The words coming into some money sent a chill through Gabe’s body. There was no doubt in his mind where the money was coming from. Lacey planned to sell his daughter to the people who, for reasons yet unknown, were desperate to get their hands on her. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse with barely contained rage. “I wonder if Boomer’s in on it.”
“Until we know for sure, we must assume he is,” Papi said, gripping the steering wheel tighter.
His comment surprised Gabe. Papi always looked for the good in people, often to his detriment. For him to express doubt about Boomer was so far out of character, Gabe felt the hair rise on the back of his neck. Was there anyone they could trust?
Gabe’s cell phone beeped, indicating a text message. He glanced at the screen. Abby. He put the phone in his lap and read the message. “Do u trust ur mom? Ask her something. If she lies, her aura will change.”
“Anything important?” Papi asked.
“Nah, just a message from Kev.”
He tried to wrap his head around Abby’s message. Was it possible Connie was part of the plan to steal his child? Was his mother capable of such betrayal? Probably best to make sure, even though it made him feel like a real asshat. And, what the hell was an aura? Now he had to think of a relevant question. Might as well go for the jugular. “Mom, did you know Lacey was going to take off with the baby?” He held his breath.
“Of course not!” Connie gasped. “Why would you think such a thing?”
Gabe felt the heat of her outrage even before he turned to face her. “Had to ask.”
His phone beeped again. “Not lying,” the message said.
Gabe exhaled loudly, his relief mixed with guilt. “Sorry, Mom. I’m not sure who I can trust anymore.”
“Even your own mother?” Her voice quivered with barely suppressed emotion.
“I’m sure Gabe didn’t mean to offend you,” Abby soothed. “He’s been under a lot of stress. School. Basketball practice. The baby. Lack of sleep. Now this.”
“Fine,” Connie snapped. “Have I been eliminated as a suspect?”
“Of course you have.” Papi shot a reproachful look at Gabe.
A stony silence followed.
“Turn here, Papi,” Gabe said. “Boomer’s house is at the end of the cul-de-sac.”
The rain stopped as suddenly as it started, giving way to gusty winds. As they pulled into Boomer’s driveway, the moon peeked out from behind the black clouds racing across its surface. Moonbeams danced across the house and flickered in and out of the fir trees that defined its borders.
Before the van rolled completely to a stop, Gabe jumped out and sprinted to the front porch, dimly illuminated by a single light bulb. The house was shuttered and dark. He punched the doorbell and listened for footsteps. Nothing. Papi and the others joined him on the front steps. Gabe jammed his thumb into the doorbell again and again, muttering curses under his breath.
“Nobody’s inside, Gabe,” Abby whispered.
“Are you sure?” Papi said.
Abby glanced over at Gabe and nodded. He grabbed her hand in his. “She’s sure.” Gabe tested the front door. Locked. “I need to get inside the house. Maybe Lacey came here with the baby and left again. Might be some sort of a clue.”
“You’re going to break in?” Connie said.
“Yes.”
Ever prepared, Papi pressed a small flashlight into Gabe’s hand. “Check the back of the house.”
Still holding Abby’s hand, Gabe picked his way around the side of the house. “Don’t suppose your abilities include unlocking doors?”
“Sorry, no.”
The moon disappeared as the wind shifted. The night air was fetid with the odor of rot and decay. Abby gasped and clapped a hand over her nose.
Papi and Connie stumbled along behind. Connie must have tripped because Gabe heard her mutter, “Shit!” followed by Papi’s, “Oopsie.” Gabe sighed. His support group was definitely not cut out for breaking and entering.
They stepped onto a broad wooden deck flanking the rear of the house and discovered the reason for the stench. Plastic bags of garbage had been set on the deck, presumably intended for the bin next to the garage. They’d been ripped open by a feral cat or raccoon looking for an easy meal. Gabe tried not to gag as he shined the flashlight’s beam across rotted lettuce, eggshells, coffee grounds, and moldy bread.
