Kidnapped!
part 6
The Bowery
Saturday, Sept 14
4:30 p.m.
The pager went off while Kerm was reporting. With a single raised hand, Carlton stopped the conversation. He looked at the coded message and swore vehemently. Sandy, the latest in the series of Cowhand leaders, looked up, his body tensing.
“Change of plans,” Carlton told his minions tersely. “The shipment has been delayed. We need to make tracks.”
“Why?” Sandy asked. “What happened?”
“There was a raid. Pigs nabbed six over in Newark. Ches thinks they’re headed this way.” Sirens echoed in the distance, closing quickly, and he frowned. “Regroup tomorrow night. Ten. Go!” Carlton clapped his hands sharply together.
The gang boys scattered, heading for the exits as the police cars skidded to a halt outside. Carlton shook his head as officers in riot gear kicked through the warehouse door. Calmly, he raised his hands, waiting.
“Well, if it ain’t the big cheese himself,” the cop sneered, pulling out his handcuffs even as his partner kept her pistol trained at Carlton’s head. “Slumming with his hoods.”
“I don’t know what you mean, officer,” he said politely, his eyes cold. “I was simply checking out this warehouse for my employer. He’s always looking for investment property.”
“Sure. And I’m guessing you don’t know nothing about the V.L raid in Newark, neither.” Jabbing a finger at the tattoo on Carlton’s cheek, the officer said, “Tell it to the judge.” He fastened Carlton’s wrists firmly behind his back and grabbed his arm, leading him out to the waiting police car.
Carlton coolly observed the action around him, noting which of his boys had managed to evade capture and which ones had not. A large hand pushed down on his head, forcing him into the car, and he settled in for the ride.
The police car headed out of the Bowery and away from the city. As soon as they passed the Turnpike, Carlton asked, “Casey? May I have the key, please? These cuffs are uncomfortable.”
FBI agent Casey Minkler handed the handcuff key over the seat, turning to watch in amusement as undercover agent Miles “Carlton” Jovanic twisted himself around to open the cuffs. Her partner, agent Brady Welsch, snickered, one eye on the highway, one on his rearview mirror.
Free, Carlton handed back both the key and the cuffs, asking, “What’s the emergency? Why did you pull me out?”
“The orders came from higher up the chain,” Casey told him. “All we know is we pick you up and take you up to Westchester County. Some rich heiress kidnapping. Turns out the victim is connected to a kid you might know.”
“I’ve got almost three years going into this case,” Carlton mused, irritation tinting his voice. “I might know a lot of kids.”
“Well, you’ll know more in an hour. Here.” Casey handed him a paper bag. “I was told to make you look respectable; so, get to work. I stopped by your locker and grabbed a suit for you, too.”
Carlton groaned as he pulled out a bottle of high-powered make-up remover and a handful of sponges. “Great,” he griped as he started rubbing off his tattoo of the sword-pierced heart. “Whoever the higher up is, he can deal with Raylene when she finds out she has to reapply the damned thing.”
“I can’t believe you’re afraid of a five-foot-tall makeup artist,” Welsch teased.
“She may be small,” Carlton defended, “but the woman is mean. She’s very particular about her work, and she just redid it last week. She’s not going to be happy.”
“Well, tell her to get in line,” Casey responded. “I have a feeling this is going to be a long day.”
Carlton just kept scrubbing.
Saturday, September 14
7:30 p.m.
“Why are we here?” Dan asked, not really expecting an answer to his question.
Maypenny answered anyway. “Because we were asked.” He sat, stoic and calm on the ladder back chair, watching his son pace. He was worried about Daniel. The young man had neither eaten nor slept much since Tessa had been taken. He looked haggard and stressed, his fingernails bitten to the quick. The stress of being unable to help search was taking its toll. This summons back to the police station had done nothing to improve his state of mind.
The door opened, revealing a man standing in the shadow of the doorway. With a grim smile, he said in a soft, yet powerful voice, “Long time no see, Danny-Manny.”
Thomas Maypenny found himself rising from his seat, as Dan froze in his tracks.
