“You need to relax, or you’ll make people suspect something’s wrong.”
“Something is wrong.”
“You’re worried, and I am, too. But I’d think the circumstances warrant you to act more like a cop and less like a dad.”
She was right. He couldn’t go bursting into the gym and interrogate everyone—especially Franny. If he did, he’d certainly raise suspicion, something that had the potential to waste valuable time.
He took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’m going a little nuts right now and need to set my mind at ease.”
“Okay. Let’s go. Why don’t you deal with Franny while I make my own inquiries? We can cover the territory faster.”
“Such a smart lady. Are you sure you’re not the cop?”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help. Let’s go find her.”
Side by side they entered the gym, now crowded with teens.
Ashley pointed to the left. “Franny was by those tables when I saw her earlier.” She gave his fingers a squeeze before heading over to tables laden with trays of food.
Nick veered left and to a group of tables with bags. It only took a few minutes of scanning to pick out Franny. She wore a short form-fitting black dress that flared out at the bottom and was covered in feathers. Black feathered wings were attached in back and her dark hair fell in curls that framed her face. Fishnet stockings and high black boots finished off the outfit.
Fishnet stockings at a school function? Really?
The women with Franny whispered and pointed in his direction while fluffing up their hair. For a moment, Nick almost forgot he wasn’t the one in high school.
“Hey, Fran. Got a minute?”
She shrugged and pulled away from the cluster of women. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m helping chaperone. Have you seen Gina?”
“No. She asked me to drop her off in the front and disappeared by the time I parked and walked to the main entrance,” Franny said.
Nick’s heart skipped a beat. “You didn’t see her come into the school?”
“Well, of course she came in. I’m sure she’s here somewhere.” She peered over his shoulder and through the crowd.
“How about her boyfriend? I’d like to meet him,” Nick said.
And teach him a lesson or three.
“He was meeting her here, but I haven’t seen him either,” Franny said. “When I see her, I’ll tell her to text you.”
“What’s she dressed as?”
“A pirate.”
“Thanks. I need to get to my post. Talk to you later.”
Nick strode off, mentally cataloguing every student he passed, looking for a female pirate, frowning when he didn’t find her.
He caught up to Ashley. “Any signs of her? She’s dressed as a pirate.”
“Nothing. No one has seen her. I also can’t find Sean,” Ashley said.
Nick held up a finger as Damon’s voice came across the mic in his ear. Then he grabbed Ashley’s elbow and steered her toward the exit.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Lombardi and Rodriguez have been monitoring the bullying chat room and have a girl worth talking to.”
“Wow, Nick. This could be the break you need.”
“Let’s hope so.”
They hurried to the administrative offices and into a small conference room.
Damon approached them. “You’re not going to like this.” He turned to the table where a girl dressed in a pirate costume sat. “Becky, this is Detective DiFrancesco, Gina’s dad. Please share what you told us,” Damon said.
“I told her not to do it, but she wouldn’t listen,” Becky began, a fresh set of tears pooling in her eyes.
“Who, Becky?” Nick asked and pulled out a chair to get closer to her level.
“Gina.” Becky bit her lip. “Last week we found drugs in Dave’s backpack.”
“Did you say anything to him or tell anyone?” Nick asked.
She shook her head. “Dave is Gina’s boyfriend, and she wanted to give him a chance to explain and turn himself in.”
“Did she talk to him?” Nick said.
“Last night. They fought. Dave told her he was being pressured to sell them,” Becky said.
“And she believed him?” Damon said.
“She wanted to,” Becky said.
“Did you believe him?” Nick asked.
Becky shrugged. “I don’t know. Dave’s not a nice person. I wouldn’t put it past him to lie. And then there’s what happened tonight.”
Nick grasped the arm of the chair to stop himself from launching out of the chair. “What happened tonight?”
“We were in the bathroom fixing our hair when Gina got a text from Dave to meet her in the side parking lot,” Becky said. “I begged her not to go, but she didn’t listen.”
Nick clenched his jaw. “Did you go with her?”
“Not at first, but I got worried and went after her.”
“Did you hear or see anything?” Nick pressed.
Becky shook her head. “I couldn’t hear, but they were fighting. He was holding her, and she tried to get away. Then that kid arrived.”
The hairs on the back of Nick’s neck rose. “What kid?”
“Her half-brother,” Becky said.
Ashley gasped. “What? You mean Sean was there, too?”
“He came outside and tried to help her. He even swung a few punches, but Dave’s a senior and bigger than him.”
Nick kept his voice calm even though he wanted to shake Becky to finish the story. “What happened next, Becky?”
“They fought, but then Dave pulled out a knife and forced them into the back seat of a car.”
“Oh my God, Nick,” Ashley cried, digging her nails into his shoulder.
“I know, honey. It’s going to be okay.” Nick covered her hand with his. “How long ago, Becky?”
She looked at her phone. “About thirty minutes.” Tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry I didn’t stop her from meeting Dave. She’s my best friend. What if something happens to her?”
“We’re going to find them, Becky,” Damon said.
Nick went numb a moment. Both his kids were taken God only knew where. He pushed away the emotions to focus on doing the job. “What kind of car?”
