Stranger in Town

CHAPTER 35





Cade and I were on our way back to the hotel so he could drop me off. The shock of what I’d just seen weighed on my mind. What the Kents had done was unforgivable, but I still felt a sense of sadness over the children they lost and the way their life had come to an end.

Several new theories crossed my mind. It was my opinion that Regina had sent the coloring pages to both parents over the guilt she felt about stealing another person’s child. She probably didn’t understand the impact of her actions. If she had, I was sure she would not have done it.

The kidnapper most likely had certain “rules” he expected the Kents to follow. One of those rules would have been having no contact with the former family. When Regina sent the coloring page to the Hathaways and the news of it leaked to the paper, it alerted the kidnapper that their agreement had been broken. Without knowing it, Regina had put a target on their heads.

I also wondered about the kidnapping itself—whether the Kents were in on it together when Olivia was taken, or if Bradley, distraught with his grieving wife, had contacted the kidnapper the first time himself. But I suppose none of that mattered now.

As soon as Cade backed out of the Kents driveway, he called the double homicide in, saying he’d received an anonymous call from someone who alleged they knew where the girls were. The chief was suspicious, asking several questions, but Cade stood his ground, and he was convincing enough for the chief to take him seriously.

After thinking it over, Cade decided it would be best if the feds arrived at the home thinking they were first on scene, having no idea we’d ever been there at all. Cade offered to drive up to the house, but the federal agent in charge got on the line, thanked him, and said, “We’ll take it from here.”

Of course they would. We intended to do the same.

Cade and I did our best to leave everything the way we found it, the bodies included. Not much time had passed since we’d arrived there, which I felt good about. Neither of us wanted to do anything to hurt the investigation. Within the hour, agents would be picking apart the place, piece by piece. I was anxious to know whether they’d discover what I had.

“The fact the girls weren’t there is a good sign,” I said. “Maybe they’re still alive.”

“Let’s hope so,” Cade replied.

“I think whoever took Olivia and Savannah found out about the page that was mailed to Olivia’s parents and probably saw it as some kind of violation of their agreement.”

Cade shook his head.

“I know you believe the Kents paid someone to take Olivia and Savannah, but we still don’t know for sure.”

“I think we do.” I opened my bag and pulled out the pages I copied. “I found a book hidden inside the fabric of a chair in Bradley Kent’s office. It contains the names of several girls along with their ages and prices.”

“And what are those?” he said pointing to the papers in my hand.

“Copies. I put the book back where I found it when I was done.”

“Names and basic information—that all?”

I shook my head.

“There’s one more thing—a phone number. I found it on the last page. It’s written in pencil, and on the light side, but I can still make the numbers out.”

Cade swerved off the road, jerking the truck to a stop.

“What are you doing?” I said.

He held his hand out. “Let’s try it, see what happens.”

“The number?”

“Why not? Who knows how long those girls have before somethin’ happens to them—that’s if they’re even still alive.”

I handed him the copied page. He glanced at it and then dialed. Once it started ringing, he put the call on speaker. The phone rang four times, then it clicked, and the line was quiet. A few seconds later, the call disconnected.

“It sounded like someone answered the call and hung it up,” I said.

“Then let’s try it again, so he’ll know we’re serious.”

This time it rang twice, and the same thing happened. Cade dialed a third time. It rang once and the line was silent, but the phone stayed connected.

“Hello” Cade said. “Is anyone there?”

“Who’s this?”

The voice on the other end was a man’s. It was raspy, like a life-long chain smoker who was now paying the price.

“I’m calling to inquire about your services,” Cade said.

“You’re lying.”

“I’m not. I have a proposition for you.”

“Cut the shit—who are you and how’d you get my number?”

“Who are you?” Cade said.

There was no response.

“I’m interested in two little girls,” Cade said. “Blond hair, ages four and eight. Can you accommodate me?”

The man remained quiet.

“Just tell me when, and where, and how much,” Cade said.

I wanted to grab the phone and scream into it, let the guy on the other end know how I felt about how he made his living. Remaining quiet required an amount of patience I lacked, but I didn’t have a choice—I couldn’t compromise the children.

“You still there?” Cade said. “Are you considering my offer?”

The phone disconnected, and the next several times Cade called back, it just kept on ringing.

“He’s shut his phone off,” I said. “Probably tossing it right now.”

“Maybe.”

Cade made a call to the department, asking someone to run the number for him. He was put on hold, and a few minutes later, the person returned to the line. They said something, and he asked them to look into it. Then he ended the call.”

“Anything?” I said.

“I got a name.”

“What is it?”

“Jack Sparrow.”

“As in Captain Jack Sparrow?” I said.

“I’m guessin’ so. And I’ll bet there’s no way to link it back to an actual person.”

I looked at him. “Try the number one more time.”

He called one last time. “Now I’m getting an out-of-service message.”

“Thought so,” I said.