Erich froze, his eyes slightly unfocused. “Wait,” he whispered. “Listen.”
“What is it?” Laura asked, frowning at his eager face.
“Shh.”
The sound came again. All three heard it distinctly this time, though no one could figure out what it was. Laura got up, walked to the fireplace and put her ear to the wall above, but the sound wasn’t coming from there.
“Here,” Virginia said. She walked toward a wall and pushed a rocking chair out of the way.
They waited for ten minutes but heard nothing. With each disappearing moment their hope, so briefly stirred, faded. Laura straightened and looked at Erich, her expression miserable. Just as they were about to give up, the sound grabbed them again. Laura’s eyes popped open wide, and she began to tremble. With a mother’s instinct, she knew.
“It’s a child’s voice. It’s Todd.”
“Do you understand what he’s saying?”
She smiled. “Just one word. Mommy.”
Virginia’s hands went to her throat. “How do we get to him?”
Erich didn’t miss a beat. “There’s just one way I can see. We have to break down the wall, because he’s right behind it.”
Erich and Virginia ran outside to the garage, which had been almost completely hidden by ivy and overgrowth. Laura stayed behind and spoke to the unseen child behind the wall. At first he was quiet, but within seconds he’d responded to the soothing sound of her voice.
Erich and Virginia returned with a couple of hammers and a claw hammer. They pummeled the wall, breaking through to the drywall, which gave way easily. Suddenly the words the child was speaking became clear.
“James James
Morrison, Morrison
Weatherby George Dupree
Took great
Care of his mother
Though he was only three.”
Laura swayed. Erich reached out to catch her, but she caught herself, determined to stay strong. When the dust cleared from the demolition, they walked a few steps into the tiny room. A curly haired, wide-eyed little boy huddled against the wall, pressing as far away from the noise as he could get. On his lap trembled a kitten. The child stared up at them in confusion. Then his eyes found Laura. He dropped the kitten, leapt to his feet and ran to her.
“Mommy! Three!”
“Todd!” Laura didn’t remember running to him, dropping onto her knees and gathering her little boy against her. All she knew was the solid warmth of his little body, the fingers clutching at her back, the smell, oh, the sweet familiar smell of him. She sobbed, saying his name over and over, running her hands over his back and hair, then pulling away just enough so she could see his face.
Erich stood back, unable to move. Tears streamed down his cheeks. Virginia stood like a statue, staring at the miracle happening right in front of her.
***
After Phillip was reunited with Todd at his apartment in Manhattan, they all set off for Willow Pond in his Rolls Royce. Somehow the media found out, and cars filled with reporters and photographers followed them like a caravan. People lined the streets of Manhattan shouting well wishes as the Rolls sped by. Phillip opened the window and waved like a king, and the crowd went wild.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Austin,” Erich said.
Phillip turned toward the back seat. “Huh? Why not?”
“Never know what kind of nut could be in that crowd.”
Phillip quickly rolled up the window.
Laura didn’t care about the noise or the people or the confusion. All she cared about was that her little boy was nestled safely in her arms, sleeping in peace, maybe for the first time in ages. She ran her hands through his blond curls, pleased that Nancy hadn’t cut them off. Laura was relieved to see the woman had taken good care of him, and though she would never be able to forgive Nancy for what she’d done, she was at least grateful for that.
Every time she thought of what her baby had been through she wanted to cry. She held him closer and hoped that because he was only three he was young enough to forget everything that had happened. He sighed in his sleep and she brushed her lips against his forehead, swearing she would spend every day of the rest of her life knowing how much he meant to her. Erich, sitting beside her, took her hand and they smiled at each other.
“You were right, he is quite a little guy.”
“I don’t think he knew what he was doing when he started singing that song, but I hate to think of what might have happened if he hadn’t.”
“He’d still be there at the mercy of that madman,” Phillip said.
Virginia put her hand on the little boy’s arm. “That’s too awful to even think about.”
Laura pushed her aunt’s hand away. “I don’t want you to wake him up. Can’t you see he’s exhausted? I doubt that he’s gotten much sleep in days.”
Virginia smiled despite Laura’s rebuff. “There’s no better place for him to sleep than in his mother’s arms.”
Todd awoke when the car parked in front of Willow Pond. He sat up and looked around, then turned to Laura with an expression of puzzlement on his face. He clearly didn’t remember the place. Maybe his mind was protecting him from the memory of his abduction, but whatever the reason, Laura was grateful. She sighed with relief.
“I want to go home,” he said.
“This is home, sweetheart. We’re home,” Laura said.
The front door flew open and Iris ran out with Rachel in her arms. Erich got out of the car and took the baby from her so Iris could take his seat. The nanny sobbed, repeating his name and alternating between laughing and crying. Todd took one look at her and clambered into her arms.
