To Save Her Child

by Margaret Daley

  Ella shot up straight in her seat while Robbie groaned, laid his hand on Buddy and petted him. The sight of both of them shifted something deep inside Josiah.

  “That wasn’t exactly how I planned to wake you up, but it was effective.”

  Ella laughed. “That it was.”

  Robbie stretched and pushed himself up to a sitting position, rubbing his eyes. “We’re here?”

  “Yes, but if you two want, I can get it to go.”

  Ella shook her head. “No, burgers are best eaten right away, especially the fries.”

  Within five minutes, Robbie sat across from Josiah while Ella was in the seat next to him.

  Robbie glanced around, his eyes lighting up when he saw a couple of video games lining one wall. “Can I play?”

  “Just until our food arrives.” Ella dug into her purse and gave her son some quarters.

  When he left, Josiah knew this might be the only time Robbie wasn’t around to hear the news Thomas had told him about Casey Foster. Dread twisted his gut just thinking Foster had been in the park near the boys. “Thomas has a lead on a man he suspects scared the children.”

  She clasped her hands tightly together on the table. “Someone with a record?”

  “Yes. His name is Casey Foster. The police have been sent to pick him up. Michael identified a photo Thomas showed him.”

  “Good. I don’t want him frightening any other children at the camp.”

  “Speaking of the camp, how did it go with the director?” The second the question was out of his mouth, he wanted to snatch it back. He didn’t usually pry into other people’s lives, especially someone who was an acquaintance—well, a little more than an acquaintance, especially after today. Search and rescue operations tended to bring people closer. But when that happened, he felt too vulnerable and often needed to step away.

  “I’m pulling Robbie out of the camp. It’s no longer a safe environment. Mr. Waters assured me the counselor who failed to watch the boys would be fired, but I can’t take that chance again. Of course, I’m going to have to find other arrangements for Robbie until school starts. I’ll talk with David tomorrow. I might have to take a few days off while I look.”

  “That camp has a good reputation.”

  “I know. I wanted Robbie to learn about Alaska, some survival tips and how to take care of himself. It was a bonus that a couple of his friends were going to the camp, too. I’ll call Michael’s and Travis’s parents to see what they’re going to do. Child care is a big issue, especially when I don’t have any family here.”

  “Where are you from?”

  Ella averted her gaze for a few seconds before answering, “Back east.”

  A shutter fell over her expression, and her eyes darkened. He could tell when someone didn’t want to continue a thread of conversation, and he was definitely getting vibes on that score. What was she hiding? The question aroused his curiosity, which wasn’t a good thing. He needed to step away before she became more than a casual friend, someone he worked with from time to time.

  Ella stood. “I see the waitress coming. I’m going to get Robbie.”

  The older lady placed their burgers and fries on the table as Robbie hurried back to his seat.

  “This smells great.” The young boy popped a fry into his mouth.

  “Where’s your mom?”

  “She went to the restroom.”

  As though she needed to step back. Interesting. More and more Ella reminded him of himself. He knew why he was reluctant to become emotionally close to a person. What was her reason?

  “How long have you had Buddy?” Robbie asked before taking a big bite of his burger.

  “Eighteen months, since I left the Marines.” Buddy had entered his life as a service dog because he’d been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Out of the corner of his eye, Josiah caught sight of Ella returning to the table.

  “How long has Buddy been a search and rescue dog?”

  “I started training Buddy a year ago.” Buddy had helped him so much, Josiah wanted to help others with his German shepherd.

  Ella slipped into her chair, her expression closed. “Is the burger good?” she asked her son.

  “Great. Mr. Witherspoon did good choosing this place. We need to come back here.”

  “Call me Josiah. Mr. Witherspoon makes me sound old.”

  Finally she looked at him. Again he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

  “Is that okay with you?” Josiah drenched his fries with ketchup.

  She nodded, then began eating. If it hadn’t been for Robbie, the tension at the table could have been cut with a hunting knife. More questions filled Josiah’s mind. Did this have to do with the reason she was a single parent? A bad marriage? Did her husband die?

  Stop! Don’t go there.

  “Who was the first person you rescued?” Robbie asked, pulling Josiah away from his thoughts about Ella.

  “It was a couple who got lost in Denali National Park.” Josiah went on to tell the boy about how Buddy had located them.

  By the time the meal was over, Ella’s stiff posture had finally relaxed. “I know David appreciates all the time you and your sister give to the organization.”

  “Alex and I have some freedom in our work because we own the business. We can often leave at a moment’s notice. I know others like Jesse can’t because he works as a K-9 officer for the Anchorage Police.”

  His plate empty, Robbie sat back, yawning.

  Ella chuckled. “I think that’s our cue to go home. It has been a long day.”

  Josiah laid money on the bill the waitress had left and rose. “Let’s go. I need to see if David is at the office. We still need to discuss Saturday’s training.”

  “I forgot all about that.” Ella made her way to the exit. “Robbie, I guess you’ll be going to work with me tomorrow.”

  Robbie perked up. “I will? Neat.”

