Someone to Trust

by Aiken, Ginny

  Until she realized Lindsay was nowhere to be seen. “Lindsay? Where are you?”

  No response.

  She stuck her head back in the kitchen. “She’s not here. You guys sure she didn’t go back to the room?”

  Tommy shrugged. “Didn’t see her, but I’ll call her—LINDSAY!”

  No response.

  Cate’s phone rang. “Hello?”

  “She’s not there,” a raspy, distorted voice said. “If you want her, you’ll come meet me behind the church. Bring your fireman boyfriend and we’ll make a trade. Lindsay for the two of you. And skip the cops. Or else.”

  THIRTEEN

  “No, Rand!” Cate cried. “You can’t drag in the police. No cops.”

  “You’ve been watching too much TV, Cate.”

  Anger surged, but she fought it back. It didn’t matter what he thought or said. All that mattered was getting Lindsay back. “Are you going to help or are you going to seal my niece’s fate with your lack of faith in me?”

  She could almost see him wrestle with himself. “Okay. Wait for me. I’ll be right there.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.”

  She hung up and sat back at the table. She didn’t have the heart to make the boys go to school. At this time, Miss Tabitha’s love and gentle comfort would do them more good than keeping up with their assignments. They had only one sister.

  And Cate was going to get her back. No matter what.

  She counted the seconds until Rand arrived. He greeted Miss Tabitha and the boys.

  He asked everyone about Cate’s phone call and Lindsay’s disappearance and didn’t even bother to hide his mistrust. But Cate was now past caring about that. She could only think about Lindsay.

  Soon enough, she’d had her fill of his interrogations. “Lindsay’s still out there. Are you ready yet?”

  “I suppose.”

  “Let’s get to the church, then.”

  They drove in silence. Cate prayed. She didn’t want to focus on his shuttered expression, much less the thoughts that might be spinning through his closed mind.

  His cell phone rang. “Hello?”

  Cate tried to hear the garbled voice on the other end, but she couldn’t.

  “At the same time?” he said.

  Silence. Then he nodded. “Did a great job fooling everyone, I’ll grant you that.”

  Cate’s curiosity surged, but she didn’t dare make a sound.

  He clapped the phone shut and slanted her a look. “We know who it is.”

  “Who?!”

  “It’s so hard to believe.” He hit the gas and the SUV responded with increased speed. “Alec and Sam met in juvie jail years ago. Alec was in for theft—he’d been in and out of the system since very early on. He grew up in foster homes, from what Hal just said.”

  “Alec?” Cate shook her head in disbelief. “What’s that about Sam? Sam didn’t go through the juvenile system. He was tried as an adult.”

  “Only after the judge made that decision. Until then, he stayed in a youth facility. That’s where he and Alec became friends. Now we know why Sam came straight to Loganton when he got out.”

  A hint of red colored Rand’s cheeks and he reached for her hand. “I’m sorry, Cate. I owe you that much.”

  “Forget that for the moment. Lindsay’s all that matters.”

  “Alec has her.”

  Cate’s stomach dropped. “She’s been through so much. Can we come up with a way to make the exchange without her seeing me go in?”

  “Exchange? I do not intend to make any kind of trade with him. You’re both coming out with me. The question is, will he come out, or will I have to drag him out?”

  “That’s even worse. Please don’t make Lindsay witness a fight, much less a death. I don’t think she could handle that.”

  “So will you let me call in Ethan and Hal? They’re the ones who can keep that from happening.”

  Fear threatened. She refused to let it take root. She clung to faith. “Only if they come after she’s free.”

  “They can’t plan that—”

  “Then let me take her place and you go bring in the cavalry when it’s time.”

  “One thing’s for sure. You’re not going in alone.” His voice had a tight edge and Cate suspected he was thinking of Mandy and Ross, and Marly, as well.

  “What if that’s the only way to free Lindsay and catch our creep?”

  “Are you suicidal?”

  “Not at all, but if it means Lindsay has a chance to grow up in a world with one less drug dealer, then I’m ready to see Jesus face to face. It’s in His hands.”

