When he pushed through the double doors, he held out his hands to Lela.
“They wouldn’t let me in. Is the Queen of England back there?” The warmth of his hands sent a ripple through her body. “How’s Sean? And Olivia?” What would Jay think of her discovery?
“Beth is with Sean, who’s still asleep. No physical injuries.” Jay lowered his head and sighed. “I’m sorry. I should have listened to you. Sean may not—”
“Stop. We found him. That’s what matters. Right?”
“Yes.”
“And Olivia?”
“She’s resting and doesn’t have a concussion.”
“Good.”
He drew her to the bank of seats by the window. “What’s up? By the glow on your face, I’d think you won the lottery.”
“I can say the same about you.”
He beamed while Lela grinned.
“I know—”
“I know—”
“Ladies first.”
Lela acknowledge his words with a tilt of her head. “I figured out an important detail Chuck included on the videos. Your turn.”
“And I know what Sean was signing. Football. Sean loves to play with Chuck’s football.”
“Football!” The cogs turned in Lela’s brain. Football. Football field. “I want to show you the last video Chuck sent again. Let’s sit outside.”
They chose a bench in the shade of a large crepe myrtle.
Lela cued the video. “We know what clues Olivia provided for us. But we might have missed one or two from the last video. Tell me what you see.”
Viewing over her shoulder, Jay grunted when Chuck’s battered face appeared. “The sign for football.”
“Yeah, I recognize that one now.”
“I’m not proficient in finger-spelling, but that could be f-i-e.” Jay shook his head. “Play that part again. I missed something.”
Lela complied.
“OK, see where he puts his index fingers side-by-side, palms down? That’s the sign for same.”
“Same football field?”
“Why didn’t I spot this message before?”
“We were all more concerned with Chuck’s wellbeing than his hand movements.”
Jay’s forehead creased.
Seconds later, his eyebrows rose the same time Lela squeezed his hand.
“I know where Chuck is,” he said.
“So do I. A football field concession stand.”
“A concession stand? But I don’t—”
“Remember the gray pickup parked across the street from Lewis’s house when we visited the other day? The building farther down could be a concession stand.”
“Uh-huh, but—”
“One more detail.” Lela pointed to the screen. “Check the wall behind Chuck while I replay the scene. At the time we received the video I thought it might be a price list. What if it’s a menu?”
“Yeah, I see it now.”
Lela ended the video. “We know Chuck’s not in the house. That’s a given. He signed same for a good reason. With the heat on, I doubt Walter would rent a motel room, or take Chuck anywhere connected to his cronies. An abandoned shack on an unused field would make the ideal hiding place.”
“This time your reasoning makes perfect sense. The same football field he told us about in his first video.”
“Let’s go.”
“Lead on, Agent Ortiz.”
Hand in hand, they ran to her pickup.
61
At last. Accumulated clues added up to more than a confused heap.
Jay buckled his seat belt. “I should talk to my sister.”
Lela’s truck barreled down the ramp to the highway, and she accelerated. “I…don’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. That’s why I didn’t want to see Beth before we left the hospital. She’d have guessed we were on to something. But we don’t want her to worry, either. Call her, but be circumspect.”
Again, Lela’s logic made sense. He placed the call to his sister trying to keep the excitement from affecting his tone. “Lela and I are following up on the latest video Chuck sent. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone, but if the doc decides to keep Sean overnight, I’ll be back in time to stay with him or at least give you a break so you can go home to the girls. Whatever you need, sis.”
“Thanks. I’d appreciate that.”
Beth’s ragged tone tugged at his heart, but if Lela was right, they’d bring Chuck home tonight.
By the time Lela slowed in front of Lewis’s house thirty minutes later, dusk had settled over the neighborhood. Crime scene tape remained draped across the front door.
“Walter might be on the lookout. I won’t park here on the street to advertise our presence.” She turned right at the next corner.
“Good idea. How about the alley around back?”
“Perfect.”
She drove a dozen yards down the alley and nosed alongside a hedge, leaving space for vehicles to pass.
Jay crawled over the center console and followed Lela out the driver’s door.
They strode down the street toward the field. A low-flying plane roared overhead.
Mouth-watering aromas of grilling meat wafted over a tall fence followed by hints of hickory smoke.
Jay couldn’t help licking his lips.
At the corner, Lela slowed, eyeing a small, weatherworn building that stood to the right fifty yards away.
“Could Chuck be in there?” The muscles in Jay's gut twisted.
“Possibly. There aren’t any vehicles close by, but Walter could’ve parked elsewhere, like we did. Let’s approach from the west. Those trees will provide cover.” Lela’s hand poised over her concealed holster.
Now would be a good time to have a gun, too, except he had no license. His fists and wits would have to be weapons enough. As they neared the building, Jay noted the trampled vegetation. “A vehicle’s been this way recently.” He kept his voice low.
Lela nodded and pointed to the building. “I’m going to circle the place. Keep watch here, and let me know if anyone shows up.”
While she was gone, he examined the padlocked door. He figured it was solid metal. There were no windows on this side. Except for the constant twitter of roosting birds, the area seemed exceptionally quiet.
