Dangerous Abduction (O'Connor Brothers Book 2)

by Rhonda Brewer

  James wrapped his arm around Isabelle’s shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks, cuz. I don’t know what I’d do without all of you.” He opened the door and was greeted by Nanny Betty.

  “I jus’ made some tea and coffee, if ya want some, but ya get upstairs and see da lass. She’s fightin’ the medication Sean gave her because she’s waitin’ for ya.” Nanny Betty reached up and cupped his face in her small hands. “Doncha worry, Jimmy, we’ll get little Danny back.”

  “I hope you’re right, Nan.” James tried hard to keep the tears from spilling out of his eyes, but since Nanny Betty pulled a couple of tissues from her pocket and handed them to him, he was pretty sure he didn’t succeed.

  He heard her soft sobs just as he got to the bedroom door. He swallowed hard and opened it. She was curled on her side facing the window and didn’t seem to hear him coming into the room.

  “Marina?” James voice cracked as he said her name.

  “He’s scared, James. I can feel it.” Marina sobbed.

  “Baby, we’ll find him, and I’m sure Marc will get in touch with us soon.” James lay next to her on the bed and pulled her into his arms.

  “I don’t want to cry, but I can’t stop and it makes me feel weak.” Marina turned into his embrace.

  “Marina, you’re not weak. You’re a mother missing her child and you can cry all you want. I’ll be here to hold you as long as you need me to, but don’t ever think for one second that makes you a weak person.” James pressed his lips against the top of her head and held her until her sobs stopped and her breathing became deep and even. She’d fallen asleep and hopefully the sedative would help her get a good night’s sleep.

  Once he untangled himself from Marina and covered her, he made his way downstairs. He knew everyone was back from town and they’d all congregated in the kitchen. James walked in and the conversation stopped. That wasn’t good at all.

  “What’s going on?” James didn’t like the look on Kurt’s and Keith’s faces, and John was averting his eyes.

  “We found the phone,” Kurt said. “It was about a hundred feet from the trailer.”

  “Why do I get the feeling that’s not good news?” James leaned against the counter next to John.

  “The phone case was inside a plastic bag with this.” Keith handed him his phone and James glanced at it. A picture of Danny was on the screen. He was stood in front of the trailer and from the red rims around his eyes, he’d been crying.

  “So he was at the trailer.” James tossed the phone back to Keith.

  “I had a feeling he knew we were going up there, so I brought the box the key was in to one of our techs,” Kurt said. “There was a listening device embedded into the bottom of the box under the insert.”

  “So he heard everything we said and where we were going.” James sighed.

  “I think he has to be close by that trailer, so in the morning we’re expanding our search area and pulling in more people to help,” Kurt informed him. “I’m going back to the station and making the calls. Keith is calling in all his available men and women.”

  “Kurt you can drop me off home so I can start getting some food ready for all those people tomorrow.” James turned to see Nanny Betty pulling on her coat.

  “Mudder, we won’t need any food,” Kurt said.

  “Doncha be so foolish. Ya can’t have all dem wonderful people tramping through de woods and snow and not feed ‘em.”

  “Mudder, it’s their jobs and they don’t expect to be fed for doing their job.” Kurt sighed.

  “Jobs or not they’re helping our Jimmy and Marina find dere son. Now are ya gonna drive me home or will I walk.” Nanny Betty pulled her wool hat over her head.

  “I’ll drop you off, Mudder.” Kurt shook his head as he left the kitchen. James knew, like everyone else in the family, there was no arguing with his grandmother and just because it was after ten at night didn’t mean she wasn’t going to go home and pull in Kathleen, Cora, and Alice to get lots of food together so everyone would be fed.

  “We’ll make sure ta have a big scoff ready when everyone gets back with our boy.” Nanny Betty followed Kurt out of the house. A scoff was what Newfoundlanders called a huge home cooked meal and nobody did it like Nanny Betty and his mother.

  “Nan does realize that the search is not in Hopedale, right?” Aaron said.

  “Shut up, A.J. She might pack up her car and follow the search party out there.” John chuckled.

