Looking for Lainey - A gripping psychological thriller

by Kristen Middleton

  Carissa sensed that Carol hadn’t seen her daughter for a very long time and was frightened more than anything that she’d be taken away from her again.

  “Just a couple of questions,” Carissa said softly. “I know that Tara would do anything to save those kids and might be angry if she’s not given the chance.”

  Studying her face, Carol frowned. “Who are you?”

  Carissa told her.

  “I thought you looked familiar,” she replied in a tired voice. “I saw you on the news. You found that girl up near Duluth.”

  Carissa smiled sadly. “Yes.”

  The woman let out a ragged sigh. “Fine. But just a couple of questions and if she gets upset, you’ll need to leave.”

  “Of course,” Carissa replied.

  Carol allowed them back into the room and gently woke up Tara.

  “Honey, the police are here again. They have more questions for you. If you don’t think you’re up to it, I’ll send them away,” Carol said softly.

  Tara’s eyes fluttered open. She looked at the three of them and licked her lips. “What do you want to know?”

  Samuels began asking her about the farmhouse and the people who had kidnapped her.

  “I told the other officer all about that,” said Tara, looking exhausted.

  The detective was about to say something when Carissa cleared her throat. “Can I ask her a few things?”

  Samuels nodded.

  Carissa stepped closer to Tara and gently lay her hand on the girl’s. “You were very brave, helping them earlier,” she said.

  “Maybe. But, they’re still missing so it was probably a waste of time,” Tara mumbled.

  “No. It’s not,” Carissa said. “Because of you, we have gotten closer to finding them than ever before. You have to believe that.”

  Tara’s eyes filled with tears. “Do you think they’re okay?”

  Carissa nodded. “I do. They’re with a woman now. Her name is Anna. Does that ring a bell with you?”

  Tara bit her lower lip. “I remember Yury talking to someone on the phone before with that name. You think she has the children?”

  “Yes.” Carissa closed her eyes and concentrated on Tara. Searching for something that might lead to finding Lainey and Sammy. Suddenly, she opened her eyes. “Did Yury ever mention anything about an escape route? Or a way to get out of Minnesota in a hurry if they needed to?”

  Tara was quiet for a few minutes and then her eyes widened. “No, but I know they used some airfield in Mankato sometimes. To fly the children out of the state.”

  Samuels pulled out his phone. “Anna has talked about Mankato before. I think she might have lived there as a teenager,” he said, excitedly.

  Carissa’s gut told her that they were headed in the right direction. “Everything has fallen apart for her. She can’t stay in her car for very long and needs to get out of the state. Maybe even the country. It’s literally, her only way out of this. You need to check out all of the private airports in Mankato.”

  “I doubt there are too many of those in that area.” Samuels looked at her and grunted. “Lady, for the first time ever, I think you and I are exactly on the same page.”

  Chapter 56

  Dubov

  IT TOOK ANNA two hours to reach Bower’s Airport, which was owned by the family who’d taken her in when Viktor had shipped her to America. By the time she arrived, the sun was peeking over the horizon. Unfortunately, the lights were all out at the airfield and the gate was locked.

  Frustrated, Anna picked up her cell phone and began dialing the owner’s number. She’d spoken to him earlier, explaining the situation, and he’d promised to fly her out of Minnesota himself.

  “Abe, we’re here, and you’re not. Call me. Better yet, get your ass to the airfield,” she said angrily, before hanging up.

  “What are we doing here?” asked Sammy, just waking up.

  Anna looked at him over her shoulder. “We’re going for a ride. Have you ever been on a plane before?”

  “No,” he said, looking outside. “I thought we were going home?”

  “You are going home. But first we want to get you on an airplane so that you’re safe.”

  He frowned.

  She forced a smile to her face as the lies slid off of her tongue. If there was one thing Anna was good at, it was making things up. “You see, the kidnappers are trying to find you and that’s why we’re flying you far away. Where they can’t. Once we know you’re safe, you’ll see your mommies and daddies.”

