by K C West
“Hmm. Do you think there’s a connection?” she asked me when I’d finished.
“I doubt it.” I mentally reviewed those stressful days. “The men who did it are all in jail. As for Terry Simms, it was a sexual thing with her. I don’t believe there was any connection to my kidnapping. Anyway, she’s on the run and wouldn’t risk showing up here.”
“Tell me about her anyway.”
I recounted Terry’s history with Kim and how she worked to help rescue me, only to attempt a sexual assault a few days after my release from the hospital.
Sergeant Esperanza took more notes as I spoke. When I finished, she circled several parts of what she had written down before looking at me.
“You and Dr. Blair have certainly been through the wringer. I promise you that we’ll check every clue and explore every lead until we find her.”
My eyes filled with tears at her words, but I held them in check. Later, maybe, I could afford to fall apart. There wasn’t time for that now. “Thank you for your support, Sergeant Esperanza.”
“Please, call me Gina. I married a wonderful guy with a colorful Spanish name, but I think we’re going to be working closely together for a while, and all my friends call me Gina.”
“And my friends call me PJ.” We shook hands and shared a brief smile.
“Okay, PJ, let me give you an idea what we’ll be doing.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
She consulted her notebook. “We’ve already set several things in motion. Time is a big factor, as you can imagine. Some of your neighbors have volunteered to help police units comb the property.”
“Yes, Jasper, our caretaker, summoned them right after he saw what had happened here.”
“It all helps, believe me. We’ll also monitor all major means of transportation away from the area. The storm last night has both helped and hindered our search.”
“In what way?”
“We’ve located a few tire tracks that don’t appear to match any of your vehicles. Also a muddy footprint or two showed up on the porch, along with some drag marks. As for fingerprints, we can hope, but we figure the suspects wore gloves.”
“Suspects? More than one?”
“Probably two in the house, possibly a third to drive a getaway vehicle. We’ll know more once we process the shoe prints and examine all the evidence. We’ll collect your fingerprints, ones we believe to be Dr. Blair’s, and those of your housekeeper and handyman, for exclusion, and any others that we find will be scrutinized. If we’re lucky, we’ll find them in the system. Don’t hold your breath on that, though. We’ve verified your whereabouts at the time of the break in, so you’re no longer under suspicion.”
“I was a suspect?”
“Briefly, yes. You admitted fighting with your partner before you left, so that gave you a possible motive for harming her. We also had to work the angle that Dr. Blair might have staged her own abduction to extort money from you.”
“What? You can’t be serious.” My bottled up frustration burst loose and I leapt to my feet. “You should be out looking for her instead of wasting precious time investigating her.”
She motioned that I should resume my seat. Reluctantly, I did.
“Listen, PJ, I’ve seen it all in my line of work. You’re a wealthy woman, with an even wealthier father. Stranger things have happened, believe me.”
I nodded wearily as she discussed the finding and processing of clues. Part of my overworked brain realized that her profession and mine weren’t too different. We both accumulated bits and pieces of evidence of various human activities and tried to fill in the blanks. She just worked in present day, while I spent my time in the past. All of her efforts went toward solving crimes, while I tried to determine what daily life was like for the ancient people I studied.
“We asked you early on if you or Dr. Blair - ”
“Why don’t you call her Kim? She won’t mind, and I think she’d like you, Gina.”
“Okay. Can you think of any other enemies you or Kim might have?”
“I mentioned Terry Simms, and I guess she’d be considered an enemy after what she tried with me in Wales.”
“She would, definitely. So we’ll work that angle. Now, as for your abduction, you say all the men were caught and pled guilty?”
“They were imprisoned, for life, I believe. I testified before a magistrate, but I think the kidnapping charge was dropped in lieu of the more serious murder charges.”
“What became of the Simms woman? Why wasn’t she questioned?”
“She managed to flee the country. We assumed she’d gone into hiding.”
“Do you think she’s capable of doing something like this to Kim?”
