Too Many Secrets

by Patricia H. Rushford

  They stopped again. “Get her into the house. I’ll put the car in the garage and call the boss.” When Jennie heard the driver’s voice again, a picture of a man formed in her mind. Joe Adams. But that was impossible. Joe was the sheriff’s deputy, not a kidnapper. Maybe he was working undercover. Or maybe he’s one of them.

  What was it he’d said? “Even good cops can go bad.” Had he been talking about himself? Jennie wanted to hear his voice again to make sure. Unfortunately, the men weren’t in a talkative mood. King Kong hauled her out of the car and slung her over his shoulder.

  “Dan!” the guy she thought might be Joe yelled. King Kong stopped and turned. “Be careful with the kid.”

  So the monster had a name. Somehow that knowledge gave her strength. She was dealing with a person—a known entity. Maybe she had a chance.

  Dan grunted, swung back around, and carried her inside and up a flight of stairs. It had the musty smell of a place that hadn’t been used in years.

  “Uhhh!” Jennie’s muffled scream broke the silence as he threw her off his shoulders. She landed on something padded and springy—probably a mattress.

  He rolled her onto her stomach, grabbed her feet, and tied them to what felt like the bed frame.

  Jennie screamed again.

  “I’d save my voice if I were you, kid. You’re going to need it to tell us where the old lady hid the diamonds.” When the door closed, Jennie’s protests turned to sobs. She shouldn’t have gotten involved. What if they used drugs to make her talk? Or tortured her? She knew too much … except she really didn’t know where Gram was. They might find out about the diamonds, but that was all.

  Jennie relaxed a little then and tried not to cry. She took a deep breath to calm herself, then wished she hadn’t. She nearly gagged on the smell of the rotting mattress pressed against her nose. She rolled onto her back, twisting tight the rope that held her feet. There had to be a way out of this. Think, McGrady. If she could see, maybe she could figure out how to work the ropes loose.

  By pressing into the mattress and moving her head up and down, she managed to loosen the blindfold. Jennie rose to a sitting position and shook it off her head. She’d been right about one thing, the house was old. The bed had an antique brass frame and a stained, lumpy mattress.

  A bare light bulb hung from a frayed cord in the middle of the ceiling. She straightened and looked out the window. Jennie knew this town. Maybe she could spot a familiar house or landmark. A giant maple tree blocked most of the view. Discouraged, she sank back against the mattress, wincing as a sharp pain coursed through her shoulder. The muscles in her arms were already cramping from being tied behind her back.

  It was nearly dark when Jennie heard someone coming up the stairs. The door slammed open. Two men stood in the doorway. They blocked the light from the hall so she couldn’t see their faces.

  The shorter of the two flipped on the light switch and came toward her. She had guessed right. The driver was Joe.

  “I thought you blindfolded her!” he yelled.

  “I did.” Dan looked more like a linebacker than a gorilla, about six inches taller than Joe, and twice as wide. He scooped up the blindfold and handed it to Joe.

  Jennie closed her eyes. You’re dead meat, McGrady. She’d read enough mysteries to know what would happen next. She could identify them. They’d never let her walk out of there alive.

  Joe stepped up to the bed and untied the gag. “Why don’t you make this easy on all of us,” he said. “Just tell us where the diamonds are.”

  “I don’t know.” Jennie hoped they couldn’t read the truth in her eyes. Her throat felt rough and dry. “Could I have some water?”

  “Sure,” Dan said. “You can have anything you want—after you tell us where to find the ice.”

  “I told you, I don’t know.”

  “You’re being too easy on her,” King Kong growled. “I’ll make her talk.”

  “There’s no need,” Joe said firmly. “The boss has other plans. He figures the McGrady woman will be only too happy to talk when we tell her we have her granddaughter.”

  “What do you mean?” Jennie gasped. “Do you know where Gram is?”

  Ignoring her questions, Dan argued, “Even if she talks we can’t let the kid go. She can ID both of us.”

