“Could be selling her,” suggested Mr. Timberland, leaning back in his beat-up, old, brown leather chair. He clasped his fingers over his pot-belly. “I don’t know about you, but I saw this special on the History Channel about sex-trafficking. There’s a lot of it going on, even here in the United States. And parents aren’t watching their kids close enough, which makes it even easier for them. If I was a father, I’d never take my eyes off of mine. No offense, Mrs. Brown.”
The two detectives scowled at him.
Beth gasped and raised her hand to her mouth. “Do you think someone is selling Lainey?” She looked at Samuels. “Is it possible?”
He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Of course, we’re not going to rule anything out. The truth is we don’t know for sure what’s going on.” He gave the manager a hard look. “And we definitely shouldn’t jump to conclusions.”
Mr. Timberland shrugged and returned his attention back to the computer.
“What about Lainey’s father?” asked Dubov. “Would he have taken her?”
“No. Of course not,” Beth replied. “Tom is a good man and can see Lainey whenever he wants. He wouldn’t need to kidnap her.”
“Would someone abduct her to get back at him, somehow?” she asked, sitting down on the edge of the manager’s desk.
Beth sighed “I can’t imagine who would. Tom doesn’t have any money either. Or enemies. At least, not that I’m aware of.”
“What does he do for a living?” Samuels asked.
“He’s a mechanic,” she replied. “He works over at Donelly’s Auto Body in St. Paul.”
“I know where that is. So, you two are separated?” Samuels asked, jotting more things down in his notepad.
“Divorced. Two years ago,” she replied.
“What’s your relationship like now?” he asked her.
“It’s fine. I mean, we get into arguments, sometimes, about raising Lainey. It’s nothing major, though. He’s a good guy. He loves Lainey as much as I do.”
“Do you have full custody?” Samuels asked.
“It’s joint,” replied Beth.
Samuels was silent for a few seconds, still busy writing things down. When he was finished, he glanced over at the manager. “Mr. Timberland, can you give us a few minutes alone with Mrs. Brown?”
The man stood up. “Of course. I should probably make my rounds anyway. Take all the time you need.”
“Thank you,” said Samuels.
He nodded and stepped out of the office, closing the door behind him.
“Is there anything we should know about your ex-husband, Mrs. Brown?” Samuels asked.
“I don’t understand what you mean,” Beth replied, looking puzzled.
“Pardon my asking, but… if he’s such a good guy, why did you two divorce?” he asked.
She dabbed at her face with a tissue. “I don’t know why the reason of our divorce is relevant to Lainey’s disappearance.”
“At this point, everything is relevant. She’s missing and we don’t want to leave any stones un-turned,” said Dubov softly.
Beth sighed. “We split because we argued about money all the time and it just became too stressful for everyone. As far as I was concerned, he was spending it way too foolishly. Tom didn’t seem to agree.”
“What do you mean?” he asked. “What was he spending it on?”
“Rebuilding this GTO he has. Every spare penny went to that damn car, and it wasn’t like we could afford it. Then there was the gambling,” she muttered.
The two detectives both perked up.
“Really? What kind of gambling?” Samuels asked, clicking his pen again.
“Mostly poker. He has this big dream of someday becoming a professional card player. When we were together, it seemed like every Saturday night he’d drive to Treasure Island, with his buddies. Sometimes he’d win, but more times than naught, he’d lose. I just couldn’t take it anymore. I mean the car was one thing… he was sinking money into it, but at least it was sellable, you know?”
Samuels nodded. “So, would you say that your ex has a gambling problem?”
The office door opened up and a tall, dark-haired man walked inside, his expression stony. “Excuse me, but why aren’t you people out looking for my daughter instead of talking trash about me?” he asked angrily.
Chapter 4
Beth
Saturday
1:30 a.m.
WHEN THE POLICE were finished questioning Tom, he offered Beth a ride home and she accepted. Still in shock after everything that had happened, Beth knew that she wasn’t in any shape to drive. Plus, the very idea that she was leaving the store, without Lainey, was harrowing.
