Web of Lies (24 page)

“Why?”

Chelsea rose and began to stack our breakfast plates.

“Because you should stay here with me. Because . . .” I looked to my sister for help.

“Annie — ”

“But I want to
go
.” Kelly’s voice turned almost panicky. “What am I going to do here all day, sit around and wait for some crazy man to show up?”

“No, Kelly, no.” I hurried to her side. “He’s not coming back; we’re too protected here. We’ve got four officers out there now instead of one, on all sides of the house.”

“But there’s nothing for me to
do
here.” Tears filled my daughter’s eyes. “Am I supposed to stay home every day until he’s caught? I just want to get on with my life.”

I searched for a reply. My fear cried,
Don’t let her out of your sight.
But I could understand how she wanted the normalcy of school and friends. If I were her age, I’d want the same thing.

Dishes in hand, Chelsea headed for the sink.

Jenna caught my eye and gave a small nod.
Let her go,
she mouthed.

Stephen saw our wordless exchange. “I’m staying right here.” He jabbed a finger at the floor.

“I know you planned to, Stephen.” Jenna layered gratitude into her tone. “But we’ve got police outside and we’re not going anywhere. Why don’t you go to school, where you can be with Kelly? She and Erin will be safe driving there and back with you.”

He shrugged, unconvinced. “But I don’t even see her much during the day. We’re in totally different classes.”

“At least you’re
there
. And she’ll feel better, being with her friends.”

The phone rang. I checked the ID.
Oh great.
“I need to answer this,” I told the kids. “It’s Detective Blanche. But I’m not through talking to you yet.” I pushed the talk button. “Hi, Tim.”

Blanche made no preamble. “Just wanted to update you while I had a minute. I’ll be busy, and you probably won’t hear from me again for a while.” His terse words held the cutting edge of smugness. Apparently, he’d heard about the news story — vindication that he’d been right to doubt that the drawing Chelsea and I brought him had anything to do with his case.

“Thank you,” I clipped, struck even more by what he didn’t say. No “How are you?” No personal concern for me and my family. A rogue voice in my brain whispered that this horrific day had actually afforded the self-aggrandizing Blanche two favors — Neese’s latest trick and Milt Waking’s national newscast. Imagine the greater coverage for Blanche when he captured his quarry.

Annie, knock it off. You should apologize to him, admit he was right.

Blanche informed me that a massive manhunt was underway, calls were coming into the station, leads being followed. No earthshaking revelations there. “And after hearing what happened last night, Ryan Burns called to say he’ll cover all expenses for your protection, no matter the cost. He didn’t really want me to tell you, but I thought you should know.”

“Oh, wow, that’s incredible of him.”

Kelly waved a furious hand, signaling me to hurry. I nodded to her —
I know.

“Yeah, it is. He did ask me to give you a message. Says to tell you please don’t put your life on the line this time.”

I managed a smile. “He can count on that.”

“All right, that’s it.” Blanche suddenly sounded pressed.

Kelly glared at me impatiently. “Wait, Tim,” I blurted. “Before you go — my daughter wants to go to school. Do you think that’s okay?”

He pulled in a breath. “I think so. She’s safe there. Lots of people around. Just tell her to stay alert, and you should make sure the principal is fully apprised of the situation. But who knows if Neese is even aware of your kids? He’s never mentioned them. It’s you he’s after.”

Thanks a lot, Blanche.
I hung up the phone, not sure whether to feel better or not.

Ten minutes later Stephen and Kelly left for school. Since he didn’t work Mondays, Stephen could bring her and Erin home. “I’ll leave my cell phone on vibrate,” he said, sounding none too happy about going. “Call if you need me.”

I promised I would.

In my office I phoned the school and talked to the principal. He assured me he would check on Kelly throughout the day. Then I headed for the kitchen, feeling the slow tick of time. This day would seem an eternity.

Chelsea and Jenna sat at the table, nursing cups of coffee. Sometime soon Chelsea should hear from the tire shop as to when her car would be ready. Then she’d be gone, away from this madness. If I were her, I’d be itching to leave. But she seemed more concerned about me than herself.

