by Mark Mueller
“We don’t have a lot of time.”
“Meet me at my house. I have to get something.”
Ducky knew right away what I was talking about. “No, Mac, that wouldn’t be a good idea. Just come with me, will you?”
I wasn’t in the mood to argue, not even with my best friend. “Ducky, I’m going home for just a minute, with or without you. Don’t stop me.”
Ducky scoffed. “Okay. I’ll meet you over there.”
I headed for home while Ducky followed me close behind. His county-issued cruiser’s emergency lights were activated, but the siren wasn’t. When we arrived at the house, Ducky pulled into the driveway behind me.
I rushed inside and to the bedroom. I pulled the lockbox off of the closet shelf and placed it on my bed. Then I grabbed the shoulder holster Ducky had given me that was hanging on a closet hanger and harnessed it on over my left shoulder. Back at the lockbox, I unlocked it and pulled out my pistol along with two bullet magazines. I had kept both magazines loaded, each with fifteen bullets. I clipped one magazine into the pistol and then holstered it. I turned back to the closet and grabbed a blazer. I put it on and placed the second bullet magazine in the blazer’s pocket. Lastly, I put the lockbox back on the shelf. As I walked back outside I checked my wallet to make sure my carry permit was behind my driver’s license. I was locked and loaded.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Ducky asked as I approached him.
“I’m living the Boy Scout motto. ‘Be prepared.’”
Don’t go off like this, Mac.”
“Look, Ducky, I just found out Charlie’s my daughter. If I ever do one thing right in my life, then it’s now. I owe it to Maddy to get out there and find Charlie.”
“Mac—”
“No, Ducky, don’t. You’re not going to talk me out of it. We’re going to find her. Now you get in your car and I’m going to get in mine and we’ll roll, just like the old days.”
“Slow down, Mac. We don’t have any idea where she is at the moment, so there’s no reason to go off half-cocked like this. What we need to do is go to Maddy’s house and start from there. I need to talk to her again about what went down. I also want to get a statement from the babysitter if one hasn’t been taken yet. Besides, we don’t know who or what we’re dealing with yet. She might even be home already for all we know.”
I took a deep breath. “Okay, Duck. We’ll go to Maddy’s house and start from there.”
“Good. Now come on, let’s go.”
Ducky got into his cruiser and I turned toward my Charger.
“Mac?”
I turned around. “What?”
“Ride with me.”
I shook my head vehemently. “No, Duck. I’m driving.”
Ducky frowned and shook his head, knowing it would be useless to argue with me. “You have your permit on you?”
“Of course I do.” I could feel my face turning red. “You can tell I’m carrying?”
“I always do. I’m a pet detective.”
I shook my head.
“Listen to me, Mac. Let me and my people do our jobs. I don’t need you playing the hero on me, okay?”
“Don’t worry, I won’t.”
“And one more thing.”
“What?”
“This isn’t your fault, okay?”
“Yes it is.”
“You can’t think that way. You are in no way responsible for Maddy’s kid being taken.”
“She’s my kid, too.”
“Nevertheless, I’m sure Maddy had a good reason for not telling you about her. But the important thing is that you know, now. And we’re going to get her back, okay?”
“Fine Ducky. Then let’s get to it. Let’s bust in there and peel some caps and split some wigs up in that joint.”
Ducky gaped at me, surprised, and then laughed. “What are you, Men in Black all of a sudden?”
“I’m just itching to go.”
“All right, let’s go. But don’t lose your head, okay? And don’t draw your weapon unless I say so.”
“You’re the boss.” I turned and got into my Charger.
Ducky backed out of my driveway. I followed close behind him. It reminded me of our high school days when we had first gotten our driver’s licenses. For three years prior to getting them, we had both worked after-school and summer jobs, and saved our money like squirrels until we took our driving tests and were able to purchase our own cars.
Our first cars were a couple of pre-owned Honda Civics that had been tricked out by a couple of aging street racers, and we spent the next few years racing around Hunterdon County as if it was Hazzard County, and had nary a care in the world. When we graduated from college, we treated ourselves to a couple of brand-new Civics, which we modified into street racers. We still love competing with each other when we drove and it had always been a terrific way for us to let off steam. I was always the Luke to Ducky’s Bo. The only thing missing from our travels was Uncle Jesse, or maybe even Daisy Duke. Those were the days.
As I drove, I understood that, if I did this right, it might become my amends, my atonement, my penance for the hurt I had caused Maddy. I decided I couldn’t just tell Maddy how sorry I was for hurting her. I had to show her I meant what I said, when I had apologized to her yesterday in the car. If I did just one thing right by her for the rest of my life, then this was it. It was time for me to make definitive amends with her, by standing with her and finding Charlie.
I didn’t care anymore that Maddy hadn’t told me about Charlie. I understood why she didn’t, and it mattered no more to me. I forgave Maddy for not telling me about Charlie, and I promised myself I’d tell her as soon as I saw her.
Charlie was the most important part of Maddy’s life. I had to find her and get her back home to Maddy. I had to do it. Nothing else in the world mattered.
And maybe this was deliverance, after all.
