by Ava Mallory
The guard took his cap off and rubbed his balding head. "Lucilla took him out for the day and, when they came back, he went to his room to rest. The next thing you know, he's gone. She couldn't find him anywhere."
"You didn't see him leave? Isn't that your job?" I could feel my anger building. He was the security guard and obviously on duty so how could this have happened?
Charlie interrupted. "What's your name, sir?"
The guard mumbled, "Randy. No, I didn't see him leave. He didn't come through here, but then again, things were busy. The new accountant had a moving crew here and Mr. Rich hired new grounds keepers, so they were in and out with their vehicles. When the police showed up, that just added more chaos.
I looked at the patrol vehicles parked in the drive in front of the house. "The police were here before anyone realized that Cash was missing?"
Randy nodded. "Yes, they got here about a half hour or so again. Cash has only been missing for fifteen minutes."
"Only been missing for that long or someone just realized he was missing fifteen minutes ago? There's a big difference." I asked.
"Lucilla just noticed he was gone fifteen minutes ago," he confessed.
"Open the gates." I said as I sat back into the seat to calm myself down before I did something drastic, like strangle Nathaniel and Lucilla.
They were standing outside talking to the police when we pulled into the drive. Zoey noticed us first and nodded at me as I approached, headed straight for Nathaniel.
"How could you have let this happen? Wasn't anyone watching Cash?" I could hardly contain my anger.
He put his hands up in the air defensively. "I didn't let this happen. Like I told the young lady, I haven't seen the boy since yesterday."
"Detective Ortiz, sir. Call me Detective Ortiz." Zoey's eyes were stone cold as she addressed Nathaniel. "Let's step inside and discuss this, please. The officers will search the grounds. He must be around here somewhere."
I took a step back to allow the others to pass. Off to the side, I noticed a trio of gentlemen, holding shovels. What are they burying? I stepped forward to find out, but Charlie grabbed my arm and twisted my body in the direction of the truck parked next to me.
"They must be the new gardeners," Charlie said.
"What are these people thinking? A new accountant, new gardeners, interviews, and now this? We have to find him, Charlie." Tears of frustration welled in my eyes.
"He'll be okay." Charlie squeezed my hand gently. "I'm sure he hasn't gone far."
"But, he's sick, Charlie. He needs his medications."
We followed the others into the manor and stood back as Nathaniel and Lucilla explained what they thought happened. As I expected, neither of them saw or heard anything. Why would they? It's not like it was their job or anything.
Detective Ortiz' face told a story I wished the others were capable of fully grasping. She didn't like them very much either and she wasn't believing a word that they said.
When they were done talking over each other, Zoey asked, "How is it that you are the only two adults in the house and neither of you heard anything? Was there a television on? If so, explain to me where it is because I didn't notice a television when I did a walk through the other day. Were you speaking loudly - perhaps arguing and you didn't notice?"
Lucilla gasped. "What are you saying? Do you think that we don't care about what happens to Cash? That's just wrong. I love him. I've loved him since the day he was born. No, we weren't arguing. I was in the kitchen, getting ready to prepare a meal. I don't know where Nathaniel... I mean, Sir Rich was at the time."
"Sir? As in, you've been knighted, Mr. Rich?" Zoey's eyebrow quirked up.
Nathaniel cleared his throat. "No, not exactly. Well, young lady, sometimes people just call it like they see it. When you're dealing with someone like me, wouldn't you want to show the utmost respect?”
He had some nerve. I was ashamed to say that he was my employer. I looked at Charlie to gauge his reaction. I could tell right away that he didn't like what he saw or heard. I almost wished that he had jurisdiction to put this smug man in his place. I decided that it was better that I keep quiet, since no one had yet questioned why Charlie was present. I guess with everything going on, either no one noticed or no one had time to think about him.
Zoey's eyes narrowed for a moment, then she looked at each of us and asked us to leave the area while she spoke to Nathaniel. He smiled as if he'd just been invited to a secret rendezvous.
“Mercy, let's go.” Charlie tugged my arm. I didn't realize that I hadn't moved from my spot. I think I was just mesmerized by Nathaniel's gall to speak that way to the detective that was investigating not only a murder that took place in his house, but now also his missing grandson.
I glanced back over at Nathaniel. He stood with a grin on his face, while seemingly oblivious to Zoey's frustration with him and his antics.
Charlie led me out of the way. “There were officers combing the grounds. The security gate was closed. I could see that a police officer was speaking with Randy.
I didn't see the new work crew anywhere and there was no sight of Scooter or Karen.
“What do you think happened here?” Charlie asked.
“I wish I knew. Shouldn't they be more distraught?” I asked him because he was more experienced at this kind of thing than I was.
