Back Before Dark

by Tim Shoemaker

  This would take careful strategizing. And it would mean he’d have to keep the boy in the basement a little longer than he’d planned. Two kidnappings in less than a week. Who would expect that? Who could top that?

  It was all he could do to keep from laughing out loud. But he had more self-control than that.

  Two kidnappings. He had to do this. Not tonight, of course. But this was a golden opportunity. Careful preparation was the key.

  The whole thing gave him an appetite. He’d have to stop at the Jewel to find something on the way home. Something to fuel him while he mapped out his next moves.

  The boy picked up his bike and swung a leg over. The kid would be back. He knew it. Could feel it. Now that the kid had done it once, he’d be back here again. He sized him up. Not as tall as the boy he’d already taken. And the bat wouldn’t be a problem. Not with the taser. Or would he come up with a different way to grab this one? That would take some thinking.

  The boy looked to the left. The right. Behind him.

  “You’re scared, aren’t you boy?” He felt the boy’s fear. Sensed it. As real as the steering wheel in front of him.

  With one more look behind him, the boy pushed off and pedaled fast down the narrow passage between the building and the fence.

  “Oh, you are scared.” He smiled at the thought. “And you should be.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Lunk finished scooping cement into the hollow wiffle-ball bat through the freshly-drilled hole at the knob. He tapped the floor with the tip of the bat to make sure all the air pockets were filled. The thing had some real weight to it now. He propped the bat upright, with the grip up, against the basement wall, and he smiled. It would be rock-solid in the morning.

  “Neal, Honey. What are you still doing up? It’s after midnight.”

  “Be right up, Ma.” He wiped the wet cement off the sides of the bat so it looked like new, then thumped up the stairs.

  His mom waited for him in the kitchen, shaking the plastic carton of milk. “Milk shake?”

  When he was a kid, that was the only kind of milk shake he knew. The only kind they could afford. She took a glass from the cupboard without waiting for his answer.

  He could see right through her. Always could. She wanted to talk. Rather, wanted him to talk. Something was on her mind.

  She motioned for him to sit at the table, and sat down across from him. The milk had a nice head of foam.

  “How are you doing, Neal?” Her eyes searched his.

  Of course. This had to do with Gordy. He thought about his friendship with Gordy and Hiro. “I’m okay. We weren’t close, not like I am to Coop.” Though they had been getting closer.

  “But you haven’t stopped looking for him. You hardly slept last night. Are you doing this because of Cooper?”

  She had him pegged. “Cooper stuck his neck out for me. And the second time he saved my life.” His mind dragged him back to the walk-in freezer at Frank’n Stein’s. “And that was right after I’d skinned my knuckles on his face.”

  Everything had changed since then. No, that wasn’t exactly right. He was changing. Neal Lunquist. He knew how to be a bully. He could teach a class on it. But being a friend was new. Coop could teach that class, no doubt.

  Truth was, he’d never had a friend before. Besides Mom. What made Coop bother with him? After the way Lunk had treated him, Gordy, and Hiro? Lunk didn’t get it.

  One thing he knew for sure. He would be there for Coop.

  Look out for yourself. He knew all about that. Take care of your mom. He understood that, too. Especially protecting her from Dad. But Coop and Gordy were different. He’d never seen that kind of dedication for a friend.

  He sipped the foam off the top of the milk. Why had Coop tried so hard to be nice? All Lunk had done was give him grief.

  “You like living here, don’t you?” his mom asked. She picked up the milk cap and acted like it interested her somehow. Probably so he couldn’t read her eyes.

  She wasn’t asking a question. More like stating a fact.

  “Yeah, I do.” A total switch for him. Usually, he was happy to move. Every other time he’d seen it as a chance to find something new. Or escape. And they’d moved a lot. His mom would pull up stakes for a new job or a chance to get farther away from his dad. The more miles the better.

  But the fact that she’d asked the question sounded an alarm. “Do we have to move?” He tried to sound like he didn’t care one way or another.

  She capped the milk and sighed. “I’m not sure.”

