Kidnapping cold case, p.11
Kidnapping Cold Case, page 11
“Don’t put your job on the line for me.”
“He won’t fire me over this.” Cash offered a lopsided grin. “He might write me up for insubordination, but he won’t fire me.”
“That’s not much better.” She couldn’t hide her exasperation.
“It’s more important to keep you safe.” He lifted a hand, as if sensing her protest. “Don’t worry, Jacy. We’ll give our statements over the phone soon enough.”
She let it go, sensing more arguing would be futile. He could be incredibly stubborn.
A trait that was far more annoying than endearing.
When they reached the motel, Cash drove around back, the same way he had before. They went in through the side door. Glancing at the clock on the nightstand after storing her leftovers in the small fridge, Jacy’s stomach tightened as she realized Dr. Shelly Abrams would be there in twenty minutes.
Sitting still was impossible, so she paced the room. This would work. This had to work.
At least two young girls’ lives depended on it.
“Jacy?” Cash stepped through the connecting door. “Where would you be more comfortable? Your room or mine?”
“Doesn’t matter.” She did her best to smile reassuringly. “One motel room is much like another.”
“Where did you get hypnotized the first time?”
“In the psychologist’s office.” She glanced around the room. “It was darker than this. I hope that isn’t a problem.”
“We can ask the doc, but I’m sure it will be fine.” He took a step toward her. “I want you to know that, no matter how this turns out, I’m impressed by your courage.”
That was an outright exaggeration. Real courage was protecting her while bullets were flying, but she didn’t voice her thought. Cash was being his usual nice and supportive self. His intent was to put her at ease.
Too bad, it didn’t work.
“I’d like to call Timmons to provide our statements,” Cash continued. “We should be able to do that before Doctor Abrams arrives.”
“Sure. That’s fine.” Anything to keep her mind off the hypnosis session looming over her.
Despite her concern over Cash’s job, his boss had calmed down enough to listen as they provided their statements related to the gunfire at Cash’s house. The process took longer than she’d expected, mostly because Lieutenant Timmons and the officer with him kept asking questions.
“The bedroom door being closed was a signal that someone had been inside,” Cash said. “I can say with certainty that if I hadn’t followed my gut instincts to get Jacy out of there, we’d both be injured, or possibly dead.”
“I thought this guy was trying to take her alive?” Timmons asked.
“That’s what I thought, too. He’s either getting impatient or knew that I’d protect Jacy with my own life. Maybe he assumed she’d be okay.”
“Humph.” Timmons didn’t sound like he agreed.
“Anything else?” Cash asked, his stare focused on the window overlooking the parking lot.
“No, that’s all for now,” Timmons grudgingly said. “But I expect you to keep me in the loop, Rawson. No more changing the plan at the last minute.”
“I will. Later.” Cash punched the end button on the phone. “Looks like the doc is here.”
“I see that.” Her stomach knotted as they both watched the woman approach the motel.
Dr. Shelly Abrams appeared to be in her early forties, with long dark hair pulled back from her face in a bun. She greeted Jacy warmly.
“It’s good to meet you, Jacy.” Her eyes were full of compassion.
“You, too.” Jacy tried to shake off the lingering apprehension. “Should we get started?”
“Let’s chat for a few minutes first.” Dr. Abrams sat in the chair near the bed. “I know you tried this before.”
“Yes.” Jacy gave her a brief rundown on her previous and unsuccessful attempts to remember the past. “I’m hoping I’m stronger and wiser now.”
“Head injuries can be tricky,” Shelly said, her regard sympathetic. “So if this doesn’t work, I don’t want you to think it’s all your fault.”
She relaxed a bit at that. For years, she’d assumed she was immune to hypnosis. That somehow she’d purposefully resisted it. But maybe it was just that getting bonked on the head had caused the deep abyss in her memory.
After a few minutes, Shelly asked her to stretch out on the bed. Jacy was conscious of Cash hovering in the doorway between their rooms.
The doc spoke in low soothing tones, asking her to relax and to concentrate on a specific memory. “Hold that image in your mind,” Shelly said.
The image was a crystal necklace that her mother had given her for her sixteenth birthday. Jacy had been wearing it the day she’d been abducted and had worn it almost every day since. Reaching up, she clasped the crystal in her hand.
Shelly continued to talk to her, asking her to return to the day she’d been walking home from choir practice. Jacy closed her eyes and did her best to relax and to go back in time. She saw the Colgate house clearly enough.
Yet, no matter how many times Shelly asked her to remember who had called out to her on the sidewalk that day—information Cash had obviously provided to help facilitate the process—there was still a black void where her memory should be.
“I’m sorry, it’s just not working.” Jacy let go of the crystal necklace and swung up into a sitting position. She avoided Cash’s gaze, not wanting to see the keen disappointment in his eyes. “I told you I’m immune to hypnosis.”
“Your subconscious is definitely resisting the process,” Shelly agreed. The doc eyed her curiously. “Your head injury might be part of the problem. I’ve never had a patient resist hypnosis like this without some additional factor influencing the outcome.”