“I'll tell you this – something isn't right with either one of those two. That maid is too defensive right out the gate. And, as for that grandfather, his narcissism is only rivaled by his ego. Another reason why I'm happier being broke.” Charlie mused.
I would have investigated that remark further at any other time, but now wasn't the right time. I'd never seen where or how Charlie lived. What I knew, I found out via what he said and the few photos that he'd shown me on the couple of occasions that I'd seen him.
“I've met people from all walks of life through work and, I'll tell you, I've never met anyone that behaved that way, especially with law enforcement. I can't believe how condescending he is. I thought he was just being that way with me, but when I spoke with Scooter the other day, he alluded to that being the case with all the women in Nathaniel's life.
“Where is Scooter? Have you seen him?” Charlie looked around the yard.
“He lives in a small cottage in the back. Do you want to take a walk back there?” I asked, desperate to do something other than just stand around wondering what happened to Cash. “Why aren't they doing more? Shouldn't there be a search party or something?”
Charlie put his hand on my shoulder. “I'm sure they are trying to cover all their bases. You never want to go in like gangbusters without ruling out the simpler explanations first. With any luck, Cash is probably just hiding inside the house or out here somewhere.”
“And, if he's not,” I asked.
“They'll find him.” Charlie assured me.
“There it is. I didn't see Karen either. Hopefully, she's with her dad. Maybe, Cash is with them. I hope that's it.” I took off sprinting toward the tiny cottage.
I didn't have to knock on the door. Scooter met me on the small porch. His tear stained face told me that he was just as despondent as I was. “Did they find him? Is he okay?”
I shook my head, disappointment sinking in. “No, not yet, but they will.”
Scooter eyes met Charlie's. “Are you with the police?” He asked.
“No, I'm a friend of Mercy's. I'm here for moral support.” Charlie explained.
“Good. That's good. What do we do now? What if something horrible has happened to him?” Scooter worried.
I peeked inside his house. “Is Karen here with you?”
“No, she hasn't come into work yet today. I called her and told her what happened here. It's probably better if she just stays home. There's no reason for her to work today.” Scooter explained.
“You're probably right,” I mused.
“But, Mr. Rich isn't going to like this – I telephoned Nate and Monica to tell th
em that Cash was missing.” Scooter informed us.
Just then, we heard the sounds of an argument taking place. Looking at each other, we all made the silent decision to investigate.
When we reached the front side of the manor, a small crowd of people were standing in front of it, police officers were struggling to pull them from each other. In the center, stood Nathaniel with a woman wearing a feathered boa around her neck, clinging to his tie.
“What did you do, Nathaniel,” she screamed.
Chapter Ten
“Does Cash know where his father lives?” I asked Scooter.
His eyes lit up. “Yes, I think he does. We've driven by before and he's mentioned it. Why? Do you think that's where he went?”
“I'd be willing to bet on it.” I looked at Charlie. “Can we take your car?”
He sighed. I think he wanted to argue with me about it, but changed his mind. He had to know that my idea had some merit.
“Let's go now,” I said, taking Scooter by the arm. “You have to come with us and show us where he lives.”
Scooter started stammering. “Wait, I don't think this is a good idea. Shouldn't we tell the police? Don't you think they'd want to know?”
Charlie explained. “I'm sure they've already considered it. If the intention is to find him before they do, then, we should move fast.” He looked at me. “Is that your intention?”
I looked at the chaotic scene that police were still struggling to quiet down and said, “Yes, we have to go now.”
Scooter pulled his arm from mine. “I can't do this. I'll lose my job.”
“Don't you want to find him? Why are you fighting me on this? I thought you cared about him.” I didn't understand why he resisted.
“I do, but this is my job, my home. We should inform the police and let them handle this.” Scooter took a couple of steps back, moving closer to the mayhem.
Charlie urged me, “We can stand here and debate this or go now. What do you want to do, Mercy?”
I couldn't stand and wait around for Scooter. I didn't want to believe that he was trying to sabotage my efforts, but it sure did feel that way. Why would he be so resistant all of a sudden? I was under the impression that he truly cared for Cash. Was I wrong?
When we were safely off the grounds, Charlie asked, “What do you think that was all about? Is Nathaniel the kind of guy who would fire someone for trying to help find his one and only grandson? Would he? We don't have the ultra rich types back home, but you can't tell me that they are any different than the rest of us. I mean, somewhere underneath their wads of cash, they had to have hearts.”
I was beginning to doubt that. I remained quiet while he drove. Charlie called in a favor with a local, state patrol captain, he'd met during his meetings and asked for an address for Nate Rich. I was surprised to learn that it wasn't that far from where Nathaniel lived. From what I'd heard, I'd envisioned that he lived in a rundown tenement in a seedy part of town, neither of which truly existed in Lake Villa, but if they had, that's what I would have been willing to bet money on that he lived in.
