“I wasn’t going to say that at all.”
“I went out there, shouted and screamed at the gate, like a madman, I’m sure.”
“Did you get in?”
“Nothing happened, that’s just it. I couldn’t get through the gate and nothing came over the squawk box, just complete, utter, stony silence. I've never endured anything like it.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Come with me. You’re a police officer, they’ll have to let you in.”
She shook her head. “No they won’t, not without a search warrant, Walt.”
“Then get one. We have to do something!”
She touched his arm. “I understand how upset you are, but believe me it isn’t helping. Come in, let me make you something to eat, at least a drink.”
“I don’t want a drink, I want you to help me.”
“I’m trying to do just that, Walt.” She sighed. “No judge will give a search warrant. How long has DeeDee been missing? Are you sure she’s at the estate? She could be lots of places. Why would well-known, law-abiding citizens hold her against her will? And what was she doing at the estate in the first place? Have you and your wife been having marital problems? Is she under a doctor’s care? Are you taking any medications? Need I go on?”
He stared at her a long moment. “I am being foolish, not helping Doreen a bit. I’m usually calm, all together in crises. I take pride in it.”
“You’ve never had your wife held captive before.”
“Is there nothing we can do?”
“Not at the moment, I’m afraid.” She shook he head. “You have a plan to rescue Jamie and his mother tomorrow. I know it’s hard to wait, but you can rescue DeeDee, too.”
“Yes.” He even managed a smile. “I think I’ll take that drink now.”
The vodka-rocks helped, or something did, for his agitation lessened and he became aware of his surroundings. Lupe wore faded jeans and a splattered shirt. “I’m interrupting your work.”
“Not really. I’m refinishing an old icebox. I work at it whenever the spirit moves me. Right now I’d rather talk to you.”
“What’re you going to do with an ice box?”
“I’m not sure. I bought it at an estate sale. I thought I might put books or CDs in it.” She looked a little flustered. “I’m having a salad-you know, suffer for the bod.”
Ordinarily he would have had an answer for that. Clearly he still was not himself. How could he expect to be? Doreen was gone, perhaps never- Stop! Don’t even think it.
“I could fix you something else.”
“I’m not hungry, really. You go ahead.”
She picked up a salad bowl, wine bottle and glass. “Let’s go out on the patio, it’s nice this time of day.”
He followed through a dining and living room, then a den. Her house was small, but he had a sense of both comfort and style. Great care, even love, had gone into each item. They reached a terrace bedecked in dozens of potted plants. Visible beyond in the fading light was a small and vibrant garden. Lots of roses.
“You’ve made yourself an oasis, haven’t you?”
“I do sometimes think of it as an island.”
“Your island, inhabited only by you, your refuge.”
She gasped. “I hope I’m not keeping anyone out.”
“I’m sure you’re not.” He smiled. “Your home is definitely you, Lupe, you’ve done a beautiful job.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve created the home you never had. Is it the one you always dreamed of?”
“Heavens no, that’s a palace.” Now she laughed. “I’ll never be rich enough for that.”
They sat at a glass and wrought iron table. He sipped his drink, while she dug into her salad. Their silence was comfortable, a good sign of friendship.
Finally she asked, “Have you and DeeDee always been as much in love as you are now?”
He was silent for a time, looking away. “You do ask tough questions.” Again he was silent. “Were we in love, sure, no doubt of it, but there was some tension. We were so different, opposites in many ways.” He hesitated. “Then our parents, both sets, died…rather close together. Doreen and I became closer after that. “
“How did that happen?”
“Oh, we both realized how short life is. No sense in wasting it in spats and disagreements.” He smiled. “All of a sudden my foibles and bad habits became charming and her foolish vanities made her more endearing. It wasn’t a conscious decision, but both of us started to treat the other with genuine affection, as though we were courting. Too bad we hadn’t done that all along.”
“At least you arrived at it.”
He finished his drink said, “I’m suddenly very tired. I think I’ll go home.”
“Will you be able to sleep now?”
He nodded. “Thanks to you.” She walked with him to the door.
“What time does the rescue take place?”
“The dinner’s at eight. Guests should start arriving about six or so. I should think we’ll do our thing around seven or a little after.”
She nodded. “That’s when I’ll arrive.”
“To do what?”
“You have made a formal complaint about your missing wife, have you not?” She smiled. “I’ll have to go out to the Kinkaid castle, make inquiries, see if they know anything.”
“May I kiss you?”
“On the cheek. I’ll get too excited otherwise.”
24: The Longest Day
“When Uberreich comes up with the food tray, maybe the two of us could jump her and escape.”
“I thought of it, Mandy, but it won’t work. Even if we did overpower her, where would we go? Escaping the house and grounds is impossible, especially with a small boy. I’m sorry.”
“I guess you’re right.”
“We just have to wait for Walter’s plan to work.” She sighed. “He sounded so awful, screaming for me out at the gate. I just hope he heard my reply and didn’t worry all night.”
“I’m sure he heard you.”
“I don’t know. These walls are pretty thick.” She looked up. “And that window is over my head. I should have stood on a chair to call out.”
Jamie woke up and went immediately to his toys.
“At least one of us doesn’t mind this confinement,” she said.
“So it would seem, but he needs sunlight and fresh air.”
“He’ll get it. They can’t keep us here much longer.”
“Are you sure? Sometimes I think they’ll kill us.”
“I’m not sure, Mandy, they couldn’t.”
“They killed Harry, didn’t they?”
DeeDee made a face. “I hoped you wouldn’t think of that.”
“With Harry gone, there’s no one to miss me. I have no family. My mother is in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s and doesn’t know me when I’m there. I could disappear, Jamie, too, and no one would notice.”
“Cyn Wu.”
“She could say something, but nothing would come of it. I’ve no ties, no roots.”
“Stop it, Mandy. You’re scaring Jamie. And none of it is going to happen. I have a husband, children, grandchildren. Lots and lots of people know me and miss me already. My roots are deep. I’m sure Dragon and his lady are already trying to figure out what to do with me-and thereby with you. They’re in deep doo-doo.”
Mandy sighed. “I hope you’re right.”
“I know I am.” She played with Jamie a few minutes. “When this is over, I hope I can have some role in his life. He’s a wonderful boy.”
“He has only me. Even if he gets a father some day, he’ll need a grandmother and grandfather.”
DeeDee beamed. “Thank you, Mandy, it’s so nice of you.”
“First chance I get, I’m declaring you and Walter his Godparents.”
The lock in the door rattled and Uberreich came in with breakfast. Apparently she had thought about being attacked, too, and brought one of the Ninjas with her. He emptied the chamber pot and trash and brought fresh water. There was a lot of glaring all around, but not one word was said.
After breakfast, DeeDee climbed on a chair to look out the window. “All I can see is the sky and tree tops. I need something higher.” They moved the table and she climbed up on it. “That’s better. Now I can see the gate and part of the grounds.”