Page 45 of Bringing Chelsea Home

“Not so early,” Patrick corrected, looking after her. “It’s past nine o’clock.” He turned his head to stare at Griff. “It’s serious, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” Griff admitted. “And I’ve got no idea what I’m going to do about it when this is over.”

“Elizabeth, please don’t cry. Slow down. I can barely understand you.” Elaine returned, phone to her ear, wide-eyed and all color gone from her face. “Yes, of course, I’ll come after you. No, not him, but a friend of his. St. Nicholas’ Church at ten o’clock? We’ll be there.”

Her hands visibly trembling, she shoved the phone into her trouser pocket. “That was Elizabeth Burke. She’s had a phone call from a friend who said her pimp is in town looking for her. We have to go get her.”

“Not you,” she added as Griff struggled to stand. “You’re going to sit right here and call your Aunt Sally, look at some more pedophile groups or something. Patrick and I can go get her. We’ll be back in half an hour or less. C’mon, Patrick.”

“Wait!” Griff shouted. “At least put on the locket, will you?”

“I don’t think anything is going–”

“Do it,” Griff ordered, ignoring Patrick’s low-throated chuckle.

She shrugged, returned to her room, and came back wearing it. “Satisfied?” she asked, holding it up.

“I just love seeing you lovebirds fight,” Patrick laughed.

“Shut up, Patrick,” they said simultaneously but their friend only laughed harder.

“We’ll text you when we we’ve got her,” Patrick said, going to the closet and taking out his and Elaine’s jackets.

“Thanks,” Griff said dryly. His own phone beeped and looking at the screen, hit respond and said, “Hey, Aunt Sally. Yeah, this is a good time. What did you–”

Elaine’s quick kiss stopped his question. Then she hurried to the door where Patrick was waiting. She waved in farewell and they were gone.

His question for his aunt was brief but succinct and she promised to get the addresses of short-term rentals, when, where and who had rented them and for how long.

They ended the call, and Griff took up his mug again and stared into its contents.I could have sat in the back seat. It would only be a few steps to the garage and the car. It’s not really like walking.

Then, laughing at his own pique, he hobbled to the office, switched on the computer and went to play on the Dark Net.

“What does Elizabeth Burke look like?”Patrick asked as he parked the car in a fifteen-minute spot in front of St. Nicholas.

“Tall and slim, auburn hair and green eyes,” Elaine described. “But you don’t have to come inside. I’ll be back with her as soon as I find her.”

“Nothing doing.” Patrick shut off the engine and turned on the emergency flashers. “There’s a lot of people here today for ten o’clock Mass and it might take time to find her.”

“She said she’d be in one of the confessionals,” Elaine argued. “I just hope no one was in there before she arrived. All I have to do is look inside, though she may have the curtain drawn nearly closed. St. Nicholas is a small church and there are only two–”

“I’m coming with you, Elaine,” Patrick repeated. “We can argue about it later.”

They exited the car together and walked up the steps. Inside, the bustle of street noise gave way to the silence of those in prayer. A robed man was lighting the candles on the altar and on the other side, a man appeared to be preparing a row of chalices. All appeared peaceful but anxiety inched its way over Elaine, leaving a chill behind.

“Where–?” Patrick started to say but Elaine pointed at the covered stalls on the left side of the church. Both their curtains were partially open. “There,” she whispered. “She’ll be in one of those.”

She stepped forward but then put her hand on Patrick’s arm. “Stay here, please,” she pleaded. “Elizabeth hasn’t met you. Let me talk to her first.”

He frowned, then shrugged. “Okay,” was his grudging answer. “But hurry.”

Elaine moved forward, looked inside the first stall and found it empty. “Elizbeth?” she hissed. “Where are you?”

“Here,” came a whisper. “The next one. Come in, would you?”

“Yes, of course,” Elanie muttered, moving to the next stall and stepping inside. A .357 magnum was shoved into her face and exceptionally strong arms grabbed her from behind.

“If you’re as smart as I think you are, you won’t scream,” a man’s voice advised. “You’re gonna to back slowly outside and then we’re gonna take a little ride.”

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