by Lisa Orchard
She was halfway down the stairs when she heard Hank’s heavy footsteps following her. It reminded her of the bomber’s heavy steps when he had chased her and Jackie down a flight of stairs at the hospital. Was that only a week ago? She shuddered at the thought.
Reaching the bottom, Sarah shook the image of the bomber out of her mind. She walked toward the table and made eye contact with her father. “Hank’s right behind me.”
Her father pursed his lips and gave her a curt nod.
Sarah’s phone rang, sending an electrical current of anxiety through her body. “Hello?”
“Sarah?”
“Jackie. What’s up?”
“We’re out here waiting for you. Are you guys coming out?”
Sarah cringed. She had forgotten about calling Scoop and arranging for their ride. “There’s been a development… give us a couple of seconds.”
“Okay… is everything all right?” Jackie asked.
The concern in her friend’s voice hit a nerve with Sarah. Her breath hitched in her throat and she was unable to speak. “Sarah, are you all right?”
Sarah cleared her throat and got her emotions under control. “Yeah. I’ll fill you in when I meet you guys. Just give us a little more time, okay?”
“Sure… okay.”
Sarah disconnected the call and hurried toward her father. While she had been on the phone, Hank had made it down the stairs and was in a heated conversation with him. She didn’t want to miss any of it.
“How did they know you were here?” Hank asked. He paced, running his hand through his hair in an agitated fashion.
Who is he talking about? Sarah shot a questioning look at Lacey.
She caught the look and pointed to her ring finger. Sarah was momentarily confused and then it hit her. Martin Savage. The head of security at Piper Drugs. Her stomach clenched into a painful knot. A part of her had known it was him, but she had been unwilling to accept it. Sarah swallowed the fear that had an icy grip on her throat and turned her thoughts to finding Dottie. How did Martin Savage know Dottie and my parents were connected?
Sarah furrowed her brow as she wracked her brain for the answer. “Dad did anyone in town see you with Mr. Robinson?”
Her father sighed. “I’m sure a few people did… I mean I had to come into town for supplies.” He scratched his head. “But no one in town would say anything about us to a stranger… they knew we were helping the Robinsons.”
Sarah gulped and bit down hard on her thumbnail. Thinking back on the conversation she overheard between Dottie and the Head of Security, Sarah’s body stiffened as she recalled Martin Savage describing her parents as criminals. If he blamed the fire on Mom and Dad and told people he was here to help the Robinsons… anyone who’s friends with the family might give up the information. Turning to her father, Sarah asked, “Dad, did anyone know you were staying here with the Robinsons?”
Her father shook his head. “No… we didn’t tell anyone.” He stared at Sarah. “Why? What do you think is going on?”
Sarah pulled her thumb out of her mouth. “When I overheard that guy talking with Dottie he called you and Mom criminals.” She clenched her hands into tight fists. “I bet, he’s telling people you started the fire and you were trying to hurt them. I’m sure he got someone to talk and spill the beans about you.”
“That’s a fair assumption to make… but it doesn’t explain why they would take Dottie,” Sarah’s mother said.
“Unless they’re looking to make some sort of exchange.” Her father sighed and paced.
“Which means they’ll be contacting us,” Hank said.
“What are we going to do?” Sarah asked tearfully. She looked from her father to Hank to her mother.
Mr. Robinson walked back into the room wearing a grim expression. He stood, waiting to hear the rest of the conversation. When no one spoke, he said, “So what’s going on?”
While Hank explained the situation to him, Sarah’s father drew his family into a huddle. “Sarah and Lacey, you need to get out of here and get my flash drive.”
“Dad… we can’t leave until we find Dottie,” Sarah protested.
“That’s right,” Lacey said.
Her father shook his head. “No! Now, listen to me girls. Things are getting dangerous here. We’re going to find Dottie, but I really need you to get my drive. It’s more important now than ever.”
“Why?” Lacey asked.
“Because it might be the only bargaining chip we have to get Dottie back.”
