Category: Mystery/Suspense Publisher: Up At Midnight
ISBN-10: 990958922
Pages: 207
Copyright: 2007,2015
ISBN-13: 9780990958925
Someone knows Savannah's secrets and they're using them against her.
Her six year-old niece is abducted and the kidnapper sends Savannah racing against the clock finding clues to the girl's location. The bizarre scavenger hunt plunges the detective into uncomfortable situations, painful childhood memories and facing her most terrifying fears.
When she discovers the identity of the abductor, Savannah realizes that without a miracle, neither she nor Lindsey will survive the night.
Excerpt
The petite brown-haired imp skipped around the playground by herself singing “It’s A Small World”. The last of the children had either walked home or been picked up soon after the last bell, leaving her all alone in the schoolyard.
Beneath the thick pink coat with a white fur collar, she wore a pink t-shirt declaring, “I’m the Big Sister”, jeans and a pair of Keds Fairy Tale sneakers. The silver and red rhinestone charms on the toes glittered in the sun as she played hopscotch on the sidewalk.
He could recognize this child as well as her family now. He knew her habits, her food preferences, her favorite toys. She lifted her head, giving the playground another glance for her parent’s car. He did the same. Seeing no one around, he slowly began the short trek to her. Little Lindsey Prince, the darling of Mrs. Grady’s kindergarten class. Mostly a quiet child, Lindsey’s personality blossomed outside the classroom and verged on effervescent around those she knew – and he intended to acquaint himself with her just fine.
He’d stood around the corner of the building for twenty minutes, watching her and checking his watch to ensure neither Seth or his wife arrived to pick up their daughter. After seeing Seth, he knew he never wanted to tangle with him. The burly ex-army major stood well over six feet and owned a successful self-defense studio. Women flocked to his place like swallows to Capistrano. No doubt because of his defense techniques but also his good looks. His military background still played a distinct role in his life by his demeanor and appearance but he melted like hot butter when it came to his kids. He’d avoid tackling Seth at all costs because he wasn’t the target.
Seth’s wife Leah worked as a nurse at Grady Hospital. She wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes either and the little girl skipping around the playground was her spitting image. For weeks he’d memorized the parent’s schedules until it was second nature. Today was his only chance. On Thursdays Seth worked late and his wife’s shift always ran over by thirty minutes or more. Glancing one last time at his Timex, he made his decision.
He strode toward Lindsey now, calling her by name. The little girl swung around, the singing stopped. Instantly she reverted to the shy, wary youngster he’d observed for weeks. She began walking back to the school doors. He had to stop her or lose his only chance, “Your daddy sent me to pick you up, honey.”
She didn’t respond but kept walking. He tried mentioning her father, “You’re a smart little girl. Seth taught you well not to talk to strangers but I’m a friend.”
The mention of her father’s name made her pause. She glanced back at him over her shoulder. He moved closer, “See, I do know your daddy. We were in the army together,” he lied.
Still, she showed no signs of warming to him but she’d already broken one important rule Seth reminded her of every morning. After school, stay inside the building until you see Mama’s car or mine. Maybe Lindsey would break just one more rule… “I just got back in town and he wants you and me to meet him at Aunt Georgia’s house. We’re all going to have pizza later.”
Bingo. Lindsey’s face brightened and she turned to him, “Aunt Savannah too?” He bent down to her and swept her long, dark waves behind her shoulders, “Aunt Savannah too.” He had to admit the kid was cute with her turned up nose and big brown eyes that sparkled at the mention of her aunts. He knew mentioning the two women would excite her. The two spoiled Seth’s kids rotten.
He noticed Lindsey’s brow drew downward. She must have sensed something wrong. He was losing her and that couldn’t happen. She was a means to an end for him. Once he had her, then he had Savannah – and that bitch would pay. For years he dreamed of hurting her like she had him. For months he’d meticulously planned. This year the Prince Thanksgiving table would be, at the very least, minus one person. Maybe two. When he finally trapped Savannah, he’d make sure she remembered him – just before she died. By the time he was finished with her, they’d all remember him.
Before dinner invitations were extended and long before Thanksgiving meal preparations, the family would place flowers on the graves of their dearly – and recently – departed loved ones. The image of it made him smile but first on his agenda was convincing little Lindsey to come with him. He gentled his voice, “You look a lot like Savannah. Pretty as a picture with that long, dark hair and that smile.”
The corners of her mouth lifted slightly as she shifted from one foot to the other, “You know Aunt Savannah too?”
He laughed, “Of course I do. Your Aunt Georgia too but Savannah was always my favorite.” He congratulated himself on thinking quick. With a little more work, he’d convince Lindsey to come with him and what the hell, he might even spring for pizza after all. He tweaked the girl’s nose, “So what do you say? You wanna go pig out on pizza with Daddy and your aunts?”
To his dismay, she frowned again. What did it take with this kid? Scrubbing her sneaker toes in the dirt, she sulked, “Mama won’t let me eat pizza.”
“Well, this is a special day and your daddy promised you can eat all you want and since Savannah’s buying dinner, you don’t want to hurt her feelings, do you?”
A definite shake of the head followed. So the kid was even closer to Savannah than he thought. He extended his hand to her, “Let’s go relive the old times with Aunt Savannah. I’ll make sure we have her complete and undivided attention.”
Lindsey easily plopped her hand into his. Her fingers, little and warm, grasped gently at his palm, signifying acceptance. He curled his hand around hers, his voice gentle as he began her favorite song, “It's a world of laughter, a world of tears, it's a world of hopes, and a world of fears, there's so much that we share, that it's time we're aware, it's a small world after all…”
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