Finding Us

by Debra Presley

  “Keep in touch,” Danny ordered.

  “Absolutely. Everyone has been equipped with radios.” King moved away from the railing he was leaning on and picked up a pair of two-way digital radios from the steps.

  “For you.” He gave one to Danny and one to Connor.

  “Frequency?”

  “Eighteen.”

  Danny checked the radio and made sure his was working correctly.

  “I’m headed out. There are men in the woods,” King informed them.

  Danny nodded. “Perfect. Stay safe.”

  “For sure.”

  “Stay alert,” Connor reiterated what Danny had said.

  “Always.” King gave them both a chin lift and left.

  Danny watched King head down the deck steps, get into his vehicle, and drive out to the main road before he went back inside.

  * * *

  “Why have you waited this long to cook me a meal?” Abby pushed her dish away and finished the last of her wine.

  “I needed to withhold some of my talents.”

  “I don’t think I can move. That was delicious.”

  “Thank you.” Danny smiled.

  “I’d offer to cook one night, but I might poison everyone,” Abby said.

  “Yeah, I think I might pass on that.”

  She laughed.

  “We all might pass on that,” Connor added with a wink.

  “Who taught you how to cook?” Sophie asked as she took another bite of the pasta.

  “My mom and grandmother.”

  “Well, they did a great job because this is phenomenal. I can’t remember the last time I ate so much.”

  “Since you cooked, we’ll clean.” Abby stood with her plate in her hand.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Danny said, reaching for her plate.

  “Whatever, Chef Nucci. C’mon, Sophie.”

  “Ah, women’s work.” Connor snorted a laugh as Abby and Sophie gathered the plates.

  “Screw you, Connor.” Abby dipped her fingers in her glass and flicked some wine at him. “And you like him?” she asked Sophie.

  “Oh my God, shut up.” Sophie lightly slapped Abby on the arm and left for the kitchen.

  “Whoops.” Abby smiled and followed Sophie.

  * * *

  “Okay, for real. I’m freaking the fuck out,” Abby said to Sophie as they cleaned up in the kitchen.

  “I know. You wouldn’t be normal if you weren’t.”

  “I really want to run away.”

  “That’s normal, too.”

  “But I also really want to not run. I don’t want this asshole to govern my life.” She finished wiping one of the counter tops down.

  “And I’m proud of you for that. If it helps, the last I heard there was nothing new to report. No one’s seen him yet.”

  Abby stopped and stared meditatively at the floor. “He would’ve had to leave right after I got off the phone with Kelly to already be here.”

  “True. So let’s finish here and find one of those eighties cult movies you love so much on Netflix and veg out.”

  “I could go for that.”

  “Good. Let’s get the rest of these dishes loaded.”

  Abby looked around. “Danny’s a great cook, but he used practically every pot and pan in this place for one meal.”

  “Men.” Sophie shook her head. “Just be happy he can cook. Cleaning is pushing it.” She grinned.

  “So true.”

  “What are you ladies laughing at?” Connor leaned against the granite island and watched them work.

  “Men.” They said in unison and laughed louder.

  “I’m not touching that conversation with a ten-foot pole. Although…” He straightened and stuck out his broad chest. “My pole is always at your disposal.” He winked at Sophie and sauntered away.

  Abby busted out laughing. “You wish,” she hollered. She turned to look at Sophie. “So are you still denying there’s nothing between you two?”

  “Shut up and thanks for that comment before.” Sophie placed the dishtowel on the hook and headed toward the living room.

  “I’m so right,” Abby said to herself and laughed. At least Connor had a knack for dispelling tension. She followed Sophie.

  * * *

  “One sec,” Abby called from the bathroom. She was changing into a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt for bed. She wasn’t sure what was about to happen, so she wanted to be wearing something more than pajamas. It just made her feel safer.

  “It’s me,” Sophie said through the door.

  “Come in.” Abby finished up in the bathroom and headed out to her room. “What’s up?”

  “Danny asked if I’d stay in here with you tonight. He wants us in the same room.”