  It was well after midnight and everyone had left except for John, Stephanie and Nick. They’d decided to stay for the night. Aaron and Mike had gone to stay with Ian at his house. Keith had gone to his own house. James stood on the back deck staring out at the ocean. He never got headaches, but his head felt like it was going to split in two. The last time he could remember having a headache was when Sarah got sick. Stress did funny things to a person. A hand clamped down on his shoulder, and he jumped with his fist ready to strike.

  “Jesus, John, give me a stroke next time.”

  “Sorry, I thought you heard me come out.” John sat next to him and handed him a shot glass. “Thought you may need this. You know the family motto.”

  “A shot of screech calms your nerves.” James chuckled and quickly downed the dark liquid. He didn’t drink it often and the burn that was currently in his throat reminded him why. He was glad it was John who followed him outside. John knew him well and knew if he wanted to talk or just be quiet. “Thanks, bro.”

  “For what?”

  “Just for being here.”

  “Since conception, bro,” John said.

  “I don’t know how much more she can take.” James swallowed hard.

  “I don’t think you’ve got to worry about Marina. She’s a tough cookie. First she got herself out of a bad marriage. She’s been raising Danny by herself and working full time and did you see her with Uncle Kurt? I thought she was going to throat punch him.” John chuckled and then put his hand on James’ shoulder. “I’m worried about you, though. I know how you feel about Marina and Danny.”

  “He’s like my own son.”

  “I know.” James tipped his head back, closed his eyes and silently prayed for some help. He couldn’t watch the woman he loved go through this turmoil anymore, and he didn’t know if he could take much more himself.

  Chapter 22

  The room was so cold and the blanket wasn’t keeping him warm anymore. He slid off the bed but kept the blanket wrapped around him. He walked to the door and turned the knob and it opened. A man was laying on the couch and his eyes were open wide but it wasn’t the man who said he was his daddy. This man was dirty and smelled really bad.

  “I need to use the bathroom,” he said but the man didn’t even look at him. The door to outside was open and there was snow all over the floor. He slowly walked towards the man and saw white stuff coming out of his mouth. It looked like soap but why would the man eat soap? He touched the man’s hand. It was really cold but the man still didn’t move. He was just staring at the wall. “I’m going to pee.”

  After he used the bathroom, he walked back to where the man was still on the couch. He must be really tired, because the man didn’t even move when he walked to the front door. He peeked out and saw all the trees around the house and stepped outside. He glanced back, but the man still lay there. He walked back inside and saw his coat and boots next to the door and he pulled them on. He wasn’t staying here anymore. He was going home.

  “I’m going home to Mommy and you tell my daddy I don’t want to come with him no more. I want Uncle James to be my daddy.” The man didn’t say anything so he rolled up the blanket under his arm and walked out of the house. He was suddenly really scared since he wasn’t sure if he remembered how they got there. He remembered his poppy Kelly telling him once when they played hide and seek that he found him because he saw his footprints in the snow. He saw small round holes in the snow towards an opening in the trees. He crouched to look at them. He stood up and loo
ked where they disappeared down the pathway.

  “I’m goin’ home,” he whispered and followed the holes away from the house. He turned several times to see if the man was following but he was by himself. It was scary walking in the woods alone but he wanted to see Mommy, Uncle James and Mason.

  He’d been walking a long time and he was getting really tired. He saw a stump on the side of the path and sat down. He looked back at the house and thought he should go back. Mommy told him he should never run away just because he wasn’t happy. He stood up and turned towards the house, but something moved behind him and he turned around. A big white dog was standing in the pathway and it was staring straight at him. Mommy said not to go near strange dogs, but this dog didn’t seem mean.

  “Hi, doggie, are you lost too?” He said and walked slowly to the dog with his hand out. Uncle John said dogs needed to sniff people to make sure they were nice people. The dog sat down and wagged his tail. “I’m lost, too,” he said as he put his hand in front of the dog’s nose. The dog licked his hand and it tickled. He rubbed the dog’s head and looked around. He really was lost.

