by Ann Marie
Josephine followed Salvatore out of the parking lot and onto the main highway. She was careful to stay a safe distance behind and waited a good five minutes more before putting on the cars lights, not wanting him to see her following. Without taking her eyes off her lead, she reached down into her purse and withdrew her cell phone. Her hand was shaking as she hit the number for Billy’s phone.
Billy’s phone rang and rang. A passer by heard the ringing of the phone and followed its sound to the body of its owner. “Sir? Sir, can you hear me? Help! Someone get some help. This guy needs a doctor over here.” The phone stopped ringing.
Harold walked aimlessly around the hospital parking lot. It seemed to him almost a fairground atmosphere as the hospital evacuated and settled all the patients into the lot. People were everywhere, but none showed much concern, as it was assumed it had been a drill. Most groups were relaxed and talking as if were just a normal part of their day. Harold had walked around the building watching the people and enjoying the night air when he heard the cries for help. He walked over to the crowd that had now formed, but had to push his way through the group before he could see who it was that needed help. “Bill? Backup, give him some air. Hey, Bill can you hear me?” Billy sat up slowly, with Harold’s help. It took him several minutes to clear his head and recognize his helper. “Where’s Josephine, Inspector?”
Josephine turned off her phone. The battery was on its last dot and who knew when she was going to need to use it again. Better to be safe than sorry.
Chapter 27
It took almost an hour to determine that Antonia was actually missing from the hospital. With the evacuation everyone thought someone else had taken her out. Finally, all of the patients were returned to their rooms and accounted for. All except for Antonia. Antonia and Josephine. They were missing. They were not accounted for. They had simply disappeared.
“What the hell are we supposed to do now?” Billy asked Harold as he punched digits on his hand held.
“I think it would be best if we head down to the police station, see if they have anything. Maybe grab some coffee. I think it’s gonna be a long night.”
“Where did they go? Why would Josephine take Antonia out of the hospital on her own? I know she was concerned for her safety, but it just doesn’t make any sense. She turned off her damn phone.” They stopped walking when they approached the space Billy thought he had parked his SUV. In its place was a smaller red truck. “Well, now we know how she got away.” Billy waved his hand across the air, in the direction of the parking space. Then he brought it back to his head and let his fingers run through his hair. “I can’t fuckin believe this. This is total bullshit. She has to know Antonia needs help. She just got out of surgery for Christ’s sake. Where the hell is she going?”
“What makes you so sure Josephine took Antonia? How do you think she got her out of the hospital? Do you think she just tossed her over her shoulder and ran perhaps? Let’s just calm down and think this through, OK?”
Harold extended his hand for the phone. Handing it over freely, Billy started back to the hospital. “Sharon, glad I got you. Look, I know it’s late but I need...”
“Harry? Are you OK? Are you still out in New Haven?”
“Shit, I’m sorry; I forgot I’m not in...”
“Hey, listen, I have something to tell you. That Salvatore Dal Santo guy? Turns out he wasn’t the same guy who died in that jail house fight. It was reported he was, because the guy who died was wearing Dal Santo’s numbers. When the state prison found out, they corrected their mistake in their records, but never reported the error. Apparently they felt it would be best to just let it be. He was released after serving an extra three years for jailhouse violence. He reported in with his parole officer just once. They haven’t been able to locate him since. Harry? You still with me?”
Harry was racing back to the hospital as quickly as his old legs would allow. Billy was already down the hall and headed back to the emergency room. Catching up with him at the receptionists’ desk, Harold catches hold of Billy’s elbow.
“Listen, I don’t know about your connection to these girls, women. But I gotta get to Antonia. I can’t let anything else happen to her. I’d like you to help me, but if you’d rather wash your hands of the whole situation I’d understand. I have reason to believe that both of their lives are in jeopardy at the moment and every minute we don’t look for them is a minute we don’t find them. You think Josephine took your car.”
“SUV.”
