“Thanks. I had a good teacher.” She grinned and her eyes sparkled. “But I’m glad you’re back. The corporation never came through with much help. We got a few new aides but no nurses, and certainly no one with your experience.”
Kelly admitted it was good to be home and back to the familiar, but she couldn’t shake the feeling of something missing. How could she have gotten so used to Josie and Ruth in only a couple of months? The ring of her cell phone interrupted her thoughts. Josie’s cell. Her pulse raced and she answered quickly. “Hello. Josie?” Static scratched and buzzed before the call was disconnected. She quickly tried to return the call but was cut off after the first ring. She didn’t have Josie’s landline number with her, so she had to wait until she went home. She finished her shift with thoughts of Josie constantly present, and left with a hurried good-bye to Megan.
“Hello, Josie. It’s Kelly. We got cut off earlier today. I hope everything is going well.” Kelly left the message on her voice mail and disconnected the call quickly before she added she missed her. There wasn’t much more she could do but wait for her to return her call.
* * *
Kelly went to feed Pogo and set him up for the night before returning to change for her evening with friends. She covered the plate of cheese and crackers she planned to take and decided to try Josie’s number again before she left. She’d waited all day for her to call back, but concern prompted her to try again. She got her voice mail again and left another short message letting her know she was concerned. She hoped it would push Josie to return the call sooner. She put the plate of hors d’oeuvres in the back seat and headed to Debby’s.
Kelly plopped onto the couch and held her belly. “That was wonderful, Alex. Thank you.”
“Yeah. The first time she made shepherd’s pie, I fell in love all over again.” Debby pulled Alex into her arms and kissed her.
“The movie starts in ten minutes. We can have our dessert while we watch.” Alex took empty dishes to the kitchen.
“I think I’ll wait for intermission. I’m stuffed.” Kelly relaxed into the recliner next to the couch.
“Me, too, babe. I need to digest a while before adding tapioca pudding.”
Debby and Alex sat next to each other on the end of the couch, and Kelly pushed away memories of her seat on the couch next to Ruth and Josie on the other side of her. She’d never stop missing them. The flying monkeys swooped to capture Dorothy and Toto when she heard her phone ping. She didn’t want to interrupt the movie, so she waited until they took a break for dessert before checking it. Her disappointment sank in her belly like a lead ball. Barb, not Josie. She put her phone away and concentrated on enjoying the rest of the evening with her friends.
She punched in Barb’s number as soon as she got home. “Hi, Barb. Sorry I missed your call. I was visiting some friends.” Kelly took a sip of water and relaxed on her couch.
“Hey, Kelly. I miss you. How’re things going?”
“Good. I’m settling back into a routine. How’re things on Drummond Island?”
“I’m okay, but have you talked to Josie?”
Kelly sat up, unnerved by the emotion in Barb’s voice. “No. She tried to call earlier, but we lost the cell signal. Is something wrong?”
“I’m not sure. I don’t have many details yet, but her grandmother has disappeared. It sounds weird, but it’s what happened. I’m on my way to help the police look for her.”
“I know she wanted to go back to her house. Could she have found someone to take her? Never mind. She wouldn’t do that to Josie. I have to come back and help you look.” Kelly stood and paced in circles.
“Why don’t you wait until we have some news? There’s nothing you can do here. I’ll let you know if anything develops.”
“Would you have Josie call me, please? I’ve tried to call her back, but it keeps going to voice mail.”
Barb’s hesitation was momentary, but clear. “Sure. I’ll be in touch.”
Kelly decided to try Josie’s cell before heading to bed but got her voice mail, so she left a message, concern roiling in her stomach.
She threw herself onto her bed knowing she wouldn’t get any sleep.
Chapter Thirty-one
Barb paced the length of the couch where Josie sat with her face in her hands. “The police are checking for fingerprints and the whole department is on alert to watch for her.” Barb sat next to her and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “We’ll find her.”