  “I always wanted to go on a plane,” Lainey said, her eyes fluttering open. “Where is it?”

  “Good question,” she muttered dryly, looking out of the windshield again. Anna pointed toward the three large buildings on the other side of the fence. “I’m sure our plane is in one of those hangars.”

  “Cool,” said Sammy.

  Frustrated and anxious, Anna pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her purse. “I’m going outside to have a smoke. You guys wait in here.”

  “Okay,” said Lainey.

  “I have to go to the bathroom,” Sammy said.

  Anna sighed. Kids. “What about you, Lainey?”

  “I’m okay,” she replied. “But, I’m thirsty.”

  “We’ll take care of that on the plane. Sammy, you’re going to have to pee in the bushes over there,” Anna said, pointing by the fence. “Think you can you handle that?”

  “I guess,” he replied glumly.

  “Let’s go,” she said.

  Anna and Sammy got out of the car. She lit a cigarette and watched as the boy made his way over to the bushes. When he found a spot, he looked back at Anna.

  “It’s okay. Just do it,” she said.

  His cheeks turned pink. “I don’t think I can.”

  She sighed. “Sorry. I won’t look.”

  Sammy looked relieved. “Thanks.”

  Anna turned around and was about to take another puff of her cigarette when she heard a helicopter in the distance. Frowning, she looked around until she spotted it.

  And... it was coming in fast.

  She gasped, noticing that it was a state patrol helicopter and headed directly toward them. “Sammy, let’s go!”

  “I’m not finished yet,” he said, his back to her. Hearing the helicopter, he also looked up into the sky. “Wow, cool!”

  “Shit. Shit. Shit,” Anna said, throwing down her cigarette. “Sammy! Come on!”

  “Are those the good guys or the bad guys?” he asked, scratching his cheek.

  The helicopter moved right above them, hovering.

  Unwilling to wait for Sammy any longer, Anna jumped in the car and backed away from the gate.

  “Wait, what about Sammy?” cried Lainey as they sped off.

  “Quiet,” snapped Anna.

  Squad cars appeared in the distance in front of her as she raced away from the airport. Slamming on the brakes, she turned the car around and headed in the opposite direction.

  “I’m scared. Why are we running from the police?” Lainey cried.

  “Just, shut up!” Anna hollered, staring above at the helicopter as it circled around and began following her.

  Lainey sunk farther down into the seat, terrified.

  “I’m so stupid... stupid... stupid...” Anna shrieked. “I should have known better!”

  She knew that she couldn’t outrun them. She also knew that she’d go to jail, where Viktor would pay someone to silence her forever. Their operation was too big and a small fry like her wasn’t worth the risk.

  I’m dead.

  No matter what happens, I’m dead.

  Anna’s eyes filled with tears as two more squads appeared in front of her. They were going to block her in.

  “It’s not worth it,” she said, imagining how it would be for her in prison. Always waiting for someone to strike.

  Would they kill her in the showers?

  Would someone stab her in the middle of the night?

  Knowing Viktor, he wou
ld make sure it happened right away. It would be painful. Agonizing. A slow death to remind her of how she’d failed him.

  “I’m scared!” Lainey cried as Anna stomped on the gas.

  If I’m going to die, I want it to be quick...

  “Mommy!” the little girl whimpered in the back seat.

  “I’m sorry. It’s better this way,” she said in a hollow voice as their vehicle barreled toward the patrol cars. “And nobody can hurt you... or me... ever... again.”

  Lainey screamed.

  Chapter 57

  Carissa

  CARISSA STARED DOWN in horror as Anna’s vehicle collided with the squad car. Over the noise of the chopper, they could still hear the violence of the wreckage as both front ends were crushed in a collision that had to have been fatal to everyone involved.

  “Lainey must have been in there,” Dustin said in a thick voice. “Good Lord, what was that woman thinking?”

  The pilot landed the helicopter and the three of them raced out and headed to the wreckage, where police were already trying to get everyone out.

  “Is Lainey okay?” Carissa cried, not seeing any movement from the backseat of the Mercedes.

