“Josie?” Kelly sounded alarmed.
“I’m still waiting for any word from the police or Abe. Sorry to bother you, but I guess I wanted to hear your voice.” She wondered if she sounded as vulnerable as she felt.
“You’re not bothering me. Your cell phone signal works better at night. How’re you holding up? I can tell you’re struggling.”
“I keep thinking of Nooko alone with that idiot, scared, hungry, cold…I don’t know what I’ll do if he hurts her.” Josie pinched the bridge of her nose, pushing away a headache underpinned by heartache.
“I can only imagine, but Ruth is a tough lady. Remember her determination in the hot tub?”
Josie smiled for the first time since Nooko disappeared. “Yeah. Once she sets her mind to something, she doesn’t give up.” It felt so good to talk to someone who knew Ruth, who knew how Josie felt about her.
“And the jingle dancing she did at the powwow?”
Josie laughed out loud. “Thanks, Kelly. I was beginning to think I’d never have anything to laugh about again.”
“We’ll get through this, Josie. Abe’s a coward. Nabbing your grandmother to get you to sell to him isn’t smart. They’ll catch him. And thanks to all the exercise and good care you took of her, Ruth is healthy and strong. She’ll be okay.”
Josie realized she hadn’t told Kelly about the strongbox. “He claims to own a metal box of jewels and money I found while digging out back. He wants to exchange it for Nooko.”
“A box of money and jewels? Wow, that’s crazy. What do the cops say?”
“I don’t know yet. I expect to hear from them in the morning about the plan.” Josie looked at the clock. “I’m sorry, Kelly. I just realized I called you at three o’clock in the morning.”
“Don’t worry about it. Call anytime you need to. Try and get some rest.”
I wish you were here. I wish you’d offer to come. The thoughts were silly. Kelly had a life she couldn’t just step away from. “Good night.” Josie disconnected the call, leaned her head back, and fell into a restless sleep.
* * *
The next morning, Josie went about her morning routine hoping to calm her restlessness. She’d just finished her oatmeal when she heard two cruisers pull into the parking lot and hurried to the door. “Come in.” Josie stepped aside as Barb and three state troopers entered her office.
“How’re you doing?” Barb asked.
“I’ll be better when we find Nooko.”
“No word from Abe yet?”
“Not yet. I’m guessing he’ll leave another note, but I doubt he’ll show his face.”
“We’ve got the state troopers and sheriff’s department on alert for this guy, ma’am, and Officer Donnelly’s volunteered to check a group of cabins on the island. We’ll have a patrol coming around your place regularly to watch for him, just in case he comes to you. You just let us know when you hear from him, and we’ll take it from there.” Brent spoke so assuredly, Josie felt herself relax a little. She wasn’t in this alone.
They reviewed all the evidence she had, including the contents of the strongbox, and gave her a copy of their report before leaving.
“Thanks, Barb. I appreciate the effort everyone’s putting in to find Nooko.” Josie regretted every uncharitable thought she’d had about Barb over the Kelly situation. She was a good friend, and a good officer.
“No problem. We’re not letting anyone get away with kidnapping, especially an elder. He’s going to pay for this. I’m going to check out that hunting area now. I’ll have my cell phone, but I doubt there’ll be a signal from there, so I’ll call or stop by on my way back tonight.”
“Be careful, Barb. Abe’s probably armed.”
Barb chuckled. “Yeah. So am I.”
Josie locked the front door and checked the safe before going outside to finish her shed project. She’d finished assembling the sides and begun hanging the doors when she heard the faint sound of footsteps. She took a deep breath before peeking around the corner of the building. She caught a glimpse of someone slipping into the thick brush in the woods. Her anger urged her to follow, but her common sense took over, and she went to her office presuming she’d find a note.
There’s a dumpster behind the middle school. You’ll find a burlap bag under it. Put the strongbox in the bag and leave it there Tuesday at 10 a.m. No cops or the old lady’s history. When I get the box, I’ll leave Grandma at the back entrance of the school.