“I need to be looking. I can’t just sit here and wait.” Josie stood and scanned the room, unsure what to do. The police had told her to stay home in case they needed to get hold of her or an abductor contacted her. She suspected Abe, but she couldn’t believe he would stoop low enough to kidnap an eighty-six-year-old defenseless woman. Just to get my property? “Do you think Abe would do this?”
Barb’s deep sigh did nothing to ease the tension racing through her body. “We’ll look at all options, Josie. If he’s involved, we’ll get him. You stay close to the telephone, and I’ll be in touch.”
“Wait, there’s one more thing. I found a strongbox buried in a corner of the house out back. It might be what Abe is looking for. Nooko said she saw someone out there when I was working in that area. Maybe it was the jerk watching. Anyway, it’s in the safe. Come on.” Josie hurried to her office with Barb close behind.
She opened the safe and pulled out the metal box, determined to get it open. She pried it with a screwdriver and the top popped loose, revealing the contents. Several gold coins sparkled between Canadian fifty-dollar bills, and there were numerous gems in silver and gold settings. She examined one of the coins, unfamiliar with the twenty-dollar piece. She noted the 1925 date and the stamped Saint Gaudens symbol. It was beautiful and probably worth more than face value.
“Wow. I can see why he’d want this. Maybe it’s what he referred to as his in his notes. Lock it back up in the safe and show it to the police before they leave. I’m going to file my report. Oh, by the way. I talked to Kelly earlier and told her about Ruth. She said you’d called her and the call was dropped, so I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Not at all, Barb. Thanks for letting her know. I know she’d gotten close to Nooko while she was here.” Josie hesitated, at a loss for words. Kelly had been gone for a week. Could she and Barb be carrying on long-distance? No. She called me “lover.” Memories of Kelly’s kisses and her touch sparked a flood of longing tinged with regret.
“Okay. Good. I’ll talk to you soon. Try to stay positive. We’ll find her.” Barb hurried out the door and hopped into her cruiser.
The police had finished processing the room and Josie brought them in to see the box of treasure. They made notes on it, but since it wasn’t evidence and they couldn’t be certain it was what Abe wanted, they left it with Josie, who put it back in the safe. She’d gladly trade it for Nooko, if the bastard had just left her a way to get in touch with him.
When Barb left, Josie began cleaning. She removed the broken molding, swept the debris, and reset the door on its hinges. She sat at her desk and reminded herself how brave her nooko was. She’d survive this. She had to. She closed the box and locked it in her safe. She began a list of items that needed replacement to keep her mind off Nooko. She jumped when the office phone rang and sprang to answer it.
“Hello. Josie? It’s Kelly. Are you all right?”
“Hi, Kelly. Yeah, I’m fine but—”
“Barb told me. She said Ruth was gone. What happened?”
“We don’t know yet, but the police and Barb are looking for her. I think Abe’s involved, but there’s no proof. I just know that someone has Nooko.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“You have just by calling.” Josie took a deep breath, astounded how much she’d meant her words.
“Please, let me know if you need anything. And let me know when you find her?”
“I will. I’m going to get off the phone now in case someone’s trying to cal
l. Thanks for calling.” Josie hung up the phone and sat back in her desk chair. God, I miss her. She wished Kelly was there beside her. Kelly grounded her, made her feel safe. Instead, she was alone by her own doing.
She walked out to the area where she’d found the buried box and gazed at the shed still in pieces. She checked the ground for any footprints or any other clues as to who would have taken Nooko. She knew the police would investigate everything, but her fear and feeling of uselessness nearly paralyzed her. She went back inside and wandered through the lodge.
Josie hesitated as she reached for Nooko’s bedroom door handle. A lot of good the lock did. She wanted to look for clues, for something to indicate where she might be. She didn’t expect to find anything, and invading her privacy wasn’t Josie’s intention. She entered the tidy room and broke down in tears. Nooko’s robe hung on the clothes rack and her dream catcher on her bedpost. Her slippers were neatly positioned next to her nightstand. Nothing looked out of place, so Josie closed and locked the door, determined to leave the room untouched until her nooko was home again.
