Weep In The Night (20 page)

His body tensed, and his breathing rate increased.

The safe cocoon within his arms felt so good…

A voice far away echoed in her brain.
It's a job. He lied.

“Sam, I can't.” She pushed away, forcing him to relax his hold.

“Sam?” His smoldering eyes, inches away, searched her face. “You mean Bowen.”

For a moment, she'd been swept back to Austin, to Sam, and the idea of leading a normal life.

“I'm sorry, Sadie. That was unprofessional of me. I promise it won't happen again.”

Why had she almost forgotten her vow to forget about him once he brought Hannah to her? “I'm sorry for my foolish actions this afternoon. From now on, I'll do whatever you say.” She focused on his broad expanse of shoulders. “What's the plan?”

“Tomorrow we'll return to Santa Clarita.”

“Am I included in the we?”

“Yes. Hannah's first grade class is going on a field trip to the Princess Cruise Line headquarters located in Santa Clarita.” A dark curl flopped over his forehead, partially covering frown lines. “Here's the tricky part. We—you and I—will take a tour at the same time. When safe, you approach Hannah, interact with her.”

“But even if she remembers me, she won't recognize me.”

“I've thought of that. On our way there, we'll stop and you can buy another wig to resemble your real hair color.”

“Or I can dye my hair back to its natural color now. I don't want another wig.” A shiver ran through her, and she wasn't sure if it was a chill or anticipation. “What if Hannah doesn't remember me? That's what I dread the most.”

“I like the idea of dyeing your hair for this venture. You still need to wear the wig at all other times. I'll call Erik, and you can tell him what to buy. Now, is there an anecdote, or story, something that she might remember? Something special?”

Sadie thought back to Hannah's early years. Aaron wrote her a poem on her first birthday. They sang it to her every chance they got. It was their special song. Hope burned within. “Yes. A little song.”

“Great. Here's the plan. When she's separated a bit from the crowd, quietly sing the verse when you're close to her. If she recognizes you, she'll probably get emotional. Erik will create a commotion to distract the other kids and adults while we spirit her out of the building to the car.”

“What about security guards?”

“We have a contact who works at the location.”

“Who?”

“I can't divulge the person's name at this time, but she and Erik will handle the guards and any adults who intervene.”

Potential obstacles bounced around Sadie's brain. What could go wrong? “The teacher will notify authorities. We won't—“

“Sadie.” Placing his hand over her tightly intertwined fingers, Bowen gave them a gentle squeeze. “We will take care of everything. The local police will be notified; there'll be no Amber Alert. All you have to do is convince Hannah you're her mother.”

The warmth of his hand settled some of her jitters. She relaxed her fingers and glanced at him. “And then we'll call WITSEC?”

“Yes, and get you both under federal protection again. But if Hannah doesn't recognize you, then we'll have to take the long scientific route and get a DNA sample.”

“Oh, heavenly Father, no. That'll take too long.”

“Then let's hope she recognizes you.”

Sadie paced to the door and back. “Can Cal come with me? He looks so much like Aaron. Maybe the two of us together——”

“No. Not a good idea. Although we've instituted precautions, I don't want someone following him. It could jeopardize you and Hannah.”

“Will we bring her back here?”

“Don't worry about the details. We'll handle each and every contingency.” He headed to the kitchen with her at his heels. At the back door, he stopped and pointed with his thumb. “I'm going for a workout in the garage. Erik should be back soon with supper. I'll call him right now, and you can tell him what hair product to buy.”

“At this point I don't care what brand. Any dark brown will do.”

“I'll tell him. Don't fret. Use the time to practice your song.” He jumped down the three steps. His punching bag would probably receive a volley of blows.

She wished she had something to punch.

 

****

 

Sadie dyed her hair after dinner. She patted the dark curls and grinned. It was good to be a brunette again. She joined the men in the kitchen.

“I've downloaded the pictures I took this afternoon. Want to see?” Bowen tapped a few keys.

“Of course.”