  Rand drew a sharp breath. “Alec said he wanted both of us. We both go in. We can’t take a chance. He’ll hurt Lindsay if we don’t do what he says. I’ll punt once I’m there.”

  Cate met Rand’s gaze, then slowly nodded. “Okay. We might have a stronger chance together. Two against one should give us better odds.”

  “Hopefully he’s a lone operator.”

  “Don’t forget, it won’t just be you and me going for her. God’s with me, and He counts for more than any number of creeps.”

  Rand averted his gaze. She went on. “Take my hand, please. Just be silent and let me pray.”

  For a moment, she thought he’d turn her down. Then, in an oddly hesitant way, he reached out and covered her fingers with his. “Do what you want.”

  “No, Rand. I’ll seek and try to do His will.”

  To her relief, he didn’t come back with a retort. Instead, he kept his gaze on her. Father, please. Touch his heart with Your love.

  In a soft voice, she prayed. “Lord Jesus. We need Your wisdom and Your guidance here. Your protection, too. Lindsay needs Your comfort and a measure of Your courage wouldn’t hurt her either. I confess I don’t know what I’m doing, but You know what’s best. Stop me before I blunder and push me through to where You need me to go. Bless Rand with peace and clear vision and let us know when we need that cavalry to come. In Your name, Amen.”

  To her surprise, a gruff “Amen” echoed hers. She squeezed his fingers before opening her door.

  “Cate?”

  She met his gaze. “Yes?”

  “I wanted to believe you—”

  Her phone rang, and she answered it quickly. “Yes?”

  “What are you waiting for?” Alec said in his strange muffled voice. “Come behind the new building. And your boyfriend better not have a gun on him.”

  He didn’t have to voice his threat—Cate knew he’d hurt Lindsay if he felt he had to. “We have no weapons. Rand’s a firefighter, not a cop.”

  “And you’d better not have called them either.”

  “I haven’t.”

  “Come on, then. I don’t have all day.” He hung up.

  She turned to Rand. “We’ve got to go.”

  As they headed for the youth ministries building, Rand reached for her hand. “I’ll get you both out. Trust me.”

  She smiled. “Funny thing is I do. I just wish you’d trust the One who loves you most.”

  He lowered his head. “I’m trying, Cate. I’m trying.”

  “Life is easier when you trust God.”

  Rand’s silence hurt, but Cate couldn’t dwell on it. They had a child to rescue.

  In the shadow of the trees at the back of the church’s property, they passed a car with an auto rental company’s sticker on the license plate.

  “He’s planning to run,” Rand whispered. “We have to be careful or he’ll get away.”

  “I almost don’t care, so long as he doesn’t do it with Lindsay in the car.”

  He shot her a sharp look. “We want him in jail. We need him so we can go up the drug dealer food chain.”

  Cate squared her shoulders. She stepped ahead and without another look at Rand, called out. “I’m here. Let Lindsay go.”

  Cate’s prayer hovered in the back of Rand’s thoughts. So did her statements about decisions and consequences. On top of all that, he couldn’t help but a
dmire the courage she was now displaying.

  Once upon a time, he’d believed. Then the accident happened. His faith had taken a dive after that. The years spent investigating fires in Charlotte hadn’t shown him many examples of devoted believers. But he’d come home and he’d come face to face with Cate again.

  He’d watched her for days—weeks—since the night of the fire. He’d seen nothing truly suspicious during that whole time, though he kept looking for it. Could he believe she’d changed into the mature woman he’d come to know, to admire, to love, through her relationship with God?

  Or was he going to trust only what he could touch and see and hear?

  Would today’s Cate exist without faith?

  He watched her step toward the cover of the trees, past the car parked in their shade. She carried her shoulders squared, her head held high and she took sure, firm steps. It struck him how well she knew herself, knew what she wanted, who she loved and yes, knew the God she served.

  Rand envied her assurance right then. He knew she drew comfort and confidence from the faith she’d placed in God. The faith he’d shared once.