Josie went into the kitchen to make something to eat. In her worry about her nooko, she’d skipped both lunch and dinner. Nooko had been gone ten hours, and night had fallen. She lifted the phone receiver to make sure it worked and slammed it back on the cradle. She tramped to the front entrance intending to check the security light when she saw the manila envelope stuffed halfway under the door. She grabbed it and tore it open.
I warned you I was out of patience, and now you have somethin’ that’s mine. I want it back. You bring my strongbox to a location of my choosing, when I tell you to, and you’ll get the old lady back. I’ll let you know the time and place soon. A.
Josie put the note back in the envelope and briefly considered not involving the police. She could just give him the box, get Nooko back, and be done with this, but they were already out there searching, and Nooko was somewhere probably scared. No. He had to pay. She phoned Barb.
“It’s Abe, Barb. He’s got Nooko. He just left me a note.” Josie gripped the phone, willing herself not to panic.
“Okay. Tell me what happened.”
“I heard something out front while I was in the kitchen making something to eat. I found an envelope stuffed under the front door with a note in it from Abe.”
“Did you touch the note?”
“I only opened the envelope and touched the edges.” Josie relaxed slightly at the sound of Barb’s composed voice.
“Good. I’m not far from you now, so I’ll be there soon. You try and stay calm. We’ll catch the bastard.”
“Thanks, Barb. Please hurry.”
Josie took a deep settling breath. Her first thought after talking to Barb was Kelly. She longed to feel her arms around her, the strength of her caring. She mentally shook herself. She could handle this. Her nooko was strong and brave and she’d be fine. She took some comfort in Abe’s words claiming he’d bring her back, but she had no intention of letting him get away with this. She checked the safe again, grateful her father had spent the extra money on the most secure model made and had encased it in cement so it couldn’t be stolen. Abe would have to knock down the whole wall and use a crane to get to it. The stuff in the strongbox must be valuable for him to want it so badly. Was that why he’d wanted to buy her property? Because of the box? She wondered if she could keep it since she found it on her land. The authorities would most likely take it, but it didn’t matter. Nothing was worth more than the safety of her nooko. Too many questions raced through her mind.
She heard the siren two minutes before the cruiser pulled into her parking lot. Josie ran outside hoping they’d found Nooko and this nightmare would be over, but the trooper exited his vehicle with one hand on his weapon. She stood still with her arms at her side, her fingers spread, and her palm forward. He must be new.
“I’m Joslyn Harlow, the owner of these cabins.” She didn’t move.
He strode up and held out his hand. “I’m Trooper Brent Walker, ma’am. I understand you have a kidnapping situation here?”
“Yes.” Josie released the tension in her shoulders. “Please call me Josie. It’s my grandmother. She’s been taken. Is Barb coming?” Josie looked past the trooper toward the road.
“Officer Donnelly is on her way, ma’am. We can wait for her if you’re more comfortable.”
Josie wondered when the state police had begun hiring sixteen-year-olds. The young trooper didn’t look old enough to shave. “No, we don’t have to wait, thank you, Trooper. I have the kidnapper’s letter in my office.”
Brent followed her to the office but rushed to open the door for her as she reached for it. She breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Barb’s car pull in the lot behind them. An overeager rookie with old-fashioned chivalry ideas wasn’t what she needed right now.
Josie opened the safe and pulled out all the notes she’d gotten from Abe, along with the strongbox. “This is the latest.” She handed the ransom note to the trooper and greeted Barb, who stood reading over his shoulder.
“Let’s show him the box,” Barb said.
“Of course.”
He watched as Josie opened the box. “This is some find.” He inspected one of the gold coins. “This coin alone is worth some bucks.” He replaced the coin and closed the box. “I’m going to report everything I find to the captain, ma’am. But I don’t think we need to take this to the station.” He was furiously making notes on a notepad.