Was that supposed to make her feel better? Yeah, it didn’t.
Worse, they were no closer to finding the assailant or the missing teenage girls.
* * *
Cash pushed aside the disappointment at the lack of progress. He walked Dr. Abrams outside. “What do you think, Doc? Is she resisting on purpose? Or is this really because of her head injury?”
Shelly shrugged. “Honestly, both. I watched the way she held the crystal pendant. Her fingers never fully relaxed. I tried to give her ample time to let go of her fears, but I don’t think she did. And maybe, she really can’t remember.” Shelly grimaced as she met his eyes. “It’s possible she never will remember. Even if or when she sees the assailant again.”
That possibility concerned him. He nodded slowly. “Okay, thanks. I really appreciate you giving this a try.”
“Not getting through is a first for me, and I’d like to try again, maybe in a different setting.”
Cash wasn’t at all convinced Jacy would want to repeat the experience. “We’ll keep that in mind. For now, we’ll have to continue working the case by digging up clues and following where they might lead.”
“Understood.” Shelly opened her car door and slid inside. “If Jacy does make a breakthrough at some point, I’d like to hear about it. Maybe then we’ll understand why our session didn’t work.”
“Will do.” He straightened, watching as Shelly backed out of the parking space and drove away.
As always, he scanned the area before turning to head inside. There were fewer cars out front now than there had been earlier. He assumed people had checked out and that more would be arriving later in the day.
He’d feel better if the place was deserted, except for the two of them, but that wasn’t practical. If he had unlimited funds, he could rent all the rooms, but that was impossible.
Truth was, he’d need to stop at an ATM the following day for more cash. It seemed impossible that this perp could be tracking his credit card or ATM withdrawals, but he wasn’t about to take any unnecessary chances.
He found Jacy waiting for him in his room. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help...” she began.
“Jacy, I told you before, all I asked is that you would try.” He stepped closer, putting his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll keep at it. Something will break soon.”
“I hope so,” she whispered, sounding totally dejected. “I really tried to relax. But I couldn’t. Not even when I focused on my crystal necklace.”
He tipped his head to the side. “Did you use the crystal necklace as a focal point in your first session ten years ago?”
“Yes.” She frowned. “Why wouldn’t I? It was a gift from my parents. It’s the only jewelry I wear.”
“And you were wearing it the night of the abduction?” Cash said.
“Yes, but why would that matter? Doctor Abrams said it was just a talisman of sorts to help relax.”
He found that curious but figured there was no point in pushing the issue, so he let it go. “Why don’t you try to get some rest?”
“While you do what?” Jacy asked.
“Earlier, I discovered there’s a site where you can find old yearbooks that have been scanned in online.” It was a far better option than buying one directly from a former student. Maybe he was being overly cautious, but he wasn’t quite ready to head back to the city.
Not until this perp had been tossed behind bars.
“I’ll help.” Jacy crossed her arms at her chest. “After all, I’m the one who needs to look at the various photos, anyway.”
Since she was right, he simply nodded. The computer was in his room, so she brought her chair over to crowd next to him.
He found the yearbook site and quickly located the one for the year Jacy was a sophomore in high school. He was surprised they were so readily available, but relieved, too. At least this way, they could review the pictures from the safety of the motel.
“Wow, it’s weird going back in time,” Jacy murmured as he clicked on the yearbook. The first few pages were candid shots of students involved in various activities.
“Is there a place where they list the teachers?” Jacy asked. “That may be a place to start.”
It was a good idea, so he quickly paged through the book, searching for teacher photos. There were many photos to wade through, and he noticed there were a few group photos of the choir. He made a mental note to return to those for a closer look, but had to go through the entire yearbook just to discover there were no pictures of the teachers.
“Figures,” Jacy said on a sigh. “If we go back to the theory of a substitute teacher being involved, this review of photographs won’t help.”
“I know, but look at it this way.” He turned a bit in his seat to face her. “We need to cross off the possibility of a fellow student being the perp.”
“I guess. I still think I’d remember if the assailant was a classmate.” She gestured to the screen. “We can go through the list of all the sophomores. That may be a place to start.”
He considered mentioning the choir group photo but thought she might be right about going through her classmates first. He turned the computer so that it was facing her.
She spent a lot of time looking intently at one photo before moving on to the next. The scent of her shampoo wafted toward him, oddly reminding him of their kiss.
He forced himself not to think about pulling Jacy into his arms again. Finding the perp responsible for these attacks was the only goal.
Not looking for an excuse to kiss her again.
She was on the second page when he noticed movement out the window. Easing back away from the small table, he edged closer to see who was out there.
A black truck with tinted windows pulled up in front of the motel lobby. Cash found himself holding his breath as he waited for the driver to emerge from the vehicle.
Only, he never did. After a long moment, the truck backed up and roared away. Cash narrowed his eyes on the license plate, but there wasn’t one. At the last minute, before the truck disappeared around the corner, he noticed a temporary plate propped in the rear window above the truck bed.