Sarah gulped. “Dad… the field trip isn’t a for sure thing.”
Her father sighed. “I know. But so far it’s the best plan we’ve got.”
“Let me give you girls a hug.” Sarah’s mother came around and pulled both girls into a fierce embrace. “Now, go back to your aunt and uncle’s house and keep out of sight. We don’t want this man knowing you’re involved.”
The sisters exchanged an anxious look, and then Sarah nodded. “Okay.”
Her father gave her a pat on the back. “Good girl.”
Sarah grabbed Lacey’s arm and pulled her toward the stairs. “Come on, Lace.”
They climbed the stairs and made it to the back door.
Sarah grabbed Lacey’s arm and stopped her from going outside. “Let’s make sure the head of security isn’t out there first.”
“Okay. You look. I’m too scared.”
Sarah gave her sister’s arm a quick squeeze and then peered out the door.
It was late afternoon. Sarah could tell because the sun that had been playing hide and seek earlier was out in full force, casting long shadows over the earth. Glancing up and down the alley, Sarah searched for Scoop’s car. She spotted it about fifty feet away. Parked behind the dumpster she had hidden under a few days ago.
Grabbing Lacey’s arm, she said, “Let’s go.” With one last glance up and down the alley, Sarah pulled Lacey from the store and sprinted toward Scoop’s car.
When they reached his car, Sarah scrambled into the backseat and Lacey jumped into the front seat next to Scott.
“You guys sure took a long time,” Jackie said. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her dark eyes flashed with irritation.
“Something came up,” Sarah retorted. She took a deep breath and brushed the hair out of her eyes. “Dottie’s gone. We think she’s been kidnapped.”
Scoop twisted around in his seat and eyed Sarah. “Why do you think she’s been kidnapped?”
“Because she disappeared from the store and according to Hank, there’s no way she would leave the store unattended,” Sarah said.
“That’s right,” Lacey spoke up.
“Holy cow!” Jackie exclaimed. Her eyes filled with concern. “Who took her?”
Sarah frowned. “They think it’s the head of security for Piper Drugs.”
“Seriously?” Jackie leaned forward and stared at Sarah.
“Yeah. His name is Martin Savage and Dad said we need to get the flash drive now more than ever.” She glanced at Scoop. “Mom and Dad want you to go with me as a chaperone on the field trip. Will you?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll just tell them you’re my grandpa.”
“Sounds like an excellent plan.” Scoop shifted in his seat and started the car. He hit the gas and then glanced through the back window. His expression went from casual interest to horror.
Sarah frowned and looked out the back window just before Scoop crashed into a black sedan.
The screeching of metal against metal set Sarah’s nerves on edge. The impact of the two vehicles threw her against the back of the front seat. When Sarah hit the seat the breath left her body with a heavy whoosh.
Frazzled, Sarah righted herself, and then checked to make sure no one was injured. Afterwards, she peeked out the window to get a look at the other driver.
Scoop cursed under his breath, put his car in park, and turned it off.
Then he stepped from the vehicle.
Sarah hel
d her breath as the other driver walked into view. He appeared uninjured and she exhaled. She watched as the two men spoke. She assumed they were discussing the damage from the accident, the way they were gesturing toward the vehicles as they spoke. There didn’t seem to be any animosity between the two men as they continued their conversation. They separated and Scoop returned to the vehicle and the other man returned to his. When Scoop climbed back into the car, he sighed for a moment and scratched his head.
“What’s going on?” Scott asked.
“We’ve got to exchange insurance information,” Scoop said. He ran his hand through his thinning hair. “Lacey, can you reach in the glove compartment and get my proof of insurance please? And there’s also a pen and a notebook in there too. I’ll need that as well.”
Lacey retrieved the requested items from the glove compartment. “Here.” She handed them to the retired reporter.
“Thanks.” Scoop winked at her before he exited the vehicle.
