Game On (21 page)

“I won't say anything right now. But I'm not promising I won't later. When she's safe. But for now, I'll keep quiet.”

His mother kissed his cheek. “I know you'll do the right thing after you've had some time to think about it. Pray about it, Lucas. God will tell you what He's been telling me. Do not disrupt that precious child's life.” She left the room.

Lucas walked over to the mantel and slipped the picture of Mary into his pocket. He walked out the door and got into his car.

As he drove to Ray and Bethany's house, he tried to still his mind, but it was going a hundred miles per hour. To discover that he had a daughter, and that there was an Amber Alert out for her. Mind-boggling.

When he arrived at the house, there were two police cruisers and several other vehicles. He pulled in. Trotting up to the house, he prayed for calmness and courage. But most of all, he prayed for wisdom.

22

Her life had morphed into a living nightmare. Nikki stared at the circus in Bethany's dining room.

Two uniformed officers, one county deputy, as well as the chief of police. Rachel. Rachel's mother. Ray and Bethany, of course. All of them were talking at the same time. Bethany, Rachel, and Rachel's mother took turns crying.

Nikki wasn't crying, but it was taking all her strength not to. How could this have happened? She had a sick feeling that it had something to do with her “warning” last night.

Rachel answered every question the officers threw at her with as much detail as she could remember. She looked over at Bethany. “I'm sorry, Miss Bethany. I should have been with her. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have stopped to talk to Mark. If only—”

“Don't do that, Rachel. It's not your fault,” Ray said.

Tears slid down Rachel's cheeks. “It is my fault. It is…”

“Why would someone want to kidnap Cassie?” Bethany laid her head on the dining-room table and sobbed.

Ray rubbed her back. Pain was etched in his face. “I don't understand it. We aren't rich.”

Nikki didn't understand it either.

The chief of police sat in an empty chair across from Rachel. “Rachel, I need you to look at me.”

Rachel looked up.

“I need the truth. Understand?”

She nodded.

“Maybe Cassie told you to tell her mom and dad this story. When the truth is she ran away again.” He gave the teenaged girl a hard stare. “Are you sure this really happened?”

“No. No. You've got to believe me. I'm not making this up. I saw them put her in the van. She didn't run away. They took her. You've got to find her.”

Bethany jumped up. “You need to stop accusing her and my daughter of things that aren't true and go find her. That's what your job is. Not to threaten Rachel into admitting something that's not true.”

Ray put a calming hand on her arm. “Bethany, they have to ask these questions.”

Bethany shook off his hand. “No, they don't. They need to understand how serious this is. Not make false accusations.”

“Ma'am. No one is accusing them of anything. We're simply asking the questions that need to be asked.”

“What are you doing to find her?” Bethany turned to the chief and wailed for answers.

Nikki moved to her sister's side but said nothing.

“We're doing all we can. We've got the Amber Alert out. Dark-colored vans all over the state are being stopped and checked.”

“Why isn't the FBI here?” Ray asked.

“There's a protocol we have to follow. First us, then the county, then the state. And then finally the FBI, if warranted.”

“I don't care about your protocol.” Ray glared at the detective. “That seems like a waste of time. We need the FBI.”

“I can assure you the FBI will be involved if we need them. Right now, everything's being done that can be done.”

“I don't see anyone doing anything except standing around here,” Bethany said between sobs.

“Not true. We've got all your phones ready to be traced and recorded if there's a ransom call. Someone is checking traffic cams and security cams, looking for the van. If we can get a license-plate number, we'll find that van.”

More sobs from Bethany. “I don't want the van, I want my daughter.”

The doorbell rang.

Nikki opened the door.

Lucas stood there. “I heard about Cassie on the news.”

Their gazes met.

Time stood still. She couldn't breathe.

The truth was in his eyes. The pain and the knowledge shone through. Lucas knew Cassie was their daughter.