Lela rounded the corner. “This is the only door. There’s one window high up on the other side, about two-feet square, barred and painted black. The concession stand’s original slide opening’s been welded shut. Looks as if it’s been that way for years. Let’s find out if anyone’s inside.” She drew her pistol and aimed it at the door.
Jay knocked three times. Waited. Knocked again.
They listened but heard nothing from inside.
“How can we get in?” Jay fingered the doorframe. “I can’t break down this door, and the padlock looks as if it’s industrial grade. Did you see any weak areas in the walls?”
“No, but I have an idea. If you lift me, I can break the glass in the window. At least look around inside.”
“I can do that.” Jay picked up a rock as he turned the corner. “Use this.”
Lela crammed it in her vest pocket and stopped under the window. “I’m ready. Give me a boost.”
Interlocking his fingers, Jay squatted and leaned against the wall, ready for Lela to set her foot in his hands. Her right foot secure, hands on his shoulders, he straightened and waited until she was balanced.
“Can you reach the window?”
“I need to take the rock out of my pocket.”
As she performed the task, a faint humming reached his ears.
“Stop! Someone’s coming.”
Hugging the wall as closely as possible, he strained to decipher the sound. Yes, deep-throated humming, footsteps, and a key grating in a lock.
He carefully lowered Lela to the ground. “It might be Walter.”
They crept around to the door. It stood ajar with a glimmer of light spilling out the crack. A man’s voice drifted away as if he moved farth
er into the building.
Pistol drawn, Lela tapped Jay's arm and indicated with hand gestures she would go in, and he was to wait outside.
He shook his head and mouthed, “I’m coming with you.”
Her scowl did not deter him. No way would she go in alone.
With a roll of her eyes, she eased around the doorframe and entered.
He followed.
The warm, dank room was empty except for two drained plastic bottles and a large camp lantern on the floor.
No Walter, if that’s who’d opened the door.
No Chuck, either.
Lela pointed to a closed door on her left and gestured for Jay to open it. She backed up and aimed her weapon.
He picked up the lantern and turned the doorknob. It didn’t open.
Next, she inched to another closed door across the room. This time the door opened at her touch. She peeked around the corner. Then her shoulders relaxed, and she whispered, “An empty storeroom.”
Where was the person who’d entered the building? Jay flexed his fingers. He wanted to yell, “Show yourself.” This skullduggery was enough to give him an ulcer.
Without a backward glance, Lela stole nearer an arched doorway at the other end of the room.
Jay followed with the lantern.
Lela aimed her gun again.
Crash!
Jay spun, a flashback close to overpowering him. He drew in oxygen.
The entrance door had slammed shut.
“Hello, Jay.” A familiar voice chuckled. “Who’s the pretty girl?”
62
Walter.
Lela whirled. The lantern’s weak rays glinted off a hefty pistol jammed into Jay's chest.
“Throw your gun down, little lady. It won’t bother me none to blow a hole in his heart.”
With the door shut, the walls closed in, and the reek of urine intensified. “All right, Walter.” She couldn’t risk disobeying him. Bending, she set her pistol on the floor then kicked it to the side.
“Ha. You know my name. Doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
Hands in the traditional surrender position, she stepped forward.
“Hey.” Walter slung his forearm around Jay's throat. “Don’t come any closer.”
How could she have been so careless to allow him the upper hand? “You’re the boss.”
“Can I at least put the lantern down?” Jay asked.
“Um, I suppose. Don’t try anything stupid.” Walter made an awkward sideways movement as Jay set the lantern on the floor.
Jay grabbed Walter’s arm. “Where’s Chuck?”
“What are you talking about? I came here to, um, smoke a little pot.”
Staring into Jay's eyes, Lela inched another step forward. Teamwork. Now more than ever, she had to trust another person, a man. All intentions of handling the crisis by herself evaporated. Yes, she trusted Jay.
The bond stretched between them like a lifeline. They were in this together.
Jay spread his feet apart and bent his knees a tad then continued to provide the distraction she needed. “You were with Chuck on the videos sent to my sister. Don’t try to con us. Is he here?”
A shuffle forward. Lela was almost within kick range.
Walter moved his weapon to Jay's temple and sidestepped away from the door. “Told you, I don’t know—”
A soft groan whispered from the next room.
Lela’s heartbeat quickened. Don’t acknowledge the sound. She studied Walter’s face instead.
A telltale twitch of his lips betrayed the man. Chuck was in that room. Heated blood surged through her body. Sweat tickled her hairline.
Walter tightened his grip around Jay’s neck.
Jay’s face reddened, and he gagged.
A roundhouse kick would dislodge the weapon, but could Lela execute it before Walter fired? Chrissy’s rescue flashed across her mind. The kick might jam the pistol into Jay's temple, causing his neck to snap or the weapon to discharge. She couldn’t jeopardize Jay's safety.
Her skills were of no use.
Jay, however, had learned self-defense in the military. She backed up a step and gave him a subtle nod.
His shoulders sagged, hands dropped to his sides. Then with lightning speed, he swung his right hand up and over Walter’s arm. With his other hand, he captured the gun while twisting Walter’s arm.