Josie stuffed the note in with the others in the safe. She didn’t trust Abe at all, but it occurred to her that Nooko would be a burden to him once he got his strongbox. There was no reason for him to harm her or to keep her any longer, and kidnapping was bad enough. She doubted he’d want to add murder to his sentence. No cops. He probably figures he’s going to get away with this. She stood and paced the length of the room trying to decide what to do. A part of her wanted to end this by following his instructions and moving on, but she didn’t trust him and wouldn’t let him get away with it. What if he’d already hurt Nooko? And why was he waiting three days? She sat at her desk and grabbed the phone.
“Hello, this is Josie Harlow. May I speak to Trooper Brent Walker, please?”
* * *
Josie began to worry when Barb still hadn’t returned by dark. She’d finished mounting the doors on her new shed and cleaned the area trying to keep her mind off Nooko. She put her tools away and went inside to wait. After ten minutes of reading, she tossed aside her book and seized her cell phone.
“Hello, Josie. I’m glad your cell call is coming through. Any news?”
“No. I needed to hear your voice again. I got another note with Abe’s demands.” Josie read the note to Kelly, calmed slightly from hearing Kelly’s voice and her concern.
“At least he said he’d leave her, not hurt her.”
“Yeah, I thought so, too. I doubt he’d bother keeping her, and he’d have no reason to hurt her, but I want him to pay for this.” Josie rarely drank, but she fished out a beer from the back of the refrigerator and opened it.
“I have to wonder why he chose Tuesday.”
“The police think he wants to have time to find a secure hiding place.” She took a drink from the bottle and grimaced, remembering she hated beer.
“Do the cops have a plan to catch him?”
“They’re coming tomorrow to review it all and discuss options. I’m waiting for Barb to get back from her search. I have to say, I’m a little worried.” She dumped the beer in the sink and threw the bottle in the recycle bin. She heard a car pull into the parking lot. “I think Barb just got here. I’ll let you know what happens.”
“Okay. Take care.”
“Oh, Kelly?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for calling. It means a lot that you care.”
“Of course I care, Josie. I hope you know how much I care for you and Ruth. I’m sorry I can’t be there with you. Tell Barb I said hello.”
So she hasn’t talked to her. Josie ran out to meet Barb, alarmed by her significant limp. She rushed to help her inside. Barb sat on one of the chairs and Josie propped her foot on the coffee table.
“We’ve got thirty thousand acres of state land, and I think I trekked through half of them.” She bent forward to stretch her back. “I’m sorry, Josie. I found the bugger, but he saw me and leveled his hunting rifle at me. I got away, but not before he nicked me with a shot.”
Josie quickly inspected Barb’s leg. “Damn, Barb. You’re bleeding.” She retrieved her first aid kit and secured a bandage on her wound. It wasn’t deep, more of a long scratch, but it must have hurt like hell.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t see the exact building he went to, but I’m sure he’s in that group I told you about. I was only a hundred yards away when he found me.”
“He left another note today. What time did you see him?”
“It was late afternoon, why?”
“He was here earlier when he left the note.” Josie showed Barb Abe
’s message.
“I’m sorry, I guess I’ve tipped him off about being on to him, but what a dope. I can’t believe he thinks we won’t be waiting for him. I let Brent know about my run-in with him right after it happened. Did you call the authorities?”
“I did. They’ll be here tomorrow to let me know their plan.”
“Good. We’ll catch him.” Barb grimaced as she spoke.
“Come on. We’re going to get your leg looked at.” Josie helped Barb into her Jeep and prayed their plan would work. Abe had said no cops, but he had to know they’d be waiting for him. She concentrated on getting Barb to the clinic and thought about calling Kelly back to let her know about Barb’s injury. She decided she’d just ask.
“Do you want me to call Kelly and let her know about this?”
“It’s not that bad. We don’t have to worry her. I’m glad she called to support you.” Barb shifted in her seat and looked pale.
