Poof!

by M. Lee Prescott

  I wanted to kiss dear little Stewart. “Yes, please,” I said, restraining myself. The cellar revealed nothing except a collection that included over three thousand bottles. I wasn’t sure McCann would be around to drink it all. It seemed as if Stewart had skipped a few rooms so I nodded to Katie as we ascended the stairs behind the butler. “I think my glasses fell out of my pocket back there. You two go up. I’ll be right there.”

  Sure enough there were two locked doors down the corridor from the wine rooms. Katie had slipped me her lock picks earlier so I quickly picked my way into the first room that appeared to be a work room with tools lined neatly, hanging from a broad expanse of peg board on one wall, benches holding saws and sanders ringing the room’s perimeter. There were barrels of wood scraps and a half-carved shore bird on the middle workbench.

  I stepped out and headed for the other door. Picking the lock, I switched on a light and found two little beds and small dressers with girls’ clothes. A few toy bins and shelves were pushed against one wall. There was an empty feeling about the space, as if it had never been used. If Lin and Joy had been here, they were long gone. “Shit,” I muttered, taking a quick peek through the dresser drawers then hurrying out.

  Katie and Stewart were chatting in the front hall about a twelve-foot tall gilded mirror. She was telling him about a similar one at her parents’ house. I couldn’t remember such a piece, but I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn it was there.

  “Did you find them?” the butler asked, giving me a kind smile.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Oh, yes, here they are!” I said, pulling them from my jacket pocket.

  “Excellent. Well, if there’s no more, I must get back to work. Mr. McCann will be sorry to have missed you. He loves visitors and he spends so little time here at Rose House, but he’s very proud of it.”

  “Oh, we thought he loved it here. He told us he spends most of his time here.”

  “At the Bluffs, not at Rose House.”

  “Excuse me, I don’t understand,” I said.

  “He built this for Mrs. McCann, but I’m afraid she detests it.”

  And him, I thought. “What a shame. Well where does Mr. McCann stay when he’s here?”

  “In his much smaller home down on Osprey Circle in the Bluffs, number thirty-two. It’s more of a cottage, right on the water. He has a dock down there and his boat, of course.”

  “Oh? Do you manage that as well?” I asked.

  “Oh, no, Mr. McCann says he’s roughing it down there. He takes care of things. I believe he hires a cleaning service sometimes and Freida delivers all his meals every afternoon.”

  “And serves them?”

  “No, they have a system where she leaves the baskets on the back terrace. He takes care of the rest.”

  Katie gave him a puzzled look. “Don’t you think that’s a little odd?”

  “I’ve learned not to wonder about the eccentricities of my employers. I do know that Mr. McCann’s business keeps him very busy. Perhaps when he comes home, he wants solitude.”

  I tugged Katie’s sleeve. “Well, thank you so much, Stewart. You are an expert guide. I learned so much about art and architecture.”

  He beamed and gave another bow, “My pleasure.”

  I felt a little sorry for Stewart rambling around managing his empty gilded rooms. “One more question. If Mr. McCann is not in residence, why was the maid changing his bed?”

  He smiled. “Mr. McCann insists on clean sheets every day, in case the lady of the house decides to pay a visit.”

  That would be when hell freezes over, I thought, thanking him again and saying goodbye.

  “We’re going to need a search warrant and police back up down at thirty-two Osprey Circle,” Katie said.

  “Don’t I know it,” I said, rejoining Josh and Wilda in the cruiser.

  Chapter 49

  We approached thirty-two Osprey Circle, but kept the three cruisers out of sight down the street four houses away. They were still waiting on the search warrant when we stepped out of the cars. While Roberts was reluctant to do it, he agreed that perhaps the safest course for the children’s sake, would be for Katie and I to pretend to visit while his officers fanned out around the perimeter of the house.

  “I’m breaking every rule in the book here, Steele. And, if there weren’t kids involved, you’d be in handcuffs,” he said as a technician fitted us with wires. “First sign of trouble, you duck and we’ll be right behind you with both barrels. Can you hear Tim?” he asked, as Tim Cottrell spoke softly into a mike.

  “Yup.” I turned to Katie. “Are you sure about this?”

