Under Currents (21 page)

“I hate to see you lonely.”

Julie wouldn’t deny the loneliness. Her mother would know she was lying, so instead she changed the subject. “I can’t believe Ally’s graduating Friday night from kindergarten. My baby is growing up.”

“I’m inviting everyone over for a cookout, Saturday.”

“That’d be great, but what can we do Friday night to celebrate?”

“Well, considering this is Faith, your choices are limited. What if we meet up at the Burger Barn for ice cream?”

“That’ll work.” Julie set her glass in the sink and turned back to her mom. “Who is Reece Stanford?”

Her mom stared at her for a good minute
—
speechless. “I’ve never heard of him. Why?”

“No particular reason. I heard the name somewhere and thought maybe you’d remember him.” Julie decided to go out on a limb. “I think he used to live in Faith.”

Her mother shrugged. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”

But the spark of recognition in her mom’s eyes proved she was lying. Why? Julie decided she’d google the name later.

♦♦♦

Since taking the security measures, Julie hadn’t had any problems with vandalism or threatening notes about selling her place. Caleb’s warning had frightened her, but obviously he’d been wrong. Whoever had wanted her to sell had given up.

But Frank was still a problem.

Friday night, he didn't attend the program with his family to see his niece graduate. What a relief. The school gym had been transformed into an auditorium with a makeshift stage at the front. In the center was an archway, covered in pastel flowers, and white latticework surrounded the perimeter of the stage. The thought of Ally graduating from kindergarten without Jeremy there to see her brought tears to Julie’s eyes.

She listened as they went through the alphabet, calling out the names of other children. Julie raised her camera, ready to capture Ally's big moment. The white lace and satin dress with tiny pink roses Ally wore was the prettiest in the program.

“Alexandra Nicole Ross.”

"That's my girl," Julie’s father said.

Scott couldn't stop grinning.

Julie witnessed the event through the tiny screen of the movie camera. Her family clapped and cheered as Ally received her diploma and returned to her seat at the rear of the stage with the other children.

At the end of the program, the people poured from their chairs and tangled in the middle aisle. Mothers and fathers moved toward the stage to retrieve their children while others tried to exit up the aisle. Julie pushed her way through the crowd. She reached the stage but didn’t see Ally. “Mrs. Patterson, where’s Ally?”

“She was here,” the teacher replied. “Maybe your mom and dad have her.”

“No, they left and took Scott.” Julie scanned the room. A sudden sense of apprehension rushed over as she remembered Caleb’s warning. “Something’s not right!”

“Now don’t overreact. I’m sure she’s here.”

“Ally!” she shouted over the noise in the gym. “Ally, answer me!”

Julie’s body tensed. She turned to the teacher. “Something’s wrong! Call— the—police!”

Mrs. Patterson returned shortly and braced her hand on Julie’s arm. “They have an officer directing traffic out front. He’s coming in.” She pointed to the restroom. “Have you checked in there?”

“No.”

“I’ll do it,” the teacher offered.

Frank, dressed in his uniform, walked through the door.

Julie choked back her dislike for him. “Frank."

“What’s wrong?” he asked as he approached. “You look as pale as a ghost.”

“I can’t find Ally. She was on stage a few minutes ago, but by the time I got here she was gone.”

Frank placed a hand on her arm. “Stay calm. Maybe she walked outside, thinking you were there.”

“We were supposed to meet my parents at the Burger Barn.”

The teacher returned from the bathroom. “She’s not in there. I’ll notify the principal. We’ll call her name over the intercom.”

“Watch for her here,” Frank ordered. “Julie and I will walk around the building.”

She followed him out the exit. He walked over to his car and radioed it in, then joined her with a megaphone. “Ally Ross. Ally Ross,” he called, his voice blaring out.

Julie couldn’t hold back the tears. “Frank, maybe whoever’s been threatening me has turned their anger on my children. Especially, since they can’t touch my business now.”

“Julie, I’m sure she’s all right. Just don’t get hysterical.” Frank opened the car door. “Hop in, and we’ll drive around a couple of blocks. Did she know about going to the Burger Barn?”

Her car was parked on the other side of the school. Desperate to find Ally, she climbed into the patrol car. “Yes, she was looking forward to it.”

“Maybe she didn’t see you and decided to walk over.”

