by Chloe Lang
Chapter Five
Toni hit the clicker to her garage door opener but nothing happened. Damn. She’d forgotten it still wasn’t working—like so many other things that needed attention at home. Too many things. Too many expensive things. Putting the boys through college was putting a strain on her budget, but it didn’t matter. Joel and Restin were her priority.
She got out of Angel, leaving her parked in the driveway for the time being. She’d have to open the garage door manually from the inside. But first, she wanted to be by her computer for the Skype call she was excited about.
Yes. Joel and Restin are my priority. Dating life can come after they graduate.
Tasha, her black lab, greeted her at the door.
“Hey, girl. Did you hold down the fort?” She put down her purse, kicked off her shoes, and walked to the computer desk in the living room. Before leaving for college her boys had encouraged her to turn their bedroom into an office but she’d refused. “You’ll be home during breaks and holidays. It’s your room until you are on your own.”
The little two-bedroom house had two mortgages but her name was on the deed. It was tough to get by and pay the two loans, the insurance, and taxes, but she managed. She knew what it meant to be homeless, and had vowed to never let that happen again.
She poured herself a glass of wine and settled down at her computer, but inside she was far from settled. Inside she was still reeling from Maddox and Zane’s kisses. She ran her fingers over her lips.
God, it had felt so good to be kissed. So very good. It had been so long since she’d felt that excitement. Probably since high school.
She clicked on the Skype icon and looked at the time in the upper right-hand corner of her screen. Ten minutes until her boys’ call. They were her life. They were what mattered most. So what if she had to sacrifice a chance at a real relationship? But was she only using her two boys as an excuse, like Izzy and Cami believed, to avoid getting hurt again? The more she thought about it the more twisted up she became.
“Hurry, boys. Call me.” She didn’t want to think about Maddox or Zane or kisses or anything.
Tasha stretched out on the floor by her feet.
As she took her first sip of her wine, the call came in.
She clicked on the blue video camera icon on the screen and Joel’s image appeared. “Hi, young man.”
“Mom, I have something to tell you but don’t panic.”
“What do you mean don’t panic?” Of course, that was exactly what she did. “What’s wrong? Where’s your brother?” Normally, they were side by side during these calls.
“He’s missing, Mom.”
“Missing?” She felt her breath catch in her throat as a sense of helplessness washed over her. Oh my God, they’re so far away. “What do you mean missing?”
“We were supposed to meet at the Student Center yesterday after our last classes, like we always do. I had the car keys and was waiting for him, but he didn’t show. So I started calling all our friends. No one had seen him. Not even his professors. In fact, he didn’t attend any classes yesterday. I wasn’t too concerned until he didn’t come home last night.”
Anxious and feeling powerless, she knew she had to get to her boys as quickly as possible. She was trying to sound positive for Joel, even though every nerve in her body was shaking. “Have you tried to call your brother?”
“Yes. It just goes voice mail.”
“Honey, why didn’t you call me last night?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I thought maybe he was running around with this new girl he likes.”
Her boys were eighteen-year-old young men now. She had no illusions of them being virgins, even if she still saw them as her little boys. “Did you try to call this girl? See if Restin was with her.”
“I didn’t have her number, but I got it from a friend of hers this morning. Neither her nor her friend have seen him.” Joel’s face darkened. He was worried about his brother. “He didn’t go to any of his classes today either, Mom.”
Panic-stricken, she asked, “Have you gone to the police?”
“Yes. I just got back. I filed a missing person’s report. There is no time requirement as long as you are a close relative of the person who has disappeared. I thought I’d have to wait at least three days since Restin is an adult but I didn’t.”
Her insides screamed. Restin, isn’t an adult. He’s my boy. I have to get to Joel and find him. “What are the police doing now?”
“I don’t think much. Yes, I filed the report but the officer tried to get me to reconsider. He said I needed to be absolutely sure Restin was really missing. He asked me if Restin was angry or depressed and if he’d ever gone missing before to cool off or just to be alone.”