  “Absolutely. I’m ready girl. Already cleared it with Bob.”

  Geez, what a couple!

  “I’d like to lend support,” Wilda said, stepping forward.

  “Sorry,” Roberts said. “You’re to stay behind with Peabody here.”

  “But they’ve got Mike,” Josh said, stepping forward.

  “Mr. Peabody, I know you’re worried about your girlfriend, but you need to stay here. Bad enough I’m taking these two,” he said, waving at Katie and me. “We’re not endangering the lives of any more civilians. Now cool your heels with Willie here.”

  “It’s Wilda,” I said, receiving an icy glare from Roberts before he stepped closer, surveying our fronts for telltale signs of the wire.

  “I don’t care if she’s Wilma Friggin’ Flintstone. She and Joe Hardy are staying here. Okay, ladies, don’t play Wonder Women. Demaris just called. No one at Ramsays except for a couple of domestics. They were locked in a walk-in closet upstairs. The hired guns were long gone.”

  I nodded and we began strolling Osprey Circle, past numerous McMansions, each ridiculously oversized for its lot. As we reached the driveway for thirty-two, I squeezed Katie’s hand. “You okay?”

  “I’m pissed.”

  “Me, too. No heroics, though, right? I can’t lose one of my oldest friends to these assholes and I’m sure not gonna let ‘em kill me.”

  “Roger that,” she said, her voice remarkably calm.

  The house reminded me of Long Island, a quintessential beach house that went on and on to the edge of its lot. Stewart’s term ‘cottage’ was an understatement. The clamshell drive was bordered by blue hydrangea and ornamental beach grass. As we neared the huge wrap-around porch lined with white rockers, I whispered, “What do you wanta bet those chairs have never had an ass in ‘em.?” It always helps me to talk dirty when I’m scared shitless.

  “Gorgeous place. Too bad it’s full of mother fuckers,” she said.

  I stared at her, grinning. Apparently, Katie also talked dirty to buck herself up. “Here we go girl,” I said as we climbed the stairs and knocked at the door.

  We rang the bell, which echoed through the house, but no one came. I then knocked several times and Katie called, “Hello, Barry! It’s Muffy’s friend, Katie Briar! Stewart sent us down!”

  After what seemed like hours, the door opened and Barry stepped out on the porch, closing the door behind him. “Hey, gals, good to see you again. Now’s not the best time. Maybe you could pop by tomorrow?”

  “Oh, that’s so disappointing. I’m leaving tonight and was hoping to take a peek at this incredible house. My husband and I are thinking of building on the islands and this is just what we’re looking for.”

  “My niece has all my contact info. Next time you’re in town, we’ll get together for sure. Bring the hubby and we’ll throw something on the grill.”

  McCann’s hands shook and his eyes darted from Katie to the bank of windows to the south. There were probably twenty Uzis aimed at our heads. His eyes never once looked at yours truly. Maybe they were planning to knock me off, even if they let Katie go.

  “Just a peek?” Katie said. “Love to see the water side.”

  “Sorry, not today. Now I’ve got a business call that’s scheduled in five minutes. Let me walk you out. Where’s your car, anyway?”

  “No need to walk us
out,” I said. “Just hand over Lin and Joy and we’ll be out of your hair.”

  For the first time, he looked at me, his usual boozy, friendly demeanor gone, watery baby blues flashing fire. “Listen, bitch, you and lard ass here better get the fuck off my porch or they’re gonna open fire.”

  “Now that’s just plain rude,” Katie said, wiping out her pepper spray and blasting him. As McCann screamed and began clawing at his eyes, I spied movement inside and shoved Katie to the porch floor, our bodies hugging the wall. The sound of shattering glass and a hail of bullets followed. As the police returned fire, I prayed.

  Suddenly things went quiet and I dared raise my head. Roberts grabbed us by the collars and pulled us up. Beside him stood Tim Cottrell and another officer. “You two, go with Tim and Mac. You’re in the cruiser till this ends, then you can stroll on back to Daddy’s to get your car.”