He clicked on a folder and the two little girls, arms linked, skipped down the sidewalk. “I didn't take many because you jumped out of the car.” Bowen clicked on the forward arrow. “This is an enlargement of the dark-haired girl.”

“It
is
Hannah. My baby.” Sadie caressed Hannah's image. Tears rolled down her cheeks in silence.

Bowen and Eric quietly got up and left the kitchen. The men were watching a movie when she finally entered the living room. At the conclusion of the movie, Erik retreated to his room and Bowen found a news channel. He and Sadie sat on the sofa, half-watching as they rehashed plans for the next day.

When the announcer mentioned a murder of a law enforcement officer in Texas, they paid attention.

Person of interest. If seen please contact. A picture of a sandy-haired woman flashed on the screen.

Sadie gripped Bowen's arm. “I know her. That's Lavonne, Kyle's sister.”

 

 

 

 

22

 

Silence reigned when Sadie woke early the next morning. Today she'd see Hannah. Talk to her and bring her home. Dressed in brown slacks and a gold cotton sweater, she went down the hall to a deserted kitchen. Numbers in the microwave clock gave off an eerie glow in the corner. Seven thirty. Where were the guys? She made a pot of coffee, expecting Erik or Bowen to burst through the back door any minute.

Worry clawed up her spine as she knocked on Bowen's door. When he didn't answer, she entered. Bed made, suitcase closed. Erik's room was empty, too, except a laptop lay on the bed.

“Maybe they're in the garage.” She ventured outside. The main doors were closed, but she found a side door, which opened with a hefty shove. Inside the dim garage she spied Bowen's pickup—the one they'd driven from Texas—and the tan sedan. Bowen's punching bag, suspended from a metal rod in the corner, twisted like a giant cocoon caught by a gentle breeze.

Back in the house, she dialed Bowen's number. No answer. She remembered his warning about leaving messages and hung up. She dialed Erik's number. No answer. Where could they be? Could their absence be connected to the news item they'd watched the previous night concerning Lavonne, Kyle's sister?

Sadie poured a cup of coffee and made a slice of toast. If the guys returned with breakfast tacos or Danish, she'd kick herself for worrying. The routine activity of making breakfast and eating kept her from an all-out panic attack.

By eight thirty, the what-ifs sank the full force of their talons into her. The men had been involved in a car wreck; Cal was in trouble; the Levasseurs knew about Hannah.

Sadie jumped up from the sofa and shuddered as fear swarmed. What should she do? Run? Stay? Back in her bedroom, she clutched the Bible to her chest and paced while reciting, “Wait on the Lord. Wait on the Lord.” When the jitters settled, Sadie sank onto the bed. How could she occupy herself until the men returned? She had to believe they would return.

With eyes closed, she rehearsed the possible scenario awaiting her. Drive to Santa Clarita. Locate Hannah among the other school children. Quietly sing the song to her. Aaron had set the poem to the tune of “Jesus Loves Me.”

Sadie sang it in a halting voice and then belted out the words again.

 

We love Hannah, yes we do.

She loves her Mom and Daddy, too.

Hair and eyes of chocolate brown,

Out little princess wears a crown.

 

Yes, she is precious,

Yes, she's our princess.

Yes, she is precious,

Our Hannah is the best.

 

Very simple words, but Hannah had cooed and laughed at them. When she'd gotten older she joined in the verse. Aaron or Sadie sang it to her every night before tucking her in. Memories shattered when her cell phone rang. She held the phone to her ear.

“Hi, Sadie.” Bowen's voice sent a shower of relief over her.

“Where are you?”

“I've got bad news. The field trip's off.”

“Excuse me?”

“We won't be going to Santa Clarita today. Evelyn and Hannah left last night. They're gone.”

“Gone?” She clutched the Bible tighter and slid to the floor.

 

 

 

 

23

 

How could everything have caved so quickly? The only explanation Bowen and Erik had come up with was Cal had a leak in his office. The other explanation, too unpleasant to contemplate, spiked his ire. IRO had a major breach. Bowen dreaded facing Sadie. Her daughter had disappeared under his watch. He charged to the back door. It opened wide before he reached the top step.