“A black BMW SUV,” Becky said.
“She didn’t get the license plate,” Damon added.
“Were either of them hurt when they got into the car?” Nick asked.
“Sean was holding his arm, but I’m not sure why,” Becky said.
“What are you going to do, Nick?” Ashley asked.
He pulled her to her feet and met her tear-streaked face with determination. “I’m going to do my job and save our kids.”
****
Nick flipped his siren on and peeled out of the parking lot. He’d wanted to be on the road fifteen minutes ago but first strategized with his team to come up with a plan. Ashley was right, he needed to think like a cop and not a dad, although separating the two was becoming harder to do with each passing minute.
With police reinforcements at the school, no one could enter or exit. Dave’s two friends had been located and were being held in a classroom, while Becky was safe inside Rob’s office along with Ashley and Patty.
“The rest of the team we had on standby will meet us on the outskirts of the warehouses. ETA is in ten,” Damon said.
Without any options of where Dave would go, Nick headed to the warehouse Randy had told them about and where they’d seen signs of activity yesterday.
“Roger that.” Nick gripped the steering wheel so tight, he was surprised it didn’t snap off.
“Sean’s a level-headed kid. He won’t do anything stupid,” Damon said.
“Wish I could say the same for Gina,” Nick said.
“They’ll have no choice but to stick together.”
While somewhat relieved they weren’t alone, knowing the lives of two of his kids were in danger m
ade Nick sick. He’d seen what happened to Bennie. What if someone got an idea to blow up this warehouse while his kids were inside? Nick’s stomach lurched at the thought, and he floored the accelerator, pushing his piece-of-shit car to the maximum speed.
He flipped off the siren right before he screeched to a stop at the meeting point.
“What’s the word?” Nick asked as he and Damon approached.
“A small speed boat pulled up to Pier Seven.” Lombardi pointed at the map they’d spread out on the hood of a car.
“Coast Guard on point?” Nick said.
“Affirmative. Got radio confirmation they’re ready to move when we give them the go,” Rodriguez said.
“We got a visual inside the warehouse. Two kids in chairs with their hands tied behind their backs. There’re two doors—one to the dock and another facing the parking lot. “
“How many perps?” Damon asked.
“Three from what we could see. Two adults and the kid.”
“How do you want to play this?” Damon asked Nick.
“We have one team wait by the dock for one or both of the adults to come out and take them down. The kid must only have a knife, otherwise he would have pulled a gun on Sean back at the school. Then we go in and finish this.”
Positions were assigned, and the detectives checked in as they got into place.
Nick held his gun at the ready and scanned the area for unexpected movement. When they got the all-clear signal from the team that they had both adults in custody, they moved. Damon kicked the door in and went left as Nick went right.
“Freeze. Police,” Nick called when the kid jumped up.
“I wouldn’t do that, son,” Damon added when the kid backed up and looked ready to bolt. “It’s over.”
“Daddy,” Gina cried and struggled against the ropes.
Sean had managed to untie his and turned to unfasten Gina even as Nick ran over to them.
“Are either of you hurt?”
Gina flung herself into his arms, sobbing. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, peanut. Everything’s fine now.” He rubbed the top of her head and kissed her forehead.
Sean hadn’t yet said anything, which worried Nick.
“Sean, are you hurt?”
“I sort of got cut.” Sean pressed a shaky hand to his right arm.
“There was so much blood. I took the belt from his costume and made a tourniquet like you showed me,” Gina said.
Nick removed Sean’s hand and examined the wound. The bleeding had stopped, but it was deep enough to likely warrant stitches. “We have an EMT on standby. Let’s have them look at you.”
Sean nodded, but Nick could see by his wide eyes and trembling lips he was barely holding it together.
Nick pulled him close. “It’s okay. You did great, and you’re safe.”
Sean’s shoulders shook as he cried. “I tried to fight him, but he was too big and strong.”
“You were awesome, Sean. You kicked him hard. If he didn’t have a knife, I think you could have taken him,” Gina said. “Why did you try?”
Sean raised wet eyes to her. “Because you’re my sister.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ashley raced into the ER and stopped when her name was called.
Seeing Nick, she stumbled into his arms. “Where are they? Are they okay?”
“They’re fine. Shaken but okay.”
“Where’s Gina?” Franny demanded, struggling to catch her breath as she trailed behind Ashley.
“You brought her?” Nick asked.
“I thought Gina would want her mom.”
“This reunion is touching, but can someone tell me what’s going on?” Franny pleaded.
“Gina’s fine. The examination was routine given the circumstances,” Nick said.
“Can I take her home?” Franny asked.
“I’m waiting for her to be discharged. We need to finish questioning her before you can leave.”
“Can you hurry? You know I don’t like hospitals,” Franny said.
Could the woman be any whinier? What did Nick ever see in her?
“Listen, what Gina went through was traumatic,” Nick said. “We may want her to talk to someone.”
“Like a shrink?” Franny asked.
“There are counselors who specialize in this type of thing. Hopefully, she won’t need it. We’re going to need to spend extra time with her,” Nick said.
