by Ponzo, Gary
When Rachel got home, she found it empty and dark. Her calls to Rick that day had, so far, been unreturned. She found a note on the kitchen counter.
Gone to Orlando for a meeting. Be back late tonight.
- Rick
Rachel reached for a white fluffy towel and stepped out of the tub. She knew that Rick was upset with her over many things - because she was thinking about selling her real estate business, because she got involved with a stranger’s business, and because she was spending all of her free time and money on trying to find their own child. Rick couldn’t understand why she didn’t let the police do their job and why she couldn’t just move on with her own life.
Rachel thought oppositely - she didn’t understand why Rick didn’t spend more time helping her find their daughter. Rick just threw himself back into running his car dealerships and pursuing new business. For him, it was all about money. It was all about moving on. It made Rachel’s stomach turn. He wanted Rachel to move on with her life, go back to running her real estate business, and that pissed her off.
She toweled off and slipped on her robe. Sitting on the edge of her bed, she ran a comb through her long locks, becoming angry. Tugging at the tangles in her hair, she thought about the conversation that had to take place when Rick returned from Orlando.
Rachel had decided what she wanted to do with the money she was going to receive from the sale of her business. It turned out to be a lucrative deal – over one million dollars for the real estate and property management business plus monthly residuals of ten percent of the gross business for the next five years. Her property management business currently brought in around a hundred grand a month in leases and most of the commercial leases had ten years left on them. She would have ten grand a month in income for the next five years at minimum. It was more than enough for her to live on comfortably. The million dollars of profit could easily buy office space, equipment, and manpower. Rachel smiled and felt more relaxed. She could make this work. Now the only problem was - would Rick support her? If not, she was prepared to do it on her own. She would find out soon enough. Tomorrow morning, Rachel was going to confront Rick with her decision. A life changing one for both of them.
Chapter 24
The next morning, Rachel settled herself across the breakfast table from Rick. A plate of muffins and a pot of coffee sat between them as Rachel picked at her breakfast. Rick had come home sometime in the middle of the night and slept on the couch. She took a deep breath, and said the words she knew Rick dreaded to hear.
“We need to talk.”
Rick slowly put down the newspaper. “Okay.”
“I have a buyer for the real estate business. It’s the guy from Keller Williams who has been hounding me to sell for the past few months. He’s willing to pay my asking price.”
“You really want to do that?”
“Yes, I do. I’m starting a search and rescue company with the money I’m receiving from the sale.” Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. It was all out in the open now. She’d made up her mind and it felt good to tell Rick what her future plans were.
“Rachel, you know nothing about search and rescue. Are you out of your mind?” Rick slammed his hand down on the newspaper.
“That’s why I’m going to hire the best in the business. You know what Detective Cooper told me when he was assigned to Mallory’s case?” Her voice filled with anger before continuing. “Florida ranks third in the United States for missing people and most of those are children. Children, Rick. Helpless kids are being torn away from their families.”
“I’m sure some of those are runaways. Not every situation is like ours, Rachel. A lot of people disappear on purpose. Probably running away from a bad situation.”
“Right, I know that. But I can help those who weren’t - the children who were taken from their home forcibly. People who vanished under extraordinary circumstances. Elderly people who wander away from their homes. Kids who were abducted from playgrounds.”
“What knowledge do you have to help these people? You can’t even…” Rick stopped when he realized the words he was about to say.
“I can’t what, Rick?” Rachel stood up angrily, throwing her chair back. She glared at him. “I can’t find my own daughter! Is that what you were about to say?”
“Rachel, please sit back down. You know I didn’t mean it like that. I know you’ve done everything possible to find Mallory.” Rick softened his voice. “But we can’t stop living our life. It’s time to move on.”
Rachel stomped around the table and got within an inch of Rick’s face. “I will never, ever let go. Ever. Unlike you, I haven’t given up. I will find our daughter if it takes the rest of my life.”
“Is that what you think? That I’ve given up on Mallory? I love her, too, Rachel. I spent many hours wandering around Miami looking for our daughter! I want her home just as bad as you do. But I know my limits. I can’t spend every day wallowing around in self-pity. I have to do something or I’ll go crazy thinking about it. It doesn’t mean I’ve given up on her. I’ll always have hope.”
“Wallowing around in self-pity? Is that what you think I do? I can’t go back to work Rick. It has no meaning for me anymore. I can use this money to help other people. And while I’m doing that, I can still look for our daughter.”
“That’s what the police are for. It’s their jobs to look for missing people. Not yours.”
Rachel sighed. “Were you not listening to me? The police don’t have the manpower or the funds to look for every missing person—they just don’t. I know I can’t help everyone but I can start with one person. Who knows, maybe I’ll make a difference. I helped Janine find her son.”
Rick refilled his cup with coffee. “No matter what I say you are still going to do this anyway.”
