Ransom of the Heart

by Susan Page Davis

  “No,” Harvey said firmly. “They’d have shot you without remorse. You saw what they did to Carter Ulrich?”

  “Yeah. That’s what made me do it. I figured it was my only way to stay alive. But I hadn’t really thought it out—I didn’t realize they would chain me up for days and then leave me to starve to death.”

  Abby sobbed, and Peter’s expression darkened.

  “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t talk about it.”

  “Yes, you should,” Abby said. “Talking is good. It’s just hard to think about you in that situation.”

  “I know you need rest,” Harvey said, “but I’d like to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”

  “Sure,” Peter said.

  “Let’s start at the store. How many of them were there?”

  “Two. Mack and his buddy.”

  “That would be Mack McCafferty and Web Holden,” Harvey said. “Who did the shooting?”

  “Mack.”

  “Really?” Harvey frowned. “Because Mack says Holden was the gunman. And yet, he had the gun that killed Ulrich when we arrested him today.”

  Peter’s eyebrows drew together. “Well, I didn’t actually see the shot fired. I heard it, and I ran out to the showroom, and those two were standing there over Carter’s body. It was obvious they’d killed him. Mack had the gun in his hand. I suppose the other guy could have had a gun, too, but I didn’t see it.”

  “Did you know them?” Harvey asked.

  Peter shook his head. “I only know the one guy’s name, Mack, from when they were talking later. Oh, wait—he said . . . Is today Friday?”

  “Friday night,” Harvey said.

  “It seems like longer ago than that, but I guess it was yesterday. The other guy was supposed to go get the money, and hours later Mack came to the cellar and he said it was on the TV news that Web was hit by a car. That would be on Thursday, right?”

  Abby nodded. “Yesterday afternoon. That was the worst hour of my life. When they didn’t call again, I thought they’d killed you.”

  “I can’t believe that was yesterday,” Peter said.

  Harvey looked at his watch. “I know how you feel. Twelve hours ago, Eddie and I went to Cape Elizabeth to arrest the gangster Carter owed money to. He’s looking good for putting a hit on your salesman.”

  “So that’s what it was about.” Peter sighed. “I knew it was something like that. So, what happened to the money?”

  “It’s back in the bank,” Abby said. “Mr. Strickland was very good about the whole thing. We should send him a thank-you gift.”

  “Sounds like I owe a lot of people my thanks.” Peter’s eyelids drifted down.

  “Maybe I should postpone the rest of the questions until tomorrow,” Harvey said.

  Peter’s eyes snapped open. “Sorry. What did you say?”

  Harvey smiled. “I’m going to let you sleep, Peter.”

  “No, no, if there’s anything else that will help you. . .although, it sounds like you’ve got things under control.”

  “There’s one loose end.”

  “Well? Fire away.”

  “Okay. What do you know about that house where they took you?”

  “Nothing. Not even if it was within the city limits. I did wonder.”

  “It was,” Harvey said. “In fact, it’s for sale, and it’s been listed with Redmond Realty.”

  Peter’s frown returned. “Redmond? That’s. . .No, no, no. Don’t tell me Tom is mixed up in this.”

  “That’s what I’m trying to figure out,” Harvey replied. “We had him picked up in Boston, and my crew will go down and fetch him in the morning.”

  “Boston?” Peter looked blankly from him to Abby. “Was he on the run?”

  “He had a real estate seminar this week,” Abby said gently, “but he didn’t leave town until Thursday morning.”

  Peter leaned his head back and gazed at the ceiling. “He could be the friend those two jokers called Wednesday night. They didn’t know what to do with me, and neither one wanted to take me to his house. They called some buddy of theirs, and next thing I know, I’m chained up in that place.”

  “Any chance Tom was the buddy?” Harvey asked.

  “I never saw him, never heard his voice distinctly,” Peter said. “But he was upstairs in the house at one point that first night. I heard them moving around up there and talking while Mack was downstairs with me. Then the second man, Web, came down alone. I think the friend left. Web had the chain and—” He broke off suddenly and met Harvey’s gaze. “Web had a gun then. He held it on me while Mack chained me up.”

  “Was it the same gun?”

  “I don’t know. Might have been.”

