by Cate Beauman
“So you’re saying Helen staged Alyson Porter’s kidnapping?”
“Planned the whole thing.”
“If and when we find her, what will she say?”
“That I did it, but I’m telling ya I didn’t.”
“And Dawn Summerman? What would she say?”
“She’d back me the hell up. Dawn and me, we weren’t no damn masterminds. My job was to get the kid. Helen was going to handle the rest.”
He got to his feet again as they were finally starting to get to the meat of the kidnapping plot. “And that means?”
“She rented a storage unit in the Bronx. We were supposed to drive the kid there. When the ransom came in, we would collect some cash.”
He walked to the window, staring out at the city. “How much cash?”
“Hundred thousand each.”
“So, you were going to take Alyson?”
“Me and Dawn Summerman. The kid was supposed to disappear the night of the ball. Dawn was gonna grab her since the girl knew her and leave the ransom note. I was gonna wait in my car a couple blocks away. The rest was supposed to be history.”
“Did Becky Maglio know about the kidnapping?”
“No. But if Dawn got caught, she was going to make up a story about how things didn’t work out with her family and say Becky’s mom told her she was at the mansion.”
“How did Dawn unlock the balcony doors?”
“That was Helen’s problem.”
Helen had inside access. He grit his teeth, positive now that Alyson’s kidnapping was an inside job. “What was supposed to happen to Alyson at the storage unit?”
“At first I heard stuff about her getting sold off to some pornographer, then I started hearing rumors about Bobby Dumont.”
His grip tightened on the phone as chills ran down his spine, thinking of the ruthless hitman. “Bobby Dumont?”
“That was the word. I didn’t pay much attention.”
“What was Bobby supposed to do?”
“What people like Bobby Dumont do.”
Christ, this was disgusting. “What did Dawn think?”
“I only know about me.”
“What do you think she thought?”
“Find her and ask.”
It was hard to ask a dead woman much of anything. “I’m asking you.”
“She got nervous after I told her who Bobby Dumont was.”
“Because she was getting mixed up with a sociopathic killer?”
“She kept bugging me about what Bobby was going to do to the kid. When I told her he was probably gonna chop her up and toss her in the harbor, she puked all over my kitchen sink.”
Chase rubbed at the back of his neck, knowing the kid that was supposed to get “chopped up” was the woman he loved laying in his bed.
“The night we were supposed to take care of the kid, Dawn left early. Said she wanted to get a toy or something from the store to make sure Alyson would come with her. It sounded like a smart enough idea so I let her go.”
“What time?”
“Six thirty, seven—something like that. I didn’t pay much attention.”
“What happened after that?”
“The bitch never came back. We were supposed to take Alyson at ten thirty. The babysitter told Dawn she usually slept on the couch on the nights she babysat for the Porters. Becky wasn’t supposed to be much of a night owl, so we thought ten or ten thirty would be good. Eight came around and Dawn wasn’t back. Eight thirty turned into nine and she still wasn’t at my place. I figured she chickened out. Then I got a call at nine forty-five saying she had the kid and she wasn’t coming back. I thought she was double crossing me—wanted the whole pot of money for herself. I drove to New York and realized she wasn’t there. She took the fucking kid and ruined the whole damn thing. Lost out on a hundred thousand big ones.”
“Becky said she put Alyson to bed at eight thirty. She was gone when Becky checked on her at nine. Dawn waited quite a while to make contact with you.”
“I imagine she wanted to get where she was going before she called. It’s not like everyone had a cell phone back then.”
“Where did she go?”
“You think I would’ve let her get far if I did know? After I settled down, I realized I shoulda checked the bus station before I headed to New York.”
“Why?”
“If she was leaving town, that’s how she would’ve gone. I remember her telling me she lifted three grand from the guy she nannied for right before she gave him her notice—to leave Mass with and start over again when she was ready. Looks like she did just that.”
