Looking for Lainey - A gripping psychological thriller

by Kristen Middleton

  “Huh,” said Dustin, folding his arms across his chest.

  “I did some more checking, in another chatroom, and eventually learned who was hosting this event.” Jeremy slid over to his other computer and pulled up a picture of a bald man in his thirties.

  “Who is that?” Dustin asked.

  “Yury Popov.”

  “You think he’s selling kids?” he asked, leaning forward.

  “He’s certainly auctioning something the pedophiles were interested in. Anyway, one has to get a special invitation to participate in the auction, which I doubt will have enough time to try and coordinate.”

  Dustin frowned. “Damn.”

  “The good news is, we believe that Popov might be linked to a Russian crime syndicate. One that specializes in human trafficking. So, there’s a chance that if Lainey has been kidnapped by professionals, which it sounds like, our guy here is involved,” Jeremy replied.

  “And that’s the good part?” Dustin muttered.

  “No, the good part is that I checked with the airlines and it looks like Popov flew into Minneapolis about a week ago. We find him and we might find Lainey.”

  Carissa, who’d been silent, stared at the man on the screen. “He’s involved,” she said, her stomach tingling. “I can feel it.”

  Dustin leaned forward. “Did you happen to find out when this auction is being held, Jeremy?”

  “Friday night,” he replied.

  He nodded. “At least we have a little time. What about the boy, Sammy Johnson? Is it possible he might have been kidnapped by the same organization?”

  Jeremy typed in something on the computer and Sammy Johnson’s face pulled up. “I definitely think it’s possible.”

  Carissa stared at the screen. Sammy was definitely a good looking kid with his magnetic smile. “They’re together. Lainey and Sammy,” she said. “I’m pretty sure.”

  The two men looked at each other.

  “We might be able to kill two birds with one stone here,” said Dustin.

  “Wouldn’t that be great,” Jeremy said with a grim smile.

  “Is there anything else?” Dustin asked.

  Jeremy smiled. “Oh yeah. Ask and you shall receive.” He handed him a piece of paper.

  “What’s this?” Dustin asked, staring at the writing.

  “Exactly what it looks like. The make, model, and license plate number of the car Popov rented at the airport.”

  Dustin grinned. He slapped him on the back. “My man! I knew you’d come through for us.”

  Jeremy looked up at him. “Now, don’t get too excited. We don’t know where he’s staying. But, I did place a call with the Minneapolis Police Department and spoke to one of my contacts there.”

  “You mean the police chief?” Dustin asked. “Fielding?”

  “Oh,” Jeremy gave him a funny smile. “I told you about him, huh?”

  “Yeah. Last time we went out for drinks,” he replied.

  Jeremy grunted. “Remind me to stop at one, the next time we go out. Anyway, Fielding put out an alert on this guy.”

  “You should call him and let him know that we think Sammy could be another victim of Popov’s,” Dustin said.

  “I will,” he replied.

  “If Fielding asks, tell him it’s your hunch though,” Carissa said with a wry smile. “Something tells me he won’t take it seriously if he believes a psychic is your source.”

  “Probably not. I’ll tell him it was all me. Of course, if your information turns out to be correct, I’m going to make sure you get credit where it’s due. Screw what Fielding thinks.”

  Carissa smiled.

  “Hopefully, they’ll locate Popov soon,” Dustin said. “I would think he’d be staying at a local hotel or motel. What do you think, Carissa?”

  “I don’t know.” Suddenly, an image of cornfields flashed through Carissa’s mind. “Wait. I feel almost like he could be staying in a rural area. Possibly near a farm?”

  “What about the children? Do you think they could be with him?” Dustin asked.

  “I don’t know... but,” Carissa’s eyes widened as another premonition hit her. One that caught her off guard. “I think that I might have a clearer idea of who took Lainey.”

  Chapter 21

  Lainey

  TEN MINUTES LATER, Lainey, Tara, and Sammy approached a warm and inviting farmhouse. Christmas lights and holiday decorations lit up the porch and a welcoming mat wished them “Happy Holidays”.