“There are reporters outside,” Samuels said, as they headed out of the office. “We’ll accompany you to your vehicle, so they don’t harass you too much. Do us a favor though, don’t say anything to the press. Not now, anyway. You can give the media a statement later in the day. We’ll help you with that, too.”
“Okay,” said Tom, looking relieved. “I noticed the crowd already gathered when I arrived. How did they find out about it so soon?”
“The Amber Alert,” explained Samuels.
“Ah. Makes sense. By the way, what can we do, besides wait around, to help locate Lainey?” Tom asked.
“Start spreading the word that she’s missing. The more people searching for her, the better,” said Samuels. “And, if you remember anything else leading up to the time she was taken, Mrs. Brown, call us. Such as someone following you or paying a little too much attention to Lainey.”
Beth nodded. “I will. Just, please, find our daughter.”
“We’ll do our very best,” Samuels replied. “I promise you.”
The couple thanked him.
“Do you think that someone will call and demand money from us?” asked Tom. “Like a ransom?”
“It’s possible but, like you mentioned earlier, neither of you are very well off,” he replied. “Usually, ransom motivated kidnappers will target someone they believe has a lot of money.”
They’d questioned Tom about his finances and asked if he had any gambling debts. Tom had denied owing anything and had told the police that he’d quit going to the casinos six months before.
“But, what if someone does call about a ransom?” Beth asked.
Dubov handed Beth her card. “Keep a notepad nearby. Write down everything they tell you, and then immediately call us.”
TOM AND BETH rode in silence, both of them shaken by everything that had happened.
Pulling up to her house, Tom parked in the driveway and turned off the engine. “Hopefully, the police will find her soon,” he said in a weary voice.
Beth cleared her throat. “Yes.”
Tom looked at the small, ranch-style house they’d once shared and sighed. “Where’s Mike?”
The two men tolerated each other, although Beth knew that he was jealous of Mike. Deep down, she also knew that Tom still loved her and the truth was, she still had some feelings for him. But, Beth felt like she’d always taken second place to his gambling habits, even when he’d denied it.
“In Denver, at an art convention,” she replied, staring ahead, into the darkness, her mind still on Lainey.
The idea that their daughter had been kidnapped, that she was missing, felt like a knife to the heart. Beth could only imagine how terrified her little girl was and it ate her up inside, knowing that she was responsible and couldn’t do anything about it. She longed to hold Lainey in her arms. To soothe and protect her. To keep her safe from the monsters who had taken her. But, she couldn’t and it tore at her insides.
“When is he coming back?”
“As soon as possible. He’s checking for flights,” she said, watching as a gust of wind blew several leaves across the windshield.
“What did he say?”
“Mike was upset, too, when he heard the news.”
She thought about the conversation she’d had with him. Mike had been shocked. He’d grown to love La
iney and was good to her. Lainey, on the other hand, liked him but still had the crazy notion that her parents would one day get back together. When she’d learned about their engagement, she’d thrown a fit.
“But, Daddy still loves you,” she’d cried.
“And I will always love him. But, sometimes people are happier when they’re not together,” Beth had told her.
As much as she’d tried to explain, Lainey still hadn’t understood, which had been frustrating. But, she was young and Beth knew her daughter would learn to accept that her parents weren’t going to get back together.
“What about your father?”
Beth’s dad, William, was at his vacation home, in Florida, with Helen, her stepmother. When she’d given them the news, they’d been horrified, promising to fly back to Minnesota as soon as possible. Her father, who’d been in the military and not one to ever get too emotional, had been so distraught that he’d broken down on the phone. Lainey was his only grandchild and he adored her.
“They’re supposed to be here later this evening. I hope,” she replied, praying that by then, Lainey would already be found and safely back at home.
“Good.”