Sarah followed him with her eyes as he walked to the back of his car. The man from the second vehicle was already there. The paper he held in his hand was batted about by the wind while he waited for Scoop.
Scoop leaned down and wrote his information down in the notebook, then tore off the page. He handed it to the second driver just as the second driver handed him the sheet of paper in his hand.
Sarah watched the exchange with a disinterested eye until she saw the ring on the second man’s hand. It was a big black stone in a silver setting. It looked to Sarah like a high school class ring or maybe a college ring, but it was too far away and she couldn’t tell for sure. Her heart took up a frantic pace and her palms grew sweaty. She swallowed, though there was no saliva in her mouth.
She gnawed on her bottom lip, while she watched the exchange between the two men. Turning she caught her sister’s eye and with a slight movement of her head she motioned toward the men.
Lacey gave her a puzzled look and then looked out the back window. Her eyes widened. She returned her focus to her sister and pointed at her ring finger on her left hand.
Sarah gave her sister an almost imperceptible nod.
“I don’t believe it,” Lacey whispered. She pressed her lips into a grim line.
“I don’t either,” Sarah muttered. She continued to face her sister. “Tell me what’s going on. I don’t want this guy to see me.”
“Not much. They’re just talking right now.” Lacey fidgeted with her hair and then started twirling it around her finger. “Okay… now they’re shaking hands.” She leaned forward and continued her scrutiny. “Now… Scoop’s coming back to the car and the other guy’s going back to his car.”
“What’s he look like?”
“He’s tall with dark, wavy hair.” Lacey leaned forward and craned her neck. “He’s got some sort of scar on his right cheek… that’s about all I could see.” She glanced at Sarah and shrugged.
“That’s okay.” Sarah studied her for a moment and then gave her a nod of approval. “You actually did well.”
Lacey beamed. “I did, didn’t I?”
Sarah gave her a wink. “Yep. You did.”
Scoop climbed in the car and started the engine. He didn’t say a word, but waited for Martin Savage to drive away before he backed out. Shifting the gears, he puttered through the alley until he reached Main Street.
“Scoop, do you know who that was?” Sarah asked, no longer able to keep quiet.
Scoop glanced at her and gave her a wry smile. “No. I don’t. But I have the feeling you’re about to tell me.”
“Yep. That was the head of security for Piper Drugs. He’s the one who took Dottie.”
“Are you sure?” Scoop gave her a doubtful look.
“Yep. I’m sure. Check the information he gave you. He did give you his name didn’t he?”
Scoop took one hand off the wheel and reached into his pocket. “Yes, he did.” He pulled out the paper the other driver had given him and glanced at it. “You’re right, little Miss Detective. His name is Martin Savage.” He stuffed the paper back into his pocket and glanced at Sarah again. “So you think he’s the one who took Dottie?”
Anger washed over Sarah and she twisted her mouth into a grimace. “Yep. We have to help her.”
“We will.” He pressed his lips together in a tight line and gripped the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white. “What were your parents going to do about it?”
“I think they’re waiting to hear from the kidnappers.”
“Are they going to call the police?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why don’t you call your dad and find out,” Scoop suggested.
Sarah didn’t answer but pulled her phone out of her pocket and punched in her father’s number.
“Hello?” He answered on the first ring. His voice sounded tense and Sarah knew he was worried.
“Dad?”
“Yes… Sarah.” His voice lost its edge when he said her name.
“Are you going to call the police?”
“Hank did — probably about a half hour ago. He’s upstairs right now talking to them.”
“Is he going to mention you guys and everything?”
Her father sighed and Sarah imagined him rubbing his face as if he were tired. “Most likely… I don’t see how he couldn’t.”
“What’s going to happen now?”
“I don’t know, honey. We’ll have to wait and see what the police say.”
“Call me when you have some news.”
“I will honey.”
Sarah disconnected the call and stared out the window. Scoop had made it through town and was now merging onto the highway.
“Well?” he asked.
