When the police officer arrived, he gathered the waiting volunteers around him and briefed them on the situation. He assigned them to a specific area, explaining that all the surrounding areas had coverage now. He thanked them and went down the list of names to make sure all were present. When he came to Chad's name, he said, "A doctor, that's good. We may need your services in that capacity throughout the day." And to Alan, he added, "If you are willing, I would like to set you up with the parents. They need someone to talk to."
"Of course," Alan said.
He read off Cassie's name, and he looked puzzled for a moment. Going on down the list, he stopped when he read Hannah's name. "Hannah Stone?"
She nodded.
"Miss, may I talk with you privately for a minute?"
She looked over at Chad before joining the officer.
"Sir?" she asked.
"Might you be the same Hannah Stone whose name has been in the news media lately? Cassie's name sounded slightly familiar, too, but when I saw yours, I had to ask."
"We are that Hannah Stone and Cassie Sharp," she replied.
"And the doctor and social worker, they are the boyfriends who were with you when both of the incidents took place earlier in the summer?"
"Y-yes," she stammered, feeling somewhat uneasy.
"I'd like for you to speak to our FBI contact. He is flying in and should arrive within the hour. If you can help us in any way, I'm sure we can use you. Not out on the search trail, but working closely with us and the FBI."
"The FBI has been called in on the case? That must mean that you suspect foul play."
"I am not at liberty to divulge that to you until I get clearance, but suffice it to say, it is always a possibility."
"I understand. Shall I stay here then, until he arrives?"
"Let me get the others off and running, and I'll come back to you. You may speak to your friends in private about what I've asked you to do."
She walked back to where Cassie, Alan and Chad stood. All three of them looked at her, obviously waiting to hear what the officer had said to her.
She told them she would be assisting in a different capacity, working with the law enforcement agency and the FBI.
"Wow," Cassie said.
The officer returned to them. "Okay, folks, I've sent the others on with one of my comrades. He'll take them to their location. As for the four of you, I'd like for you to come with me."
"You want all four of us, not just Hannah?" Cassie asked in surprise.
"Certainly, ma'am," he answered. "I believe we have a need for all of you at a different level, behind the scenes, you might say."
He took them to the police station, where he matched Alan up with the parents of the missing boy. They wanted to join in the search, but the officer in charge felt that they needed a break before starting out again. Alan heartily agreed.
"Now, Dr. Jones, I am going to set you up in a room over here. I know you're not licensed in this state, obviously, but in this situation, I can get special clearance for you to act as the doctor for the search party. We'll likely have some cases of overexposure to the sun, dehydration, perhaps a few minor injuries. People conducting a search like this don't know how to take a break. Of course, if the boy is found…alive…he'll be taken to the hospital immediately."
Next, he addressed Cassie. "Miss Sharp, your role in all this will be to assist Miss Stone. I believe you've done so in the past."
"Y-yes, I have," Cassie stuttered, still amazed to be working behind the scenes.
"Miss Stone, last but not least. You may be the most important person of all. When our FBI contact arrives, you'll meet with him. I've worked with psychics a few times in the past, and oftentimes, it is the information gleaned from them that eventually solves the case."
"So…you don't think I am crazy?"
He looked at her oddly. "Crazy? Of course not."
Chapter Seventeen
The man from the FBI arrived soon after another officer offered Cassie and Hannah coffee. The officer asked them to wait for further instructions. He placed them in a room alone, explaining that after the officer in charge briefed the FBI agent, he would meet with them.
"Wow, just wow," Cassie said as she looked around the small room. "This, in itself, is spooky."
"I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact the police don't think I am crazy, and they actually feel I can help them locate the child."
"Your track record says it all, my friend," Cassie said as she sipped her coffee. "Ugh, that's the worst coffee I have ever tasted."
Hannah attempted to laugh, but it came off sounding more like a sad imitation.
After what seemed like an eternity, the door to the tiny room opened and the officer in charge walked in, accompanied by another man.
"Ladies, this is Agent Nickerson, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. We have told him all we know so far about the case. Now, he'd like to speak to you, Miss Stone, and see if you have any ideas where the boy could be."
The man smiled as he took a seat. "Now, I know this is all fairly new to you girls. I don't wish to intimidate you in any way. I realize the information you may hold in your mind is not something that we can force. I have worked with people in the past who possess an ability to 'feel' things. If I were to obtain an article of clothing that belongs to the boy, do you think it might help you?" he asked kindly, taking a sip of his own cup of coffee. He made a face. "Wowzers, that's terrible."
This made both girls giggle and feel more at ease with the important man.
Hannah spoke then. "Agent Nickerson, I have only had two other experiences with this so-called 'gift' people think I possess. I don't know if you've read any of the news accounts, but one was in Iowa, near the Mississippi River. A…ghost…appeared to me several times, leaving hints to help me solve his fifty-year-old murder. Another ghost, at the same inn, who people believed to have died of natural causes, came to me and admitted that he, too, met with his demise when he got too close to the truth. The other incident took place in the Smoky Mountains, a few weeks ago."
"I am more familiar with that case. I understand you were actually taken hostage by a murderer."