  “Well, don’t stress about it. We recovered the gun that was used to kill Ulrich. That’s the important one in this case. I wouldn’t be surprised if those two both had guns when they went to your store to do him in.” Harvey leaned over and patted Peter’s right shoulder, the side with fewer injuries. “Look, I’m going home and get some sleep. You do the same, okay?”

  “Yeah. Thanks, Harvey.”

  Harvey nodded and squeezed Abby’s shoulder. “I’ll be back in the morning. You going to stay, Abby?”

  “Yes, I can’t leave him now.”

  “I understand. If you need anything from the house, give me a call, anytime after six a.m.”

  “Thank you so much.” Abby gave him a tremulous smile.

  Twenty minutes later, Harvey was peeling off his gear and setting it out on top of his dresser.

  “What time do you want to get up?” Jennifer asked.

  “Sixish.”

  “Baby, it’s after midnight.”

  “Okay, sevenish. And I want to have breakfast with Connor.”

  Jennifer wrapped her arms around him. “Me, too?”

  “Of course you, too.” Harvey pulled her close and kissed her.

  Chapter 19

  A timid tapping came on the patio door at quarter to seven. Jennifer grabbed her robe and hurried out through the sunroom. Andy stood on the step outside, shielding his eyes and looking in, with his face pressed up against the glass.

  “Good morning.” Jennifer grinned and opened the door.

  Andy scrambled inside. “Auntie Jenn, me and Anna are up, and Aunt Beth said to tell you while she starts breakfast. If anybody wants to go over for pancakes, they can.”

  “Oh, okay. That’s really nice of her. Is Uncle Jeff up yet?”

  Andy shook his head. “He’s sleeping. Aunt Beth said Anna and me have to be real quiet.”

  Hence the errand boy, instead of a quick call, Jennifer mused. “Hmm. I could have made you some breakfast over here.” She leaned out and looked toward Beth and Jeff’s house, but as usual, she couldn’t see past the garage end and the entry that stuck out a little on the front of the stone house next door. “Come on in for a sec, Andy. I want to text Aunt Beth.”

  She took Andy to the kitchen. “Have a seat, buddy.” She took a pint of blueberries from the refrigerator and set it on the table in front of him. “Help yourself.”

  Andy’s eyes got huge, and he picked a couple of large berries off the top of the basket.

  Jennifer made a quick trip into the bedroom for her cell phone. Harvey rolled over and blinked at her.

  “What’s up?” he asked.

  “Not what, who. Andy’s in the kitchen.”

  “Oh.” Harvey squinted at the clock. “I might as well get up.”

  When she got back to the kitchen, Andy was still eating blueberries, and her brother Randy had joined him. He was dressed in jeans and a baseball jersey, and he looked ready for a full day.

  “Hi,” Jennifer said as she keyed in a quick message to Beth. Sure u don’t want me to feed Andy here? “Was Connor awake?” she asked Randy.

  “I don’t think so. I tiptoed past his door, and I didn’t hear anything.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Her phone whirred, and Jennifer looked at Beth’s reply. Already got batter mixed. Send any hungry. Je
nnifer smiled and texted back, Want blueberries? She glanced at the table, where Randy was scooping up a handful of berries. Perfect, came Beth’s reply.

  “You guys take the rest of those over to Beth, and she’ll give you blueberry pancakes,” she said.

  “All right!” Randy picked up the container and hustled Andy out the back door. Jennifer heard the shower going in the master bath and started making coffee. By the time she pushed the start button, her mom stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the sunroom, with Connor in her arms. Wild-haired and blinking, he held out his arms to Jennifer.

  “Mama!”

  Jennifer laughed. “Hey, fluff-head. Come on, I’ll get you some cereal.” She kissed him and let him cling around her neck while she got out his baby spoon and bowl.

  “Are we the first ones up?” her mother asked, looking around. “I thought I heard Randy.”

  “He went over to Beth’s for pancakes. She says she’ll serve anyone who’s hungry.”

  “I guess I’ll wait for your father,” Marilyn replied. “He’s getting up, too.”

  “I put coffee on. Want some while you wait? Or I can make you a cup of tea real quick.”

