran through her brain were driving her nuts.
The Reinhards’ property swarmed with people. The household staff, Will Knight and his intern, Chase. Tobias and Carolyn, along with Sarah. But the person she longed for most, Ben, still hadn’t called her back. Of course, she knew he was still busy with his mother, but my God, all of the crappy timing. She’d never needed him more.
Finally, he arrived, pulling up in a rooster tail of gravel. He ran across the lawn to her and swooped her into his arms. She clutched at him, burying her face in his chest, his familiar scent flooding her with comfort.
“Any news?” he murmured.
“No. He’s gone, his phone is gone, no one’s heard from him.” Panic bubbled close to the surface, but his strong arms around her kept Julie grounded.
“Looks like the whole town is here to help.”
“I know.” She drew back and wiped her eyes. “Mrs. Reinhard thinks he ran away, but I’m not so sure. Felix isn’t the type to run away. He’s too cautious.”
He gazed down at her with sober eyes. “So, what do you think happened?”
“I just…I have this horrible feeling that it’s something even worse.”
A jaunty voice interrupted them. “I can see that I’ve arrived in the nick of time. Things are getting entirely too dire around here.”
They both turned.
In dark sunglasses and a white swing coat, Savannah Reinhard—Savannah St. James to her fans—aimed her famous megawatt smile at them. Even Julie felt the impact, and she was used to Savannah’s presence.
They exchanged a quick hug, then Savannah focused her attention on Ben.
“Well. If I’d known you’d grow up this nicely, I would have fought a little harder for you.”
“Savannah!” Julie frowned at her friend. “You can’t flirt with Ben when Felix is missing.”
“I doubt it.”
“Excuse me?” Julie glanced toward Ben, who looked just as mystified.
“It’s a Reinhard thing. Do you think I don’t know my parents and the lengths they’ll go to? I worked it all out while I was driving down here. I think my parents have him stashed somewhere. I’d bet my Austin-Healey on it. This is a negotiation tactic, like everything they do. And it worked, didn’t it? I’m here. And
I guarantee that nothing else would have gotten me to Jupiter Point, so it’s fucking brilliant.”
“That’s insane,” Ben said. “Even for your family.”
“Yeah, I think I’ve finally managed to push them over the edge.” Savannah shoved her sunglasses on top of her head, turning her wild black hair into a rich waterfall down her back. She had an old-Hollywood curvaceousness that somehow managed to make everyone else look thin and washed out. Even Julie, who wasn’t exactly a lightweight. “Only took twenty-nine years.”
Julie finally broke out of her temporary state of shock at Savannah’s suggestion. “I don’t think so, Savannah. Your mom seemed really shocked when she told me he was gone. I can’t believe she’d make us go through all this.”
“That’s because you’re a kind person and always think the best of people. I don’t. Look at what my parents did to you and Ben. They lied to you. We can’t trust anything they say or do.”
Julie and Ben exchanged a wary look. Savannah made a good point. The Reinhards could be manipulative, but would they go this far? On the other hand, if they had Felix, at least that meant he hadn’t been kidnapped.
“Let’s go talk to them,” Ben said grimly. “It’s time they answered for some of the shit they’ve pulled.”
“Agreed,” said Savannah. Together, they all headed for the portico, where Priscilla was talking on her cell phone. “Finally, I have company for this sort of conversation. I never had that before.”
Julie’s phone buzzed with a text and she stopped to check it.
The message came from Felix’s phone, and said in big capital letters—SAY NOTHING AND ANSWER THE PHONE ALONE.
Oh my God, oh my God.
She was right, someone had Felix’s phone. Did they have Felix, too?
She scanned the surrounding area in a panic. Answer the phone alone. How was she supposed to manage that in this crowd of searchers? Especially around Ben and Savannah, both of whom knew her far too well?
Luckily, they were a few steps ahead of her.
“I thought of somewhere else to check,” she called to them. “I’ll be right back. Two seconds.”
Ben looked over his shoulder at her. “Want me to come?”
“No, no. Go ahead.” She waved him away, while Savannah tugged on his arm. He nodded and continued across the lawn toward the portico.
Julie swallowed hard as she watched him walk away from her, so tall and strong.
She had the terrible sense that this could be it for them, the end of their second chance.
Alone, the message had said. Whatever was coming, she had to handle it by herself, for Felix’s sake.
She withdrew behind a flower delivery van. A moment later, her phone rang. Did that mean the caller could see her? That Felix was somewhere nearby? Or at least his phone was?
“Hello,” she answered in a low voice. Please be Felix on the line. Please.
“Hello.” It wasn’t Felix. It was a strange voice, deep, probably distorted. “I have the little boy. If you want him back, you have to do exactly what I say.”
“Who are you? What do you want with him?”
“He’s leverage, that’s all. He won’t get hurt. But I need you to follow my instructions. No negotiating.”
“Put Felix on the phone. I want to make sure he’s okay.”
“That’s negotiating.”
“No, it isn’t. I’m not going to argue with anything you tell me to do. I’ll do it. I want to know you’re not lying, that’s all.” There was an expression for it, they’d even made a movie out of it. “Proof of life,” she burst out. “That’s the phrase. I need proof that Felix is alive.”
“I have no interest in killing him. Jesus.”
Who was he? His voice wasn’t familiar, but something in his intonation was. Her singer’s ear caught it, a certain downturn at the end of the sentence. Where had she heard it before?
