Praying for Time

by Carlene Thompson

  Vanessa jumped when her other cellphone rang. Would the caller be playing tag with the phones? If so, she must call the police or …

  Or do what? she wondered as she got up and staggered to the counter where the phone sounded again. Tentatively, she glanced at the caller ID. WADE BAYLOR, now the sheriff of Everly Cliffs, and the area code was 503. Home, Vanessa thought, suddenly trembling again.

  She picked up the phone and shakily said, ‘Hello?’

  ‘Vanessa? Vanessa Everly?’ came a strong, male voice she hadn’t heard for years but knew well.

  ‘Y-Yes.’

  ‘This is Sheriff Wade Baylor in Everly Cliffs.’

  Alarm rushed through Vanessa. ‘Yes, I know, Wade. What’s wrong? Is it Grace?’

  ‘Your grandmother? No, as far as I know, she’s fine.’

  ‘What about Audrey?’

  ‘Audrey Willis is OK.’

  ‘Then what …’

  ‘I know this will be a shock.’

  ‘Tell me!’

  He hesitated, then said bluntly, ‘Vanessa, your sister Roxanne is home.’

  TWO

  ‘Home?’ Vanessa repeated blankly. ‘She’s alive?’

  ‘It seems so. I mean, if the woman is really Roxanne.’

  ‘Is there some doubt?’

  ‘Roxanne’s been gone a long time. This woman is too sick to talk. She can’t answer any questions.’

  Vanessa’s hands went cold. ‘Did she come home on her own or did someone bring her?’

  ‘Audrey Willis and her daughter are staying at your grandmother’s house. Well, you know that. Anyway, earlier tonight Audrey found the woman lying unconscious on the porch. She was immediately taken to the hospital.’

  ‘You said she’s sick. What’s wrong with her?’

  ‘I don’t know her condition. I only saw her briefly. She’s thin and dirty. Her hands are scratched pretty badly and she has a small cut on her forehead. She’s unconscious so we don’t know how long she was on the porch for. There’s no sign of who put her there or if she walked and then collapsed.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Vanessa, I’m on the way back to headquarters. The doctors won’t let me question the woman right now. That’s all the information I can give you. It’s all I have, but Audrey is in the hospital waiting room. You should call her.’

  ‘Yes … yes, of course. Thank you, Wade … Sheriff Baylor.’

  Vanessa clicked off, her mind whirling. She’d given up on finding Roxanne years ago and now her sister had appeared, thin, scratched, dirty, and unconscious on a December night on her own front porch. This couldn’t be happening, Vanessa thought. It couldn’t.

  But it was.

  She took a deep breath, then with brittle fingers called Audrey Willis’s cellphone. Audrey picked up on the second ring. ‘Vanessa,’ she said simply.

  ‘Yes. Wade Baylor called. He said a woman …’ Vanessa voice began to vibrate. ‘He said Roxanne is back, that you found her lying on the front porch, that she’s unconscious and thin and—’

  ‘Slow down, Vanessa. I wanted to call you but Wade said it was his job as sheriff to notify you. Cara and I are at the hospital. We were at your house watching TV with Grace when I heard a noise at the front door. It wasn’t a knock – more like scratching. I turned on the porch lights and saw a lump. I mean, it looked human, but limp and ragged. I was nervous, but I opened the door anyway and her face was turned up to me. It was Roxanne’s face – dirty, a little bloody – but definitely Roxanne’s face. She was unconscious and I called the emergency services. I really don’t remember much after that, Vanessa. Now I’m waiting for word on Roxanne.’

  ‘She hasn’t regained consciousness?’

  ‘Not as of ten minutes ago. Her pulse was steady, though, and her airway clear. It’s around forty-eight degrees here and she was wearing jeans and a torn but warm jacket. I don’t think she’s suffering from exposure.’

  ‘How did she look?’

  ‘Very pale. Her lips were cracked but not badly. I told you she had scratches—’

  ‘Where?’

  ‘Well, her face and she had a cut above her left eye. Blood had run down the side of her face and dried. She didn’t have gloves and her hands were bruised and scratched, too. Her hair is long but tangled and dirty. Her beautiful hair …’ Audrey’s voice caught.