  “Okay.” She’d actually been thinking that she’d like Sophie with her. “Anything new?” Abby was completely on edge. Every sound she heard made her jump. Danny and Connor asked them to stay upstairs while they strategized and got ready for whatever the hell you wanted to call what was about to happen. All of this was just so crazy. Like something out of a bad movie where the hot chick runs up the stairs and gets killed within the first five minutes. She didn’t want to be that hot chick.

  “Not that I know of. He said he wanted us together. I thought it made sense. This way there’s only one room to worry about.”

  “And you know how much I love being the subject of worry.” Abby walked over to the window and peeked out the shade. It was dark so all she could see were the stars in the sky and the reflection of the moon off the lake in the distance. There wasn’t a soul to be found, yet she knew Danny and everyone else was out there watching and waiting.

  “Try to relax. We’ll have a slumber party. It’ll be fun.”

  “Easy for you to say,” Abby muttered.

  “Actually, it isn’t easy for me to say. I’m here, too. If anything, I’m glad I have someone next to me to worry with me. Let’s turn the TV on and watch something light and fun.”

  Abby felt bad for being so focused on herself. She didn’t realize how this could be affecting Sophie.

  “Oh, I think the Yankees are playing the Red Sox.” Abby smiled. The Yankees were their team. There was nothing like the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry to distract her from a crazy lunatic heading straight for her safe haven.

  “That’s light and fun?”

  “Far from that but we’ll probably wind up yelling at the screen so it’s sure to be fun.” This was a far better distraction than a movie.

  “Get the remote,” Sophie ordered. “We have a game to watch and they better be winning.”

  “Got it.” Abby turned on the television. “In all seriousness, though, I don’t think I’m going to be able to sleep.”

  “Me, either, but at least we can keep each other from freaking out.”

  “Then it’s you, me, the Yankees, and our frazzled nerves.” Abby got settled in bed with Sophie next to her and though they did get into the game, Abby knew that Sophie was just as worried as she was.

  Danny’s team was at his cabin, and their trucks were hidden in his garage. Everyone was in place, hiding in the woods and waiting for Sean.

  They got a huge break about an hour ago when a local store owner called to say Sean and Kelly had stopped to pick up a map and a couple of candy bars. He called the second they pulled out of his lot, giving Danny time to get everyone back to the cabin.

  Since the call, they’d been waiting in the woods. Danny positioned himself behind a cluster of pine trees, glad for the extra cover of darkness. From here, he was able to watch both the road and Abby’s room.

  “I have a black unmarked van approaching,” Freddie said over the radio.

  Finally. “Copy. Showtime, gentlemen. Stay sharp.” Danny hooked the radio on his belt and took a couple of deep breaths. He heard tires crunch on gravel and then the vehicle stopped.

  Danny lifted his night-vision binoculars and watched as a man got out of the driver’s seat. Danny studied the figure t
hrough the binoculars. Definitely Sean. He appeared to be alone, dressed in black from head to toe, and he held a backpack over his shoulder. No telling what was in it. He’d find out soon enough. Sean was his.

  Danny kept his gaze locked on Sean through the binoculars as Sean cased the front of the cabin, searching for the best way in. Danny glanced at the van; there was no one else around it. Either Kelly wasn’t with him or she was hiding in the back of the van. Danny turned his attention back to Sean as he reached behind his back and pulled something from his jeans. Danny zoomed in with his binoculars and saw the glint of a knife. Never take a knife to a gunfight, asshole.

  Sean headed toward the side porch door, and Danny started to move, keeping quiet. He weaved through the trees and bushes placing his feet carefully to ensure that Sean didn’t hear him. He was nearly to Sean when he charged. He knocked Sean into the garbage cans just as the outside lights came on as planned. They’d blocked the motion sensors to give Sean a false sense of being unseen. The knife flew out of Sean’s hand as they tumbled to the ground.

  “Motherfucker,” Sean mumbled. He scrambled to his feet, but Danny stayed with him.