  Tara pounded on the door and eventually a thin, old man wearing faded blue bib overalls answered.

  “Please, help us,” begged Tara, relieved to see him.

  Shocked, the farmer let them in and quickly started asking questions.

  “We were kidnapped by some people staying at a nearby farmhouse,” Tara explained.

  “What?” he asked, his eyes becoming saucers.

  Tara gave him some more details and then motioned toward Sammy and Lainey. “These two have even been on the news. You might have seen something about them.”

  Appalled by what she’d told him, he quickly called out for his wife. Seconds later, a heavy-set woman holding a dish towel joined them, her face filling with concern when she noticed the three standing there.

  “They say that they were kidnapped by those people renting Joe Dern’s place,” the farmer said angrily. “I knew something strange was going on over there. People coming and going at all hours of the night. Different vehicles. I thought maybe it was drugs, but this... this is pure madness.”

  The woman put a hand to her chest. “Oh, you poor things; you must be scared and freezing to death,” she replied, looking down at their wet feet. “Edgar, we need to call the sheriff.”

  “Already on it,” he said, rushing away.

  The woman gave them a sympathetic smile. “Don’t you worry about a thing. You’re safe with us. My name is Wilma, by the way. What did you say your names were?”

  Tara told her.

  “Thank Goodness, you children got away. Your families must be worried sick. In fact, I remember seeing your mother on television, begging for your return,” she said to Lainey. Wilma looked at Sammy. “And if memory serves me, an Amber Alert just went out for you.” Wilma made the sign of the cross over her chest. “I have to say... this is surely a miracle that you were all able to escape.”

  Hearing Wilma speak of her mother, Lainey’s eyes filled with tears. She missed her so much and had almost lost hope of ever seeing her again.

  Noticing her crying silently, the woman clucked her tongue and gave her a warm hug. “You poor little thing, you must have been so terrified. All of you,” she said, her eyes moving to Sammy and Tara.

  “We were,” Sammy replied. His eyes narrowed. “They were going to sell us!”

  Looking horrified, the woman straightened up. “Well, that’s not going to happen now. We aren’t going to let any harm come to you,” she said firmly. “Now, why don’t you take off those wet socks and come into the living room by the fire? I’ll go and grab some blankets and then get you something warm to drink. Like hot cocoa. Would you like that?”

  They all nodded.

  “Wilma, did you pay the phone bill like I asked you?” Edgar called out from the other room. “It doesn’t seem to be working.”

  “Yes, of course I did,” she hollered back.

  Edgar stepped back into the foyer. “The phone is dead,” he said, looking worried.

  Wilma’s eyes widened in fear. She looked over at the children. “Lord have mercy. Could they have followed you?”

  Suddenly, all of the lights went off and Lainey cried out.

  Trembling. Tara grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Don’t panic,” she whispered.

  “Edgar. Get the flashlights,” said Wilma.

  “Already on it,” he replied, disappearing out of the room once more.

  “I’m scared, Tara,” Lainey whispered.

  “Me, too,” Sammy said in a shaky voice.

  “Everything i
s going to be okay,” the woman said.

  “I don’t know what’s going on, Wilma, but you’d better take them upstairs,” said Edgar, returning with the flashlights.

  “What are you going to do?” Wilma whispered sharply.

  “What do you think I’m going to do? I’m going downstairs and get my gun,” he replied.

  Wringing her hands, Wilma moaned. “How can this be happening? Who are these horrible people?”

  Edgar handed her a flashlight. “Woman, just get them upstairs like I told you,” he replied gruffly before disappearing back down the hallway.

  Wilma took a deep breath and released it. “I suppose it’s possible that this might just be a coincidence you showed up and the power went off. We shouldn’t panic,” she said, forcing a smile to her face.

  As if on cue, a loud crashing noise from outside made them all jump.

  “What was that?” said Sammy, backing into Tara.