Hello, what about Sean…you know…your other child?
“Okay, fine,” Franny said.
Nick touched Ashley’s arm. “Before we go in the room, you should know Sean needed stitches.”
Her heart dropped. “What? You said he was fine.”
“He is fine. The kid had a knife. Sean got nicked when he fought with Dave at the school. They’re finishing up with him now,” Nick said.
Sean never had more than scraped knees as a kid. Getting stitches may not be a big deal to Nick, but it was to Ashley…and it should have been to Nick, at least more than soothing Franny’s delicate constitution when it came to hospitals.
“And you’re just telling me this now?” Ashley said with annoyance. “Take me to him.”
Nick led them to one of the ER cubicles. Ashley came up short at the sight of Gina sitting on the bed next to Sean, looking at something on her phone.
“Princess,” Franny cried and drew Gina to her.
Gina winced. “Hi, Mom.”
“You must have been so scared. Lord knows you took ten years off my life,” Franny said and wiped her wet eyes.
Gina tried to pull out of Franny’s embrace. “I’m fine, Mom. Sean’s the one who got stitches.”
Ashley moved to the other side of the bed and fought to maintain her composure. She wanted to yank Sean into her embrace, too, but didn’t want to embarrass him.
“You both had us worried.” She brushed a hand against Sean’s hair. “How are you feeling, sweetie?”
“Pretty good right now.” He held up his arm. “Fifteen stitches. The nurse gave me something for the pain.”
“Wait until the kids at school hear about your stitches,” Gina said.
“Something else for everyone to make fun of,” Sean grumbled.
“They shouldn’t. What you did was really brave,” Gina said.
Sean’s face reddened. “I did what anyone would have done.”
“I don’t think any of my friends would have.” Gina gave him a playful punch in his good arm. “You’re not bad for a geeky half-brother.”
That may have been the nicest thing Gina ever said to him.
“Thanks…I think,” Sean said. “What’s going to happen to Dave?” Sean asked Nick.
“He’s been arrested and charged. Since he’s eighteen, he’ll get tried as an adult. Beyond that, I don’t know,” Nick said.
Sean nodded.
“Why don’t you go out to the waiting room so Damon can talk with Gina,” Nick said to Franny.
Franny started out and stopped. “Are you coming?”
“Give me a minute,” Nick said.
Nick pulled Ashley aside. “We took Sean’s statement, but I’m going to stay while Damon takes Gina’s. I’ll bring her and Franny home and try to swing by your place before I head to the station.”
How nice of you to try and fit us in. It’s not like Sean was stabbed or anything.
Ashley tensed and took a step back. “There’s no need. Sean’s going to straight to bed and so am I.”
Nick furrowed his brow. “Why are you pulling away?”
Ashley wasn’t—okay, maybe she was, but she was feeling overwhelmed by everything and by Nick’s fretting over Gina…or maybe Franny.
“It’s been a hell of a night, Nick. Honestly, I just want to go to bed and forget this evening ever happened.”
She was spared further discussion when a nurse came in with discharge papers and wanted to review caring for the wound. Turning her back to him, Ashley focused on the nurse and t
ried not to notice Nick slipping out.
After the nurse left, Ashley helped Sean out of bed, pulling him into a hug. “Thank God you’re okay. Let’s get you home.”
“I want to say bye to Dad first,” Sean said.
They headed to the waiting room and saw Nick, Gina, Franny, and Damon in the corner. Gina was talking, and Franny was loudly sobbing over what was being said. Nick had slung an arm around her shoulders in what looked like a gesture of comfort.
Shouldn’t Gina be the one who was being comforted?
“I don’t think we should interrupt your dad right now,” Ashley said.
“He said he had to take Gina’s statement,” Sean said.
“Why don’t we get you home, and you can text your dad later?” Ashley suggested.
Sean looked as though he was going to argue but then nodded.
In the car, Ashley helped Sean buckle the seat belt.
“You’re not angry I tried to help Gina, right?”
She cupped his face. “Why would I be angry? You did the right thing.”
“She was scared. Like hysterical-crying scared. I was, too, but I focused on keeping her calm.”
“I’m proud of you.”
“At least one good thing came out of this,” Sean said.
“What?”
“Gina doesn’t hate me anymore.”
****
Nick wiped sweaty palms along denim-clad legs. He’d been in the car for almost five minutes since pulling up to Ashley’s house.
Why the hesitation in seeing her?
You know why.
Something was off with her. Nick would have thought she’d be relieved Sean was fine and the situation was over. However, he couldn’t deny there was something in her voice last night that shut him down. And she hadn’t responded to the text he’d sent last night.
“Screw this,” Nick mumbled out loud before getting out of the car.
At the front door, he pressed the doorbell and shoved his hands in his rear pockets.
Ashley opened the door, trepidation etched on her pretty face. “Nick. We weren’t expecting you.”
“How is Sean?”
“He’s sore, so I suggested he take a shower. He should be down shortly.”
She stepped aside so he could enter but refused to meet his eyes even though they stood in the hallway where only days ago he’d pinned her to the door and made her come.
Awaken My Heart Page 27