  “You’re not going anywhere.” Danny took a couple of steps back, aware that several of his employees were standing behind him. “Stay back,” he told them, his gaze never leaving Sean.

  “He’s all yours,” Connor said.

  “Fuck you.” Sean glared at the assembled group. “All this for a lousy lay? Now the mother, she’s another story. You should’ve tapped that when you had the chance.” He lunged suddenly, and his fist caught Danny on the jaw.

  Adrenaline coursed through Danny, and he didn’t even feel the punch. He let him have the shot, then advanced on Sean, watching his position. Danny stutter-stepped, and his fast movement made Sean stumble. It was enough. Danny’s right hook connected cleanly with Sean’s jaw, and he grunted as he collapsed. Danny didn’t give him any time to recover. He jumped on him and punched him in the face over and over, consumed with thoughts of Sean terrorizing Abby. He had weeks of built up frustration and anger, and now, finally, he had the source of that rage in his grasp.

  “Enough, Danny,” Connor said. He sounded as though he was far away, calling to Danny from the other end of a tunnel. Danny brought his fists down over and over. He thought about Vanessa, how he wasn’t there to save her, and about her bloodied, broken, and lifeless body. He’d let her down, and he wasn’t going to let Abby down. Not again. Sean would never hurt her again. He’d make sure of it. “Nucci. Stop. The guy’s fuckin’ done.”

  Danny drew his fist back again, but he didn’t finish the blow. Sean deserved much more. But there he lay, mumbling and groaning, face smeared with blood. Danny got to his feet. “Fine. Call 911.”

  Sean rolled to his side. Danny put his foot on his chest and pushed him back to the ground. Danny bent down, “It’s your lucky day, asshole,” he whispered into Sean’s ear. “You get to live a little longer.”

  Sean stopped trying to get up, and two of Danny’s employees stood nearby in case he tried anything. Sean couldn’t even catch his breath, let alone move enough to be a danger. Still, with someone like Sean, it was better to be vigilant.

  Danny moved to Sean’s van and opened the back doors. No Kelly. He walked over to the passenger side where he found zip ties scattered across the seat and a bag on the floor. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small flashlight. He used the grip of the flashlight to move around the items in the bag, making sure not to touch anything. His stomach plunged when he saw what was inside. There was rope, duct tape, a bottle of some sort of liquid, and rags that could be used for a blindfold or a gag. Danny ground his teeth together. Sean was going to use all of this on Abby. He clenched and unclenched his fists.

  “Chill, man,” Connor said. “He’s down. No point getting arrested for murder.”

  “It’d be worth it in this case.” Danny shined the flashlight on the seat of the truck.

  “Damn,” Connor said. “The guy’s seriously fucked up. And now I kind of want to finish the job, too. What a sick son of a bitch. Fuck, man, how long does it take the cops to get here?”

  “There are some disadvantages to living in the woods. Just make sure the asshole doesn’t move.” Danny walked away from the van. He needed a moment to cool off; otherwise he might do something he’d later regret.

  Flashes of blue and red lights broke through the forest.

  “Cops,” Connor said. “And about fucking time too. I was getting worked up again.” He came up behind Danny and clapped him on the shoulder.

  Danny met the first patrol car and briefed them. “He’s over there on the ground,” he said, motioning to the prone Sean. “That’s his van. All his gear is on the seat. Other than opening the door, we didn’t touch it.” One of the officers nodded and directed the other to assess Sean’s condition. The ambulance arrived a few minutes later.

  “Got a receipt for a local motel in town,” one of the officers said from Sean’s van.

  “You’ll probably find a woman named Kelly West there,” Danny said.

  “What’s her relationship in all this?” the officer asked.

  “The hell if I know. That seems to be the million-dollar question. My guess is some infatuation with either Sean or Abby. I’d like to know what you find out.”

  “Will do. We’ll need to speak with Ms. Murphy.”

  “She’s in the house with her assistant. I don’t really want her to see him. Can we meet you down at the station?”

  “I’ll need to speak to her tonight.”

  “Absolutely. I’ll get her and bring her down as soon as the ambulance clears out.”

