Abandoned

by Patricia H. Rushford

  “Good. That’s good. I’m sure with you working on the case, we have nothing to worry about.”

  The Ellisons said their goodbyes and left. Moments later Aunt Kate and Uncle Kevin joined them, and the adults discussed where they would meet once they got to the festival grounds in downtown Portland.

  Jennie tuned them out, her attention riveted on a car pulling out of the parking lot.

  A beige Cadillac merged with the other cars. The woman driving had blond curly hair and wore sunglasses. The same woman who’d been following Annie.

  11

  “Jennie, it’s time to go.” Dad settled a hand on her shoulder.

  Jennie’s gaze was still transfixed on the intersection where the car had turned and disappeared. She debated telling her father, then decided against it. By the time they got to their car, it would be long gone. Not that her father would have gone after it anyway. Rocky had told her in no uncertain terms that the driver of that particular car had not been following Annie. So who was she to disagree? She sighed and followed her parents.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Hello,” he chuckled. “Earth to Jennie. We’re going to caravan. We’ll eat lunch at the festival.”

  The rest of the afternoon dragged on. Not that she didn’t enjoy herself. Harvest Festival was great with all the rides, delicious food, and exhibits. But Jennie couldn’t keep her mind off the beige Caddy. She hadn’t spotted it soon enough to get a license number, but her interest in tracking the driver down increased tenfold. It seemed much more than a coincidence that the car would be driving near both Annie’s church and the school.

  Once they got home, Lisa would try to find the number and give it to Gavin. She had other ways of finding out as well. Of course, maybe they’d get lucky and Gavin would come up with a name. Jennie didn’t want to harass the person. She just needed to satisfy her curiosity.

  When the phone rang that night at eight-thirty, Jennie snatched it up, expecting to hear Lisa’s voice, or maybe Gavin’s, with an answer. It was neither.

  “Ryan,” she squeaked. Clearing her throat, she managed a somewhat normal “How are you?” She wasn’t sure whether to be happy or sad. Her heart cheered while her brain told her to approach with caution. He broke up with you, she reminded herself. He’s dating Camilla.

  “I’m doing great. How ’bout you?”

  “Good.” Jennie pictured him stretched out on a chair in his living room, brushing his blond hair away from his face.

  “What’s going on? Have you solved any more mysteries lately?”

  “Not exactly. I’ve mostly been doing homework.”

  “I know the feeling.” He hesitated, and Jennie imagined his sky-blue eyes and cute smile.

  “Um … so why did you call? If it’s to remind me about your birthday, I already got you a gift.”

  “You did? Cool.” He sighed heavily. “But that isn’t the reason I called.”

  “Oh.” Jennie twisted her long, thick braid around her hand like a rope and tugged at it.

  “How’s Scott?”

  “Who?” Jennie frowned at the unexpected question.

  She could almost hear the relief in his voice when he said, “Your boyfriend. Scott Chambers.”

  “Oh, him. Okay, I guess. He’s studying sea life at the aquarium in Newport.”

  “I know.”

  “You do?”

  “Yep. Talked to him the other day at the aquarium when I went to see Keiko off. Seems like a nice guy.”

  Jennie nodded. “He is.” Her heart felt like a set of drums. Why were they talking about Scott when all she wanted was for Ryan to apologize and tell her they were still friends?

  After another long hesitation he said, “It seems like forever since we’ve talked.”

  “Yeah. It does to me too. I’ve missed it.” I’ve missed you. She didn’t say the last part out loud.

  “Seems like every time we’ve talked lately I end up having to apologize for something.”

  “Sounds like you’re about to apologize again. Did you do something wrong?” she asked innocently.

  “I think we both did.”

  Jennie started to protest.

  “Now, just hear me out. We both got mad at each other. You were upset with me for dating Camilla, and I was really ticked off about Scott.”

  “I was more hurt than angry,” Jennie admitted.

  “I think hurt turns into anger and resentment.”

  “Are you still going out with Camilla?” She probably shouldn’t have asked, but she needed to know.

  After a long silence he said, “I’m not sure I know how to answer that. Camilla and I have gotten to be good friends. In fact, we’re going to a beach party next Saturday night in Lincoln City. A bunch of kids from school are going.”

  “Ryan, what did you want to talk to me about?” Ryan had been right about one thing. Hurt did turn into anger, and that anger was surfacing right now. “Obviously you didn’t call me to kiss and make up.”

  He chuckled. “Be pretty hard to kiss you over the phone. But if you were here …” He left the sentence dangling, then added, “Jennie, I don’t want to lose you. We’ve been friends a long time. I don’t want that to change.”

  “I don’t want to lose you either.” Jennie closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.

  “Good. I’m not sure I understand what’s going on with us. Gram says—”

  “Gram? You talked to my grandmother about us?”

  “Yeah—she’s great. Anyway, I think I have a handle on things now. I’m not jealous of Scott anymore. At least, I’m trying not to be.”

  “You’re not?”