  “I think you’ll find the everyday operations of the Northern Frontier Search and Rescue are boring,” Ella said when they were back in the truck.

  Robbie sat next to Buddy. The dog opened his eyes to note who was in the cab, then went back to sleep. “Buddy has the right idea.” He yawned again.

  Ella looked sideways at Josiah. “He’ll probably fall asleep on the way home. I would, too, but since I’m driving, I can’t.”

  “I can take you two home and even pick you up and take you to work tomorrow, if you’d like. I wouldn’t want you to fall asleep at the wheel.”

  “No, I’m fine. I’m tired but not that sleepy.”

  At Northern Frontier’s hangar, where the organization’s office was located, Josiah parked next to Ella’s Jeep at the side of the building. While she and Robbie climbed into her car, he headed into the open hangar since he saw David’s SUV inside it.

  David emerged from the office and halted when he spied Josiah. “Thanks for the help today.”

  “I’m glad both situations ended well. I just brought Ella back to pick up her car. She’s taking Robbie home right now.”

  “After you all left the park, Thomas received a report that another boy went missing nearby in a residential area.”

  “Taken by this Casey Foster?” Anger festered in Josiah. What if he hadn’t found Robbie?

  “Don’t know yet. Thomas promised to let me know. It may turn out to be nothing.”

  “Let’s hope. When he calls, make sure he keeps me informed. Is there going to be a search?”

  “Maybe. I won’t know until Thomas assesses the situation. If there’s reason to believe foul play, the police may use their K-9 unit and not need any extra help.”

  “I know it’s hard to think about this on top of all that’s happened, but what about the training on Saturday? That’s why I came in here, to see
when you and I can meet about it.”

  “I don’t know how effective I would be right now. Let’s meet tomorrow morning, say eleven?”

  “Sounds good.” Weariness finally began to set in as Josiah returned to his truck to drive home.

  As he left the airport, his cell rang. When he realized it was Thomas, he pulled to the side of the road to take the call. “David told me there’s another boy missing.”

  “No, he was found, but he ran from a man in a vehicle, who was trying to get him into it. The car had been reported stolen earlier—guess where from? An address a few houses down from where Casey Foster lives. I’m at Foster’s house right now. He’s not here. I have a BOLO out on him and the car. We’ll stake this place out and see if he turns up.”

  “Have you called Ella yet?”

  “No, but I feel like she needs to know Foster hasn’t been found.”

  “I’ll swing by her place and tell her. I’d hate for her to hear this over the phone.”

  “Are you sure? This has been an extralong day for you.” There was a hint of curiosity in his friend’s voice.

  Josiah could imagine the grin on Thomas’s face. He and Jesse were longtime friends who knew about his ex-fiancée. Thomas had even tried to fix him up on a date when he had returned to Anchorage. Josiah had declined the offer. “Yes. I want to make sure Robbie is okay.”

  “Sure. See you at Saturday’s training.”

  If not before hung in the air for a few seconds before Josiah said goodbye and disconnected the call.

  Fifteen minutes later he arrived at Ella’s house and walked up to her porch with Buddy. If Robbie was still awake, he’d want to see his dog. Before he pushed the doorbell, he steeled himself. He hated telling Ella that the police hadn’t found Foster yet, but she needed to know.

  When she appeared at the front door, he smiled at the sight of her. She was a beautiful woman who cared about people. And he wanted to know who or what had put that sadness in her eyes.

  “Josiah? What brings you by?”

  “I heard from Thomas.”

  “Come in.” After she closed the door, she swept her arm toward the living room. “I have a feeling I need to sit down to hear what you have to say.”

  What was he doing here? Why did he feel he needed to be the one to talk to her? Josiah cleared his throat and proceeded to impart the news concerning the attempt on another boy and the disappearance of Foster.

  The color drained from Ella’s face. “So he’s out there looking for his next victim.”

  “Everyone is searching for him.”

  “Then I’ll pray the police find him soon before another child is terrorized.”

  “Where’s Robbie?” Josiah sat across from Ella with Buddy at his feet.

  “He went right to bed. Fell asleep on the ride home from the airport.”

  “Good. He needs the rest.”

  Buddy rose and began growling. Josiah bolted to his feet at the same time Ella did.

  She opened her mouth to say something, but a scream reverberated from the back of the house. “It’s Robbie.”

  FOUR

  Ella froze at the sound of her son’s scream. Josiah and Buddy charged toward the living room doorway. Ella raced after them, overtaking them in the hallway.

  “This way.” Ella told them, hoping it was only a nightmare caused by today’s events.

  “Mom! Mom!” Robbie yelled, flying out of his bedroom at the end of the hall.

  But the fright on his face belied that hope. He pointed a shaking hand toward his doorway, his eyes wide with fear. “He’s...outside my...my window.” Robbie swung his attention from her to Josiah then Buddy.

  As Ella knelt in front of Robbie and clasped his arms, Josiah said, “I’ll take a look outside.”

  “Use the back door in the kitchen.” Ella kept her focus on her son while the sound of Josiah’s footsteps faded. “Tell me what happened, honey.”