That voice. Dan’s spine tingled, and his blood ran cold in his veins. He heard his father get up from the chair, but his attention was focused on the voice. Slowly, he raised his eyes and turned to face the man. “Carlton?”
“More or less.”
The man stepped all the way into the room and closed the door behind him. Dan forced himself to focus on the man’s face. Carlton was wearing a gray suit and a dark blue tie. He was clean-shaven, and the facial tattoo Dan remembered was gone...or mostly. If he looked closely, Dan could just make out a shadowy hint of the heart, pierced with the sword. Confused, he took two steps back. “What are you doing here? What...how?”
With patience, the man known to Dan as Carlton approached Maypenny with his hand extended, his identification badge dangling. “Sir, I’m agent Miles Jovanic. This is my i.d. Your son knows me as Carlton, and I’m fine using that name. If the two of you would please have a seat, I’ll see if I can explain.”
Dan shook his head. “No. No way.” He started breathing rapidly, his heart racing. “Where’s Tess? What did they do with her?” His body tensed, ready to attack. “Tell me, you lousy bastard!”
In that same infuriatingly soft voice, the agent pointed again to the table. “Sit down, Dan. I’ll tell you what I know.”
With Maypenny’s hand on his arm keeping him in check, Dan allowed himself to be directed into a seat. Maypenny sat next to him, with Carlton across the table.
“I’m an undercover agent, on loan to the FBI and DEA,” Carlton explained. “I’ve been working this case for going on three years, undermining the V.L influence in New York. I know everything that the Cowhands do, and I assure you that none of them touched the Hart girl.”
“Why should I believe you?” Dan asked, his belligerence and distrust evident in each syllable.
“I don’t know. Because I saved your life?”
Dan frowned and flexed his fingers, remembering the brutal beating he had received from Luke and the soft voice that had stopped it. Carlton’s voice.
That same voice continued, “Clevik would have beaten you to death. He was higher than a kite and completely out of control. I stopped him. I jeopardized a case I’d been working for months, because I didn’t let him kill you.”
“Okay,” Dan said reluctantly. “I’ll give you that, but how do you know that none of the Cowhands took Tess? If Luke’s out...”
“He isn’t.” Carlton sighed. “Look. I spent most of last three hours debriefing and being re-briefed. I have at least two hours of tattoo re-application with a grouchy makeup artist before I go back. I’m twenty-four hours from ending this case, and then I get yanked out to come here. Three years of this crap, and now I’m on hold. The least you could do is hear me out.”
Dan looked at the agent, torn between his indignation, distrust, and the idea that Carlton might just deserve to be heard. Common sense won out. “Okay,” he said, “I’m listening.”
“Thank you.” Carlton folded his hands on the table. “What I tell you needs to stay between us. Lives depend on it. Mine, for one.” Dan and Maypenny both nodded. “Good. How many boys were Cowhands when you were in the gang, Dan?”
“Twelve to fifteen, maybe. It varied. Why?”
“Because things have changed. You got out. Benny got out. Luke was arrested--and he was denied parole, by the way. That’s how I know he isn’t involved. He’s still safely contained on the Island. Four more were arrested here--Lurch, Dean, Derek and Willie. A couple of more drifted. Alan and Eddie, well, they didn’t make it. Alan overdosed, and the Regulators took out Eddie. Of the guys you were with, only Sandy and Kerm are left. There are another eight or ten, but they aren’t any you would know--or who would know you.”
“What about Georgie?” Dan asked, his voice hollow.
Carlton smiled. “Georgie. You looked out for him, didn’t you? I’d forgotten. The last I knew, he was doing well. Kid never was cut out for the gang. He got nabbed a month after you disappeared. He’s in a foster home in Albany, I think. ”
Dan blew out a breath of relief. He’d been afraid that Georgie, too, had been a victim of the violence that came with gang membership.
Carlton continued, “The only two who would have any reason to come after you would be Sandy or Kerm, and frankly, they wouldn’t. Sandy is ‘in charge’ now, and he likes it. Kerm, well, he doesn’t have either the motivation or the smarts. Besides, I’ve been with them pretty solid for the past three weeks. No.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry I can’t help you, but the Cowhands were not involved in the disappearance of your girlfriend. I’d know.”