It was time to split some wigs.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Twenty minutes later, Ducky and I were at Maddy’s house. As we got out of our cars, Ducky waved me over.
“Stay loose,” he cautioned. “And don’t lose your head. You won’t do Maddy or the little girl any good by losing your head.”
“Got it,” I replied. “We’re cool.”
“Good to hear, Ringo.”
“Any time, Honey Bunny.”
We both snickered. I was loose, but still, I felt sick to my stomach.
As we approached the house, Maddy exploded out of the front door and threw herself at me. Her arms went around my neck and she hugged me tight. My arms found their way around her waist and I held her close. Neither one of us spoke for several moments. We both held on to each other in a way that seemed to disseminate the pain we had both lived with for the past six years.
Finally, she loosened her grip around my neck.
“You came,” she sniffled. Her voice cracked as she spoke.
“I came as soon as I heard,” I replied.
“I didn’t think you would.”
“I’m sorry, Maddy. I’m sorry about yesterday. It was a lot to take in and I needed to let off steam. I was wrong to walk away like that.”
“Oh, Mac, I’m the one who should be sorry. I was so wrong to keep her from you.”
“You had your reasons. You didn’t trust me and you didn’t want her to get hurt.”
“I know. But still, I should have—”
I stopped her with an impulsive kiss, and then pulled away when I realized what I had done. I had crossed the line and I could feel my face turn red with embarrassment.
“Wow, I am so sorry, Maddy. That was uncalled for.”
“It’s alright, Mac,” She hugged me tight again. “I can’t lose her.”
“We’ll find her.”
“We have to. I’ll die without her.” She held onto me as if she was hanging onto a Titanic lifeboat.
“Maddy, look at me.”
She relaxed as she released her grip and focused at me
. I could see the torture in her pale blue eyes. The tears were barely holding back, and it was tearing me apart inside. After everything we had been through together, after all pain she had been through, after all of the suffering she had endured on my account, I could see it in her eyes, at that moment, that she loved me.
She still loved me.
But I knew she couldn’t tell me because she was still hurting. And she was in agony because Charlie was missing.
I had to help her, though I knew it out of complete selfishness. I was still in love with her and I wanted her back. As much as I enjoyed my life as it was, I wasn’t content with it.
Don’t get me wrong. I loved Spruce Run and I loved working at the Bugler. I lived in a house that was paid for and I had a cool car. I had my family and I had Ducky and I knew a lot of terrific people around town. But there was one thing missing. And that one thing was in my arms right now.
“We’ll find her, okay?” I whispered. “I promise you, we’ll find her.”
Maddy didn’t say anything. I realized I had said something I shouldn’t have, as soon it left my mouth. I had made a promise to her and that was wrong, given our past history together. I had made and broken so many promises during our relationship that I should have known it would have pained her to hear it from me again. I was a complete ass.
“Tell you what,” I said. “We’re both on edge. Why don’t we go inside?”
“That would be a good idea,” Ducky piped in. He had been standing there waiting for us.
I looked at him, his face bemused from what he had just witnessed.
Don’t start, I tried to tell him telepathically.
We turned toward the house and went in. A uniformed female sheriff’s deputy, Mary Jo Peluce, was talking to Hugo and Amanda Wuhrer, who were sitting on a couch in the living room. Another woman I didn’t know was sitting on a chair next to Amanda. Both of the Wuhrers’ demeanors showed a drastic change as soon as they saw me.
“What’s he doing here?” Hugo Wuhrer demanded.
“I asked him to join us,” Ducky answered.
“I want him out of my house. Now.”
“Mr. Wuhrer, Mac has every right to be here. He’s your granddaughter’s father, so he stays. She’s missing and we need to find her. So, you have a choice: either you cooperate and help the sheriff’s department find her, or we’ll do it without you. However, let me remind you that your cooperation will make this investigation go a lot smoother for everyone involved. And it’ll help us locate your granddaughter sooner.”
Wuhrer scowled at me as if I was some kind of insect that had gotten through the window screen, but didn’t say anything further.
“All right, folks,” Ducky said. “Let’s start from the beginning. What time did you leave for the will reading yesterday morning?”
* * * *
After Maddy and her parents had given Ducky their statements, he asked me for mine. I retraced my movements from the time I had left the Applegate law office to the New York City Rescue Mission, back to Spruce Run and then to the Bugler.
When I was done, Ducky turned to Mary Jo Peluce and instructed her to contact the county dispatcher for an update on the Amber Alert he had activated, and to make sure all available sheriff’s deputies were out and on the lookout. He then turned to the woman I hadn’t recognized when I first came into the house.
“And you are?” he grunted.
“Rebecca Diaz,” the woman answered. “I am a social worker with DFS.”
Great. DFS. The Department of Family Services. DFS was the official New Jersey state child protective agency that had a history of being about as efficient as a submarine with a screen door. Or a bowling ball with training wheels. Or an army tank with a kickstand.
Take your pick.
The sad truth was that DFS was so beyond incompetent in what they did, that they were often referred to as DOOFUS by the general public. There were reports in the news about two or three times a year, not often in a good light. I didn’t know if they were in truth as inefficient as the reports, but as a whole they’ve never tried to repair their reputation. Whether it was because they worked on a shoestring budget or because they were just plain clumsy, their involvement was never welcome.