  “It’s hard to tell,” said one of the officers. “There’s gas leaking everywhere and we need to get them out as soon as possible. Please, stay back.”

  She watched as they worked on opening up the back doors of the Mercedes, to try and get to Lainey.

  “The driver has no pulse,” one of the other officers said as he felt Anna’s neck.

  One didn’t have to be psychic to see that the detective was dead. The entire front end of her car was crushed and there was too much blood on her and the airbag.

  “That’s what she wanted,” mumbled Carissa. Although she had no love for the dead woman, she felt that the Anna had chosen death over something much more frightening and in a way, she pitied her.

  “Thank goodness. They got the back door open,” Dustin said, stepping forward to try and get a better look.

  Carissa watched breathlessly as they carefully pulled Lainey out of the back. They set her down on a blanket gently and began checking her pulse.

  “Is she okay?” Detective Samuels asked, also shaken.

  “She has a weak pulse and... it looks like she hit her head pretty hard,” said the officer. “Other than that, we’ll have to wait for the paramedics to learn more.”

  Carissa’s eyes filled with tears as they worked on the little girl. Soon the paramedics arrived and they took over.

  “What’s wrong with her? Is she going to be okay?” asked Sammy, pulling away from an officer who’d been trying to comfort the boy.

  “We don’t know,” Carissa said softly, putting an arm around his shoulder.

  Sammy began to cry. “But... she can’t die!” he sobbed. “Don’t let her die!”

  “They’re doing their best,” Dustin said, trying to grab his hand.

  “Lainey!” Sammy called, pulling away. He raced over to her as the paramedics placed her on a stretcher. “Lainey, can you hear me? Lainey!”

  “Son, you’ve got to back away,” said one of the officers.

  “They found Tara! She’s alive, Lainey! Did you hear that? You have to wake up so you can see her!” Sammy sobbed as the man pulled him back. “Lainey... don’t leave us!”

  Chapter 58

  Three days later

  Carissa

  CARISSA AND DUSTIN arrived at the St. Paul Children’s Hospital around ten a.m. As they headed down the corridor, she was suddenly overwhelmed by all of the different forms of energy shared by patients and family members. Sadness. Grief. Hope. Relief. By the time they reached their destination her mascara was a mess and she felt emotionally exhausted.

  “Are you okay?” a nurse asked, when they stepped into the room.

  Embarrassed, Carissa dabbed a tissue under her eyes. “Yes. This place does it to me. I always say that I’m grateful for my psychic gifts, but they’re also a curse. Especially here.”

  “I understand,” replied the nurse with a sad smile. “It’s hard enough working here every day, knowing that you can only do so much for some of these children. But, I wouldn’t trade my job for the world.”

  “And they’re lucky to have you. It takes a special kind of person to work here,” Carissa said. “You’re a gift to these children.”

  “Thank you,” the nurse said, her own eyes tearing up now.

  Smiling, Carissa stepped over to where Lainey was lying. “How are you, sweetie.”

  Lainey smiled from the bed. “Okay. I get to go home today.”

  “That’s great news,” Carissa said, breaking into a smile. It seemed like a miracle that she’d suffered little more than a concussion and a sprained wrist. “So, no more headaches?”

  “Nope,” she replied.

  A sudden knock at the door made them all turn around. It was Sammy and his mother, Eaden.

  “Can we come in?” Eaden asked, smiling at everyone. She was a striking woman with her dark hair and bright green eyes.

  “Of course,” Beth said. “We were just talking about how Lainey gets to come home today.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Eaden replied. “You must be thrilled, Lainey.”

  “I can’t wait,” Lainey replied.

  Sammy, holding a stuffed puppy and bag of candy, stepped over to the bed. Smiling proudly, he held the items out to Lainey. “I picked this out for you down in the store.”

  She took the items from him and hugged the puppy up to her cheek. “Thank you. He’s so cute.”

  “You’re welcome,” he replied. “How is your wrist?”

  “It hurts but they gave me some medicine,” Lainey replied.