  “It sounded like the trash can getting knocked over. Hopefully, we just have some hungry raccoons causing havoc,” Wilma replied in a strained voice. “Anyway, we’d better get upstairs.”

  “Do either of you have a cell phone?” Tara asked, as they made their way through the house. “Can’t we just call the police?”

  “My cell phone is in the car. In the glovebox. At least, I think. It’s just one of those pay-as-you-go type of things, so I never hardly use it,” she explained. “Edgar also has one somewhere but the last time I checked, the battery was dead.”

  “Crap,” Tara murmured.

  “We’re just simple country folk,” Wilma explained. “We don’t even use the internet, much less our cell phones.”

  As they were heading up the staircase, someone began pounding on the front door.

  “Oh no!” squeaked Lainey, trying not to cry.

  “Hurry, children,” Wilma said, as their visitor stopped knocking and began to ring the doorbell insistently. She turned and pointed the flashlight down so they could see the steps better. “These are old and narrow. Be careful so you don’t fall.”

  When they reached the top of the staircase, Wilma quickly led them to a walk-in closet, located in her and Edgar’s bedroom.

  “Hide in here,” she said, opening the door. “Hopefully this will all be sorted out real soon. I’m going to go and check on Edgar and maybe see if I can find his cell phone. Whatever you do, don’t leave the closet until I return, okay?”

  They agreed.

  “Here, why don’t you take the flashlight,” Wilma said, handing it to Tara. “I know this house like the back of my hand.”

  She grabbed it from her.

  “Okay, then. I’ll be back.” Making another sign of the cross, Wilma quietly shut the door and left them alone.

  “Tara,” Lainey said, backing away from the door. “What if they get in and find us up here?”

  “It will be okay. Edgar has a gun, remember?” Sammy said. “He can shoot them if he has to.”

  “What if they have guns?” Lainey asked, her eyes wide.

  “They do,” Tara said in a tight voice. She handed Sammy the flashlight. “Stay here. I’m going to go and look out the bedroom window. See if I can figure out what’s happening outside.”

  “But, she told us to stay in here,” squeaked Lainey. “What if something happens to you?”

  Tara put a hand on Lainey’s shoulder. “I’m just going to have a quick look.” She gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be fine. Okay?”

  Lainey stared at her but didn’t say anything.

  Tara gave them both a quick hug and then snuck out of the closet.

  Chapter 22

  Beth

  DETECTIVE SAMUELS CALLED Beth back shortly after Carissa and Dustin left the house. He thanked her for the information regarding the repairman and promised to have someone interview him.

  “Also, the reporters are back,” she told him, staring out the window.

  “Really?”

  “Yes.” She cleared her throat. “They must have somehow found out about our meeting with Carissa Jones.”

  “Carissa Jones,” he repeated. “Wait a second, you mean the psychic?”

  “Yes. You know her?”

  “We’ve met.”

  From the tone of his voice, Beth reasoned that he wasn’t exactly a fan of hers.

  “So, what did Ms. Jones have to say about your daughter?” he asked dryly

  “She believes that the kidnapper has actually been in our house. In fact, that’s how I remembered Bernie.”

  “Ah. Well, I can understand how you would want to try anything to locate your daughter. Just,” he sighed, “don’t put all of your eggs in her basket. You’ll be disappointed.”

  “I take it you don’t believe in psychics?”

  “No. Sorry. Most of them are scam artists. The other ones are a few sandwiches short of a picnic.”

  Beth frowned. She liked Carissa and didn’t think he was being fair. “Carissa didn’t appear to be either of those. In fact, she helped find a missing girl up in Two Harbors last weekend. You must have heard about that?”

  “Yeah. Look, Ms. Brown. I’m sure that once in a while she stumbles upon something the police might have missed and I assure you, it’s not because she has some kind of supernatural power. I understand why you’d want to try every angle in getting your daughter back. Just, don’t let yourself get swayed by any of her crazy ideas. And for God’s sake, don’t give her money.”