  The dog barked and he watched it walk down the path. “Do you know how to get home, doggie?” The dog barked again and backed up. “Do you want me to go with you?” The dog jumped up, barked and started to walk down the path. Maybe he knew how to find someone who could call Mommy, Uncle James or Uncle John. Maybe the dog could take him home. “Wait up, doggie.” He ran up next to the dog and grabbed onto the collar. “I’m gonna call you Buddy ‘cause that’s what Uncle James calls me.” The dog barked again. “You like that, Buddy? Good.” He walked, holding the dog with one hand and the blanket rolled up under the other arm. He was going home to Mommy.

  ********************

  Marina woke up calling out to Danny, but he didn’t answer. Of course he didn’t answer because his crazy father had taken him. It had been four days now and still no word from Marc or any sign of where they were. She knew Danny was scared because she could feel it, but she didn’t know how to explain the feeling. James’ grandmother said she completely understood.

  “One summer when my Sean was eight years old, he got lost in da woods and I could feel it in da pit of me stomach how scared he was. It’s a connection mothers have wit their children, and it never goes away. Kathleen can feel how scared James is with Danny missing.” Nanny Betty told her as they sat in the kitchen drinking a cup of tea later that morning.

  “It’s different today, though. I feel his fear but there’s something else. Almost like he’s hopeful?” Marina didn’t know what it meant.

  “It might be a sign dat we’re going to find da lad soon.” Nanny Betty reached across the table and clasped her hand. “We’ve all been prayin’ ta bring him home.” Marina wasn’t a really religious person. The first time in years she’d been in a church was when Danny was baptized, and then Stephanie’s wedding, but over the last few days she’d prayed more times than she could count. It felt hypocritical since the only time she prayed was when she needed something, but praying seemed so natural when she was struggling with something.

  “I hope you’re right, Mrs. O’Connor.” Marina held Nanny Betty’s hand tightly and it gave her a sense of calmness.

  “Mrs. O’Connor was my mother-in-law and she was da devil incarnate. Ya call me Nan like all me udder grandchildren.” Nanny Betty squeezed her hand and stood to put her cup in the sink. There was a firm knock on the front door and Marina jumped up to go answer it. Since everyone was out searching, Nanny Betty had drawn the short straw to stay with her. James still insisted that she stay home in case Marc called. She opened the door and gasped.

  “Mr. Roberts? What are you doing here?” Marina stared at the man standing on the step.

  “I know you still haven’t found the little fella, and I wanted to help with anything I can.” He said as she motioned him inside.

  “I don’t know what you could do, but the thought is wonderful. Why don’t you come in and have a cup of tea?” Marina took his coat and hat. He reminded her of Dick Van Dyke with his white hair and blue eyes. He had a friendly face and from what she knew about him he was in his early seventies.

  Marina hung up his coat and hat and he followed her into the kitchen where Nanny Betty was busy washing dishes in the sink again. She refused to use the dishwasher and told James several times it was the lazy man’s way.

  “Nan, this is the man who helped me the other night.” Marina said but when Nanny Betty turned around her face lost all it’s color and her hand flew to her chest.

  “Elizabeth Power, well as I live and breathe,” Thomas said.

  “Tommy Roberts. Dear God it is you.” Nanny Betty seemed as if she was about to pass out.

  “Yes, it’s me.” Tom’s smile made him appear years younger, but the expression on Nanny Betty’s face gave new meaning to the words ‘if looks could kill.’

  “I didn’t think you were ever coming back to Newfoundland for love nor money.” Nanny Betty crossed her arms over her chest but Marina heard the slight tremor in the woman’s voice. Not typical for Nanny Betty to be nervous around anyone.

  “I’ve been back in Newfoundland for about three years, Elizabeth.” The way Tom said the name made it sound almost intimate.

  “It’s Betty. Nobody calls me Elizabeth since me fadder died.” Nanny Betty snapped and turned back to the sink.

  “You’ll always be Elizabeth to me.” Tom said. Either Nanny Betty didn’t hear him, or she’d chosen to ignore him. “I didn’t realize you were related to her.” Tom had turned to Marina and smiled.

