by Mimi Barbour
“I know, just wanted you to say it. I get a kick outta watching you squirm.”
Chapter Four
On the way back to her vehicle after lunch, Lisa’s mind performed like a bee pollinating a garden. It flipped from one scenario to another. She trusted Aurora’s opinion of Jeff’s working habits. If her partner said he wouldn’t take off without telling his staff, then she believed it. Therefore: Houston, we have a problem. They’d obviously checked his penthouse at Cascades, his casino and his normal haunts, even going as far as calling his family. The girls discussed her next move and both decided she would need to hang out at the hotel for a few hours the next day. Something was fishy according to Aurora whose instincts were reliable. Guess the only way to find out was to crowd the manager into revealing what he knew for sure. Squeeze a little and put pressure where the answers were most likely to be found. A loud voice cut into her introspection and she stopped going in the direction of her car and veered to the right where she saw a woman pounding on the window of her van.
“You open this door right now or mommy will be very angry.” Almost on the point of collapse, the middle-aged female broke into hysterical tears.
“What seems to be the problem here?” Lisa held out her badge and moved in close, ready to grab the lady before she hit the ground. “Calm down, Ma’am.”
“It’s my daughter. She’s locked in the car and she has my keys. It’s boiling out here, and she’s been in there for over fifteen minutes, maybe longer.”
Taking the matter seriously, because it was, Lisa leaned in to see a girl of maybe four years old curled up in the corner of the back seat, her bottom lip stuck out while her damp bangs were plastered to her red face. As soon as she saw Lisa, she turned her head toward the leather seat that had to be blistering hot. In a stern voice, Lisa demanded, “Where are the keys?”
“The little imp threw them into the front seat. I refused to buy her the doll she wanted so she’s mad at me. She said I was a mean mommy and she hated me.”
Having trouble believing what she heard, Lisa asked, “What’s your daughter’s name?”
“I’m Sheila Morris and hers is Cloud.”
“Cloud? That’s her name?”
The woman stiffened and turned away. “Cloud, you open this door right now. Mommy will buy you the doll, Precious. Be a good girl and let me in the car.”
The little one’s sneer hardly had any power since she was dehydrated to the point of passing out, but sneer she did. Next, she put her hands over her face while her head flopped back. Lisa said, her anger palpable, “Precious isn’t able to open the door, she’s too far gone.” Lisa couldn’t help the sarcasm that crept into her voice. “Mrs. Morris, you evidently don’t have another key. Did you at least call someone who could open the door?”
“No, I thought she’d get over her sulk and let me in. She’s never misbehaved this badly before.” Sheila Morris’s fear-filled eyes held a world of regret.
“Sure, because you likely give in to her. This time things have gotten out of hand. Here, call 911. I’ll be right back.” Lisa handed over her phone and started to run to her car at the other end of the parking lot.
Mrs. Morris freaked. “Where are you going? You can’t leave me!”
“Calm down. I’m just going to get a screw driver to open the window. I’ll be 30 seconds. In the meantime, call that ambulance.”
The twit stared at Lisa like she hadn’t computed her words.
“Mrs. Morris! Now!”
That one word exploded and had the mother scrambling to pick up the cell that had slid right through her fingers. Lisa returned in a matter of seconds with a flat-headed screwdriver and went to the driver’s window. She stuck the tip of it in between the window and the frame with the tip touching just behind the edge of the glass. Giving a pull and twist of the screwdriver at the same time, she broke the glass and reached inside to release the lock.
Following behind Lisa, as if she needed to be close to someone in authority, Mrs. Morris reacted with disbelief. “What are you doing? You broke my window. Are you crazy?”
“Listen lady, I’m saving your daughter’s life. What’s more important, a stupid window or her? She’s been without cool air too long and shows all the signs of having heat stroke. Another few minutes and she’d be in critical danger.”
Shock had taken over and Mrs. Morris didn’t seem to know what Lisa was talking about. One hand mangled the handle of her purse while the other clenched the phone. Her eyes wouldn’t focus, just kept looking everywhere as if her brain had shut down. Sympathy surged within Lisa, but it had to wait. Gently pushing the woman aside, Lisa reached to open the back door and quickly lifted the dozy child into her arms and ran with her into the cool restaurant.
