Gone without a Trace

by Patricia Bradley

  Alex finally appeared, a cell phone glued to his ear. “Yeah, Ben, we need an ambulance for Jason. Nolan too. I don’t think you can get a helicopter in here.” He nodded and hung up.

  “Timothy is alive?”

  “Unconscious but breathing.”

  Relief coursed through her body. If he lived to stand trial, justice would be better served.

  Later they walked out of the woods together after Ben and his deputies arrived and Timothy and Jason had been transported to the hospital. An ambulance had come after Samantha Jo and Robyn as well so they could be checked out.

  “You handled the situation like a pro,” Alex said. “Well enough to end your leave of absence, don’t you think?”

  “You might be right.” While she would always regret the life that had been lost in the alley, what happened that cold December night no longer controlled her or filled her with guilt. She could even see the good that had come from the terrible ordeal. If she hadn’t taken a leave of absence, she wouldn’t have been at Timothy Nolan’s house tonight, and Robyn might be dead. God did indeed work in mysterious ways.

  Livy nudged Alex with her shoulder. “By the way, thanks for distracting him. That was a lucky throw.”

  “Lucky?” He cocked his head, and his brown eyes glinted in the moonlight. “I’ll have you know I was an all-star outfielder on my college team.”

  “Yeah, but I told you to stay with Robyn.”

  “I figured that was just a suggestion.”

  “You would.”

  26

  Chase smoothed Abby’s curls back, hooking one behind her ear. He’d kept her home from school to tell her about Robyn, and it had gone better than he’d expected. Later after she had time to process the information, he was pretty sure there would be harder questions. His mother would be here soon to take her to Kate’s, where Robyn was recuperating from her kidnapping. He would like to take her himself, but he seriously doubted Robyn would welcome his presence.

  “Why didn’t you tell me last night that Miss Sharon was Mommy?”

  Looked as though the hard questions wouldn’t be later, after all. “Because I wanted you to get some sleep, and it was too late by the time the doctors got through checking her out.”

  The intensity in Abby’s face as she sat on the oversized arm of the recliner was so like her mother. How had he looked at “Sharon” and not seen his own child? Because he didn’t expect to was no excuse. He should have inherently known.

  “But you promise that she’s okay?”

  “I promise. Now, do you want cereal or eggs and bacon for breakfast?”

  “Cereal, and I’ll fix it. You might hurt your shoulder getting the milk out of the refrigerator.” She hopped down from the chair. “And I’ll fix you some.”

  “I think I can manage.” Although his chest did throb. Gingerly he rose from the recliner and followed Abby to the kitchen.

  “You sit at the table,” she ordered, “while I do this. Do you want a banana in your cereal?”

  He eased into his chair at the table as sweat popped out on his face. He wasn’t as strong as he thought. “Yes, please, and thank you.”

  A few minutes later, she handed him his bowl, then tilted her head and stared at him with those eyes so like her mother’s.

  “Why didn’t Mommy tell us who she was?”

  Because I never provided a safe environment for her to tell us. But Chase could hardly tell his daughter that was the reason. Neither did he want to tell Abby the whole story. That would be for later, when she was older—if she really wanted to know. “She was protecting you. There was a bad man after her, and until he was caught, she was afraid if he knew who she was, he might hurt you.”

  “Like he did you.”

  “That’s right.”

  “I want to go to Nana Kate’s and see her.”

  “Granna Martin will take you after your mom has time to get up.”

  “Aren’t you coming?”

  Chase was certain Robyn would not want to see him, not after the way he’d acted. “I think you and your mom need some time alone.”

  “She is coming home, isn’t she?”

  That was a question Chase couldn’t answer. So much had happened in the last two and a half years. They were both in different places, and Robyn had changed so much. She might not want to come home.

  “Dad, you do want her to, don’t you?”