  Joe frowned. “Looks that way,” he mumbled. Joe put the gag back over her mouth. As they left, Joe turned out the light and closed the door behind him.

  Her life was over. Jennie felt as though they’d shut off the light inside her and closed the door to her future. She’d really messed things up. Gram would do whatever they wanted to keep her safe. Jennie could only hope they hadn’t already gotten to her.

  Somewhere inside, though, Jennie knew that was only wishful thinking. Gram was mixed up in this diamond robbery somehow. Had she been part of a sting operation to break up a ring of jewel thieves and gotten caught in the middle? Had she hidden the diamonds and sent Jennie a card because she was afraid they’d capture her and …

  Could that be why whoever sent the anonymous note used Gram’s stationery—to tell Jennie they had Gram? Jennie closed her eyes. She didn’t want to think about any more possibilities.

  A street light managed to sneak through some of the leaves of the tree outside the window, throwing wavy splotches of light into the room. Downstairs a door slammed. A car started. Then silence.

  Jennie concentrated on the light and tried hard not to think about being alone … about Gram … about dying.

  Sometime later, she heard noises downstairs again. They were back. She smelled the food about the same time Joe came in with a tray. He flipped on the light, untied her hands, and released the gag. “Thought you might be getting hungry.”

  Jennie rubbed at her wrists and arms, trying to get some circulation back. They felt disconnected until the tingling started.

  “Your hands hurt?”

  Jennie nodded. “Cold.”

  Joe took her hands in his and rubbed them between his warm ones. She almost said, “What’s a nice guy like you doing in a dump like this?” when it dawned on her. Joe wasn’t a nice guy. He was a crook—a kidnapper. Jennie jerked her hands back.

  Joe stood and ran a hand through his dark hair. “You better eat your soup while it’s hot.”

  She ate. It was chicken noodle from a can, but it tasted good and warm and it soothed her throat. Tears gathered in her eyes and dropped into the soup. She didn’t bother to wipe them away. They’d have just come back anyway.

  “Is the soup that bad?”

  Jennie didn’t look up at him. “It needed salt.” She half smiled at her response, wondering if it was normal to joke around when you’re about to die, or if it was a sign that she’d totally lost her mind.

  Joe didn’t respond. He just sat there watching her eat.

  If only she hadn’t insisted on going to the bookstore. If only she hadn’t gone to the parking lot to wait. She could have been having a nice dinner with Ryan and been hunting agates on the beach. Maybe he would have kissed her goodnight like he had the night before. Now she’d never see him again.

  When Jennie had finished the soup and had taken a few sips of the grape juice he’d brought, she pushed the tray away. She imagined herself throwing it at him and running from the room. But even in her imagination she couldn’t get her feet untied fast enough to get away.

  “I need to use the bathroom” Maybe she could get out through the window.

  “Sure.” He untied her feet and ushered her out the door and down the hall. “Dan’s standing guard outside, so don’t get any ideas about running.”

  After flushing the toilet Jennie turned on the faucet and took advantage of the noise to pry up the window. She managed to open it about two inches. When the water in the toilet stopped running, she gave her hands a quick wash and left the room. Next time she’d open it a little
farther—if there was a next time.

  After he tied her up again, Jennie stared at the swaying, mottled light on the ceiling for a long time. She wasn’t sure how she managed it, but she must have slept because the next thing she knew it was light. Fuzzy from sleep, Jennie wondered where she was. Her entire body felt as if she’d been used for a punching bag. The pain brought everything into focus.

  She was still trussed up like a rodeo calf. Someone had covered her with a blanket and put a pillow under her head. Probably Joe. Jennie thought about the warmth she’d seen in his brown eyes when he’d talked with her at the mailbox. She found it hard, even after the kidnapping, to think of him as a criminal. He just didn’t seem the type.

  I guess you’re a lousy judge of character, McGrady. Jennie heard steps on the stairs just before the door opened. Dan stalked across the room, untied her legs from the bed, and scooped her up into his arms. “Someone wants to talk to you.”