The tiny hairs on the back of his neck lifted in warning. Logically, he knew people bought replacement vehicles all the time. But why had the truck pulled in, only to leave just as abruptly a few minutes later?
Was he making a big deal out of nothing? Maybe, but Cash still didn’t like it. It didn’t seem possible that the assailant could have found their hiding spot.
Then again, he had asked Dr. Shelly Abrams to come out to meet with them. He didn’t think that was a call that had gone through the police radio, unless Shelly had updated his boss about the lack of progress with the procedure? Maybe.
The unease in his gut wouldn’t leave him alone. Remembering how he’d turned from his bedroom in the nick of time, he decided this wasn’t the moment to ignore his instincts.
“Jacy, we need to get out of here. Now.” He turned from the window, pulling the computer away. “We’ll look at the photos later. Get your stuff.”
“Why? What’s happening?”
“Just get your things.” He shoved the laptop into the bag as he spoke. “Hurry!”
Jacy jumped up and ran into the connecting room. Seconds later, she emerged, carrying her bag. “I’m ready.”
“Good. Stay behind me,” he warned as they left their rooms. The narrow hallway was empty. He rushed to the end of the hall to peer out the door.
Seeing nothing alarming, he pushed through. Thankfully, Jacy stayed right behind him, holding on to his jacket as they moved as one to the SUV.
He was glad he’d parked in the back of the building, and that he’d taken time to muddy the license plate. He quickly tossed their bags in the rear, while Jacy climbed into the passenger seat.
After settling behind the wheel, he started the SUV and moved forward. Just as the black truck with the tinted windows returned.
“Get down,” he shouted, hitting the gas.
The SUV surged forward. He yanked hard on the steering wheel, to drive around the truck. Thankfully, he had plenty of open road ahead of him to work with. Tires squealed from behind him as the truck attempted to turn around.
No! He couldn’t let this guy get to them!
Cash jammed his foot on the gas pedal, pressing it almost all the way to the floor. The SUV sped down the road, eating up the miles. He alternated between watching the speedometer go higher and higher, and the rearview mirror.
They were far enough ahead now that he couldn’t see the truck behind them. But he wouldn’t relax. Not yet.
Cash was forced to slow down for the upcoming curve in the road. He glanced around, trying to figure out where to go next.
“Cash? The truck is back!” Jacy cried.
Sure enough, a quick glance in the rearview mirror indicated the truck was gaining on them.
Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, Cash hit the gas hard, praying the engine of this SUV would have the power they needed to avoid being caught by the big imposing truck.
He couldn’t let this guy catch up to them.
ELEVEN
The black truck was gaining on them! Jacy gripped the door handle tightly. Cash was driving incredibly fast for these winding country roads.
Not that he had much of a choice.
Remembering how they’d rolled over across the field when the brake line had been tampered with had her imagining the same fate today. Only this time, there was a chance they wouldn’t walk away. Especially if they were struck by the truck.
Another car headed toward them from the opposite direction. Jacy held her breath. Their tires squealed as Cash took the curve around the car.
“Hang on,” he encouraged as they approached an intersection. He hit the brakes hard to make a right-hand turn then punched the accelerator again. She realized he had the map app up on his dashboard screen. Thankfully, there was another intersection a few miles away.
This time, Cash turned left. “Call 9-1-1 and report the black Ford truck with tinted windows.”
“But—we don’t have a license plate.” She let go of the door handle to reach for the phone.
“Just tell them about the lack of front plates and only a temporary plate in the back window. Let the dispatcher know the truck was last seen on Highway 15, heading out of Cross Plains.”
“Okay.” She made the call, striving to sound confident as she relayed the message. They were heading farther away from Madison, making her wonder how long it would take for a law enforcement response.
Too long, she thought in despair.
Cash slowed the SUV and then surprised her by pulling over.
“What are you doing?”
He didn’t answer right away, but his intent became clear as he drove off the road and into the wooded area. Then he backed up, so that their vehicle was hidden between a pair of bushy pine trees.
“Sit tight.” He pushed out of the SUV and crossed over to pull branches from the tree, strategically placing them around the SUV. Then he used another pine tree branch to cover their tire tracks. The snow was spotty on the ground anyway, thanks to the milder than normal temps, which helped. When he was finished, she couldn’t tell a car had driven into the woods.
After what seemed like eons, Cash eased back behind the wheel.
“Now what? We’re just going to wait and see if the truck passes by?” She shivered at the thought of the driver noticing them and coming after them. He’d used a gun back at Cash’s house.
She thought it highly likely he still had the weapon. Not to mention, the tranquilizer gun, too. She trusted Cash’s cop instincts yet couldn’t help feeling a bit vulnerable out here in the woods.
And maybe that was the point. The guy driving the truck wouldn’t think they’d hide in the woods. He would assume they’d head to the next closest town.
“Too bad we don’t have binoculars,” he muttered. “But, yes, we’re going to sit here for a while. I want this perp to believe he’s lost us.”