“That’s not like your brother.”
“That’s what I told him, Mom. The officer informed me that it wasn’t against the law to be missing. I swear it was a waste of time to go there, but I didn’t know what else to do.” Joel’s voice cracked and his eyes welled up. “Mom, I keep trying to call him but it just keeps going to voicemail.”
“You did great. Everything is going to be okay.” Please, God, let everything be okay. Protect my boys. “I’m going to get on the next flight. Keep trying your brother’s phone. If you reach him or he shows up, call me.”
“I will. I promise.”
“Did that officer at the police station give you his card?”
Joel reached in his pocket and pulled one out. “Yes. Right here.”
“Text me his contact info. I’ll call him.”
“Okay.” Joel brought up his cell phone and began typing.
Toni touched the image of her son on the screen.
The text popped up on her phone.
“Got it. Thanks, honey. Don’t worry. I’m sure there’s a simple explanation for this. But when I find your brother there’s going to be hell to pay.”
Joel smiled weakly. “Mom, I won’t worry if you won’t.”
“Deal. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Joel’s image disappeared, and full-on terror swept inside of her. She immediately tried to call Restin’s cell. But like Joel had told her, it went instantly to voicemail.
Trying to keep her head, she started looking for a flight to get to her sons. There were no seats available until tomorrow morning. I can’t wait that long. I’ve got to leave now.
“I’ll call Izzy. I’ll use the jet.” With hands shaking, she called her friend.
“Hi, Toni. What’s up?”
“I need your jet,” she blurted out, feeling the earth crumble under her feet. “Restin is missing. I’ve got to get to my boys. Please help me.”
“You go pack your clothes and I’ll take care of everything. Just be ready.”
“Thank you, Izzy. You’re a lifesaver once again. I just couldn’t get a flight out to—”
“Quit talking. Just go pack. I’ve got this for you, Toni.”
She ran to her room and pulled her suitcase out of the closet, shoving clothes in with little thought. Toothpaste. Razor. Brush. Where is my son?
“I’m calling that policeman right now.” She zipped up her suitcase and dialed the number.
“Detective Hartman.”
“Detective, this Toni Edmunds, Joel and Restin Edmunds’ mother. I understand you don’t intend to look for my son for three days. I’m here to tell you right now this is not in his character, and I would appreciate you start looking for my son now before something terrible happens to him.”
“Mrs. Edmunds, I can assure you that we will do our best but that these kind of situations usually are easily explained and end up being just a mis—”
“Detective, you’re not listening. My son would not just disappear without some kind of notification. Restin and Joel are twins. They have always shared everything with each other. I’m their mother. Something is wrong. Very wrong.”
“Calm down, Mrs. Edmunds.”
“Don’t tell me to calm down. If you
have children, you must understand.”
“I do and I know you’re upset.” The detective’s voice softened. “Mrs. Edmunds, I will help you find your son.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ve taken Joel’s statement. Is there anything that you can tell me about your son that might help with my investigation?”
* * * *
Maddox turned off the faucets in his shower, stepped out, and wrapped a towel around his waist. His cell was buzzing next to the sink. “Hello?”
“Maddox, it’s Izzy.” Her voice sounded shaky. “I need you and Zane to take Toni to Milwaukee tonight on the jet.”
“Not possible, Izzy. The jet is being serviced. It can’t fly for another couple days.”
“Damn.”
“What’s the matter?”
“Toni’s son is missing. What to do? What to do?”
“Zane, get in here,” he yelled out the door and put his cell on speaker.
Izzy’s words were filled with concern and worry. “Can we rent another jet tonight? She’s got to get there as soon as possible.”
Zane stepped into the bathroom. “Is everything okay?”