  Oh yeah. Last night after she’d been abducted, he realized just how much he wanted her back in his life, but he may have killed any feelings she had for him with his sharp tongue. “Yes, honey, I do, but let’s give Mommy some time.”

  Robyn’s fingers shook as she dabbed concealer under her eyes. She’d been strung too tight to sleep last night and didn’t want Abby to see her dark circles. Allison had called her cell phone a few minutes ago and said she and Abby would be coming shortly. Finally she could hug her daughter and not raise questions. Although she imagined Abby had a million of them.

  With one last glance in the mirror, she decided the way she looked would have to do. At the foot of the stairs, the front door opened and Abby burst in.

  “Mommy!”

  Robyn wrapped her arms around Abby as her daughter flung herself at her. “Oh, Abby!” Tears ran down Robyn’s face as she buried her face into her daughter’s hair. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “I’ve missed you too!”

  “Here, let me look at you, I mean really look at you.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t know who you were.” Abby touched her face, then her straight hair. “But you look so different.”

  “I know, baby, and I’m so sorry I had to fool you.” She looked past Abby to Allison. So her husband hadn’t come.

  Allison hugged her. “I’m going out to the pottery shop to talk to Kate so you two can be alone.”

  “Chase didn’t—”

  “He wants to give you some time.”

  More likely he was the one who needed the time, judging from his anger last night. Abby tugged on her hand. “Let’s go into Nana’s den and we can talk.”

  Abby had questions, and Robyn sent a prayer up for guidance. She’d already given a lot of thought about how much she would tell her and decided on a condensed version. Very condensed. If only Chase were here, it would make it easier. Tears stung the back of her eyes as she followed her daughter to the den, where she touched on being abducted and how Susan rescued her and made sure she went to college as soon as she was well enough.

  “So there really is a Susan?” Abby asked.

  “Yes, and I want you to meet her sometime.”

  “Why didn’t you come home after you got well?”

  Abby had never asked easy questions before and that hadn’t changed. Robyn hesitated, trying to formulate an answer.

  “Daddy said you were afraid the bad guy would hurt me.”

  That was sweet of Chase. “That’s true, but I was mostly afraid for myself.”

  “But Daddy would have protected you. Are you coming home with me?”

  Robyn froze. She’d been dreading this question most of all. “I . . . I don’t—”

  “I hope you will consider it,” Chase said from the doorway.

  “Daddy! You came!” She ran to him and grabbed his hand.

  “Yes, honey, I came. Would you give your mom and me a minute of privacy?”

  “Okay. I’ll go see Granna and Nana.”

  Robyn’s heart pounded in her chest as his eyes never left her face. “Do you mean that?”

  He nodded.

  “Why do you want me to come home?” As much as she loved her daughter, if Abby was the only reason he wanted her home, she couldn’t do it.

  “Because you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

  She pressed her hand to her mouth. “Oh, Chase!”

  He held his hand out. Robyn took it, and he pulled her into his arms. She gently laid her head on his chest, avoiding the bandage. “I don’t want to hurt where you were shot.”

&nb
sp; “You’re fine. More than fine, and I’m sorry for all the things I said . . . even before you were kidnapped. We’ll go to counseling, and I’ll move into the guest bedroom until we work things out.”

  She pressed her lips together, but that didn’t keep the tears from flowing from her eyes. He lifted her chin and used his thumb to wipe the tears from her cheek. “I love you, Robyn Martin. Will you give us a second chance?”

  She closed her eyes and leaned into him. “Yes,” she whispered. “And I love you too.”

  With a sigh, he lowered his face until their lips touched.

  27

  Alex pulled the rental car beside Charlie’s old truck. He’d run all over Logan Point looking for Livy’s gift and afterward talked a florist into selling him a dozen red roses. He put the bouquet behind his back as he searched for Livy and found her sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee. He was returning to Texas tomorrow, and he had decisions to make today. Decisions that involved this woman who made his heart beat erratically.