“I wonder if he remembers you,” Laura said.
Iris’ cheeks shone with tears. “We’ve dreamed about this day, haven’t we, Laura? I was so afraid it would never happen, and here it is.” The two women smiled when Todd climbed back into Laura’s arms. “He has a mind of his own, doesn’t he?”
“Erich, let him see the baby,” Laura said.
“I think it’s time you got out of the car before those reporters catch up to us. They’re not too far behind,” Erich said.
“In a minute.”
Erich gave Rachel back to Iris. Todd studied her and touched her blonde hair. “Baby.”
“She’s your baby sister, and her name is Rachel.”
Todd gave her a final passing glance and wriggled out of Laura’s arms. Before anyone realized it, he had gotten out of the car and was racing toward the house. Virginia caught him halfway there and tossed him up in the air.
“You aren’t going to get away from us any time soon,” she said.
She set him on the ground and tickled him under the chin. He giggled, his laughter like medicine for Laura’s soul. Laura couldn’t help smiling, seeing Virginia with Todd. She was still angry with her aunt, but watching them together made it difficult for her to believe Virginia ever could have done anything to hurt him.
Erich came up from behind her and put his arm around her waist. “You and Virginia need to talk,” he said. “It’s time.”
“I’m afraid to hear what she has to say. I don’t know if I’m ready.”
At the sound of approaching cars they all headed for the house and managed to get inside before the first reporter reached the front door.
Laura laughed. “I thought they’d gotten lost.”
“You mean you hoped they had,” said Erich. “Why don’t you and your aunt go into the solarium? We’ll watch Todd. The two of you need some time alone.”
***
Laura and Virginia walked into the kitchen and stood facing each other. They had once been as close as mother and daughter. Now they felt like strangers.
“Would you like a glass of soda?” Laura asked, trying to break the ice.
“Since I decided to curb my drinking I’ve developed a taste for Coca-Cola. If you have any, that would be great. Otherwise, water is fine.”
“Erich drinks the stuff
all the time, so I’m sure there’s some in the refrigerator. Then we can go into the solarium and talk. It’s my favorite room. It has such a beautiful view of the grounds.”
“I remember. That’s where you had Todd’s first birthday party.”
“If I’d known we were going to miss his second and third birthday I would have made even more of a fuss. But I suppose it’s a good thing we can’t see into the future sometimes.”
They went into the solarium, Virginia sipping a bottle of Coke, Laura wondering what they could possibly say to each other. Laura had so many questions, but she didn’t want to ask any of them. All she wanted was for things to be the same between her and her aunt as they’d once been.
“He’s going to be fine, Laura,” Virginia said, her voice smooth with reassurance. “Small children are resilient.”
“How can you be sure?” asked Laura. “This is going to take getting used to. I don’t want to smother him, but even now that I’ve been away from him for a couple of minutes I feel myself starting to panic.”
“Give it time, Laura. Everything’s going to be fine.” Virginia had always known what was in her heart. “Laura, I know you have every reason to mistrust me, even hate me. But I want you to know I’d never do anything to hurt you or Todd. I’ve always loved both of you.”
“Then why?”
A few minutes later they heard Todd squeal, “Mommy! Three!” again, followed by Erich’s gentle voice. The women smiled at each other. Laura figured the words brought back some happy memory for him. A feeling of security.
No one had used the sunroom in some time and it felt stuffy, so she opened a couple of windows to let in some fresh air. The chirping of birds filled the room.
“The poem he’s reciting is the one you told me about when he was first kidnapped, isn’t it?” Virginia asked.
Laura cocked her head to one side. “I never thought you’d remember. You’ve seemed distracted for so long.”
Virginia put her arms around Laura and hugged her. For the first time in a long time they both felt a sense of peace. “I’m so sorry for everything you’ve been through, Laura. If I could have done anything to prevent you from going through it all I would have.”
Laura moved out of her aunt’s arms. “Tell me about Rudy Strauss.”
They heard footsteps, and Todd trotted into the room, munching a chocolate chip cookie, most of which had ended up on his face. Laura scooped him up and set him on her lap. He turned the cookie over and took another bite.
“He seems so … normal,” Laura said, looking at him with wonder. “You can’t know how happy it makes me to see him do things most children his age do.” She returned her gaze to Virginia. “Now. I have to know about Rudy Strauss.”
Virginia told her everything, omitting nothing except her being responsible for Rudy’s death. She hadn’t expected to be so honest, but she couldn’t lie to Laura. All she could hope for was that someday she’d understand.
When she was done, Laura stared incredulously at her. “You knew … the whole time … and yet you let me go on wondering? How could you?”
Todd glanced up at his mother, then at Virginia, his eyes round with concern.
