Abandoned

by Patricia H. Rushford

  “Is there anything I should know that you didn’t tell your viewing audience?”

  “Not really. I didn’t see anyone.” She ran a shaky hand through her already messy hair. “I came in as usual, saw the mess, and—” She bit her lip and closed her eyes for a moment as if to regain her composure. “I was about to go inside when I heard a noise.”

  “You live alone?”

  “Yes.”

  “Any pets?”

  “Do you mean did my cat make the noise I heard? No. I wish that were the case. Puddie was sitting beside the door meowing when I opened it. I picked her up. That’s when I heard it.”

  “Can you describe the sound?”

  “I know exactly what it was. He was opening the closet door in my bedroom. It squeaks.” She shuddered and took another sip of the coffee.

  “I’m going to have a look around,” Dad said. “Jennie, do you want to come with me or stay out here with Debra?”

  “I … um …” She apologized to Debra. “It’s not often I get to see a crime scene, Ms. Noble. If you don’t mind …”

  “Go ahead. Maybe you can find something the police can’t.” She ducked back into the police car and stared straight ahead, sipping at the coffee and looking as though she wanted to cry but trying to stay together for the camera.

  Two officers were inside gathering evidence. Dad talked briefly to one, then turned to Jennie. “We can walk through,” he said. “Just make sure you don’t touch anything.”

  They walked across the wood floor of the entry and took a left into an office. Files from the two metal cabinets were strewn all over the floor, the drawers of her desk flung out and emptied. On top of the desk was the note Debra had mentioned. It had been typed in bold print on plain white paper. All it said was Pro-choice rules!

  As they continued through the house, Jennie felt a sense of déjà vu and an overwhelming sympathy for Debra. Her own room had been ripped apart like this only a couple of months before. She’d felt violated, angry, and terrified. Debra must have been feeling much the same.

  The intruder had pulled out every drawer and emptied its contents on the floor. They emerged from the bedroom and picked their way over to the living room. The white leather cushions had been thrown off the sofa and chair. Throw pillows in shades of peach and green were scattered about the room. Several plants lay on the taupe carpet, dirt scattered, leaves and vines trampled. In the corner, near an upended magazine rack, Jennie noticed a partial footprint in the dirt. A man’s print.

  “Careful.” Her father drew her back, then knelt down for a closer look. “You may be right, princess. I don’t think our Ms. Noble did this. But I don’t believe our serial killer did either.”

  “Why?”

  “This is a dress shoe. Probably a smooth leather finish on the bottom. It doesn’t match the print we found outside the first victim’s house.”

  “What about the note?”

  “Hard to say. Each time the killer used a different brand of paper and typeface. Words are similar.”

  “Could he have changed shoes too?”

  “Yep. We’ll check out the shoe size. Which means exactly nothing. The guy could be wearing different sizes to throw us off the track. Or it could be a woman wearing men’s shoes.”

  “Or a woman with big feet.”

  “Exactly.”

  Going back outside, Dad stopped to talk with Debra again. “Do you have anyone you can stay with tonight? Friends, family?”

  She shook her head. “I have no family. My closest friend, Jillian, is away. I don’t know anyone else well enough, but I don’t need to stay anywhere. I need to stay here and straighten this mess up.”

  “You won’t be able to get back in there for another day or so. For your safety and your emotional well-being, it would be best if you stayed clear of the place for a while.”

  She swallowed. “Yes, of course. You’re right. I … I suppose I could check into a motel.”

  “Dad.” Jennie nudged him and took him aside. “I don’t think she should be alone. Why don’t we let her stay with us? She can use the spare room.”

  He glanced at Debra. For a moment Jennie didn’t think he’d agree. “That might not be a bad idea, princess. She looks pretty shaken. In fact”—he handed Jennie his car keys—“you could take her there now. I’ll get a ride with Smith.”

  Smith was one of the officers standing outside. Jennie took the keys and went back to Debra.

  Dad followed. “Ms. Noble, you’re welcome to stay with us.”

