She looked up from the phone. Her freckles crinkled as she smiled. “I’m fine, Mr. Billy. What do you need?”
“Did you see Theresa today?”
The young clerk shook her head.
“I need to take a look at the surveillance films from today.”
LaTisha’s eyes grew large. “Why? Is there a problem?”
He reached down and patted her hand. “Nothing I can’t take care of. Just need to see the videos.”
LaTisha didn’t look convinced. “If they’re working. They don’t work half the time. I tried to tell corporate to fix them, but you know how that is.” She grabbed a set of keys and walked out from behind the counter revealing a very pregnant stomach. “Are you sure Miss Theresa’s ok?”
“Don’t worry, she’ll be here for your delivery. She wouldn’t miss that for anything, you know that.” He looked over at Dylan. “Theresa’s her midwife.”
Dylan’s eye looked back at the pregnant woman, ready to deliver any day. He hoped they could keep Billy Clyde’s promise.
LaTisha unlocked the manager’s door and held it open for them.
Billy Clyde looked down at LaTisha. “How’s things with the two of you? Any problems?”
She rolled her eyes and put her hand on her belly in a protective manner. She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “I wish we didn’t live so close to his family. They’re a little different. If you know what I mean.”
“I understand, but at least you have your own house. Theresa said it’s adorable. I heard a rumor about some trouble with the family.”
She nodded. “Back taxes. But my husband says it’s nothing for me to worry about. His dad deeded us the house and property so it’s got nothing to do with us. Our taxes are paid up.”
“Good to hear. Let me know if I can help.”
“Praying might be a good idea.” She stepped back toward the door. “I gotta get back to the counter, Mr. Billy. Call me if you can’t figure out how it works.”
“Thanks. I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
LaTisha looked back and forth at the two men, uncertainty in her eyes. “Are you sure everything’s okay with Miss Theresa? What do you need the surveill—”
Billy Clyde walked over and put a hand on the young woman’s shoulder. “I’m going to take care of it. You worry about taking care of yourself and that baby.” He led her toward the door as he talked, then shut the door.
“That was easy. Good thing you knew the manager.”
“She’s not the manager, probably the assistant manager. The manager is no doubt over at his girlfriend’s house for his weekly visit while his wife is on her weekly shopping trip.” He shrugged. “What can I say? Paw Paw’s like Fredericksburg. Everyone knows everyone and their business. Pretty hard to hide in a town of five hundred.”
“Tell me about it.”
Billy Clyde hit a button on the VCR. “Of course, everyone loves Theresa as you could see, but most people around here are afraid of me for some reason.” He walked over to a shelf. Four VCRs crowded the tiny shelf. “These look a little out-of-date.”
“Yea, I figured as much. Let’s get busy.”
Forty minutes later, they’d watched the surveillance videos and learned nothing. Theresa hadn’t gone into the store and the car was out of range for the camera in the parking lot.
“Well, that was a waste of time.” Billy Clyde stood.
“We had to check it out.”
“I know. Let’s get moving. I want to check out the other addresses.”
“Are you sure? After all, you’ve been sh—” Billy Clyde’s glare was enough to stop him in mid-word. “Let’s rock and roll.”
CHAPTER 12
“I can’t believe these idiots haven’t called back yet.” Billy Clyde paced the confines of his glass-encased office. His massive body threatening to do damage to the sensitive computer equipment.
Dylan was afraid the windows might not last much longer if they didn’t call back soon. The last hour had been spent waiting for the kidnappers to get in contact. After checking out the other locations Track-Time had provided, they still had no leads.
Theresa had gone to the two elementary schools she volunteered at and then stopped at a favorite craft store. The owner said she hadn’t bought anything but did have her eye on a wood carving of an owl. Billy Clyde bought the owl and thanked the man.
The owl now set on the kitchen island awaiting Theresa’s return.