  “No. He’s a great guy, and I can understand why you’d be attracted to him. You two have a lot in common. You’re both passionate about making a difference in the world. I am, too, but I don’t even know what I want to do with my life yet. One day I want to fly airplanes, the next I want to teach. I think you’ve known that you’d go into law enforcement since you were born.”

  Jennie laughed. “Well, maybe not that long.”

  “Scott’s the same way. He’s been an environmentalist since he could talk.”

  Jennie shrugged. “What’s your point?”

  “Things are really up in the air for me right now, Jen.”

  She wished she could see him—talk to him face-to-face. They’d be out on the rocks in front of Gram’s place if she were there—gazing out over the ocean. He’d put his arms around her and … Jennie eased her mind away from the image as he continued to speak.

  “I don’t know what I want to be. I don’t know who God has in mind for me to marry. Or if I’ll even get married.” He sighed, and Jennie imagined his gaze linking with hers. “All I’m really sure of right now is that I want us to be friends—or whatever it is we are.”

  She felt a warmth wash over her. That’s exactly what she wanted. “You’re right, Ryan. And … I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “Acting like a jerk. I feel the same way as you. I really like Scott. We have a lot of fun together when he isn’t out saving whales and dolphins and—”

  “Jennie?”

  “What?”

  “I don’t want to hear about Scott.”

  “I thought you were over being jealous.”

  He laughed. “You know something? Gram was right. She told me that I would probably always feel jealous toward anyone who threatens to come between us.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Well, look at us. We’re still friends.”

  “I love you, Jennie McGrady.”

  “I love you, too, Ryan Johnson.”

  Jennie smiled from the inside out. She remembered something Gram had told her not all that long ago. “True love will ov
ercome all obstacles.” She wasn’t certain if what she and Ryan shared was true love, but they had overcome a major obstacle and at the same time reached a new level in their relationship.

  “Hey, Jen?”

  “What?”

  “Scott told me how you saved his life and managed to find the terrorist who nearly killed him.”

  “He’s exaggerating.” Jennie cleared her throat. “You two must have had quite a long conversation.”

  “Mostly we talked about you. He said he plans to marry you someday.”

  Jennie about choked. “He did? He said that?”

  “’Fraid so. I told him he’d have to check with me first. That I’ve known you longer and had first dibs.”

  She gasped. “You’re teasing, right?”

  “No way. I’m serious. He said neither one of us would end up marrying you because you’d be too busy solving crimes to plan a wedding.”

  Jennie rolled her eyes. “He’s probably right.”

  “Are you working on anything exciting right now?”

  “Maybe.” She told him about Annie and the newspaper caper.

  “Sounds like that one’s pretty well wrapped up.”

  “Except for one thing. Annie still seems to think someone has been stalking her. I have a strange feeling she’s right.” Jennie flopped down on her bed and glanced at the clock. They’d been talking for half an hour. “I should go. I’m expecting a call.”

  “From Scott?”

  “No. From Gavin. He’s supposed to be getting a name to go with the license plate on the car that was following Annie.”

  “Hmm. I’m not sure I like the sound of that. You will be careful, won’t you?”

  “I always am—well, most of the time.”

  “Good. I’m thinking it would be great to have you give me my present in person. Either you could come to Bay Village or I’d go to Portland.”

  “Sounds like a good plan to me.”

  “So what did you get me?”

  “You expect me to tell you?”

  “Yeah. What is it? No—don’t tell me. A restored Corvette convertible.”

  “In your dreams, Johnson.” She laughed, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time.

  After hanging up, Jennie rolled onto her stomach and hugged her pillow. Soon she dozed off and in a half-asleep daze dreamed about Ryan and Scott begging her to marry them. She stepped between them as they nearly came to blows. “I don’t know what to say. I like both of you, but …” She felt a hand on her shoulder. “My heart belongs to—”

  “Jennie.” Dad shook her shoulder. “Hey, princess, wake up. Mom thought you might have to finish up some schoolwork for tomorrow.”

  “Dad.” Jennie stretched and yawned. “You ruined my dream. I was just about to find out who I’m going to marry.”

  “Marry?!” Dad wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. “I forbid you to ever say that word again.” He released her and gave her a teasing smile that pulled at the scar on his handsome face. “At least not until you’re thirty. And I get to pick him out.”

  “Oh, Dad.” Jennie hugged him back.

  “Princess, I wanted to apologize for not getting back to you on that license plate number you gave me. I gave the information to Rocky. I assume he got back to you on it?”

  “He did. Turns out she wasn’t following Annie after all.” Jennie didn’t mention that she didn’t share Rocky’s opinion.

  “I thought that might be the case. You kids need to be careful who you’re following. Ms. Noble could easily have filed a complaint against you and Lisa for stalking her.”

  Jennie’s heart stopped. “Noble? Are you saying it was Debra Noble’s car?”

  Dad frowned. “Rocky didn’t tell you?”

  “No. He was afraid I might harass her. I wouldn’t—”

  “Well, I probably shouldn’t have said anything. I just assumed … Never mind that. Knowing you, you’d have found out anyway. Now that you know, you can forget about it.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” Jennie managed a calm response. Inside, her mind and stomach were already at work on a myriad of questions.