“Here we are. How do you want to do this?” Charlie asked as we pulled up across the street from the modest bi-level home with a well-kept yard.
“I don't know.” I stared at the house, unsure of how to proceed.
“I could go knock on the door,” Charlie offered.
“No, don't do that,” I said quickly. “You look like a cop. What if he takes off running with him?” I'd seen movies where that exact thing happened every time a cop knocked on someone's door.
“Why would he run? And, what do you mean I look like a cop?” Charlie asked.
“Charlie, not now, please.” I sighed. “I'll do it. I'll go to the door. Cash knows me. I don't want him to be scared.”
“What if he has a gun?” Charlie asked. I hadn't considered that.
“Why would he?” I asked.
“What if he had something to do with the accountant's murder?” Charlie asked.
I hadn't thought that far. Could Cash's father be the murderer?
Chapter Eleven
“He is still my son,” Nate said.
Charlie sat down in the chair opposite him. “We understand that, sir. Believe me, I have a child myself. I know how difficult it is to believe your child is in danger and not know how to help them.”
Nate stood up, glaring at Charlie. “That's not what this is. My father is a lot of things, but he's not a murderer and, while we're on the subject, neither am I.”
I swallowed hard. This wasn't supposed to be part of the plan. I didn't have an actual plan, but if I had, this wouldn't have been how it would have taken place. I didn't mean for Nate to have been looked at as a murderer. While I had my own assumptions about the kind of man or father he was, that didn't automatically make him a murderer. What motivation would he have had? I still hadn't figured that out.
I said finally, “I don't think you're a murderer. I think you are someone that Cash loves very much and misses all the time. I don't know what happened between you and your father. I don't have to know. My job is to take care of a very sick little boy. He needs his medicine. I just want to see him, please.”
Nate put his head in his hands and called out to his son. “Cash, come down here, please, son.”
I held my breath as I waited. I hoped that Cash was fine. He bounced into the room, holding a little girl's hand. “I have a sister, Mercy.” He beamed with pride as he showed her to me. “Her name is Bentley.”
My heart skipped a beat. The little girl looked so much like him. “Hi, Bentley.” I said. She scurried off back up the stairs.
“What are you doing here?” Cash asked, taking up residence between me and Charlie.
“I came to see you.” I said. “How did you get here? Everyone misses you.”
He shrugged, hanging his head. “I don't want to get her in trouble.”
“Who?” I asked.
Nate cleared his throat. “No one. You've seen him. He's fine. Tell my father that I'll take him home in a few days, after all the commotion has died down.”
Charlie said, “I'm afraid, that's not how this works. We have to inform the police. They're looking for him.”
“I can stay here with my dad?” Cash was so excited to hear that.
I answered. “I don't know. That's not up to me.” I looked at Charlie for guidance. I couldn't bring myself to break Cash's heart.
“Cash, go see where your sister went.” Nate ordered him.
I wanted to hold onto Cash and not let him out of my sight, but it wasn't my place to do that. Everything I thought I believed about his father didn't seem to be true. He lived in a nice home, obviously had a family, and loved his son. How could I think badly of him?
“How did Cash get here,” I asked.
Lucilla stepped down the stairs with a young woman. “I brought him here.”
“What? How? I thought you said that he was in his room?” I asked her. “What are you doing here?”
The young woman looked at Lucilla, fear in her eyes. “He was, but that was only to get some clothes, so he could stay here with us for a little while.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
“I'm Jasmine, Lucilla's daughter. Nate is my husband.” She answered.
My jaw dropped.
Chapter Twelve
Nathaniel screamed, “How could you have kept this from me? After all I've done for you, all the money I've given you, all of the time I've invested in you to make you someone of my stature and this is how you repay me?”
Even though, Lucilla had been way out of line, I couldn't help but be on her side. Nathaniel was a pompous jerk and she didn't deserve to be spoken to in that manner.
Zoey stepped in between Lucilla and Nathaniel before she slapped him. “That's enough. Mr. Rich, your grandson is fine. He is standing right here and, like it or not, his father does still have rights.”
Nathaniel gasped.
“That's right. I may be just a low
ly female to you, but I do my job. I checked you and all of your sorted affairs out. Seems to me that you have a habit of getting rid of people when they no longer suit you, except you neglected to do what needed to be done when it came to your own flesh and blood.” Zoey sneered at him. This had been a long time coming.
“You don't know what you're talking about, little miss,” Nathaniel said.
“I'm afraid I do.” She pulled a form out of her back pocket. “You see these papers here. They very clearly state that Nate is still legally Cash's father. Unless you know something I don't know, you have no legal right to your grandson. I don't know how this mess started, but Cash doesn't have to live with you, if he doesn't want to.”