She laid Cloud on a short couch in the foyer. Spying a waitress moving toward the hallway, Lisa used her no-nonsense voice that always got a quick response. “Get me a bowl of cold water and a cloth. And hurry.” Undressing the listless girl, Lisa checked all the vital signs and then sponged the chubby body to cool down her temperature. The mom followed, useless in her devastation.
Within minutes, the ambulance attendants crowded into the small space and took over, leaving Lisa free to follow up with questions. She cornered the distraught mom by taking her arm and guiding her away from the others. “I’ll need your full name and address, Mrs. Morris.”
The woman, who had stood by as the attendants worked over her child, acted like she’d slipped into a different zone. Then Lisa’s words seemed to get through and she had her attention. “You don’t need to tell anyone.” She clutched Lisa’s arm. “Everything will be okay now.” Lips trembling, Mrs. Morris pleaded, her eyes filled with dread.
“I need to make a report of the incident, Ma’am. You’ll have to answer my questions sooner or later. So we can cover them now or at the hospital.”
“The hospital?” Her words were shrill, close to a scream. “My husband will kill me. He says I’ve spoiled Cloud and this will just add more fuel for his ranting.”
“Mrs. Morris, he’s right. You have spoiled your daughter. Way past where pig-headedness has taken over any common sense she should be using. As you saw today, it’s not a pretty trait. In fact, it’s downright dangerous. Your little precious needs a darn good talking to and some consistent parenting. You are the adult, not that four-year-old on the stretcher. When you told her to open the door, there should have been no question about her listening.” Sheila’s quivering lips and tear-filled eyes distracted Lisa and stopped her from really telling the silly woman what she thought. This situation warranted a thrashing and the recipient sure as hell shouldn’t be the groggy little girl who, not once, looked toward her mother. Instead, her eyes, full of regret, latched on to Lisa. Unable to resist, Lisa moved forward, slipped past the attendants and scooped her up. She rocked the little one all the while the child’s hiccups interspersed with her wails. Finally, she slowed, giving Lisa a chance to wipe her cheeks and stroke her damp curls. “Cloud, you didn’t listen to your mommy and look what happened. You must always listen to Mommy and Daddy. They care about you and will keep you safe. But only if you do as they say. Right?”
“Uh huh!”
“This time I won’t be angry, but I want you to promise me something.”
“Okay.” Cloud’s big brown eyes watched Lisa’s expression and seemed reassured.
“Promise me you’ll always love your mommy. She’s trying so hard to be good to you.” Sheila’s wounded cry made Lisa step back so mother and child could reunite. Quickly aware that there wasn’t a dry eye in the place, including her own, Lisa closed her notebook and left.
Chapter Five
Driving to the Hampton’s to pick up Noel, Lisa pondered on how parents could love in such misguided ways. She knew in her heart that her sister Carly had adored her son. Not because she allowed him to do whatever he wanted, but by giving him boundaries. She’d determinedly taught him how to behave, to listen and even to think for himself. Every d
ay, Lisa thanked her sibling for being such a smart mother and for loving her son in such a positive way. Today, Lisa recouped the benefits and that was sad, but it would have been a lot worse if Noel had been a bratty boy.
A honking horn grabbed her attention and she noticed her turn coming up ahead. There was a strange, open-air jeep Wrangler in the driveway of the sprawling rancher with children’s toys scattered in the front yard. Knowing Ham and his persuasive Irish charm, Lisa had no doubt his long-lost daughter was visiting her new family. The sight that greeted her brought a smile. The somber young woman who had proclaimed daughter status hadn’t known what she was getting herself in for. Surrounded by children, Ham’s own three excited little girls, Noel and Aurora’s baby Lily, the poor innocent didn’t stand a chance. Lisa approached and crouched down to catch Noel as he flew into her arms.
“Auntie Lisa! You’re home.”
“Hi, Buddy. Couldn’t wait to see you again so I got here a bit early. Have you been a good boy for Auntie Mattie?”
Flipping his Spiderman cape toward the back, he pushed himself away from her, put his hands on his hips and gave her attitude. “Why do you ask me that every day? I’m aw-ways a good boy.”
