Gone without a Trace

by Patricia Bradley

  “Do you know where the call box is?” He kept his voice low.

  “Follow that corridor.” She pointed to a hallway to his left.

  “Thank you.” The black intercom was just outside double doors that he assumed led to the unit where his grandfather’s room was. He pressed it and asked for his grandfather’s nurse, and when she answered, he asked to be admitted.

  “Sure. He’s waiting for you. Won’t go to sleep until he talks to you.”

  He viewed her words with mixed feelings as the stainless steel doors opened and he passed through them. The corridor led past rooms where curtains were drawn into a spacious nurse’s station.

  A nurse at the desk frowned when she saw him. “May I help you?”

  “I’m looking for Josiah Jennings’s room. His nurse—”

  “Around the corner, second room on the right.”

  “Thank you.” He approached the room, picturing his grandfather pale and weak. A nurse sat at a small desk situated between his grandfather’s room and the next one, which appeared to be empty.

  She looked up from the computer screen. “You must be Mr. Jennings’s grandson. Go right in.”

  “Thank you.” He stopped just outside the door and sucked in a fortifying breath, then rounded the corner.

  “You came.”

  “You had to wonder? You should have known I would come. How do you feel?” His grandfather looked better than Alex expected, even though he was getting oxygen.

  “Better than when it felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest.”

  “I hear they’re going to fix that in the morning.”

  “Yeah.”

  Alex looked for a place to sit and dragged a chair to the bedside. “Where’s Dad?”

  “He went home to get some rest.”

  For a minute neither spoke, and then both spoke at the same time.

  “I—”

  “You go first,” Alex said.

  “I don’t want to go into this surgery with anger between us.”

  “And I don’t want you to. I want to apologize again for being rude Sunday.”

  Josiah nodded. “That’s pretty much what I want to do too. I want you to know that I hope you find the Woodson girl. And I want you to consider something else.”

  The boom was about to be lowered.

  “I have every confidence you’ll find her. Been checking around and discovered you’re a pretty good detective.”

  Alex managed to keep his jaw from dropping. Praise from his grandfather? Must be the meds. “Thank you, sir.”

  “I want you to promise me something.”

  Alex swallowed the anxiety that statement brought. “If I can.”

  His grandfather nodded. “The operation tomorrow is a little tricky—”

  “People have bypass surgery every day. You’re in great health other than blocked arteries. There won’t be any problems.”

  “It’s not just bypass surgery. They’re replacing a valve. And I know what being under anesthesia for that long does to someone my age.” Alex started to protest, but his grandfather cut him off with a wave of his hand. “Anyway, I’m ready for whatever. But I want you to promise me you’ll finish the application process while you’re here and take the bar exam in July.”

  Alex’s shoulders sagged. They’d had a deal. He bit back the words on the end of his tongue. Just like Josiah knew he would. His grandfather took advantage of every situation. “Can we talk about this later?”

  “There might not be a later. I want it settled before I go into surgery.”

  No, what he wanted was for Alex to agree. And the old man knew he would, because otherwise his grandfather’s blood pressure would go up, along with his heart rate. “Why? Even if I take the bar and pass it, I still don’t want to be a lawyer. I like what I’m doing, I’m good at it. I’ll never be a good lawyer.”

  “I don’t care whether you practice law or not. It’s a matter of finishing what you start.”

  Alex didn’t know whether to believe him. “If I take the bar, you won’t pressure me into practicing law?”

  “Just because you take the bar and pass it doesn’t mean I expect you to work for the law firm. At least not as a lawyer. Like I said, I’ve been checking up on you, and we can use a good private investigator. And who knows, someday you may want to join the firm.”

  Alex didn’t know why he was arguing with him. Alex knew he’d agree, and his grandfather knew it too. “All right. I’ll apply before the deadline. It might not be tomorrow, but I promise, I’ll take the bar in July.”