  Lunk clenched his jaw. It had been over six months since his dad strolled through. He knew where they lived and could show up again whenever he wanted. “If this is because of Dad, I can handle him now. He’ll never hurt you again.”

  She smiled at him. A sad smile. Like she knew he forced himself to eat man-sized portions of food to bulk up. Like she knew he hit the weights almost every day—so he’d be big enough and strong enough to protect her from the monster she’d married and divorced.

  “You’ve always been my protector, Neal. It’s not supposed to be that way, you know.”

  Neal nodded. Lots of things weren’t the way they were supposed to be. That was another problem he had with God—if he existed.

  “The problem is money this time.”

  He knew money was tight. He took every work hour Frank Mustacci would give him at Frank’n Stein’s. But at his age, there were restrictions on how many hours he could work. Every penny of it went for rent. “How much are we short?”

  “It’s not us. I mean it’s tight, but I’ve actually squirreled away over $250 since Christmas.”

  Not bad for just over four months. That meant she’d replaced all the savings they gave Dad when he skulked into town last Halloween. His dad seemed to know when he could hit them up for traveling money. Anything to keep him traveling right back out of town. “So where’s the problem?”

  “The landlord.” Her eyes flashed his way for a moment, then dropped to her hands. “The bank may foreclose on him.”

  That didn’t make sense. “We haven’t been late on our rent—or short either. Not one month.”

  “That’s about what I said. But he’s been using our rent to pay the mortgage on his own home. He hasn’t paid a dime on this house in months.”

  Lunk slammed down his glass harder than he meant to. “That’s not right. Things are just beginning to come together—” he cut himself short. Mom didn’t need to feel any worse than she already did. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “So what do we do?”

  He didn’t want to move away. Not now. And the way things were looking, not ever. Cooper needed him. He needed Coop. They were friends. And a friend doesn’t bail out on a friend.

  “We wait. See what happens.”

  Lunk walked over to her side of the table. Taking her by both hands he helped her to her feet, then wrapped his arms around her. “I love you, Mom,” he whispered. He towered over her but leaned in close. “We still have each other.” But he wanted more. He wanted real friends.

  “That’s right,” she said. “We stick together, and we do okay.”

  Lunk could picture Coop saying that. Or Hiro.

  His mom crossed her fingers. “We just need a little luck.”

  Lunk pictured Hiro saying, “We just need to pray.”

  CHAPTER 25

  Gordy had no idea what time it was. Somebody could offer him a million bucks if he guessed within an hour of the right time, and he’d definitely lose. All he knew was, whenever he flicked off the flashlight, the basement was as dark as a grave. He couldn’t tell if it was day or night. This must be what if feels like to be buried alive. Or lost in a cave.

  “HEY!” he shouted. “GET ME OUT OF HERE!” Why he still shouted out like that, every so often, was beyond him. Maybe the silence was getting to him. Nobody ever answered. Either the insulation was that good, the man was ignoring him, or nobody was close enough to hear.

  One thing he knew for s
ure. His voice was giving out. Raspy and hoarse. A little more yelling and he’d lose his voice completely. And what if he really needed some volume later? What would he do? He had to use his head. So no more calling for help.

  His whole jaw hurt from chewing at the nylon tie cinched around his wrists. Not that it had done him any good. They might as well have been steel handcuffs. Maybe the ties had been developed for NASA like Velcro. Right now he felt like an astronaut. Cut off from every other human being on Earth. Lost somewhere in the blackness of deep space. The ties dug into the swollen skin, making every movement torture. The shackle on his ankle wasn’t any better.

  Gordy studied the lock connecting the shackle to the chain. The lock was heavy and looked really old. And it only had a slot for a key—no combination dial. He guessed Taser-man didn’t want to take a chance that Gordy might get lucky and stumble on the right combination.

  The guy had thought of everything. And he hadn’t left a single thing that might help Gordy escape. Did he empty the basement, or was it this way all along? Gordy had the layout of the basement and everything in it locked in his memory. Washer. Dryer. Sump pump. Slop sink. Hot water heater. Furnace. Toilet. All the comforts of home. Right.