Josie expected the young trooper to salute them both as he stood at attention. She looked at Barb, who rolled her eyes slightly.
“Relax, Brent. I’ll stay here with Josie while you go make your report. I expect we’ll have to revise our search plan now.”
“Thank you, Officer Do—Barb.” He grinned and turned to Josie to clumsily place a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t you worry. We’ll get this guy.” He turned and left, his tires kicking up dust as he sped off.
“I missed being called ma’am again.”
“Brent’s a good cop. He’s still the new kid, but my brother claims he’s got potential. Let’s review all of Abe’s notes and see if we can find a clue to where he might’ve taken Ruth.”
They spent time reading all the letters she’d gotten from Abe, and Josie answered Barb’s questions the best she could. The uneasiness she’d felt knowing Kelly and Barb had dated eased as they discussed the situation and reviewed strategies. She trusted Barb to do her best to help her find Nooko, regardless of her relationship with Kelly. She needed a friend right now, and lucky for her, she had one who knew what she was doing.
Chapter Thirty-two
Josie grabbed the phone on the second ring. “Hello.”
“Hey, Josie. It’s Kelly. Sorry to call so late. How’re things going? Did you find Ruth?”
“Hi, Kelly. No. Nooko’s been kidnapped by Abe. He left me a ransom note tonight, and Barb and I are reviewing options now.” Josie took a breath, absorbing a sense of peace from hearing Kelly’s voice.
“Oh, no. I’m so sorry, Josie. I remember how thorough Barb was, and she knows the island. If anyone can find them, it’s Barb.”
“I know. She’s working with the police search team. When Abe lets me know his conditions, we’ll make a more solid plan. I’m worried about Nooko, though.” She bristled at Kelly’s praise of Barb, then chastised herself. Kelly had called to support her even if she and Barb were an item.
“She’s a strong lady. She’ll be okay.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as I get any information. I appreciate your call.” Josie hung up and repeated Kelly’s words over in her mind. She’ll be okay. She wished Kelly had offered to come, even though she knew she couldn’t do anything. Just having her there would have been nice. She’s got her own life. It’s nice she even bothered to call.
“You said Abe told you he used to hunt with your father, right?” Barb sat back in a chair making notes.
Josie didn’t miss that Barb didn’t ask about Kelly. Sh
e probably talks to her every day. “Yes. He called him Jack, and we had no idea he ever went by Jack. After my mother died, Dad used to go hunting overnight sometimes. I’m not sure where, though. He’d just tell me to keep an eye on the place.”
“I’ll give all this information to the police, but I’m sure they’ll send someone out to confirm it all. I’ll tell you what I’m thinking. There are quite a few hunting shacks all over Drummond Island, and many are vacant this time of year. Hunters come for deer season and rarely use the cabins for anything else. I know of a cluster of deserted cottages in the middle of the island. It’s remote, difficult to get to, and a perfect place to hide. I’ll hike in there tomorrow morning and check it out.”
“Hike in there? Nooko couldn’t go hiking!” Josie stood and forced herself not to hyperventilate.
Barb stood and placed her hand on her back. “Josie. I’m sure he has an ATV. I doubt he wants to carry an old woman through the woods. We’ll find her.”
* * *
Josie lay on her bed willing sleep to come but doubting it would until Nooko was home safe. She padded barefoot to the couch where she’d last seen Nooko relaxed and happily reading the paper. She wandered into the kitchen and grabbed a bottled water to take to her studio in search of a moment of serenity. She ran her hand over her worktable. “I’ll get her back safely, Mom.” She spoke into the empty room, meandered to an open window, and listened to the quiet night. Nooko was out there somewhere, maybe scared, hungry, and cold. She crushed her empty water bottle and lobbed it into a wastebasket. If you hurt her, you’re dead.
She plopped into one of the leather chairs in the main room and allowed memories of Kelly to surface. The three of them sitting talking, sharing a meal, or laughing in the hot tub. She hesitated for a second and then punched Kelly’s number into her phone.
Love Came Calling Page 20