“Yeah, me, too. Let’s get you looked at.” She parked in front of the clinic and helped Barb to the door. Things were out of control and she had no idea what to do next. She still didn’t have an answer about things between Kelly and Barb, but right now, that needed to be the least of her worries.
Chapter Thirty-three
Josie watched the clouds build as the temperature plummeted and lightning flashed. They’d had a fairly rain-free summer, but the front moving in threatened a change for several days. She cursed Nature’s timing, thinking about Nooko getting soaked somewhere out in the woods, but sighed with resignation. She poured two cups of coffee and put a few cups out for the police officers who were due in an hour. Barb rested with her leg propped on the coffee table, her crutches leaning on the couch next to her.
“Thanks.” Barb took her coffee and sipped. “And thanks for taking me to the ER last night.”
“No problem. I’m glad you agreed to be checked out and to stay the night here.” Josie sat next to Barb and drank her coffee. “What do you think the state police will suggest we do?”
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, I’m sure they’ll be careful.”
“Yeah. I hope so.” Josie wished Kelly were there. She hadn’t been able to get her out of her thoughts since they spoke last. She considered calling her but decided to wait until she had some news. “We’re in for a storm. I sure hope wherever Abe’s keeping Nooko is dry.”
The police arrived a few minutes later, and Josie led them to her office where they reviewed the latest note and discussed strategies. The rain had begun and the wind began to howl, so Josie left to check on the front door. She never would have noticed the envelope if she hadn’t opened the door to close the storm window on the screen door. She took it into her office to open it. “I’ve got another one.”
The group of officers stood close as she read the message.
I told you no cops! I won’t miss next time if I see another one. You have one more chance and one more day. I want what’s mine! I’m moving our day to Wednesday. 10 a.m. If the box isn’t there, Grandma disappears.
She handed the letter to the trooper in charge and took a settling breath. The storm raged outside and, inside, her heart pounded.
“He must’ve seen Barb after he left the first message.” Josie watched the raindrops run like tears down the window.
“Please, find her.” Josie trembled as despair threatened to grip her heart. “Please.”
Brent moved to wrap his arm around her shoulders. “We will, Josie. We will.”
The police and Barb finished taking notes and writing reports before leaving. The intensity of the storm had lessened, but not the anguish in her heart.
The grumbling in her stomach reminded Josie that she needed to eat and Barb was probably hungry. “I’m putting a frozen pizza in the oven, Barb. Will you stay?”
“Thanks, Josie. I’ll have a couple pieces before I head home. Let’s go over my map.”
“You’re in no shape to trudge through the woods.” Josie sat across from Barb.
“I will be soon, and I’ll take it slow driving. Rob told me they could possibly get the aviation division involved. Here’s where I spotted Abe.”
Josie listened as Barb pointed out the wooded area on the map and described the conditions. Her heart pounded in her chest, imitating one of the powwow drums. “Nooko doesn’t even have her cane. Some days, she can barely walk around the house without it, let alone through the woods.”
“That may work in our favor. I doubt Abe wants to bother with her for long.”
“I suppose.” Josie’s mental picture of Nooko helpless, tied to a chair or bed, unable to get up for the bathroom or food, triggered another round of hyperventilation. “Why do you think he’s waiting until Wednesday?”
“I think Brent’s correct. He knows the police are looking for him and he wants to be sure he’s safely hidden. I bet he’s got some getaway plan that includes getting off the island, which is why he’s got such specific times and days. Maybe he’s got someone meeting him off island as well. The guy is obviously stupid, what with offering you such a small amount of money for your land, making threats, and then kidnapping your grandmother. He’s one of the dumber criminals I’ve come across, frankly. He may also think he can use his hideaway after the exchange, and he probably moved after I found him where I did, but we’ll find him, and we will prosecute him.”
“Barb, he has to know you’ll be watching for him. It’s as if he’s taunting us by giving a specific time and place. And at such an open location.”
