They had just finished packing up everything in the kitchen when the doorbell rang. Toni froze and Vicky checked the peephole. “It’s the movers.” She let them in and asked for their identification. She’d gotten the names of the drivers and made sure they both had valid IDs. Satisfied that they were indeed who they said they were, Vicky showed them the furniture they needed to move. “The waterbed is to be delivered to a store over on Grand Avenue, so you might want to load that first and you can dump it off after you’ve moved the other stuff into the new place.” The movers agreed and headed straight for the bedroom.
“Now what do we do?” Toni asked. “I’ve never had movers before.”
“This is the hardest part,” Vicky said. “We just sit here and watch.” She plopped down on the couch. “That is, until they move this sofa, then we’ll have to stand.”
Toni joined her on the couch. “Want a soda from the cooler?” They’d long finished their lattés and she was parched.
“Nah, I think I’m okay for now,” Vicky said. “Once they’ve loaded everything, I’ll stop and get lunch for all of us. How does that sound?”
“Wonderful. And thanks, hon, for everything you’ve done for me. I really appreciate it.”
“Oh, sweetie. No problem. You’re one of my favorite people.” Vicky laughed. “Anyway, it’s totally selfish on my part. I’m anxious to get to your new place and try out the hot tub.”
Toni rolled her eyes and got herself a soda. They chatted while the movers carried boxes and furniture. They finished in less than two hours. Toni walked through the townhouse, making sure that they hadn’t forgotten anything.
Vicky wheeled the cooler to the front door. “I’m going to stop at Subs R Us. Is there anything else in here we need to move?”
“Nope, that’s it. I paid the management fifty dollars to have the place cleaned, so I don’t have to do anything else. Johnnie said she’d come in sometime this week and remove the security system and the bug up in my bedroom.” She set the alarm and they left.
By five o’clock Toni and Boggs were alone in their new home. Aunt Francie had dropped off a bottle of Asti Spumante and a bouquet of flowers. The movers had transferred their furniture from the trucks to the new loft and the new furniture, except for the bedroom set, had arrived. Toni’s old sectional couch was perfect downstairs in the game room. Boggs’s bed was set up in one of the guest rooms on the second floor. The only thing in the master bedroom was the mattress on the floor and a few boxes. Most of the boxes full of clothing were stacked in the walk-in closet. Since they couldn’t find their new sheets for the king-size mattress, they decided to make up Boggs’s full-size bed for the night.
Toni was in the kitchen, attempting to organize, and Boggs was upstairs in the study setting up her computer system. When the doorbell rang, Toni jumped. She looked at the monitor on the countertop and saw her dad holding a cat carrier.
“Hi, Dad. Come on in.”
Her father stepped inside and set the carrier down. Toni opened the carrier door and Mr. Rupert came bounding out, then stopped. Apparently he noticed that this wasn’t his old house.
“Over here, buddy,” Toni said as she walked into the nook off the kitchen. “Here are your new facilities.” She pointed to his litter box, which he immediately examined and used. “And here is your food dish and water bowl,” she said as she came back into the kitchen. Again he inspected both, then rubbed against her leg. “I think he’s pleased,” she said. “Do you want a tour, Dad?”
“No, your mother would kill me. My instructions were to drop off Mr. Rupert and come home immediately. I think she would have preferred if I hadn’t come inside. We’ll come over as soon as you’re settled. We’re both so happy for you.” He grinned. “I should go, unless there’s something I can help with?” He sounded hopeful.
“No, Dad. I think we’ve got everything covered. As soon as we’ve unpacked, I’ll call you, okay?”
He gave her a quick hug.
“Thanks for watching Mr. Rupert.”
“Always a pleasure. He’s quite a charmer,” her dad said as he left.
Toni reset the alarm and headed up to the study, calling Mr. Rupert to follow. “Look who came home.”
Boggs crawled out from underneath the desk and petted the huge cat. “Hey, bud, did you see your fishtank in the living room? I set it up for you already. I even put an ottoman in front for you.”