I shrugged. “Oh, she’s capable all right, but she’s not stupid. I doubt she’d show her face anywhere near us now that she’s wanted by the authorities. Sergeant Blodwyn Jones was in charge of the investigation in Wales. I’ll give you her number and e-mail address.”
“Okay, thanks. Any other past enemies or relationships that ended badly? Anyone who might want to harm either of you?”
“The only one in my past that I can think of would be Stephen Cresswell.”
“And who is he to you?”
“He’s an architectural engineer, specializing in the structural integrity of old buildings. We were engaged for a short time.”
Her eyes widened. “Did you say engaged?”
“Yes. It was before I met Kim.”
“Could you explain that a bit further?”
“The engagement was more Stephen’s idea than mine. My priorities were pretty screwed up before Kim. When I got to know her and fell in love with her, everything suddenly fell into place.”
“So you broke off the engagement.”
“Yes.”
“Do you think Cresswell still harbors a grudge?”
“The last I heard, Stephen had found someone else and was planning a big wedding. I’m sure he never gives me a thought these days.”
Gina made more notes. “Can you think of any former students or associates in either of your lives who would want to do you harm? Maybe some of your father’s enemies were after you, but got Kim by mistake.”
I shuddered. “I suppose it’s possible, but I really can’t think of anyone who would do such a thing. You’ll have to ask my dad about enemies. People make threats, and I’m sure his security people have kept a list. God, I’d hate to think I’m to blame for what’s happened.”
“PJ, I’m sorry if this is painful, but I have to try to cover all the bases. If there are other boyfriends or girlfriends in the picture, they become people of interest, and we need to investigate them.”
When I replied, my voice weakened. I had to clear my throat to get my words out. “I understand. But, I want you to realize that this isn’t the way we lead our lives. Privacy is a priority with us. When Kim and I fell in love, we knew it would be forever. Neither of us had ever felt such a strong attraction. It’s corny, I know, but our love is eternal. There’s no way anyone else will get between us. If somebody makes advances or shows an interest that way, we just stop it before it goes any further. I’m sure lots of men and women have these strong bonds. You said you’re married?”
“Yes, I’ve been married eleven years to my best friend.” Gina’s expression softened. “And we have two fantastic boys.”
“Then you understand how our relationship is. Exclusive. Sufficient. Heaven on Earth.”
“Gotcha.” Gina nodded. “That leaves your housekeeper and her husband. We’ll run a background check, but what can you tell me about them?”
“They’re wonderful people. They worked for the man who sold Kim the ranch. Jasper has been in ranching all his life. I think he’s part Apache. Little Bird is Navajo on her mother’s side. Her father was a biligaana. Did I say that right?”
“Close. Though it’s spelled like ‘bill,’ it’s pronounced more like ‘bell.’ Bell-a-gana.”
“Anyway, he was a white man
. She attended white schools and has lived away from her mother’s people, but follows a lot of the Dine traditions.”
“Could she or her husband be behind Kim’s disappearance?”
“Not a chance. Little Bird cooks for us and keeps the house spotless. Jasper tends to outdoor chores and makes minor repairs to the house, barn, and all the outbuildings. When Kim and I are away, we trust them to watch over the place as if it were their own. Even though they work for us in a variety of roles, we couldn’t get along without them. They’re like members of our own family.”
Little Bird took that moment to bring us some tea and coffee. After dispensing the beverages, she eyed Gina warily before pausing beside me. I wondered if she’d overheard Gina’s last question.
“PJ, have you eaten anything since you got home?” Little Bird laid her hand reassuringly on my shoulder.
Since I got home. Was that this morning? God, what a long, terrifying day. I took a sip of Earl Grey. “This is fine, really,” I told Little Bird. “I’m not hungry.”
She made mother hen clucking noises. “This is not fine, little one.”