“You weren’t supposed to come back. I warned you. If anything bad happens to this kid, it’s on you.”
Julie froze, the world spinning around her.
That was why he sounded familiar. He was the man who’d grabbed her outside the Knights’ house. “You.”
“Me,” he said smugly.
She thought quickly. If his goal was to get rid of her, no problem. “Listen. This is a big misunderstanding. I came back only so Felix could meet his grandparents, but it’s not a permanent thing. I don’t intend to stay.”
“Then why have you been talking to Will Knight? You’ve been digging up the past, haven’t you? You should have stayed in LA.”
“I’ll stop. I’ll leave. Right away. Just let Felix go. I’ll leave and never come back.”
“I don’t believe you. I’ve seen you with your old boyfriend. I can’t be sure you’ll stay away.”
“Yes, you can. You can be absolutely sure. If that’s the price of Felix’s safety, I can guarantee no one will see me in Jupiter Point ever again. Let me talk to him. That’s all I ask.”
“No specifics, no questions about where we are or anything like that.”
“Understood.”
The man disappeared from the phone, while Julie’s blood hammered in her ears. After what felt like forever, Felix came on the line. “Hi Julie.”
“Hey, buddy boy. Are you okay?”
“Are we going back to LA? I heard what that man said.”
“Yes. We’re absolutely going back to LA. Tell him I said so, that I’m really looking forward to it.”
“But what about Ben, and Sarah, and everyone else?”
Julie could tell from his voice that the thought of leaving Jupiter Point actually made him sad. Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to savor the irony. “I’m sure we’ll see them all again. LA isn’t that far. Everything’s going to be fine…especially if you pull a Felix. Okay, Kiddo? Hand your phone back to the man and I’ll see you really soon.”
A pause while he absorbed her words. Would he pick up on her “pull a Felix” request? If he could focus his mind on accumulating information, he’d stay calm. “Okay. Bye Julie.”
The man came back on the phone and directed her to a gas station just outside of town. As she listened to him, she realized something else. His intonation was familiar, yes—because she’d heard his voice recently.
“Not a word to anyone until you’re a hundred miles out. Then you can call off the search. Tell everyone you found the kid and you’re taking him home to Los Angeles. And then you stay there. You got it?”
“I got it.”
Yup, she got it. History was about to repeat itself. Once again, she had to leave Ben behind with no word.
And this time, she had to stay away, for good.
Ben had managed to catch a couple of Savannah’s movies over the years, but her confrontation with her mother had to be her best performance of all time. She tore into her, flinging accusations of kidnapping and worse. But no matter what tactics she used, Priscilla held firm that she hadn’t hidden Felix anywhere. She’d given him the best guest room in the house, and when she went up to find him, the room was empty.
Mr. Reinhard, who’d been at a doctor’s appointment most of the morning, backed her up. He even apologized to Ben for their deception all those years ago. “We went too far. We shouldn’t have lied, no matter what our reasons. But faking a kidnapping? That’s over the line. We’re not criminals.” He turned to Savannah. “Come on, Savannah. Please. Kidnapping? Look at all the law enforcement crawling all over this place. Does that seem like a smart move?”
“Then why did you file for custody of Felix? Why are you pulling all this crap?”
“We can talk about that later. Right now, we just need to find him.”
Slowly but surely, Savannah’s face registered the horrifying reality. “Oh my God. You guys are telling the truth. He’s really missing.”
“Yes. On my watch!” Priscilla burst into tears, something so uncharacteristic, it had to be real. “I can’t believe this happened! With security guards here, and
so many people. I’m so sorry, Savannah. I feel terrible. I never wanted this to happen. Everything’s so awful…first Adam getting sick, now Felix is missing. I just—”
Adam put one arm around her, and Savannah took her hand. It was probably the closest the Reinhards would ever come to a group hug.
Ben stepped away to give them a moment of privacy. He looked around for Julie and realized she was nowhere to be seen.
He called her and got no answer. Had she joined a search party? She wouldn’t just disappear without telling him, would she? He scanned all the cars and delivery vans parked on the property. No red VW Jetta.
He called Will, who was searching the woods adjacent to the Reinhard property. “Something’s wrong. Julie wouldn’t just leave like that.”
“Any chance she found Felix and decided to get him away from the Reinhards?”
“Maybe, but why wouldn’t she answer my call? Something’s wrong, Will. I feel it. This is going to sound crazy but…can you track her car? Put a call in to your buddies at the sheriff’s department?” He scanned the busy crowds of searchers, caterers, and staff members. With so many people on the property, anyone could have snuck in here.
“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Will was saying. “Remember Julie’s suspicions about the police?”
“Is there a channel that just the sheriff uses? A private one that no one else can access?”
“I’ll see what I can do. In the meantime, keep trying to call her.”
They hung up. Ben stood for a moment, feeling utterly lost and useless. Will’s suggestion made a certain amount of sense. If Julie had found Felix, her first priority would be getting him to safety. And if she thought the Reinhards weren’t safe, she could very well take off without a word.
Not even to him.
Felix came first, after all. He had to accept that. Julie wouldn’t be Julie if she didn’t give her all for someone she loved.
He nearly jumped out of his skin when Will called him back. “We’re in luck, sort of. Deputy Jernigan spotted Julie in her Jetta on Highway 29, heading out of town.”
Heading out of town.
“Does she have Felix with her?”
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