Page 23 of Rescuing Sara

“That would be great!” Excitement flowed through Danni again. “Did she mention anything in particular?”

“She mentioned someone named Silas a lot and calls him the ‘almost Amish boy’ and that she ordered a man’s straw hat from him,” Mrs. M. said. “We’ve started going to The Main Place on weekends and sometimes there would be a vendor family there, wearing old-fashioned clothing. I don’t think they’re Amish, but Sara is crazy for YA books about them, so maybe that’s why she described him that way. They have a booth where they sell lots of different things, including men’s hats. Tomorrow is Friday, so I think he and his family will be there.”

“That’s a good place to start,” Patrick said. “And a very good idea. Thanks, Mrs. M.”

“Did she say anything else?” Danni uttered a hasty silent prayer for more good news. “In her diary, I mean.”

“There are entries with her wondering why her granddad doesn’t love her,” the housekeeper said angrily. “Him with his fancy ideas about getting richer by working all the time, leaving none for her, and her having lost her mother just two years ago. Letting your kids and grandkids know you love them is more important than how much you have in the bank. It’ll tear your heart out to read it.”

“I’m going to tear his out when we find her,” Danni promised. “You can help if you like. What a monster!”

“She’d saved her spending money to buy him that hat for Christmas,” Mrs. M. sniffed. “It favors those you see some Amish and Mennonite men wearing. As if Mr. La-di-da Ed Turner would wear such a thing.”

“We’ll go look for him tomorrow,” Danni said. “Hopefully Silas will be there and remember Sara, but we’ll take a photo just to be sure.”

“I’ll send you some from my phone,” Mrs. M. said. “Maybe one of us together to help Silas remember us and the one of the receipt for the hat. In fact, I’ll send you the entire diary.”

“That’s good,” Danni agreed. But Mrs. M., where are you going to go? You were Sara’s live-in housekeeper.”

“I’m going to spend the holidays between my children and spoil my grandchildren rotten.” A smile lit up Fiona McGillicuddy’s face. “But I can stay in touch if you want.”

“I want,” Danni confirmed. “Anytime you want or need.”

“That I will,” Mrs. M. said. “Lovely to have met you, Lieutenant Danton.”

“Patrick,” the lieutenant replied, inclining his head again. “We’ll let you know what we learn from Silas.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. M. said simply and the screen on Danni’s laptop went dark. She blew out a sigh and then heard Patrick say, “Quite a woman, your Mrs. M. What now?”

“I don’t know,” Danni admitted. “Hopefully this Silas can tell us something.”

“Do you think we should have told Mrs. M. about Mrs. Everett and what she saw?” Patrick asked.

“Only if we could raise the money for her bail,” Danni laughed. “Mrs. M. would tear Mrs. Everett from limb to limb if she knew and claim it was justifiable. We’ll keep it from her for now. We better get back to the meeting.”

But in Stanley’s office, everyone but the editor was gone. “Mac said to tell you they might see you later at the Safehouse,”he announced. “Danni, I want you to write a special article about Sara Turner.”

“Are you sure?” Knees suddenly shaky, Danni half-tumbled into the chair beside his desk. Mrs. M.’s news of Ed sacking her had rattled her more than she realized. Behind her, Patrick was a silent and comforting presence.

Harris nodded. “My granddaughter Marcy goes to church at St. Nicholas. She and Sara made their First Communion there together and play on the same soccer team. Marcy is crazy about Sara.”

“I remember her talking about a friend named Marcy,” Danni admitted. “But I didn’t realize she was your granddaughter.”

“Well, Marcy’s last name is Brooks, my youngest daughter’s oldest daughter,” Stanley explained. “Different last name. Do you know what Marcy told me she wanted for Christmas?”

“No idea,” Danni admitted, trying to recall Sara’s wish list. “But she’s ten, right? A horse? A new phone? Don’t tell me she wants a car.”

“She wants Sara to come home,” Stanley said. He had to clear his throat before saying, “She readsExcelsiorevery day and read the police report about Sara disappearing. I don’t think a day has passed without her crying about it.”

“Yeah,” Danni choked. “Me too.”

“So, do a story about Sara, but don’t mention you’re her godmother. No sense in giving The Cadre–if it is them– more ammunition than they have. They’ve already tried to kill you twice.”

Danni stared at him, open-mouthed as apprehension did a slow roll through her stomach. “How did you know–”

“About The Cadre?” Stanley’s smile held no trace of humor. “I was with Anne’s case from the beginning and know more than enough about those monsters to last three lifetimes. That they’re probably behind your attacks is a guess. And you did ask me tocall Brotherhood Protectors after someone vandalized your car, remember?”

“Yeah,” Danni said, exchanging looks with Patrick. “I’m grateful for your willingness to reach out to them for me. I knew a little about them from Anne, but of course she and Mac just got back from Scotland, so we’ve not had much time to talk about BP, as they call themselves.”

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