I winced at her use of one of Kim’s endearments. A flood of painfully poignant memories flashed into my mind before I could stop them. No time for anguish right now. No time for tears, or fears. Clues must be found and examined, the bastards caught, and the love of my life returned to me. That was the only outcome I’d accept.
Little Bird hovered over me. “You must eat something. Kim will not want you sick when she returns.”
“I know. I’ll try something later, honest.” I changed the subject. “Any word on Pup? Can I see him?”
“Jasper called the vet a little while ago. Pup came through the surgery and is resting comfortably.”
This time I couldn’t stop the tears. Several slid down my cheeks, and Little Bird thrust a tissue into my hands. “That’s so good to hear. I need to be there when he wakes up. He’ll be missing Kim so much.”
“You just concentrate on getting Kim back here safe and sound. Jasper will take care of Pup. He’ll bring him back to you as soon as Dr. Ressler says it’s okay.” She gave me a brief hug and kissed my forehead. Her two hundred pounds of motherly affection felt warm and wonderful.
“Thank you, Little Bird. You’re like a friend and a mother all rolled into one, but I really have to see Pup.”
“Sorry, PJ,” Gina said. “That won’t be possible. Until we know what’s going on here, we have to assume your life is in jeopardy, too.”
“But - ”
“No buts. That’s an order.”
I rubbed my eyes. “Shit. Now, I’ve got two mothers.”
Little Bird smacked her head lightly. “Oh my goodness! Speaking of mothers, I nearly forgot. Your father and stepmother called earlier and left a number. Somehow he got word of this trouble. You must call him back as soon as you can.”
I gave Gina some more background information and left her checking through some of Kim’s correspondence while I pulled out my cell phone, looked for a quiet place, and dialed my dad. Since the number was long and my hands were shaking, it took me several tries to make the connection to Greece. Dad and Sue would require a rehashing of the whole scary, surreal story. Each time I had to face the facts, the situation grew more desperately real and frightening. Kim, my lover, my other half, had been taken from me by some cruel means. She might already be dead, but I refused to believe that. Surely, if she were, I would know it in my heart, in the very depths of my soul. Part of me would have died along with her, and I didn’t feel that empty. Not yet, anyway.
Across the airways, across the barriers of space and time, Dad’s voice boomed into my ear, providing the support I desperately needed.
“Oh my God, Dad. Someone’s taken Kim.”
Chapter 12
I fought to stay calm and to assess my situation. I was in the back of a pickup truck that had a metal camper shell cover. Two garbage bags full of stuff were wedged in beside me. I’d seen Jake ransacking the house while I lay hogtied by the front door. I pleaded with my head to stop hurting so that my fog-bound brain could recall other details of what had happened. There had been a second person in the house, but I never heard Jake call him by name. He’d stood in the shadows and didn’t say much, nor did he take part in the looting or in binding my hands and feet. He appeared to be quite young. A teenager perhaps, learning the criminal trade, so to speak.
A quick check confirmed that my hands and feet were still tied, and the floor of the truck bed was hard. Every bump in the road translated into pain in my shoulders and hips. My head throbbed. Wave after wave of nausea assaulted me. I suspected the blow to my head had caused a concussion.
Although it was dark, I knew the moment we turned from our private road onto the highway. The right turn told me we were heading north. I thought if I could keep track of direction, the information would later assist the police in catching these guys. I did my best to stay in control, but I wasn’t able to remain conscious. When I came to, I had no idea how long I’d been out or where we might be. Not that it mattered much. These guys were probably amateurs. Jake had said they hadn’t expected anyone to be home. Since I’d caught them red-handed, I doubted they were going to leave a witness to their crime. I remembered reading once that an amateur thief is far more dangerous and unpredictable than a professional. I’d have to be careful what I said to them and how I handled them. Handled them! That was a joke. So far they’d done all the handling.
My joints screamed from contact with the cold, hard bed of the truck. The driver had the pedal to the metal, and whenever we hit a bump in the road, it rattled the pickup and me. I longed for some painkillers and more clothing to keep the cold from penetrating through to my bones. These guys wouldn’t have to have to kill me; hypothermia and my splitting headache would do it for them.