In the blink of an eye, her world tilted. “I…I…” She couldn't find any words. “I…”

“I'm here to help, Nikki.” He put his arms around her. “I will always be here to help you. No matter what.”

She rested her head against his chest. The years of separation melted away. It was just the two of them. Together. Nikki whispered, “Forgive me.”

“No, forgive me. I left you all alone.”

“I already have. How did you know?” She stepped out of his embrace.

Lucas reached in his pocket and handed her a picture. Nikki stared at it. The girl looked like a much younger version of Cassie. Bright red hair, but with more freckles and that infectious grin. Nikki's gaze moved to Lucas. “I don't understand.”

“That's my sister, Mary. She died when she was four from meningitis.”

“I…I…I…” Her thoughts were jumbled. “Your mother met Cassie the other day. She knows?”

“She's known for a while. After seeing her sing at some church event. It only takes a look at Cassie to know she's got McMann blood in her. But she didn't think it would be good for Cassie to know. According to Mama, it could rip her life apart.”

“I agree with her. That's why I've been…been keeping my distance.” Nikki wiped away the tears. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…” That wasn't true. She had meant to keep the truth hidden from him and from Cassie—forever. Her gaze met Lucas's. “I can't do this right now.”

“Of course not. We can talk about this later. Right now, I'm here to help.”

“It's a mess. Everyone's arguing about everything. I don't think they know what to do. Ray wants the FBI called, but they keep saying it's not warranted.”

“Has there been a ransom demand?”

“Not yet.”

“Money won't be a problem. I can cover whatever amount they ask for.”

“That's…that's…” She had no words to express her gratitude.

“What happened?”

Nikki told what she knew.

“It's a good thing her friend saw it happen. Otherwise, no one would have any idea she'd been abducted.”

Nikki walked over and sat on the couch. “I'm missing something. This makes no sense. Why would anyone want to kidnap Cassie? Bethany and Ray have a little money but they aren't rich. Not rich enough to pay a ransom.”

“Maybe it's not about money.”

“Then what could it be about? I'm just not getting it. There has to be a logical explanation, but I'm not seeing it. Is there any way to get the FBI involved?”

“Will do.” He walked out of the room. “Let me go talk with the chief.”

A moment later, her phone vibrated. She pulled it out of her pocket. It was a number she didn't recognize. “Hello.”

“If you want to see her alive, you'll do exactly what I say.” The voice was distorted.

Panic filled her, but she pushed it away. She'd dealt with two kidnappings before and she knew one thing. Emotions could get the victim killed. Forcing her voice to be calm, she asked, “What do you want?”

“Get in your car right now and leave. Take your phone with you. Just you. If anyone else comes, she's dead.”

“Let me talk to her.”

“Leave now.”

****

Lucas walked into the dining room. He saw the shocked looks of most of the people in the room and ignored them as he walked over to Bethany and Ray. “Bethany, Ray, I'm so sorry about all this.”

Bethany clung to her husband's hand, wiping tears away.

Ray nodded. “Thanks, Lucas.”

“Nikki said the FBI haven't been brought in yet, but that's about to change.” He paused. It wasn't his place to take charge. He looked at Bethany and Ray. “If that's what you want.”

“That would be great, Lucas.” Bethany pointed at the police chief. “But he doesn't think it's necessary.”

“Is that all right with you, Chief?” Lucas didn't really care what the man thought, but if he could help him save face, he would.

Much to his credit, the man smiled. “That would be great. All we want is to bring Cassie home. But as you know, the FBI have their protocols.”

Lucas nodded even as he was dialing Sarah Goode.

He briefed her on the situation and she agreed to help. “Thank you so much, Agent Goode. I knew I could count on you.”

“One question before you go, Lucas.”

“Of course.”

“Do you think this girl's kidnapping has something to do with what's being going on with you?”

The question shocked him. But was it possible? After all, he'd only had to look at Cassie to know she was a McMann. Someone could have decided to use her to get to him. “Why would it?”