  “Oh, that’s very nice, but I couldn’t.”

  “Yes, you can,” Jennie interjected. “We have a guest room, and you’d be safe there. Anyway, didn’t you say you wanted to be a member of Trinity?”

  “Well, yes, but what does that have to do with—”

  “We’re part of the Trinity family, which means you’re part of our family too.”

  “But your mother—she’d be upset.”

  Jennie smiled. “My mom would be upset if you didn’t come. Trust me on this.”

  “She’s right,” Dad said.

  Debra swung her legs out of the car. “All right. Um … Detective McGrady, do you suppose I could get some clothes?”

  “Sure. The guys are finished in the bedroom. I’ll go in with you.”

  Jennie paced back and forth while she waited, partly out of nerves and partly to keep warm. Fall was definitely here with temperatures dropping into the mid-forties. The chill permeated her sweat shirt.

  Her dad’s cell phone rang as he and Debra came back outside. Debra had changed and was now wearing jeans and a sweater. She slipped on a burgundy jacket. Dad escorted her down the steps and stopped next to Jennie. With his cell phone pressed against his ear, he held up a hand to them, signaling them to stay put and to be quiet. His frown deepened as he listened. “Is that right? How can I be sure you’re telling me the truth?”

  He ran a hand down his face and looked at his watch. “Okay. I can probably do that. Hang on a minute, let me get a pen. I want to be sure I get the information right.”

  Dad pulled a pen and note pad out of his pocket and began writing. “Uh-huh. Right.” He looked over at Debra. “Yeah, now let me read that back to you to make sure I got it all down the way you want it. You want me to tell Debra Noble that it wasn’t you who broke into her house. And you want her to go on television and retract her statements. If she doesn’t, you will kill her.”

  16

  Jennie stood wide-eyed with her mouth hanging open, trying to figure out what was going on. Then it hit her. The caller must be the serial killer. Dad was trying to keep him on the line so his call could be traced.

  “Okay,” Dad went on as though he were having a normal conversation. “Yeah, I don’t blame you for being upset. You say you weren’t responsible for the last murder, and you don’t want to be accused of killing more people than you’ve actually killed. Can’t fault you for that. You have standards, right?”

  After another hesitation, Dad nodded. “Yes, sir. I will do that. Listen, while I have you on the phone, I think it might be a good idea for you to give yourself up. You know we’re going to catch you sooner or later. It’ll be easier for you now.”

  Dad tucked the pen and pad into his pocket. “I see. I guess I can understand that. Don’t want to quit until the job is done. How many more do you have to go?”

  He tipped his head back and rubbed his neck. “That many. Well, now, I don’t think we can let you do that. You may not agree with their philosophy, but killing them isn’t going to …”

  Dad clicked off the phone and folded it. He blew out a long breath. “That, in case you hadn’t guessed, was our serial killer. Seems he has a bone to pick with you, Ms. Noble.”

  “Did you keep him on the line long enough to trace the call?” Jennie asked.

  “Hopefully.”


  The cell phone rang again. Dad’s grin stretched wide across his face. “Good job.” He took out his pen and wrote a note on his palm. “Get someone out to his house right away. Tell them to stay put until I get there. No sirens. I don’t want to spook the guy.”

  “Jennie, take Ms. Noble to the house.”

  “No way, McGrady.” Debra faced him, hands on her hips. “I’m coming with you. I want this story.”

  “You’ll get it. Like I said, I don’t want to chance losing him. I’ll let you know as soon as we have him in custody.” He spun around and nabbed one of the officers. A split second later they were tearing down the street.

  “Let’s follow them.” Debra grabbed Jennie’s keys out of her hand and raced to the car. Before Jennie could stop her, Debra had the car running. Leaning out the window, she said, “Are you coming?”

  Jennie hit her fist against the fender as she raced around to the passenger side. She got in and slammed the door. Debra accelerated.

  “This is stupid. You don’t even know where he’s going. And you can’t possibly catch him.”

