The Tower of Evil bbm-1

by Robert A. Liston

“Go on.”

  “He arranged the meeting. I was to fly out here with Jamie. He’d have tickets for me at Logan Airport.”

  “Did you trust him.”

  “I came, I must have.” She sighed. “The truth is, I needed money so badly. All I really thought of was support money for Jamie.”

  “I can understand that. Did you know the Kinkaids were behind it?”

  “I do now.”

  “At the last minute you became frightened for Jamie and left him with Karen-a near stranger.”

  “She seemed so nice, and the two boys got along so well. I knew no one would look for him there.”

  “Why didn’t you take Jamie and leave town?”

  “I thought of it, believe me, but I was about broke, and I had hopes of getting some money.” She sighed. “A big mistake.”

  “But an understandable one. What frightened you?”

  “I don’t know. I–I just became increasingly uneasy. I guess I felt they were more interested in Jamie than me. Somehow I felt I was putting him at risk and-”

  DeeDee patted her hand. “You were right. “

  “When they brought me here, they kept trying to force me to tell them where Jamie was, but I wouldn’t.”

  “They had half the town looking for him. They found him because Karen’s boyfriend got greedy for the $25,000 reward.”

  “What’s going to happen to us now?”

  “What’s going to happen is that we get out of here.”

  23: Screams In The Night

  Helistened to Beethoven on a classical radio station, Fourth Piano Concerto, his favorite. Her car had a nice radio. A fun car actually. No wonder Doreen loved it. But it must be hell on a long trip, like riding in an egg carton.

  He saw the van pull into the parking lot. About time. He got out of the Z4 to wait for Doreen. Needed to stretch his legs. The van parked so the sliding door was on the side away from him. He heard voices, footsteps, then the sliding door slammed shut. The driver walked toward the Elite offices.

  Where the hell was Doreen?

  He ran, caught up with the driver. “Hey, where’s my wife?”

  “Oh, I remember you. Is Irene your wife?”

  “Where is she?”

  “She didn’t come back with me, must’ve worked late.”

  “No, she wouldn’t!”

  “Don’t worry, she’ll be along soon. They’ll drive her in or call a cab. It happens a lot.”

  He grabbed his arm at the elbow. “I’m telling you she didn’t work late. She would’ve phoned me.”

  The driver pried his arm loose. “Have it your way, mister. I ain’t got nothing more to say to you.”

  Byerly watched him disappear into the building. Lord God, Doreen was still out there. Something had gone wrong. They’ve kidnapped her. This couldn’t be happening.

  He hopped into Doreen’s car and headed for the castle, swerving in and out of traffic, careening around curves, taking reckless chances. The smell of burned rubber was sickly sweet in his nostrils.

  It seemed forever, but he finally screeched to a stop at the gate, pushed the button. “I’m Walter Byerly,” he screamed. “You’ve got my wife in there. I demand you release her at once.”

  No answer.

  “Do you hear me, this is abduction, kidnapping. You can’t hold her against her will. Release her at once or I’ll make you pay! Do you hear me?”

  No answer.

  He got out of the car, banged at the call box with his hand. “Answer me, Goddammit, or I’ll…I’ll…”

  The silence maddened him, and he clutched the gate, shaking it as hard as he could, screaming over and over, “Doreen, Doreen, DeeDee, answer me, please answer me. Oh God…”

  Finally he climbed back into the car and drove, again at breakneck speed, to Lupe’s place on San Pascual Street.

  “You must help me. They’ve got her and God knows what they’ll do to her.” She stared at him. “Don’t you understand? We have to do something. They’ve got her. We have to-” He grabbed her shoulders and shook them. “Don’t just stand there. Help me!”

  “Walt, please.”

  “What’s the matter with you, don’t you care?”

  “Calm yourself, you’re making no sense. Who has who and what do you want me to do?”

  He stopped, stared at her, suddenly saw how he must look. He inhaled sharply, let it out. “You’re right, I’m not making sense, am I?”

  She smiled at him. “That’s better. Now what’s wrong?”

