Find My Baby (9 page)

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“I have to do more to find Sam.” Kayla’s gaze followed her aunt early the next morning as she placed a cup of tea on the table. “The police need to do more. I called Captain Jensen this morning and he couldn’t tell me a thing. I asked if the FBI had made any progress. He grunted an answer that meant no. I still don’t think they believe me.”

“Give them a chance,” Aunt Nester said.

“I’m trying to. But it seems that Luke is the only one really interested.” Kayla bit her lower lip. “If I were more high-profile, they’d have me on the news every hour. CNN. FOX. Every news channel would be plastered with Sam’s disappearance. When I asked Captain Jensen if I could make a plea, he told me I could do it later. Later may be too late.”

Kayla rubbed her eyes. She couldn’t sleep without seeing the sweet face of her son. The vision of him had her up at her usual early hour.

She pointed to the sketch she’d drawn earlier of the female kidnapper. “HPD finally put her likeness on the air. Maybe someone will see it and call in, but what about Sam’s?”

“Why don’t you do it?”

Kayla groaned. “How?” Everything was so hard. Escaping her prison, convincing the police of her innocence, trying to find the kidnappers.

Aunt Nester pulled up a chair next to Kayla. “I know someone who manages a TV station.”

“In Houston?” Kayla asked, unable to keep surprise from her voice. Aunt Nester believed in her and wanted to help. That in itself was a wonderful thing. But this?

Aunt Nester nodded. “The son of my old boss, Mr. Douglas.”

“Does he know you?”

“Of course Brent knows me,” she scoffed. “I babysat him for years.” She went to the phone, dialed information and placed a call. In minutes, she was back at the table. “Brent will see you anytime you come in. He’s out to lunch from two to three; otherwise he’ll be there. Just drop by and talk to him.” She handed an address to Kayla. “He’s a nice boy.”

“You’re amazing, Aunt Nester.”

Kayla left the house early, her spirits pumped up with a possible chance to show Sam’s likeness on TV. She couldn’t help but remember Luke’s warning though, so she kept a watch out to see if she were being followed and was sure she wasn’t. Four people believed her. Aunt Nester and Luke, Rosie and Jackie. She felt stronger just thinking about them. She wasn’t so alone anymore.

Knowing Luke was bent on protecting her eased her heart. She remembered how his green eyes had shot sparks in her direction when he’d told her not to go out. He didn’t understand. She couldn’t hide at Aunt Nester’s when Sam was out there waiting for her.

Kayla stopped at Wal-Mart, picked up a cell phone and a phone card and paid with cash. If anyone tried to trace her on her cell it would be virtually impossible.

She called Jackie from her new phone. “I’m going to Station KTVZ to see if a friend of Aunt Nester’s will let me make a plea for Sam. But I need a favor.”

“Name it.”

“This is going to sound dumb, but do you have a dark wig? Since I’ve changed my hair color, I don’t want the people who kidnapped Sam to see me as I am now. If you don’t, it’s okay. I’ll try to find one.”

“I’ll do it, then meet you at the station.”

“You’ll do that?”

“What are friends for?” Jackie asked and hung up.

Friend! For a moment, Kayla couldn’t move. Her last real friend had been in grade school. And that was because her mother decided to stay in one place for an entire year. It broke Kayla’s heart when they moved. That experience and others like it, made her leery of getting close to anyone. Her mother could jerk them up and move at a moment’s notice. Kayla learned to protect herself, so she stayed aloof. Lonely.

But now, Jackie was her friend. It felt good. And felt the first spurt of joy since this whole ordeal began.

Jackie pulled up at the station minutes after Kayla.

“Try this,” Jackie said, handing Kayla a bag.

Pulling out a shoulder length brunette wig, she tried it on, adjusted it a couple of times. It worked perfectly. She’d changed from brunette to blonde back to brunette. Anyone trying to find her would think she hadn’t changed hair color at all. She turned to Jackie. “What do you think?”

Jackie nodded. “It’ll pass. Now, what’s the plan?”

Kayla showed her the sketches. “I’m going to see if Mr. Douglas will let me show these. I want the public to see a picture of Sam. If I can, maybe even show the sketch of the woman. If I find her, I’ll find my baby. If not, maybe someone has seen Sam.”