  He took a few seconds to steady his nerves before making his presence known. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  Livy glanced up, and a twinkle lit up her blue eyes. “That better not be candy you’re hiding.”

  “Would I do that to you?” he asked as he pulled out the long-stemmed red roses.

  She gasped. “For me?”

  “For you.”

  A smile stretched across her face as she took them. “Thank you. They’re beautiful. But I didn’t get you anything.”

  “Don’t worry about that. Now, for lunch, I found a restaurant about a hundred miles away near a landing strip. It has four stars and is supposed to be very quiet and romantic. I thought we might leave around ten thirty and fly over and have lunch. I would have made it dinner, but we have the wedding of a certain sheriff to attend.” He held his breath as he waited for her answer.

  “Fly, as in your airplane?”

  “I told Abby I’d take you up on Valentine’s Day.”

  “That you did.” An email alert sounded on her cell phone, and she glanced at it. Her dad. Arriving around noon. Can you meet me at the airport? She showed Alex the message.

  “We’ll just have a late lunch. Do you want me to drive you out there?”

  “No. He may need a ride. Or not, if he isn’t hanging around.”

  Alex nodded. “Can I give you a little advice? Something I’ve learned since I’ve been here?”

  She tilted her head slightly. “Sure.”

  “Accept your dad for who he is.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  He hoped her dad stayed for a few days, but if not, Alex hoped he’d make things right with Livy. He also hoped they didn’t have to cancel their lunch date, but if they did, he’d work around it. “Any news on how Jason’s doing?”

  “He’s going to be okay. The bullet missed anything vital. He should be out of the hospital tomorrow or the next day. I think Samantha Jo was released last night.” She smiled. “Kate said Molly took her home with her.”

  “How about Timothy Nolan’s condition?”

  “I called Ben earlier. Timothy’s condition has been upgraded to fair, and Ben has a guard posted at his hospital door. Oh, Ben also said Timothy has a hawk tattoo on his chest. Robyn must have seen it when she attacked him in the semi.”

  “Any clues on his motivation for doing what he did?”

  “I talked with Taylor last night, and she said he probably killed his mother in a fit of rage—she said or did something that triggered all the anger and resentment he’d built up over the years, and he exploded. When he first began sending the notes, Taylor thinks he truly believed he was saving the children from the same thing he experienced.”

  “Why do you think he kept referring to Samantha as Sharon?”

  “It was his mother’s name. According to the preliminary report, she’s been dead about five years, and because she had no friends, no one missed her. Taylor thinks that after her death, he started looking for a replacement, and six months later, he kidnapped his first victim in Mobile, Alabama. As far as Ben can tell, Robyn was his third. Timothy’s logs put him in the right place at the right time for all the kidnappings.” She cocked her head. “And did you know his birthday is January 31?”

  At least Livy would not have to deal with killing Nolan. “Are you okay with what happened at the river? Shooting him?”

  She nodded.

  “How about the shooting that happened before Christmas?” He feared Nolan’s shooting might have triggered more anxiety.

  “I’ll always deal with killing the Caine boy, but now I can see that it wasn’t my fault. Caine died because of the choices he made. I hope I never encounter another situation like that, but because I chose to become a cop, it’s a real possibility that I will.”

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  “I have to be.”

  Livy scanned the empty skies as she climbed out of her car. If her dad didn’t come, it wouldn’t be the first time he didn’t show, but ten minutes later, his voice came over the radio.

  “Logan Point Tower, Cessna F6548Juliet, five miles southeast, at 2,000 feet, landing Logan Point with weather information Bravo.”

  “That’s him,” Sam said. “Cessna F6548Juliet, enter right downwind for runway 3-6, report downwind.”

  “Cessna 48Juliet, midfield, right downwind for runway 3-6.”

  “48Juliet, cleared to land runway 3-6.” Sam turned to her, grinning from ear to ear. “Let’s go meet him.”