Maddox shook his head. “Toni’s boy is missing. Izzy, it would take hours to get the paperwork done and we wouldn’t be able to get off the ground until morning. But Zane and I can use our plane to get Toni to Milwaukee. We can be in the air in forty-five minutes if we hurry.”
“Yes. Please hurry.”
Zane nodded. “I’ll get us packed, bro.” And he rushed out.
“Maddox, I’ll send a car for you and Zane and one for her and have you meet at the airport. And I’ll let her know.”
The call ended and he hurried to get ready. Toni needed him and Zane. He couldn’t imagine what she was going through right now.
* * * *
“His father is not in the picture,” Toni informed Detective Hartman, just as her cell beeped and Izzy’s number appeared on the screen. “Excuse me, Detective. This must be about my flight. I’ll be right back.”
“It’s okay. I’ve got all I need right now. I’ll see you when you arrive.”
“Izzy?”
“Everything is taken care of. There will be a car outside your place in five minutes to take you to the airport. Don’t worry about your dog. Cami is going to take care of Tasha while you’re away.”
“Oh, Izzy, I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything, sweetie. Just go get Restin.”
Chapter Six
Zane finished the pre-flight check on the plane, while Maddox was inside the FBO office paying the fuel bill. He and Maddox calculated that with the current weather conditions the flight to Milwaukee should take about three hours.
Toni’s limo pulled in next to the hanger. He watched her jump out with a small suitcase.
She ran to him. “We have to hurry, Zane. How long before we take off? Wait. This isn’t Izzy’s jet. Oh no. I remember. You told me it was being serviced. Whose plane is this?” She was rattling off sentences like a machine gun. It was obvious how very upset she was.
He wrapped his arms around her, hoping to make her feel just a little better, though he knew that wasn’t possible. Her son was missing. “It’s going to be okay, sweetheart. This is mine and Maddox’s plane. It may be much smaller than the Gibbs’ jet but it will get us there. And just as soon as Maddox gets back we’ll be ready to go.”
“How long will it take us to fly there? I have to get to my boys as fast as I can.”
“It’s fast, Toni. Three hours at the most. Maybe two and a half.”
“Oh thank God.” Her blue eyes were wide with worry. “I hope I didn’t sound ungrateful, Zane. I’m just so concerned about my son.”
“Oh, sweetheart, you didn’t sound ungrateful. You sounded like a loving mother. Let me take your bag and we’ll get you settled in.”
He placed her suitcase in the storage compartment and got her buckled up in the passenger seat right behind the left pilot seat.
Maddox entered the plane. “Hey, sweetheart. I’ve got coffee, soda, and water for the trip. Would you like something after we get airborne?”
She shook her head. “Thank you, but no. I’m too nervous. May I use my phone before we take off.”
“Sure.”
Zane turned on his microphone. “Addison Ground: Piper One Zero Four Echo Sierra, at line service, taxi for takeoff for northwest departure.”
“Honey, it’s Mom,” Toni told her son.
The controller said, “Piper One Zero Four Echo Sierra, Addison Ground, taxi to runway one six.”
“I’ll be there in three hours. Meet us at the airport.”
Zane continued the communication with Addison Ground as Toni talked to her son. “Taxi to one six, Seven Echo Sierra.”
“Joel, I won’t be able to talk to you during the flight but keep checking with Detective Hartman. I love you, baby,” Toni said and put her phone away.
Maddox handed her a set of headphones. “This will make it easier for us to talk.”
“I really appreciate this, guys.”
“Toni,” Maddox said. “As long as you need us we won’t be anywhere else but by your side.”
“That’s right, sweetheart,” he said, and then opened his mike. “Addison Tower, Piper One Zero Four Echo Sierra, ready for takeoff.”
“Piper One Zero Four Echo Sierra, cleared for takeoff, right turn approved.”
Once they were in the air, Zane looked over his shoulder at her and said, “We’ll be there before you know it, sweetheart.”