“No reason. I just wanted to check. I'm walking to my car and I'll be in Maiden as soon as I can get there.”

“Thank you, Agent Goode.” Lucas pressed the end button.

All eyes were staring at him. Bethany and Ray's eyes showed gratitude. Rachel's were hopeful. The chief of police's didn't show either.

“They'll be here soon.” He walked back to the living room.

No Nikki. She probably needed to freshen up.

He sat down on the sofa. Sarah Goode's question haunted him. Could Cassie's abduction have something to do with him?

Nikki shot. Nikki attacked and drugged. Nikki's niece abducted. No, not niece. Nikki's daughter. His daughter. All along, he'd thought this was about him. But maybe it was about Nikki. Nikki seemed to be the target. During her mugging, they'd warned her to stay away from him. It wasn't just about him or just about Nikki. It was about both of them. Someone didn't want them together.

He pulled his phone out and hit the number for his mother. He updated her on the situation and then ended the call. Elizabeth still hadn't returned his call. He wanted her to find a kidnap expert whom he could hire. He tried her number again. Still no answer.

Lucas paced the living room. He walked over to the large picture window that was the focal point. He imagined Cassie growing up here. Happy and secure with a mother and father who loved her. In that moment, he knew Nikki had made the right decision for Cassie all those years ago.

A child deserved a happy home and parents who not only loved her, but could provide love and security. Even if he and Nikki had stayed together, they wouldn't have been able to take care of Cassie the way she deserved. They were practically children themselves back then. As much as he'd loved Nikki, he hadn't been able to stand up to his father.

Yet Nikki had found it in herself to do what was best for Cassie. The pain she must have endured through the years as she watched their daughter grow up. No wonder she was so angry when he'd walked into her office. Still staring out the window, he focused on the scene in front of him. Something was different.

Nikki's car was gone. She'd left? Without telling him or anyone? She wouldn't do that unless…

He didn't like where his thoughts were going. He pulled out his phone and scrolled through the numbers. He double-tapped Nikki's number. It rang and rang until it went to voice mail.

There could be only one reason she'd left and not told anyone. The kidnappers had contacted her. Why would they have contacted Nikki instead of Bethany and Ray? It made no sense. Except it all came back to Nikki once again. Nikki was the target. She was in danger.

Lucas walked into the dining room to tell them of this new development. He opened his mouth but then closed it. He had no idea what the kidnappers had told Nikki or if they'd even called her. He didn't want to get anyone excited if that wasn't the case.

If something happened to Nikki or Cassie, he would never forgive himself.

Nikki was a smart woman. Over the years she'd been in all sorts of situations. She could handle herself.

Lucas trusted her. “I'll be back in a bit. Call me if there are any developments.” He turned and walked out before anyone could ask any questions.

His FBI guard stood at the door.

Lucas explained the situation. “Agent Goode is on her way. In the meantime, I'd like you to come in to offer assistance in any way you can.”

“Of course, sir.”

Lucas waited until the man disappeared into the dining room and then he walked to his car. He had to keep Nikki safe.

****

Nikki drove aimlessly down the road, not sure where the kidnappers wanted her to be. Maybe she should have told the police they'd called. Or at least told Lucas, but the man on the phone hadn't given her a choice. She wouldn't risk Cassie's life—no matter what.

Her phone rang again.

She glanced over.

Lucas, just like the other seven times.

As much as she wanted to talk with him, include him in what was happening, she couldn't. Besides, by now he'd probably told everyone she'd left. It wouldn't take long for them to figure out the kidnappers had called.

The police had a certain way to handle situations. But this wasn't the time to play by their rules.

Cassie's life was at stake.

Nikki would do what she had to do to keep her baby safe. Even if it meant skirting the law. Or making Lucas angry. None of that mattered. Only Cassie mattered.

The phone stopped ringing.

She breathed a sigh of relief.

The phone rang again.