Texas Baby Pursuit

by Margaret Daley

  Dallas entered and called out, “Taylor.”

  He appeared from the back. “When will people learn that simply deleting a file doesn’t get rid of it? I have IP addresses where some of the footage was sent.”

  “More than one place?”

  “Yes. We’ll have to check them all out.”

  “It’s going to be a long day.”

  Taylor passed him a list with the places used over the past week—a library, a coffee shop, a restaurant and other public places. “I’ll take the top half. You take the bottom half. The only thing we can do is show the female kidnapper’s photo and see if anyone recognizes her.”

  Dallas’s gaze latched onto the name of the Lone Star Tavern. That might be why Lynn Davis had recognized the photo, but why did they kill her? What else did she know? “Let’s canvass the shopping center again, starting with Baby and Things. I’m still not convinced Steve Tucker isn’t in the middle of this, although what you’ve found out so far doesn’t send up a red flag. Also, Rachel reminded me that Jan Thomas, the cashier, thought she’d seen the woman somewhere other than the store.”

  “Like Lynn Davis. We need to be careful.” Taylor was the last to leave the accountant’s office. He locked it up before heading across the parking lot to Baby and Things.

  “I think we should put a tail on her. Either she leads us to the woman or we have an officer there to protect her if someone comes after her. I don’t want to question her in front of Steve Tucker. I’ll talk to him while you question Jan Thomas. Caution her about mentioning the conversation to anyone else.”

  When Dallas stepped into the store, Carrie Zoeller and Betty Biden stared at him as he headed toward the rear where the owner’s office was. He nodded at Jan and kept going while Taylor stayed behind to interview the woman again. As Dallas neared the closed door to Tucker’s office, raised voices on the other side stopped him from knocking.

  “The deal is off,” a familiar deep, gruff voice said.

  “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Tucker replied.

  Dallas leaned his shoulder against the wall and waited for Tucker’s visitor to leave.

  “I don’t know how to fix this. The press coverage hasn’t been good for you.”

  Was that Richard Snapp, Tucker’s lawyer? It sounded like him. Dallas thought of interrupting them, but he decided to see if he would hear anything that might help the case.

  “This will put me back big-time. I’ve invested a lot of money in this.”

  “Me, too. Remember that,” Snapp said to Tucker.

  The door suddenly opened, and the lawyer strode out of the office, surprised at Dallas’s appearance in the hallway. Snapp started to skirt around him, but Dallas stepped into his path. “I’m here to talk to Steve Tucker.”

  “Fine. I don’t want to have anything to do with the kidnapping case.” Snapp looked at his client. “I suggest you call a criminal lawyer, Steve.”

  “But I haven’t done anything wrong.” As Tucker watched his attorney leave, his eyes narrowed. “I guess it’s a good thing he isn’t handling my store expansion anymore.” He shook his head. “It was his idea and things were going well—until now.”

  Dallas followed the man into his office and closed the door. “If we can close this case and clear your name, it might get better in time.”

  “That doesn’t help me right now. As you could see when you came in, this store that’s been doing well for years hasn’t had a customer in the past day since the story hit the news. It doesn’t help that reporters have been here this morning. I gave them a statement, but a few are still lingering, probably because of you coming in here.” Tucker eased into his chair, his shoulders hunching forward. “In less than a week, I’m ruined.”

  “Now that we know the video feed was going to the accounting office across the lot, I’d like to know if you ever saw anyone going into or out of that place.”

  “I wish I could point you to the person who did this to me, but—” The shop owner stared into space for a moment. “Actually, I did one night when I stayed longer than usual. I was at the front of the store checking inventory when a woman came out. But it was dusk and her face was turned away from me. All I could see was long dark hair and big sunglasses. I thought that was weird since the sun had set. I usually go in and out by the back door, so that was the only time I can remember anyone at the accounting place, but it hasn’t been here that long and it isn’t tax season.”

  “Do you have any idea when you first remember seeing the digital clock on the back counter or the picture frame?”

  Tucker hung his head. “Believe me, I would tell you if I remembered. I’ve been so busy with the details of the new stores in Houston and San Antonio that I haven’t paid that much attention to the day-to-day activities here. Betty Biden and Jan Thomas might know.”

  Dallas put his hand on the knob to leave, glanced back and felt sorry for the man. Was he another victim of this kidnapping ring? He left the office and returned to the main store floor. Taylor was still talking to Betty at the front. Dallas decided to go ahead and interview Jan. They still had a lot of places to visit.

  “Sheriff Young wanted me to talk to you again. She said you thought you had seen this woman before.” Dallas showed her the two illustrations of the female kidnapper. “We think she has dark brown hair but sometimes wears a blond wig. Do you remember where you might have seen her?”

  “I’ve been trying. If I remember, I’ll let you or Sheriff Young know. Please tell her I’m so sorry to hear about her daughter. I’ve been praying for them.”

  “I’ll tell her.”

  He was turning to leave when Jan said, “Wait. I think I remember, but it was just a glimpse of her curly blond hair and sunglasses. It might not even be the same woman. She drove into this shopping center and pulled in behind the stores on the other side. I was leaving for lunch.”