  For the first time in many, many years, he felt a longing for that faith.

  He took his first step. Lord? If you’re there, give me a hand.

  Cate stared at the man standing in the shadow of the new youth ministry building. “Why? Why would you do this, Alec?”

  “Don’t go there, Cate. I owe you nothing and you have no right to ask.”

  “I’m not buying that,” Rand said.

  Alec sneered. “And you think I owe you an explanation? I don’t think so. You want Lindsay, then you’ll both do as I say. Get in the car and I’ll let her go.”

  “Let her go first,” Rand said. “We’re adults, she’s a child. She has no defense.”

  The look on the guidance counselor’s face spoke volumes. He had no intention of letting any of them go.

  Cate stepped toward Alec. “Where is she?”

  Alec shrugged. “She’s okay.”

  “And I’m supposed to trust you? You’ve killed, taken advantage of the trust everyone put on you at school and at church and kidnapped my niece. Are you crazy? Where’s Lindsay?”

  Alec’s mouth twisted in a grimace. “Get in the car. I’ll let her go once you’re there.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Cate didn’t know where she’d come up with the daring—or insanity—to challenge him like that. “I don’t believe you’re going to do the right thing. Not after you’ve stooped to murder and dealing drugs.”

  He shrugged. “It’s your gamble. Get in the car.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  He pulled out a gun.

  Cate gasped. Her head swam. She felt sick again.

  Alec laughed.

  She felt nauseous with fear. And the possible lingering effects of the drug she’d been given. “Oh…”

  Then it occurred to her. What if…?

  With another glance at Alec, she moaned again. Then, as though unable to control her body, she sagged and swayed right where she stood. She had to help Rand. They had to get out of this mess. And this seemed the best option.

  She relaxed and slumped against Alec.

  He stumbled from the sudden shift in her weight, shoving against her with all his might. “Hey!”

  She fell to the ground, hitting her forehead against something sharp and hard, her stomach clenching in an effort to brace her fall. She felt awful again.

  But her ruse had given Rand the distraction he’d needed. He leaped at Alec.

  As Cate’s innards twisted and churned and her head swam, she heard the sounds of a fight, groans, grunts and the pounding of fists. A fleeting thought of helping Rand sped through her mind, but the reality of Lindsay’s situation overtook any such consideration. Cate would have to trust Rand and God. She had to take care of Lindsay.

  A whimper caught her attention. It came from the car. She dragged herself upright, arms wrapped around her middle. Then stumbled backward, avoiding Alec’s wild grab in her direction.

  “Where are you going?” Rand yelled then landed another blow to Alec’s chest.

  “Lindsay…” Every movement made her dizzier. A moan tore from her lips. A glance at the front and back seats revealed an empty car. A sticky substance rolled down the side of her face. Cate realized she was bleeding, but she couldn’t do anything about it right then.

  The whimper came again. Cate knew where Alec had stashed her niece.

  She stumbled around to the rear of the car, stuck her hand under the latch and popped open the trunk. There, tied with blue-and-white nylon rope, lay Lindsay, a rag in her mouth.

  Cate fought another wave of nausea. With every ounce of strength she had left, she reached in, and hauled out the little girl. “I got her!”

  “I got him!” Rand answered.

  Her legs wobbled and, child in her arms, she let gravity have its way. She fell on a bed of fallen leaves, praising her God.

  Hal, Ethan and an army of officers of various kinds descended on the church. An ambulance roared up and Lindsay was loaded in. In spite of her objections, Cate was also strapped to a gurney and rolled in next to her niece.

  Before the EMT slammed the door shut, Rand slipped in and sat at her side. He took her hand and pressed his cheek against her fingers.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to forgive me, but I was wrong. From the start.”

  Cate tried to chuckle, but found her stomach still too unstable. “Does that mean I get to hold this over you?”

  “Aunt Catey!” Lindsay cried. “That’s soooo wrong. You always tell me I gotta forgive the twins ’cause they don’t know no better, since they’re just boys. Mr. Rand doesn’t know no better, you know. He’s just a boy.”

