The Other Side

by J. D. Robb

  “Would you say he is depressed?”

  “He may have been, but . . . ” She huffed out a breath when she saw the detective writing furiously in his notebook. “Jake would never harm my brother.”

  “Mr. Deering suggested that you may have developed a . . . romantic attachment to the carpenter. Is this true?”

  Christina saw Bonnie Waverly and Mrs. Mellon staring at her with open astonishment.

  She blushed and avoided their eyes. “It’s true. But Jake would never . . . ”

  The detective got to his feet. “I’m sorry, Miss Crenshaw. This happens more often than you can imagine. Faking a romance with a wealthy woman is the easiest way for a criminal to ply his trade.”

  “Oh, Ted. Our poor darling. Her heart is breaking.”

  “I know. But there’s no time to comfort her now.” Ted caught his wife’s hand. “I know we can’t interfere, but we have to find a way to redirect the police investigation. And quickly.”

  “Where do we start?”

  They flew across the countryside and dropped into Henry Wickham’s office, where his desk, as usual, was littered with reports.

  Wickham was bent over, plugging in a fan. That gave them the perfect opportunity they needed.

  “Here, babe. Go through these.” Ted shoved a pile of documents toward Vanessa, while he took another pile for himself.

  “What are we looking for?”

  “I don’t know. Anything that can get him to make some sense of this mess.”

  Fingers flying, papers ruffling, they read page after page of legal documents until Vanessa gave a cry. “Ted. Look.” She shoved a paper toward him.

  He read it, then placed it on top of the pile and set them right in front of old Wickham as he took his seat at his desk.

  “Huh. I remember this.” Henry glanced at one of the cold cases that had never been closed. An elderly woman had lost control of her car and was killed. The tests hadn’t yielded enough information to make an arrest, even though at the time he’d suspected her much-younger lover of being more in love with her software company than with her.

  As he began to set aside the document, he caught sight of the name of that young lover: Mark Deering.

  He glanced at his watch and then snatched up the documents and hurried out of his office. Instead of phoning Christina Crenshaw with the news, he would go to her house.

  If what he suspected was true, she and her brother were in grave danger.

  Henry Wickham pulled up in front of the graceful mansion, grateful that the long drive had given him time to think about what he would say to the young woman who lived there. He would gently but firmly suggest that Miss Crenshaw hire an armed guard until the murder of her parents was solved.

  Instead of the charming young lady he’d first met, Christina entered the room looking distraught and teary-eyed.

  “Miss Crenshaw, has something happened?”

  “It’s my little brother. He’s missing . . . ”

  They both looked up as Mrs. Mellon stepped aside to admit Jake Ridgeway, with a murderous expression in his eyes.

  “Jake.” Christina fell into his arms. “The police told me that they suspect you of taking Tyler.”

  “They’ve made it very clear that I’m their only suspect, thanks to Deering.” Jake led her toward a chaise and knelt in front of her, taking both her hands in his. “How are you holding up?”

  “Not very well. Oh, Jake. I’m so afraid.”

  Henry Wickham spoke up. “You said thanks to Deering. What did you mean by that?”

  For the first time, Jake noticed the rumpled detective across the room. “Christina’s fiancé suggested that I’m some kind of itinerant laborer looking for a chance to make a fast buck. He has the police wasting all their time investigating my background instead of searching for Tyler.”

  “Which is precisely what he’d hoped for.”

  At Wickham’s words, both Christina and Jake stared at him in silence.

  Watching and listening, Ted and Vanessa embraced.

  “Finally we have everyone on the same page, babe. Now, if only they can rescue Tyler before he can be harmed, arrest that monster Mark, and put him away before he can hurt anyone else.”

  “Oh, Ted. I pray it’s so.”

  “From your lips, babe . . . ”

  “But we know from experience that we don’t always get our happy ending.”

  “Shhh. If we can see Tyler safely back home and Mark Deering locked up, we won’t ask for anything more.”