“You’re gonna break my arm.” Walter’s whiny voice rose.
Jay's upper lip curled. He extracted the weapon from Walter’s hand and stashed it in his waistband.
As she tossed Jay a set of plasticuffs, Lela dashed into the next room.
Chuck lay against the wall curled in a fetal position.
Fetid air swirled into Lela’s lungs. Were they too late?
“Chuck, we’re here. You’re safe.”
He didn’t move.
Kneeling, she felt for a pulse on his neck. Nothing.
63
Seated with Beth in the same ER he’d left only hours earlier, Jay studied the humming monitors hooked up to Chuck. His brother-in-law was safe but not out of danger. Had they found him in time? Jay raked his fingers through his hair.
Beth slumped in a chair close to the bed, holding her husband’s hand.
The semi-conscious patient groaned and turned his head.
“Hi, honey. You’re in the hospital.” Her voice cracked as she stroked his cheek. “It’s me, Beth.”
Chuck’s eyes remained closed.
“He’s coming around. That’s a good sign, Bethy. Give him time.” Jay chose to believe his own words. Perhaps Beth would too.
She blinked back tears.
“Do you mind if I talk to Lela in the waiting room?” Standing, he stretched his arms over his head.
“Of course not.”
“I won’t be long.” He kissed Beth’s forehead and wended his way through the crowded facility to the automatic doors.
Lela had pulled off the impossible. Found Sean and Chuck in a span of four hours. She’d not only located Chuck but performed CPR until the paramedics arrived. Now she sat near the long window, her head resting against the seat, eyes closed. Was she asleep?
He lowered himself into the chair next to her, trying to be quiet, but she stirred and asked, “Has everyone been taken care of?”
“Yeah. Olivia’s been moved to a room and will be discharged tomorrow. Mother’s sitting with Sean who’s finally awake, and a friend from church is staying at the house with the girls.”
“And Chuck?”
“Still out. But the doc is optimistic he’ll wake soon.”
“Why is it taking so long?”
Extending his legs, Jay slouched in the chair. “Here’s what we know. Walter told us he dissolved crushed sleeping pills in the bottled water he placed in the concession stand. Turns out Chuck is allergic to chloral hydrate, an ingredient in those sedatives. It suppressed his breathing rate to a dangerous level and lowered his blood pressure. If you hadn’t…” He patted Lela’s knee. “But you revived him. The doc left a minute ago and assured us the side effects should fade as Chuck’s body metabolizes the drug. He needs fluids and rest.” Every muscle ached, and his head throbbed. “I’m thirsty.”
“I could go for a soda, too. And something to eat.”
Rising with a grunt, he headed to the alcove where the vending machines stood. Seconds later, he returned with snacks and two ice-cold cans. He downed half his soda before sitting again.
Lela munched on cheese crackers and sipped her soda. Dark circles under her eyes hinted at her weariness.
“Since our lunch date was interrupted today, would you consider a new venue? The ER waiting room?”
“Sure.” She held up her soda can, and they clinked aluminum to aluminum.
Later, Lela set her drink on the floor and slid her arm around his shoulders. “We found Chuck in time. He’s receiving the best care possible, and he will be all right.” Her fingers strayed to his cheek. “A man I chatted with a while ago told me he
prayed about every aspect of his life. He convinced me that I need to do the same. Keeping his advice in mind, I prayed for Chuck’s safe return, and now I have faith he will wake before long.”
The pupil had become the teacher. Again.
Jay turned and peered into Lela’s sweet face. The more time spent in her company, the more he craved. Not only could she catch bad guys, she could—and did—capture his heart. He traced the outline of her face from her hairline to her chin where the bruise had faded to a dull yellow. His fingers itched to touch her lips, but the crowded room pressed in on the moment.
“I’ve been praying too, but thanks for the reminder to have faith in my petitions.”
Covering her mouth, she stifled a yawn. “I’m exhausted. It’s been a long day.”
“You can rest your head on my shoulder and take a nap.” He wouldn’t mind if she stayed close to him all night. Every night.
“I accept the offer.”
Straightening in the chair, he extended his arm, inviting her to snuggle against him. Hmm. Her hair smelled divine.
He nestled his head on hers and closed his eyes. Contentment flowed over him.
Noisy chatter from the other visitors mattered not. His brother-in-law was home. Sean came through his ordeal physically unscathed. And Lela’s budding faith strengthened his conviction that she was the one he’d been waiting for.
Yes, she was all he’d ever wanted in a woman. No airs. Down-to-earth. She cared for her family, and that touched him to the core. He admired her hardworking resilience, overcoming adversity to rise to a position where she helped others. And now she was eager to learn more about God’s word. Also, she was pleasant to look at. Not that he would open his eyes. Ah. Internal peace warmed his soul.
His phone rang.
Startled awake, he fumbled in his pockets. Doggone it. His movements woke Lela.
Caller ID indicated Ed Langley, his colleague from Unique Resort Planners. “Sorry. I want to take this call.”
“No problem. I need to move before my muscles go on strike.” Lela yawned as she maneuvered between the crowded rows of chairs.
“Hello, bud. It’s been a while. Are you calling about my resignation?”
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