“I’ve already started. I’ve booked a trip to Texas. There’s an organization that helps locate missing persons. They have training sessions for people who want to volunteer. I’m going to learn as much as I can from them and then come back to Miami to start my own organization.”
Rachel had already thought about asking Detective Cooper to help. He had mentioned retiring from the police force and starting a private investigation service. He would make a good asset to her team.
“Then why are we discussing this if you’ve already made up your mind?”
“Because I want your support, Rick. I need to know that you’re behind me a hundred percent.”
Rick stood up and poured the rest of his coffee down the kitchen sink. He kept his back to her. “I’m sorry Rachel. I don’t think this is the best idea. I can understand donating some money to this Texas organization. But putting your life on the line to help other people… that’s not you. That’s not going to help bring Mallory home.”
“You haven’t heard a word I’ve said, have you?” Rachel walked over to Rick and touched him on the shoulder. “I need to do this Rick. For myself, for Mallory. Why can’t you understand that?”
Rick pulled away, gathering his briefcase and newspaper from the kitchen table.
“I’m sorry Rach. I just can’t support you on this one.”
As Rick walked out of the house, Rachel slid to the floor. Her back resting against the kitchen cabinet, she started to cry. The sound of Rick’s car pulling out of the driveway caused her to sob louder. Rachel knew at that point, she’d lost her husband forever.
Chapter 25
The Route 9 was a busy restaurant in Coral Gables. It was one of Rachel’s favorite places to have lunch with clients. She sat across from Janine and gave her the news she’d been reluctant to share with anyone.
“Rick and I have separated.” Rachel reached for a corn muffin and placed it on her napkin.
“I’m sorry to hear that. Is there anything I can do?” Janine asked, a guilty feeling welling up inside her. She felt somewhat responsible for their breakup.
“No, but thanks. Just having someone to talk to helps.” Rachel lathered her muffin with butter.
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“Well, I’m here anytime you need to talk about anything. I owe you so much for your help in getting Jack back from his father.”
“You don’t owe me anything. How’s Jack doing?”
“Good. He’s back in school. We’re seeing a therapist. She’s really nice. I think it’s helping him get over what Scotty did.”
“That’s good to hear. When is his court date?”
“He already had a hearing. Plead not guilty to all charges. His trial doesn’t start for another three months.”
“Has he seen Jack since then?” Rachel asked.
Janine pushed the salad around on her plate. “Only once. His attorney was able to get supervised visitations. We meet once a week at his attorney’s office and Jack gets to see his father for one hour. I don’t like it, but right now there’s nothing I can do about it.”
“It’ll get better.” Rachel put her own fork down. She wasn’t as hungry as she thought.
“I’m sorry. I’m probably being insensitive. I have my son back safe and sound and you’re still looking for your daughter.”
“No, no. It’s okay. I’m glad that Jack is home safe.”
“I don’t know what to do about work. I need to find a new job that will let me work around Jack’s preschool schedule. I still don’t feel comfortable leaving him at home with a babysitter. Who knows what Scotty will try to pull again? He’s not the type to give up so easily.”
“I have an idea. Actually, that’s why I wanted to meet you for lunch.”
“What’s that?”
“The sale of my business went through. I’ve got the money in my account…”
Janine raised her hand. “I can’t take any money from you Rachel. You’ve already done enough for us.”
“I’m offering you a partnership. Starting tomorrow, I’m officially starting Florida Omni Search, a search and rescue organization that helps locate missing persons. I want you to join me.”
“But I don’t have any money to contribute.”
“It’s okay. We’ll work something out. I figured I would buy the office space and equipment needed to get up and running. Then we can work on getting donations to fund our services.” Rachel pulled a piece of paper out of her purse and laid it on the table. “This is Texas Search and Rescue Ops located in Dallas. They have a training session that I’m going to next week. It covers everything from searching in different types of terrain, setting up group searches, working in tandem with law enforcement, and types of equipment needed for certain types of search and rescue missions. I’ve already met with the owner and we discussed setting up a similar operation here.”
“Sounds great, Rachel, but I don’t know where I would fit in. I don’t know anything about this kind of business.”
“You have experience in office management?” Rachel asked.
Janine nodded. “I used to work in a medical office.”
“Well, you can help set up the office, get all our equipment lined up, prepare whatever accounts we need. I’ll put you on the payroll. We can deduct an agreed amount from each paycheck to put in for your partnership. We own the company together.”
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but why are you doing this for me?”
“Looking for Jack gave me a purpose. It was the most fulfilling thing I’d done since I lost Mallory. I think you and I will work well together.” Rachel noticed Janine was still hesitant. “You can work flexible hours and bring Jack to the office when you need to.”
“This all sounds too good to be true, Rach. I’m one of those people that never had any good come to them. Can I think about it?”
“The ball’s in your court.” Rachel signaled for the waiter to bring the check. “I’m leaving tomorrow to head to Texas and I’ll be back in two weeks. You can let me know then.”