  Ted kissed his wife soundly before turning back to listen as Henry Wickham phoned the police detective who was handling the case.

  Eight

  Mark Deering was feeling supremely confident. With the police focusing all their attention on the carpenter, he’d bought enough time to carry out his plan without interference. The kid would never be found. Christina would turn to him in desperation. He’d be more than happy to comfort her. And take charge of her and her bank account.

  He made his way to his car parked in the garage and drove to his office, pulling around to his private entrance. Once there, he picked up a blanket-covered burden from the backseat and carried it inside, dumping it unceremoniously in a corner. There was a faint moan, the only sound the kid could make with his hands, feet, and mouth taped. Mark intended to add more tape in a minute, after he made a call.

  He sat at his desk and dialed a number, then waited for the familiar voice.

  Mark sounded almost euphoric when he finally spoke into the phone. “Time to get over here and pick up the package.”

  With a smile, he replaced the receiver.

  He was still smiling when the hammer caught him on the side of his head, causing him to let out a cry of pain and rage.

  Stunned, he watched in horror as the boy lifted the hammer a second time, hitting him with such force, he slumped forward, his bloody head dropping to the desktop. Through a shower of stars he watched helplessly as the boy ran out the door and disappeared down the steps.

  It took several minutes before he was able to clear his head enough to stumble after Tyler.

  Henry Wickham couldn’t keep the gloom from his voice. “Detective Maloney said the police found Mr. Deering’s residence empty. They then went to his place of business and found an ex-convict there, who claimed to be awaiting a package. They’re holding him for questioning. They also found traces of blood on the desk and chair and on the floor around the desk. It will be sent to a lab for testing.”

  “Oh, no. My little brother . . . ?” Christina had her hands clamped tightly together, as though holding on by a thread.

  “He wasn’t there. Nor was Mark Deering. But the crime unit did find a blanket in the corner of the office that bore blond hairs that may or may not have come from the boy’s head. There were also several torn strips of tape that could have been used to bind and gag him.”

  “Oh, Tyler.” Tears spilled over, running down Christina’s cheeks. “That monster.”

  “And they found one more thing in the blanket. A pair of small shears, which the boy may have used to cut those strips of tape and free himself.”

  Jake nodded. “They were part of the tools I put in that tool belt I made for him.”

  Christina lay a hand on Jake’s arm. “Bonnie said he refused to take it off, even for his nap.”

  Henry Wickham arched a brow. “If he was snatched while sleeping, the kidnapper wouldn’t have had time to remove it. That belt, and the tools in it, may have just given the boy a fighting chance.”

  “But the blood? Is it Tyler’s?” Christina asked the question she most feared. “Do you think he’s still alive?”

  “We can’t be certain, Miss Crenshaw. Detective Maloney thinks the ex-con was there to pick up the boy and dispose of him elsewhere. But with both the boy and Deering missing, nothing is certain. The question is, if Deering changed his plans, why didn’t he alert the ex-con?” He paused, wondering how much to tell them. “Detective Maloney thinks Tyler managed
to run away, and Deering was forced to give chase. That would explain why the two of them are missing.”

  “Where could Tyler run to?” Christina struggled with a rising sense of desperation. “It’s getting dark. He’s never been away from home alone. And he can’t ask for help.”

  Jake drew an arm around her shoulders. “Tyler may not be able to speak, but he isn’t helpless. He proved that by messing up Deering’s plans.” He glanced toward Henry Wickham. “What are the police doing?”

  “The photo Miss Crenshaw provided is being broadcast on all the networks. Folks are being informed that the boy doesn’t speak, but anyone who sees him should alert the authorities.”

  Too agitated to sit, Christina stood and began to pace. “I want to help search for him.”

  “That’s always a family’s first instinct. But the best thing you can do is remain here and wait for a call.”

  Seeing the tears in the eyes of the two older women, Christina gathered them close. “He’s a brave, clever little boy. If there’s any way to get word to us, he’ll find it.”

  She prayed these weren’t just hollow, empty words. Her little brother had to stay safe. Had to. Or what little joy she had left in the world would be forever shattered.

