A Soldier's Song

by Irene Onorato

  “Money for one thing. He charged the wealthier girls hefty fees for his services. After bilking them awhile, he made up another story to end the scam.”

  “Like telling them that the opportunity had fizzled for one reason or another?” Which wouldn’t arouse too much suspicion.

  “Exactly. But a few others…pretty ones like you, money wasn’t what he was after. It was no fluke that he lured you to that awful place for your first meeting.” Libby threw her arms around Aria and wept. “I’m so glad he never hurt you.”

  Aria held back her tears and let Libby cry a minute. “Sit with me, and tell me what else Melba said.”

  “Okay.” Libby sat and sniffled. “About a week ago, one of the girls Jacobs had duped went to a building in Poughkeepsie that sounded exactly as you’d described from the first meeting you had with him. Had a sign on the front. Some kind of learning center I think she said.”

  “Elton’s Learning Center. That’s it. That’s the building Dex and I went to.” The air suddenly seemed too thick to breath. “Did something happen to her?” She hoped with all her heart that nothing bad had occurred.

  “He tried to molest her, but she fought him off and ran screaming into the street. A group of three or four guys were walking by on the sidewalk. Jacobs stopped chasing when he saw them and went back inside. One of the guys ran up the outside steps and tried to get in, but Jacobs had locked the door. Jacobs tried something similar on two other girls. Different locations.”

  “What an awful man. I feel bad for the girls. It makes me glad Dex went with me that day. What I don’t understand is why Jacobs would want to continue training me after that first meeting.” That part didn’t make a lick of sense.

  “Maybe he thought if he earned your trust, you would eventually meet him in another secluded area without fear?” Libby lifted her shoulders in a long shrug. “I dunno. He sounds like a real psycho.”

  The whole thing was unbelievable. Surreal. “How did Melba find out about all of this? Like the rich girls? If Jacobs had ended the scam before they were on to him, they’d have no reason to report him.”

  “I asked her about that. She wasn’t exactly sure how the admin office found out about the money scams. But the other girls, the ones the professor tried to assault, either called the school office or the police. Even if they’d called the cops, the cops probably got in touch with the office since all the girls were under the impression Jacobs still taught there.”

  “I still can’t believe all of this has happened. The audition scam, the molestation attempts, everything.” Aria fell against the couch back. She was safe, thanks to Dex. Oh, how she wished she’d taken his intuition at face value from the beginning. He obviously could read men’s motives better than she could.

  “Oh, here’s something you might not know.” Libby had leaned back too, finally relaxing. “That house, business, or whatever, with the Elton shingle? Apparently, when Jacobs’ parents died years ago, they left it to him, and he’s been living there ever since.”

  “What? But, but…” What was the use in telling Libby the elaborate lie Jacobs had told about the quasi-learning center, or that he had said he was visiting his aging parents in Jersey around Christmas time? Nothing was sacred to this heinous man. Not even family. Now there was no reason to doubt that the man she’d seen on the street wearing the long coat and fedora was actually Jacobs, and that he’d been stalking her. “What about the dance studio and stage upstairs?”

  “His mother’s old business. She was a dance instructor. The family lived on the ground floor, and the business was upstairs.” Libby drew her legs up onto the couch and folded them in the lotus position. “Melba said that once the police were on to Jacobs last week, he cleared his stuff from the house, and has allegedly been living in his car, or mooching off people here and there. They’d like to find him and bring him in for questioning.”

  Aria couldn’t be more disgusted with Jacobs over what she’d just heard. “He should be arrested for what he’s done. Not only for the girls he tried to assault, but for those he cheated out of money for an opportunity that didn’t exist.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but I gave Melba your contact information and told her your story. She’s going to tell the police, so don’t be surprised if they call you in the next day or so.”

  “Of course I don’t mind. I guess in light of all this, now would be a good time to tell you about what went on last night when Jacobs and I met for practice.”

  “Oh, no.” Libby threw a fearful glance at Aria. “He didn’t touch you, did he?”

