“I’m afraid.” She wrapped her arms around her body for protection.
“I know. It’s almost better that we don’t know anything or even talk about it.”
“Tom, if he knows where they are or even has some knowledge of who might have then, he needs to tell the police.”
“Do you really think that?” Tom’s voice dropped to a lower volume.
“You were the one who talked about Calvin’s connections. The guys from college he hung out with.” Her voice rose with intensity. “You said it might be possible that one of those connections might have had a reason to take Karl and Debra and the girls.” Her voice broke.
Tom went to her and knelt before her, gripping her arms gently in his hands, “I’m sorry for upsetting you. I didn’t mean to say all those things out loud. I was thinking them.”
She leaned her head on his shoulder, trying to stem the tears threatening to fall. “I know. It’s that once the words are spoken, the thought process began, and it spiraled out of control. Now I wonder what he knows or even suspects.”
“It doesn’t hurt to ask.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped her tears. Then he kissed her nose and moved to sit on the ottoman at her feet. “I guess it’s time to make the call.”
Maggie dialed the number and held Tom’s hand while she waited for an answer to the ringing. After three rings, a male voice answered, “Calvin here.”
“Calvin, it’s your Aunt Maggie,”
“Hello, Aunt Maggie. How are you?” His tone sounded stiff and formal in her ear.
“Calvin, I have something to tell you.” She paused longer than she thought.
“What is it? Something happen to—uh—the family?” he prompted.
“Why would you think that?”
“Why else would you call me and not my mother?”
“Okay. Yes, your parents and the girls are missing. I didn’t hear from Debra on Monday. She always calls me on Monday after the girls have left for school. They didn’t go to church Sunday, so I was sure I’d hear from her. She never called. I drove over to the house and went in, but no one was there.” She took a deep breath, fighting nausea that threatened.
“It’s Wednesday. It took you this long to call?” he accused.
“I don’t have your number. You didn’t give it to me.”
“How did you get it?”
“Debra had it in a little book. She showed me where she kept it. When the police weren’t looking, I took it.” Her voice was defensive. “I didn’t want the police to think we weren’t a close family. I should have had your number.”
“What’s happening? Have they found any clues to where they went?”
“Not that I know of. It’s been three days and not a phone call. Your mother calls me almost every day.”
“I know. The phone burns up, Father always said.” Calvin’s voice softened just a bit. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine as I can be.” She paused, gathering her thoughts. “Calvin, where are they?” she asked.
A long pause followed, “I have no idea where they could be. Maybe they went for a drive?”
“For three days with no suitcase?” she shot back at him.
“What do you want?” his voice sighed the line.
“I want to know what happened and where they are.” Her voice returned to the firm tone.
“You think for some reason I know where they are or what happened to them? I’m over two thousand miles away. I haven’t left here all winter. It’s cold, and the snow is over the tops of the cars. No one is going anywhere from here!” His voice rose as he spoke.
“Don’t take that tone with me, young man. We know…” She left the rest of the sentence dangling in the air.
“You know what? You know nothing!” Now his voice rose to a harsh yell. “Go back to your little world and don’t speculate on something you know nothing about.”
“Really? Why? What if I told the police what I know?”
“What do you know?” He paused, waiting for an answer he didn’t get. “What did my mother tell you?”
“Everything.”
A longer silence passed, and Maggie thought the line went dead, but she heard harsh breathing. “You only know what Mom told you.” His voice was quiet. “Keep it that way, or you might end up right next to them.” He hung up.
Maggie froze as the words sank into her brain. “He just threatened me. He knows they’re either dead or being held somewhere.” She replaced the receiver and put her hands out to Tom. “They aren’t coming back.” Tears flowed over and spilled down her cheeks.
There were no words.
Chapter 4
Robert knocked on Jake’s door the following Sunday afternoon. The day changed from bleak and misty to brief flashes of sunshine. Under his arm, he held a brightly wrapped box destined for his godchild’s first birthday party.
Earlier that morning, he’d entered Meier & Frank department store to purchase a present for Elizabeth. The act of choosing a gift for a child caused him pain and something he’d been able to avoid until now. A saleswoman approached, “May I help you, sir?”
“I have to get a gift for a one-year-old girl. Her birthday party is today.” He looked around at the vast selection and shrugged helplessly.
“Did you have anything in mind?” she asked.
He shook his head again.
She and a couple of other young saleswomen fluttered around, bringing him suggestions. Each seemed more attentive to him than actually picking the gift. He glanced at his watch, time marched on, and he confronted the three. “Can you pick a few items out and wrap them for me?” They nodded and placed a selection on the counter for his approval. He approved, having no idea if they were good choices or not. One rang up the sale, while the others wrapped the gifts in a box with bright paper and a large bow.
“Do you already have a birthday card?” the youngest woman asked, her lips seemed to mimic a fish.
He repressed a smile, “No, but thank you. I’ll take that too.” He signed and addressed the enveloped, then escaped the store before they could strip him of his clothes as their eyes seemed to be doing the entire time he stood there.
He parked his car behind a familiar one he knew belonged to Lorene’s parents. Maybe it was going to be just a family affair. He could handle that. He glanced up and down the street to see cars parked nose to tail along the curb. He heaved a sigh as he got out of the car. He hoped the men could hang out on the back porch. Jake had a firepit out there.
Jake opened the door before Robert’s fist met the wood. His hand grabbed Robert’s fist in a tight grip, “You almost hit me,” Jake accused.
“Wait until I knock,” Robert gave Jake a mock right hook to the chin, as he walked by.
Lorene breezed in after he handed his fedora and coat to Jake. “Robert!” she called and hugged him; reaching up to pull his face down so she could kiss his cheek. “I’m so glad you came,” she whispered.
He hugged her back and answered, “Did I have a choice?” in the same tone.
She looked directly into his eyes. “No. You can’t run every time you get invited to a family gathering or a birthday party. You’ll be coming to this little girl’s birthday party every year; you’re her godfather.” She backed away, and her long blonde ponytail swished over her shoulder as she turned to yell, “Mom, Dad, Robert’s here.”
He looked at Jake with an expression that screamed “HELP!” Jake just grinned and shrugged. “She rules around here. I’ve learned to pick my battles, so I win a few.”
Lorene’s parents and Jake’s parents met Robert in the living room. The women hugged and kissed him, telling him how handsome he was. The men pumped his hand, slapped him on the back, and handed him a cup of coffee, which he found had a little something extra added to ward off the chill.