  “She’s James’ grandmother.” Marina corrected him. It was like a light went on in his eyes and he chuckled.

  “Ah... So Jack won the prize did he.” Tom said. “Where is the son of a gun?” Marina saw Nanny Betty’s back stiffen and she turned around slowly. Her face was so red it almost looked purple.

  “For your information, Mr. Roberts. I won the prize when I married Jack and if you must know we lost the love of my life six years ago.” Marina was getting concerned with Nanny Betty’s reaction. The woman was never out of control but she seemed ready to snap at any time.

  “Love of your life, huh? I remember he wasn’t always,” Tom said.

  “He always was but I was too blind ta see it at first, but thank da lord my mistake left da province for bigger and better things.” With that statement Nanny Betty turned on her heels and stomped out of the room.

  “Over fifty years since I’ve see her and she’s still as high spirited as ever.” Tom chuckled.

  “I’m guessing there’s a story there?” Marina asked as she pointed to the kitchen chair.

  “Yes, but I don’t have the right to share that story.” Tom sighed. “So, what can I do to help?”

  Marina flopped into the chair across the table from him. “I’m not sure, but I’ll have James call you if he can think of something,” Marina said.

  “Marina, I’ve never been married or had children and I can’t imagine what you’re going through, but whether it’s monetary or otherwise. I want to help.”

  “That’s so nice of you. I promise, I’ll let you know or have James call you.” Marina smiled at him.

  “Yar still here.” Nanny Betty grumbled as she stomped into the kitchen.

  “I was just leaving, but you have my number, Marina, if you need anything.” Tom took her hand and squeezed it gently. “Elizabeth, I hope to see you again.” Tom turned and walked out of the kitchen. Marina heard the front door close and turned to Nanny Betty.

  “How do you know Tom?” Marina had to hold back a giggle when Nanny Betty called Tom everything under the sun and some names Marina was sure Nanny Betty had made up.

  “Tommy Roberts is not worth talkin’ about my dear.” Nanny Betty said nonchalantly as if he were no better than a piece of dirt on her shoe. “I’d just like ta know wat he thought he could do dat my boys couldn’t.” There was the hostility that Nanny Betty had showed earlier for Tom.


  “He was offering to help find Danny,” Marina explained.

  “Well, din. Dat was nice of him, but I don’t know wat he thinks he could do.” Nanny Betty stood in front of the kitchen window staring out into the darkness.

  “I don’t either.” Marina admitted.

  James had gotten home a few minutes later and Nanny Betty quickly made her exit with nothing more than a quick see ya later. She was really out of sorts since she’d seen Tom and Marina was really curious as to what the story was.

  After a shower James came back into the living room where she was talking to John and Stephanie. She’d told them about Nanny Betty’s reaction to Tom and how Tom had reacted to her.

  “Do you suppose they dated before she met your grandfather?” Stephanie asked John.

  “I think Tom knew him because he said something about Jack winning the prize.” Marina remembered the comment and thought it was a weird thing to say.

  “As far as I knew Grandda and Nan have been together since they were teenagers,” John said.

  “I don’t know. All I know if Tom can be of any help, I’ve got no issue with asking him, if it helps us find Danny.” James sat next to Marina and kissed her temple.

  “Mason was excited to go stay with your parents tonight.” Marina said.

  “I know, I stopped there on my way home. He wanted to know when Danny was going to be home.” James sighed. “What am I supposed to tell him?”

  Marina didn’t know either, but over the course of the evening the feeling of dread she’d had over the past few days seemed to change to something else. She didn’t feel the same fear she’d been feeling for the last few days, and it worried her because she didn’t know what it meant. Actually, she was afraid of what it meant.

  For the second night in a row John and Stephanie spent the night with her and James. Ian was now hosting three of the other four brothers. They all seemed intent on staying in Hopedale until Danny was found. Marina was getting ready for bed when she heard her cell phone ringing and ran to grab it. She glanced at the screen but it was a blocked number. It made her heart pound in her chest.