  Debra tossed Jennie a wicked grin. “Oh, but I do. I saw your dad write down the address.” She laughed. “Come on, Jennie, you’re as eager to be there when they make the arrest as I am.”

  “Maybe so, but my dad is going to hit the roof.”

  “I’ll take full responsibility.” She slowed for a light near the freeway entrance. “Besides, I think he’ll be expecting us.”

  “Humph.” Jennie folded her arms and slammed back against the seat, outwardly annoyed but secretly pleased to be in on the action.

  “Do you have a cell phone in here?”

  “Yeah. This is my mom’s car. Dad insists she have one for emergencies.”

  “Good. Dial the station for me. I need the camera crew to meet me.” She rattled off the number. Jennie dialed and handed Debra the phone.

  They entered the I-205 freeway and headed south. When Debra handed the phone back, Jennie asked, “Where are we going?”

  “Just west of Tualatin.”

  By the time they arrived, there were at least a dozen cars from the local police department, the sheriff’s office, and the state patrol. The Channel 22 News van pulled in behind Debra and Jennie. A young man in his twenties, with spiked blond hair and dark roots, was being dragged from the house by two uniformed officers.

  Dad came out behind them. He glanced at Jennie and Debra but didn’t look surprised to see them. He didn’t seem angry either.

  The young man glared at Debra, then spat toward them and swore. “I’ll get you, you witch. If it hadn’t been for you—”

  “All right, that’s enough.” Dad stepped between the man and Jennie as if to shield her from his barbs. “Get him out of here.”

  One of the officers helped him into the backseat of a squad car.

  While Debra interviewed Detective McGrady and the rest of the crew got footage of the scene, Jennie leaned against the car. Murderers, she decided, came in all sorts of packages. She rubbed her arms to ward off the chill that emanated from the suspect’s ice-blue eyes.

  From the backseat of the patrol car, the man looked up to catch her watching him and looked away. The vehemence was gone now, a smug smile in its place.

  That made Jennie shiver even more. Had his threat been meant for her as well as Debra? As long as he was in jail, she needn’t worry. But what if he escaped? Or what if the police didn’t have enough evidence to convict him?

  After the interview with Jennie’s dad, Debra came back to Jennie and handed her the keys. “Time to go home, Jennie.” Dad had gone with Smith to take their prisoner in. “Your dad says it’s going to be a long night and you need to get some sleep.”

  “Jennie,” Mom’s voice drifted into her brain. “Come on, sweetheart—it’s ten already.”

  “Ten?” She sat. up. “My alarm—I’m late.”

  Mom laughed. “You’re fine. All you’re missing is an assembly. I called Mrs. Talbot to say you wouldn’t be in, and she said your chemistry lab was canceled anyway.”

  Jennie sank back onto the pillows. “Oh. Thanks for letting me sleep in.”

  “You’re welcome.” Mom sat on the bed, and Jennie scooted her leg out of the way. “Just don’t let it happen again.”

  “But, Mom, it wasn’t my fault. Dad—”

  “I know.” Mom sighed. “Your father shouldn’t have taken you with him.”

  “So is Dad in trouble?”

  Mom reached over and brushed a strand of hair from Jennie’s forehead. “Big time. No dessert for a week.” Mom’s cheeks dimpled.

  “That should do it.” Jennie yawned. “Is Debra still here?”

  “Yes. Poor thing, she’s exhausted. Fortunately, she doesn’t have to be in to work today until two. Give her a chance to recuperate. I’m glad you suggested she stay here.”

  “Me too.” Jennie rubbed the sleep from her eyes. “Guess I’d better get up.”

  Mom scooted off the bed. “Oh.” She grabbed her stomach.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Mom laughed. “Nothing. You’re worse than your father. The baby just kicked me.”

  “Really?”

  “Mmm. Third time this morning. I think he’s doing his morning exercises.”

  “That’s so cool.”

  Jennie was still smiling when she kissed her mother goodbye and headed for school. Funny how something so small as a baby’s kick could make your day.