She fluffed his hair then gave in to her craving and swept him into a second hug. Her lips did a number on his neck that sent him into a fit of giggles. Then she whispered so only he could hear. “You’re my hero, little man. I love you more than ice cream.”
He whispered back. “More than chocolate ice cream?”
“Yes! I’d give up ever eating the gooey stuff again for you to be happy.”
“Know what makes me happy?” The devil shone out of his twinkling eyes right into her adoring soul.
“What?”
“You!”
“You sweet-talker. Just for that, I’m gonna read you an extra story tonight.”
Before they could move onto the argument about which story, Mattie cut in with her drill-sergeant voice. “All the kids hit the rec room for clean-up detail.”
Ham’s girls quickly grabbed their Dad’s hands, as was their normal routine so he would come with them, but this time Mattie stopped them. “Your dad will be staying with the adults tonight, girls. Now, shoo!”
Soon quiet reigned and Lisa noticed the strained atmosphere. Trying to ease the tension, she walked toward the woman who looked so out of place. Red hair, drawn severely back from a face that made one stare because of its perfect features, accentuated the blueness of her eyes. Whether from shyness or stealth Lisa wasn’t sure but her lush, matching eyelashes tended to hide them. “I’m Detective Lisa Jordan and your father’s partner for the next few weeks. I see by your badge that you’re an agent with the FBI?”
Obvious relief filled the room as the newcomer smiled, shook hands and replied. “Special Agent, Francesca Donovan, I’ve just been transferred to the undercover division here in Vegas.”
“Donovan, the daughter of Kathleen Donovan?” Lisa had heard of this woman’s notoriety. She was the first woman to serve as the Director’s special assistant at FBI Headquarters in New York City.
Francesca’s face hardened slightly. For Lisa an alert rang loud and clear.
“Yes, she’s my mother.”
“You must be proud. She’s a good example of how far women can go today in law enforcement.” Lisa played nice to smooth the strain. She’d heard that the woman was a ball-breaker, one tough cookie and not in a million years could she imagine her as typical mommy material.
Mattie broke into their dialogue with an invitation. “Lisa dear, stay for supper tonight, will you? I’ve made a special meal to welcome our new daughter into the family.” The imploring looks from both Ham and Mattie made her hesitate. Before she could say yes, Aurora arrived to pick up Lily who lay nestled in a baby hammock sound asleep.
Surprise registered. Lisa just remembered that Aurora had intended to pick up Lily as soon as they’d parted at lunch. Evasive tactics while introductions were made snared Lisa’s attention even more. What was going on with her friend now? Finally, Aurora’s head nodding to the door got her attention and soon they were outside. While Aurora put Lily into her car seat Lisa waited, alarms going off inside her head like firecrackers on the fourth of July.
“What’s up? What’s with the look?”
“What look?” Aurora hedged.
“The look that means I’m not gonna like what you’re gonna tell me but you’re gonna say it anyway.” Lisa’s sloppy English reflected her concern.
“Jeff’s father arrived unexpectedly and thinks he knows what happened to Jeff. You’re gonna have to help, Lisa. The characters that he’s afraid might have kidnapped—”
Lisa interrupted, “Wait a minute! Kidnapped? Is there a ransom note?”
“Not exactly but there is a message that he claims is authentic and revealing. Look, my friend, I’d take this case in a millisecond but Kai would be heartbroken to miss out on this trip. With him starting his new job in three weeks, this is our only window of opportunity. He’s got the whole vacation planned like it’s a NASA flight for crissake’s.”
“You haven’t told him about Jeff.”
“No. I couldn’t until I knew for sure he was in trouble. Even now, I’m not really positive that Jeff’s father is right. It could be just coincidence. Jeff’s been in a shitty mood ever since you dumped him. Maybe he just needed a break.”
“But you don’t believe that.”
“No.”
“Shit!”
“Lisa, you’re the only one I trust to make the same effort to find him that I would.”
Lisa covered her mouth so Aurora wouldn’t see her desperately trying to stop the screams. She felt Aurora’s eyes piercing her armor and couldn’t contain her fear any longer. “Quit whining for heaven’s sake. You know damn well, I’ll be on it. How could I not?” Her voice broke and before she knew it, Aurora’s hand grabbed hers and held on tight.