  He nodded. “Good.”

  Carissa’s heart warmed watching them together. She sensed that Sammy and Lainey’s friendship would continue to grow and because of what they’d been through together, help each other heal in many ways.

  “So, what time do you get to leave?” Carissa asked.

  “As soon as the doctor checks Lainey over,” Beth replied.

  “Oh, good.” Carissa glanced around the room. “Where’s Tom?”

  “He’s in the cafeteria getting some food,” she replied.

  From what Carissa had learned, Beth and Tom were trying to work things out.

  Slowly.

  She knew that Beth had broken off her engagement to Mike and suspected that it was for more than just his cheating or the fact that his brother had taken her child. Carissa sensed that she still loved Tom and that this ordeal had brought them closer than ever.

  “I was wondering if you had a minute,” Beth said to Carissa.

  “Of course,” she replied.

  “We’ll be right back, sweetheart,” Beth said to Lainey, kissing her on the forehead.

  “Okay,” she said, playing with her puppy.

  “Dustin, would you like me to get you some coffee?” Carissa asked him.

  “That sounds good. Thanks,” he replied.

  Beth looked at Eaden. “How about you?”

  “Oh, I’m fine. Thank you, though,” she replied.

  “Coffee, Sammy?” Beth asked with a smile.

  He made a face. “No way. That’s disgusting.”

  Laughing, the two women stepped out of the room.

  “So, Lainey is doing well?” Carissa asked as they walked down the hallway toward the cafeteria.

  Beth nodded. “She’s been having some nightmares but after everything she’s been through, it’s understandable.”

  “Definitely. I’m sure once she meets with the child psychologist that will help too.”

  “I hope so,” Beth said. She let out a ragged sigh. “I’m just so relieved that you help us find her. We were so close to losing Lainey and... I just want you to know how truly grateful we are for everything you’ve done.”

  “I’m glad that I could help,” Carissa said. “When we’re successful like this, there’s no greater joy for me.”

  “I c
an imagine. Have you ever... not been able to return a child home?”

  She nodded. “I’m still learning how to use this gift and unfortunately, I’ve interpreted messages incorrectly. Kind of like I did earlier, when I thought Mike was involved.”

  “Messages? As in from beyond the grave?” Beth asked, looking intrigued.

  Carissa smiled. “Something like that.”

  “Oh, here comes Tom. I know he wants to talk to you,” Beth said as he walked toward them holding a tray of food.

  Tom approached them with a warm smile on his face. Before he opened up his mouth to speak, Carissa already had an idea of what he wanted to talk to her about.

  “Carissa. Nice to see you again,” he said, looking genuinely happy.

  She smiled. “At least this time it’s a social call.”

  “Yeah, well,” he sighed. “Speaking of which, I have something for you.”

  “You do?” Carissa replied.

  He handed Beth the food tray and then reached into his jacket pocket. He pulled out a Thank You card with a splash of flowers on the front, and handed it to her. Inside was a personal note from Tom.

  I wasn’t just a jerk.

  I was an idiot. And I was wrong.

  Thanks for putting up with my ignorance and skepticism. But, even more so, thanks for saving our little girl’s life. We’re forever in your debt. I know we’ll never be able to thank you enough.

  Sincerely,

  Tom Brown

  Smiling, Carissa looked at him. “I’m glad I could help. And from what it sounds like, you might have both of your girl’s back in your life.”

  He grinned and put his arm around Beth. “You know, in a way, that was also your doing.”

  “No. That was all you,” said Carissa. “Something tells me that you two would have gotten back together despite my ‘revelations’ about Mike.”

  “I would like to think so,” he replied.

  Beth smiled. “All I know is that I’m happier than I’ve been in a while, despite everything that has happened.”

  “I can tell,” Carissa said, feeling the warm vibes emanating off of her.

  “Oh, by the way, we’re having a small ‘Welcome Home’ party for Lainey. In fact, Tara and her mother are going to be there. Sammy, too. We’d love it if you and Dustin could also join us,” said Tom.