When they reached their cruising altitude, Maddox brought out the thermos of coffee. “Toni, Zane and I are going to have a cup. Want to join us?”
“It’s going to be a long night, so yes. That would be nice.”
As they drank their coffee, Zane looked at the controls. Everything was running perfectly. This was going to be an easy flight. “I hope you’re feeling a little better, now that we’re in the air and you know we’ll be there soon.”
“As much as humanly possible, Zane. I’m so grateful for both of you doing this for me. This is the worst thing that has ever happened to me, including when my ex ran off with all my money and left me to raise my boys on my own.”
Zane realized she was so distraught that her walls were down, walls that normally surrounded her and kept everyone from knowing her deepest secrets. He glanced at Maddox, seeing his brother understood it to. She needed to talk about anything to keep her mind occupied so that she didn’t spin out of control with worry.
“My boys mean the world to me. Everything I’ve done and do in my life is for them. I know you don’t have any children of your own, but I hope you can understand how upset I am not knowing where Restin is.”
“Honey, we can’t even imagine what you’re going through,” he said. “But trust us. We’re here for you. Maddox and I aren’t leaving. We will find Restin.”
“That means so much to me. Thank you. I know I keep saying it over and over, but I really haven’t had any man who was willing to help me since I lost my dad. God, I miss him. He and Mom were always there for me.”
Maddox turned and grabbed her hand. “Your parents must have been terrific people.”
“Oh, yes, they were. My boys don’t remember them. They were too young when my parents died. Not even two. Mom lost her battle to cancer and Dad died of a heart attack less than four months later. I can’t believe they’ve been gone so long.”
The deeper Toni went into her past, the deeper Zane felt for her, the more he wanted to hold her and make her feel safe. But until they found her son he knew that would be impossible.
“Peter my ex worked for my dad’s investment firm. We married young. I was only twenty and still in college. Peter was twenty-two and had just graduated. When I got pregnant with my twins, I was so excited, and Peter acted like he was, too. But Dad was the most excited it seemed. He retired and turned the firm over to Peter to run, saying he wanted to be a full-time gr
andpa. He and my mom got to see the boys’ first birthday party. I have a picture of Restin and Joel sitting in their laps. All four of them are covered in cake with the biggest smiles on their faces. Peter took the picture. God, how could I have been so foolish?”
“Foolish about what, sweetheart?” Maddox asked.
“Foolish about Peter. Being in charge of Dad’s firm allowed his true colors to come out. He showered me and the boys with gifts all the while he was funneling my inheritance to an off-shore account in his name. Once he’d drained every dime and liquidated every asset, he vanished. Joel and Restin were four years old. I had nothing. The bank foreclosed on the house. I hit rock bottom. I went to the police but they couldn’t help. Peter had covered his tracks. Apparently he’d been working on his plan for a very long time. I ended up living in my car. God, I was homeless, twenty-eight, with two boys to feed. If it hadn’t been for Izzy and Cami, I don’t know what would have happened to us.”
Zane had always sensed there was a special bond between Toni, Cami, and Izzy. They were like sisters, and now he knew why.
“They took me and my boys in. Even paid my bills until I could get on my feet. I would have never finished my master’s without their help.”
“I can really understand why you are so protective of them, Toni,” Maddox said. “After all you three have been through together it’s no wonder.”
“And now I’m in trouble once again and once again they’re helping me.” Toni sighed and didn’t speak again for several minutes.
“More coffee, sweetheart?” Maddox asked, clearly knowing she was overwhelmed and worrying about her son.
“No, thank you,” she answered. “God, Restin has to be okay. He just has to be.”
Zane wanted to assure her that everything was going to be okay. “Sweetheart, it’s likely there is some reasonable explanation for your son’s disappearance that will come to light once Restin shows back up.” God, please let him show back up for her. But there was still a possibility that something was wrong. Really wrong. No matter what they found in Milwaukee, he and Maddox would stay by her side through it all.