“He senses something,” Laura said.
“Of course he does. He’s a sensitive child.”
“I don’t want him to hear this.”
She called Iris then waited for Virginia to explain herself.
Virginia shrugged. “There is no explanation. I did what I did because I thought it was best for you and Todd. If I’d told you what I knew, you could have been in danger.”
Laura stared at her in silence, then spoke quietly, her voice low. “Erich was right about you.”
“I don’t think he agrees with you anymore.”
Laura shook her head slowly. “That doesn’t matter.” She got off the chair and glared down at her aunt. “I want you out of my house.”
“Laura—”
“Now.”
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Virginia left without a word to anyone. She didn’t even stop when Erich went after her. He found Laura in the solarium standing by the window, watching a blue jay and listening to it caw to its family. He went to her side and wrapped an arm around her. She glanced up at him then looked back at the bird.
“Can you imagine anything as naturally beautiful as that bird?” she asked softly. “He’s perfect.”
“You and Virginia had a fight.”
Laura shook her head. “I still can’t believe it. She knew Strauss had kidnapped Todd almost from the beginning. I don’t think she knew about Pierce, but I can’t be sure because she lied about so much. You were right about her from the start. I don’t know how I could have been so naïve. I knew the kind of life she led, and I still refused to listen to you. Because of her, you and I almost lost each other.”
Erich took her hand in his. “When it counted, she told you the truth. I’m certain she was trying to spare you. You’ve been through so much, Laura. I want her at our wedding, and I know you do, too.”
She grinned. “I promised we’d talk about that after Todd came home, didn’t I? We need to pick a date.”
Erich laughed. “With your ex-husband in the next room?”
“He’s the next one I plan to throw out of here.”
There was a knock on the door, and Iris opened it a crack. She peeked inside, looking nervous.
“I hope I’m not interrupting, but Todd … well, he saw the pond and he wants to … go swimming. Yes. If I don’t find a pair of swimming trunks that fit him soon he’ll go in his clothes.”
“There aren’t any swimming trunks in the house that will fit him. Oh, Iris. I don’t think so. The whole idea of it terrifies me,” Laura said.
“He can swim in his underwear,” Erich said. Laura looked at him with pleading eyes, but his smile was calm and reassuring. He squeezed her against him. “Let him. We’ll be there with him. You can’t protect him from life forever.”
Laura and Erich carried two lawn chairs outside. They sat and watched while Todd splashed in the pond. Beside them, Rachel slept soundly in her carriage. Iris, who had clear memories of the kidnapping and was still afraid to go near the pond, watched the little boy from a safe distance.
Erich handed Laura a calendar he’d carried outside with him. “How about the first weekend in December?”
She grinned. “Look at you, Mr. Planner. December? No. Too close to Thanksgiving and Christmas. I was thinking about next month,” Laura said.
“Next month? I thought women needed ages to plan these things.”
“You’re right. I won’t have enough time. December is better.” She placed the calendar on the ground and turned her attention to her little boy, who was laughing and splashing in the water.
Erich reached across and held her hand. “The first time I interviewed you, you told me he loved the water most of all. I fell in love with you that day. Did you know that?”
Laura knew she should be paying more attention to Erich, but she couldn’t get her mind off her aunt. Had she been too harsh? Thinking back, she realized Virginia could have lied to her, but she’d chosen not to, even though she’d had to know what Laura’s reaction would be.
“Things will get better between you and Virginia in time,” said Erich, reading her mind. “Not speaking to her isn’t going to help, though.”
“I know, I know. I’ll call her tomorrow.”
Phillip’s voice travelled through the door and Erich got up, meeting him halfway between the house and the pond. When he returned he was smiling broadly.
“Looks like Geoffrey Pierce is not as smart as he thinks he is. The cops caught him trying to board a train to Houston, Texas,” Erich said.
Laura sighed, finally feeling as if she could breathe. “It’s finally over.” She took off her shoes and pushed them to the side, then stood up and waded into the water. When Todd saw her he ran toward her, his arms outstretched.
<<<<>>>>
Table of C
ontents
Dedication
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Chapter Forty-Seven
Chapter Forty-Eight
Chapter Forty-Nine
Chapter Fifty
Chapter Fifty-One
Chapter Fifty-Two
Chapter Fifty-Three
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chapter Fifty-Five
Chapter Fifty-Six
Chapter Fifty-Seven
Chapter Fifty-Eight
Chapter Fifty-Nine
Chapter Sixty
Chapter Sixty-One
Chapter Sixty-Two
Chapter Sixty-Three
Chapter Sixty-Four
Chapter Sixty-Five
Chapter Sixty-Six
Chapter Sixty-Seven
Table of Contents
Dedication
Willow Pond Page 29