“Right, you think she took it. Let’s see if we can’t get Ms. Barsky or someone down there to put out an APB on it. See if we can’t track it down. Please, just give me a couple seconds of your time, that’s all I’m asking, for Antonia.”
“Actually, Harold.” Billy returned, reaching out to reclaim his phone. “That is what you said your name was, wasn’t it? I have an on board tracking device. Shouldn’t be hard to find her.” He gave Harold a wink. “And I’d give both nuts for Antonia and then some. So don’t stand there trying to erase all your mistakes with a plea in my direction. Let’s finish this thing. Find me a computer and I’ll find you an SUV. Let’s just hope Josephine is the one who took it. I’d hate to spend too much time chasing a common car thief.”
“Right then, OK. Let’s get us a ride back to the station. And while you’re tracking down your SUV, I’ll see what kind of help they are willing to extend us.”
The two men exited the emergency room and crossed the waiting area to the main hall. “Let me see if the receptionist can get us a cab.” Harold walked alone to the desk, but kept looking back to make sure Billy was still there. “Excuse me, could you possibly call a cab for us?” Harold started. “We need to get to the police station ASAP.” The receptionist looked up from the book he was reading.
“Sure, I’ll call one for you, but it’s going to be a while before anyone gets out here. Is it an emergency? Perhaps one of...” he was cut off when Dr. Kessler jumped in.
“Here, take my car.” He offered the Inspector, handing over his keys. “I’ll show you where it’s parked.”
“That’s awfully good of you, Doctor. Do you know who I am?”
“I know enough to know you have to get going. Call us the minute you find her and let us know how she is, deal?” Doctor Kessler handed Harold a folded piece of paper, containing his beeper number. “The sooner you get her back to us, the better. He’s going with you, isn’t he?” Kessler nods his head in Billy’s direction.
“Bill! Hey Billy, over here, come on, we got a car.”
Billy was staring at his phone, lost in thought. Why would she turn off her phone? If anything else happened to Antonia, he would hold Josephine solely responsible. She had pushed the final button. His only concern was for Antonia. God help anyone who got in his way. Especially Ms. Ferrero. Brought out of his thoughts by the sound of his name, Billy quickly came back to reality and hurried his step behind Harold.
Once out in the garage, Kessler added. “Bring her back, Antonia I mean. I’m not worried about the car. Just do whatever you have to do and bring Antonia back. She needs to be here. Every minute she’s not here she’s...just bring her back.”
Chapter 28
Josephine had no idea where she was. They had been driving now for over an hour. She followed her lead into a service station, where Antonia’s abductor had stopped for gas. Josephine parked back in the depths of the shadows. Lights off, she was confident she would not be seen. She watched as Salvatore got out of the car and walked around to Antonia’s side. He opened the car door and got down on his haunches. Reaching inside the car, it seemed as if he were fixing the blanket around Antonia. He grabbed a duffel bag from the back seat and used it to prop up her head, like a pillow. For all visual purposes, it seemed as if Antonia was sleeping.
Closing the car door he stood up straight and stretched as if relaxed and comfortable. Pulling a couple bucks from his pocket, he handed them to the attendant and went inside the one stop.
&nb
sp; From where Josephine was parked it was impossible to see what Salvatore was doing. Josephine kept watch on the car. If she was quick she could drive right up and steal her friend back from the monster. Steal her back and take her home, where she belonged. But speed and agility were never her strong suits. She prayed the attendant would notice something was wrong with Antonia. Prayed for a police car to pull up for anything, a donut, coffee, gas, anything. But that didn’t happen either.
