Alexa told them about Jada walking to the bus stop alone. When she finished, I described the ransom call and what had happened since. “We feel fairly certain it is Jada they have.”
Lucia was crying again. Lonny looked as if he’d do that same any minute. I figured this was a good time to get them moving. “Mr. Hackett, I know your world has been torn apart, but we need to get back to the Winthrops’ house. These people think they have his daughter. They might call, and if they do, I need to be there. Besides, I want you to hear the tape to see if there is anything you can pick up on. I doubt it, but it’s worth a try.”
“Anything, Detective, let’s go.”
Lucia grabbed her purse as she headed out the door with Lonny and Mars.
“You should ride with us,” I said.
The three of them climbed in the backseat. Alexa sat up front with me. It seemed like two hours to get back to Alexa’s house. Lucia cried almost the whole way, with Lonny consoling her. Mars was in a zombie state, silent and rigid as a stone.
“Alexa, do you have this…Jason’s number?”
“I’ve got it.”
“Call him. See if he’s seen Jada, but don’t tell him what’s happening.”
Alexa made the call. She talked for maybe half a minute. “He thought she was with me.”
“But he never called you?”
“He’s probably been calling her cell.”
I cringed when I heard that, knowing it would bring more tears from Lucia. It did. “Don’t worry, ma’am. We’ll get her back.”
When we got to Alexa’s house, the Hacketts sat at the kitchen table while I played the tape.
“I thought they would let her talk,” Lonny said afterward.
“This isn’t like the movies, Mr. Hackett. These people seem professional, which means they want to control things right from the start. Not letting you talk to her keeps you guessing. They are supposed to call tomorrow. I’d bet we’ll hear her then.”
“Do you think…” Lucia sounded afraid to put words to her concerns.
I patted her back. “Yes, ma’am. I think she’s safe. They are only interested in the money.”
No sense in telling her differently.
“What are we going to do?” Lonny asked.
“About?”
“The money. How do we work this?” He stared at me, desperation in his eyes. “You have a plan, don’t you?”
“I’m working on it,” I said.
“Working on it? You’ve had all damn day.”
I took a few breaths then leaned toward the two of them. “Earlier, when we thought it was Alexa, Mr. Winthrop was going to provide the money.”
“And now?” Lonny’s voice had a sharp edge to it.
“I’ve asked my captain if we can do something. I won’t know how to approach it until we hear from the kidnappers. The next call will determine a lot.”
Lucia patted her husband’s hand. “They’ll do what they can. Don’t worry, the Lord won’t let anything happen to her.”
I pulled Delgado aside. “Have Connors babysit the druggie while you watch the parents. I’ve got to get hold of Coop.”
“You bringin’ in the Feds?” Delgado asked.
“Maybe. I don’t like not having the money as a backup.”
“That could turn it ugly.”
“Yeah. And none of us want that.”
I called Coop, roused her from bed, and filled her in on the latest development. “And you’re sure they have this Hackett girl?” she asked.
“We’re not sure of anything. She could be out drinking, could be in a motel with her boyfriend—although he said he hadn’t seen her—or she could be taped up and gagged with a bunch of guys who want to do wrong things to her.”
“And you feel it’s the latter?”
“Pretty damn certain.”
“How are the parents?”
“As you would expect. Disbelieving, hoping it’s not true. But they know. They’ll be worse tomorrow when it’s confirmed.”
“Did you…”
“Placate Winthrop? Yes, I did.”
“Good. That’s one worry gone. What do you need now?”
“I’m going to need people for surveillance on whatever drop they have planned. I’ll need to keep the techs here, and I’ll need seven million dollars cash.”
Coop coughed between fits of laughter.
“One more thing, Coop. I need a stand-in for Winthrop. He’s about six foot, 190 pounds, and he’s black. Think Chief Renkin wants the job?”
“I’d ask, but he’s noticeably bigger, and blacker, than Winthrop. As for the money, find another way. You’re not getting seven million dollars. You won’t get seven hundred.”
“We should call the Feds.”
“Chief doesn’t want it.”
“He made that decision when we thought this was about Winthrop. Now it’s some poor sap whose daughter got in the way.”
“I’ll ask again, but don’t count on it. They don’t want any controversy surrounding this IPO.”
“Captain, this girl’s life is on the line.”
Coop sighed. “I know. Let me work on it.”
“At least give me Tip,” I said.
“No way am I putting you and Denton on another case together. Get that out of your mind.”
I went back inside, trying to figure out what to do next. “Delgado, what time is it?” I cringed having to ask. My blood boiled, reminding me that a guy named Number Three had Mary’s watch.
“A little past eleven.”
I went to the table and sat next to Lucia, across from Lonny. “I know this isn’t a good time, but there are questions that need answering.”
Lucia said, “Go on, Detective.”
“What do you know about her boyfriend?”
Lucia shook her head. “Nothing. We didn’t even know he was her boyfriend. She came home the other day saying he asked her to the prom, but other than that…”
“I’ll kill that son of a bitch!” Lonny said.