“The police are there now, talking to Hank.” She didn’t turn away from the window and stared out at the landscape as it rushed past. Images of Dottie invaded her mind, her slight build and thin frame. It would have been so easy for the muscular Martin Savage to get her into his vehicle. Anger swirled through her body and she gritted her teeth. Where could he have taken her and be back at in the alley for the accident? This question sent a shiver of dread through Sarah’s body. Is she still alive? And if she is, will we get the flash drive in time to save her?
Chapter Twenty-Two
Scoop dropped the Cole girls off in front of their home. Sarah took a deep breath and exhaled. Glancing at the warm glow of the porch light, she let the weariness invade her body. She shifted her shoulders and craned her neck, releasing the last bit of tension. “Come on, Lace. Let’s go.” She grabbed her sister’s arm and pulled her toward the porch. The girls trudged their way up the stairs and opened the door.
Once inside, they searched for their Aunt and found her in the kitchen, cooking dinner. Sarah smelled Aunt June’s famous chicken pot pie and looked through the window in the oven door to make sure.
“Chicken pot pie! One of my favorites,” Sarah exclaimed. Her stomach rumbled.
Aunt June gave her a warm smile and asked how their day went. Sarah and Lacey exchanged a look before Sarah filled her in on their afternoon.
“Oh girls, this is starting to sound dangerous,” she said.
“I know.” Sarah bit her lip. “I’m really worried about Dottie.”
“I don’t know if you should go on the field trip with your class.” Aunt June frowned and the worry line appeared in her brow. “This is way out of your league, Sarah.”
Sarah took a deep breath. “You know what? You’re right. This is out of my league. And dangerous. That’s why Scoop is going to be there with me. I’m signing him up as a chaperone.”
Aunt June opened her mouth to protest, but before she could get a word out Sarah was already speaking.
“He’s already agreed to do it.”
Aunt June sighed. “Did you discuss this with your parents?”
Sarah nodded. “Yes. In fact, it was Mom’s idea to ask Scoop.”
“It’s true,” Lacey said with a quick nod.
Her aunt moved to the table and sank down in one of the chairs. “I’m glad your uncle isn’t here to hear this.”
Sarah sat down and motioned for Lacey to do the same.
After Lacey had taken a chair, Sarah said, “I am too. How is Uncle Walt’s physical therapy going?”
Aunt June gave Sarah an appraising look. “I know you’re trying to change the subject, Sarah.”
She shrugged. “So what if I am. I still want to know how he’s doing.”
Lacey snorted and looked away.
Sarah kicked at her under the table, but Lacey knew it was coming and moved her legs out of the way. “Psyche.”
Sarah made a face at her sister and both girls cracked up. Aunt June laughed too. They laughed until tears streamed down their cheeks and Sarah’s stomach hurt. After drying her eyes on her shirt sleeve, she stood and got herself a drink of water. Turning, she asked, “Does anyone else want one?”
Lacey stood. “I do, but I can get it myself.”
“What? Don’t you trust me?” Sarah snickered and tried to fake an innocent expression. She took another drink of her water.
“No. Not really.”
The girls cracked up again, but Sarah had to stop when she almost choked on her mouthful of water.
“Settle down, you two,” Aunt June said, before she stood and checked on their dinner. “It’s almost done. Why don’t you two set the table and then we’ll eat.”
Sarah and Lacey went about the task of getting the table ready, while Aunt June tossed a salad. As Sarah placed plates on the table she glanced at Uncle Walt’s spot. She missed him and wished he could be here to share the evening meal. He’ll be home soon.
Aunt June brought the salad and pot pie to the table and the three of them sat down and started eating.
“So, you never did answer my question. How is Uncle Walt doing?” Sarah asked.
Some of the tension seemed to leave her aunt’s body as she spoke of Uncle Walt’s progress. The worry line had not returned after their bout of laughter and Sarah relaxed even more. She didn’t like to see her aunt all keyed up and anxious.
After their meal, the girls cleaned the kitchen while Aunt June went into the office to do some paperwork.