by Regan Black
Little wonder. “Your life had been disrupted, too,” he said.
“Nothing like Hannah’s,” she protested.
She left her profession, her home. Lost family. But now wasn’t the time to convince her. “What was your interaction with Rankin?”
“Limited. Purposefully. I didn’t want him looking too closely at me. I had no idea if he’d known Joe or if Ariel had shared my visit to the house. All I knew was that he’d married my sister-in-law very quickly after Joe had died and now she was also dead. But it wasn’t all that difficult to stay out of his way. Most days, a babysitter picked Hannah up.”
“So she went from daycare to a babysitter.”
“Yes. It made me crazy. The only saving grace was that Mrs. Wise seemed like a very nice middle-aged woman who really cared for Hannah. And I could tell that Hannah liked her. Anyway, summer turned into fall. I knew that my working at the daycare couldn’t go on forever, but I wasn’t quite ready to let it go. And then something happened.”
CHAPTER 16
He had a feeling that the next part wasn’t going to be good. He glanced at his watch. They’d been in the SUV for almost a half hour.
“It was a lovely fall afternoon and I got caught by surprise when Rankin came to pick up Hannah early. He was with another couple. And all they had eyes for was Hannah. I overheard them asking Mary Margaret, another one of the staff, whether Hannah was sick very often and whether she was polite and respectful. And Rankin was having Hannah show off, asking her to do her ABCs and count to twenty. It was so weird. It wasn’t just me who seemed to think so. Afterward, Mary Margaret seemed really bothered by the conversation.”
He took a drink of his now-cold tea because he needed something to keep down the bile that was rolling in his stomach.
“I was convinced that he was selling my niece. I knew what I needed to do. I called Melissa and told her what I was going to do. She offered me the use of her ex-husband’s vintage Mustang and also gave me the code to the door of your cabin. She did home care for Georgina Fodder and had been helping her with email. Melissa met me at the garage where her ex stored his car, with a set of keys that he’d forgotten she had.”
“I knew about Melissa,” he said. If they were going to be honest with each other, he needed to step up, as well.
“How?”
“I traced the license plate on the Mustang. Found out that it belonged to a Clovis Trane and that there had been a Melissa Trane on the title at one time. By chance, Georgina Fodder’s son had mentioned that his mother had a wonderful home care aide named Melissa Trane.”
She shook her head. “There’s a thousand ways to be tripped up.”
“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” he said.
She didn’t argue but he could tell she wasn’t convinced. “I don’t want Melissa to get in any trouble,” she said.
“Melissa who?” he teased gently. “How did you…uh…manage to…” He stopped. His ability to find the right words had rarely deserted him. But now he couldn’t seem to find one that wasn’t terribly harsh.
“How did I manage to take Hannah?” Laura said.
“Yeah.”
“Not only did the babysitter pick her up in the afternoons but she also dropped her off in the mornings. And she was very punctual. They arrived every morning at seven thirty. I started work at seven, so I was usually inside when they got there. That morning I waited outside, caught them on the sidewalk as they approached, made it look as if I was just arriving for work, and Mrs. Wise, probably grateful to gain a few minutes, handed her off to me. I knew where the outside cameras were and I was careful to stay out of range, just in case somebody in the office was watching them. As soon as she had walked away, I hustled Hannah to the Mustang and got the heck out of there. The night before, after picking up the Mustang, I had scouted out the location of a pay phone—you know there aren’t very many of them anymore. Anyway, I stopped there and called the daycare, pretended I was Mrs. Wise and told the office staff that Hannah was ill that day. That way, I figured I had a ten-hour head start before Mrs. Wise arrived at five thirty that afternoon to pick up Hannah.”
“What about your absence?”
“I had sent an email to my boss the night before, telling her that there had been a death in my family and I wouldn’t be in for a few days. I figured she probably wasn’t happy about it but that it would keep her from thinking anything about Hannah’s and my absences being connected.”
“That was likely the first question the police asked, whether there had been an unexpected absence of any employee,” he said.
“I imagine so. Didn’t really matter because when Mrs. Wise showed up and Hannah wasn’t there, she was going to tell them that she’d handed Hannah off to me. At that point, I’d be the prime suspect. I’m sure that I’m wanted by the police.”
“And the FBI,” he said.
“Great. Really making me feel better.”
She said it lightly and he knew that she’d considered all the ramifications. Had thought the risk was worthwhile. “So you drove from Nashville to the cabin. In one day. How long did that take you?”
“Seventeen hours. I was afraid to stop.”
“You had to have been exhausted.”
“I was. We both pretty much fell into bed that first night. The next day I cut Hannah’s hair and dyed it brown. She had long blond curls before.”
She sounded absolutely miserable. “Hair grows back,” he said.
“I know. And I wanted to be able to pass her off as a little boy if necessary. I cut and colored my own hair, too,” she said. She lifted a hunk of her own thick hair. “Normally red.”
