by Darla Jones
The boys took a few seconds and in unison they both replied, “Behind the ride.” They were both certain.
Once in her apartment, the kids put on a DVD and were soon absorbed in a dog movie in Matt’s room. She and Jeff sat at the kitchen table, their chairs close together so they could talk without being overheard. Worried, she grabbed his hand, “Do you think this is connected with everything else going on around here?” She finally got a chance to ask the question weighing on her mind.
He shrugged his shoulders, his expression grim. “I don’t know, but I can tell you he wasn’t taking them to the parking lot. The ride is at the edge of the park, and he was trying to get them out of the park.”
“Oh God, at least they had enough sense to get away from him.” A wave of nausea churned in her stomach. “So you think this has nothing to do with the other?”
“I’m not sure, but I’m really sorry.” He slipped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. “I blame myself for all this. I sat right there watching the ride, and when I didn’t see them get off when it stopped the first time, I assumed they stayed on for another ride. It wasn’t until it stopped for the second time I went to look for them.”
She leaned forward to give him a hug and intended to make it a quick squeeze, but instead he wrapped both arms around her and held her for a good long time. When he released her from his arms, he shook his head, “I really could kick myself for being so careless.”
“No,” she objected. “The important thing is the boys knew enough to get away. They say abductions can happen in a matter of seconds.” She tried her best to convince him it was not his fault.
He didn’t look convinced. “Thank God, the boys knew enough to get away. I will notify Captain Anderson at our police department. There’s nothing he can do now, but he should be aware of the near abduction.”
“Something else strange happened this morning.” Now the newspaper incident could be important. “A man handed Cassie the newspaper at our door. He called her by name and told her what a pretty girl she was, but Cassie didn’t know him.”
Jeff leaped to his feet, paced, and then turned back to her. “What? Did you know him?”
“I didn’t see him, but he wasn’t our regular paper carrier.”
Still pacing, he scratched at his cheek, deep in thought. He was quiet for a time before he came to a stop. “LynAnn, I wouldn’t blame you for being frightened. Too many unexplained incidences have been occurring around here. Would you and the kids please stay at my house tonight?”
She considered his offer. The last time he offered, after her apartment was ransacked, Stu was upstairs, but now he was gone. She didn’t want him to think she was one of those women who were afraid of their own shadow, but she was frightened. Whoever stole her computer was able to open the locked door and someone had picked the lock at Dr. Wilson’s office. Now she wondered if the new lock or any lock would keep him out. Would the man come back for the boys? How did the man with the newspaper know Cassie’s name? Then there was also the problem of Jeff and spending the night at his house, which could prove dangerous in another way.
As if reading her mind, he winked. “I’ll be good. I promise. I don’t like the idea of you and your children being here alone.”
She consented. “I don’t want you to think I’m one of those fainthearted women, but I would feel better knowing you were with us. Seems like I’m always leaning on you, Jeff. I really don’t want to impose on you.”
He made light of the matter. “I know you’re a tough woman. I’ve already done battle with you, remember?” He gathered her into his arms. “Don’t forget I’m involved in this, too. My son was with him the same as Matt.”
LynAnn packed a bag while the children watched the rest of the video. Then in her Subaru, she and her children followed Jeff’s Buick to his home.
When they reached Arlington Heights, they passed one huge, modern house after another. He pulled into a long driveway, and she was amazed when she saw his home. Even in the dark, the large well-lit house rambled with roofs sloping at different angles. He drove into one of the spaces of the three-car garage and she parked her car in front of another garage door.
“You live in a big house, and it’s beautiful.”
“Too big.” He collected their bags.
Jeff led them through the garage to a security panel hung by the door where he punched in some numbers. The word DISARMED flashed. Once inside the door he armed the system again. They entered the kitchen, and she marveled at its size. He flicked on lights as he led them through the den and sunken living room and up the curved stairway to the bedrooms. Once upstairs, he pointed to an open doorway. “That’s my room if you get lonely tonight.” He squeezed her body to his side and winked.