  “You go ahead. I’ll wait here.” Livy remembered how the last time she’d almost taken her dad’s head off when she discovered he was not staying. She didn’t want a repeat of that performance, but already, she felt the tension building. Why couldn’t she just accept her dad the way he was?

  Maybe because, just once, she wanted him to show that she was worth spending time with.

  The plane door opened, and her dad climbed down on the wing. He was alone. Maybe she was wrong and he was staying a few days. She nibbled at her thumbnail as he shook hands with Sam and then walked toward the terminal, his stride purposeful, and his broad shoulders straight.

  “You came,” he said as soon as he was through the doorway.

  He thought she might not? “I figured if I wanted to see you, I’d have to. Where’s your copilot?”

  “Ned?” He hesitated a second before answering. “In Jackson.”

  “You’re not staying, are you?”

  “What makes you think that?”

  She shrugged. “Just a feeling.”

  “Always said you were smart.”

  Flattery would get him nowhere. “Well?”

  His shoulders drooped. “I’ll be here long enough to visit with you and run to the house and see Kate, then I have to go back. We have a patient who needs a lift to the Mayo Clinic, and then we’ll fly home. But she won’t be ready to leave until four, so I decided to fly up here for a short visit.”

  “Why didn’t you just use the courtesy van to come to the house?”

  He dropped his gaze, then turned and glanced out the window.

  She followed his gaze toward his plane where Sam was refueling it. When he turned back to her, his eyes were bright.

  “I wanted the extra time alone with you to ask for your forgiveness and to apologize for not being a better dad. Can you forgive me?”

  His words pierced the wall around her heart. How long had she waited to hear those words? But were they too late?

  Accept your dad for who he is.

  She mustered a smile. “I’m glad you asked me to come after you.”

  He held out his arms, and she went to him.

  “I’ve always loved you,” he said softly against her hair, “and all these years, I’ve missed so much because I didn’t know how to show it or get past your mom’s death.”

  He stood back and lifted her chin, wiping away her tears. “I can’t unscramble eggs, Little Bit, but maybe we can learn how to make an omelet together.”r />
  She blinked back more tears that threatened. “I’m a pretty good cook. Let’s go visit Kate.”

  When Alex returned to the house two hours later, Livy fairly glowed as she pulled him into the kitchen. “Dad, I want you to meet Alex.”

  Alex stuck out his hand, and Jeremy Reynolds grasped it in a firm handshake.

  “Do I need to ask—”

  “Dad!” Livy’s face matched her red cashmere sweater. “He’s a pilot, like you. Has his own plane.”

  “Really.” He gave Alex a more thorough look-over. “What do you fly?”

  “Bonanza F33A.”

  Jeremy’s eyes widened. “You’re kidding. That was my first plane. Ever do any aerobatics?”

  “A few times.”

  The look of admiration in his eyes gave Alex a boost, which quickly disappeared at the look of dismay in Livy’s eyes.

  “Is aerobatics where you do stunt flying?”

  He held his hands up. “Just loops, nothing dangerous.”

  She eyed him skeptically, and her dad stepped in, saving him from deeper trouble. “Who’s taking me back to the airport?”

  “We both will, sir. I’m taking Livy for a late lunch.”

  Her dad slapped him on the back. “Good for you, Alex. Let me go tell Kate bye.”

  After her dad left the room, Livy eyed him. “You never told me you were into aerobatics.”

  He grinned. “I was afraid it would be the kiss of death if I did.”

  “You got that right. No loops today, okay?”

  “Not even one little one?”

  “Alex . . .”

  “Okay. Not even one.”

  Back at the airport, Jeremy admired Alex’s plane, and they talked a little about his trip to Minnesota later. “Are you affiliated with Angel Flight?”

  “Yep,” Jeremy replied. “You’ve heard of them?”

  Alex nodded. “I’ve flown a couple of missions for them.”

  “You never told me that,” Livy said.