She would make a sensational redhead. “I thought the cabin smelled like bleach that first night,” he said.
“I heard you outside that night and I was so scared. I’d thrown my dad’s old rifle in the trunk and fortunately had brought it inside. I… I don’t think I would have shot you.”
He wasn’t so sure. If he’d been a threat to Hannah, there was no telling.
“I know you probably don’t think much of me right now,” she said.
“Why?”
“It’s pretty obvious. I just told you that I took a child, across many states, without permission, and altered her appearance. And I’ve basically been lying to you since the minute we met.”
“You stepped in to save a child. You lied because you thought you had to. You’re not the bad guy here.”
“I don’t think that’s how the law would look at it.”
Unfortunately, she was right. They were going to need to figure this out. But first he had more questions. “Why were you leaving today? What happened?”
“I got a call from Melissa. Her ex unexpectedly wanted to drive his Mustang and has reported it missing. I can’t take the chance of being in that car. I needed to find other transportation and I figured a bus was my best option.”
“Let me make sure I have this straight. The car has likely been reported missing but not that you’re driving it.”
“Melissa said that she’s not going to say anything. But realistically, if she ends up getting questioned by the police, I wouldn’t expect her to lie for me and I would hope that she wouldn’t. I can’t have that on my conscience, too.”
“But she hasn’t called you and told you that has happened?”
“No. Just that her ex was going to report the car missing.”
“So the police are likely looking for you but may or may not know what you’re driving.”
“I guess. But I’m not going to make it easy by driving a car that’s been reported stolen.”
“Right. Still, I think you need to be back in Nashville.”
She shook her head. “I think that might be the worst place for Hannah and me.”
“What about the detective who you said seemed willing
to question whether the two deaths were too coincidental? Do you think you could go to him?”
“I have no idea and, quite frankly, the risk is too great. I have to do everything in my power not to be apprehended. For Hannah, who has lost so much, to see me arrested, handcuffed, taken away. It would be too much.”
He wouldn’t be able to stand that, either. “Come here,” he said, stretching out his arm. It was an awkward coupling across the gearshift but he needed to hug her, to hold her.
“You’re not alone in this,” he said.
She pulled back some. “I have to be,” she said. “You can’t get involved. It could wreck your life.”
He understood the risks. He was now an accessory to kidnapping, a federal offense. Prison loomed. But her safety, Hannah’s safety, that was what mattered.
“We need intelligence,” he said. “We need confirmation that Hannah’s disappearance has been reported to the police, that they’ve tied you to the disappearance, and there’s an active search for both of you.”
“How do we do that?” she asked, almost snapping.
He understood. She’d been living under a tremendous amount of pressure and unlike sometimes when you told someone what was going on, this time there wasn’t any immediate relief. The situation was as bad as ever.
It was time to call in some favors. When he’d needed information on the Mustang license plate, he’d felt comfortable reaching out to Bobby Bayleaf, Seth’s friend. But this was considerably more sensitive. Seth would need to make the inquiry to his friend.
“My partner Seth Pike can make an inquiry with the police. It will be strictly confidential. No trail to you.”
“You’re sure.”
“Seth is dog-loyal. And if he thinks that he can trust his friend, then I do, too.”
“Okay,” she said. She let out a breath. “I suppose it would be good to know for sure. But either way, I haven’t made a decision to go back.”
“Understood,” he said. He lifted her chin, bent his head and gently kissed her. “I know this is difficult. I think it might be a little like battle. You’ve got to believe that you can get through it. It’s what gives you the strength to fight just long enough. I’d like to get back to the cabin today. Then we’re close to the Mustang and can move quickly once a decision is made. Before we go, I want to see my dad one more time.” Plus, he intended to call Seth right away but didn’t want Laura to overhear that conversation.
“I have to do what’s best for Hannah.”
“I know. And you get to make the decision. Come on. Let’s say goodbye to my family.”
“Of course.”
He and Laura went back inside the hospital. Charro and Hannah were in the waiting room, coloring. Charro looked up. “I’d forgotten how much I enjoyed this,” she said.
“Thanks for watching her,” Laura said.
“Is Mom with Dad?” Rico asked.
“Yes.”
Good. He wanted a chance to tell Charro that they were leaving. “Laura, Hannah and I need to take off,” he said.
“I thought that might be the case,” she said, no trace of bitterness there. “I’m glad you were here, Rico. It made a difference. To Dad, to Mom, to me.”
He hugged his sister. “I’ll be in touch and if you need anything, you call me, okay?”
She nodded. And switched her glance to Laura. “I’m glad that I got to meet you, Laura. And sweet little Hannah here. I hope I get to see you again.”
“You will,” Rico jumped in.
He looked at Laura and Hannah. “Let’s go say goodbye to my dad.”
“Goodbye?” Hannah repeated. “Are we leaving?”
“Yes,” Rico said.
“Where are we going?” the little girl asked.
He looked at Laura. She said nothing.