  At school Jennie heard bits and pieces about the special assembly, but she didn’t get the entire story until lunch.

  “So where were you?” Lisa asked.

  “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you later.”

  “You should have been here, Jen.” B.J. Beaumont took a bite out of her taco and started to talk around it.

  “B.J., mind your manners.” Allison gave her sister a playful punch. “What she’s trying to say is that Charity gave a public apology to Annie and everyone at the school—especially Gavin and the journalism department. She’s dropped out of the running for Fall Festival Queen and said she hopes Annie wins.”

  “Only I don’t think she will,” Lisa said. “She’s been acting so weird. She and Shawn had a huge argument today.”

  “Why?”

  “Well, you know she wants us to help her find her mom. Shawn thinks it’s stupid.”

  “That’s not why they were fighting.” Allison’s perfect blond hair swung as she glanced around. “The real reason is that after the assembly Shawn was talking to Charity.”

  “Well, that too.” Lisa took a sip of milk. “Charity and Shawn used to date. I think he was just telling her he was proud of her for talking to the group like that.”

  “It did take a lot of courage,” Allison agreed. “Still, I don’t think Shawn should have hugged her. That was his mistake.”

  “He hugged her?” Jennie unwrapped her taco and spread on a dab of hot sauce.

  “Annie came unglued,” B.J. said. “Told Shawn she never wanted to see him again and walked out.”

  Jennie held the taco midair. “She left the school?”

  “Yep.”

  “Where is she now?”

  Lisa shrugged. “No one knows. The school has called her parents.”

  Jennie groaned. “Don’t tell me she’s run away again.”

  “I hope not,” Lisa said. “I thought she was going to be okay with this. She was even seeing a counselor.”

  “How can she be?” B.J. said. Tossing her napkin down, she got up from the table and stomped off.

  Allison looked after her. “She’s really feeling upset right now. I think it’s all those years of not knowing her real dad even existed. She knows what it’s like to feel lost.”

  “What about you, Allison?” Jennie asked. “You never knew your mother.”

/>   “That’s true, but I did have my real dad, and I knew from the beginning that my stepmom had adopted me. And even if I wanted to see my mom, I couldn’t. She’s dead.” Allison pinched her lips together. “I have her pictures, though. Dad told me about her—the way she was before she left him. I’m just glad my mother didn’t take me with her. B.J. definitely got the worse end of the deal.”

  “So am I.” Lisa wiped her hand with a napkin. “I just hope Annie can get through this. Maybe if you and B.J. talked to her.”

  “It’s worth a try, isn’t it?” Allison dipped a fork into her salad. “I’ll call her tonight.”

  Jennie felt terrible. She hadn’t called Annie back the night before and hadn’t been at the assembly this morning. She wished she could help find Annie’s mom, but that would take a miracle.

  Jennie finished her lunch and managed to make it through her afternoon class, then went to the library, where she pulled out the materials Annie had given her after the meet the day before and began to read through the various articles. She tried to get a picture of the area in which Annie was found. The dumpster where she’d been placed was only a few miles from school. Maybe she could go there and see it. In sixteen years things would have changed. Jennie doubted the trash bin would even be there. Still, it was worth a try.

  Jennie checked her mailbox and left. Out in the car, she opened her backpack and pulled out the clipping she’d gotten from Annie. She had no trouble finding the store—an older mom-and-pop kind of place that definitely needed fixing up. A trash bin sat around the corner of the building against a concrete wall. Except for the graffiti on the wall and a modern-looking sign on the corner above the building, it looked just like the photo in the yellowed clipping.

  Jennie pulled into the parking lot and went inside. A ceiling fan circulated stale but cool air around the store. The market with its scarred wooden floors had been updated with new soft drink fountains and a deli case. It was cluttered but clean and smelled like lemons. Jennie wondered if Annie’s mother had come in here. Or had she lived in the neighborhood? Had she simply driven around town and randomly chosen that particular trash bin as she drove by?