  ‘Do they think she might die?’

  ‘Die? No, no, Vanessa. She’s just worn and neglected and she probably has a concussion but she didn’t appear to have any serious wounds. I’m sure—’

  ‘You can’t be sure. There could be internal injuries.’ Vanessa’s voice rose. ‘She might have brain damage! You don’t know!’

  ‘Vanessa, calm down.’ Audrey’s usually gentle voice was stern. ‘Now is not the time for you to get hysterical. Get a grip, girl.’

  Vanessa almost smiled. How often had the cool-headed Audrey said that to her when they were young? Audrey continued, ‘What Roxanne needs now is your strength. Don’t lose it like—’

  ‘Like my mother and father did,’ Vanessa finished for her. ‘I know, Audrey. I need to be like Grace, not like Mom and Dad.’

  ‘Well … yes.’

  ‘Who’s with Grace while you’re at the hospital?’

  ‘Jane Drake. I know you don’t like her …’

  ‘Roxanne didn’t like her because she’s Simon Drake’s daughter and she hated Simon. I barely knew Jane. I know she’s a good nurse. My father hired her to stay with my mother for a few weeks before he died and she stayed until Mom had to be put in the convalescent home.’

  ‘Yes, she is a very good nurse. By the way, she got engaged to Wade a month ago.’

  ‘Wade Baylor?’

  ‘The very man – our sheriff. Anyway, Grace is in good hands.’

  ‘Yes. That’s OK. That’s good. That’s fine.’ Vanessa took a deep breath. ‘I should be able to think of something more articulate to say.’

  ‘You’re doing great. Oh, here’s Dr Montgomery.’

  ‘Christian?’ Vanessa blurted in surprise.

  ‘Yes. Just a minute.’

  In a moment, a smooth male voice asked, ‘Vanessa?’

  How long had it been since she’d heard that voice? Eight years? It was the same only slightly more controlled, more businesslike. But it still had the deep timbre, the warm tone that touched her heart the way it had when they dated years ago. But that was ancient history, she reminded herself.

  ‘Christian?’ Her own voice squeaked slightly and she cleared her throat.

  ‘I was on duty in the emergency room when they brought her in. She has no identification, but the woman has long wavy blonde hair and blue eyes like Roxanne’s. She looks to be in her mid-twenties. I know Roxanne would only be twenty-three but this woman’s been through a lot. She has an abrasion scar on her outer right thigh, like the one Roxanne got when she wrecked her bicycle against the rocks, and a birthmark on her left shoulder.’

  ‘Like Roxanne’s.’

  ‘I don’t remember exactly what Roxanne’s looked like but it’s a strawberry mark – roughly a circle about an inch and a half in diameter.’

  ‘Like our mother’s.’ Vanessa’s voice was expressionless with shock. ‘What else?’

  ‘We’ll run tests and compare her dental records—’

  ‘But you’re certain it’s Roxanne, aren’t you?’

  ‘Well … fairly certain. She’s thin and weak. And …’

  ‘And?’

  ‘I hate to tell you this but she also has the scars of needle marks on the inside of her elbows.’

  ‘Heroin?’

  ‘I have no way of knowing. Whoever had her could have kept her drugged.’

  ‘Is she going through withdrawal?’

  ‘There’s no heroin in her blood tests and there are no fresh needle marks.’

  ‘I see.’ Vanessa closed her eyes. ‘Is Audrey close by? May I speak to her?’

  ‘Sure. Here she is.’

  ‘Vanessa?’ Audrey’s voice sounded tremulous
and unsure. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘I’m not certain. I’m so surprised …’

  ‘Of course you are.’

  ‘You said Jane Drake is with Grace.’

  ‘Oh, yes. I wouldn’t have left Grace alone. She was so drowsy when I saw a woman lying on the front porch that she didn’t even get excited. I stayed until Jane arrived. I brought Cara with me. After the shock of finding Roxanne, I needed to have her close to me so I could keep an eye on her.’

  ‘I understand. Audrey, did Roxanne say anything?’

  ‘Nessa, I told you she’s unconscious. But she looks … well, completely spent.’

