Misty Lake: Book One in the Misty Lake Series (23 page)

22

Sean McCabe stayed Saturday night, Jake Sunday night. Riley stopped by during the day on Sunday and spent most of the afternoon there under the guise of checking out the damage to Sam’s shop and giving her an idea of what would be needed to repair the exterior. Sam knew Jake had told him to come over so she and Susan wouldn’t be alone. Nothing more happened at Sam’s and there was no sign of Zach.

His cell phone records showed calls and texts to one number almost exclusively. The number belonged to a teenaged girl from Minneapolis. Jake had asked the Minneapolis police to go to the address listed on the account but they had found the house empty. After talking with neighbors, they had learned the family that lived there was on vacation, apparently staying with family out of state. They were working to use cell phone records for the other family members to try to locate them but so far hadn’t had any luck. Since the girl Zach had been communicating with wasn’t the missing person, the phone company needed a search warrant to provide detailed information and that would take until Monday morning. Tensions were running high and by Monday the few words that were being spoken in Sam’s house were sharp ones.

Sam hadn’t gotten any work done on Sunday, finding that even her shop couldn’t provide a distraction, so she was looking forward to the arrival of the camp van. She had been worried Project Strong Start wouldn’t let the kids come back after all that had gone on, but Jake had called Tom and had assured him he would have extra patrols around Sam’s house. Jake had also explained his belief that the person after Sam wouldn’t approach when there were so many people around. Everything to this point had indicated someone afraid of being seen, working under cover of darkness or when there was clearly no one home. Sam had been grateful for Jake’s help and had called Tom herself to thank him and to discuss further safety measures for the kids.

She was worried about how the kids’ moods would be affected by Zach’s absence and guessed they’d have questions she couldn’t answer. Finally, Stu pulled in her driveway. She saw the concern on his face and saw him take in the charred siding before he spoke.

“Sam, how are you doing?”

“I’m okay, Stu. It wasn’t the best weekend I’ve ever had but I’m okay.” Turning to the kids who were also all staring at the fire damage she said, “Hi, guys. Head inside, I’ll be right there.”

“I feel just awful about everything you’ve had to deal with. You don’t deserve this,” he said sadly.

“Thank you. I hope it’s over soon but I’m more concerned about Zach. I wish he’d show up. I just can’t help but worry something terrible has happened to him.”

“You don’t think he’s responsible for this?” Stu asked gently, pointing toward the shop.

Sam let out an exasperated breath. “No, I really don’t. I know something was going on with him but never had any indication he was angry or resentful, that he had any kind of problem with me. I can’t come up with a reasonable explanation for him doing something like this.”

“Then I’m sure you’re right about him.” Stu looked around then asked, “Are you alone here today?”

“Yes, Susan is working, but there’s nothing to worry about. Nothing has ever happened during the day and when I’ve been nearby.”

“Well, that may be but I think I’ll just wait right here for the kids. I’ll call over to the camp and let them know I’ll drive the van back once they’re done.”

Sam opened her mouth to argue then decided to just accept the offer to help. “Thank you, Stu. Go inside, help yourself to coffee or whatever you’d like.”

“No, I’ll just stay put,” he said firmly.

With her emotions so close to the surface, Sam could barely mumble her thanks and give Stu a quick hug before she had to turn and rush into the shop so he didn’t see the tears that were threatening.

She stepped quickly into the adjacent room in order to have a moment to compose herself before facing the kids. The last thing she wanted was for them to see her on the verge of tears. They needed strength and confidence right now, she knew. Her plans were thwarted, however, when she stepped into the workroom to find the kids all seated, projects and tools set neatly in front of them, and all quietly waiting for her instruction.

She was overwhelmed by their gesture. Most mornings she had to almost shout over the racket to get their attention and then spend several minutes telling them to do the same things she told them to do every morning before she had the sort of cooperation she was seeing right now. She blinked furiously to keep the tears at bay and took a few deep breaths before daring to speak.

Rather than ignore everything that had happened since she had last seen them and wait to see what kind of questions they asked, as had been her original plan, she decided they deserved whatever explanation she could give them.

“You guys are awesome,” she began. “Thank you for getting everything ready and organized so quickly. As you noticed, there was some more trouble here over the weekend. Someone started a fire outside on Saturday evening. Luckily, we noticed it soon and were able to call the fire department.”

“Who did it?” Jimmy demanded.

“I don’t know. The police are working on it and I’m sure it won’t be long until they find the person who’s responsible.”

“Did anyone get hurt?” Mario asked.

“No, everyone is fine. No one was inside here when the fire started. The fire department got here quickly so there wasn’t even that much damage.” Sam wanted to downplay the incident, didn’t want them to worry.

“Do the police think it was Zach? He’s missing, you know.”

“I know, Jimmy, but no, they don’t think it was Zach. They’re just worried about finding him to make sure he’s okay.”

Jackson looked skeptical. “He was acting really weird. He could have done this.”

“Why do you say that? Did he tell you something before he disappeared?” Sam prayed Jackson knew something that might help find him.

“Nah, he never said anything but he was even weirder than usual. He was jumpy, wasn’t paying attention to anything or doing anything except texting. It was really strange when he went swimming, he’d never done that before.”

He must have had it planned, Sam decided. It made her feel better, in a way, made it seem likely he was trying to get away. She hadn’t been able to shake the fear that he had drowned even though Jake had told her the water rescue team had done a thorough search of the lake.

“Well, I don’t think he did it. I think maybe something has been bothering him but I’m sure he didn’t do this.”

When they all stayed quiet she said, “Should we get started? This is our last week, I want to make sure you all finish everything.”