The phone sat beside Dylan. “They’re messing with your mind. They want you to be upset and out of control so they can call the shots. You sure this thing will work.” Dylan pointed at the GPS-like gadget attached to the cell phone.
“Yes and no.”
“Oh, well now I understand.” Dylan rolled his eyes.
“The triangulator will show me what cell towers are being used for the call as well as the number of the phone. But it has its limitations.” Billy Clyde stopped pacing and ran his hands through his short black hair peppered with gray. His eyes had dark shadows and his dark complexion was pale.
“You should sit down and rest. You need to conserve your energy. After all you were shot.”
“No need to remind me, Monroe. I know. But I’m not going to go upstairs and rest as if nothing’s wrong. This is Theresa we’re talking about. I’ve got to find her before…” A look of anguish crossed Billy Clyde’s face. “I’ve got to find her.”
“I know.” Dylan stood and walked over to his friend. “And we’re going to get her back. But we have to do it the right way so we get the right outcome, right?”
Billy Clyde nodded.
“Let’s go upstairs. I’ll fix you something to eat.”
“Not hungry.”
“Doesn’t matter. You’re going to need your strength. After you eat, you’re going to lay down and sleep.”
“Monroe, you don’t look like my mama.”
“Maybe not, but I can whoop you, just like your mama.”
“That’ll be the day.” He picked up the phone along with the Triangulator.
“So, what are its limitations?” Dylan pointed at the Triangulator monitor.
“Oh, it works fine, but it depends on how smart these people are.” They walked up the basement steps.
“Meaning…”
“Meaning if they make a phone to phone call, no problem. We get their location but if they forward from one phone to another or even more, then it’s going to be a problem. We’ll have the last location not the first.”
Dylan didn’t say anything as he digested this information. “Let’s pray they’re not that smart.”
CHAPTER 13
Theresa heard voices. They sounded as if they were coming from another room, but still close enough for her to make out the words.
“Thought you might be hungry. Brought you some food.”
The rustle of a paper bag.
“Thanks, man. I’m starving.” In a whisper. She could barely make out the words.
“Any problems from her?”
“Not a one. Quiet as a mouse. Last time I checked she was still sleeping.” Mr. Whisper.
Hard to recognize a whisper. Whoever he was, he must be an idiot. Sleeping and being unconscious from ether could hardly be described as the same thing.
“Mmm. I guess that means you didn’t have to let your pets out to play. Too bad.”
“I wouldn’t call those snakes my pets, but they do come in handy sometimes.” The two men laughed.
Snakes? Her breath caught and she fought the urge to scream. Theresa’s skin crawled. Why did they have snakes? And where were they?
“Yes, they do, my friend. You’ve definitely earned your pay today but I’ve got one more job for you. If you want to make a little more money.”
“Sure thing.”
“I’m going to make a phone call and then I’m going to move her to another place. But I want you to stay here until tomorrow morning. If anyone shows up, knock’em out and put them in the tub…with your friends
.”
A tub. Theresa felt around as well as she could with her tied-up hands. She wasn’t in a coffin, but a bathtub.
“Ok, help me get her out and then you can go upstairs. No reason for you to hear the phone call. ”
Phone call? That was good. Billy would be able to trace the call. He’d be here sooner or later. Unfortunately, she’d be gone.
She needed to leave him a sign of some sort to let him know she’d been here. Keep him on her trail. Glad she practiced Yoga on a regular basis, she arched her back and neck while moving her arms upwards, reaching for her scarf.
Moments later she heard the footsteps coming toward her.
“Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Time to make a phone call to your husband.”
Two different sets of hands grabbed her and lifted her out of the tub.
CHAPTER 14
Billy Clyde sat at the kitchen island. He tore off another bite of his sandwich. “Good burger, Monroe. Didn’t know you could cook.”
“I’m a married man now and that means grilling is my job. Had to learn how to do it to keep my husband card.” Dylan puffed out his chest in an exaggerated manly manner.