Salvatore came back outside and headed for his car. He didn’t get right in though. He stood outside and had a cigarette while chatting with the attendant as if they were old friends. Josephine thought perhaps she should start taking notes. She opened the glove box to search for something to write on. She held back the scream that begged to escape as Billy’s gun fell out on the floor. She glanced up over the dash board carefully, just in case she was loud enough to have been noticed. But the guys were still chatting amongst themselves. Josephine found no paper or pen. She shut the glove box quietly. The gun remained where it had fallen. Through her hand bag she now scavenged. Picking up the pace, nearly dumping all of its contents out onto the seat. Eyeliner and an envelope. She jotted down the name of the service plaza and everything she could remember passing on the way to this spot. It was dark and she did not see too much, but she knew she had passed signs for Hartford, before they had merged onto I-84. Anything might help, if she ever got a hold of Billy that is. Time to call him again. Josephine tucked the envelope and eyeliner in the sun visor and went for her phone, but just then Salvatore got back into his car. Break time was over. Keeping her safe distance, Josephine followed. Pulling out of the service station and back onto the main road caused the contents of Josephine’s purse to scatter. She watched as her phone slid off to the right and down between the seat and the door. “Shit, fuckin shit!”
Chapter 29
Harold and Billy ran into the Police Station as if they owned the place. “Where’s Barsky?” Harold questioned flashing his badge to anyone who glanced his way.
“She is probably home sleeping at the moment, who may I ask needs to know?”
“Chief Inspector Davis, you are?”
“Banton, Officer Banton. I’m in charge at the moment, what do you need the Lieutenant for at this hour?”
“How familiar are you with the Dal Santo shooting?”
“Familiar enough to know that I’m not going to discuss it with you, Chief Inspector, what did you say you name was? Davis? Can’t say as I am familiar with the name. What are you Chief Inspector of?”
“Look, I don’t have time to give you my resume. Ms. Dal Santo has been abducted from Saint Bartholomew. Ms. Ferrero has taken off after her and we need to find them both.”
“Abducted you say?” Turning back to the desk behind him, he directed his attention to the woman occupying its chair. “Get the good Lieutenant on the phone, would you Mildred and find out who was standing guard over at Bart’s and get that individual on the phone for me pronto.” Turning back to his guest, “Why don’t we step into my office and dissect this issue.” Waving his left arm out in the direction of his cubical.
“We are going to need to use your computer.” Billy started off.
“My computer? Are we expecting an email perhaps? A ransom note? A computer for what?”
“To locate my SUV. Josephine took my SUV. You find my SUV you find Josephine. You find Josephine, you find Antonia.” Billy was inches away from the officer’s computer, when Banton pushed himself in between the two.
“I think you had better sit down there cowboy and explain what the hell is going on here first.”
“I’ll explain,” Harold injected, “He needs to use the computer. We don’t have time to...”
The speaker on the desk phone broke in. “Barsky is on her way, Daniels is holding on line one.” Officer Banton held up his hand to both gentlemen in his office, signifying he wanted everything to remain frozen until he took the call. “Daniels, what’s the story there tonight? Anything we need to know? I have two gentlemen here who seem to think Ms. Dal Santo has left the building. Uh huh...I see...where were you? And when did that happen? Yes...you called...OK, come back in, we’ll talk more when you get here.” Looking over at Billy he nodded his OK. “You’re sure Ms. Ferrero has your car?” Billy didn’t respond as he pounded away at the keyboard. Banton questioned him further, “You saw her go after the Dal Santo woman?”
Inspector Davis was growing anxious. “Look, let him do whatever it is he needs to do with that thing. You and I have to figure out what the next step is going to be. How are we going to get to them and what about Salvatore?”
“Salvatore? You never mentioned anyone by that name.”
“No sir we haven’t, but we haven’t really talked about it yet have we? If you would just let me finish...”
Barsky burst into the office at that moment and after glancing around at the three men she directed her attention to Banton as she motioned her head in Billy’s direction. “What is this now, the free library? What the hell is going on?”
Billy pulled himself up from his bent over the keyboard position. Noticing Barsky for the first time he states, “Have to give it a couple seconds.”
“Give what a couple seconds? Does anyone want to introduce themselves or do I have to guess.”
Harold stood up and offered his hand to Barsky, who took it professionally. “I’m Chief Inspector Harold Davis, ma’am. I stopped by earlier this evening to speak with you personally about the Dal Santo case, but you had already left for the day. I do hope you’re feeling better.” Billy just shook his head in disbelief at the incredible waste of time he was witnessing. Banton smiled while chuckling inwardly to himself. “Ma’am, I was on the original Dal Santo case, back in...”