  “Doreen didn’t come home from the castle. I’m sure they’re holding her, just like Jamie and Amanda. They’re all in the tower, most likely.” He saw her expression. “I know, you said it was dangerous, we should have listened-”

  “I wasn’t going to say that at all.”

  “I went out there, shouted and screamed at the gate, like a madman, I’m sure.”

  “Did you get in?”

  “Nothing happened, that’s just it. I couldn’t get through the gate and nothing came over the squawk box, just complete, utter, stony silence. I've never endured anything like it.”

  “What do you want me to do?”

  “Come with me. You’re a police officer, they’ll have to let you in.”

  She shook her head. “No they won’t, not without a search warrant, Walt.”

  “Then get one. We have to do something!”

  She touched his arm. “I understand how upset you are, but believe me it isn’t helping. Come in, let me make you something to eat, at least a drink.”

  “I don’t want a drink, I want you to help me.”

  “I’m trying to do just that, Walt.” She sighed. “No judge will give a search warrant. How long has DeeDee been missing? Are you sure she’s at the estate? She could be lots of places. Why would well-known, law-abiding citizens hold her against her will? And what was she doing at the estate in the first place? Have you and your wife been having marital problems? Is she under a doctor’s care? Are you taking any medications? Need I go on?”

  He stared at her a long moment. “I am being foolish, not helping Doreen a bit. I’m usually calm, all together in crises. I take pride in it.”

  “You’ve never had your wife held captive before.”

  “Is there nothing we can do?”

  “Not at the moment, I’m afraid.” She shook he head. “You have a plan to rescue Jamie and his mother tomorrow. I know it’s hard to wait, but you can rescue DeeDee, too.”

  “Yes.” He even managed a smile. “I think I’ll take that drink now.”

  The vodka-rocks helped, or something did, for his agitation lessened and he became aware of his surroundings. Lupe wore faded jeans and a splattered shirt. “I’m interrupting your work.”

  “Not really. I’m refinishing an old icebox. I work at it whenever the spirit moves me. Right now I’d rather talk to you.”

  “What’re you going to do with an ice box?”

  “I’m not sure. I bought it at an estate sale. I thought I might put books or CDs in it.” She looked a little flustered. “I’m having a salad-you know, suffer for the bod.”

  Ordinarily he would have had an answer for that. Clearly he still was not himself. How could he expect to be? Doreen was gone, perhaps never- Stop! Don’t even think it.

  “I could fix you something else.”

  “I’m not hungry, really. You go ahead.”

  She picked up a salad bowl, wine bottle and glass. “Let’s go out on the patio, it’s nice this time of day.”

  He followed through a dining and living room, then a den. Her house was small, but he had a sense of both comfort and style. Great care, even love, had gone into each item. They reached a terrace bedecked in dozens of potted plants. Visible beyond in the fading light was a small and vibrant garden. Lots of roses.

  “You’ve made yourself an oasis, haven’t you?”

  “I do sometimes think of it as an island.”

  “Your island, inhabited only by you, your refuge.”

  S
he gasped. “I hope I’m not keeping anyone out.”

  “I’m sure you’re not.” He smiled. “Your home is definitely you, Lupe, you’ve done a beautiful job.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’ve created the home you never had. Is it the one you always dreamed of?”

  “Heavens no, that’s a palace.” Now she laughed. “I’ll never be rich enough for that.”

  They sat at a glass and wrought iron table. He sipped his drink, while she dug into her salad. Their silence was comfortable, a good sign of friendship.

  Finally she asked, “Have you and DeeDee always been as much in love as you are now?”

  He was silent for a time, looking away. “You do ask tough questions.” Again he was silent. “Were we in love, sure, no doubt of it, but there was some tension. We were so different, opposites in many ways.” He hesitated. “Then our parents, both sets, died…rather close together. Doreen and I became closer after that. “

  “How did that happen?”

  “Oh, we both realized how short life is. No sense in wasting it in spats and disagreements.” He smiled. “All of a sudden my foibles and bad habits became charming and her foolish vanities made her more endearing. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but both of us started to treat the other with genuine affection, as though we were courting. Too bad we hadn’t done that all along.”