“Hold on, sir. We have no indication that he did anything wrong. It’s simply something I have to follow up on. Whenever we—” My phone rang. It was Chief Renkin. “Hey, Chief. What’s up?”
“Coop filled me in, Cataldi. I can give you all the manpower you need, but we can’t do anything about the money. You’ll have to make do.”
“I figured that much.”
“Anything new on the Marshall case?” Renkin asked.
“I got Ramirez working it with her partner. Last I heard, the Marshall boy wasn’t doing well.”
“Leads?”
“None yet, but Ramirez is good. We’ll get there.”
“We better, Detective. That case is getting headlines.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Keep me informed. On both cases.”
“Yes, sir. Thanks.”
I hung up and dialed Ramirez. She answered right away.
“Ramirez, I’m getting pressure from the chief. What have we got?”
“Nothing new.”
“You need to turn up the heat. If that boy dies, they all go down for murder. Use that. Find out who was involved and press hard. Start shaking people up. Tongues loosen up when a murder rap’s involved.”
“Was that the Marshall boy from that home invasion?” Lonny asked.
I nodded. “He’s not doing too well.” I noticed Lonny had a slight reaction when I mentioned his name. “Why, do you know him?”
“Not personally, but he plays a mean game of football.”
“I know him by reputation,” Mars said. “He’s a great football player, and from what the guys on our team say, he’s a nice guy.”
“He goes to your school?”
“No, he plays for Klein.”
“Do you go to the same school as Alexa?”
He looked sheepishly to his mother, then back to me.
“It’s not a tough question. You do or you don’t.”
“He’s not supposed to,” Lucia said. “Bu
t Mr. Winthrop lets us use his address so the children can go to a better school.”
“I thought they checked those things out, compared to the tax rolls or something.”
Lucia lowered her head. “They do, Detective. But Mr. Winthrop…knows people.”
I nodded. I guess money and influence still wielded big sticks. But that did answer one question that had been bugging me. “Does Jada’s license have this address on it?”
“Yes, it does. Why?”
“I’ve been wondering why the kidnappers wouldn’t have realized they made a mistake when they saw her license—different name and address—but if the address is the same…”
“Maybe she concocted a story about the name,” Lonny said. “That girl can tell a story.”
“Let’s hope she can maintain that story. It may save her ass.”
I turned to Delgado. “Get the boyfriend’s number from Alexa. Talk to him. See if you think he’s straight.”
“You think he has something to do with this?” Lonny asked.
“I don’t know anything at this point. I’m chasing all angles.”
“I see,” Lonny said, then he got up to get coffee. “Lucia, you want to sit outside?”
“I’m fine here.”
***
Lonny walked out to the patio and sat in the chair by a small fountain. He leaned back, closed his eyes, and prayed.
God, I know what I did to deserve this, but please don’t take it out on my baby. She’s a good girl. She didn’t have nothin’ to do with my wrongs. If you got to punish someone, take it out on me. Lucia and my girl don’t need to suffer.
Lonny got up and walked around then sat on the edge of the fountain, his fingers dipping in the water.
And one more thing. I’m sorry for what we did to that boy and his family. Tears flowed. Lord, you know how sorry I am about that. Those folks didn’t do anything but get rich. And look what we did…Please don’t let that boy die, Lord. Please.
***
I got up under the guise of pouring myself coffee, but I really wanted to see what Lonny was doing. A change had come over him, and I didn’t know why. He had dealt with things well until a short while ago. Something had changed.
Chapter 25
Watchers
Boss waited until everyone was there. “I wasn’t happy with the call, Number Four. You lost control.”
“Goddamn amateur,” Number Three said.
“Shut-up, Three. I’d drop both of you if I had time to train more people.”
Number Three mumbled something, but a glare from Boss silenced him.
“Maybe you should make the next call.” That from Number Two.
“I will,” Boss said. “And we need to transfer the girl to the motel.”
“Why?” Four asked.
Boss sighed. “Don’t ask so many questions.”
Number Four looked to the others for concurrence, but got nothing. “It’s just…if we got her here, why not keep her here?”
“It’s not in the plans, Four. She’s going to a motel where the clerk wouldn’t know if a motorcycle gang rented the rooms or a conclave of Cardinals that were in town to elect a new pope.”
“Rooms?”
“We have three. One for her and one on each side.” Boss looked to Number Two. “You know what to do?”
“Got it, Boss.”
“Take Three with you. I will send Number Five to relieve you by six AM.”
“We don’t need another person. We could—”
Boss grabbed hold of Three. “I do the thinking around here.”
Number Three turned away from Boss. “I don’t see why we needed another person, that’s all. Less money for us.”
“There will be plenty to go around,” Boss said, then turned to Number Two. “It’s getting late.”
***
Jada sat in a hard-backed chair, afraid to move. She shivered, and not from cold. She didn’t know how long she’d been in this place, but all she’d done since she got here was cry. And shiver.
A spasm seized her arm. She stretched it out, hoping to relieve the pain. Most of her muscles ached, and her legs cramped. They’d already fallen asleep twice, forcing Jada to stand on one leg while she tried shaking it out.