She glanced at him. Her father and Tom didn’t always see eye-to-eye. In fact, William had been disgusted by his son-in-law’s gambling habit, especially since it had been the catalyst that led to their divorce.
“Would you mind if I stayed the rest of the night? On the couch?” he replied, rubbing his temples. “I want to be around if the police call with any updates.”
Beth was relieved. Although she wanted nothing more than to curl up in Lainey’s bed, the thought of being alone was depressing. “Of course.”
Tom’s eyes filled with fresh tears as he stared at the swing set, behind the house. The one he’d built. “I just can’t believe this is happening. I feel so damn… helpless,” he said, his voice breaking.
“I’m so sorry, Tom,” she said. She felt so guilty. Like she’d failed as a parent and it was eating her up inside. If only she’d have kept Lainey in her sight. “I shouldn’t have let her wander the store alone. This is my fault.”
He let out a heavy sigh. “It’s not.”
“I let her go. Alone.”
“It’s not like she was on the other side of the store. She was in the next aisle. I’ve went shopping with her, Beth. I know how antsy she gets,” he said.
His words didn’t comfort her. She’d failed to protect their daughter, on her watch, and could only blame herself.
You’re a shitty mother, she thought, feeling miserable.
And one who couldn’t afford to feel sorry for herself.
Beth took a deep breath. It was time to focus on what she could do now, instead of what she’d failed to do earlier.
“Let’s go inside,” Beth said, grabbing her purse. “My cell phone is about to die. I need to charge it and get on social media. Just like Detective Samuels said, we need to spread the word that our daughter is missing.”
“Good idea.”
TOM QUIETLY FOLLOWED Beth into the house. They went into the kitchen and he asked if he could brew a cup of coffee with the Keurig. “After all, it’s not like I’m going to be able to sleep anyway.”
“Go ahead.”
He stared at her face. There were bags under her eyes. Something he’d never seen before. “You look exhausted. Why don’t you try and rest while I sit up and wait for news? If I hear anything, I’ll wake you.”
“Thanks, but I’m going to post about Lainey missing on Facebook and Twitter. I doubt I’ll be sleeping anytime soon,” said Beth, plugging her phone into the charger. “In fact, could you make a cup for me, too? Everything is still where it was when you lived here.”
He nodded and then set about making them both coffee. Once he was finished, Tom brought the cups over to the small, round oak table where Beth was now seated. She had her laptop open and was logging into her Facebook account.
“Thanks,” she murmured, when he set a steaming cup down in front of her.
“You’re welcome.”
Tom sat down across from her and peered around the kitchen. It was quiet, and despite what they were going through, comforting to be there. Although he’d been by to pick up Lainey a number of times, Mike was usually around and it was awkward. Now that it was just the two of them, alone, he was reminded of the many times they’d shared dinner together at the table. The conversations they’d had, both good and bad. The memories, including the time she’d surprised him with the news of being pregnant with Lainey. He would never forget that day… how she’d made his favorite carrot cake and had frosted a date on the top in bright orange.
“What is that for?” he’d asked, not understanding.
“That’s the day our life is going to change forever,” she’d replied, her bright blue eyes shiny with joyful tears. “It’s when we’re both going to be parents.”
Knowing how much having a child meant to her, he’d smiled, picked her up, and twirled her around, both of them soon laughing and crying together. Although the prospect of being a father had been a little unnerving, especially back then, in the end he found that Lainey had been the best thing to ever happen to him.
Besides Beth.
And Tom had blown it. All because he’d been a selfish, stubborn, asshole. The truth was, it wasn’t even the gambling that had ruined their relationship. It had been the arrogant notion that nobody told Tom Brown what to do, including Beth. Now, he’d do anything to go back in time and fix what he’d broken.
Tom’s eyes filled with tears again as he realized that he was actually responsible for Lainey’s abduction. He’d driven the family apart and she’d found a way to heal, through Mike. If she’d never gotten into a relationship with him, Beth wouldn’t have been out shopping for a gift for his son, Mason. Lainey’s abduction wouldn’t have ever occurred.