  “At least you arrived at it.”

  He finished his drink said, “I’m suddenly very tired. I think I’ll go home.”

  “Will you be able to sleep now?”

  He nodded. “Thanks to you.” She walked with him to the door.

  “What time does the rescue take place?”

  “The dinner’s at eight. Guests should start arriving about six or so. I should think we’ll do our thing around seven or a little after.”

  She nodded. “That’s when I’ll arrive.”

  “To do what?”

  “You have made a formal complaint about your missing wife, have you not?” She smiled. “I’ll have to go out to the Kinkaid castle, make inquiries, see if they know anything.”

  “May I kiss you?”

  “On the cheek. I’ll get too excited otherwise.”

  24: The Longest Day

  “When Uberreich comes up with the food tray, maybe the two of us could jump her and escape.”

  “I thought of it, Mandy, but it won’t work. Even if we did overpower her, where would we go? Escaping the house and grounds is impossible, especially with a small boy. I’m sorry.”

  “I guess you’re right.”

  “We just have to wait for Walter’s plan to work.” She sighed. “He sounded so awful, screaming for me out at the gate. I just hope he heard my reply and didn’t worry all night.”

  “I’m sure he heard you.”

  “I don’t know. These walls are pretty thick.” She looked up. “And that window is over my head. I should have stood on a chair to call out.”

  Jamie woke up and went immediately to his toys.

  “At least one of us doesn’t mind this confinement,” she said.

  “So it would seem, but he needs sunlight and fresh air.”

  “He’ll get it. They can’t keep us here much longer.”

  “Are you sure? Sometimes I think they’ll kill us.”

  “I’m not sure, Mandy, they couldn’t.”

  “They killed Harry, didn’t they?”

  DeeDee made a face. “I hoped you wouldn’t think of that.”

  “With Harry gone, there’s no one to miss me. I have no family. My mother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s and doesn’t know me when I’m there. I could disappear, Jamie, too, and no one would notice.”

  “Cyn Wu.”

  “She could say something, but nothing would come of it. I’ve no ties, no roots.”

  “Stop it, Mandy. You’re scaring Jamie. And none of it is going to happen. I have a husband, children, grandchildren. Lots and lots of people know me and miss me already. My roots are deep. I’m sure Dragon and his lady are already trying to figure out what to do with me-and thereby with you. They’re in deep doo-doo.”

  Mandy sighed. “I hope you’re right.”

  “I know I am.” She played with Jamie a few minutes. “When this is over, I hope I can have some role in his life. He’s a wonderful boy.”

  “He has only me. Even if he gets a father some day, he’ll need a grandmother and grandfather.”

  DeeDee beamed. “Thank you, Mandy, it’s so nice of you.”

  “First chance I get, I’m declaring you and Walter his Godparents.”

  The lock in the door rattled and Uberreich came in with breakfast. Apparently she had thought about being attacked, too, and brought one of the Ninjas with her. He emptied the chamber pot and trash and brought fresh water. There was a lot of glaring all around, but not one word was said.

  After breakfast, DeeDee climbed on a chair to look out the window. “All I can see is the sky and tree tops. I need something higher.” They moved the table and she climbed up on it. “That’s better. Now I can see the gate and part of the grounds.”

  “Any activity?”

  “It’s still too early, we’ll have to wait.” She looked again and gasped. Her own van, DeeDee’s Flowers emblazoned on the side, was delivering the flowers for the banquet. At least the shop was working without her.

  It was the longest day of Byerly’s life. To distract himself he tried to think of metaphors for slowness. Time moved as slowly as…no, that’s a cliche. Time moved as slowly as…yeah, a politician accepting responsibility for his mistakes. He shook his head. Probably the only good thing Justin Wright ever did in his life was Jamie, and he refused to acknowledge him.