“What did Helen have to say? You screwed up the plan.”
“I didn’t fuck up nothing. Dawn did. She came to my place a few days later when the press started to chill a bit on the story. She’d sent word that I was supposed to meet her somewhere else, but I sure as shit wasn’t going. She was bullshit pissed. For all I knew, Bobby Dumont was waiting for me.”
“Why did she want Alyson dead?”
“Couldn’t tell ya other than she hated the brat.”
“Alyson Porter was three years old.”
“She hated her anyway. Always called her the little bitch.”
“Where is she now?”
“Haven’t seen her in twenty-five years, since she came and ripped me a new asshole at my apartment.”
Just like the landlord had confirmed. “Where would you look for her?”
“I wouldn’t. She’s crazy with a capital c-r-a-z-y.”
“You mentioned that you thought Alyson was still in danger.”
“Hate like that don’t just vanish.”
“Helen was close to the Porters.” He already knew it, but confirmation never hurt anything.
“Never said. Just hated the kid, so she knew them somehow.”
“If I have any more questions—if anyone has any more questions, I’ll want answers. Real answers, Donnie.”
“It’s written in the agreement.”
“Remember that. Did you get all that?” he said to Prosecutor Mannis.
“We did. Thank you, Mr. Rider.”
“You’re welcome.” He hung up, steaming out a long breath. “Damn it.” Donnie gave the how’s and a couple of the why’s, but they were still no closer to finding Helen. Shaking his head, he dialed the Porter mansion. Helen knew the family. Someone knew her. On the fourth ring, Thomas cleared his throat in Chase’s ear.
“Hello?”
“Thomas, this is Chase Rider. I’m sorry to call so late.”
“Is everything all right, Mr. Chase?”
“I’m not sure. I need to know who Helen is.”
There was a long pause. “I don’t know this Helen you keep speaking of.”
“Thomas, who didn’t like Alyson?”
“No one comes to mind. She was an adorable child, Mr. Chase. Ms. Ally was well-loved by everyone.”
He grit his teeth, struggling not to swear. “Did she ever get on Ferra’s nerves?”
“Not that I know of. Ferra always called Ally her little lamb.”
“What about Elaine?”
“Elaine was always carrying her around. It’s safe to say she adored her.”
“Becky? The babysitter?”
“Her as well, sir.”
Then who the fuck was Helen? “Can you get Ferra for me? I have some questions for her.”
“I’m afraid she left on holiday shortly after you and Ms. Julie went on your way. She’s been unwell since Ms. Neve’s passing.”
“Where did she go?”
“Wyoming. Her daughter has a quaint little home in the mountains.”
“Can I get a number?”
“I tried to call and check in with her yesterday, but she’s unavailable. The phone appears to be off the hook. The media has been relentless.”
“Can I have the number anyway?”
“Of course, Mr. Chase.”
He jotted down the number Thomas gave him and dialed, getting a busy
tone. “Goddamn.” He punched in another number.
“Hello?”
“Elaine.”
“Chase?” Her sleepy voice questioned. “Honey, is that you?”
“Yes. I’m sorry to call so late—”
“Is everything okay?”
No. “Yeah.” He jammed his hand through his hair. “Everything’s fine. I need to ask you about Helen again.”
“Helen? The woman you think took Julie?”
“We’re still looking into that.”
“Honey, I just don’t know that name. Are you sure you’re okay? And Julie?”
“We’re good.”
“I’ll be there tomorrow. Julie and I are meeting for lunch.”
“She told me.”
“If there’s anything I can do… I feel like I need to watch out for her—that Neve would want me to do what she can’t anymore.”
“I appreciate it. I know Neve would too.”
“Tell Julie I’ll see her tomorrow. I’m sorry you won’t be able to join us.”
“Hopefully next time you head our way.”
“That sounds good. Bye, honey.”