“Speaking of being a married man, how many times has Reggie called?”
Dylan didn’t want to think about that. “I hate making her feel bad but better that then putting her in danger.”
“Amen to that, brother. Sometimes you got to pick the lesser of two evils. And keeping her far away from this mess was the right thing to do.” Billy Clyde ate the last bite of his burger and washed it down with a diet cola. “So, other than this little secret how’s married life going?”
Dylan gathered up the dirty dishes. He looked over at Billy Clyde and grinned. “I love it. But for some reason, Reggie thinks she has to be super wife. She wants to do all the things the other women in the church do, like canning and quilting and whatever else they do.”
In spite of the tension in the room, Billy Clyde laughed. “Can’t see Reggie doing any of those things.”
“Yeah, I know.” Dylan shook his head. “I keep telling her to be herself and do what she wants, but…”
“Sooner or later, she’ll work it out. Reggie’s smart.”
“I know, but I hate seeing her so unsettled.”
“It can’t be easy for her. She’s never had a real family before. And your family can be…” Billy Clyde gave him an easy smile. “A bit overwhelming.”
“That’s an understatement if I ever heard one.” Dylan turned on the water to let the sink fill up. As he slipped his hands into the hot soapy water, the phone rang.
Billy Clyde snatched up the phone, hitting the speaker button as he did. The triangulator’s red lights flashed, indicating it was working. “Where’s my wife?”
“Guess you’ve been waiting for me, huh?” An arrogant laugh came across the line.
Billy Clyde’s brown face turned even darker, with rage. Dylan prayed. His friend needed to keep it together.
“Let me talk to my wife.”
“No can do, buddy. She’s busy at the moment. You might say she’s all tied up.” The man snickered.
Visions of Theresa tied up and helpless filled Dylan’s head. This was a nightmare. Billy Clyde’s face turned dark with rage, but his voice was calm when he spoke. “Then, we’ve got nothing to talk about, buddy.”
“Look, I know you’re tough guy, but I don’t really care. All that posturing you’re doing doesn’t impress me. In fact it’s quite tiresome.”
Why was this man egging Billy Clyde on? It was as if he wanted him to lose control.
“I’m surprised you aren’t disguising your voice.”
“No reason to. You’re going to do me a favor and I’m going to give you back your lovely wife. And then you won’t come after me. It’s a win-win situation, don’t you think?”
“As long as she comes back safe and sound.”
“And she will as long as you do what you’re told.”
Dylan could see the vein on Billy Clyde’s neck pulsating, but his voice remained calm as if he were ordering a burger from a fast food place. His next words were cold as ice. “I will not do anything until I speak to my wife.”
“How about if I shoot her right now?”
Dylan closed his eyes. Please God keep her safe.
“If you do, you won’t get whatever it is you need from me. Now let me talk to her or this conversation is over.”
“Fine.” A moment later. “You tell him you’re fine and that’s it. Nothing cute.”
They heard a gasp and then Theresa’s voice. “Billy, I love you, baby. Don’t do what they want. I’m ready to —”
A slap and a moan. Billy Clyde closed his eyes and his knuckles turned white as he clenched the phone.
“I see your wife’s a brave one, Billy Boy. What about you? Are you willing to risk her life?”
“Tell me what you want me to do?”
CHAPTER 15
Moving to a yoga-style sitting position, Reggie held the Bible in her hand.
A spiritual retreat was just what she needed. She had some things to work out. Life had thrown her and Dylan a curve ball only days before. The truth had slammed into her when the doctor spoke the words, “You won’t be having children, Mrs. Monroe.”
She’d panicked, but in true Dylan fashion, her husband comforted and assured her they would be fine. Adoption might be in their future, but for now her life needed a purpose. And a few days alone with God seemed like the ticket to find out what that purpose was.
Her arms moved upward as if reaching for God.