  Vanessa drew a deep breath. ‘I’ll book the first flight I can get. I’ll call you when I reach Portland and then I’ll rent a car and drive to Everly Cliffs.’

  ‘Wonderful. We need you.’

  ‘I’ll be there as soon as possible, Audrey,’ Vanessa said with determination. ‘Tell my little sister I’m on my way.’

  ‘When I first looked at you I thought you were a movie star, but then I thought why would a glamorous movie star be flying in coach?’ The heavy-set, seventyish lady sitting to Vanessa’s left let out a deep laugh, loud enough to draw the attention of several other passengers around them. She peered at Vanessa with surprisingly youthful blue eyes behind maroon-rimmed glasses. ‘You really do look like someone familiar to me – someone from the movies. You’re not a movie star, are you?’

  ‘No, I’m not,’ Vanessa said truthfully, wondering how anyone could mistake her for a glamorous movie star with her long black hair pulled back in a messy bun and her green eyes bloodshot from a night without sleep. ‘Thank you for the compliment, though.’

  ‘Oh, I love movies,’ the woman went on. ‘I see them in the theaters and my husband gets cross because he says if I’d wait, I could see them on cable, but I like going to the theater. Don’t you?’

  Vanessa was trying to order coffee. Originally, she hadn’t been planning on leaving for Everly Cliffs until tomorrow afternoon. Instead, she’d canceled the earlier plans and been lucky enough to book a 9:40 a.m. flight for her and the dog. The three cups of caffeinated coffee she’d had at home were wearing off, though, and she felt groggy. After she’d given her order, she turned to the woman. ‘I’m sorry. You asked a question that I didn’t hear.’

  ‘I asked if you liked to see movies in a theater.’

  ‘Yes, I do.’

  ‘Do you like to go with someone or alone?’

  ‘Well … either.’

  ‘I go with a friend. I like to talk to someone throughout the movie. People are always shushing me, but I don’t care.’

  Vanessa managed a polite smile.

  The woman peered at her. ‘Now you look like an intense one to me. You probably don’t say a word and watch a movie for all you’re worth. Is that what you do? Watch? Think? Analyze?’

  ‘Maybe. Probably.’ I’d certainly like time to think and analyze now. ‘I concentrate on the movie and don’t talk until afterwards.’

  ‘Hah! Like a movie critic. Do you have family in Portland, honey?’

  ‘No.’ Vanessa’s coffee arrived and she took a lukewarm gulp. ‘They’re in Everly Cliffs.’

  ‘Everly Cliffs! I’ve been there several times. The last was two summers ago. It’s a beautiful place.’ Vanessa nodded and the woman continued, ‘The views are magnificent! I don’t go out on boats – my husband does – but I find plenty to entertain myself while he fishes. I love walking on the beach, and they have a lot of nice little shops. But of course you know that. The last time we ate dinner at a lovely new restaurant. Now what was the name? Oh, Mina’s!’

  ‘You mean Nia’s?’

  ‘Nia’s! Yes, yes, that’s it. I’m sure you’ve eaten there.’

  Vanessa nodded.

  ‘We’re thinking about retiring in Everly Cliffs next year. Howard doesn’t want to leave Oregon and neither do I. By the way, I’m Fay,’ the woman said.

  ‘Hello, Fay.’ Vanessa smiled. ‘I’m Vanessa.’

  ‘Vanessa! Well, isn’t that pretty? So you have family in Everly Cliffs and don’t tell me – you’re going home for Christmas!’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Oh, how sweet. I’ve been in Los Angeles visiting a friend but I can’t wait to get home to Portland for Christmas. It’s my favorite time of year. The decorations, the parties. And I hope it snows. I remember when I was a little girl and it snowed five inches on Christmas Eve and I got a sled and …’

  Fay’s loud voice rattled on and on while Vanessa finished her coffee, ordered another and then another. Her head hurt and she was hungry. All she could think of was Roxanne. She wondered what Fay would say if she told the woman she was going home to see her sister who’d been kidnapped over eight years ago. She’d be thrilled, enchanted, titillated. Her voice would get even louder as she asked a dozen questions. All the passengers would know within minutes.