  At mid-afternoon he drove over to Patties Parties. Gertie Leventhal had agreed to smuggle him into the estate as part of her catering crew. Josh Kinkaid was to come, too. Only he hadn’t shown. Nervous time increased exponentially for Byerly. Josh knew the right address. He’d sworn to be there. Then where the hell was he? His role was vital.

  Byerly stewed. He could almost feel his nerves snapping, one by one. The last Patties Parties truck was ready to head for the castle. He had to go. He’d think of something when he got there. Then, as he climbed into the van, he saw Josh race up in his Porsche. “Where have you been?”

  “Sorry, I’ll explain later.”

  At the castle he and Josh crawled out of the back of the van and hurried into the greenhouse. No sense in either of them being recognized, Josh especially. Darryl the floriculturist was nowhere in sight.

  “How long do we have to wait?” Josh asked.

  “Till dusk anyway.”

  He seemed none too happy with that, but said, “I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Around, check things out. I used to live here, you know.”

  “If someone recognizes you, we’ll be-”

  He watched Josh walk away, then kicked the side of the wheelbarrow, hurting his toe. Yes, dammit, he was getting upset. After last night’s rantings, he’d promised himself to stay cool, on top of things-for Doreen’s sake. But this spoiled, inconsiderate kid was testing his resolve. Josh acted like he didn’t want to be here and didn’t care what happened. What did he expect? Josh Kinkaid was so self-absorbed and unconscious he’d let his own mother live on the street, hadn’t he?

  Around five o’clock Justin Wright drove up in two limousines with a quartet of motorcycle cops. Joy Fielding emerged from the front entrance. He was too far away to see her face, but she wore a long gown of bright red with lots of skin. Victor Dragon was beside her in his tux.

  The ninjas opened the limousine door, and Wright and his party got out. The woman with him must be his wife. Dr. Joy descended the steps, engaged in bussing all around. All they needed was the Marine Band and Hail to the Chief. Maybe next year, God forbid.

  Josh returned, still antsy. “Do we really have to wait till dark?”

  “Close to it.”

  He made
a face, then saw a car pull up to the front door for valet parking. “Would you look at them wheels, a Jag no less, looks new.” Mercedes, Beamers, Caddies, Lincolns and other luxury cars began to arrive. He cited the virtues and faults of each. “Hey, the valet parkers are falling behind. I’m going to help out.”

  “No, Josh, stay here.”

  “You know me and wheels.”

  Damn!

  Josh returned a few minutes later. “Why do I have to wait till dark to throw that rock?”

  “You can hardly stand out there in broad daylight throwing rocks at somebody’s house.”

  “I did when I was a kid, come on, let’s go.”

  Byerly felt like kicking him, not the wheelbarrow. “There’s another reason. You ought to be able to figure it out. They are to blink the light in the tower if they get the message. How can we see it unless it’s nearly dark?”

  “Then use another signal.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know, wave a hankie or something.”

  “I’ve already written the note and tied it to the rock.”

  “Then change it. Look, Walt, I gotta get out of here. I’ve something important to do.”

  His anger flared, but he forced himself to tamp it down. He needed Josh to throw the rock. No way could he heave it far enough and hit that window. Lord, he was disappointed in this kid.

  Under Josh’s impatient eyes he untied the note from the rock, really a piece of brick, changed it and retied it securely. He handed it to Josh. “Please don’t miss.”

  “ No problema, I’ve done this lots of times. I told you I got in trouble for-”

  “Just don’t get in trouble again.”

  They both stepped outside and looked around. There was activity at the front of the hose, but no one looked their way.

  “Here goes nothing.”

  Josh took a full windup, like a baseball pitcher, and threw. The brick arched through the air, straight for the window. It looked high enough and far enough. Byerly’s hopes rose.

  It clattered against the wall, missing the window to the left.

  “God!”

  “I’ll get it next time.” He took off across the lawn to retrieve the rock.

  DeeDee figured Walter would cancel his plan to throw in a message, since she already knew the plan. But when she heard the clatter against the tower, she knew what had happened. Walter couldn’t be sure she was in the tower and went ahead with his rock.