  He carried her downstairs and set her in a chair before taking the gag off. Joe held the phone against his chest. “It’s your grandmother. Just tell her you’re okay.”

  “Gram?” Jennie’s voice cracked.

  “Jennie!” Gram sounded angry at first, then her voice softened. “Are you okay, dear? They haven’t harmed you?”

  “I’m all right,” Jennie answered, her voice shaky. “Gram, don’t tell them anything. They’re not going to let me go. Don’t …”

  Dan slapped the gag over her mouth.

  “Jennie’s fine,” Joe told Gram. “Cooperate and we’ll let her go.” Joe put his hand over the mouthpiece. “Get her out of here.”

  King Kong threw Jennie over his shoulder again. She doubted that her screaming did anything, except make him more annoyed, and make her throat more sore than it had been before.

  Dan dumped her back on the bed, tied her down, and left the room. This time she didn’t cry. She kicked the bed frame, hoping maybe her fury would break the dilapidated thing apart. No such luck. All she managed to break was her foot—at least that’s what it felt like.

  The next few hours were torture. The ropes had scraped her wrists raw. Her muscles cramped every time she moved. As much as her body hurt, Jennie’s heart hurt even more. They had Gram. They’d probably been holding her captive for days, trying to force her to tell them where she’d hidden the diamonds.

  And Jennie had played right into their hands. She thought about telling them where the diamonds were hidden if they’d let Gram go. But what good would that do? As soon as they got the diamonds, they’d kill them both.

  It looked as if her only option was to get free, then come back and follow Joe and Dan, and hope they led her to their boss and to Gram. Once she knew where they were she could call Sheriff Taylor. Unfortunately, her plan hinged on one minor detail. She needed to escape.

  Much later, around lunchtime Jennie figured, Joe brought in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk.

  “My last meal?” Jennie’s sarcastic comment came out in a whisper.

  Joe frowned. “You’ve been watching too many detective movies.”

  “You mean you’re not going to kill me?”

  “Just eat.” Joe walked over to the window and peered outside. The frown on his forehead deepened.

  Jennie looked past him and saw a white patrol car through the tree branches. A glimmer of hope fluttered through her. Out on the street, Sheriff Taylor was standing beside his car talking to someone. He was probably making his rounds. If she could just get his attention … Jennie opened her mouth to scream for help.

  Joe slapped his hand against her mouth and pulled her against him. She bit his hand and jabbed her elbow into his stomach. He let out a muffled curse, pressed her face into the pillow, and fell on top of her.

  “Hold still,” Joe commanded as he slipped the gag back on and retied her hands. “Look, I’m sorry you got dragged into this, Jennie, but you’re in it now, and it’ll go a whole lot better for you if you cooperate.”

  After making sure she couldn’t cause him any more trouble, Joe left, taking with him Jennie’s half-eaten sandwich and the glass of milk.

  It was dark before she saw either of the men again. Judging from the darkness and the way her stomach was growling, it had to have been way past dinner. She heard footsteps on the stairs, then in the hall.

  Dan burst into the room, and he hadn’t come to feed her.

  “Time for you and me to take a little walk.” As he reached over to untie her legs, Jennie froze. He had a gun tucked in the waistband of his pants, the handle pressed into a stomach that looked like a stuffed pillow. “Only for you,” he sneered, “it’s going to be a one-way trip.”

  13

  Jennie and Dan met Joe at the bottom of the stairway. “Where do you think you’re going?” Joe snapped.

  “To dispose of a little unnecessary baggage.”

  “That wasn’t part of the plan. Take her back upstairs.”

  “The boss changed his mind. You got a problem with that?”

  “Yeah. You shoot her and every law enforcement agency in the country will be after us.”

  Dan snorted. “Who said anything about shooting her? This little gal is gonna take a walk out on the rocks by the beach. She gets too close to the edge … oops. It’s all over. No bullets, and if we’re lucky, no body … at least not till we’re outta here.”

  For a second, Jennie thought Joe would stop him. Then he shrugged and stepped aside.