  By the time they landed at twelve fifteen, Vanessa felt jittery, stiff in every joint, and deaf in her left ear. As they waited to disembark, Fay surprised her by saying quietly, ‘I know I talk a lot, but I’m not completely oblivious to other people. I can tell that you’re very worried about something, dear.’ She fished in her purse and pulled out a business card reading HOWARD JENNINGS with two phone numbers, one a cell. ‘This is my husband’s card but I’m Fay Jennings. I wrote my home number on the back of the card. If you should need me or Howard – he’s a brilliant attorney – for anything, just call. I’m not being polite – I mean it.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Vanessa was genuinely touched. ‘My name is Vanessa Everly.’

  ‘Vanessa Everly! Are you a member of the family that founded Everly Cliffs?’ Vanessa nodded. ‘Well, for heaven’s sake! I should have known.’

  ‘There’s no reason you would.’ Vanessa was reluctant to give Fay her cellphone number. The woman would think they were best friends. Still, she didn’t want to be rude. ‘I’ll be staying at my family’s home in Everly Cliffs, so it would be easy for you to reach me if you like.’

  ‘Well, aren’t you a sweetie!’ Fay beamed then cocked her head and winked. ‘And it came to me about an hour ago that you’re on Kingdom of Corinna. I didn’t connect that with you being a descendent of the original Everly Cliffs Everlys, but anyway Howard and I never miss the show. You’re wonderful in it.’

  They walked to the terminal together and waited until their luggage dragged by on the baggage conveyor. Howard Jennings appeared, apologizing for being late, and helped them haul their suitcases off the conveyor and onto airport luggage carts. He was tall with a round, benign face and keen gray eyes. He was also clearly happy to see his wife. Fay introduced him to Vanessa and he greeted her enthusiastically. As the couple walked – and talked nonstop – toward the doors of the terminal, Vanessa hurried to the restroom. Looking in the mirror under harsh fluorescent lights, she was surprised Fay or anyone else had recognized her as Na’dya from Kingdom. She thought she looked positively blanched. She slicked on some pink lipstick, which helped a bit, tucked loose ends of hair behind her ears, then gave up improving her appearance as a lost cause and left to collect Queenie. Next, she needed to rent a car.

  After looking over several options, she impulsively chose a silver three-row-seater SUV. She wanted a large car to accommodate her dog. Besides, for some reason she wanted use of this big car for a week.

  As Queenie stood on the pavement, Vanessa loaded her luggage and Queenie’s cage into the sizable cargo hold, marveling at how much more it could contain. She put a plaid pad on the cage bottom, left the cage door open and said, ‘Get in, girl!’ Queenie obediently jumped into her cage and lay down, seeming to know she wouldn’t be a prisoner for long. As soon as Vanessa settled herself on the black upholstered driver’s seat, she glanced over the myriad of dials on the dashboard. When she closed the driver’s door and heard a satisfyingly sturdy bang, she realized that in the big SUV she felt safe, almost as if she were shut in a bank vault. She wondered if that’s wh
y she’d picked it – she wanted to be strong but hated to admit she felt vulnerable, driving into a town she’d avoided as much as possible for years, facing a situation that was both joyous and terrifying. What if Roxanne was nothing like the girl who’d gone missing eight years ago? What if she was irreparably damaged, physically or psychologically or both?

  Swallowing a wave of panic, Vanessa grabbed her cellphone and called Audrey.

  ‘Nessa!’ Audrey answered as if she’d been waiting for the call. ‘You’re in Portland?’

  ‘Yes. The flight was OK. I’ve had so much coffee I feel like I could shoot through the roof of my car.’

  ‘You’ve already rented a car?’

  ‘Yeah. An SUV. A bigger one than I’ll need. I should reach Everly Cliffs within two hours. Have you heard anything about Roxy this morning?’

  ‘Dr Montgomery called about an hour ago and said she’s doing all right. He wouldn’t give any details. He’s waiting for you.’

  ‘I’ll go to the hospital before I come home. How’s Grace?’

  ‘I told her about Roxy this morning. She’s stunned but quiet and amazingly calm. She’s watching television right now and waiting for Cara to come home from school. They’re very close.’