  Clearly, there was no use arguing. As we turned to go, knocks sounded from inside the front door. Roberts cried, “Back off,” but before he could react, I grabbed the door handle and pushed inward. Two little girls in flowered dresses and Mary Janes stared up at us. Behind them, Barry McCann stood, a Glock in his right hand pointed at the older girl, who I assumed was Joy. “Back off or I kill them both.”

  There did not appear to be anyone else in the foyer. The children held hands, their expressions blank. McCann looked ready to burst into tears with the slightest provocation. Before Roberts could push us aside, I said, “Please, Barry, let them go. I know you care about them.”

  “Fuck you,” he said, hands shaking even more violently than earlier.

  Roberts stepped in front of Katie and me. “Mr. McCann, your house is surrounded by police. There’s no point in this. Drop the gun, now.”

  Something did not make sense. Why was McCann standing here waving a gun when he knew it was over. One of the officers ran around from the side of the house. “They’ve got a boat! They’re takin’ off from the dock, Sarge!”

  “Shit, we wasted all that time on our house tour and let them get away!” I cried.

  Ignoring McCann, Roberts grabbed the girls and pulled them to safety, then turned to Katie and me. “You and you, out to the cars. Take these two with you. McCann, either drop the gun or we’re gonna shoot you, take your pick.”

  Wide-eyed, we watched as the gun clattered to the floor and Barry McCann crumpled, grabbing the bannister as he sat on the steps leading upstairs. Head on his knees, he began sobbing, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. I can’t help it. Please, I didn’t hurt them.”

  “Take that filth away,” Roberts said. “He makes me want to puke. Then, call Old Harbor, have ‘em get the boats out. They’ve got high tech tracking gear and speed. Besides, it’ll take too long for the city to mobilize,” Roberts said. “Tell ‘em where we are and give ‘em a clear description of the boat. Jesus Christ, why are you four still here? Get my men to remove the wires and go home. Now, get out of my sight!”

  “But?” I said.

  “But nothing. It’s over, Steele.”

  “No it isn’t! They’ve got my assistant, Mike Bowen.”

  “I know, now let me my men do their job. We’ll find her.”

  But would they? Was Mike in that boat about to be tossed off somewhere in the Atlantic?

  Chapter 50

  Josh greeted the sisters, receiving a smile from each. I noticed he did not try to touch them, but knelt down and spoke softly to them for several minutes, telling them they were safe. Wilda stood beside the group, silent and watchful. Demaris was a short distance away, by the cars, talking with Detective Burke. “Hey, you okay?” he said as we approached. “These the ones you were looking for?”

  I nodded. “Lin and Joy, meet an old friend of mine. Roger, this my assistant Wilda and this is Josh Peabody, a former teacher from Meridian’s school.”

  Demaris nodded to Wilda and Josh, then knelt in front of them, his kind eyes smiling. “Am I glad to see you, ladies.”

  As her sister watched, expression inscrutable, Joy stepped forward and placed her tiny arms around his shoulders, burying her face.

  “Hey, it’s okay,” he said softly. “You’re safe now.”

  “What about the others,” I asked.

  “We’ve got some leads,” he said, eyes grave as he stared up at me. “Nasty business.”

  “Listen, Roger, I know I have no right to ask you this, but do you suppose one of your team could drop us at my dad’s down the street and then take the kids to the city. They’re going to Ruth Channing at Belmont House.”

  With a smile at the girls, he straightened up. “No problem, Greta!” he called, waving. “She’ll take ‘em and drop you two at your father’s, but I suspect you’re gonna get into more trouble.” He turned to one of the city cops. “Roberts didn’t want them held, did he?”

  “No, sir, just gone. He knows where to find Ms. Steele.”

  Demaris nodded, his eyes registering momentary amusement despite the gravity of the situation. “Hey, Greta, these two young ladies need to get to Belmont House. Ms. Steele will fill you in.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “And, Ms. Steele and her companions need to be dropped off a few blocks from here.”

  “Yes, sir,” she said. “Car’s over here. Hi,” she said, directing her attention to Lin and Joy. “I’m Greta.”

  The children followed her, silently, still holding hands. I walked beside them, Josh on their other side. As we dropped our hands to our side, I was surprised to feel a tiny hand grasp mine as Lin took Josh’s.

  “Hey, boss, I can walk,” Wilda said. “Not enough room in the car.”