During my more lucid moments, I tried to figure out who they could be. Many of the locals knew that PJ and I were away much of the time. The best logical explanation I could come up with was that a couple of local kids, desperate for some drug money, thought we were both away, and took their chances. I happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.
I forced myself to think of something pleasant. It would make me feel better.
PJ. Thoughts of you always made me feel better. Where are you, honey? What are you doing? You’re due home tomorrow, but maybe that’s today by now. I was so looking forward to seeing you, holding you in my arms, and begging forgiveness. That fight we had -
Another bump jerked me back to my predicament as pain shot through my body. I strained to look at the small, grimy window in the back door of the camper cover. Dirt, scratches and some rainbow-like flaring distorted my view, but I was able to determine from the light that dawn was approaching.
Okay, if I can see daylight dawning through the back window, and it’s the beginning of June, it means we’re traveling more or less west/southwest. The calculations didn’t help much, other than taking my mind off the pain for a few seconds.
Our speed altered. We were stopping. Was this it? Is this where they’d end it for me? I heard the driver’s side door open and saw flashing red lights. Police! Maybe they’d stopped these guys for speeding.
The truck’s camper hatch opened.
“We’re going for some breakfast.” Jake leaned in and stuffed a dirty cloth in my mouth. “Ham and eggs. Bet you’d like some, huh?” He straightened up. “You behave yourself and maybe we’ll feed you. Then again, maybe we won’t. Make a peep, though, and we’ll feed you to the coyotes.” The hatch slammed shut. The sound and vibration drummed through my aching head like a jack hammer.
When I closed my eyes against the flashing neon lights, I could still hear the sign buzzing. It made my stomach queasy. That reminded me of the time PJ and I had taken a short trip to Mexico, shortly after we’d wrapped up the Lost Tribe search in the Superstition Mountains of Arizona. We wanted to do something wild and crazy, so without much thought or planning, we headed
to Puerto Penasco, where we had a pleasant couple of days beside the Gulf of California. That was before a bout of Montezuma’s Revenge gripped us.
Do you remember those two days when we were so sick, PJ? We tried our best to nurse each other through it, both of us on our knees in the bathroom, taking turns over the toilet bowl, barely able to drive ourselves back across the border. We knew better than to drink the water, but we were so in love that we felt invulnerable.
I slipped into an uncomfortable sleep, but awoke when Jake returned, opened the back end of the truck, and climbed in. He removed the gag and set a carryout plate filled with bacon, eggs, and toast in front of me.
“How do you think I’m going eat with my hands tied?”
“Same way your dog did, bitch. If it was up to me, you’d starve.”
He made it sound as though it was my other captor who was at least willing to give me something to eat. Young Mr. No Name was my hope. I’d have to work on him, convince him to let me go.
Oh, PJ, you’re going to find Pup dead. You’ll be brokenhearted. You and he were such good friends. Remember when we were in Lesvos, how he took care of you in the labyrinth, stayed with you, and loaned you his strength? I loved him, too. He was my good buddy. He tried to protect me last night.
I swallowed hard. There’ll never be another to take his place.
I leaned forward and seized a slice of bacon in my teeth, broke off a small piece and dipped it into the over-easy eggs. Sucking it into my mouth was not easy, but I managed. Despite my predicament and my distressed stomach, I was hungry and I needed to keep up my strength. I kept eating, animal fashion, until I was too exhausted to continue. I thought about how we sophisticated human beings can regress when we have to. The will to live is powerful.
When Jake saw that I wasn’t eating any more, he yanked the plate away and threw me onto my side. He gunned the motor as we left the diner, then made a couple of quick turns. We were moving along at a good clip. Judging from the fast moving traffic and the number of big rig trucks, we were either on an interstate or a freeway and heading more or less west, or so I thought. After a while, we turned left and headed in a southerly direction.