“What happened?” Her dark, red-rimmed eyes sought answers. She breathed heavily as if she'd run a marathon.

Bowen tried to look anywhere but at her stricken face as he brushed past her into the living room.

“Bowen Boudine, don't walk away from me. Where's Hannah? And why didn't you answer your phone?”

He longed to take her in his arms and comfort her but hung up his jacket instead. He faced her. “Come sit. I'll tell you everything I know.” He sank onto the sofa.

Sadie settled as far away from him as she could.

“First, I couldn't answer my phone, and I apologize for that. Erik and I were in a situation where—“

“You said either you or Erik would always be available. What if I'd been in real trouble?”

“We couldn't talk on the phone.”

“You said you'd tell me everything.”

“Within reason. There's a major leak somewhere. We think it's in Cal's office.”

Her eyes widened.

“You asked once about our organization. There are other operatives. We've had Evelyn's house under periodic surveillance and were alerted last night to unusual activity.”

“Is that when she left?”

“Yes. About four this morning. Evelyn and Hannah took off. Unfortunately, they eluded the chase car, but we have…”

She deserved the full picture.

“We have sources that will tap her phone and place an alert on her credit cards. We'll find her.”

“I can't believe we were so close. Why didn't you let me rescue Hannah yesterday?”

“We discussed that already.”

Shoulders slumped, Sadie stared at the carpet.

“There's more. Lonnie knows about her.”

“Lonnie knows?” Her voice cracked.

“Yes. He knows where Evelyn Adams lives. We have to discover how Lonnie found out.”

“Who cares how he found out?” she cried. “How do you know all of this?”

“After Evelyn took off, we left one guy at her house, disguised as a gardener. A few hours ago, Lonnie showed up, asking if Mrs. Adams lived there.”

“What now? Am I safe here?”

“Yes. Our surveillance team gave us the OK.”

Bowen touched her arm, hoping she'd turn around. His voice softened. “We'll find Hannah. You'll be with her soon.”

Erik barreled through the back door, diffusing the tension. He set bags from a fast food joint on the table. “Brought lunch. Anyone hungry?”

Taking advantage of the interruption, Bowen rested his arm across Sadie's shoulders. “Let's eat. You look kinda pale.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes.

“That's all I can manage. I don't feel well.” Sadie folded the wrapper around her half-eaten burger.

“Are you sick, or is it the situation?”

“Another headache. Tension, anxiety. Who knows? I'm going to my room.”

“I'm worried about you.” Bowen escorted her to her bedroom door.

“I didn't sleep much last night.” Sadie yanked off the wig, fluffed her curls and flopped onto the bed.

Bowen closed her door and returned to the kitchen. He missed his loft apartment. Would he ever be able to take Sadie to see it?

Erik lowered himself into the lone armchair, his elongated frame dwarfing the old recliner. “I've got news.”

“What?”

“I had a long visit with Cal.”

“Where?” Bowen stretched out on the sofa.

“No chance we were overheard. Santa Monica pier.” Erik straightened his legs, crossing one boot over the other. “I think I know why the Adams woman ran. Cal said he has a photo of Hannah on his desk. Taken at Disneyland. Reyna and her daughter, Francesca, visited him at his office and commented on it. Francesca loved the blue princess dress Hannah wore.”

“How does that result in Evelyn leaving?”

“I'm getting there.” Erik rolled up his sleeves as he talked. “Reyna told Cal this morning that Francesca recently attended a slumber party. Hannah was also a guest. The girls played dress-up, and you guessed it. One of the costumes was a blue princess dress. When Francesca saw Penny, um, Hannah in it, she said she'd seen her in it before. Told her about the photograph her future stepdad had on his desk.”

“Hannah must have told Evelyn, and Evelyn panicked. That answers why she ran.” He slouched and folded his arms. “But we still don't know how Lonnie found out about her.”

“We're working on it. I hear a car outside.” Erik eased out of the chair and peeked through the drapes. “It's Ginger.”