Taking care to avoid stepping in the mess, Gabe tested the sliding glass door. Also tightly locked. “Guess I’ll have to break a window.”
“Hold it,” Connie whispered, feeling her way down the back of the house. “There might be a better way.” She fumbled with a screen. “Over here. This window’s open a crack. It’s up higher than the others. Probably over the sink. Lift Abby up. Once she’s in, she can open the slider.”
Gabe handed the flashlight to his father and hoisted Abby up to the window. With a smile in her voice, she said, “So that’s why you brought me along, eh? In case you needed help breaking and entering?”
She slid the window open, climbed through and dropped out of sight. The clatter of pots and pans rang through the night air. So much for stealth, Gabe thought.
“Gross!” Abby yipped. “Just landed in a sink full of dirty dishes. Got spaghetti noodles all over me.”
“Hurry,” Gabe said, “Get the door open.”
Once everyone was inside the house, Gabe said, “I’ll get the lights.”
“No,” Papi said. “Use the flashlight. No sense in announcing our presence in case somebody drives by.”
“What if Boomer comes home?” Abby said, picking spaghetti off her jeans. “What if somebody calls the cops? Geez, I’ll be grounded the rest of my natural life.”
“In and out fast,” Gabe promised, shining the beam of the flashlight around the kitchen and attached dining room. He saw nothing to indicate signs of the baby.
“I’ll check the rest of the house, and we’re outta here,” he said. “We should go to the gym, see if Boomer’s still there.”
The only thing his search revealed was that Lacey and Boomer were major slobs. Back in the kitchen, Papi said, “Bring the flashlight over here, son. There’s a notepad and pen by the phone. I think something’s written on the pad, but I can’t make it out.”
He aimed the flashlight at the notepad in Papi’s hand. On it was written, “Alaska Air. Flight 371. 9:30 p.m.”
The impact of the words hit him like a punch to the gut. He gulped air and rasped. “They’re putting her on a plane. We need to get to SeaTac. Fast.”
They didn’t bother hiding the fact they’d broken in. Instead, they left through front door and ran to the van. The sweep of headlights caught Gabe with his hand on the driver-side door. Boomer’s massive four-wheel drive pick-up truck pulled up behind the van, blocking their exit.
“Great. Just great,” Gabe mumbled. “What else could go wrong?”
“Let me handle this, son,” Papi said.
A strange sense of calm settled over Gabe. “No. She’s my kid. I’ll handle it.”
Boomer stepped out of the truck without shutting down the motor or turning off the headlights. “Gabe? What the hell’s going on?”
Gabe walked up to his coach until they were toe to toe. “Your wife has my baby. Tell me where she is. Now.”
Boomer’s eyes shifted to the left and back. “Are you nuts? Why would she have your kid?”
Gabe grabbed Boomer’s jacket and jerked him closer. “Quit screwing with me. Your wife was shopping with my mom and Lacey left with the baby. Stop acting like you don’t know.”
Boomer jerked free and shoved Gabe in the chest. “Cool it, Delgado. I haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about.”
“There’s a note in your kitchen. It’s a flight number for Alaska Air and—”
“H
old it! You broke into my house?”
“We had no choice.”
“Maybe I should call the cops,” Boomer blustered.
“Fine,” Gabe said, taking a step closer to Boomer. “Then I can report a kidnapping.”
Boomer lifted his hands and forced a smile. “Hey, kid, I was just bluffing. I wouldn’t call the cops on you.”
And I wouldn’t report a kidnapping, Gabe thought. Trust no one. His new mantra.
Boomer offered his hand for Gabe to shake. “We’re okay then?”
Gabe ignored the hand. “Coach, where’s your wife?”
Boomer’s hand slowly drifted to his side. “She said she was going to visit her mother for a few days.”
Was Boomer lying? Gabe couldn’t tell. “Where?”
“Tacoma.”
“She’d be driving to Tacoma. Who’s flying out on Alaska Airlines at 9:30?”
Clearly in defensive mode, Boomer shrugged. “Not me.”