  “I woke up. Don’t know why. When I sat up, I looked out the window.” In the entrance to his bedroom, Robbie lifted his arm and pointed at the closed window at the end of his bed. “I saw...” Robbie began to tremble.

  Ella hugged her son as though she could protect him from anything. She wished. “What did you see, honey?”

  Robbie hiccupped, then said, “A man staring at me.”

  Chills flashed through Ella, her heartbeat thumping against her chest like a ticking bomb. “Did you know the man?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe the guy at the park. It all happened so fast. When I yelled, he ran away.”

  “Josiah and Buddy will check it out. I see them outside right now.” She crossed to the window, watching while Buddy sniffed the ground before she closed the blinds. Her son liked to fall asleep in the summer with the blinds open since he was scared of the dark. From now on, he would have to be satisfied with a night-light. “No one can see you now. You’re safe.”

  Standing in the entrance, Robbie clutched the door frame. “I don’t feel safe.”

  “Tell you what. Why don’t you camp out in the living room?”

  “By myself?”

  Ella pulled the navy blue comforter and pillow off his bed. “There’s no way I’m gonna let you have all the fun. I’m camping out, too.”

  “Can we ask Josiah and Buddy to stay?”

  Before today, the question would have been totally rejected. But after everything that had happened, the thought of being alone made her afraid.

  * * *

  Under Robbie’s window, Buddy caught a scent and tugged on his leash. Josiah followed him around the side of Ella’s house and across the front yard into the street. Buddy headed to the left along the curb past three of Ella’s neighbors before his dog stopped and sniffed the road. Buddy stared at Josiah and barked.

  He petted Buddy. “It looks like the person left in a car. At least we know he’s gone.”

  He prayed that was the case, but as Josiah walked back to Ella’s, his concern for her and Robbie grew. What if it was Foster, and he’d snatched the boy? After what happened earlier today, he would have thought the man would lose himself in the wilderness north of Anchorage rather than stick around and go after one of the kids he’d harassed in the park.

  He retrieved his cell phone from his pocket and called Thomas. When his friend came on the line, Josiah said, “I came over to Ella’s house to let her know about Foster, and while I was here, Robbie saw a man outside his bedroom window looking in. Buddy and I checked it out and Buddy trailed the scent down the street until it vanished between the third and fourth house to the left of Ella’s.”

  “You think it was Foster and he drove away?”

  “Maybe it was Foster. I can’t be sure. But how would Foster know where Ella lived?”

  “Wish I knew. It could have been someone else, but either way, a man was peeking into Robbie’s bedroom. Not good.” The controlled anger in Thomas’s voice conveyed his concern about the situation. “I’ll come out and take a look. Not sure there’s much the police can do. I’ve got everyone out looking for Foster. If he’s still in Anchorage, hopefully we’ll find him soon. We’re notifying the public to be on the lookout. Maybe a citizen will see him and report his location.”

  Josiah climbed the stairs to Ella’s porch. “See you in a while.” After disconnecting, he knocked on Ella’s door.

  When she let him in a minute later, her arms were full of bedding. “We’re camping out in the living room and making sure the blinds are pulled tight. I’m hoping it helps take his mind off the man peeking in the window.” She lowered her voice and asked, “Did you find anything?”

  He nodded. “I called Thomas. He’s on the way.”

  Ella pressed her lips together, walked into the living room and set the covers on the floor. “I was hoping he was wrong.”<
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  “Where’s Robbie?”

  “The bathroom. He’ll be here in a minute.”

  Josiah quickly told Ella what he and Buddy found, the whole time keeping an eye on the hallway. He didn’t want to upset Robbie any more than he already was.

  She sighed. “I know Thomas will want to talk to Robbie, but can you explain and show Thomas the window? I don’t want Robbie traumatized any more than he already is. My son doesn’t know who it was for sure. If he remembers something, I’ll call Thomas.”

  “I’ll take care of it. There might not be much he can do, but I wanted Thomas to know about it. When he comes, I’ll talk with him out on the porch.”

  “I’ve decided it’s time we get a dog. Is the offer still good for one of Buddy’s puppies?”

  “Yes, but it’ll be a while before the puppy could be a watchdog.”

  Ella edged closer, glancing back at the hallway. “Just having a dog in the house would make my son feel safer.” Her gaze locked with his. “Me, too.”

  “Then I’ll talk to the breeder and see about arranging a time to see the puppies. Robbie can pick out one, and when the breeder thinks he’s ready to come home with you, I can start working with you and Robbie. That is, if you want me to.”

  A smile spread across her face. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  His pulse kicked up a notch. “I said I would, and when I make a promise, I keep it.” Josiah caught sight of Robbie coming toward them and turned toward the boy. “I hear you and your mom are going to have a campout in the living room. You could even make a fire in the fireplace and roast marshmallows.”

  Robbie’s eyes grew round. “Mom, can we?”

  “Only if Josiah goes out and gets the firewood,” she said with a chuckle.

  “Will you? We could make s’mores. Isn’t that right, Mom?”

  “I think I have everything we need.”