Janine sat in thought for a minute. “No, I don’t need that long.” She smiled broadly. “I’ll do it. Why not? Sounds like a great way to begin a new chapter in my life.”
Rachel nodded, smiling back. “We’re both beginning new chapters in our life.”
A new chapter, Rachel thought to herself. However, it soon faded. Tears began to form in her eyes. She remembered Mallory - her smile, her warmth, her voice. If she didn’t look for her, she was failing. Every moment Mallory was without her dolls. Every moment Mallory was without her favorite blanket. Every moment Mallory was gone. Rachel longed to hold her daughter in her arms one more time. To kiss her tiny freckled nose and tickle each of Mallory’s tiny toes.
Every minute of her life without Mallory was pure torture. Rachel hoped that helping other people finding their missing loved ones would help ease that pain. She was ready to turn the page and find out.
Epilogue
The two-story white stucco building sat a block back from the beach. An old souvenir shop that Rachel had gutted and transformed into a professional office building was now decorated with festive balloons and colorful streamers. Rachel stood outside the new office of Florida Omni Search with all her friends, family, and news media. The local Chamber of Commerce president held an oversized pair of scissors to her. A red ribbon held by two other chamber members was strung out in front of the office.
“We are here today to dedicate the opening of Florida Omni Search to my daughter, Mallory Scott. As many of you know, Mallory went missing just over a year ago. She has never been found, but I haven’t given up on finding her. I decided to open Florida Omni Search to help other families locate their missing loved ones. Today is our first official day in business. I want to thank everyone for coming out and helping us honor this special day.”
Rachel searched out her mom and dad in the crowd. They were smiling back at her. With Janine at her side, Rachel took the scissors and cut the red ribbon in two. It fell with a flourish, floating to the ground.
“Everyone is invited inside to celebrate,” Rachel announced to the crowd.
Rachel was happy to see such a great turnout. People she worked with during her real estate career were in attendance along with some of her neighbors and other business associates. Janine had thought Rachel had over done it with the catering, but Rachel wanted to make a big splash. The refreshments were actually a huge spread of boiled shrimp, oysters on the half shell, marinated crab claws, chicken satay, hamburger sliders, and a massive fruit and cheese tray along with mini key lime pies and an assortment of cookies. Hired bartenders stood by waiting to pour glasses of champagne and wine.
Rachel was filling her glass with Chardonnay when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find Detective Red Cooper.
“Hey, what a welcome surprise. I thought you were off enjoying your new retirement—hitting some golf balls or riding that Harley of yours?”
“Well, I did all that the first couple of months. Now I’m bored. I thought I’d come by and check out your new place.” Red looked at the festivities going on around them. “I’m ready to get to work—if the offer still stands?”
Rachel took a sip of her wine, as if contemplating her answer. She had asked Red to come work with her right after he announced his retirement from Miami P.D. He had initially turned her down. “Well, Detective Cooper, why don’t I show you to your new office?”
“I’m officially retired now so you can call me Red.”
“Follow me, Red.” Rachel led him upstairs to a roomy office which overlooked the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Wow, this is probably more than I could ever afford. I was thinking more in line of a smaller office that overlooked the parking lot.” Red shoved his hands in his front pockets, peering out the window at the young women strolling down the boardwalk in teeny bikinis. “However, I must say, the view is terrific.”
Rachel laughed. “This is the deal. You can have this office rent free in exchange for occasionally helping us with any cases.”
Red held out his hand which Rachel shook. “We have a deal then.”
There was a timid knock at the open door. Janine was standing in the
hallway with a piece of paper in her hand. “Excuse me for interrupting. Rachel, I think you might want to see this.”
Rachel’s eyes slowly scanned the paper.
“We officially have our first case,” Janine said.
“An elderly woman from Coral Gables area that has Alzheimer’s disease was reported missing from her nursing home last night and so far the police have no leads. The family read an article in the Miami Sun that featured me and Florida Omni Search and has requested our help,” Rachel read the note aloud to Red.
“I guess it’s time to pay my rent.” Red patted Rachel on the shoulder. “You ready for this?”
Rachel took a look around at the new business she’d created. She felt that she finally had a purpose in life since Mallory disappeared. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”
(Not) THE END (Just the beginning)
THE LAST HORSEMAN
A Sandy Banks Novel
By
Frank Zafiro
The Last Horseman Copyright 2011 Frank Scalise
All rights reserved
You can keep up with Frank at http://frankzafiro.com.
For Steve Wohl, who planted the seed.
The sword of justice has no scabbard.
—Antoine de Rivarol,
French writer, 1753 –1801
PROLOGUE
Gail Ridley poured the fresh-brewed coffee slowly into one cup, then the other. She savored the vision of the dark, steaming liquid as it filled each cup. The scent wafted up and she breathed it in.