“With all due respect, Agent Diaz,” Ducky said, “We’ve got this covered. I’m sorry you had to drive out here for nothing.”
“Detective,” Diaz said, “I am required by state law to assist whenever a child has been abducted. I work for the state, not for you.”
“Fine, whatever floats your boat.” He turned and faced Hugo and Amanda Wuhrer. “Who was supervising your granddaughter when you were at the will reading?”
“A local high school girl.” Amanda Wuhrer answered. “Tracy Lucas.”
“I know her,” I said. “She’s Ruth Lucas’s granddaughter. She’s a good kid.”
“Where does she live?” Ducky asked.
“On Highfield. Fourth house on the left.”
“All right, folks,” Ducky said as he made a note in a small notepad. “This is what we’re going to do. Mr. and Mrs. Wuhrer, I’m giving you my cell phone number. I want you to sit tight and stay close to your telephone. Notify me if anyone calls. And I mean anyone, no matter how insignificant. I also want to know right away if anyone stops by your house.”
“Yes, Detective,” Amanda Wuhrer acknowledged. “Just find my granddaughter.”
“We will, Mrs. Wuhrer.” Ducky turned to me. “Let’s go.”
“I’m coming too,” Maddy said.
“That wouldn’t be a good idea,” Ducky said. “You should be here with your mom and dad in case anything happens.”
“No way. I’m coming with you.”
“Maddy—” I blurted.
“No,” she interrupted. “I’m going. Charlie’s my daughter and I belong out there with you looking for her.”
“But Maddy—”
Her attention to me was so focused that I imagined for a second that her eyes would cut right through me like a laser. “My staying here is not an option. Our daughter is out there, who knows where. I have to find her right now and you’re going to help me find her. Were you serious about making amends with me, Mac? For real? Then this is it. Help me, Mac. Help me find Charlie. Help me find our daughter. I should never have left her yesterday and I hate myself for that.”
“Maddy, listen to what Ducky is—”
She cut me off. “Charlie is the one good thing that came out of our relationship, Mac. She’s my life and I need to get her back. So don’t you tell me to sit here like some fairy tale princess waiting for Prince Charming to come and rescue me. This is real, and I’m coming with you.”
I put my arms around her and kissed her on the cheek.
“Okay,” I whispered.” We’ll find her, and we’ll bring her home. I swear on my grandmother’s grave that you’ll get her back.”
Maddy hugged me. “Thank you, Mac.”
“Okay, kids,” Ducky said. “I’d love to continue this Hallmark Channel moment, but we’re wasting time. We need to blow this joint, so let’s get going.”
I took Maddy’s hand and we headed for the door. Rebecca Diaz got up from her seat and started to follow us.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Ducky growled at her.
“I will assist you in locating the missing child,” Diaz replied.
“No you won’t. Not on my watch.”
“Detective, I am an agent of the state of New Jersey.”
“So what?”
“It’s my responsibility to follow up on the whereabouts of Charlotte McMurphy.”
“Fine,” Ducky said. “You go ahead and get your bloomers all in a twist while you’re pushing paper and playing patty-cake wherever it is that you work. But this is my county and I’m in charge of this investigation. You’re not, and I’m ordering you to back off. Should you decide to pursue this further, I will charge you with hindrance and interfering with an investigation, and I will not hesitate to throw your a
ss in the county clink. You’re not welcome here. Do you understand me?”
“Well, I never—”
“Thank you for your understanding,” Ducky turned to Maddy and me. “Let’s rock.”
We left the house. Rebecca Diaz did not follow us out.
When we got to the driveway, I snickered. “You’re insane, Duck.”
“Me at my finest, bro.”
Maddy shook her head. “You two haven’t changed a bit.”
“No, ma’am,” I said. “We haven’t.”
Maddy shook her head again, and then took my hand.
“Mac,” Ducky said.
“I know,” I said. “Time to go.”
“Can I assume I won’t be able to convince you to ride with me?”
“No, Duck. Maddy and I need to talk.”
Maddy nodded.
“Then I’ll see you over on Highfield in a few.”
“Yeah,” I said. “See you in a few.”
Ducky got into his cruiser and pulled out of the driveway as I opened the Charger’s passenger side door for Maddy.
A moment later we motorvated.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
As we headed toward Highfield, I wanted Maddy to talk and think in the present would keep her mind in the right place. I didn’t know if it would work, but I had to take a shot.
“Tell me about Charlie,” I said.
She didn’t say anything for a long moment. It almost seemed like she was making a decision. Then she looked at me with a very slight smile.
“Mac, you’ll love her.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
Maddy paused. “She’s just like you.”
I chortled. “Tell me she’s not a drunk.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Sorry. Then how is she like me?”
“She has your sense of humor.”
I smiled. “That’s good to hear.”
“And her vocabulary is off the charts. That, she gets from you.”
“I knew I liked her.”
I was now even more curious about Charlie and had a million questions, but I didn’t want to stress Maddy out any further than she already was. So I decided to keep it as light as possible.
