Chapter 26

TWENTY-SIX

Ronnie made espressos when Rebecca and Jack joined us in the kitchen, and now we all sit around the table. I need something stronger but I need a clear head more. Rebecca tells Jack about the call.

I ask, "Who else knows we're trying to find your wife, Jack?"

"You went to the resort and spoke to several people. I've only talked about this with Sergeant Lucas and now you. I didn't even tell the private investigator about Vicki. But maybe she could have kept it quiet."

I ignore the dig. "What did the caller say, Rebecca? Exactly."

"They said, ‘Stop your detective friends from meddling or what happens to your mom will be your doing.' I demanded to talk to Mom and they said they would send us proof. What does that mean? Are they going to hurt Mom?" Rebecca's face is a mask of terror. "Did I do something wrong?"

She's challenged them and there's no telling how they will respond. I say to keep things calm, "It just means they're serious. They didn't mention a ransom or the note found at the resort?"

I say, "They just want us to stop what we're doing." I notice Jack looks away. "Your dad says the note is from your mom's brother."

Ronnie says, "I told Rebecca about Uncle Vinnie. She remembers the name."

Rebecca says, "Mom hasn't had any contact with our uncle that I know of. But she's never talked much about her family."

"I can promise you Vicki hasn't had contact with Vinnie," Jack says.

I ask, "Rebecca, you say the caller might have been a woman?"

"It was distorted, but that's the impression I had. Maybe the note and the call are from the same person?"

Jack says, "Not necessarily. It could be a coincidence. Vinnie is asking for money. The caller is wanting you to stop what you're doing."

I find it interesting that Jack doesn't include himself in this effort and says what you're doing and not we're doing. He still doesn't get it. "The resort's video system was shut off Thursday night and not turned on until your wife was gone. We have the note and now a call. This is too much for mere coincidence, Jack. Has anyone contacted you?"

He indicates no one has contacted him. He's got an attorney's face and gives little away. He's very convincing.

Rebecca asks a question that's bothering me too, "Why haven't we been contacted about a ransom?"

Victoria's been gone since Friday morning, maybe as early as late Thursday evening, and it's now Monday. A ransom demand has to be on the way. The sisters seem convinced their mom would have let them know she was leaving. Rebecca saying she felt her mom was trying to tell her something at the resort makes me lean toward the idea that she was going to tell Rebecca she's divorcing Jack. But there are two complications to that theory. The call from an unknown woman, and the note from a possible brother that has a drug and gambling problem. Taking these two incidents in turn it looks like the brother left the note for Victoria and when Victoria didn't do what she "promised" the woman, or brother, or both, kidnapped her.

The implied threat in the call strikes a personal nerve. I seem to draw violence to me like a black cloud brings rain. Those around me are targeted for my sins. Now this person calling Rebecca knows we're here. Knows I'm here. Knows I'm looking for them. Are they willing to hurt Ronnie's mom to stop me? Or am I giving myself too much importance? My heart beats faster and I feel a fist squeezing the breath out of me.

A dear friend, Monique Delmont, was murdered in a savage manner because of her association with me. She had helped me change my name, get through college, which resulted in my going to the police academy and ending up where I am. Recently, Dan was drugged and almost killed by the same psycho that killed Monique to send me a message. Both were collateral damage for a war they hadn't started. I can't be responsible for anyone else being killed because of me. For a moment I consider packing up and going home. But only for a moment. I know Ronnie will never stop. And I owe her.

Jack sips his espresso and says matter-of-factly, "This is best handled by the authorities now. Your clumsy involvement has jeopardized a peaceful resolution."

He looks at me when he spews this crap. The authorities he's talking about seem to have done nothing so far and it's two days since Victoria's disappearance. The police aren't even keeping Rebecca abreast of what they are doing. "Does Sergeant Lucas know about the note found at the resort?" I ask.

"We've discussed it."

It's strange Lucas wouldn't have brought this up when he was reading us the riot act. "Does anyone else know about the note?"

Jack calmly says, "I told you no. Do you think I'm lying?"

Yes. "That's not what I meant. I want to know how much of her disappearance is known so we can limit the suspects." That sounds good, and actually is true.

Jack looks incredulous. "So you're not going to stop what you're doing?"

Ronnie doesn't show any lessening of her resolve to keep going. I take my phone out and go outside. Ronnie follows.

"Who are you calling?"

The phone is answered and I put mine on speaker. "Sheriff, we need some help."

Tony's new chair squeaks worse than his old one did when he leans back. He's already ruined it. He really needs to lose some weight. "What can I do for you, Megan? I assume this has to do with Ronnie's family."

I mouth the words to Ronnie asking if it's okay to tell the Sheriff what's going on. She nods. "She's on the line with us, Sheriff. Do you know the sheriff of Whatcom County?"

"Yeah. Charlie Longbow. Full-blooded Lummi Indian."

"So you're friends?"

"I wouldn't go that far. He's a straight shooter. Good guy. Why?"

I fill Tony in on the situation with Ronnie's mom without telling him everything. I tell him about the lack of enthusiasm shown by Sergeant Lucas and his threats to send us packing—or worse, to arrest us for interfering in an investigation.

"You need me to put in a word to Sheriff Longbow?"

"Yes." Get Lucas off our backs.

"Are you looking to be deputized so you can legally work on this?" Tony asks. His tone of voice says it's never going to happen.

"That would be great." I would ask Sheriff Longbow myself but I think he would have laughed in my face.

"I'll call him. Can I do anything else?"

"I'll let you know. Thanks."

I put the phone in my pocket, and Ronnie asks, "And what if Sheriff Longbow won't deputize us, Megan?"

"We'll wing it."

"Like we always do. Right?"

Rebecca comes outside. "It's almost noon. Dad said I should take you to lunch. We have no staff, and I don't cook. And no one can make espresso except Ronnie."

Say what you like about Jack Marsh, he takes care of his guests' appetites. I hadn't realized how quickly the morning had passed, though the rumble in my tummy should have given me a hint. Some detective I am.

I can relate to Rebecca's lack of culinary skills, though I do make a mean pack of Ramen noodles. "I could eat pizza. Do they deliver here? Or does the driver need a background check to get in?"

Rebecca gives a nervous chuckle and I can see she's barely holding herself together. Going to eat is a great distraction.

"I'm taking you out for a sit-down meal. Dad wants to stay here in case we get another call or Mom comes home."

"Good idea." I didn't want to eat with him anyway. I hate to be a downer, but I don't hold out hope Victoria will walk in the door.

Rebecca asks, "Do you like oysters, Megan?"

"Who doesn't?" I've never had oysters. I've never deliberately swallowed snot either. Hayden tells me I need to try different things. Explore. Experience. He told me about some of the things he ate in Afghanistan. Described them in great detail until I told him "shoot me now." Hayden thought I was kidding.