“What about bringing danger to Sam?” Jackie asked.

“I thought of that. But someone took Sam away while the kidnappers were still at the house. They must have had orders to take good care of him. They won’t hurt him.”

“You have to use everything you can. The longer it takes to find your baby the harder it will be. Let’s see if somebody crawls out of the woodwork. But you need to be prepared if they do. I’m talking security here. Your safety, as well as your aunt’s could be at risk.”

“Luke reminded me of that, but it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

“How about your aunt? She doesn’t sound like a young woman.”

“She’s already told me to go for it. She’s definitely tougher than she looks.”

“Good!”

“I have to do this. I have to try.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help.”

“Let’s go,” Kayla said, getting out of the car.

“You want me to come with you?”

“Of course I do. I need the moral support.”

“You got it,” Jackie said as they headed inside.

“Mr. Douglas?” Kayla asked as they entered a cubbyhole of an office.

The office of the station manager was as unpretentious as the man himself. Dressed in jeans, T-shirt and sneakers, he greeted them with a smile. “Brent, and you are Nester’s niece. Funny, I didn’t know she had a niece.”

“We haven’t seen each other since I was a small child. I surprised her when I showed up. This is my friend, Jackie Howard.”

He waved them to chairs across from his desk. “Pardon the mess. I can’t seem to keep my space clean.”

“The sign of a busy man,” Kayla said taking a seat. “Brent, I don’t know if Aunt Nester told you about my circumstance. I don’t even know if you want to hear it. But I really need a favor.”

He looked at his watch. “I’m always busy, but I have a few minutes. Fill me in.”

And she did. When she finished, he let out a profanity, then apologized. “Sorry...but you really do need help, don’t you?”

Kayla handed him the sketches.

“HPD put the woman’s on the air late yesterday. But if you want to show it along with the baby’s sketch, you can. Why don’t you do a stand-up plea? Then we’ll scroll a number across the screen.”

“That’s wonderful. If I can find this woman, I can find my son. Or maybe someone has seen Sam.”

“It’s a long shot, but worth a try.”

“I don’t know how I can ever repay you,” she said when he rose from his chair.

“My family owes your aunt more than a thirty-second spot on the news. It took three people to take her place when she retired. When my younger brother went into the firm with Dad, she kept up with both his and my dad’s work.”

“She didn’t tell me.”

“She wouldn’t. My brother would still have her on the payroll, but I think your aunt intimidated my new sister-in-law. She talked my brother into letting her go. So forget about paying me for anything. I just hope it helps.”

“Look this way,” the cameraman said a few minutes later.

A shiver skittered down Kayla’s back. Her hands shook. She had to do this right, make the public believe her—make them want to help her.

“One minute,” someone called.

The longest minute of her life. Scenes of other mothers pleading for their children’s release came to mind. Elizabeth Smart’s mother in Utah, the Smith woman who pleaded for her children to be returned, when all along she’d pushed her car into the lake with them in it.

Kayla wiped her brow.

The man behind the camera held up three fingers, then two, one. Please let someone see this who knows where my baby is. Please.

She took a deep breath. “My son has been kidnapped. He’s a month old, with dark hair and blue eyes” She paused. The cameraman rolled his hand in a circle for her to continue. “I don’t know who has him, but if whoever took him sees this, please bring him back.” She held up his sketch. “I love him so much. And even if you’re good to him, even love him; you will never love him like I do. I’m his mother and I want him back.”

Then she held up the sketch of the kidnapper. “This woman, along with this man,” she held up the other sketch, “kidnapped me. If you know them or have seen my baby, please call the number on the screen or call the police.”

“That’s it,” Brent said. “You did good, Kayla. We’ll run this several times today. I hope we get a response.”

Tears hadn’t spilled over, but hovered at the edges. Several in the camera crew however, wiped their eyes. “You’re sure I did okay?” she asked.

“Fine,” Brent said, as he escorted her and Jackie to the door. “If anyone has any information, we’ll hear about it. I’m going to check with our affiliate in New York. They may want to air it nationally.”

“That would be wonderful.”

“Did I do all right?” Kayla asked Jackie when they stepped outside.

“Better than all right.” Jackie swiped at a few stray tears.

Jackie walked Kayla to her car.