  “Well, I’ll leave you to your studies.” Her father left, closing the door behind him.

  Jennie clasped her hands, barely able to suppress a squeal of delight. She clicked on her bedside lamp and pulled a pad and pen out of the drawer. If the beige Cadillac was registered to Debra Noble, who was driving? Had Debra been wearing a disguise? Had someone borrowed her car? Had Debra been following Annie? If so, why? Maybe Debra was Annie’s real mother.

  It was crazy. Wild. Bizarre. But what if … No, Jennie told herself. It’s too soon to be making that kind of assumption.

  Jennie jotted down the questions and made a note to herself to talk to Debra the next day. You won’t be harassing her, Jennie told herself. You just want to talk.

  12

  At seven the next morning Jennie’s private telephone rang. She grabbed it on the first ring. It was probably Lisa. Neither she nor Gavin had called the night before, and Jennie’s calls to them had only rewarded her with busy signals.

  “Hello, Jennie. This is Debra Noble.”

  “Oh … hi.” Jennie struggled to keep the shock out of her voice.

  “I hope I didn’t wake you, but I wanted to catch you before you left for school.”

  “You didn’t.” She’d been up for an hour, unable to sleep and wondering how she was going to approach Debra with all her questions. To have the news anchor call out of the blue like this was just plain eerie.

  “I tried calling you yesterday—I wanted to thank you for letting me know about Annie. That was a thoughtful thing to do. The interview would have made a good segment, and I thought about running it anyway along with the good news that she’d been located. But the Phillipses thought it would have been too embarrassing for Annie after what she’s already been through. I can see their point.”

  “I thought so too. I’m glad you decided not to run it.”

  “Yes, well, I certainly hope it all works out for her. She’s a sweet girl.”

  “Yeah.” Jennie hesitated. Should she ask her questions now or wait? Later, she decided. She’d ask her face-to-face so she could measure her reaction. But she’d have to be careful. If she let on that she knew Debra owned the car she felt certain had been following Annie, Jennie could get Rocky into trouble. “Um … Ms. Noble, I wanted to thank you for televising the stuff about our school and church. It’s helped us raise a lot of money.”

  “Glad to do it. I have been so impressed by the way you people have pulled together, I’ve decided to join your church.”

  “Hey, that’s great.” Was that why Debra’s car had been at Trinity yesterday? If so, why the disguise?

  “Yes. I was hoping to see you there yesterday to thank you in person.”

  “I was there. Sorry I missed you. After church we did some family stuff—went to the Harvest Festival.”

  “Ah. Must be nice to be part of a family.”

  “Don’t you have a family?”

  “Not anymore. My parents died in an auto accident last year. I was their only child. I’ve never married.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.” She couldn’t imagine not having anyone. “Our church is like a family.”

  “Yes. That’s one of the things that drew me. After the fire, everyone pitched in—they have such a strong sense of community.” Debra hesitated. “You were instrumental in bringing the arsonist to justice, weren’t you, Jennie?”

  “Well, sort of. My dad actually made the arrest.”

  “You’re far too modest. I’ve been doing some more checking on you.”

  “Me? Why?” Jennie wondered if the checking had anything to do with her and Lisa turning her license number in to the police.

  “Curiosity. I’m thinking it might
be interesting to interview you for our spotlight on hometown heroes.”

  Jennie cringed. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

  “How about today before your swim practice?”

  “I don’t think my dad would like it.”

  “I’ll get permission from your parents. We can tie it in with my updates on the school. It’ll be a great human interest story.”

  Jennie didn’t want to. She didn’t like being in the spotlight. On the other hand, it would get her close to Debra. Maybe before and after the interview she could ask a few questions of her own.

  “You’re thinking about it. That’s good.”

  Jennie agreed to do the interview as long as her father okayed it. “I don’t think there’s much chance of that,” she added, “but you can ask.”

  By the time Jennie was ready to leave for school at seven-thirty, Debra had cleared the interview with Jennie’s parents and called her back to confirm the time, which would be three-thirty. Jennie would have to hustle to do the interview and make it to swimming on time.

  Jennie said goodbye to her mom and Nick, then stepped out onto the porch with her dad. “I can’t believe you’re letting Debra interview me,” Jennie said. “I thought we were supposed to keep a low profile.”

  Dad had worked as an undercover agent for the DEA to bring down a couple of huge drug cartels in South America. The government assured him that the kingpins who had been out to kill him were in prison. Still, there was always a risk someone would recognize him and retaliate. Of course, revenge was a danger in any law enforcement job.

  “I don’t think there’s much need to worry anymore. And keeping a low profile is next to impossible with you as my daughter. You attract trouble like a magnet. As if that weren’t enough, you end up being a champion swimmer.”

  He walked her out to the car. “Do the interview, princess. Frankly, after what Rocky told me, I’m surprised she’s even talking to you. My only real concern here is that she may try to pump you for information about the serial killings. She may think because you’re my daughter you’ll know more than what we’ve told the press.”

  “But I don’t know anything—except for what you said in the car yesterday about this last one being a copycat killing.”