  The cardboard box was empty now, and so was his stomach. The Twinkies and peanut butter crackers were long gone. So was the water.

  The guy didn’t leave anything Gordy could use to cut through the nylon ties. Or did he? Gordy stared at the toilet. Grabbing the chain so it wouldn’t pull on his leg shackle, he shuffled over to the porcelain fixture. Holding the flashlight in his mouth, he picked up the tank lid and let it drop to the concrete floor.

  The lid shattered into sharp pieces of all sizes. Hands trembling, Gordy selected a long shard, sat on the toilet seat, and gripped the sharp piece between his knees.

  Back and forth he worked the tie across the edge, sometimes slicing his skin in the process. But it was working. He could feel it. Swallowing wasn’t easy with the flashlight stuck in his mouth, but he frantically kept sawing, afraid the man would show up before he could get free.

  He pressed harder. Changed the angle, careful to keep the makeshift blade in the groove. The entire edge of the porcelain gleamed red. Suddenly, the zip tie broke loose.

  He sat frozen for a moment. Staring at his wrists. Moving them in small circles to work out the stiffness. The ties left deep indentations in his skin. Combined with the swelling and the blood, his hands looked like they had been sewn on. Like the Frankenstein mascot at the diner.

  But his hands were free.

  He took the flashlight out of his mouth and inspected one wrist, then the other. Slices, swelling, bruises, blood. Nothing that wouldn’t heal. And he didn’t mind the blood. At least he was still alive.

  Gordy studied the jagged piece of porcelain. It would make a good weapon. He slipped it into the cargo pocket of his shorts and stood. His hands were free and he had a weapon. Progress. Now if he could only figure out a way to get rid of the chain shackled to his leg.

  CHAPTER 26

  Cooper sat up when he heard dad plod down the hallway, probably getting ready to go out searching again. He checked the clock on his desk: 3:35. Cooper rubbed his eyes. Had he dozed off? He must have, but he couldn’t have gone very deep for this to wake him up.

  Thoughts of his excursion to the park seemed like a dream. It was crazy. Reckless. Stupid. But going to that spot—so close to where Gordy had been taken—going there to pray had been powerful. He knew he could pray anywhere and God would hear—he got that. But there was something about being there that made him feel closer to God—and to Gordy.

  He didn’t think he could explain that to anybody if he tried—not that he had any intention of telling a soul. Mom would put him on house arrest.

  Hiro would understand, but she would try to make him promise not to do it again—and certainly not alone. But he didn’t want to make that promise. And if he hadn’t been alone, he wasn’t sure he’d have felt the same connection. The raw fear he felt in the park added intensity to his prayers that he might not have had if someone was with him.

  He was better off not mentioning this to anybody. It was a very private experience, and he needed to keep it that way. Especially if he went back.

  The thought of going back made his pulse speed up. Would he do it? That wasn’t a decision he had to make. At least, not yet. He was glad he’d gone but even happier to be home. And besides, Gordy would be found soon.

  What he really wanted to do was talk to Dad.

  He swung his legs over the bed just as the rain started drumming the roof again. Terrific. It would definitely make Dad’s job harder. When was it ever going to end? Cooper stood and tip-toed down the stairs.

  Dad stood in the kitchen with the fridge door open, squinting at the light inside, like the bulb was an oncoming car with its high beams on. How was Dad going to drive?

  “Dad?”

  In a whirl, Dad grabbed a bottle of ketchup and held it up like a club.

  Cooper jumped backward. “Dad, it’s me!”

  Obviously, Dad’s exhaustion had affected his judgment, but his reaction time hadn’t slowed a bit. He lowered the bottle. “Don’t sneak up on me like that.” He put the ketchup back on a shelf and got the orange juice. “What are you doing up?”

  “Just seeing how you’re doing. Need some help?”

  Dad shook his head. “Not yet. Just going out looking.”

  “For the van?”