I felt too antsy to sit with her and Jenna. I headed back to my office, intent on spending some much-needed time with God. Outside, policemen watched the property, and people across the country now looked with suspicion on anyone resembling Orwin Neese. Others, I hoped, were calling in leads about John Doe.

Nothing left for me to do but pray.

Chapter 44

H
e snapped off the car radio. This was it — kickoff, with the stands filled. Time to do or die.

The face he’d seen on TV still throbbed in his brain. That face, come back from the dead. Chelsea Adams had seen it — before the skeleton was even discovered. She was getting closer. Anytime now, she would know all.

No way he was facing a multiple murder rap. No. Way.

His fingers beat a tune against the steering wheel. Narrow-eyed, he stared at the building in the distance. This plan had its flaws. One straight line from A to B would have been easier. Less killing.

Oh well, nothing was perfect.

He picked up the cell phone. Sat up straight and cleared his throat. Dialed the number. It was answered on the second ring.

“Foothill High School, principal’s office.” A young voice.

“This is Detective Tim Blanche with the Redding Police Department.” His words came out clipped, tight. “I need to talk to one of your students immediately — Kelly Kingston. I’ll wait while you bring her to the phone.”

“Oh, wow. Okay. But I’m just filling in here. I’ll have to find out how to check her schedule — ”

“This is an emergency! I don’t care if you’re just filling in; I need you to hurry.”

“Okay, I’ll get her.”

Sounds followed — the click of the receiver laid down, the creak of a chair. He waited, seconds creeping.

Come on, come on . . .

Chapter 45

K
elly snatched up the phone in the principal’s office, her breath hitching. From her classroom she’d run down a flight of stairs and the entire length of the hall, panic choking her throat. What was wrong? Why would a policeman call?

God, please let Mom be all right.

“H – Hello?”

“Kelly, this is Detective Tim Blanche.” The voice sounded official. “I’ve been leading the hunt for Orwin Neese. I talked to your mother just this morning. We have a situation, and I need you to do
exactly
what I say, you hear?”

Detective Blanche.
The one who told her mom she could go to school. “Okay.”

“Orwin Neese has kidnapped your mother. We — ”

Kelly wailed. Her knees gave way and she grabbed the edge of the desk.

“We’ve just picked your brother up, but now we need to get you to safety. I want you to put down the phone right now, talk to
no one
, and walk straight out the front door. One of our plainclothes detectives is waiting in an unmarked car. He’ll show you his badge. You’ll be brought straight to the police station.”

“But my mom! Is she — ”

“We’ll answer your questions in the car. Come
now
.”

The line went dead.

Kelly dropped the phone. Everything blurred. The girl behind the desk asked her something, but she couldn’t hear. Wind and screaming filled her head.
Mom, Mom!
She whirled out of the office and streaked down the hall. Her legs felt like rubber. Was she even moving? Was this a horrible dream?

God, I don’t care about me; just let Mom be okay!

She hit the building’s door and shoved through it. Stumbled into sunlight. Her head swiveled back and forth, searching for the policeman.

An engine gunned some distance away. A white car surged toward her and punched to a stop. A man leaned over and pushed open the passenger door. “Hurry!”

Kelly blinked at the empty backseat. Something . . . “Where’s Stephen?”

“He’s headed to the station in another car; just get
in
!”

A sob burst from her and she fell into the car, throat closing up. The car jumped forward. “What happened to my mom? Where
is
she — ”

“She’ll be okay; just calm down. I need to show you my badge.”

They turned out of the parking lot. The man reached into his pocket and pulled out something. Not a badge. A cloth. He stuck it in her face. Kelly gasped, yanked her head back. He pressed the rag against her nose. Dizziness swept over her. She raised her hands to fight . . . push it away . . .

The world went black.

Chapter 46

A
t ten forty-five the tire shop called. Chelsea’s car would be ready at two o’clock. Jenna would drive her into Redding.

Exhaustion lumped in my chest, but no way could I sleep. My emotions bounced all over the place.

We stayed glued to FOX News as it aired updates from Milt Waking. Tips about Orwin Neese were already filtering into the police station. And the Sheriff’s Department had received a couple of leads about John Doe. We saw interviews with detectives, sheriff’s deputies. Milt interviewed Tim Blanche around nine o’clock, and that footage had already replayed a couple of times.