Dan was torn between relief and total despair. He had been so sure. Terrified but sure. And now... He pressed his temples with the heels of his hands. “Then, where is she?”
“I don’t know.” Carlton shifted in his chair. “I do know that you have an excellent FBI agent working on it. From what I’ve heard, they have a strong lead.”
“What? What lead?” Dan was on his feet, ready to act.
“Sit.” Again with the voice, and Dan found himself reacting much as he had when still in the gang. He sat. “I don’t know the details. I was brought up here to clear the Cowhands as suspects. I’ve done that, and now I’ve got my own problem to deal with.” He leaned forward. “You’re a smart guy, Dan. Stop and think before you start demanding. Flies. Honey. Remember?”
Dan nodded, trying to read the meaning behind Carlton’s words. The agent leaned back in his chair. “Good. When I leave, an FBI agent by the name of Salinas is coming in to talk to you. Special-Agent-in-Charge Salinas. Do yourself a favor and listen. Got it?”
Dan’s eyes narrowed, but he nodded.
“Good,” Carlton said again, as he rose from the chair. He shook Maypenny’s hand again and extended his hand to Dan. Dan stood up, hesitating before shaking the agent’s hand. Carlton nodded his farewell and disappeared into the hall.
Seconds later, a tall, dark-haired woman in a navy pantsuit stepped through the door. Staring at Dan, she said, “I’m Special Agent Sharon Salinas. What can you tell me about Dara Prinze?”
Dan sat back down with an exasperated thud. “I don’t know anything about her,” he said. “I don’t even think I knew her name until tonight...I mean, last night. Why?”
Sharon Salinas took the chair previously occupied by Carlton. “Dara Prinze was the girl your friend Jim pulled out of the river.”
“Okay,” Dan said, waiting.
“In the trunk of her car we found a bottle of chloroform, some rope, and a blond wig. She was wearing a black, hooded sweatshirt.” The agent’s eyes were emotionless as she stared at Dan, measuring him. “We found a wallet in the car. The driver’s license belongs to Tessa Hart.”
Dan felt as if he’d been punched in the stomach. He sensed, rather than saw, his father move to stand behind him as he leaned forward and asked, “Tessa...are you saying...?” He swallowed, hard. “Do you think Tessa was in the car with Dara?”
“We don’t know,” Agent Salinas admitted. “By all accounts, Miss Prinze was alone in the vehicle. The only evidence we have to indicate Miss Hart was with her is the wallet, and it was in the trunk of the car.”
Hope bubbled up in Dan’s chest. “So, you don’t think...?”
“We don’t know for sure,” Agent Salinas cautioned, “but we don’t think that Tessa Hart was in the vehicle when it went into the river.”
“So, what do you think?” Dan asked.
“The car was headed into town, from the point...”
“The cliff caves?” Dan jumped from his seat and began pacing again. “There’s a whole system of caves and tunnels up there. Do you think?”
“Sit down, please.” Salinas spoke firmly, although she didn’t raise her voice.
Remembering Carlton’s words, Dan reluctantly complied, and once he sat down, she continued. “We’re in process of acquiring maps and guides of the area.” She sighed. “Look, we wouldn’t even have been on this case if Mr. Hart had not called us. He’s an influential man, but all I have is me, one other agent and the local police force to search fifteen acres of caves and tunnels. We have another lead we’re following, so we’re stretched pretty thin. I know that you and Miss Hart’s family have been anxious to help, so, here is your chance. We’ll be heading out at first light. If your little group is at the point when we start, I’ll make sure you’re all on a team, but...” She leaned forward, fixing Dan with a glare as sharp as a steel blade. “If you can’t follow orders, you’ll be waiting here instead. Clear?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dan answered, tacking on a belated, “Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret this,” she warned, her expression stern. “Now, go home and sleep. We start at sunrise, and I need our search teams rested.” She stood, indicating that the conversation was over, and left without another word.
“Come on, Daniel,” Maypenny said gently. “Let’s go home. I’ll fix us some supper, and we’ll get some sleep.”