  “Thank you. Now get out of here so I can get some sleep. They’ll be back in a couple of hours, sticking me and drawing blood.”

  “I’ll be in the waiting room if you need me.”

  “Why don’t you go home?”

  “By the time I got there, it’d be time to turn around and come back. I’ll see you in the morning before you go in to surgery.”

  Alex found an unoccupied recliner in the waiting room and settled in with a blanket and pillow. Funny how life changed with one phone call. If it weren’t so serious, he’d be tempted to accuse his grandfather of staging the whole thing just to get his way. He chuckled. Even Josiah Jennings wouldn’t go that far. He shifted in the chair, trying to get more comfortable.

  His cell phone vibrated in his shirt pocket, and he pulled it out. A text from Livy. He’d texted her when he landed and wanted to call after he saw his grandfather, but it’d been so late.

  Thinking of you. Let me know how your grandfather is.

  He responded, letting her know when the surgery was scheduled. His phone lit up again. Will be praying.

  Yeah, so would he.

  Alex leaned forward and braced his arms on his knees and stared down at the floor. His dad stood at the window, looking out. His grandfather had been in surgery for four hours with at least one more to go, but reports from the surgical team sounded good.

  “Dad said you were going to take the bar.”

  Alex jerked his head up. His dad stood in front of him. “Yeah.”

  “Does that mean you’re going to put this private investigation foolishness behind you?” His dad might be named after his grandfather, but evidently his grandfather’s tact and diplomacy didn’t come with it.

  “It’s not foolishness. Right now, a girl’s life may depend on whether I’m good enough to find her before her kidnapping goes south.”

  “That’s what cops are for.”

  “Hey, that’s an idea. I’ll become a cop.”

  His dad’s face flushed, and an arrow pierced Alex’s conscience. Now was not the time to fight with him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound sarcastic. I just don’t understand why you can’t respect what I do.” So much for not baiting his father.

  “Oh, come on, son. Anything but a private eye.” Josiah—Joe—Jennings looked down his nose at Alex.

  “What’s wrong with being an investigator? Granddad approved.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Last night he told me he thought I was a good investigator. I make a difference, Dad. Whether it’s finding this girl or locating a long-lost relative or tracking a money trail for a bank. Or—” What was the use? His father wasn’t listening to him. “And I wasn’t being facetious when I said I might become a cop.”

  That got his attention.

  “You’re kidding.”

  “Don’t think I am.” The idea had been floating around in the back of his head for a while. It just didn’t have a name on it until now.

  The hospital phone rang, and they both turned to look at it. When it rang again, Alex hurried over and answered. “Jennings family.”

  “This is the OR nurse. Mr. Jennings is doing well. They’re closing him up now. The surgeon will be out to talk with you shortly.”

  Yes! Alex’s fist closed tight. “Thanks.”

  He hung up and repeated what the nurse had said.

  “He’s okay then?”

  “Sounds li
ke it.”

  His dad slapped him on the back. “I knew he was too ornery to die.”

  Their gazes caught, and awkwardness stretched between them. Alex swallowed. Blast it. Why couldn’t they be like other families? Without overanalyzing it, he wrapped his arms around his dad. At first his dad’s arms hung limply, and then Alex felt a tentative pressure on his back.

  His dad stepped away. “I wasn’t sure he’d make it.”

  Alex chuckled. “And I knew he would. If for no other reason than to make sure I take the bar.”

  The crowing of a rooster mixed with a screaming woman in his dreams. He turned over and pressed the pillow over his head, but the echoes of the screams stayed with him.

  His eyes flew open. Robyn was back. That wasn’t a dream. He pressed his hand to his head. He had to figure out how to silence her.

  Wait, though. Why hadn’t she identified him? Reasons ran through his mind, and he locked in on one. Maybe she didn’t remember who he was. Maybe she hadn’t even seen his face that night.