“We’re going to pick up Lucky and then it’s back to the cabin,” he said. Whatever the ultimate decision, he thought he and Laura were on the same page that that was the first step.
And it would give him a night so that he could close up the property before driving to Nashville.
And a chance to have Laura in his bed one more time.
Hannah stood, with her arm around her doll. “Ja-Ja is ready.”
At the end of the hallway, Laura put her hand on Rico’s shoulder. “Hannah and I will kill a few minutes in the cafeteria so that you get some privacy with your dad and mom.”
That might be for the best. Plus, it would give him the opportunity to call Seth. “Okay. I’ll meet you by the front door of the hospital in fifteen minutes.”
She got five steps before turning to look over her shoulder. “Give him my best and tell him to do his physical therapy. It will make a difference.”
He waved and then waited until she and Hannah had turned the corner. Then he stepped into the stairwell. After making sure that he was completely alone, he called Seth. “I need a favor,” he said, without preamble.
“What?”
“It’s a long story but I’m going to cut to the chase because I know you don’t have a lot of tolerance for extra detail.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve met a woman. And she means a lot to me.”
“You’ve been out of the state for less than a week and half of that time at your father’s hospital bed. A little quick, don’t you think?”
“No. And you won’t either once you meet her. But she’s in a dicey situation. I need to know if there’s a warrant out for her arrest. Would have originated in Tennessee but might be a federal charge at this time.”
“For?” Seth asked.
“Kidnapping.”
“Are you kidding me?” Seth said, disbelief in his tone.
“No. Again, long story but it’s her niece and she did it as a protective measure. The child is fine. Wonderful. Just a great little kid.”
Seth sighed. “So you’ve fallen for the kid, too. What’s the woman’s name?”
“Laura Collins. It’s possible there might also be car theft.”
“Kidnapping, car theft. What, no murder?” Seth asked. “Maybe a little armed robbery?”
Rico let it go. He knew Seth was just concerned about him. “The child’s name is Hannah Collins. She’s four.”
“I’ll call my friend Bobby.”
“Thank you, Seth.”
“Where are you going to be?” Seth asked.
“I’m not sure yet. I’m trying to convince Laura to return to Nashville. We’ll see how that goes.”
“I’ll be in touch,” Seth said, before hanging up.
Rico put his phone away and opened the door. When he got to his dad’s room, his mom was sitting next to the bed, holding his dad’s hand.
Rico thought his dad looked much better than he had earlier that day. And best of all, they’d removed the tube going down his throat. “How are you feeling?”
“The incision is sore but all in all, I think I’m doing pretty good. If you can believe it, these nurses actually had me stand up next to my bed. A man has his heart worked on and they expect that. Crazy, I’m telling you.”
“You’ll be chasing the nurses down the hall by the end of the week.”
“There’s a couple that I’d like to catch,” teased the man who would no more consider straying from his wife than putting a wet finger in an electrical socket.
“Oh, please,” Janice Metez said, rolling her eyes.
“Listen,” Rico said, “I’ve got something to take care of and it means that I’m going to need to take off.”
“I told you the other night, I don’t need a babysitter,” his dad said kindly.
“I know. But I also want you to know that I’d stay longer if I could.”
“We know that,” Janice said. She looked at her husband. “Which tells us that whatever it is that you have to do, it h
as something to with pretty Laura and that sweet little Hannah.”
“It does. Laura wanted me to tell you both goodbye. She thought I might appreciate a minute of privacy with you so she and Hannah are going to meet me at the hospital entrance.”
“She seems lovely,” his mother said. “And that little girl is really something. So smart for four.”
He desperately wanted to tell his parents the truth but would not do that to Laura. She’d taken him into her confidence and was expecting that he could keep his mouth shut. But he could tell them this. “I want them to be part of my life.”
Placido smiled. “I sensed as much. But there are complications?”
“Yes.” Right now he didn’t have a clue which way Laura was leaning. Would she ultimately agree to go back to Nashville to make this right or continue to stay on the run?
“Then you will have to be smart and fight hard.”
It was the same thing that his dad had told him before his first overseas tour. “I want you to know that I won’t ever do anything that will endanger either of you or Charro and the kids.”
“Rico, you think you need to tell us this?” his father said, frowning. “By the way, your mother tells me that you’ve offered Peter a position, that he’s going to help with your rental properties.”
“Yes,” he said.
“That’s good,” his dad said. “Very good. We do not want your sister to lose her house.”
Lose her husband, maybe. But Rico doubted Placido even wished for that. He’d kept his own family intact and he’d hope for that for his children. Which was why Rico was going to figure out what the hell was going on with Hannah’s guardian. He wasn’t going to let some idiot rip Hannah away from Laura. Away from him.
Because they were going to be his family.
He just hadn’t told them yet.
He leaned down and kissed his father’s cheek. “Behave. Do what the nurses and doctors tell you. Especially the physical therapy.”
“You sound like your mother,” Placido said, waving a hand weathered by years of work picking fruit.