  “No, nothing like that. But I believe he might have tricked me out of some money. Here’s what happened.” Aria told Libby everything about the night before, from the time she saw Jacobs’s overly packed car until she and the professor parted after practice.

  Libby shook her head. “Betcha anything he faked the dizzy spell. Losing his wallet too. I think you’re going to have to kiss those hundred-something bucks you loaned him goodbye.”

  “I’d gladly forfeit the money as long as I never have to see him again.”

  * * * *

  The early morning train rumbled out of Grand Central station through a maze of tracks and headed north toward home. Aria sat by the window, pulled out her phone, and pushed Dex’s number. Unavailable. Same message she’d gotten for the past two weeks. If Mom hadn’t been getting the same message from Dad’s phone, she’d think Dex was snubbing her.

  She scrolled for Mom’s number and hovered her thumb over it. No, she didn’t want to disturb her this early on a Saturday just to ask for a ride home from the train. Cabs were always available at the station. She’d take one.

  * * * *

  “Mom, I’m home.” Aria walked through the kitchen, peeked into the dining room, and crossed the living room to the stairs. Mom’s car was in the garage. Unless someone had picked her up, which was highly unlikely, Mom was somewhere around the house.

  Aria carried her bag upstairs.

  Soft weeping came from inside Mom’s bedroom. The door stood ajar, and Aria gently pushed it open. Mom stood in her nightgown, phone to her ear, nodding as she listened to whoever was on the other side of the line. “Uh-huh, yes. But—”

  “Mom?” Aria stepped into the room.

  “Hold on, Dad. Aria just walked in.” Mom turned, her cheeks wet. She covered the mouthpiece. “I’m talking to your grandfather, and—give us a minute, and I’ll tell you what’s going on.”

  Dread filled Aria’s heart. “Has something happened to Grandma?”

  “No, baby, Grandma is all right.”

  “What about Dad? Dex? Anyone in the unit? Please, tell me they’re all okay.” Her grandfather, being a colonel, would know everything about the mission.

  “Why don’t you go put your purse and bag in your room? I’ll be in as soon as I get through talking with my dad.”

  “All right.” Aria went to her room, set her purse on the dresser, and suitcase by the foot of the bed. Mom wasn’t a crier. Something serious had to have happened to get her so upset. She’d purposely deflected the question about Dad, Dex, and the unit, and that couldn’t be good.

  Minutes dragged. Aria wrung her hands, pacing around the room like a caged cat.

  “Aria?” Mom stood at the open doorway of Aria’s bedroom, her pretense of strength not enough to fool anyone.

  “What is it? Tell me. I need to know now. Is it bad news?”

  “That’s the problem. My father said the reports coming in about the mission are all over the place. For certain, the unit did accomplish their mission, although your grandfather wouldn’t say what it was. On the other hand…” Mom couldn’t seem to look her in the eye. Instead, she hung her head.

  “What? Who got hurt?” That had to be it. Someone got grazed or fell into a hole, or something. “Who? How bad?”

  “That’s where the reports con
flict. The unit was on radio silence until the mission was near completion. Then, it seemed, something terrible happened, and there’s reason to believe Dex was hurt or, or—”

  “No! That’s not possible. Oh, God, please let that not be true.” Aria fell to her knees and wept.

  Mom dropped and wrapped her arms around Aria. “We have to believe the best, Ari. Trust God. He’ll guide us through this.”

  “No, no, no! He has to be okay. He just has to be.” Aria hung on to her mother. “I love him, Mom. I love him so much.”

  “I know, baby. I know.” Her mother rocked her and rubbed her back.

  There was no getting around it. Aria had to cry it out. Nobody would understand this better than her mom. She let her tears flow.

  Mom pushed Aria back and smoothed her hair from her face. “Your grandfather said we should get down to Bragg right away. The unit should be returning to the base this evening. Unconfirmed, of course, but we’ve got to believe our men will return unharmed. All of them. Dex included.”

  “Yes. We have to believe that.”

  “Here’s what I want you to do.”