“I’ll be fine,” she assured him with a confidence she didn’t feel. At the moment she didn’t know if she was more concerned about the problems they’d been having or Jeff in a nearby bedroom. They got Cassie settled in another bedroom and Matt went with Jon to his room.
He opened another door, sat down her bag, waved his arm and executed a deep bow. “Thees is for you, mademoiselle,” he mimicked a French bellhop.
Glad she had taken him up on his offer, she gave a lighthearted laugh. The room looked comfortable with beige walls, and a queen sized bed covered with a pale yellow duvet. An opened door led to an adjoining bath. But it was fairly early and she wasn’t ready for sleep.
“I’m going downstairs to make some calls. You can come with me if you like.”
She nodded.
Back downstairs, he got her a soda from the kitchen and settled her on a soft leather sofa in the den. Taking in the contemporary furnishings, she spoke wistfully. “We used to have a beautiful house, not as large as this, but it was beautiful.”
“Any place you are is beautiful. Was it in Philipsburg?”
She managed a faint nod and changed the subject. “You’d better make your calls.”
He agreed and went to his office. When he returned, the frown on his face told her he hadn’t done well with the police. He settled himself beside her. “I had to leave a message for Captain Anderson.” Wrapping his arms around her, he expelled a deep sigh, and ran his fingers through her long hair. His eyes darkened to sapphire as they soaked in every feature of her face and finally came to rest on her lips. She realized his kiss was coming, but couldn’t pull away. She wanted to feel his lips. She wanted to feel his body. At first, he kissed her slowly and tenderly as though she might crumble. Then his kiss deepened, and she gave a muffled moan when his tongue invaded her mouth. His kiss was filled with a raw passion rocking her very being. And much to her surprise, she found herself responding. When the kiss finally ended, they were both breathless. “I’ve wanted to kiss you all day,” he whispered softly.
LynAnn hated to admit it, but she wanted it too. She wanted to stroke his cheek, to run her hands over his strong biceps, to kiss him again, but she was afraid. She decided if she showed any reciprocation at all, she’d be in his bed in record time. Instead she said, “Please hold me for a while, Jeff.”
And he did.
Much later, they walked up the stairs together, checked on the children, and he left her at her bedroom door. He pressed a little peck on her cheek. “I’m right down the hall if you need held again.”
She smiled shyly. “Goodnight, sweet man.”
****
Jeff went to his room but not directly to bed. He opened the hidden safe in his closet and got out his Ruger revolver and shells. He put the gun in the drawer of his nightstand and the box of shells under his bed within reach. He didn’t know what was going on, but he didn’t like it. It didn’t make sense why someone would try to abduct two wiry boys. One belligerent boy was enough for anyone to handle. Why would someone want to abduct two? He couldn’t explain the man with the newspaper either, but he intended to look into it.
Chapter 12
Getting everyone fed in the morning bordered on mass confusion. While
they tried to eat, the boys raced their cars across the large oak kitchen table. “Here, boys, use these Cheerios like tires for a crash barrier for your cars. See, like this.” Jeff dumped some cereal on the table and began laying the tires out to form an oval track.
“Wow.” Jon was awestruck.
“This is great.” Matt hurriedly helped with the tires and then zipped a car at them. Round oat tires flew in all directions.
“Simply genius.” LynAnn spoke sarcastically and rolled her eyes.
Jeff gave her a sheepish grin. “Thank you. I’m happy you appreciate my resourcefulness.”
“I know three six-year-old boys when I see them.” Her eyes turned upward again.
He chortled.