  “Appreciate that.”

  Danny turned and started toward the house.

  “Dude, you can’t go in there looking like that.”

  Danny looked down at his chest. It was covered in dirt and splatters of Sean’s blood. “Shit, I’ll scare the fuck out of them. I’ll get a new one first.”

  “Wash your face before you go in there too.” He gestured at his own lip.

  Danny touched his bottom lip. His fingertip came away with a streak of blood. Sean’s initial punch. And now that he thought about it, his lip hurt a little. No biggie, he thought as he pictured Sean’s crumpled form on the ground earlier. A split lip was a small price to pay for getting that freak show locked up. He took the stairs up to the second floor two at a time before stopping in his room to clean up and get a new shirt.

  * * *

  “Did you hear that?” Abby sat up and shook Sophie.

  “What’s wrong?” Sophie mumbled.

  “Did you hear that?” she repeated. There had definitely been a noise and now her heart was pounding in her chest. What if something went wrong? What if Sean made it inside the house? What if he had a gun? What if Danny’s hurt? Or worse?

  “I was sleeping. Hear what?”

  “That noise.”

  “What did it sound like?”

  “I don’t know. If I knew, I wouldn’t be asking you.”

  “Slow down a second and take a breath. Giving me attitude at,” Sophie glanced at the clock, “three in the morning is not going to solve anything.”

  Abby was about to respond when a loud crash from outside interrupted. Abby swung her legs to the floor.

  “Where are you going?” Sophie grabbed Abby’s arm.

  “I need to see what that was.” She tried to pull away. Danny could be hurt.

  “Shit,” Sophie said.

  “I need to find Danny.” Abby pulled away from Sophie’s hold. She needed to know what was happening. Why didn’t Sophie understand that?

  “No, you need to get down.” Sophie was out of bed now, too. “Get down,” she pulled them both to the ground. “We need to get to the closet. Go.”

  “Don’t you want to know what’s happening?” Abby looked over at Sophie. She didn’t even want to think of all the horrible things that could be going on down there, but her imagination wouldn’t res
t.

  “Of course I do, but right now I want to get us somewhere safe.”

  Abby stopped arguing and crawled to the closet. She really wanted to know if Danny was okay, but self-preservation won out. She couldn’t let Sean find her.

  Sophie closed the door behind them. “We need to stay here until the guys come and get us.”

  “I want to find Danny. Don’t you want to know where Connor is? If he’s okay?” Abby fought the panic she felt rising in her chest. She just couldn’t shake the feeling that something horrible was happening downstairs. She needed to know.

  “Abby, you need to stop.” Sophie grabbed Abby’s hands. “Of course I do, but do you think us running around the house or outside is going to be helpful? Think. Take a second and think. The guys are trained in this sort of thing. We aren’t. We need to stay here and keep out of the way. This is the only way we can help them.” Sophie moved closer to Abby and wrapped her arms around her. “It’ll be fine.”

  “Liar.”

  “Stop it. Calm down.”

  “I want to know what’s going on.”

  “I know you do, and so do I, but we need to stay here. Listen…it seems to have calmed down.”

  They stayed huddled together for a few more minutes. It was eerily quiet, and the lack of noise was working Abby’s last nerve. Her imagination was running wild. Was Sean out there? Had they found him?

  “I hear something,” she whispered.

  “Me too. Stay quiet.”

  “Fuck.” She moved closer to Sophie.

  What sounded like footsteps thudded through the ground level and then up the stairs. Was that furniture getting moved around? Abby clutched Sophie tighter. She prayed Sean wasn’t fumbling about, looking for her. Danny had to be fine.

  The waiting was horrible. Why did she agree to call Kelly? She was happy living up here in secret. Lake George was beautiful, and there was a ton of things to do. She could’ve spent the summer up here in ignorant bliss. Hysterical thoughts continued to flood Abby as she waited for something to happen or for someone to open the door.

  “I can’t take this anymore,” Abby whispered. “I think we should at least check to see if they’re in the house.”