Mr. Rupert licked her hand in response.
“Where do you think we should put his condo?” Boggs asked. “I mean, I told them to put it in here, but I’m not sure where the best place would be.”
“I think in here would be good if we put it by the window. That way the boys can look out.”
“I don’t like the idea of you staying home alone for the bedroom delivery tomorrow. I’m going to call Sam and have him do the interviews for me.”
“No, hon. There’s no need for you to stay home with me. I’m sure I’ll be fine. We’ve got the cameras out front and Vicky already contacted the store and checked out the delivery people. They’ll show up in a truck with Bedrooms Galore painted on the side. No worries. It should only take them a few minutes to bring in the stuff. Then I’ll spend the rest of the day fixing up our bed, or at least attempt to find our bedding. It’s got to be in one of these boxes.”
“I just don’t feel good about this,” Boggs said.
“Oh, I’ll be fine. Anyway, that witness isn’t comfortable talking to anyone but you—isn’t that what you told me last week? And Elizabeth’s trial starts Wednesday. If I were her, I’d want it to be you who talked to my witness. Really, hon, it’ll be fine. Vicky checked out the delivery people and I’ve got a gun. You come home when you can and then we’ll go pick up our new little guy, okay?”
“Why don’t you call me when the delivery people arrive and then again when they leave. How’s that sound? I’d feel a little better.”
Toni was touched by Boggs’s concern and she hugged her tightly. “That sounds perfect. Now, what would you like for dinner tomorrow? I’ll fix us something really good.”
Boggs kissed her on the cheek. “Surprise me. How about having a glass of Asti to celebrate now?”
“You’re a mind reader,” Toni said. “Let’s sit in our new living room.”
As they drank the wine, they discussed where they would hang different artwork and possibly adding some more lighting. They talked about the upcoming party and things they’d need before then. They talked about anything except the crazy woman who was after Toni and she was grateful for that. No matter what they discussed, that fear still loomed in the back of her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that even though they’d moved into a place with an elaborate security system, she still wasn’t safe.
When they finally crawled into bed that night, Toni pushed those thoughts to the back of her mind. She tried to lose herself in the feel of Boggs’s skin next to hers and the softness of her lips. She almost succeeded.
Chapter 26
Boggs left for the office at eight o’clock Tuesday morning. Toni kissed her good-bye and reset the alarm. The delivery people wouldn’t be there for another two hours so she made herself a cup of coffee and sat at the kitchen counter. She made a list of all the things she needed to do. By the time she’d finished her coffee, the legal pad was full. She took a quick shower and began working. Once the bathrooms were finished, she started on the kitchen. She decided that she needed to wait until the furniture was delivered to start in the bedroom. She was just about finished putting all the kitchen items away when the doorbell rang.
She checked the monitor on the kitchen counter and saw it was a young guy in a baseball cap. She switched to a different camera and saw the delivery truck parked on the street with the store logo on the side. She quickly called Boggs and told her the furniture had arrived, then opened the front door.
“Delivery for Boggsworth-Barston,” the young guy said. He was holding a clipboard.
“That’s us. It goe
s up to the second floor.”
“Okay.” He went back to the truck and Toni noticed a woman standing near the back of the truck, also wearing a baseball cap pulled low.
She watched the two take the first dresser off the truck and carry it effortlessly into the house and up the stairs. She kept her distance, always aware of her gun tucked safely beneath her T-shirt. They went out again and came back with the second low dresser. Next came the headboard, then the footboard. She relaxed a bit. I’m safe. This was their new furniture, she told herself. The last item was the bedframe. Both of them went down the stairs and stood in the kitchen.
“Aren’t you going to put the bed together?” Toni asked.
Concentrating on his clipboard, the young man simply shrugged.
Something wasn’t right. But they’d delivered the furniture, so it was probably okay. She tried to push the feeling of dread from her mind. Why did he keep staring at his clipboard? Was she supposed to tip?