When Maria, Jeff’s housekeeper arrived for the day, she blinked and did a double take at the group gathered in the kitchen. “Good morning, Maria,” Jeff greeted her with a smile. Puzzled, the young woman considered the group again. Of Mexican descent, she had dark hair and eyes with tawny brown skin. “Come and meet the troops.” He made introductions all around, and Maria took a special interest in Cassie. Not only did she have her tiara on today, the little blonde also wore her favorite pink princess dress with a crown on the bodice. “We had a little problem at Kennywood yesterday. A man became much too friendly with the boys and tried to lure them from the park.” He tried to make light of the incident in front of the children. “Don’t take your eyes off Jon today. Be very careful.”
Frightened by what she heard, Maria’s hand shook as she crossed her heart. “I will be very careful, Jeff. Don’t worry. No one will get near him.”
“Stick around the house, and if you need to go to the store, take Jon to my parents.’” Jeff retrieved his jacket from the back of his chair, brushed off a few tires, and slipped it on. Transformed into the handsome professional man once more, he looked prepared to take on his difficult responsibilities for the county.
“I hope the man did okay with your computer yesterday.” Maria casually brought up the subject as she carried cereal bowls to the sink.
Thumbing through a file in his briefcase, Jeff’s motions halted, and his brows knitted. His housekeeper held his full attention. “What man about my computer?”
Maria turned from the sink. “The man Ryan sent to do somethin’ to your computer. He said you knew he was comin’. Somethin’ ’bout a new program.”
“Ryan didn’t say anything to me. Did the man give you his name?”
“No. I don’t think so. He said Ryan sent him.” Anxious about being questioned, Maria hugged her arms across her chest.
With his lips drawn tightly together, Jeff started dialing on his cell as he headed to his office in the back of his big house.
LynAnn scrambled from the table and trailed close behind at his heels. “Jeff, what is it?”
He waved her off as he spoke on the phone and walked at the same time. Apparently his call was to his computer geek, Ryan. After a few “Uh hums,” he disconnected the call and swore under his breath.
“I can…” LynAnn tried to speak.
Jeff put his fingers to his lips signaling for her to be quiet. He reached for a scrap of paper and hastily wrote House may be bugged. I’ll check my surveillance video, then we’ll go outside and talk.
LynAnn wanted to scream, but instead she clamped her hand over her mouth and squeezed her eyes shut. When was this madness going to end? Now someone was looking for something on Jeff’s computer.
He dropped into his leather chair at his desk and seeing her distress, pulled her onto his lap and planted a kiss on her forehead. He fired up his computer and opened the surveillance video icon. Different views of his house appeared but the one labeled FRONT ENTRANCE was blank. A muffled grumble rose from his chest. After more searching, he shut off the computer and motioned her outside.
By the time they got out the back door and onto the porch, words poured from her mouth. “Ryan did not send anyone, but someone stole files from your computer and now your home is bugged. So you tell me Jeff, is this person after you or me?”
He scowled and gave his head a frustrated shake. “I’m sure he went through my files and probably downloaded some on a flash drive, but he won’t find anything useful. All my work files are on my laptop. He also erased the video aimed at the front door and shut it off. It’s possible the house is wired up though. Before we come back this evening, I’m going to ask Ryan to come help me search around for microphones.”
Nerves rattled, she couldn’t believe what she heard. “It will take hours to go through this big house.”
“No, not really. We’ll check the most likely rooms. Only downstairs and my bedroom.”
“Your bedroom?” She didn’t understand.
His brows shot upward. “Whoever is doing this must know you’re here with me and according to my infamous reputation”—his mouth pulled downward at his own description of himself—“we spent the night in my bed and after unbelievable sex, we pillow talked.”
“Oooh.” She expelled a loud groan while her cheeks reddened. “Then they must not know my reputation at all.”
He expelled a low snort. “They haven’t a clue.”
Maria found them on the porch. Her arms were crossed over her chest again and when she spoke her voice was shrill. “Jeff, did I do wrong?”
He draped his arm over her back and squeezed her to his side. “No, Maria. There’s no way you could have known. I’m sorry, but we’ll have to change our plans for today. I’m going to take Jon to my parents, and I want you to go home until I check out what’s going on here. I’ll pay you for your troubles, of course.”
