Page 56 of Capturing Hearts

Chapter Thirty-Three

Brendan

And then there were four.

We’ve called the number Rebecca gave us, but there was no answer. I then phoned the police and told them about it, and they traced it and located it in the city, but now Sergeant Lewis has called me back to say with his smoker’s voice, that they found it. “But I’ve got bad news. It was in a gutter under fallen leaves, discarded probably right after the call.”

Shaking my head under the disappointment, I mutter, “Thank you anyway.”

“Let us know if you find anything else. That was before the kidnapping, so I doubt he’ll call Ms. Wells again.”

With my eyes on Rebecca, I tell him, “I understand. Thanks.” Hanging up, I lay the phone down and look at Mark.

We’re all sitting around the dining table, and Nicole sighs. Rebecca glances to her and back to me, her almond-shaped brown eyes defeated. “I’m so sorry I didn’t call you.”

“What are you doing here?” I ask.

“I told you,” she starts to defend.

“Sorry. No. I mean, in the city. Why aren’t you in Arizona?”

She fiddles with her nails, glancing to the half-drunk tea in front of her. She’s dressed nicely, with her usual sophisticated elegance, her long brown hair tied up in a twist like she’d been somewhere special. I’m expecting to hear about a charity fundraiser she was in town for, but she surprises me. “I’m seeing someone who lives in the city.” She meets my eyes. “I guess I just can’t stay away from this place,” she smiles. “It keeps calling me back! He’s a nice man. Normal. Good, you know?” She glances around the table.

“Ah.” I feel nothing, almost as if I were talking to a stranger. The old jealousy I might have felt in regards to her, has vanished. “Well, that’s great.” I stand up, mumbling a noncommittal, “I’m happy for you. You guys have got to be bored stiff waiting here with me. Why don’t you go see some sights or something?”

Mark makes a noise and Nicole stands up. She walks over and embraces me. I lay my head on her shoulder and break down. “It’s okay,” she whispers, patting my back, and squeezing me tightly.

Rebecca’s phone rings.

Nicole releases me and I turn, rubbing my nose once as I stare at the screen. Rebecca’s eyelashes rise. “I don’t know this number.”

I lunge for it, but Mark beats me to it, his arm flying out to grab the phone off the table. He hands it to Rebecca and warns us, “Don’t scare him off! If it is him.”

She gulps, clearing her voice before she slides the phone open to answer the call. “Hello?” She’s staring at me. Nobody is breathing. “Hello?” She nods. “Hi Tommy. How are you?” I start to pace like an animal, my eyes on that phone. Mark rises to keep me at bay, both of his hands up.

“Brendan!” he whispers.

“Merry Christmas to you, too. What?” Her shoulders relax. “Okay, here.” She holds out the phone. “He wants to speak to you.” Looking to Mark and Nicole, she explains as I snatch it from her hands. “He could hear my voice was odd.”

“Tommy?! You motherfucker, where’s Annie? She had better be okay!”

Tommy’s voice is gravelly and low. “I haven’t hurt her. I want you to know that. Annie, tell him I haven’t hurt you.”

I hear my wife call, “Brendan?! I’m okay! But honey! Jacob’s coming!”

With my face contorted with overwhelming relief, I tell the room, “She’s okay. The baby’s coming. She’s okay!” They’re all standing now, and they react to the news. “Tommy, If you’re calling, that means you’re giving up where she is. Is that right?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m coming! Where are you?”

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