The Daughter's Return

by Unknown

  “I’m sorry, Mr. Halsey, but she just left on foundation business.”

  Jake struggled to hide his disappointment. “How long before she’s back?”

  “She has a two o’clock meeting with a client, if that helps.”

  Maggie McFarland was a driven woman. But as long as no man had a claim on her, Jake could live with it.

  “Tell her I dropped by will you?”

  “Of course.”

  He stopped in the plaza cafeteria for a sandwich before returning to his office. The rest of the day, Jake continued to make phone calls without hearing back from Maggie.

  Frustrated, he checked his watch. It was ten to three. His therapy session started at three-thirty.

  Two more phone calls to go.

  “Lofgren’s Engraving.”

  Jake identified himself and the reason for his call.

  “Just a moment please. I’ll see if the senior Mr. Lofgren’s still here.”

  It was closing time in New York. If Jake’s efforts didn’t produce results, he would have to attack his problem a different way tomorrow.

  “Hello,” came the voice of a man who had to be in his late seventies or even eighties. “I hear you’re trying to locate Buric Engravers. It was bought out years ago by Fetzer Stationers. I believe the original building has been torn down.”

  Stationers!

  “Thank you, Mr. Lofgren. You’ve been very helpful.”

  In the next instant Jake called New York information for the number, but when he tried to reach Fetzer’s, their voice mail had been turned on.

  There was always tomorrow.

  By the time he’d returned to his apartment after his therapy, Maggie still hadn’t called. It looked like it was going to be another long night.

  Skwars Farm

  August 11

  ANNA HAD JUST TAKEN the last tray of kolaches from the bottom shelf of the oven when Julia entered the bakery kitchen and walked over to her.

  “Those two men from the FBI who interviewed Petr the other day are out in front wanting to talk to you. I told them to sit down at one of the tables.”

  Since their first visit to the farm, Anna had expected they’d be by again to see her, but today wasn’t the best time. Nelly’s wedding was tomorrow. Milena was coming by in a few minutes to take her and some other cousins to Caledonia where they were going to decorate the church.

  “I’ll be right there.”

  After putting the pastry on a cooling rack, Anna washed her hands, removed her apron and walked through to the front of the bakery. She spotted the men immediately.

  They were dressed in lightweight business suits and ties. Julia had served them something to eat. Anna wove her way through the other tables toward them.

  “Hello. I’m Anna Buric.”

  They both stood up and introduced themselves as Agents Davis and Polk. “If you don’t mind, we’d like to talk to you for a minute. This won’t take long,” said Agent Davis.

  After they were all seated, she said, “I don’t know what more I can tell you than I told Mr. Markham.”

  “We’re not here to ask more questions. We came to give you something important.”

  She looked from one man to the other. “I don’t understand.”

  “We’ve been working hard with your attorney to solve the mystery of your past. No answers have emerged yet, but we’ve issued you a temporary social-security number so you can get on with your plans to go to college, buy a car, get a new job, open a bank account. Whatever.”

  They presented her with a card. She looked at it in disbelief, then her gaze flicked back to them.

  “That’s your passport to the future. Don’t lose it.”

  “I never expected to receive this so soon!”

  Both men smiled. The one on her left said, “Mr. Markham thought you might like this present so you can enjoy your cousin’s wedding tomorrow.”

  The other agent nodded. “All we ask is that you check in with us once a week and keep us alerted of any change in your address.” He handed her another card with their names and phone numbers.

  “Do you have any theories about what happened to my mother and father?”

  Agent Davis’s expression sobered. “We know nothing about your mother. The man purported to be your father, Antonin Buric, a man who would be fifty years old today, has a record of criminal activity stretching back to his teens. At this point in time we have no idea where he is, or even if he’s alive.”

  A criminal.

  Anna had discussed that possibility with Mr. Markham, but it didn’t make it any easier to hear.

  “It’s our opinion he’s not your birth father. Mr. Markham suggested he might have been part of an illegal baby-adoption ring having to do with Czech mothers that was in operation years ago. But we’ve looked into the court records on all the arrests made at the time. There’s no evidence to indicate Antonin Buric or his brother Franz had any connection to it.”

  “So you think I could have been kidnapped.”

  Agent Polk slowly nodded. “It’s only a hunch, but it’s a strong one.”

  “I’m inclined to believe the same thing,” the other agent asserted.

  Anna started to get excited. “Then my real parents could be looking for me—”

  “If you were abducted, then there’s no question about it. We’ve worked with other parents who even after decades have passed are desperate to find their stolen children. They never stop hoping and praying for a miracle.”

  “We haven’t ruled out the possibility that Antonin could have been your father. We’re going to continue to do everything possible to locate a birth record on you while we try to find him. But we’re also beginning the task of sorting through the names of parents throughout the nation whose babies were stolen during that year.”

  “Would there be a lot?”

  “Let’s put it this way. In the year you were born, there were reports of 120,000 cases involving the concealment of a child under the age of seventeen and transporting it out of state.”

  “That many?” she cried in disbelief.