“Guys like him aren’t smart. They’re narcissistic and self-centered, so they develop a sense of invincibility. My guess is he doesn’t think he’ll ever be caught. Or I suppose he may think we wouldn’t bring weapons to a school.”
“I just want Nooko back safe.” Josie took a bite of pizza and put the rest away. Food soured in her stomach as soon as she ate it. Everything tasted like sawdust. If something happened to her grandmother, she’d never forgive herself.
Barb left with her map and a plan to get drones, helicopters, or planes involved in the search. Josie tried to ease her restlessness by washing windows and vacuuming. She left the vacuum sitting in the middle of the room and picked up her cell phone.
“Hey, Kelly. It’s Josie.”
“Hang on. I’m taking you to the break room.” Kelly sounded far away. “Okay. Sorry I was at our nursing station.”
“I’m sorry to bother you at work. I just needed to hear your voice.” Josie’s heartbeat slowed and the knot in her shoulders loosened slightly. She settled on the couch and cradled the phone to her ear.
“What’s happening with Ruth?”
“Abe’s pushed the exchange day to Wednesday. He saw Barb when she went looking for him and shot at her. I need this to be over.”
“Shot at her? I’m not sure why, but until now I didn’t think of him as very dangerous.” Kelly sounded worried. “What the hell? Is she okay?”
“Yes. I took her to the doctor, and she has a few stitches and she’s sore. But she’s able to drive and walk. She’ll take it easy for a few days.”
“I’ll give her a call later, but tell her I’m thinking of her, please.”
“I will.” So they haven’t talked. “I don’t know what to think about this idiot anymore. Barb is certain they’ll catch him, but I’m scared to death.”
“The police and Barb know what they’re doing. We have to trust them.”
Josie could tell Kelly was pacing as she spoke. She could picture that intense expression she wore when she was concentrating, and it made her heart skip. “Yes. We do.”
Someone called Kelly’s name in the background. “I have to get back to work. Let me know if anything changes, and, Josie?”
“Yes?”
“You take care of yourself.”
Josie plugged her phone into its charger and stretched out on the couch. Take care of myself? That sounded…flat. She didn’t want flat. She wanted words of care, of consideration…of love. But I turned that down. S
he dozed off, hoping Nooko was being taken care of. The landline phone interrupted her nap, and she jumped to answer it.
“Josie, this is Brent from the Michigan State Police post. I wanted to let you know our plan is in place and we’re doing everything possible to find your grandmother. We’ll be in touch with you daily.”
“Thank you, Brent. I appreciate it. Is there anything you can tell me now? Did you find any clues as to where he is?”
“I’m sorry, but we don’t know much. The fingerprints we retrieved don’t match any in the system, but we’re certain we’re looking for the right guy. Just to be sure, I’ll swing by this afternoon with a photo for you to verify for me.”
“I’ll be here. Thanks.” Josie hung up and lay back with her arm over her forehead.
* * *
The rain had stopped and Josie sat on the porch, taking in the clean, fresh air and the view of the sun sparking off the water. It would be a perfect scene if Nooko were seated beside her. She took a settling breath and mentally reviewed the plan. The police would be waiting for Abe while hidden along the outskirts of the school grounds. As soon as they saw Nooko was safe, they’d grab him. It had sounded so easy when the captain laid it out for her. On this quiet Sunday morning, with the birds singing, and the leaves rustling in the breeze, it sounded too easy to believe, but too scary not to. She left the tranquility of the porch to do her daily walk around the area. She checked each empty cabin and the grounds, grateful now that she had no guests, before returning to walk through the lodge and stop in her office. She opened the safe and regarded the key to getting Nooko back. She relocked the safe and returned to the porch, astounded to see Kelly’s car pull into the lot. She watched her step out of her car and hesitate before walking toward her, certain her stress had caused a mental breakdown. She blinked, but Kelly didn’t disappear.
“Hey there.”
Josie heard her voice and blinked again, but she was still there. “Hey, yourself.” They were the only words that came to her.
Love Came Calling Page 21