  Cate gaped. She hadn’t heard Lindsay say so much at one time since…well, ever. And then she realized what the little girl had said. She stole a glance at the “boy” at her side and caught his effort to stifle a laugh.

  She smiled. “From the mouths of babes, don’t you think?”

  “Works for me.” He waited.

  “I think forgiveness is in my bag of tricks.” She studied him, then squeezed his hand. “Just trust me, please.”

  “I’m there. Didn’t do it the way I should have, but I’m there.”

  She studied him through narrowed eyes. “Anything else on the trusting front?”

  He gave her a slow nod. “Yeah. I have some fence mending to do with God. But I did take my first step on the road back to faith today.”

  “I’m glad. I’m really glad.”

  “Can we have a do-over?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He cleared his throat. “Miss Caldwell. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard wonderful things about you and would love to get to know you much, much better. How about dinner once you’re hale and hearty again?”

  “You’re going to make me wait that long?”

  “Huh?”

  Cate chuckled. “How about a barbecue on Friday night. The kids and I will do the honors. You come and we’ll take it from there.”

  “I’ll be there.” He took a deep breath. “And I’ll meet you Sunday morning at church.”

  “You have yourself a deal.”

  He sealed the deal with a kiss.

  EPILOGUE

  The Tuckerpalooza went off without a hitch. Cate spent the day checking on the teens in their many colorful booths. Only occasionally did anyone bring up the reason for the benefit, while a number of the youth-group members joined her in prayer for Marly’s family and those who might still be caught in the grips of substance abuse.

  Cate’s father, by now an expert in his spiffy wheelchair, hadn’t missed a beat. He had insisted on setting up and running his favorite booth. He’d armed himself with a dozen fishing rods and two dozen bowls, and then filled the bowls with cardboard slips. In this version of the traditional carnival game, instead of the typical cheap, plas
tic toy prize, players “won” the opportunity to volunteer to do any of a variety of jobs for the Tuckers.

  Granny Annie, the town’s diner owner, had donated buckets full of her trademark Sloppy Joes, which, as always, were selling well. Everyone in town had turned out to help, just as the teens had predicted. And while the elderly Tuckers, who had come to watch the festivities, weren’t well enough to participate in much, Wilma in her wheelchair was everywhere.

  At sundown, Rand appeared at Cate’s side. “Tired?”

  “Oh, yeah. But I’m so, so happy this worked out the way it did.”

  He grinned. “Let me tell you, I was sweating bullets.”

  “No reason. You’re just running your first event, Mr. Youth Leader, you. How’s it feel to be a star?”

  “You’re the star, Cate. You’re the one who pulled it all together after Alec went to jail. You’ve even started a fund for Beth Hollinger and the triplets. I’m just in awe, and along for the ride.”

  She smiled, and leaned into the arm he wrapped around her waist. “Don’t sell yourself short, Rand. You’re doing a great job. Besides. What else could we do but take care of Beth and those little babies? Just because Alec had some screws loose in his past…I don’t know. Scripture calls believers to care for widows and orphans. That’s all I’m doing.”

  “Oh, I don’t know about screws loose in his past. Crime is crime. It’s pretty clear he had a neat little sideline business going, and he was afraid he couldn’t trust Sam.”

  Cate shrugged. “I get that. But you have to have a screw loose somewhere to do what Alec did. If you don’t trust someone, you don’t just kill him. You break up the partnership and get yourself another partner.”

  “Ah…but that’s where the crooked brain of a criminal eludes you, my love. Alec felt Sam was a loose end. He couldn’t afford to trust him. He might turn against Alec, and—pow! The gig would have been up.”

  “Well, it’s up now.”

  A couple of teens waved as they walked by, one of them carrying a soccer ball to the goal-kicking booth. Cate waved back. “It’s just too bad Alec and his pals provided a group of talented athletes the temptation that led to the ruin of potential careers. I’m surprised he broke down and confessed to everything, even to killing Sam.”