Chapter Six
Jeff revived slowly. His eyes kept closing repeatedly even though his brain sent him messages of alarm. The last time he’d experienced similar sensations, he’d had an anesthetic while having a wisdom tooth pulled. The dryness and rotten taste in his mouth registered also. Unfortunately, the tape glued over his lips made swallowing difficult. Concentration helped as he used his throat muscles to do his bidding. Floating along with fragmented thoughts ping-ponging around in his head, he tried to shift his body. The fact that both his upper and lower body were tied to a chair and he couldn’t move an inch finally drove out the cobwebs.
Last thing he remembered, he’d laid down on his couch to try and shut down his too-active brain. Since the night he’d shared his bed with Lisa, he hadn’t been able to sleep there again. Instead, he’d lay awake for hours remembering her soft body, intoxicating lips and searching hands. Nowadays, a plush living room sofa had become his place to rest while sleep evaded.
If he were truthful, he’d have to admit his curly-headed cop had spoiled him for any other female. At least in the near future. Could be in ten years or so he’d be over his infatuation and other women might look good to him again. For now, his chances to reconnect with another were zero to zip.
Jeff’s head lolled to the side and the pain in his neck once again cleared his thoughts. Christ! What the fuck was going on? And where the hell was he? Forcing himself to straighten his back used all his concentration and registering his surroundings hurt his brain cells. It took him biting the inside of his mouth hard enough to hurt that helped push away the grogginess and let him concentrate.
Slowly, the luxurious room and its furnishings logged in. Jeff knew exactly where he was… just not why. Once he found out who had seized and drugged him, maybe then he’d have his answer.
Thank goodness when he’d dropped off to sleep or should he be honest and admit to imbibing too much and passing out from drink and exhaustion, he hadn’t undressed for the night. Since he usually slept in the buff, it led to all sorts of disturbing images and made him glad he
hadn’t stripped down.
Shit, what the hell time was it? Now that he thought about it, he’d go mad not knowing whether it was day or night and how long he’d been missing. The window drapes were fully closed which didn’t help. Wriggling his hands, he tried to loosen his bonds. He squirmed from side to side until he saw the plastic zip-ties and then gave up. Everyone knew they had no give whatsoever. Plus, he’d felt blood ooze from his efforts and decided he wasn’t too smart to add injury to insult. Though switching the cliché didn’t make it any the less realistic.
He’d known instantly that whoever had hijacked him had left him to fend for himself. The room was empty of people. Still he listened for the sounds of breathing or any distinguishable noises of others nearby. There were none.
Somehow, he’d gotten into a mess. Not knowing why, or with whom, drove him crazy. He went back over the last while, thinking of any possible enemies, trying to figure out why this had happened to him. He had a good rapport with the organized crime in town as well as the political riffraff. He’d kept his nose clean and his business the same way. No bells rang there.
Money! Being stinking rich had to be at the bottom of this trouble. Nothing else made sense. Therefore, if he paid off the bastards, maybe they’d let him live. Why didn’t that dispel the terror he fought with every breath he took?
Because he knew it wasn’t credible. Chances were he’d end up with a bullet in his head and with his own fingerprints on the gun. After all, whoever had taken him hadn’t carried him very far. Just a few floors down. Even half-coherent, Jeff had no problem recognizing a luxury suite in his own hotel.
Chapter Seven
Lisa had a word with Mattie about keeping Noel there for the night. She hugged and kissed the little devil who took her news of him staying with Mattie and Ham like the stoic little soldier she expected. Periodically, her job demanded weird hours and Noel seemed to understand. Then she took a quick trip home to shower and change into something less cop-like for her visit to the casino. All through this time, she reflected on her incredible night with the man who Aurora called friend and Lisa called a lovely fantasy. The same man who had driven her to heights she’d never before reached, and her focus wasn’t only directed to his sexual prowess. That special night, Jeff had gotten into her head and if truth be told, her heart. She still heard his endearing whispers of encouragement that drove her over the brink. How he stared into her soul with adoring eyes that had made her feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. When they’d joined, everything in her universe had righted itself, she’d felt more complete with him inside her than at any other time in her life. What an incredible experience!