The Heritage Paper

Chapter 52



Veronica drove as fast as she could, but her children just kept getting further away.

Her lone saving grace was that Eddie was on the heels of the SUV as it sped down Bedford Ave. And he was likely doing police things she would’ve never thought about—make and model, calling for backup.

She wasn’t sure why she even kept driving—she would never catch them. And what would she do, anyway? But she’d keep going until her last breath. It was get to Maggie and Jamie or die trying.

Her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number—probably one of the local politicians bugging her again with the election nearing. She had no plans to answer, but then she got the crazy idea that Eddie might be using a different phone. Or maybe it was the kidnappers demanding a ransom. She changed her mind.

“Hello … hello.”

No reply.

She was about to hang up when she heard the voice on the other end. It was muffled, but she recognized the voice.

It was Eddie!

Strangely, he wouldn’t answer her, but was talking to someone.

“Do you have them?” she heard Eddie ask.

Who had who? Was he talking to the kidnappers? Had he called her on a backup phone to put her fears to rest?

“I better not see a scratch on them,” he demanded. “I’m sure they are scared—tell them to be calm and their Uncle Eddie will be there soon.”

Thank God for Eddie—the protector. Her fears momentarily calmed, but then things changed.

“Maggie can be such a baby!”

“Listen, make something up. Tell her that Veronica is on her way. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Veronica couldn’t breathe. She felt like she’d been punched in the stomach. There had to be a mistake.

She drove as fast as she could to Underhill School. Eddie obviously didn’t know she was listening. Someone else must be helping her.

She skidded to a stop in the back of the school’s parking lot. In front of her was a man curled up in a puddle of blood.

It was Youkelstein.

She spotted Jamie and Maggie in the back of Eddie’s car. Their faces were pressed up against the window. They saw her—Maggie was screaming “Mommy!” at the top of her lungs. She was scared.

I’m coming!

“Eddie, stop!” she shouted.

He rolled down the window of the police car. “Get out of here, Veronica—you don’t understand.”

He was right—she didn’t.

“What’s going on!?” she desperately called out.

“One day you’ll understand. The children will be safe. I promise you I will keep them safe,” he said, as he drove away.