“I don’t know if I can sleep,” Dan admitted, as he rose from the table. He faced his father, his eyes a mixture of confusion and worry. “Carlton’s an undercover operative, the Cowhands don’t have Tess, I’ve been sitting on my...hands...all day, answering the same questions over and over instead of looking for her. How can I sleep?”
“Because you need to sleep,” Maypenny stated firmly, nudging his son toward the door. “I know that you’re worried, but you can’t go looking for Tessa when you’re exhausted and run-down. We’ll have some eggs and toast, and then to bed. And you will sleep. The sun will be up around six-thirty, and it’s already heading for nine.”
“Yes, sir,” Dan responded. “I’ll try.”
With his mind already focused nine hours into the future, Dan followed Maypenny out of the interview room.
Maypenny Cabin
10:45 p.m.
Scrambled eggs and toast shouldn’t sit like a brick in your belly, but Dan was pretty sure he was proving to be the exception to the rule. Of course, the problem might not be the food he had managed to choke down; it might be the fear and doubt and worry tormenting his thoughts.
Rolling onto his side, he curled himself around a pillow, willing his stomach to unclench, his body to relax, praying for sleep. He needed to sleep if he was going to join the cliff-cave hunt in the morning. He knew that Agent-in-charge Salinas would not hesitate to leave him on the sidelines if he showed up looking strung-out.
So much had happened in such a short amount of time. He was having trouble assimilating it all. Carlton was an undercover agent? A girl whose name he hadn’t known until last night had been stalking him for two years? Tessa had disappeared into thin air? His brain was overloaded. Closing his eyes, Dan concentrated on tightening and relaxing his muscles, one at a time, starting with his toes. By the third time he reached his triceps, he finally slid into sleep.
Sunday, September 15
Maypenny Cabin
They were dancing. Dan marveled at the way Tess always fit so perfectly in his arms. He gazed down at her, the gold of her dress shimmering against her skin and making her eyes more golden than green. She smiled up at him, her fingers tight on his shoulder as they waltzed around the room.
“Hey, beautiful,” he whispered, spinning her around. “I think next year I should nominate you for prom queen.”
“Only if you’re my king,” Tess answered, her voice sounding soft and far away. “We can dance forever in this cardboard castle. Forever. Together. Just you and me.”
“Your wish is my command,” Dan responded, spinning her out once again.
She spun back into him, burying her face against his chest and repeating, “Forever. Just you and me.”
The voice was odd, and Dan looked down into a face that had been nameless until Diana had shown him the picture in the yearbook. Dara Prinze looked up at him, wearing Tessa’s clothing. She smiled a sick, unnatural smile and said again, “Just you and me.”
Dan yanked away, but she followed, her hand stuck as if glued to his. His gaze moved relentlessly around the room, searching for an escape.
She held fast, her eyes glazed and dreamy. “You can stay forever in my castle. Just you and me. You and me. You and me...”
He woke with a start. Blinking rapidly, he focused on the clock. It was nearly five in the morning, close enough to the alarm ringing to get up. He grabbed his clothes and headed for the shower, anxious to get searching for Tessa, and hoping to set aside his latest nightmare.
Maypenny had pancakes and sausage on the table when Dan appeared in the kitchen. “Sit down, Daniel. You’ll need the energy.” His tone brooked no argument, so Dan did as ordered, helping himself to a pancake and a couple of links.
Maypenny shook his head and doubled the amount of food on his son’s plate. “It’s going to be a long day searching through those caves. Eat.”
Dan nodded, forcing down the food, bite, chew and swallow, falling into a mindless, mechanical rhythm.
Author Notes
Thank you to both my editors three (MaryN, WendyM, SusanS), and to all of you who have hung in this long, reading. I appreciate you one and all.
Was anyone surprised about Carlton? I know I was. I hope you liked his reappearance. He may be back later in his Miles incarnation.
Dan’s dream. Interesting? After all, he ‘knew’ when Tessa was injured in the bus/train crash, and he ‘knew’ something was up when she was in danger over the summer. Irish intuition? hmmmm.
Pagers were big among gang members/drug dealers in the eighties. Or so I’ve heard, having been neither.