  He tried to remember. It was dark in the cab of the truck. She was in the sleeping compartment, knocked out, he’d thought. Then the drug wore off much too early. He’d just been lucky he had the big rig parked at a truck stop and away from other trucks when she’d come screaming out of the sleeper into the cab. His stomach turned sour when he thought about how he’d lost it. The anger he hadn’t been able to control.

  But it wasn’t his fault. She made him hit her with her yelling and fighting. What he had to do now pushed thoughts of that night away.

  He had to get her and bring her to the farm. But how? She was always with someone.

  He’d just have to follow her and wait in the shadows for her to come outside, hopefully alone. Keep the filled syringe handy.

  “I’m going in to work this afternoon.” Robyn picked up Livy’s plate and rinsed it before placing it in the dishwasher. She’d go mad if she continued to sit around doing nothing.

  “You don’t have a job. You quit, remember?” Livy sipped her coffee. “And don’t take my cup. I’m not finished with it.”

  Robyn made a face at her cousin. “I called and Johnny B said that virus had made another waitress sick, and I could come back. I go in at six and work until eleven.”

  “How do you propose to get there? I have to be there at five.”

  “I don’t mind going in early. I keep hoping something will happen at Johnny B’s to trigger a memory.”

  Livy sighed. “I understand how you feel. And if you want something to do, come with me to Ben’s office and help compare the drivers’ logs against the dates the waitresses went missing. With Alex gone and his deputies on patrol, it’s just me and Ben—if he doesn’t get called out.”

  “That would be great.” It would beat sitting around the house all day. “How is Alex’s grandfather?”

  “He came out of surgery an hour ago. Alex said it was a success, and the doctors were pleased. He’s flying back now.” Livy stood. “I’ll be ready to leave in twenty minutes.”

  Robyn spent the rest of the day with Livy and Ben, cross-referencing logs from the trucking companies with the dates she and the other waitresses had been abducted. She didn’t realize so many truckers stopped at Johnny B’s. So far, no hits.

  “Ben,” Livy said. “Did you get the information from Timothy Nolan?”

  “Not yet. He said he’d be in tonight, so I’ll give him a call later.”

  Robyn checked her watch. Four fifteen. She fingered the bracelet watch, a present from Chase on their seventh wedding anniversary. She’d had it on the night she’d been abducted, and it and her wedding band were the only personal items she’d had for the entire time she’d been gone. Until now, she’d been afraid to wear it, but now that Chase knew who she was, there was no need to hide it or the ring. What about Abby?

  How could she have forgotten that her daughter might recognize it? She glanced at the watch again. It was simple, nothing fancy. Abby probably wouldn’t even recognize it. Nevertheless, she’d take it off as soon as she returned home.

  She nudged Livy. “We’re going to be late if we have to be at work by five.”

  “We?” Ben shot her a questioning look.

  “I’m going crazy with nothing to do.” It gave her too much time to think about Chase. “At least if I’m at Johnny B’s, I feel like I’m doing something constructive. Livy will be there and Alex will arrive later, and you do have a deputy patrolling, don’t you?”

  “A couple of them, including me and Wade.”

  “See? I’ll be safe.”

  In the end, Ben agreed to her request, and she went home with Livy to dress. As she came down the stairs, she met her mom. “Did Chase get home?”

  “Yes. I just came from there, and he asked me to give you a message.”

  Dread inched down her spine. He probably wanted her to go back to where she came from. “W-what did he say?”

  “He’d like to see you.”

  Was it possible he wanted them to have another chance? “When?”

  “Now, if you have time.”

  He probably only wanted to chew her out again, and that wouldn’t take long. “I was going to work, but I don’t have to be there until six. Livy could drop me off at his house if you can pick me up and then take me to the restaurant before six.”

  “I can do that.”

  Robyn went looking for her cousin and found Livy in her bedroom, brushing the wig. Livy looked up. “I can’t get used to your hair not being this color.”