  “Oh, Ted, darling. Where can he be?” Drifting across the city, clinging to her husband’s hand, Vanessa scanned the streets below.

  They’d begun their search at Mark Deering’s office. From there they’d crisscrossed the city for any sign of their son or of Mark.

  “I wish I knew how Tyler’s mind worked. There was a time when I believed him incapable of thought. Now, watching him imitate Jake Ridgeway, I’ve begun to alter my thinking. He may not speak, but he’s bright and clever. And best of all, brave. Brave enough to fight back and escape.”

  “We don’t know that.”

  “It’s the only thing that makes sense. If he hadn’t run away, he’d already be in the clutches of that ex-convict. The same one who arranged our deadly accident.”

  “But he’s only a little boy. And Mark is a cold-blooded murderer.”

  Ted drew his wife close. “I know, babe.” He pointed downward. “What was that?”

  She peered through the gathering darkness. “I don’t see anything.”

  “Neither do I. But I thought I spotted movement.” He drew her down with him to street level. “Look.”

  She followed his direction and saw Tyler hiding in the shadow of an empty building, peering around cautiously. “Oh, darling.”

  She rushed to the boy and wrapped her arms around him.

  For just a moment Tyler shivered, as a feeling of warmth spread through him. Then, blinking furiously, he continued looking around.

  “He can’t feel me.” Vanessa was openly weeping. “Ted, he doesn’t even know I’m here.”

  “It’s all right, babe. We know he’s safe, at least for now. And that has to be enough.”

  “It isn’t enough.” She stomped her foot, but it made no sound. “I want to comfort him. I want my son to know he isn’t alone.” Tears of frustration ran down her cheeks. “And all I can do is watch and wait for some killer who has no conscience.”

  “Okay. Time to end the pity party.” He knew he was being tough, but it had to be done. “Let’s see if we can find out where Mark is and figure out how to distract him until the police can find Tyler.”

  “You want to leave Tyler alone?”

  He thought a moment before saying, “No. You stay with him. I’ll just fly around a bit and see if I can spot our resident creep.”

  Vanessa wrapped her arms around Tyler and watched as Ted disappeared into the night. She didn’t care what Gram had told them; if Mark Deering came anywhere near her son, she would find a way to thwart him if it meant moving heaven and earth to do it.

  Jake pulled Henry Wickham aside. “What put you onto Mark Deering?”

  “He was a suspect in an earlier case that has never been resolved. A wealthy widow who, shortly after marrying Deering, died in a suspicious automobile accident. We could never prove it wasn’t an accident, so the case is still pending.”

  “You might want to see where that ex-con was when that accident occurred.”

  Wickham nodded. “I’ve already asked my office to run a check on him.”

  Jake lowered his voice. “What are Tyler’s odds?”

  The detective avoided Jake’s eyes. “He’s a gutsy kid. But he’s just a kid. I’d hate to think what his chances are against a pro with no conscience. Especially one with so much to lose. If you ask me, Deering will do whatever he can to get to the kid before the police do.”

  “Thanks for the honesty.” Jake turned away. “If Christina asks about me, tell her I had to file a report with your office.”

  The rumpled detective put a hand on his arm. “You interfere, you’re apt to get yourself killed.”

  “Maybe. But if there’s a chance to even the odds in Tyler’s favor, I’ve got to try.”

  Ted dropped down beside Vanessa, who was still clinging to Tyler. The little boy hadn’t made a move since her arrival, and that suited her just fine. She was content to just stand there, breathing him in.

  “We’ve got to get him to run.” Ted’s voice held a note of desperation.

  “Why, Ted?”

  “Deering is headed this way. With murder in his eyes. From the look of him, Tyler gave him a pretty good whack with something heavy. His head’s bloody. His eye’s swollen. I know one thing. He won’t give Tyler a second shot at him.”

  “Oh, Ted.” Vanessa grabbed Tyler’s hand and tried to pull him, but her fingers passed through air. “How can we get him to move?”