Seeing Tom’s tears, Beth reached over and grabbed his hand.
“I don’t know what to do,” he said, trying not to cry. “I feel so helpless.”
“I know. Just… stay strong,” she said, squeezing his hand. “For Lainey. We both have to. We’ll get her back, Tom. We have to believe it.”
Sitting there now, with Beth, he was reminded of how much he’d already lost and vowed that whatever it took, he’d get them both back.
Chapter 5
Lainey
Saturday
11:25 a.m.
SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Lainey woke up in a dark bedroom, with a pounding headache and a bad taste in her mouth.
“Mommy?” she whispered, blinking several times.
As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, Lainey began to remember what had happened and it confused and frightened her. Even worse, she was in a scary place that she didn’t recognize.
With her heart pounding in her chest, Lainey got out of the bed and crept over to the door. She tried opening it, but found that the door was locked.
“Mommy!” she called, rattling the knob.
A woman began yelling angrily from somewhere in the house, speaking in a language that she didn’t recognize.
Scared, Lainey scampered back to the bed and crawled under the covers.
A short time later, the door opened up and the bedroom light was switched on. Lainey peaked out from under the covers and noticed a woman in a short, white robe, enter the room carrying a tray of food. She thought the woman was pretty, although her lipstick was too bright and she had curlers in her red hair.
Lainey watched as the stranger approached the bed and set the tray down next to her, on the nightstand.
“Where’s my mom?” she squeaked, staring up at her and trembling. It was then that, Lainey noticed the woman had a long scar that ran under the side of her chin.
Instead of answering the question, the woman waved her hand toward the sandwich and bottle of apple juice sitting on the tray. “Yest’ pishchu.”
Lainey stared at her in confusion.
“Eat… now,” the woman said in a t
hick accent.
“I’m not hungry. Where’s my mom?” repeated Lainey defiantly.
Irritated, the woman threw up her hands and then stormed out of the room. A few seconds later, she walked back in with a girl who looked about sixteen. She had long, brown hair, pulled back in a ponytail, and blue eyeglasses. Lainey noticed that the girl held a book in one hand and a bottle of Diet Coke in another.
The woman said something to the teenager in Russian.
“Right,” muttered the girl. Looking annoyed, she turned to Lainey. “My name is Tara. Who are you?”
“Lainey,” she replied.
“Well, Lainey, Dina wants me to tell you the rules,” she said in a bored tone. “So, listen up-”
Lainey frowned. “For what?”
“You know… For staying here.”
“But, I don’t want to stay here. I want to go home,” said Lainey, her lip trembling.
“I know you do.” She shrugged. “You just… can’t.”
Lainey didn’t like that answer and began to cry.
Stiffening up, Tara moved closer to her. “Don’t do that,” she said, staring hard into Lainey’s eyes. “Dina gets upset when kids cry. I don’t want her to hurt you.”
“I just want to go home! I don’t want to be here,” Lainey sobbed, tears rolling down her cheeks.
Dina walked over to the teenager and spoke sharply in Russian.
“Well, what did you expect? She wants to go home to her parents,” Tara snapped back.
Glaring at her, Dina backhanded the teenager, who cried out.
Tara stumbled backward but caught herself before she fell to the floor.
Shocked, Lainey gasped in horror. She knew that it was her fault. Crying, she begged Dina not to hurt Tara again. “I’m sorry. I’ll be good! I promise!”
Glaring at Dina, Tara rubbed her reddened cheek and mumbled something under her breath.
Ignoring her, Dina crossed her arms under her chest and tapped her foot angrily on the floor. “Rules!”
Tara let out a ragged breath and looked at Lainey. “Rule number one is to do what they say. Rule number two is, don’t try to escape. Rule number three is, don’t piss any of them off. You’ll regret it, and believe me, some of them enjoy causing pain.”
Looking for Lainey Page 2