As they worked, Sam walked around and talked to each of them individually. There were a few more questions, some more concern expressed about Zach. She did her best to answer and reassure.

Stu was reluctant to leave her alone when the class was over. “I’ll drop them off quickly then come back for a while. I don’t have any plans this afternoon.”

“Please don’t worry, Stu. Riley McCabe should be here soon. He’s picking up some materials to repair the outside of the shop and will be here this afternoon to do the work.”

He didn’t like it but agreed. “Okay, but you be sure to get inside and wait for him there. I don’t want you outside by yourself. Please be careful, Sam,” he added with a solemn look on his face.

“Promise,” Sam answered with a smile.

When they drove off, she ducked into the shop to straighten up and get Rigi before keeping her promise and heading for the house.

He watched the van leave and knew she was alone. He knew the schedule well so had only waited a few minutes, hidden behind a large oak tree and well out of sight. Once he was sure the van was gone and wasn’t coming back, he darted across the clearing to the shop where he had seen her go.

The door creaked slightly as he pushed it open and he heard her gasp as she whirled around to face him.

Sam heard the door and her heart thudded wildly in her chest. Not knowing what to do, she grabbed a hammer from the bench and spun around. “Zach!” she said, shocked to see him standing in front of her.

Competing thoughts raced through her mind. He couldn’t be here to try to hurt her, couldn’t be the one responsible for all of the hatred played out on her property. But then why was he here? He looked scared, almost crazed, as they stared at one another. He took a step toward her and she couldn’t help herself, she jumped back.

She saw the hurt creep into his eyes and immediately regretted her action. Still uncertain but determined to give him a chance, she carefully replaced the hammer and asked, “Zach, are you okay? Where have you been?”

“I need help. I had to wait until the van was gone or I know you would have sent me back to camp but I can’t go back now. Please, will you help me?”

The words came out quickly and he was nervously shifting from one foot to the other almost as if he were getting ready to run. Trying to calm the both of them Sam answered, “I’ll try to help. What’s wrong?”

“It’s Chelsea. My girlfriend. She’s…” he looked around, seemingly unable or unwilling to look Sam in the eye. “She’s having a baby. Now. She’s alone. I don’t know what to do.”

Once the words were out, his shoulders seemed to slump and he stared at the floor. “Oh, God, Zach, where is she? I can call for an ambulance.”

“No! She’s scared, doesn’t want to go to the hospital, she’s afraid they’ll call her parents. I didn’t know who else to ask.”

“Her parents don’t know where she is? Do they know she’s pregnant?”

“They kicked her out when she told them,” Zach said angrily.

Sam wanted to help, was struggling to make sense out of the story. “So, she lives around here?”

“No, no,” Zach said, clearly getting frustrated. “She came up here because I was here at Project Strong Start. She found an old cabin, she’s been staying there.”

Things were starting to fall into place. Zach must have been leaving camp to see her, to try to help her. The girl must be terrified, alone and a baby coming. Deciding quickly, Sam said, “Okay, Zach. Let me go grab my keys. Get in the car, I’ll be right back.” 

Running for the house with Rigi, Sam tried to think. She knew nothing about delivering a baby, the very thought terrified her. On the drive, she would try to convince Zach to let her call the police, to get some help. He’d have to agree, the two of them couldn’t possibly give Chelsea the help she’d need. She got Rigi into the house, grabbed her purse and keys, double-checked that her cell phone was still in her pocket, and wracked her brain. What else? Should she grab some bottled water, blankets, a basic first aid kit? She had no idea what she’d find when she got to the cabin. Making a quick decision to take a few things with her, she turned and dashed for the kitchen, almost tripping over Rigi who, sensing her distress, was circling her feet.

She never saw him, just ran headlong into him. His arm came around her neck and he put a hand over her mouth. She couldn’t see his face, just heard a rough voice. “Quiet! Not a sound or you’ll leave me no choice but to use this.” He waved a gun in front of her face. Every muscle in her body tensed. She struggled wildly to free herself until he put the gun up against her head and shouted, “Stop!”

Sam froze. Her heart pounded and her breath came in ragged gasps. She couldn’t get her mind to focus. She needed to get to Zach, to get to Chelsea. Who was in her house? Oh, God! Had he hurt Zach? she wondered. No, she reasoned, there hadn’t been time, she had just left Zach. But maybe he had someone with him? Maybe someone else had Zach? Oh, please, let Zach be okay, she prayed.

“Are you listening?” he demanded. Sam realized he had been talking and she had no idea what he had said. She nodded her head, trying to turn away from his stale, boozy breath.

“Good. You listen carefully. I’m going to take my hand away and you’re not going to make a sound. Got it?”

She nodded again. Slowly he lowered his hand and Sam gulped in air feeling as though she had been underwater. He loosened his grip enough for her to move away slightly and turn around. She didn’t recognize the man. He was dirty, disheveled, and had a messy, overgrown beard.

As if reading her mind he said, “You don’t remember me, do you?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t,” Sam whispered.

“My dad let all you spoiled brats use our beach, our boat. He used to think it was so fun when all of you were here. ‘Go play, Richard,’ he’d tell me. As if I wanted to play with you and your cousins. You always thought you were better than me. Do you think I didn’t know you were laughing at me? Now, you don’t even remember me.”

Richard Anderson, Sam thought to herself. One of the neighbor kids they sometimes played with when they spent time at the lake. He had had a brother and a sister, she remembered. His father would sometimes take them for tube rides behind his boat, let them fish off his dock. He had been a nice man, friendly with her grandfather. She couldn’t recall any tension between them and Richard, she only remembered having fun, occasionally all getting together to play night games.