She couldn’t see anything, could barely hear anything except an occasional truck rumbling somewhere in the distance. And all she could smell was a dank, musty odor, like the basement at her cousin Anne’s house up in Maryland.
A door opened across the room. As she turned her head in that direction, a blast of cool air rushed across her skin, which was wet from sweating. The shivers started again. She didn’t hear anyone come in, but she had to try. “Can I have a blanket?” Her voice sounded hollow, not quite an echo but almost.
Footsteps sounded from the direction of the door. Jada focused, listening as they approached. It was a big room. “Is someone there?”
A hand patted her hair, making her jump, but then she relaxed. It was a gentle patting, a caress.
“Get ready to go,” a woman’s voice said. “We’re moving you.”
“Am I going home?”
The woman stroked her hair more. “Not yet. It won’t be long, though.”
She heard her purse being opened, someone going through her things.
“Why does your license say Jada Hackett? Why isn’t it Winthrop?” This was the voice of the man who took her.
Another shiver tortured her. They must think she was Mr. Winthrop’s daughter. Jada thought of what she knew about Alexa and her dad. Not much, but maybe enough. “My parents are divorced. I took my stepfather’s name. Then I decided I hated him, so I moved back with Dad.” It was difficult getting all that out without faltering. She prayed they believed her, and that she was doing the right thing pretending to be Alexa.
“Address is the same as his.” This voice was different. It belonged to the woman. She thought it was the one who took her. Jada’s stomach churned.
Someone’s hands grabbed her face and turned it, as if evaluating her. Fear subsided when she realized it was the woman.
“It’s her,” the woman said. A slight pause, then, “How did your father get so much money?”
Was this a test? Did they suspect something? They must know about Mr. Winthrop’s business. “He worked for it.” Jada didn’t mean for it to come out so harsh. She braced herself for…something. Sensing that the man was about to do something, she took a step away from where she thought he stood.
“Easy, Number Three,” the woman said.
So he was going to do something.
“It’s all right,” the woman said. “I’d be pissed off if somebody kidnapped me. Don’t try carrying it too far, though.” Her voice carried a threat.
Jada nodded, eager to have an ally.
“All right, let’s go,” the woman said, and took her by the arm.
***
After gathering her things, Number Two and Three loaded Jada in the van. Driver took them to the motel where Boss had rented three rooms. One was rented a week ago, the others, two days ago.
Driver pulled up outside the room, off to the side of the motel and waited to make sure no one was around then unlocked the door to all three rooms before getting back in the van. Number Three got out and went to the room on the left. Number Two took Jada to the room in the center.
Number Two led Jada to the bed, untied her hands and removed the gag, but kept the blindfold on, checking to make sure it was secure. “Do you need to use the bathroom?”
“No.”
“Don’t say that for spite. If you can go now, you should.”
“I said no.”
“Suit yourself,” Two said. “Lie down. I need to tie your hands.”
“What for?”
“Just lie down.”
Jada sat on the edge of the bed, then lay on her back. “I think I do need to use the bathroom.”
Number Two sighed. “Don’t make me go through this shit again. Cooperate. It will make things easier for
you.”
“Okay.”
Jada used the bathroom then returned to the bed. “You don’t need to tie my hands.”
Number Two tied them anyway. Jada cried, big sobs that made her whole body heave. Number Two sat next to her, whispering. “If you do anything stupid, we’ll sedate you. Then you’ll mess your pants, and none of us will clean it.” She placed her hand on Jada’s arm, rubbing it gently. “You can make this time go easier, or you can make it really tough.”
“Okay.”
“I know you have a lot of questions. Ask me. I want you to feel comfortable.”
“What are you going to do with me?”
“As long as your father pays us, and you do as we say, we won’t hurt you. And I hope you’re listening, because that was a really big if.” Number Two looked around then leaned close and whispered again. “Some of the men are looking at you wrong, if you know what I mean. Don’t give them a reason to do anything. Follow orders, and I’ll make sure nothing happens.”
Jada nodded. “Okay.”
“Good. Here are the rules. You signal one of us if you have to use the bathroom. If you need water, same thing. If you hear a noise outside or people talking…” Number Two grabbed her by the cheeks and made Jada face her. Two made sure her own mask was secure then removed Jada’s blindfold. “This is very important. Do not try to attract attention. If you do, they will kill you.”
“I understand.”
“Good.” She smiled at Jada. “I’m putting the gag back in, but I’ll leave the blindfold off.”
“Thanks,” Jada said.
“All right. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Three walked into the room. “Girls getting cozy, are you?”
Number Two’s face twisted into a scowl. “Get back in your room.”
Three tried following Number Two into her room, but she stopped him cold.
“We been working together a long time,” Number Three said. “No reason to get uptight.”
Two nodded to the other room. “You’ve got your bed. Don’t let me see you until morning.”
Two watched him go, but she didn’t like the way he looked at Jada as he crossed the room. I should’ve come alone.
Necessary Decisions, A Gino Cataldi Mystery Page 12