"Yes, that's true. In that case, the spirit of one of his victims appeared to me, begging me to capture him. I tried to avoid both her and the case, but unfortunately, the killer staked us out from the day we arrived, intending to use us as hostages so he could get away."
"So, you've never dealt with a case of this sort, you are saying."
"That is exactly what I am telling you. The fact that no spirits of any kind have appeared on this trip leads me to believe the little boy is alive. I also have a 'feeling' that he is. I am afraid that is all I have to offer."
"Hmm, it may be a start. Let me speak to the parents. I'll have them deliver something personal, perhaps a toy or an article of clothing. We'll see if that triggers anything."
The agent left to continue with his investigation, leaving the two girls alone again.
"Do you think you'll be able to help at all?" Cassie asked.
"I have no idea. I guess we'll just have to wait and see."
An hour later, the agent returned. Two officers, the boy's parents and Alan accompanied him. He laid a toy truck and a small blue shirt on the table.
"These items belong to the child, Miss Stone. In prior cases, I have seen the psychics handle personal items. Somehow, it triggers something. Let's try it, shall we?"
Carefully, almost reverently, Hannah picked up the first item, the little toy truck. She rolled it over in her hand, touching it. She closed her eyes. "Mama, I am scared. Come and get me now."
The boy's mother let out a gasp. "Y-you heard him say that?" she asked.
"I-I…uh…when I touched the truck, I could hear that in my head. Let me see what happens when I touch the shirt."
Again, she picked up the article in question and touched it. She held it to her cheek lovingly, sniffing it, and suddenly, she screamed.
"Oh, no! What is it?" the boy's father asked.
"H-he is in a cave. Someone has put him there and left him alone. We must get to him before that person returns. Please, Agent Nickerson, it is imperative. He is safe for now, but I fear that he won't be for long."
"Great, Hannah, you are doing great. Can you tell us anything else about the cave?"
"Only that it's not far from where he disappeared. I see a man holding out a balloon to him. That's why he broke away from his daddy's grasp and ran. He ran to take the balloon. After that, the man, dressed like a clown, picked him up and headed off with him. All I see after that is that they didn't go far, he placed the child in a cave with water, some candy and a blanket. He told him he would be back."
The officer turned to the parents. "Are there any medical problems we need to know about?"
"No, he is a perfectly healthy four-year-old, thank God," his mother said. "I would hate to think of this happening to a child who was ill."
The officer looked at the FBI agent. "The only caves I can think of are located within some of the attractions. If they aren't far from where the boy disappeared, and the man was dressed as a clown, it makes sense. He may work there. He might know of some parts that aren't in use for the public. Come on, we have to alert the others."
Agent Nickerson turned to Hannah before he left. "Thank you, Miss Stone. I'll be in touch."
Alan asked the child's parents if they would like to go to the area in question.
"Yes, please," the mother said. "Miss Stone, I can't thank you enough. I certainly hope your thoughts are correct and they find my son soon."
Another officer arrived and told them that they were all to ride with him in an unmarked van to the location. So, Cassie, Hannah, Alan, the child's parents and Chad loaded into the van.
"Stay inside until you are told otherwise. We don't know how dangerous this man is," the officer instructed them.
They heard the reports coming through on the radio in the van. The officer with them kept them abreast of everything.
Suddenly, Hannah screamed.
"What, what is it?" the boy's mother asked in a frightened tone.
"H-he is there. The officers are right outside the cave. Hurry! The man in the clown suit is not far behind them."
Immediately, the officer in the van relayed the message. "Ten-four," was the reply.
Several long, agonizing minutes later, the message came through, loud and clear. "We have the boy. The suspect is in custody."
"Oh my God! My baby is alive. He is safe!" The child's parents embraced as his mother cried tears of joy.
"Thank the Lord," his father said.
"Hannah, you did it!" Chad said as he leaned over to kiss her. "You solved another crime, this time, one with a happy ending."
"How can we ever thank you?" the father asked. "Anything, name it."
"Just tell me that you'll cherish every moment with that sweet baby," Hannah said through her tears.
"I am a wedding planner. If you ever decide to walk down the aisle, please…call me…I'll put on the best wedding you have ever seen. I won't charge you a dime; it will be our gift to you." The boy's mother handed her a business card.
Chad and Hannah exchanged glances. Hannah took the card and said, "That's one offer I'll gladly take you up on."
The officers sent word that they were to meet them at the hospital. The boy appeared to be okay, but they were taking him in to make sure that was the case.
The doctor at the ER informed them that, other than slight dehydration and disorientation, the boy checked out fine. A happy reunion followed. The news media made their appearance soon after.
Of course, everyone wanted an interview with the famous psychic, Hannah Stone, and her friends.
Agent Nickerson invited them to dinner. "I would like to talk to you about something, Miss Stone. Your friends are free to join us. Would tomorrow evening work for you? I'll be flying out the next morning."
"Sure, yes, we will join you," she said, surprised and not quite sure what he could possibly wish to discuss with her.