  “That sounds good, but I can get it.” Marilyn went to the cupboard and got herself a floral-patterned mug. She filled it with water and stuck it in the microwave while Jennifer fixed Connor’s cereal.

  George Wainthrop was next. Marilyn had just retrieved her hot water and dropped a teabag in it.

  “Hey,” she said to her husband. “Pancakes at Beth’s.”

  “Sounds good to me. Morning, Jenn.”

  “Morning, Dad.”

  “Are you going over?” he asked.

  “I think it will be easier to feed Connor here. And Harvey’s in the shower. I’m not sure yet what he’ll do this morning. He may just grab a bite and head out.”

  “Okay. When can we take the boys to the hospital?”

  “Abby hasn’t called yet,” Jennifer said. “I hope that means she’s getting some sleep. But I’ll let you know.”

  “Can I take my tea with me to Beth’s?” her mother asked.

  Jennifer laughed. “I think that’s actually one of Beth’s mugs.”

  Her parents were out the door, and Jennifer buckled Connor into the highchair. She was ready to sit down with him when Harvey came in, freshly shaved, showered, and dressed for the office.

  “Hey, gorgeous.” He kissed her. “Everybody cleared out?”

  “Beth’s serving pancakes. Do you want some?”

  “No, thanks. Just coffee.”

  Jennifer put her hands on her hips and frowned at him. “You can’t get away with that here, remember?”

  He gave her a sheepish smile. “Okay. What’s quick?”

  “Scrambled eggs and toast? And a banana?”

  “That’s a lot,” Harvey said.

  “No, it’s not. You’ll give half of it to Connor, anyway.” She poured his first cup of coffee and handed it to him. “Sit.”

  “Okay, boss woman.”

  Her smile drooped. She’d hardly seen him for days, and she really wasn’t looking for trash talk.

  Harvey eyed her closely and set the mug down. “Come here, Jenny.”

  She went into his arms and stayed there a minute and a half, until the wall phone rang and Connor let out a yip.

  “You get the phone, and I’ll get the boy?” Harvey asked.

  “Good.” Jennifer walked to the end of the counter and picked up the receiver.

  “Jenn? It’s Abby.”

  “Hi. How’s Peter?”

  “Good. He’s eating frittata and strawberries, if you can believe it.”

  “Sounds pretty good for hospital food,” Jennifer said.

  “I think they have a new chef. Anyway, you can bring the boys anytime. The head nurse says she’ll let them in for ten minutes.”

  “Okay. I know Mom and Dad want to come, too. Maybe I’ll let them bring Gary and Andy, and I’ll come over a little later?”

  “Great,” Abby said. “They’re planning to do the cast around ten.”

  “We’ll get the boys in and out before that.”

  “Is Harvey coming in?”

  Jennifer held the receiver out toward Harvey, who was feeding Connor a spoonful of cereal. He took it and said, “Hey, Abby.” After a pause, he said, “I was going to stop in at the office. Do you think I should go to the hospital first? Okay, I’ll come by later. Glad Peter’s doing well. . . .I’ll tell her. Bye, kiddo.”

  He handed Jennifer the receiver. “She wants a clean blouse and unmentionables.”

  “Okay.” Jennifer listened for a moment and realized Abby had signed off, so she hung up the phone.

  “I hope she doesn’t mind if I send some of my things instead of going over to her house to rummage.”

  “I’m sure she won’t,” Harvey said. Jennifer and Abby were interchangeable when it came to clothes.

  “I’d better go tell Mom and Dad she’s ready for the boys. Or maybe you can, while I cook your eggs.”

  “Yeah, okay.” He stood and unbuckled Connor from his highchair seat. “I’ll take the big guy with me.”

  “Don’t be long.”

  “I won’t.” With a glance at the clock, he said, “I plan to be in the office in thirty minutes.”

  He went out the patio door carrying Connor, and Jennifer sighed. “Good luck with that.” She opened the refrigerator and took out a carton of eggs.

  Five minutes later, Harvey was back without the baby.

  “Where’s your sidekick?” Jennifer asked.

  “I left him at Jeff’s. Your mom’s watching him. As soon as they’re done eating, the boys will get cleaned up and she and George will take them to the hospital. Since it sounded like Randy didn’t stand much of a chance of getting in to see Peter in the first round, he offered to bring Connor back here when he’s done scarfing pancakes.”