“Harold, we don’t have time for a trip down memory lane here.” Billy was getting impatient with everything. The computer was taking way too long to configure all the needed information. “How old is this damn thing, shit...” He smacked the monitor in a display of temper.
“Right, anyway ma’am, Ms. Dal Santo has been abducted from Saint Bartholomew and we have to find her and bring her back as soon as possible. She needs medical attention. She had just gotten out of surgery.”
“Abducted?” Barsky inquired raising her eyebrows to Banton. “Seems Officer Daniels had a problem earlier in the evening and was never replaced. Dal Santo was reported missing one hour after an unscheduled fire drill. Perhaps her abductor flipped the switch to cover his or her tracks. Seems Ms. Ferrero went after her.”
“OK, so explain to me what Mr. Chippendale is doing smacking our equipment.”
“Billy has an on board tracking device in his SUV. We think Josephine took off after Antonia in Billy’s SUV. We are hoping we can find it and the girls before it’s too late.”
“You think? You never saw either of the woman leave the hospital? Have we even verified that Ms. Dal Santo is missing? What was it you said, Inspector? What’s this about an original Dal Santo case? Can’t say as I am familiar with any case.”
“Yes, back in the sixties. Salvatore Dal Santo?” Barsky shook her head to let Harold know she had no clue, but raised her eyebrows as to inquire more information. Billy and Banton together were working at the computer. “Salvatore Dal Santo killed his wife with his bare hands. He punched her face in until there was nothing identifiable left. He had served thirty years for the crime, plus a couple extra for behavior issues. They lost track of him a couple years back. It had been reported he had died in a jailhouse fight, but apparently the story was misinformed and no one ever felt the need to correct it, they just let it be. He is Ms. Dal Santo’s father, you see. And he wants her back. Now it seems he has her.”
“How do we know this, Inspector? With as many people as these two women know, how can we be certain it’s Ms. Dal Santo’s father that we’re after. Has the video turned up? Have we been able to verify it was her father who shot the gun? Why would he shoot his daughter?”
“Vid
eo? I’m afraid I don’t know anything about any video. Billy?”
“What, what is it?” Billy looked up and got sucked into the conversation as Banton continued on with their search on the computer.
“The video, where is the video I was told would be here this afternoon?”
“I don’t know where it is. We were watching it one minute and the next minute it disappeared. We think the guy was in the house. That’s when we found Chloe and decided Josephine should stay in a hotel.”
“Chloe?”
“Yea, the house keeper. She was in the closet upstairs. They think she had been raped, don’t know for sure. But she was dead and the video was gone.” He turned his attention back to the computer.
“You were watching it? The video? Before it went missing? Did you get a good look at the gunman? Would you be able to pick him out of a lineup?” Billy had not heard a word she said.
Harold jumped in to bail him out. “Listen, Salvatore is an evil man. He was never anything but harmful to Antonia and her mother. All these years Antonia had to believe him dead. Now he’s back and he wants her with him. We believe he was the man who attacked Antonia at the hospital this morning. That’s why she was back in surgery. He ripped her up pretty good inside. She needs to be in the hospital and we need to find her. And my gut tells me he is the one responsible for the shooting and the death of the house keeper. If Billy can locate his SUV than we may have a chance. Right now that’s all we have to go with. They already have a good hour, possibly two on us.”
“OK, say you find the SUV. What then, how are you going to proceed? They can be anywhere. In two hours time, they could have crossed state lines. You and Billy the Kid planning on heading out after them? Alone? Or am I suppose to supply you with an abundance of back up?”
“Am I missing something here? Is there a particular reason for the lack of concern or hesitancy on your part?” Harold could feel his gut twisting. He knew they were on the right track. Why was this woman being so difficult? Perhaps she had been forewarned of his arrival. Perhaps his hometown pals had called ahead and warned her about the old man who just couldn’t retire.