The scant information didn’t console me. I was a caged tiger, hungry for answers. When would Neese be caught? Were Amy Flyte and the unknown man still alive? Who was John Doe? Was he connected to Neese, or did Chelsea’s vision indeed link two unrelated crimes?

Milt was supposed to call with whatever information he’d discovered. It was high time he did.

Dave had needed to attend a meeting in town at nine thirty. He phoned when it ended, seeking any news. “I’ll be home in twenty minutes. Want me to come over?”

I wandered into the great room, looked through the windows toward his house. “You don’t have to take care of other work?”

“Annie, how can I? I keep worrying about
you
.”

My gritty eyes closed. “Yes, Dave. Please come.”

“Okay. And . . . Annie?” His voice caught. “I want you to know something. I couldn’t manage without you in my life.”

The words seeped into my soul.
Oh, Dave. What we could have . . . if I could only cut the strings to all my insecurities.
“I need you too. So much.”

There. I’d said it.

For a moment neither of us spoke.

“See you soon, Annie,” Dave whispered — and hung up.

I pulled the phone from my ear and stared across the room.

The TV beckoned. “Nothing new.” Jenna sighed. “They’re airing other stories now.”

Frustration curled my fingers. How could the world turn as normal, with all this going on? I headed upstairs for a shower, hoping it would calm me. It didn’t. I only succeeded in riling myself up more over the fact that Milt still hadn’t called.

By eleven thirty I would wait no longer. That man, what an ingrate! Getting all that airtime and already breaking his promises to us.

I stalked to the kitchen and dialed his cell phone. “Where
are
you?”

“At the Building Services Department.” His words were terse.

I heard voices in the background. “What are you doing?”

“Reporting to you, apparently.”

“Well, don’t sound so put out. You did promise to do that, remember?”

“Sorry, I’m a tad busy here. Do you have any idea how many calls I’ve fielded this morning? This story’s heating up like a wildfire and I’m jumping all over the place.”

I wanted to strangle him. “I’m so happy for you.”

“Annie.” His voice tightened. “I didn’t have to answer your call, you know. What do you want?”

What did I
want
? I pushed a fist against the counter. “I want this to be
over
, how’s that for starters? I want to know where Neese is! I want to know you’re
doing
something in return for the drawing I gave you — ”

“I’m doing what I can. And it’s not like I can control where Neese goes.”

“Did I say that? I just want to know what you’re up to.”

“I can’t talk here.”

“Great. When
can
you talk?” Call waiting clicked in my ear. I held out the receiver to check the ID. Erin’s cell number. Instant concern stiffened my back. Why would she be phoning? “Milt, I need to go; I’m getting a call from the high school.” Without waiting for a reply, I hit the flash button to jump over.

“Erin, hi. Are you okay?”

“Annie!” Her voice sounded breathless. “Please tell me you know.
Where’s Kelly?
”

Chapter 47

T
he girl was still woozy, stumbling around like some Ecstasy-drugged chick. He practically had to carry her inside. She slumped against him as he dragged her through the kitchen, down the basement stairs.

Let the fun begin.

He held her up with one hand, opened the storage room door, and leaned around to flick on the one bulb — a red 40watt. It glowed the faint color of blood.

He could just make out a few scurrying creatures on the floor.

“Okay, in you go.”

The girl tried to fight as he pulled her inside. “Hey, knock it off.” He grabbed a waving arm.

“No, lemme ’lone.”

Her words slurred. Did she even know what she was doing? He pushed her over to a corner, then slid her to the floor. Her head lolled, hair over her face.

Too bad; it was a pretty face.

He stood up. Watched as a fly landed on her arm. He’d stocked
the room with a good number as food for the spiders. Most had probably been caught by now.

Bending down, he unlaced her shoes and pulled them off, then her socks. Just to be nice, he used the socks to sweep the wall and floor around her clear of spiders. That would do — for a little while.

Outside the room, he used a key to lock her in. He wondered how long she’d take to fully wake up.