“Oh, Frank. I hope you’re right.”

Once she climbed in his car, he locked the doors and let the engine idle. She looked at him. “What are you doing?”

“I need to talk with you.”

“Not now! My little girl is missing! You’d better move this car before I scream and start clawing my way out.”

Frank pulled from the curve. “I just wanted to apologize for what went on the night of the dance.”

“All I want right now is to find Ally.” Julie didn’t want his apologies after all the lies he’d told, after the way he drugged her and considering what his intentions had been.

Frank drove around the block and down the alleys behind the stores slowly. “Let’s drive to the Burger Barn. You’ll need to tell your parents.”

When Frank stopped and unlocked the door, she leaped from the patrol car and hurried to where her parents and Scott sat beneath the outdoor pavilion. “Ally’s missing!”

Her dad’s face withered. Her mother’s expression first revealed shock and then fear. Scott’s mouth hung open.

“We thought she might have walked here,” Frank said.

Caleb’s bike pulled up next to the decorative railing that enclosed the pavilion. He walked through the entrance and stopped at the window to order. As he had for the past weeks, he pretended not to see Julie. She’d always gone along with his pretense, but not this time.

“Caleb, Ally’s missing!”

Caleb faced her. “Where was she?”

”The school. Frank and I drove around and didn’t see her. Do you think she could be at home?”

“I didn’t spot her walking.” Stress lines furrowed his forehead, and he sighed. “Did any of the other kids see her leave with anyone?”

“I’ll call my sister and ask her to call everyone in the class,” Frank said then hurried to his car.

Julie couldn’t hold back the next onset of tears. “Oh, Caleb. I’m afraid someone’s taken her.”

“Hang in there, Jules. I’m sure she’s okay.”

Frank returned and stood by Julie. “You can go about your business, McGregor.” He glared at Caleb. “I’m handling this.”

Caleb ignored Frank and fixed his gaze on Julie. “I’ll take a spin around town and look for her.”

“Thank you, Caleb.”

“Anything for Ally.” He left the pavilion and walked to his bike. He climbed on his motorcycle, started the engine, and sped off.

“We’re going to drive around and look for her,” her father said softly.

“Thanks, Dad,” she replied, trying to hold back the hysteria she felt. Her parents left with Scott. She turned to Frank. “Where else can we look?”

“Let’s try the school playground and the park.”

Julie nodded and followed him back to his car.

They reached the playground and discovered the area well-lit but deserted. Julie wiped her eyes. Her heart shattered into pieces, fearing something terrible had happened, something she didn't know whether she could live through. It was painful to lose Jeremy, but if anything happened to Ally, she wasn’t sure she’d ever recover, ever forgive herself for caring more about her business than her daughter.

That’s not fair.

The business is for my children. Without it, life would be more difficult for them. Plus it had meant so much to Jeremy.

Her thoughts shifted back to Ally "Can't you put out an Amber alert?"

Frank sighed and shook his head. “You can if someone witnessed her being abducted.” He turned his car around and pulled back out on the road. “I need you to go to the police station with me.”

"I know what he looks like. He's an older man with long white hair and a beard.”

Frank's face took on a cautious edge. He appeared almost troubled. "Did you see someone like that around her?"

"A man asked Ally for directions at our mailbox last month. She thought he was Santa. It has to be the same man the teenagers saw vandalizing my property. He might've taken her. He drives an older model white van."

"That’s enough information to put out an Amber alert. We’ll use your description."

She wished there were something more she could do than fill out a report. As Frank pulled up to the station, Caleb’s motorcycle rumbled behind them.

Frank glanced in his rearview mirror. “He’s got Ally with him.”

Thank you, God! She’s alive and safe.

Julie jumped from the car and ran to Ally, who sat in front of Caleb. She reached out and pulled her daughter from the bike into her arms. “Ally, Ally, where were you?”

“Mommy, I was scared.”

Frank looked at Caleb. “Where was she?”

Caleb climbed off his bike and stood beside Julie. “At the church. When I pulled up, she was sitting on the front steps, crying.”

“Did she tell you anything?” Frank asked.

“Just that Santa said he’d help her find her mommy.” His gaze met Julie's. "Same guy that spoke to her at the mailbox."

"And the same one who was seen at Boats and Floats."