They were, finally, after answering several questions by the news crews and the police, allowed to leave. When they arrived back at the hotel, the manager of the hotel greeted them. "You'll find baskets of fruit and other items in your rooms. Your dinner is on us tonight. I'll personally see to it that a wonderful meal is delivered to your room, Miss Stone, for the four of you. It's a wonderful thing you've done today."
"Thank you, I don't know what to say," Hannah said as she shook the man's hand.
Other guests came forward to congratulate her. Finally, Chad placed his hand on the small of her back and said, "Miss Stone really needs to wind down and rest a bit after all the excitement. I'm sure you understand. We appreciate all your well wishes." Moments later, he led her to the elevator, where the four of them rode in silence. When they got out, Chad invited Cassie and Alan to join them in their room.
"Let us freshen up a bit first, and then we'll be over for that fabulous free dinner."
Alone in their room, Chad placed his arms around her. "Honey, I am so proud of you."
"Really?" she asked.
"Really," he answered. "Now, why don't you go take a nice, relaxing bath before our dinner arrives. I'll check out the goodies the manager sent up."
When she emerged from the bathroom a while later, Chad handed her a glass of champagne.
"Champagne, wow, what else is there?"
"Come and see for yourself. We have a few more days here, so we can enjoy it all."
There were various fruits and candies, along with the champagne, a bouquet of flowers, crackers, cheeses and meats of all varieties.
"Oh, my gosh, I can't believe all the stuff in this basket."
"You, my darling future wife, are a hero, once again."
"About that…"
"Yes?" he said with a raised eyebrow.
"I have been thinking."
"Is that good or bad?" he asked warily.
"I think we should start planning our wedding for next fall."
"Oh, Hannah, you've just made my day!"
He crushed her to him, wrapping her in an embrace and then, his lips touched hers. A knock on the door interrupted the kiss. "Damn," he teased as he let her go.
He walked over and opened the door to let Cassie and Alan in to join them.
When they all sat down, he poured them a glass of champagne. "It seems we have something else to celebrate today. Hannah just agreed to marry me next fall."
"Oh, really!" shouted Cassie. "This is awesome!"
"Congrats, man!" Alan said as he slapped Chad on the back.
"Well, I mean, we have a wedding planner who has offered her services for free. It seems a shame not to take her up on it," Hannah said teasingly.
"Of course, I want you to be my best man, Al," Chad said.
"I would be honored."
"And you're my maid of honor," Hannah said as she hugged Cassie.
Another knock on the door heralded the arrival of their dinner. The staff had gone all out, sending up soups, salads, appetizers, steaks, potatoes and fresh rolls. There was another bottle of champagne, mineral water and chocolate cake for dessert.
"I can't eat all this," Hannah said, looking at the food hungrily.
"That's why you have a mini fridge and microwave," Alan reminded her.
They indulged in the food, enjoying the company and the meal, while discussing the day's events, the coming school year and, of course, the upcoming wedding.
The next day was a lazy one for them as they recovered from yet another adventure with Hannah's psychic abilities. They spent the morning at the beach, lunched on leftovers in their rooms and napped in the afternoon. At the appointed time, they met Agent Nickerson at the restaurant he suggested.
"Let me start out by saying, you helped us tremendously yesterday, Hannah. Without you, I don't know how long it would have been before we figured it out. I know you were apprehensive, but never doubt tha
t you possess a gift that can be put to great use, helping us in cases such as this."
"I-I don't know what to say. That is high praise, coming from someone like you. Thank you."
"Hannah, I understand you are about to enter your senior year of college. May I ask what your major is?"
"It's in Journalism. I work part time as a writer for a newspaper currently. I hope to write in some capacity."
The server came to take their orders. "Put it all on my bill," Agent Nickerson said.
"That's not necessary," Chad protested."
"The department insists, really," the agent told him.
They ordered, and the man went on with his questioning. "Hannah, have you ever considered a profession in law enforcement?"
"No, not really," she answered truthfully.
"How about if we come up with a way to use your Journalism degree and your 'gift' to our mutual advantage?" he asked.
"H-how would we do that?" she asked curiously.
"I am offering you a job with the FBI, upon your graduation. You will be able to stay where you are, if you wish, or relocate anywhere you like. What you'll be doing is traveling to wherever we need you, whenever a case that requires your special services arises. You can write books, articles, whatever your heart desires when you aren't on a case. Sound interesting to you?"
"I-I don't know what to say."
"I'm hoping you'll say yes."
Hannah looked to Chad, who seemed to be in awe.
"I must tell you that Dr. Jones and I are planning to be married next fall."
"Congratulations, that's not a problem at all."
"When would I start?" she asked.
"Go back to school; get that degree you've worked so hard for. We'll stay in touch, and after graduation, we'll talk again. The job is yours, it'll be there waiting for you if you decide to take it. If you'd like to wait until after your wedding, then that's fine, too," the agent said.
"It's almost too good to be true," Cassie said.
"I know it may seem that way, but people like Hannah are rare. I have witnessed firsthand, on more than one occasion, the same type of work we all saw yesterday. We need someone like her on our side."
Hannah's Horror: A Romantic Mystery Page 15