  “No!” Jennie screamed through the gag. Joe, don’t let him hurt me. Dan poked her in the back with his gun.

  Jennie glanced behind her. Joe stood in the doorway, his arms folded across his chest. “Hey,” Joe called. Hope exploded inside her. He’s not going to let Dan kill me after all. Joe added, “If you want her death to look like an accident, you’d better untie her hands and get rid of the gag.”

  Dan snorted and loosened the ropes on her wrists, but left the gag in place. She guessed he didn’t want her making too much noise until they got away from the houses. Jennie massaged the aching muscles in her arms and shoulders and turned to make one last plea for Joe to save her. He was gone. “Let’s go.” Dan pushed her on ahead of him.

  Might as well give it up and accept your fate, McGrady, part of her conceded. You’ve run out of options. Jennie struggled against the hopelessness. She didn’t give up easily. But then she didn’t have many choices when a guy the size of a redwood was holding a loaded gun at her back.

  Jennie’s legs and feet, stiff from being tied up so long, felt disconnected. She stumbled twice on the gravel driveway, but her clumsiness didn’t stop Dan. He simply yanked her up and set her back down on her feet again.

  They turned from the lighted driveway to the trees. His flashlight bobbed up and down on the narrow path. Jennie tried not to think about the end of the walk. Or the trail winding through the woods. The cliff. The rocks. The dark swirling water that would soon be her grave. She began praying, God, if you’re really up there, I could use a little help. And if I have to die, please take care of Mom and Nick …

  “What the …” WHAM! A heavy thud interrupted Jennie’s prayer. She glanced back. Dan was sprawled out on the ground. His gun had landed at her feet. She scooped it up, stuffed it in her jacket pocket, and ran.

  The only light Jennie had came from slivers of moonlight sneaking through the tall firs. Branches slashed at her face and arms as she wove through the woods. Her lungs burned and felt as though they’d burst.

  When she was sure she’d outrun Dan, Jennie pressed herself against a tree. She pulled off the gag and hauled in as much air as her lungs would hold. Blood pounded through her body like a sledge hammer. She listened for footsteps, but all she could hear was the wind stirring the leaves above her head, the pounding surf, the sound of her own ragged breathing, and her heart thudding in her chest. Relief surged through her. She’d lost him.


  Her hope for the future didn’t last long. She heard a rustling noise in the bushes behind her. Heavy footsteps beat the ground. Jennie pushed off from the tree and started running again. She’d gotten only a few steps when someone grabbed her around the waist and pulled her into the thick undergrowth.

  “Shhh,” a familiar voice whispered in her ear. “It’s me.”

  Jennie collapsed against him. “Get down.” Ryan dropped to the ground and pulled her with him. They flattened out on the forest floor and waited. She closed her eyes and willed her body to become part of the thick moss and rotting wood. Every snapping twig, every footstep, and every swoosh of the branches wound her nerves tighter and tighter until she wanted to scream. Finally, the thrashing faded.

  “He’s searching the other side. Let’s go.” Ryan helped her up and tugged her forward. They’d gone only a few yards when they stumbled onto another path.

  “Where are we?” Jennie whispered.

  “Just above Smugglers’ Cove.”

  “How did …”

  “Later.” Ryan grabbed her hand and took off again.

  The forest path dead-ended at the ocean. A metal cable guarded the hundred-foot drop-off. Ryan let go of her hand, swung under the cable, and started down. Jennie followed. They didn’t talk. Didn’t have to. They had climbed down to Smugglers’ Cove at least fifty times.

  When they got to the bottom, Ryan took her hand again. “We’ll hide in the cave I found. We should be safe there.” They ran along a stretch of sand to an outcropping of rocks.

  “The tide’s coming in. We’d better hurry.” They raced the waves and beat all but one. Just as they crossed the last stretch of beach a wave crashed against Jennie’s legs and nearly knocked her down. She reached up and caught Ryan’s hand. “You okay?” he asked, hauling her out of the icy water.