  “Okay.” Jennifer set his plate in front of him.

  “You going to eat with me?” Harvey asked. “Or are you going to Beth’s for flapjacks?”

  “Wow. We have a full house, and yet we’re all alone,” she said. “That feels odd.”

  Harvey grinned. “Too bad I have to go to work. Come on, gorgeous. Grab a plate and a fork. You know I can’t eat all this.”

  *****

  Abby sat on the far side of Peter’s bed so she could keep an eye on the door. Peter looked and sounded stronger today, and he was eager to see the boys.

  Gary poked his head in first, blinking and searching the room. When his gaze landed on Peter, he yelped and hurried in, leading with his sling. Andy followed him, with Abby’s parents close behind.

  “Don’t run, guys,” Marilyn said.

  Too late. Gary had reached the bed, and Andy slammed into the side, jarring Peter, but he didn’t complain.

  “Hey!” He reached clumsily to embrace the boys, bumping one of the monitor cords over Andy’s head.

  “Daddy, Daddy!” Andy’s voice broke, and he climbed halfway onto the bed, burrowing his face into Peter’s chest.

  “Easy, honey,” Abby said softly. “Daddy has some hurts.”

  Andy didn’t reply, but lay clutching Peter’s hospital gown and sobbing softly. Peter rubbed his head with his bandaged left hand, while he pulled Gary in for a fierce hug with his right arm.

  “Hi, Dad,” Gary murmured.

  “Hello, son.” Tears filled Peter’s eyes. “I heard about your adventure.” He nodded toward Gary’s cast.

  “Yeah.” Two tears escaped Gary’s eyes and trickled down his cheeks. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. You can tell me all the details later.”

  Gary nodded and sniffed.

  George stepped forward and smiled at Peter. “It’s great to see you, Peter. How are you doing?”

  “Not too bad, considering.”

  Abby got up and walked around the bed to hug her parents. Her mother’s lips quivered as she smiled. She whispered, “He looks better than I expected. I
tried to prepare the boys.”

  Abby smiled and gave her a squeeze. Chances were, all the preparations had scared the boys, and she wanted today to be a happy day.

  “Jennifer sent this.” Her mother handed her a bag.

  “Oh, thanks!” Abby set it aside.

  Marilyn walked around the bed with her and stood gazing at her son-in-law, as though looking for a place to pat him and finding none.

  “Peter, we’re so glad you’re back,” she said.

  “Thanks,” Peter replied. “So am I.”

  “How long are they going to keep you here?” George asked.

  “A few days, I guess.” Peter looked to Abby, and she nodded.

  “He’s got to get the leg taken care of. I hope he’ll be able to come home Monday, but we’ll see.”

  They chatted for a few more minutes, and then the nurse came in.

  “Sorry, folks, but we need to do a little prep work on Mr. Hobart,” she said with a smile.

  Peter patted Andy’s back. “Time to go, buddy.”

  “No!”

  Andy held on, but Peter said gently, “Come on, Andy. You knew you couldn’t stay long, right?”

  “Ten minutes,” Andy said with a stubborn edge to his voice.

  “I think it’s been that, but maybe you can come back this afternoon, after they’re done poking me and wrapping up my leg.” Peter arched his eyebrows at Abby.

  “Yeah,” she said. “You can come back later, I’m sure. Another short visit. Come on, guys. I’ll walk out to the elevator with you.”

  *****

  There was only so much Harvey could do on Saturday morning. He caught up on his reports and made sure all of their collars were in line to be scheduled for arraignment and hearings on Monday and Tuesday. He went over the reports John Hillman had sent him after the search in Cape Elizabeth and carefully read all of the Portland officers’ reports that connected with the Ulrich murder and Peter’s abduction.

  About 10:30, Eddie called him from Boston.

  “We got Merrick processed out. Tony and I will take him to the hotel to get his stuff and settle his bill. Then we’ll hit I-95.”

  “Okay, good,” Harvey said. “Did he say anything?”

  “Not much. I figured you’d have everything together by the time we got there, and you’d want to question him.”