“I feel as if I’m finally doing something constructive,” Kayla said.

“We’ll see how it works out,” Jackie offered. “Now what? To work? It’s still a little early.”

“I want to rent a car. I can’t keep using Aunt Nester’s.”

“We can do that.”

“Do we have time?”

“We’ll make time,” Jackie said. “We’ll take your aunt’s car back, pick up a rental then go to work.”

“Sounds like a plan. I’m sure Aunt Nester will be glad to have her car back.”

Chapter Seven

After a quick cup of coffee, Luke was out the door early the next morning, the list Kayla had given him tucked in his pocket.

He wasn’t supposed to be on Kayla’s case, much less make inquiries, but he had an overwhelming urge to help Kayla and get to the truth. Maybe he couldn’t find her son, but he could take a day to uncover all he could about Kayla Hunter. From there, he’d decide what to do next.

Besides, surveillance on the Tanner widow was the best they could do for now. And Terry could do that alone.

His first stop was the apartment complex. It wasn’t on the best side of town or on the worst. Inexpensive? Yes. Safe? His guess was, if you were lucky. So far, Kayla hadn’t been that lucky.

The manager, an attractive forty-something woman wasn’t too eager to give out information, so he pulled his badge, flashed it quickly.

“Well, why didn’t you say so?” she grumbled. “I saw her on the news. Called in that she lived here, but I haven’t seen her around in a while. Thought she’d have the kid by now as big as she was.”

“Can I see her apartment?”

“You guys looked at it yesterday. Why again?”

“I won’t be long.”

So HPD had checked her out. Neither Captain Jensen nor Detective Wagner would appreciate that Luke was covering old ground.

He’d make up something.

“I’m not traipsing up there,” the manager complained, handing him a key. “Bring it back when you leave. By the way,” she added, “the rent’s due. If you find her, give her the word.”

Luke took the key, unlocked the door to Apartment 210, and stepped inside. After the brightness of the early morning, it took a minute for his eyes to adjust.

When they did, his gaze shifted from soft, pale peach walls to inexpensive area rugs and furniture layered with a thin layer of dust. But then she hadn’t been here for a month. Feeling somewhat like a peeping Tom, he checked the bedroom. In the corner, Kayla had placed a colorful screen. Behind the screen was a crib, a dresser with a thick mattress for changing the baby and drawers full of clothes. It was crowded, but neat. Everything about the baby’s space was lovingly placed. Waiting.

Luke picked up one of the little boy outfits. Pants and shirt so tiny they fit in the palm of his hand. He’d never seen anything so small.

Something clicked inside him. For a brief moment, he felt some of what Kayla must feel.

Innocent? You bet she was. Had HPD seen it too? Was that why they didn’t give him too much hassle when he’d brought her in? Or had finding the house and the subsequent evidence convince them?

Going to the closet, he gathered clothes and shoes, put them in a carryall he found on a shelf, picked up her purse lying on the kitchen table, and backed out of the apartment.

When he returned the key, he asked, “How much is the rent?”

When the manager gave him a figure, he wrote out a check.

“Guess there’s a first for everything,” the manager mumbled.

When she pocketed the check, he insisted on a receipt.

He couldn’t explain it either. He just didn’t want Kayla to lose what she had so carefully prepared.

A stop at the library and the grocery store left him with more questions than answers. No one seemed to really know Kayla. They talked. They exchanged incidentals. But no one knew much about her. She’d been too busy with work and school. Add a wandering lifestyle into the mix and everything she told him made more sense.

Next stop, the school where she taught until she had to quit. Stepping through metal detectors, he realized how times had changed. And though the school building was fairly new, it wasn’t cheerful. Which was what he remembered about his own school years. Two security guards came running when the alarm rang. When he showed them his badge, they examined it carefully.

“Can’t go in until you turn over the gun,” one of them said.

Luke shook his head. “I’m a cop. I keep the gun.”

They looked at each other. “One of us will go with you.”

Luke shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

The security guard showed him Mrs. White’s room. He knocked on the door. Loud voices mingled with laughter when she answered.

“Sorry, last day of school before the holidays. They always get like this.”

He showed his badge. “Could we talk?” he asked the tall, thin woman with untidy brown hair. Her nice smile made up for her harried look making him smile back.