Papi stepped forward. “Sir, we would appreciate it if you would move your truck. We’re in a bit of a hurry.”
Boomer’s gaze bounced back and forth between Gabe and his father. “Sure, no problem. Keep me posted. See you at practice tomorrow, bud.”
Gabe stared at Boomer in disbelief. Why wasn’t he more concerned about his wife? Hadn’t they just accused Lacey of kidnapping Birdie? Boomer’s lack of surprise seemed totally out of sync with the circumstances. As for keeping Boomer posted, screw that! He suspected Boomer knew exactly where Lacey was, and it wasn’t Tacoma.
Gabe spun on his heel. “Give me the keys, Papi. I’m driving.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
WITH ONE EYE on the rearview mirror watching for flashing red and blue lights, Gabe sped down the Maple Grove highway, heading for the freeway that would take them to SeaTac International Airport.
“I’m calling 911,” Papi said, pulling his cell phone from his pocket.
“Wait,” Gabe said. “And tell them what?”
“That our child has been kidnapped. What else?”
“Think about it, Papi. All we have is a flight number. We’ve got nothing to connect it to Lacey. They’ll ask all kinds of questions, like why did she take the baby. What will you tell them? That Birdie can vanish? That she’s magic?”
Papi held up a hand. “I’ll think of something. We have to try, son.”
Judging from Papi’s end of the conversation with the 911 operator, Gabe’s prediction was right. After Papi described their emergency, he responded to a series of questions.
“The woman’s name is Lacey Woodard. Yes, we know her. Her husband, Ben Woodard, is my son’s basketball coach.”
“No, she is not the biological mother.”
“Yes, the baby was with her grandmother. She was tired and let Ms. Woodard take the baby so she could rest.”
“No, Ma’am, we don’t know for sure if she plans to board Flight 371.”
Papi listened for a while before asking, “What about an Amber Alert? Isn’t that appropriate in a situation such as this?”
Another long silence from Papi before he ended the call with, “Yes, yes, thank you. We will consider your suggestion.”
Papi sighed. “She’s sending a patrol car to Woodard’s house. She said the authorities would then contact Alaska Airlines if they thought it was necessary. She suggested we go home and wait for a call.”
Gabe shook his head in disgust. “Good luck with that. It’s what I thought would happen. If we’re going to get her back, it’s up to us.”
“She says it’s probably a missed communication thing but that they would definitely look into it.”
Connie leaned forward and spoke urgently. “Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll buy you a ticket. That will get you to the gate. What happens after you get there . . . well, that’s up to you.”
“And,” Papi said, “I’ll buy one for Miss Abby. You might need her, um, help.”
Startled, Gabe glanced over at his father. “What do you mean help?”
Papi squirmed in his seat and lowered his voice. “You know exactly what I mean. Miss Abby is able to do things the rest of us cannot.”
Gabe blinked in surprise. “You know about her? About what she is?”
“Yes, son, I know. Her mother and I had an interesting conversation last night.”
“What are you talking about?” Connie’s voice was sharp. “What do you mean, what she is? Why am I always the last person to know these things?”
“Can you suspend reality?” Abby said.
Connie snorted. “Suspending reality is not a problem right now. Remember, I just learned I have a grandchild who can disappear at will. Now, tell me!”
Abby lowered her voice to a whisper as if the secret was only between Connie and herself. Gabe couldn’t catch all the words but he could tell from his mother’s gasps and exclamations that Abby left nothing out.
Gabe floored the accelerator and sped up the ramp leading to southbound interstate 405, weaving in and out of traffic. By the time they screeched to a stop in the air terminal’s parking garage, it was past 8:30.
“This way,” Papi said, taking off at a run. Gabe had to sprint to catch up with him. Who knew his old man could move that fast?
Once inside the terminal, Papi slowed to a trot. Abby and Connie trailed behind.
“Over there,” Gabe gasped. “Alaska Air counter.”
Connie rushed over, credit card in hand. Gabe stepped up next to Connie and spoke to the ticket agent, “Ma’am, have you received any information about a woman attempting to board flight 372 with an infant who doesn’t belong to her?”