  “No problem,” Greta said, waving to an officer. “Skeeter, grab the keys from Les and take these guys.”

  “My car’s outside the Peabody’s,” Wilda said to me.

  “Josh,” I said, “I think you should probably stay put at your parents. Wilda can stay nearby.”

  “No way!” he said. “I’m coming with you.”

  “We’ll find her.”

  “You know damn well she’s in that boat. They’re gonna toss her.”

  “We don’t know that. Now we’ve gotta get moving.”

  “Then, I want to go with Lin and Joy.”

  “That’s a great idea. I’m sure they’ll feel better with you along.”

  “You four go together and pick up Wilda’s car at your folks’. That way Wilda can bring you back, okay?”

  “Where will you be?” he said.

  “I’ll be in touch, I promise.”

  Wilda stepped closer to me. “I don’t like this boss. I’m having Spike meet you at your dad’s.”

  “That would be great, thanks,” I said. “Not sure what we’ll do, but that way Frank can stay at my house with the others.” Lolly and Alice, what must they be thinking? We said our goodbyes to Joy, Lin and the others and headed off.

  Chapter 51

  “How awful to have such things going on here!” Rita said, as I concluded my brief, abridged summary of events.

  A snappy comment came to mind about evil doers existing everywhere, even on Billionaires Row, but I kept it to myself. “We need to get going,” I said.

  “To where,” Dad said, eyeing me with concern.

  “We’re going to go home and make a few calls.”

  “Good,” he said as the front door bell rang.

  “Oh, dear, who could that be,” Rita said, disappearing.

  Several minutes later, Charlie Bowen walked in, Lolly and Alice beside him. My heart sank when I spied him. He looked as if he’d aged thirty years. The certainty that Mike could take care of herself had vanished from his blue eyes, which now reflected fear and anxiety.

  Alice spoke first. “We couldn’t sit by and do nothing. Charlie came by and we decided to

  come find you.”

  “But the gate?”

  “I called the gate,” my father said. “Good to see you again, Dr. Bowen, ladies.” He stepped forward and shook Charlie’s hand, then
hugged Lolly and Alice.

  Jeez Louise, could I feel any worse? “Hey,” I said, hugging all three of them.

  “Have you heard anything?” he said.

  “Not yet, but Sergeant Roberts has promised to call the minute he knows anything.”

  I recounted the events of the past few hours. The three listened, then Charlie said, “Did they have her? Was she in the boat?”

  “We couldn’t tell,” I said. “They slipped away from us. The police are searching right now.”

  Tears in his eyes, he gazed at me. “What can I do, Ricky? She’s my—“

  “I know,” I said, hugging him again. Of course, I didn’t know, being childless, but I could imagine.

  One of my burner phones rang and I grabbed it from my bag.

  “Steele, it’s me,” Roberts said. “McCann says your friend and Leonardo were not with Pullman and Winters. He doesn’t know where Ramsay is and I believe him. Any ideas?”

  “No, can’t you get anything else out of him?”

  “Nope, he’s lawyered up. Cryin’ like a baby.”

  “Thanks, Douglas. We’re at my dad’s. If I think of something, I’ll call.”

  “Pronto. The Old Harbor boats are chasing them. We’ll see what we get outta Pullman and Winters when we catch ‘em.”

  I clicked off and stared at the others. What were we missing? Where were they? There wasn’t anywhere else. We hadn’t searched the Pullman condo, but I doubted that Lesley Pullman had hostages stashed in her boudoir.”

  Suddenly I remembered one other player unaccounted for—Fiona Veruga. Where the hell was she?

  Chapter 52

  There was something almost comical about our little caravan until one remembered that they had Mike and maybe Dennis, too. In four cars, we pulled up, parking several blocks from Veruga’s condo complex in Freetown. We now had Spike, Frank and Wilda watching our backs. Fiona’s unit was one of five in a long building, hers the second one in on the left. The building was nondescript, shingled, white trim, circular gravel drive, neatly trimmed front yard, and a six-car garage to its right. The surrounding area was wooded, the neighboring houses some distance away. There appeared to be a fenced in pool behind the building and a stretch of lawn bordered by thick woods.