  Ted was looking around, hoping to think of something. Just then he spotted Jake’s truck heading in the direction of Mark’s office.

  He floated through a block of tall buildings and dropped down into the street ahead of Jake’s vehicle. Desperate to get his attention, he caught sight of a stray dog digging through an overturned garbage can. Ted reached inside and found some discarded fast-food burgers. Tossing them into the street, he watched with satisfaction as the dog raced toward them.

  Jake was so deep in thought he almost didn’t see the dog in time. Standing on his brakes, he managed to bring his truck to a halt inches from the hungry animal. A car trailing Jake wasn’t so fortunate. He slammed into the truck, causing shards of glass and pieces of metal to litter the street. With a litany of swear words, the driver slammed out of his car.

  The dog snatched up the meat and took off running.

  Hearing the crash, Tyler peered around the corner of the building. Spying Jake in the headlights, he started running toward him.

  Jake couldn’t believe his eyes. He opened his arms and scooped up the little boy, hugging him to his heart.

  “I’ve been looking for you. Your poor sister is waiting at home, worried sick about you.”

  The boy buried his face in Jake’s neck.

  “Thanks for making this easy.” A voice behind them had all the blood freezing in Jake’s veins.

  Mark gave a chilling laugh. In his hand was a small, silver pistol. “Now I get to kill two birds with one stone.” He turned to the driver of the car. “If you value your life, you’ll get back in that wreck and drive.”

  The man, seeing Mark’s gun, scrambled into his car and drove away, tires screeching.

  Vanessa grabbed hold of his door and clung before climbing in beside him. As he swerved around a corner she reached into his pocket and held out his cell phone. Seeing it, he stood on the brakes, brought his car to halt, and dialed nine-one-one.

  Very deliberately, Jake set Tyler down and muttered under his breath, “When I make a move, you run as fast as you can between those buildings.”

  He straightened and took up a position in front of the boy, shielding him with his own body.

  “Trying to be a hero, are you?” Mark gave an evil smile. “It won’t work. You’ve meddled for the last time, carpenter.”

  As he took aim, Van
essa returned to Ted’s side and the two hovered beside Jake and Tyler, desperate to stop the carnage but unable to come up with anything more.

  Just then, police cars appeared from both directions, filling the street with lights and sirens. Half a dozen officers leapt from their cars and took aim with automatic rifles at the man holding the gun.

  A bullhorn announced, “Police. Toss aside your weapon at once.”

  Mark hesitated, but seeing the number of armed men, was forced to comply. In the blink of an eye the scene was swarming with men shouting orders, with Mark facedown in the middle of the street.

  Jake and Tyler were whisked off to a police car.

  As they headed away from the scene, the little boy wrapped his arms around Jake’s neck and burrowed against his chest. Riding along, Ted and Vanessa were alternately laughing and weeping with relief.

  “Oh, Ted. You did it. Luring that dog right in the path of Jake’s truck was brilliant.”

  “Sheer desperation, babe. But it wouldn’t have been enough if you hadn’t forced that other driver to do the right thing and phone the police. We saved our boy, and that’s all that matters.”

  “No, Ted darling. This is what matters.” Vanessa pointed to Christina, Mrs. Mellon, and Bonnie, all standing on the porch as the police car pulled up the driveway, and all of them weeping copious tears of joy.

  It was one of those perfect California days, the sun shining brightly in a clear, cloudless sky.

  Guests sat on chairs arrayed with white satin skirts and bows that had been arranged in a semicircle around a platform dressed with urns of white hydrangeas and trailing ivy.

  Ted and Vanessa watched their daughter as she made her way along the white carpet. Her gown was a long sweep of ivory silk. The veil was the same one that had been worn at her mother’s wedding.

  Christina paused to hug Mrs. Mellon, who was weeping softly, and Bonnie, who handed her a lace-edged handkerchief for luck, before she ascended the platform where Jake and Tyler, in matching tuxedos, stood proudly waiting.