  “I kind of like the blonde. Not sure if I’ll keep it straight—takes too much time. One thing I’ll be glad to change back is my brows. Don’t like them blonde.” She glanced in the mirror and smoothed her eyebrow. “Can you drop me off at Chase’s? He wants to talk to me.”

  A quick smile spread across Livy’s face. “You bet.”

  The afternoon light faded into dusk as Livy dropped her at Chase’s door. “I’m running late, so tell him I’ll come see him tomorrow.”

  “I will.” Robyn turned and faced the door she’d gone through so many times. She didn’t know which emotion was strongest—anticipation, hope, or fear. What if he said he never wanted to see her again? She rubbed her sweaty palm on her pants, remembering too late that she was dressed to work at Johnny B’s. If Chase noticed, she was sure it would irritate him. She’d forgotten to take off the watch too. If Abby was here, she’d just have to keep it out of sight.

  Robyn raised a shaky finger to press the doorbell. Her whole insides were shaking. When her mother-in-law opened the door, relief washed over her as her warm smile encouraged Robyn. At least Allison was glad to see her, and he wouldn’t be ugly in front of his mother.

  “Come on in. Chase is in the den, and Abby and I were just leaving to pick up dinner at Molly’s Diner.”

  “Oh. If I’d known, we could have gotten it.” The jitters returned. She paused inside the doorway to look around. He hadn’t changed anything. That was a hopeful sign.

  “Abby,” Allison called. “Let’s go!” Then she gave Robyn a quick hug. “I’m praying for you two,” she said softly.

  Abby’s eyes lit up when she saw her. “Hey, Miss Sharon. Don’t leave ’til I get back. I drew a picture of that man at school, see?” She held up a sketch. “Granna Martin made a copy and I’m taking it for Aunt Livy.”

  Robyn slipped her left hand into her jacket, hiding the watch, and glanced at the paper, but tears blurred her eyes. What if Chase insisted that she not see Abby again? She would fight him on that. She drew a shaky breath. “I’ll try to be here.”

  When the door closed behind them, deathly quiet settled in the house. Her feet dragged as she walked down the hall to the den. Why did she think this would go so badly? Because she knew her husband.

  Chase sat in his recliner watching TV, and in the fireplace, logs burned, heating the room. When he saw her, he muted the sound but didn’t turn the television off.

  “How are you today?” Her voice was as shaky a
s her insides.

  “I’ve been better. Sit down.” He motioned to the chair opposite him.

  She licked her lips, wishing for a glass of water to wet her dry mouth. How should she begin? There’d been a time when talking to Chase had been the easiest thing in the world. Not so much in the months before she’d been abducted. And definitely hard right now.

  “I . . .” He sighed. “This isn’t easy, but I want to apologize for yesterday. I don’t think I was very nice. Can’t be sure because of the pain meds.”

  “You weren’t.”

  His face flushed, and at the same time his eyes widened. Good. He might as well know that she wasn’t the same person she’d been before.

  “Why didn’t you come back?”

  “I was in the hospital for a month with my jaw wired shut. Then there was the surgery on my nose.”

  “That wouldn’t have mattered.”

  He wasn’t going to be satisfied with surface answers, but how did she tell him she’d been so scared she hadn’t left the shelter for six months even to go into the backyard? A log shifted in the fireplace, sending sparks shooting up the chimney. She stood and crossed the room. After she opened the screen, she used the poker to rearrange the wood, then turned around to face him. “I couldn’t come back. I had no idea who kidnapped and beat me. I was afraid he would find me again, and this time someone else might get hurt. Like Abby. Staying away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “I would have protected you.”

  “How? I didn’t know who did it.”

  “If you were so afraid, why are you here now?”

  She twisted the watch on her arm, wondering if he’d even notice she was wearing it. “I probably wouldn’t be if Livy and Alex hadn’t found me. When I found out other women had been kidnapped, it made me sick to think that if I’d come back and reported it, this man possibly could have been caught already.”