  “Not all of them were new babies, of course. But you can understand it’s still going to be a huge job sorting it all out.”

  “We can, however, narrow our search to a window of five, six months,” Agent Polk interjected. “In case this Olga was off on her presumption that you were three months old when you arrived at the farm, we’ll be looking at names of parents whose babies were born anywhere from March through August.”

  She looked down at the cards in her hand. “I can’t tell you what this means to me.”

  “If there’s a family out there waiting for you to come home, we’re anxious to unite you. In the event Antonin was your father, then let’s hope he’s alive and we can track him down to get answers about your mother. In the meantime, you’re free to move about in society.”

  Free.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “Have fun at the wedding.”

  They got to their feet and shook her hand. As they left the bakery, Milena was coming through the door. The moment she saw Anna, she motioned her to come out to the car.

  “Give me one second,” Anna called to her.

  Before she left, she had to phone Mr. Markham and thank him for this great gift. The attorney had just presented her with the document she needed to start a new life.

  Her cousins had been so good to her, but she’d always felt deep in her heart she wasn’t one of them. Since meeting with the agents, that feeling had grown stronger.

  But in case she was the daughter of a criminal, she didn’t dare allow herself to dream about this fantastic family she belonged to. It was enough to know she could leave the farm and be a legal citizen.

  Salt Lake City, Utah

  August 12

  “MAGGIE? It’s Liz.”

  “Have they found that eight-year-old girl yet?”

  “No. The authorities have put out the AMBER Alert, and are asking for more he
lpers in the search.”

  “I’ll get right on it. Thanks, Liz.”

  After clicking off, Maggie phoned the person in charge of mobilizing the volunteers. She gave him the necessary information. “One of the newest volunteers is a Mr. Jake Halsey. I’ll contact him personally.”

  Since the kidnapping had prevented her from returning to the firm yesterday, she hadn’t heard Jake had dropped by her office until her receptionist had told her that morning. Maggie had a volunteer job for him.

  The second they hung up she called her mechanic and told him to get the Cessna 185 ready and towed out to the runway. Then she buzzed her receptionist.

  “Beth? Please reschedule my afternoon appointment with Mr. Carlisle for Thursday afternoon. Scott will handle any emergencies. I’m going out on a search. I might have to be gone through Thursday morning.”

  “Will do. Good luck finding her. I heard the news on the radio. The poor little thing.”

  “Let’s hope we’re in time,” she said before calling Jake on his cell phone.

  In case he wasn’t using his work phone, or wasn’t there at all, this would be the fastest way to make contact. He picked up on the second ring.

  “Maggie?”

  His deep voice resonated to her insides, making her feel quivery. “Yes. Do you want to go out on a search with me?’

  “When?”

  “Right now.”

  “I’m ready. Shall I walk over to the foundation?”

  “No. You’re going to need protective clothing and a sleeping bag. I’ll come by your apartment in fifteen minutes to pick you up.”

  “Drive around the back. I’ll be waiting.”

  She wouldn’t have had the confidence to call him herself if Beth hadn’t told her he’d come by the office to see her. Though he’d probably come on business, she hoped he was starting to be interested in her as a woman.

  Twenty minutes later, after she’d changed into khakis and a T-shirt, she drove around to the east side of the old Jordan mansion. Jake walked toward her wearing fatigues and a backpack with a bedroll. When their eyes met, her heart leaped.

  He tossed his gear in the back, then climbed in the passenger seat next to her. “Hi.”

  People said hi coming and going all the time, every day. But that two-letter word had never affected her the way this one did coming from Jake.

  “You said you were my man. It’s reassuring to know I can take you at your word.”

  “I’m glad to know my application for a volunteer was approved.”

  “As if there was any doubt. Thanks for being ready. There’s no time to lose.”

  She backed up before driving out the same way she came in. They’d take the short trip down the hill to North Temple, then drive to the airport.

  “I turned on the TV when I came home to change. All I heard was that there’d been a kidnapping this morning. No other details.”

  Maggie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “An eight-year-old girl was abducted from Yellow Pine campsite at Mirror Lake in the Uintas east of Salt Lake. While her parents were still asleep, she tiptoed out of their tent to take her six-year-old brother to the nearby latrine.

  “While she was waiting for him, he could hear a man talking to her. When the boy went outside, she wasn’t there. He thought she’d gone back to their camp without him.”

  “Good Lord.” He grimaced. “How far away is it?”

  “Two hours by car. Fortunately the park rangers were on the ball and alerted the police. Roadblocks went up hours ago. The fiend who’s taken her will have to stay in that area of the mountains to elude capture.

  “Unfortunately he could be hiding anywhere in the pine-covered terrain. If he laid in a cache of supplies ahead of time, he could survive long enough to kill her and dispose of her body.”

  “What’s the elevation?”

  “A little over ten thousand feet.”

  Jake whistled. “Then he’ll be staying below timberline to keep out of sight.”

  “Yes, and it’s rugged country.”

  She felt his gaze on her. “How come we’re driving west?”