The agent studied Gabe’s face. “No, young man. I have not. Is there a problem?”
“Could you call the gate agent and ask?”
Looking dubious, the woman punched in a number and spoke softly into the phone. She clicked off. “No. Nothing.”
Gabe groaned. It was just as he thought. By the time the separate agencies sorted it out, the baby would be in Sacramento. Connie slapped her credit card on the counter. “I need two tickets for that flight.”
“All I have left is standby,” the ticket agent said. After checking Gabe and Abby’s ID, she said, “It’s almost time to board so you’d better hurry. Security first, of course. No bags to check?”
“No bags,” Connie said, holding her hand out for the standby tickets.
Gabe grabbed the tickets from Connie and breathed, “Thank you.”
“We’ll wait for you in the baggage drop area. Good luck,” Papi said.
Gabe took Abby’s hand and ran toward the security screening station.
Abby, trying to keep up with Gabe’s long strides, panted, “That woman . . . behind the counter . . . she got on the phone when we left. She looked kinda suspicious.”
“Can’t worry about that now.”
Fortunately, the line for security was short and moving fast. Gabe and Abby fell in behind a family with two small children dressed in pajamas. Gabe could hardly keep from shoving to the front of the line.
“Come on, come on, move!” he muttered, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
The father of the kids shot him a glance, then leaned closed to his wife and whispered in her ear. She nodded. The man turned to face Gabe, “Looks like you two are in a hurry. We’ve got plenty of time before our flight leaves. Go on ahead.”
“Thanks, man,” Gabe said. “Appreciate it.”
He and Abby stepped around the family of four, the stroller, the car seat, and overflowing carry-ons. Only two people in front of them now. Gabe glanced at his cell phone. 8:45.
“Gabe.” Abby tugged on his sleeve. “Put this on. It absorbs negative energy. It will protect you.”
She held out silver ring set with a square, shiny blac
k stone.
Gabe shook his head. “Thanks anyway, but I don’t wear rings.”
Abby grabbed his hand and set the ring on his palm. “Wear it! You don’t know what you’ll be facing.”
No time to argue. Only one person remained between them and the person checking ID. “Okay, guess it can’t hurt, “Gabe said. He slid the ring onto his finger. Despite the cool-looking silver, the ring was warm to the touch as if the metal had been heated. The shiny black stone caught the light and splintered into a glittering prism.
“What is this thing?” Gabe whispered to Abby.
“Obsidian. It belonged to my grandfather. I’ve got the same stone.” Abby opened her coat to reveal an exotic pendant hanging from a delicate gold chain. Its round blue background was embossed with two intricately carved dragons whose bodies curved across the surface. A shiny black stone dominated the center. Something about the pendant set off Gabe’s internal alarm.
“You should have left it with Papi.”
“I might need it.”
Gabe’s heart kicked up a notch. He stared down at her. “Need it? Why?”
Abby leaned close to him and whispered, “There won’t be time to cast a circle. If I have to use a spell, the pendant helps me.”
Okay, Gabe thought, mentally kicking himself in the butt. You brought her along for her special abilities, dummy. What did you think she’d do?
“Step forward,” the woman ordered.
Gabe slapped the tickets and his ID in her outstretched hand. Abby fumbled in her coat pocket and then offered her driver’s license. The woman’s gaze flicked back and forth between the items in her hand and Gabe and Abby.
“No carry-ons?” she asked.
Gabe forced a smile. “Last minute trip. Family emergency.”
“Whose family?”
“Mine,” Gabe and Abby said together.
Gabe ground his teeth in frustration. A pink flush rose in Abby’s cheeks.
“Your last names are different,” the woman said. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Your addresses are different. So whose family is it?”
Gabe threw an arm around Abby’s shoulders and squeezed, hoping she’d get the message to keep her mouth shut. “She’s my girlfriend. We consider her part of the family. Right, baby?”
Baby Gone Bye Page 14