The arm around her waist startled her, but it was the hand over her nose and mouth that made her panic. She tried desperately to free herself, but the woman was too strong. Something smelled sweet. Oh, my God. They’re going to rape me. She instantly felt lightheaded and fifteen seconds later everything went black.
“Billy, go get my car,” Jan said as she tossed the keys to him. Toni had collapsed on the floor and she left her there. She noticed the gun and holster in Toni’s waistband and pulled it off, placing it on her own belt. She pulled her shirt out to cover it. Nice bonus. She looked at Billy, who was still standing there staring at Toni. “Bring the car out front. There’s no one around. Then come inside and help me carry her.”
Billy did as he was told and he returned five minutes later. The two of them carried Toni to the car and dumped her in the backseat. “How long will she be out?”
“She should start to come around in about ten minutes,” Jan said as she got in the driver’s seat. “Get the truck and take care of those delivery guys. I’ll call you later on tonight, okay?”
“Sure, Jan. Are you sure you want those guys dead?” Billy was shifting back and forth outside her car door.
“Yes, damn it. Don’t be such a pussy.” She handed him fifty bucks. “Go get some beer after you’re done. Now, get going.” She started the car and left him standing in the middle of the street.
Jan got to her boss’s house in ten minutes.
Toni became aware of her surroundings while in the backseat of a car. She knew she was in danger and she was sure the driver could hear her heart pounding. Stay calm. Think. She was pretty sure that this woman would drug her again. They’d tried twice before and each time they’d given her the date rape drug. Odds were, they’d try it again. She just had to figure out how not to ingest it. Before she could figure anything out though, the car stopped and the back door opened.
“Time to wake up, Toni,” the driver said to her.
Toni decided that she needed to be compliant, but slow and clumsy. That should buy her some time, she thought. And Boggs should be worried by now. She never called her back to say the delivery people had finished.
Toni was led inside a house and up a flight of stairs. She purposely stumbled several times. The driver took her inside a study and shoved her down in a club chair. Toni casually scanned the room, looking for clues. Everything was neatly in its place. It had to belong to the obsessive-compulsive woman. Maybe I can use her illness to my advantage.
“Drink this,” the driver told her. “It will counteract the knock-out drug.” She handed her a small bottle of water.
Toni stared at the bottle. The seal had been broken, and she bet this had the drug in it. She looked up. “What did you say?”
“I said for you to drink the water. It will help you.”
Toni noticed the wet bar on the side of the room. There were four glass tumblers on the counter. She stood up. “Thank you. Water sounds good.” She headed toward the bar. “Is it okay if I pour it into a glass?”
“Sure. Whatever.” The driver was standing by the door, probably to keep her from leaving or waiting for someone. Or both.
Toni kept her back to the woman and picked up the tumbler. She poured the entire bottle down the sink while holding the tumbler in her left hand. She made a show of pretending to drink from the glass, knowing she couldn’t be seen. She put the tumbler in the sink. “Now what?”
“Just sit down and wait,” the driver said as she looked at her watch.
She’s timing me. Toni struggled to remember what it said on the Internet. Fifteen to twenty minutes to take effect. She looked at her own watch and noted the time. This isn’t the driver’s room. It belongs to her boss. She’s waiting for her boss. Now was her chance. Toni began roaming around the room. The driver looked at her but stayed at her post by the door.
Every item in the room was carefully placed. The blotter, pencil cup, legal pad of paper—all were arranged symmetrically. She moved the items an inch or two. Then she returned to the bar and moved the remaining tumblers and reversed the bottles of liquor. She went to the bookshelf and pulled a few books out several inches. She nudged one of the club chairs slightly to the left. She didn’t think she could do much more. She knew if she tried to run, the driver would stop her. And she couldn’t use the phone. Even if she could dial Boggs quickly, she had no idea where she was. Her only hope was to distract the boss by moving things around. And time. She prayed that she had time on her hands. She looked at her watch again. By now she should start feeling a little drunk. And hopefully Boggs should be looking for her. Please let her find me.