  “She didn’t ask for any,” Beth replied, feeling deflated. Although he wasn’t insulting her, she felt like a child being scolded.

  “That’s a relief. Anyway, like I said, we’ll look into the repairman and get back to you as soon as possible.”

  She didn’t tell him that Carissa and Dustin were already on their way to check him out. Something told her that Detective Samuels wouldn’t be happy about it. Instead, she thanked him and that was the end of their conversation.

  “WHAT DID SAMUELS say? Did he have anything new for us?” Tom asked. It was just the two of them in the kitchen. William and Helen had left to meet her daughter, who lived in Hudson, for dinner.

  Beth shook her head and went over their conversation.

  “So, he thinks she’s a fruitcake?” Tom said, the look on his face telling her that he was in agreement.

  “Yes, but he’s wrong,” she said, frowning. “Carissa has a gift. I know you don’t believe it, but when we were up in Lainey’s room, she told me things that she couldn’t have known.”

  He opened his mouth to say something but then changed his mind.

  “What?” she asked, crossing her arms under her chest.

  Tom sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I’m just tired of arguing. If you think she’s legit, then that’s good enough for me.”

  Beth relaxed. She really didn’t have the energy to argue and wanted to believe that Carissa could somehow help them find their daughter. It wasn’t like the police were having any luck. Maybe she was grasping at straws, but at least it was something.

  Beth sat down next to him at the table. “She is, Tom. I feel like that if anyone can help us find Lainey, it’s Carissa and Dustin.”

  “I don’t care who finds her, as long as she’s found,” he replied, looking haggard.

  She nodded in agreement.

  He took a sip of coffee and stared out the kitchen window. “Honestly, I think Dustin seems to have his head on straight.” He looked at her. “I’m glad your father hired him.”

  “Me, too.”

  Beth’s phone began to ring. She jumped up and grabbed it from the counter, hoping it was Carissa. It was Mike.

  “Who is it?” Tom asked.

  “Mike.”

  His eyes hardened. Not saying anything, he looked away

  She answered the phone and walked out of the kitchen. Beth didn’t always feel comfortable talking to Mike around Tom. In fact, there were times when she felt slightly guilty. She knew it was silly, but couldn’t help it.

  “Hi
, Babe,” Mike said, sounding tired.

  Hearing his voice was instantly comforting. “Hi. How are things going?”

  “Okay. You sound better,” he replied, a smile in his voice. “Have you heard any news about Lainey?”

  “There’s another suspect.” Beth told him about Bernie.

  “That’s right! The repairman. I’m surprised we both forgot.”

  “If it wasn’t for Carissa, I wouldn’t have even thought about him.”

  “Carissa?”

  She explained who she was.

  “A psychic?” he asked. “That’s... cool.”

  Unlike Tom, Beth knew that Mike was more open-minded about most things, including the supernatural. It was one thing she loved about him.

  “Yes. She’s the same woman who located a missing girl up near Duluth. Did you hear about that?”

  He told her he hadn’t had time to watch much television.

  “That’s pretty impressive though, huh?” he said.

  “Yes. Hopefully she can help us find Lainey.” Beth then told him about Carissa’s and Dustin’s friend, Jeremy, who worked for the government. “He’s helping, too. Apparently, there is some kind of dark web where crooks buy and sell things, even children,” she said, the idea making her physically ill. “Can you believe it?”

  “I’ve heard about the dark web,” he replied. “Never been on in though.”

  “You need some kind of special software, I guess,” she said.

  “Huh. So, this Jeremy thinks he might be able to locate her through that? How?”

  “Honestly, I really have no idea. But, you know the government. They have all kind of mad skills we have no clue about. Anyway, I’ll let them worry about the ‘how’. I just hope they can find her. Especially, before...” Beth paused.

  “Before what?”

  Her eyes filled with tears. “Carissa thinks someone is going to try and sell her on the dark web.”

  He let out a ragged sigh. “Wow. That’s... a horrible thought.”