“Bye.” He hung up and went to the bedroom, glancing at Julie now sleeping deeply on her side. Who hated her—or Alyson? Who was cold-blooded enough to hand a sweet, beautiful preschooler over to a sadistic killer? Someone who knew the Porters. Someone who knew them well enough to unlock balcony doors without being noticed.
He flipped on the closet light, grabbed one of Alyson’s baby books, and started leafing through. Someone from Julie’s early childhood wanted her dead—had planned to have her disposed of by one of the most vile bastards on death row.
“Chase?” Julie sat up. “I think I fell asleep.”
“Donnie Dorman made a deal,” he tossed over his shoulder.
“He did?” She pulled the covers back. “When?”
“Your mother—Miranda—she took you to save you.”
“What?”
He stopped, shaking his head. Julie deserved some of her answers delivered better than that. “I’m sorry.” He took her hand and sat down next to her. “Dawn Summerman was in on the original plot to take you. I don’t think she could have gone through with it. You were supposed to have died that night.” And that’s all he would say about that. “But Dawn came and took you away before anyone could go through with the plan.”
She swallowed. “My mother saved me.”
He nodded. “She did.”
Her chin trembled. “I knew she wasn’t bad. I knew she wasn’t a bad person.” Tears fell next. “I wish Neve could know. I wish she could understand that Miranda didn’t take me to hurt her family.”
He lifted her hand, kissing her fingers. “It was someone who knew you—your family. Helen.” He leafed through the pictures in the album from front to back, looking for…something, started over, and did it again, hoping Helen might be there or that something would jump out at him.
Julie moved closer to his side. “You think she’s in the pictures.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know. It’s a place to start.”
“Maybe she’s not there.”
“She might not be.” He shut the book and looked into Julie’s troubled eyes. She needed him more than he needed to look for clues that probably weren’t even there. “The answers are coming.” He kissed her forehead. “We’re figuring this out.”
She nodded.
He pulled her into a hug. “Every day we’re getting closer to figuring this out, Jules.”
She hugged him back. “I know.”
Chapter Forty-six
Julie sat at the table set for two, waiting for Elaine to meet her at The Beach House. She looked around the busy eatery despite the late lunch hour, wondering if the person who wanted to hurt her had followed her and Reed to the place she planned to dine with her mother’s best friend. No one looked familiar, but if the person who wished her harm was from her childhood, they could easily hide in plain sight and she would never know the difference.
She glanced toward the bar where Reed sat, talking on his cell phone, occasionally sipping at his glass of water. Their eyes met across the room, and she tapped her watch, shrugging and sending him a small smile of apology as she wondered where Elaine was. She and Reed had been a little late themselves with the busy afternoon traffic, but Elaine was well past their one fifteen meeting time.
Reed gave a subtle “don’t worry about it” shake of his head and drank from his glass. She peeked at her watch once more and let her gaze wander to the windows and the barely-there view of the marina far in the distance. The hustle and bustle beyond the glass was going to be her new life—a Los Angeles resident. Palm trees instead of pine trees. Sunshine and warmth instead of cold and snow. And she was thrilled. Bryce and Mindy would have a new place to visit, and she could always go home for a long weekend. Bakersfield was only a quick plane ride away.
Julie came to attention when she spotted Elaine walking her way dressed in fitted jeans and a slimming sweater. Despite a long day of travel, the sleek blond looked fresh and polished. Smiling, Julie stood, waving.
Elaine grinned, waving back, rolling her carry-on luggage behind her. “There you are, sugar plum.” She gave Julie a hug. “Aren’t you just glowing?” She kissed her cheek. “So beautiful.”
“Thank you.” She caught Reed’s eye as she embraced her friend for another hug. He gave her a nod, and she nodded back, signaling that she was comfortable with him leaving to run his errands. “I was thinking the same thing about you.”
“Aren’t you sweet.” Elaine kissed Julie’s other cheek.
“Please sit down and be comfortable,” Julie invited. “I ordered us water with lemon.”