"I'll put his description out," Frank said. “We’ll try to pick him up.”

“Good. I’ll sleep better once he’s not a threat.” She turned to Caleb. “Thank you for finding her,” Julie whispered.

“You know I’d do anything for Knothead Ross.”

Frank scrutinized Caleb. “How’d you know to go to the church?”

“I didn’t. After I left the Burger Barn, I cruised the streets looking for her.”

“You just might’ve had this planned. Maybe had someone to snatch her just so you could be a hero.”

Caleb didn’t have to answer, Julie did. “He loves Ally and would never put her through something so terrifying.”

“I need to question Ally while it's fresh in her mind,” Frank stated.

Julie nodded. “I know. Give her a minute.”

Caleb leaned down and kissed Ally’s cheek. “You’re all right now, sweetheart.”

Ally smiled. As Caleb started to climb on his motorcycle, her daughter cried out for him. “Caleb!”

He turned back. “What, Knothead?”

“I love you.” Ally wriggled out of her mother’s arms and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“I love you too, Ally. Now you be a brave girl and tell Deputy Grear what happened. Can you do that?”

Frank’s face glowed with hate. Strong, dangerous hate. The man resented Caleb’s interference.

“Caleb, will you come see me?” Ally asked.

“No, darling. It’s best I don’t.”

“Why’d you stop talking to us?”

“Not now, sweetie. Your mommy will explain it.”

“I gratuawaded tonight.”

“Congratulations, Knothead. I’m proud of you.” His gaze met Julie’s. “Goodnight, Jules.” And with that said, Caleb narrowed his eyes at Frank and left.

“Sweetheart, why did you leave the gym?” Julie asked.

“That man told me he’d drive me to the Burger Barn.”

“Where did he take you?” Frank asked.

“To the church.”

“Did he hurt you?” Julie feared the answer.

“No, but he gave me this.” Ally pulled a note from her pocket. “He told me to give it to you.”

Julie unfolded it. Like the other threatening letters, it was formed in the cut and paste method. The message made her breath freeze in her lungs.

Mrs. Ross: Your business might be secure, but your home isn’t. Next time I won’t return her. Sell now. Your time is running out.

“Oh my God!”

Frank snatched it. And after reading it, he looked at Ally. “You said he looks like Santa. Right?"

“Um-huh.” Ally squirmed in Julie’s arms. “Can I still have ice kweam?"

“Yes, sweetie. Of course you can. Did you notice anything else about the man, sweetheart?”

"He’s not Santa.”

“How do you know he’s not Santa?” Julie asked.

“He smokes cigarettes, and Santa smokes a pipe, and Santa doesn’t wear an earring or got pictures on his skin.”

“What kind of tattoo did he have?” Frank asked.

“He’s got a bird on his arm. It looks like Mommy's kite."

"He had an eagle tattoo?" Julie asked.

Ally nodded.

"That definitely eliminates Santa.” She hugged her daughter against her. “You’re safe now, sweetie.”

“I’ll drive you back to your car. You can come in and fill out a report tomorrow.” He turned to Ally. “Want that ice cream?”

”Yes, sir.”

"First, let me call Mom and Dad.” She called her dad and told him Ally had been found. Afterwards, she looked at Frank. "He was ecstatic over the good news.”

"Should be. She was lucky tonight. If you don't agree to sell, she might not be so fortunate next time. Sell that place and marry me. I'll take care of Ally."

"No, we've been through this before. There won't be a next time."

Frank drove to the Burger Barn, pulled in the lot and cut the engine. “What do you want, Ally?”

“Chocolate.”

“Anything for you?” he asked Julie.

“No, thank you. I’m drowning in sheer happiness right now. I don’t need a thing.”

He returned from the window with a cone for him and one for Ally. “Here you go, Knothead.”

She frowned. “You can’t call me that.”

“How come?”

“Only Caleb calls me Knothead.”

The vein in his forehead bulged. He snatched the cone from her hand and dropped it out the window. “Then tell Caleb to buy you an ice cream cone.”

Tears sprouted from Ally's eyes.

“Frank, that was childish. Grow up,” Julie said.

He wanted to be Ally’s knight in shining armor, the one to save the day, but instead, Caleb had been Ally’s hero.

Mine too.