Tears slid down her cheeks as she grieved for the children she would never have. Her children and Dylan’s. Her tears washed away her pain. Time to move forward. But how was she going to do that? She laid down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Reggie fell asleep with a prayer on her lips.
When she awakened, the prayer had been replaced with a more positive attitude. God would work things out. That was His promise and she believed it. No reason to get herself in a complete funk.
Time to get something to eat. Real food, not a snack. A family style restaurant was located at the edge of the parking lot. Time to eat dinner.
After checking her hair, she grabbed her purse and walked out the door. Her neighbor with the two children walked out of their room at the same time.
Reggie smiled at them and kept walking.
The scuffling behind her made her turn around. A woman and two children trailed several feet behind her. Reggie smiled at them and said, “I guess you have the same idea as me.”
The woman nodded. “The kids are hungry.”
“Me, too.” Reggie stopped and waited for them to catch up.
The little girl, probably about three, dropped her mother’s hand and ran to Reggie. Her Scooby-Doo T-shirt had smudges of something that looked like chocolate. Her blonde hair needed combed but her face was angelic when she smiled up at Reggie.
“Hi.”
“Don’t bother the nice woman.”
A twinge of bitterness knocked on Reggie’s heart. She wouldn’t be having an adorable little girl like this. Reggie shook the thought away and smiled down at her. “Oh, she’s not bothering me. My name’s Reggie. What’s yours?”
The little blonde girl stuck out her hand. “I’m Suzie.”
How adorable was that? Reggie shook the offered hand.
“Dat’s my mommy and my brover. His name’s Noah.”
Reggie shook her head. “That’s a very good name. Noah was a hero. He’s one of my favorite heroes from the Bible.”
Suzie’s looked up at her, and they both giggled for no reason other than they wanted to.
The little boy looked at her, his brown eyes distrustful. “Really?”
“Really and truly.”
A small smiled played on the boy’s lips. “Okay.”
“Great, then let’s go eat, Noah.” Reggie held the door open and they walked in ahead of her. It looked as if they didn’t have mu
ch money. Their clothes were old and worn out, not unusual for kids, but the mother’s T-shirt was faded from many washings as well.
She felt a tug in her heart.
Reggie joined them while they waited for the hostess. “Do you mind if I sit with you? I hate to eat alone.”
The woman gave her a shy smile. “Sure.”
The hostess seated them. Noah scooted in making room for Reggie while his mother and sister sat opposite them. Reggie smiled. “Are you hungry, Noah?”
His brown hair fell into his eyes as he nodded. He pushed his hair out of his eyes. A two inch cut was on the side of his face.
Her intuition told her there was more to this family being in a motel than taking a road trip for fun. She picked up her menu but looked over at the mother. “So, I know Suzie and Noah’s name but not yours.”
The woman still wore her sunglasses. “My name’s Misty.” Her voice so soft Reggie could barely hear her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Misty.”
The woman nodded but said nothing.
“So, what are you going to have, Noah?”
Noah looked over at his mom. “I don’t know.”
Misty sounded tired. “You and your sister can share a meal. Do you want a hamburger or a hot dog?”
“But, Mom…” His voice trailed off as his mom shook her head at him.
“Oh, let them both get a meal. My treat.”
“I have money.” Red crept up Misty’s neck and to her face.
“I know you do, but I have to repay you for letting me sit with you. I would have gotten indigestion if I’d eaten alone. And you know what that would mean,” She looked over at Noah and winked, “I’d be belching all night long.”
The boy giggled.
Reggie looked back over at Misty. “Really, I want to do this. Please.”
Misty shook her head. “You don’t have to.”
“But I don’t have any kids of my own, so let me spoil yours for awhile.”
Misty nodded and pushed her blond hair away from her face. She tucked the blonde strands behind her ear. Reggie noticed a bruise on the woman’s forearm. No reason to jump to conclusions. There were plenty of ways she could have gotten the bruise.
Lillian Duncan - Until Death Do Us Part Page 4