  “Because we’re going to do a flyover search. You’ve been relegated to the position of my spotter. When it’s dark, we’ll search on foot until we’re exhausted and need to make camp. If she isn’t found by morning, we’ll do the whole thing all over again.”

  Maggie felt instant stillness from Jake.

  “The attorney’s a pilot, too?”

  “Yes. I soloed at fifteen and have been flying ever since.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  A little thrill darted through her body. If he weren’t a little attracted to her, he wouldn’t have asked the question.

  “Fifteen years. If you’re nervous about going up with me, tell me now and I’ll ask one of the mechanics to drive you home after we reach the small airport.”

  “You’re not going to get rid of me that fast.”

  Her lips twitched. “I was right about you. You like to live dangerously.”

  “You’re still alive,” he drawled.

  “That’s a fact. Just so you know, I intend to stay that way.”

  He responded with a lazy smile. “I’m overjoyed to hear it.”

  Despite the seriousness of their mission, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

  The airport turnoff came up fast. She veered to the right and took the road leading to the McFarland private hangar. To her satisfaction, her white Cessna 185 with the navy trim sat outside all fueled and ready to go.

  “Hey, Maggie!” One of the mechanics walked over to her as she and Jake got out of the car. “The Duchesne County sheriff faxed this grid map to you. He’ll be on com two.”

  “Perfect.” She studied the information for a moment before folding and stuffing it in her trouser pocket. “I appreciate you getting the plane checked out so fast.”

  “Pleased to do it, even if it’s what you pay me for.” He winked.

  She turned to Jake. All he was doing was standing there holding his gear, observing everything. But if she could take a picture of him right now and show it to every woman she knew, their knees would buckle the same way hers were doing at the sheer virility of the man.

  She relished the thought of flying alone with him. “Come on. We’ll store your gear with mine.” She headed toward the fuselage and opened the door to the storage area. “If you need anything, take it out now.”

  He pulled a black case from his backpack.

  She looked at him. “I’ve got binoculars for you in the pouch behind my seat.”

  Something flickered in the recesses of his eyes. “I’ve brought a special kind.”

  She just bet he did.

  At this point, nothing surprised her where he was concerned. After he’d stashed the rest of his things, she closed the door. Without her urging, he walked around the passenger side of the single-prop plane and climbed in the copilot’s seat.

  Maggie took her place at the controls and reached for her headgear. The four-seater plane had a tight-fitting interior. With Jake’s arm brushing against hers, the intimacy caused her heart to thud unmercifully fast. “You can stow that case in the pouch behind your seat.”

  While he complied with her suggestion, she started her preflight check.

  “Your headgear is above the window. Put it on first before you fasten your shoulder seat strap.”

  Every movement of his was so swift and precise, Maggie had the gut feeling he’d done this kind of thing many times before, but he wasn’t about to admit it to her. Perhaps before this trip was over, he would reveal a secret or two.

  Anxious to be in the air, she ran through the checklist. Conditions were perfect for flying. Ninety degrees out, little wind, one hundred percent visibility. Everything was a go.

  “Are you ready?” she asked her passenger.

  “What do you think?”

  She thought she might turn to mush at the way his gaze traveled over her. With a flick of the wrist, she t
urned on the key and the motor started up. Like driving a car, she taxied out to the runway.

  “Tower? This is Cessna one-eight-five kilo mike, ready for takeoff.”

  The Daughter’s Return

  CHAPTER SIX

  CRUISING WITH THE UNEXPECTED and extraordinary Maggie McFarland at 13,500 feet produced a high in Jake he hadn’t experienced in years. Maybe never. From their unique vantage point up close, the majesty of the rugged Uinta mountains with their towering peaks only added to his wonder.

  Below the main ridges, the terrain was divided into numerous alpine basins dotted with crystal-clear lakes and lush meadows. His eyes followed the rivers descending from glacially carved U-shaped canyons.

  “That’s King’s Peak,” Maggie pointed out. “It’s as high as we are. Glorious, isn’t it?”

  Glorious didn’t begin to express what he was feeling. There were no words to describe his state of euphoria. All this grandeur and Maggie’s soft, warm body only inches from his…

  “We’re approaching the area of the grid to begin our search. It looks like we’re the first plane here.”

  Those few words brought Jake back to reality with a jerk. She handed him the map with coordinates to pinpoint exact locations. “We’ll search the area near the timberline level first,” she said.

  Jake studied the grid in detail. This was just like being in the field, except that instead of another agent for company, he was with a female who drove every thought from his mind but one.

  “Better get out that toy you brought along before I make my first sweep. I’ll bank to a distance of about two hundred feet above the terrain. When you spot anything moving that looks suspicious, tell me and I’ll call it in. The search-and-rescue units will investigate.”

  While she established radio contact with the ground, Jake started to reach around with his left hand for the case that held his infrared goggles. Damn if his shoulder didn’t make it difficult to stretch that far. He made several more attempts, swallowing the curse that almost escaped. Finally he was successful.

  “Fancy,” she commented when he’d put on the goggles and started making adjustments. “Standard detective issue is it, Mr. Halsey?”