  Aria wiped her eyes. “Yes, anything. Give me something to occupy my mind or I’ll go nuts.”

  “You’re good at research, so find us a flight that will get us to North Carolina as soon as possible.” Mom kissed Aria’s cheek. “Do that, and we’ll be on our way. You’ve already got a bag packed. Let me go pack mine.”

  “Okay.”

  Mom rose and left the room, her nightgown swishing with her determined steps.

  Aria sat at the desk, fired up her laptop, and pecked away for twenty minutes. “You’ve got to be kidding.” None of the online booking sites would allow for a same-day flight.

  “Mom,” Aria said, walking into her mother’s bedroom. “I’ll have to call the airlines direct to see if they can get us a flight. I can’t book online. But I know all the airlines that leave Newburgh and White Plains. It’s a short list, so it shouldn’t be a problem to call them all.”

  Out of the shower, dressed, and combing wet hair, Mom nodded. “Good. If you need help, let me know.”

  “I think I can handle it, but I’ll let you know if I get swamped.” She went back to her room and made the calls. Not one seat was left on any flight that would get them there tonight.

  Mom came into Aria’s room, makeup on and rubbing her hands with lotion. “So, how’d it go? I’m packed and ready to leave.”

  “Oh, Mom.” Aria told her their dilemma.

  “It’s close to ten o’clock now. We can throw our stuff in the car and be there sometime tonight.”

  “Know what? I should call Pop and tell him what’s going on.”

  “Indeed, you should. Do you have his number?”

  “Aww, shucks, I don’t. He has a landline. Let me see if I can get his number.” Aria called directory assistance. “Great, his number is unlisted.”

  “What do you want to do, Ari?” Hands wringing, Mom became the frightened child looking for directions.

  “Let me run over to Pop’s and tell him what’s going on. Meanwhile, load your stuff and mine in your car. As soon as I come back, we’ll take off. Good plan?”

  Mom nodded. “Okay, I’ll wait for you to get back. But hurry.”

  “I will.”

  Aria snatched her purse off the dresser and rushed to her car. Going slightly over the speed limit, she reached Pop’s faster than she ever had.

  Chapter 31

  Pop’s truck was parked in its usual spot. Aria pulled in beside it, rushed to the front door, and knocked feverishly. “Pop, it’s me, Aria.” She knuckled the door until it opened.

  “Aria? Is something wrong?” Pop looked past her as if checking to see if someone were chasing her.

  “Can I come in? There’s something I’ve got to tell you.”

  Aria sat on the couch across from Pop and explained all that she knew, which wasn’t much.

  Pop rubbed his chin. “So, you don’t know if Dex is hurt, or, or—”

  “The information my grandfather had was sketchy. All Mom and I know is that there’s a report, presumably reliable, that the unit will return to Bragg sometime tonight.”

  “Oh, my. I don’t know what to make of this.”

  “Neither do I. I looked for flights down to North Carolina. Even called the airlines and had no luck. There’s no way we’re getting down there tonight unless we drive. Would you like to go with us? If so, we need to leave now.”

  “Hold on a second, young lady.” Pop reached over and patted her knee. “Let me make a phone call before we rush off like our tails are on fire.”

  She couldn’t see how a phone call could help, but to placate Pop, she nodded assent. “Okay, I’ll wait.”

  Pop went to the kitchen to make his call on the wall phone. A couple of minutes later, he returned. “I called my son, Charlie. He said to hold tight, and he’ll call back as soon as he can.”

  “Dex’s father? Why would you call him?”

  “Because, even though my son is a stubborn, arrogant, and sometimes unlikeable man, he loves his kids.” Pop lifted a palm, stifling Aria’s objections. “Charles—I don’t know why he wants to be called that instead of Charlie—isn’t as hardhearted as you might think. Mark my words, he’s always been scared half to death that something would happen to Jason.”

  Pop gave a reassuring smile. “Oh, sure, my stubborn son would never admit as much to me. Maybe not even to himself, or his wife. But I know that Charlie Dexter Junior loves his son with all his heart.”