Her fears allayed, Maria breathed a sigh of relief as she went back to the kitchen to join the children.
It was getting late, and LynAnn rounded up her kids to leave. Once they were settled in her car, Jeff nudged her a little distance away. “Tell them to be very careful at the daycare. I’ll talk with the police today.” He gave her a peck on the lips. “You be careful too, sweetheart.”
“I will.” She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her body to his, wanting to draw from his strength. “Jeff, you didn’t answer my question. Who is this person after, me or you?”
“It looks like both of us.” He frowned and squeezed her to his side.
She got into her Subaru, and the kids waved as they drove off.
****
“Sorry, I’m late.” LynAnn breezed past Paulette at her desk.
“Abby Southern is in Room One.” Crack, Paulette’s gum clicked.
LynAnn knew Abby both from church and also the chemo lab at the hospital. She liked the woman and her husband, Don, who was with her. At fifty years old, Abby was dying from pancreatic cancer.
After greeting the pair, LynAnn checked her vitals. “Is your pain under control?” The ill woman was very thin and weak. She wore a blue scarf around her head to hide her thinning hair. Yet there was a sparkle in her light blue eyes, I’m still here. I’m alive and living, they said.
“Yes. The hospice nurses who visit me at home see to it.”
When she motioned her to the scales, Abby refused. “I know I’ve lost weight, but I don’t need to know how much.”
LynAnn agreed it wasn’t necessary. Besides it looked as though making the trip to the doctor’s office had exhausted her.
While she worked, Abby noticed the opal Jeff had given her hanging from the chain around her neck. “Oh, what a beautiful opal. I love them.” Her bony fingers grasped the stone, and she examined it closely. Then she fished along the neckline of her own blouse and produced a tiny opal ring she wore on a chain around her neck. “My mother gave this to me when I was a little girl. It’s my birthstone and my prized possession.”
“Oh, it is so adorable.” LynAnn laid the tiny ring on the end of her finger and admired it. “My aunt promised to give me her opal ring, but she’s in a nursing home now, and I haven’t seen it for a long time. It’s lost, I’m afraid.”
“Oh, what a shame,” Abby g
roaned.
She placed her hand over Abby’s thin one when she’d finished her examination. “I wish I could help you, Abby.” She felt helpless. Caring for a dying patient was one of the toughest jobs in nursing. There was nothing she could do for the woman.
The fragile woman nodded. “I know you’re doing all you can, LynAnn. Don’t fret about me.” She gave her hand a weak squeeze. “I’ve made my peace with God, and I accept my fate.” She looked up at her husband, and he too nodded as if he had accepted her fate, but he was also near to tears. With a sad heart, LynAnn had to move on to her next patient. But later when Dr. Wilson came out of Abby’s exam room, he looked as depressed as she.
****
Jeff was late getting to his office, and Andrea gave him his usual welcome.
“You have a hearing at eleven,” she reminded him.
“Thank you. I remember. By the way, LynAnn raved about the diamond ring you gave Judith. It must have set you back a few hard earned bucks. I might get one for her. Did you get it at the mall?”
“Yes…Well…uh…Sometimes I have to spoil my only child.” At the mention of the ring, Andrea’s disposition changed. Her eyes nervously darted around the room and finally rested them on her desktop. “I’ll get you some coffee.” She turned and swiftly trotted to the door without making further eye contact with him.
By her reaction about the ring, he was almost certain she had somehow broke into the safe at the police department, but proving it would be next to impossible.
Jeff went into his office, sat at his desk, and started his computer. Bringing up his link to the courthouse death records, he typed in Todd Johnson’s name.
The words jumped out of the screen at him.
Cause of Death: Suicide. Self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Oh God…poor LynAnn. His stomach whirled. He distinctly remembered her telling him at the cabin her husband died in a car accident.