“Perfect. Flying always dries out my skin.” She sipped her drink. “I’m so sorry I’m late. I imagine we should’ve met at the airport, but I love getting out and seeing a place if I’m going to be stuck for so long.”
“Don’t apologize. I’m just glad to see you.”
“I’m so excited we could get together.” Elaine took Julie’s hand. “Maybe we can do this again in a couple of weeks when I head home—and Chase can join us.”
“We would love it.”
The waitress started their way. “Are you ready to order?”
“I think we need a few more minutes,” Julie said.
“Just one or two.” Elaine picked up her menu, scanning the first page. “Everything looks so good.”
“I think I might have a bowl of the French onion soup. In honor of Neve.”
Elaine smiled sadly. “Dear Neve. I’ll join you in her favorite light bite.”
Julie studied the additional options. “We could split a sandwich.”
Elaine flipped the page. “Turkey sounds great.”
“Perfect.”
Elaine signaled the waitress over. “We’ll do the half soup and sandwich—French onion—and we’ll split a turkey on whole wheat?” She looked at Julie as she chose the bread.
She nodded. “Can’t wait.”
“If we could get a rush on that. I’m afraid my plane landed late, and I need to make it back in time for the next one.”
“Sure,” their server said. “I’ll bring everything right out.”
“Thank you.” Elaine reached over for Julie’s hand once again as the waitress disappeared. “I know it’s only been a few days since we’ve seen each other, but how are you doing? There’s a lot going on in your life.”
“There is, but I’m good. I’m moving to Los Angeles.”
Elaine’s eyebrows winged up. “Am I hearing wedding bells?”
Grinning, Julie shook her head. “At least not yet. Chase asked me to stay here with him last night.”
“Sugar plum, this is excellent news.”
“I’m pretty excited.”
“What about your studio in Washington?”
“I’ll have to sell it, which makes me incredibly sad, but I’m going to start over here, which is the right thing fo
r me and Chase.” She puffed out a long breath. “God, that sounds scary. Starting completely over, I mean.”
“It’s a good scary, though.”
“It is.” Julie laughed, still in awe that everything she’d ever wanted was coming true. “I’m starting my life over again with the boy I’ve loved...forever.”
“Like a fairytale.” Elaine sighed dramatically. “Not everyone gets a fairytale, sweetie.”
“I’m lucky. So lucky.” And the warmth filled her up.
“Neve knew you two would work things out. She told me more than once that Chase was the one for you.”
“She always seemed so sure.”
Elaine nodded. “She said you and Chase reminded her so much of her and Jay.”
Julie pressed her hand to her heart with the bittersweet ache. “Thank you for telling me that.” She gave Elaine’s hand a squeeze. “That means so much.”
“She loved you to pieces. She was so proud of you.”
“I wanted the time to grow to love her too. The way a daughter loves a mother.”
Elaine closed her eyes, shaking her head. “It’s such a tragedy.” She looked at Julie again, her eyes growing misty. “I have something I wanted to share with you. I think Neve would approve.” She pulled a small box from her purse and handed it to Julie.
Julie opened the lid, staring at a pretty pearl bracelet with a simple gold clasp.
“Neve gave me this when she and Jay renewed their vows on their twenty-fifth anniversary—a year or so before Jay ended up passing. I was her maid of honor of sorts.”
“This is beautiful.” Julie ran her finger over the perfect, creamy rounds. “Are you sure you don’t want to keep it?”
She shook her head. “It’s very special. So are you.” She took the bracelet from the box. “I wanted to give you a piece of your parents.”
“Thank you.” She shook her head. “Although that doesn’t seem like enough.”
“It’s the least I can do, sweetie.” Elaine fastened the jewelry around Julie’s wrist.
She turned her arm from side to side. “So lovely.”
“I agree.” Elaine picked up her napkin, blotting beneath her eyes.