  “I’m sure you’re right.”

  The wait seemed interminable, but finally the phone rang.

  Pop jumped up and rushed to answer.

  He came back to the living room minutes later, a smile crossing his face. “Charlie called in a favor with a corporate client. He’s arranged a private jet that will leave Newburgh at two o’clock this afternoon. Pack your bags, Aria, we’re flying to North Carolina.”

  * * * *

  Aria stood outside the terminal with her mother and Pop. “Mom, here comes Dex’s father.”

  Charles Dexter strode across the crosswalk, dragging a rolling suitcase. He stopped and set his bag upright. “Hello, Dad. Aria.”

  “Mr. Dexter,” Aria said. “This is my mother, Carolyn Greco.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” Mr. Dexter shook her mother’s hand. “Shall we move on and board the plane?” He motioned politely.

  “Yes, of course. Lead the way, please.” Mom smiled. “So good of you to arrange this flight. Is your wife already here at the airport?”

  “She’s in London visiting her sister. Of course, when I told her what was going on, she wanted to jump on the first flight back to the States. But I thought it best that she wait until tonight when we know more. She’ll have her sister to comfort her if—oh, God, I don’t even want to think about that.”

  Aria didn’t want to think about that either, but every attempt to push the worry out of her mind seemed to only amplify it. Dex’s father had put on a strong front, but the strain of his last words revealed his distress. And added to her own.

  At the security checkpoint, the TSA agent checked Mr. Dexter’s paperwork and everyone’s identification. Moments later, Aria hustled across the tarmac alongside her mother to keep up with Pop and Mr. Dexter’s long strides, then boarded the jet and took a seat.

  Never before had Aria been on such a luxurious plane. The leather seat cradled her with the same comfort as the recliner in their living room. “Wow, this is nice.”

  Mom smiled. “I know. Kind of makes me feel like a wealthy woman.”

  The plane taxied, making slow lefts and rights. “Ladies and gentlemen,” the pilot said over the intercom, “please double-check that your seatbelts are securely fastened. We’re next for takeoff.”

  Engines roared. T
he plane charged down the runway and lifted its nose toward the sky.

  Aria reached over and grabbed Mom’s hand. “Here we go.”

  * * * *

  The colonel was waiting in the airport lobby and spread his arms to hug Aria and her mother at the same time. Aria accepted her grandfather’s kiss on the cheek then backed away. Mom would need a few minutes alone in her father’s arms.

  “Grandpa,” Aria said, once Mom had had her moment. “You’ve already met Pop, but this is Dex’s father, Charles Dexter.”

  Mr. Dexter shook the colonel’s hand. “Do you have any more news about my son?”

  “No, nothing new to add I’m afraid.” He checked his watch. “We should get back to Bragg in half an hour or so, say four o’clock. The guys should get to the base around six. We can wait at Carolyn and Dave’s apartment and relax a bit if you’d like.”

  “If you don’t mind, sir,” Mr. Dexter said, “I’d rather wait wherever my son will be arriving. I want to be there the moment he gets in.”

  Aria raised her hand. “Me too. Right now, I think I’d go crazy waiting at Dad’s place.”

  “All right. Then we’ll head straight to the base. I’ll be your escort, so we won’t have any trouble getting through the gate. Come on, I’ll take you to my car. I’m afraid three of you will have to squish into the back seat.”

  “I call shotgun.” Pop’s silliness made Aria smile. It was probably the first genuine one she wore all day.

  * * * *

  Aria stood at the semicircular opening of an old hangar on base. Her grandfather had said to watch for a helicopter, but nothing moved in the sky where daylight was quickly drifting into twilight.

  Inside the glass-windowed office tucked at the side of the building, Mom took up the temporary duties of hostess by putting together a second pot of coffee and tidying the cart holding the supplies.

  Restless and chugging one cup of coffee after another, Mr. Dexter paced inside the hangar, lost in his thoughts, not speaking unless spoken to. More relaxed, Pop had found an old office chair and was sitting in it with his feet propped on a box.