Forty-five minutes had passed since she’d talked to Toni. This was way too long. She called the house. No answer. She tried Toni’s cell phone. Voice mail. Boggs called her boss, Sam, and asked him to take over her interviews, and he agreed. Then she called Vicky and Johnnie as she sped home. Please let her be okay. Damn it. She should have stayed home with her. What was she thinking in going to work?
She pulled up in front of their loft in less than ten minutes. She ran to the door and fumbled with her keys. She was yelling for Toni as she opened the door. No answer. She ran from room to room. The furniture was in their bedroom, but it wasn’t assembled. She ran back down to the kitchen and saw Mr. Rupert sitting on the counter. He was meowing loudly. “Where is she, buddy?”
He continued to meow as she ran downstairs to check the game room and laundry room. Nothing. She ran back upstairs and stood in the kitchen. Her hands were shaking and she jumped when the doorbell rang. She glanced at the monitor and saw both Johnnie and Vicky. She let them in.
“I should have been here,” Boggs yelled as she paced. “Damn it. They got her.”
“Let’s look at the security tapes,” Johnnie suggested and headed upstairs. The main system was in the study. Vicky and Boggs followed her. “What time was it when you talked to Toni?”
“It was a few minutes after ten,” Boggs said. “She told me that the delivery people had come. If we don’t find her in time, they might . . . they might do something.” Her voice was shaky. This is all my fault.
Johnnie rewound the tape back to about nine forty-five and began playing the footage from one of the outside cameras. “There.” She pointed to the screen. “The delivery truck. Is that the place where you bought the stuff?”
Boggs leaned in. “Yeah, that’s the right place.”
“It looks like a young guy and a woman,” Johnnie said.
“Wait a minute,” Vicky said, leaning closer. “There were supposed to be two guys. Not a guy and a girl.”
“Let’s keep watching,” Johnnie said and they stared in silence as the man and woman carried in the furniture.
“Looks like that’s all the stuff,” Boggs said. A few minutes later on the tape the man left by the front door and went down the street on foot. “What the hell?” He appeared a few minutes later in a car and went back inside the house.
Boggs watched in horror as they carried Toni’s lifeless body to the car and literall
y dumped her in the backseat. The woman then drove away and the man got back into the delivery truck.
Boggs felt sick, knowing that they could be hurting Toni at this very minute. “Do you still have surveillance on the three suspects?” she asked.
“No. We only did that Saturday night.” Johnnie opened her phone and dialed. “But I’m putting them back on.”
Vicky pulled out her own phone. “I’m going to check and see if Judge Crayton is at work.” She called Anne Mulhoney, gave her the update and closed her phone. “She’ll call me back as soon as she checks.”
Boggs was pacing in the study. “We’ve got to do something. We can’t just sit here. Every minute we waste is a minute they have with Toni.” Her stomach was turning and she wondered if she was going to throw up.
“We can’t do anything until we know where she is,” Vicky said.
The doorbell rang and Johnnie looked at the monitor. “It’s Jessie and Patty.”
Grateful they were able to come during the middle of a workday, Boggs let them in and they went back up to the study. Johnnie was looking at the footage again. “I can’t make out the license plate, but it looks like an old Honda Civic to me.”
Vicky’s phone rang. “It’s Anne.” She listened for a couple minutes, cussed a few times then closed her phone. “Anne says that Judge Crayton left early this morning. Told her clerk there was an emergency at home. Something about a sick dog. Shit. Sick dog my ass. I bet she’s got Toni there.”
Boggs was already heading out of the study when Vicky stopped her. “You can’t just drive over there and break in. We’ve got to have a plan.”
“And we need to check on the others,” Patty said. “Just in case. I’m going to call Gertrude’s Garage and see if Doris is there and her assistant manager.” She opened Toni’s laptop and Googled the number. Everyone stood silent as Patty made the call. Minutes later she disconnected, shaking her head. “Neither of them is there.” She tried Karen Young’s home and listened to the message before closing her phone. “The message says that she’s out of town until Friday.”
Compulsion Page 20