  “Yeah. And no.” He poured a glass of juice and took a swallow. “I’m not sure what we’re looking for.” He shut the refrigerator and leaned against the counter.

  Cooper could barely make him out in the darkness.

  “Sure, we’re still looking for the van. But it looks like the guy didn’t switch vehicles after all. Gordy was still conscious, and the taser would have worn off in seconds. He’d have to keep his eye on him and taser him again if he needed to. With you chasing him, he couldn’t risk taking time to swap vehicles. And he sure couldn’t stop to tie Gordy up.”

  Cooper pictured Gordy struggling to get up off the floor of the van, and the kidnapper tasering him again. “So you think he’s out of the area?”

  “That’s my guess. We should have found that van by now.” He raised his head to drain the glass, then set it on the counter. “Every time I turn a corner or head down another street, I keep thinking we’ll see him. That he broke free and is running for his life.”

  Cooper could see it too. Wanted to see it.

  Dad shrugged. “It keeps me going.” He turned and looked Cooper square in the eyes. “We’re all doing what we can. And the biggest thing you can do for me is to stay safe—like we talked about. Are you calling Mom every thirty minutes?”

  Cooper nodded. And somehow Cooper had to get the focus off the things he should be doing to stay safe. He didn’t want Dad to think of any more restrictions to put on him. And he really needed to talk to him about Raymond Proctor, Michael VanHorton, and the others on the website.

  “Dad?” Cooper didn’t know how to start. “Hiro did some checking online. Did you know there are registered sex offenders right here in Rolling Meadows?”

  “Actually, I did. Seven of them. Mom and I checked it online the night we got home from the police station.”

  Cooper felt instant relief. “So what are you going to do?”

  “Not much we can do. The police have talked to every one of them and feel they’re clean. Uncle Jim and I cruised by every house, several times—just in case.”

  “You mean they’re not going to search their houses?”

  Dad paused. “Not unless they have a solid reason to.”

  Cooper couldn’t believe it. “But what if one of them has Gordy?”

  Dad stepped over and put a hand on Cooper’s shoulder. “Not real likely son. They’d know the police would check them first.”

  “Exactly. It’s so obvious no cop would believe he’d abduct someone in his own neighborhood. It’s a perfect cover.�
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  Dad didn’t answer. Either he was thinking it over, or he wasn’t convinced. Cooper needed to take another swing at it. “This guy, whoever he is, took Gordy with three of us around. He’s not afraid to take a risk.”

  “Look.” Dad slipped his shoes on. “Uncle Jim and I will keep checking their houses. We have a little route we do. And not just for the guys registered in Rolling Meadows. Also Palatine and Arlington Heights.”

  “But the police should get inside their homes. Make sure Gordy isn’t there.”

  Dad shrugged on a light jacket. “There are laws. Unless they get a tip or have a good reason, a cop can’t go barging into their homes. That policy is in place to protect a citizen’s right to privacy. You understand, right?”

  “I guess so.” Of course, Cooper understood, but nothing was going to stop him from doing some checking himself.

  CHAPTER 27

  Miss Ferrand’s class was the last place Cooper wanted to be Thursday morning. He shouldn’t be at school at all. He should be out with Dad and Uncle Jim. Or checking out those homes.

  Riley Steiner, Walker Demel, and Trevor Tellshow sat in the back, pretending to pay attention. Walker said something, too quiet for Cooper to make out. Riley laughed but immediately morphed it into a fake-sounding coughing fit.

  Miss Ferrand kept up with her lecture as if she hadn’t noticed a thing. She was a good teacher, even if she was gaga over Shakespeare.

  Hiro sat directly in front of Cooper. Jake Mickel, one row to Cooper’s right. Kelsey Seals sat in front of Jake. Everybody in their usual places, but without Gordy, everything seemed out of place.

  Miss Ferrand droned on about Shakespeare. Hiro leaned over her desk, taking notes as usual. Which fried him just a little. How could she sit there and pay attention to a lecture about a long-dead writer? Cooper wasn’t about to take notes. Not one. It would be a betrayal to Gordy.