  “When?”

  “This Monday.”

  Before the kidnapping of Brady. “Thanks, Jan.” Dallas joined Taylor as he wrapped up his conversation with Betty. “Anything from her?”

  “No.”

  “Let’s canvass the rest of the shops, then I need to go to the Lone Star Tavern.”

  “And I’ll keep following the money trail.”

  Dallas left Baby and Things. Would that be enough and in time to save Katie? To get Brady before he disappeared, possibly in another country? He was running out of clues to investigate. Lord, please help us. How do I face Rachel without one shred of information to pursue?

  * * *

  Rachel stared at the papers strewn all over the games table in the den. She’d gone through them a second time and nothing. What was she missing? She stared at the map of Texas showing where the kidnappings they thought were connected took place. First in El Paso, then a couple of months later another cluster in north Dallas and finally, only a month later, in the San Antonio area, her attention riveted on the pins indicating Safe Haven Ranch and Dallas’s sister’s house. The only two kidnappings close to each other. The others were spread out, especially in El Paso.

  A hand clamped her shoulder and kneaded the tight muscles. “Take a break, honey.” Her dad took the seat next to her.

  “I can’t. I can rest when Katie comes home.”

  “But after a while it all becomes jumbled. Everything stops making sense. Believe me, honey, I’ve been there.”

  “Did you solve the case?”

  “Yes, when your mother dragged me home. I’d been up for sixty hours straight. I took a good nap and then went back to the station with a clearer head. By the next day we had the murderer in custody. I have some good news. I just got a call that Rob is alert. He’s still in critical condition but doing better.”

  She needed to let Dallas know about Rob. He’d want to talk to him. She couldn’t see Rob doing that to the family, but she agreed he needed to be ruled
out. “Dad, I think there’s more to this than just the nine kidnappings we’ve seen. What if the ring is using several means to acquire babies and then sell them?”

  “Like taking newborns, especially from women who don’t want them but will take the money for their baby?”

  “Or kidnapping young pregnant girls, then taking their baby, then either paying them off or killing them.”

  “I agree. We might only be looking at part of this baby-kidnapping ring. Sadly, it’s going on worldwide.”

  Through the tears in her eyes, she stared again at the map. “Unless we find Katie, she isn’t coming home, even if I do everything they say. Killing her means they would lose money. I’m putting on my uniform and going to town. First, I’m paying Rob a visit, and then I’ll be at the station. Dallas and I think there’s a mole, feeding the kidnapping ring information about the investigation.”

  His eyes grew wide. “The house was bugged. They could have found out that way.”

  “Yes, but it wouldn’t have been easy to do unless someone was on the payroll.”

  “Are y’all considering Rob?”

  She nodded slowly.

  “Do what you need to do. I wish I could come, but I have to be here for your mom and Michelle.”

  “Is Michelle up? I haven’t seen her since I came in here.”

  “Yes. She ate some breakfast and then went back upstairs.”

  “Did she say anything?”

  “No. And I’m worried about her.”

  “I’ll talk to her before I leave.” She leaned close and gave her father a hug, then rose and left the den.

  Ten minutes later, Rachel walked from her room, passing the open door of Katie’s. She went inside and hovered over the empty baby bed with her daughter’s favorite stuffed animal and blanket. She picked up the lion and rubbed its soft fur against her cheek, Katie’s baby scent wafting to her nose.

  “I’ll find you, Katie. I promise.” Lord, Dallas said You can do anything. Please bring my daughter home safely to me. Please!

  As much as she wished she could stand here holding Katie’s things, she needed to do her job. She put the items back in Katie’s baby crib and turned to leave.

  Michelle stood in the doorway, her eyes red, her cheeks wet with tears. “I couldn’t stop them this time, either.”

  Rachel quickly closed the space between them, clasped Michelle’s upper arms and pulled the teen close. “It’s not your fault. You would have ended up hurt again.” Or worse.

  “I saw her come in and tried to grab Katie, but I fell. The room was spinning so much. I wanted to get up, but I couldn’t.” Michelle leaned back and looked Rachel in the eye. “I don’t remember anything after that.”

  “Was it the same woman who took Brady?” Rachel asked.

  “I don’t know. All I remember is blond hair.” Tears returned to the teen’s eyes. “I couldn’t protect Brady or Katie.”

  Rachel knew exactly how Michelle felt. She’d been saying the same thing since Katie was taken. If she hadn’t been the sheriff investigating this case, her daughter would be safe. “We are not at fault, Michelle. It’s the people who took them.” She framed the teen’s face and looked straight into her glistening eyes, her own tears barely held back. “Not us. We have to stop blaming ourselves.” She remembered what Dallas had done with Michelle the other night that seemed to calm her. Maybe it would work now. “I have a lead. I’m leaving to follow it. Will you pray with me for both Katie and Brady before I go?”

  “Yes! Dad says sometimes that is all we can do. And I’ll continue when you leave.”

  Michelle bowed her head. Rachel took the teen’s hands and did the same. As Rachel sent up a prayer to find Katie, Brady and Chris, the words washed through her, bringing a calm she hadn’t felt since this case began.

  * * *

  Dallas entered the Lone Star Tavern at the end of the lunch rush and took a table against the wall facing the front entrance. He made a slow survey of the place and the people in it.

  “Can I help you?” a woman in her forties asked him.

  He briefly scanned the menu and said, “A hamburger and sweet tea, please.”

  “Fries or onion rings?”

  “Onion rings.” When she started to leave, Dallas asked, “I’m on a tight schedule. Will it be long?”

  “Nope. About fifteen minutes. I’ll bring your tea right away.”

  When the waitress left, he counted the number of employees—six. He needed to talk to each one. When the woman came back with his drink, he asked, “My name’s Dallas, and I’m a Texas Ranger. I’m here on official duty.” He flashed her his badge.

  Her forehead wrinkled. “What? Is this about Lynn Davis?”

  “Yes.” He took out the illustration of both versions of the female kidnapper. “Have you seen a woman like her in here?”

  She glanced at the one with blond hair but quickly moved to the brown-haired woman. She tapped the second drawing. “I’ve seen her a couple of times. I even waited on her last Friday.”

  “Was she alone?”

  “Not last Friday. She was with a man.”

  Dallas pulled out his cell phone and found the photo of Jamie Johnson, her kidnapping partner. “Is this the man?”

  “No, the guy was older with dark brown hair.”

  “Could you describe the man to a forensics artist?”

  “Maybe, but you might be able to find it on the surveillance footage the tavern has.”

  “You keep your footage for a week?”

  “We keep it up to a month. There was a fight in here last year. One of the participants sued the tavern. The footage was used to prove the staff did nothing wrong.”

  Dallas stood. “Where’s the manager?”

  “He’s in his office.” The waitress pointed in the direction of a hallway.

  “What time do you estimate the woman was here last Friday with the man?”

  “Lunchtime, about twelve thirty.”

  “Thanks. Box up my food, and I’ll take it with me. I’ll be in the manager’s office.” Dallas made his way down the short hallway and knocked on the door.

  Dallas stepped into the office, showed the man his credentials and quickly explained why he was there. “Time is of the essence.”

  “Sure. I’m Timothy White.” Standing, he shook hands with Dallas. “I’ll help in any way I can. I’ve seen the stories about the baby kidnappings. I’m a father and it sends terror through me to think anything ever happening to my little girl.” The manager turned to his computer and tapped a few keys. “What time and day?”

  Dallas told him as he took a seat in front of the guy’s desk.

  Mr. White turned the monitor so Dallas could see the footage as they went through it in double time.

  “Stop,” Dallas said when he thought he saw the woman in question.

  The tavern manager slowed the footage to regular speed.

  “That’s the couple. Can you zoom in? I need to do a screen capture of them.”

  “I can do that. I can print it out and send it to your phone.”

  “Great.” Dallas stared at the man. He knew him, but not the name of the woman. “Do you know either one of them?”

  “No, I’m usually in my office during the lunch shift. We’re more crowded at night and that’s when I’m out front. But you can ask the staff if they know.”

  Dallas took the photo from Mr. White, thanked him and left. The man wasn’t necessarily associated with the kidnapping ring. It could be a coincidence. Or not. He needed the woman’s identity to figure out who was behind the abductions. As he returned to the main part of the tavern, hope rose in him for the first time in days.

  * * *

  Rachel nodded at Deputy Carson standing guard outside Rob’s hospital room. When she entered, she found the nurse checking Rob’s IV. When she wa
s finished, she left them alone. Rachel drew in a deep, calming breath and approached a man she’d known for years. Surely, he wasn’t the one who’d betrayed her family.

  She moved to the right side of the bed, forcing a smile to her face. “How are you doing?”

  Rob’s pasty complexion whitened even more. “Feeling dazed. I’m not even sure what happened.”

  “Your doctor said you might have died if Dallas and I hadn’t gotten to the house when we did.”

  His dull gray eyes widened. “I remember eating and drinking tea, but nothing after that.”

  Which was what her parents and Michelle had basically said, but Rob’s gaze slid away from hers. He stared at the foot of the bed. “What time was dinner?”

  He shrugged one shoulder. “The usual.” His body language screamed that something was wrong. Rob fisted the white sheet in his hands.

  “I don’t know if anyone told you, but Katie was kidnapped last night.”

  His head dropped forward. “What?”

  “That’s what I was going to ask you about. We found you and Dad in the den and Mom and Michelle in the kitchen—everyone groggy or passed out.”

  “What do they remember?”

  Rather than reveal too much, she decided to conduct this interview as though Rob knew something. “The sweet tea was spiked with roofies, but you were also given an opiate injection intended to kill you. Why you and not the others? Do you have any idea how the kidnappers got into the house? When y’all were at the barn, the alarm system was on. After returning from there, everyone sat down for dinner. The door beeps when it’s opened. That would have alerted y’all that someone was entering the house.”

  He swung his gaze toward her.

  She glared at him. “Do you have any theories on how and when the kidnappers got inside the house?”

  His attention returned to the foot of the bed as he twisted the sheet in his hands.