Читать книгу Christmas Bodyguard - Margaret Daley - Страница 10

Slade clenched the receiver. “You’ll regret ever having messed with me and my family.”

Click.

His gut churned. Leave my daughter alone. Come after me instead, coward. The words—ones he’d wanted to tell the person on the other end of the line—shouted through his mind.

He slammed down the phone, then almost immediately grabbed it back up and punched the number for his security chief. After telling him about the call, Slade said, “See if that number can be traced. I need information. Now.”

When he finished talking with him, Slade dialed the numbers for Dawson Academy. Four rings later—an eternity—a woman in the main office answered. “This is Slade Caulder. I need my daughter located and brought to the office. There has been another threat. I’m coming to pick her up.”

“Yes, sir.”

He surged to his feet as he replaced the receiver in its cradle. Scooping up the files and some other papers he needed, he shoved them into his briefcase and strode toward the door. To keep his free hand from shaking, Slade squeezed it into a tight fist and stabbed the down button on the elevator with his knuckle. When he got his hands on the person behind this, he would regret ever threatening his daughter.

The scent of coffee wafted to Elizabeth as she entered her uncle’s house, the place she called home when she stayed in Dallas. Bosco, her terrier mix, raced from the kitchen, jumping up on her, his tail wagging. His greeting never changed whether she was gone hours or weeks. She scooped him up and cradled him against her, barely able to confine his wiggling body.

Ah, it was good to be home—even if she was turning around and leaving today.

Again, she drew in the coffee aroma, savoring the smell that lured her toward the kitchen, where she knew Uncle Joshua always had a pot on the stove. Coffee was a mainstay for them both, especially when she was working. Right now, she needed a lot. Kyra had called her into the office before she’d had her usual four cups in the morning.

Uncle Joshua sat at the table with his mug and a Sudoku puzzle in front of him. He glanced up when she crossed to the coffeepot and poured herself some of the dark brew. “I was hoping I could talk to you before I had to leave, Beth.”

Joshua was the only one who called her that. Every time she heard him say Beth she was reminded of how important she was to her uncle—and how important he was to her. He’d saved her life and pulled her back from the edge of despair. After her ex-husband had left, she’d had to grow up fast. And then when she’d been mugged, it had been a wake-up call, forcing her to see that she needed to take control of her life. Joshua had shown her how to do that. It was Joshua who showed her how to stand on her own two feet, and she hadn’t depended on another person since then.

“I heard from Kyra you’re working for Slade Caulder, too.” After setting Bosco on the tile floor, Elizabeth poured some coffee in her mug and cradled it between her palms.

“Yeah, I just got off the phone with him about half an hour ago. I’ve agreed to be his bodyguard and do a security assessment. I’m due out at the ranch in an hour. He said his daughter might be in danger, too. Are you going to be her bodyguard?”

Elizabeth plopped into the chair across from her uncle and took a long sip of the hot drink while Bosco leaped into her lap and curled into a ball. “Yes. It looks like we’ll be working together for the first time.”

“Is that gonna bother you?” Her uncle’s hazel eyes bore into her over the rim of his mug.

“No, why should it?”

He shrugged. “I thought my presence might make you nervous. If that’s the case, I’ll bow out and refer Mr. Caulder to someone else. It’s not like I’m wanting for work.”

Chuckling, she scratched her dog behind his ears. “You’re busier now that you’re retired than when you were a police captain.”

He grinned. “Must be my charm.”

“More like your connections and skills. If you can make Slade’s house a fortress, it’ll sure make my job easier. I’ll feel like I’m on vacation.”

“Already on first name basis with the man?” A gleam appeared in his eyes.

“The man asked me to call him Slade. That’s all.”

Her uncle held up his hand. “Hold on there, little one. You’re mighty touchy this morning.”

“One cup of coffee this morning wasn’t enough.”

“Oh, then that explains it, since it’s almost noon. Drink up and I’ll fix you a sandwich. I imagine you have to be at the ranch today, too.”

“At two.” She swallowed several more sips of the best coffee in Texas.

Joshua withdrew some turkey, Swiss cheese and lettuce from his refrigerator. “I think this will be a hard case. A ranch isn’t the easiest place to secure, especially with people coming and going. That’ll keep us on our toes. Might be a 24/7 job.”

She grinned, giving him a wink. “I’m tough. I can take it.”

Joshua studied her for a long moment. “Yes, you can now. You’ve come a long way.”

“Thanks to you.”

“That’s what family is for, to help.” Her uncle slapped together two turkey sandwiches.

“It is?”

His long strides covered the distance to the table quickly. He sat his large frame in the chair opposite hers and slid her plate across to her, then bowed his head and blessed the food.

His mouth twisted in a frown as he stared at her. “I should have realized Walt would mess up being a father. I should have been there for you.” Elizabeth knew Joshua still felt guilty for the years of estrangement from his brother that had kept him from building a relationship with his niece sooner.

“You were when it meant the most to me.” Elizabeth pinched off a small bite of turkey and gave it to Bosco before putting him on the floor.

“I have a lot to make up for.”

“No, you don’t. My dad was a lousy father, but I made it. I’m fine now. That’s what counts.” After another swallow of the caffeine-laden brew, she added, “I thought we decided long ago not to talk about the past. It’s over with, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”

Joshua picked up his sandwich. “When you were in Phoenix, did you see him?”

“No. That’s the way he wants it.” So did she. Her father’s dominance all through her childhood had smothered her. She’d never been able to please him, and he’d made it clear she was a disappointment to him. He’d put her down so much that when Bryan started doing the same thing, she’d struggled to retain a sense of herself.

“Ever since your mother died, Walt has gotten worse.”

“I don’t need my father. I don’t need anyone.”

“Everyone needs someone. God didn’t make us to go through life alone.” After taking a bite of his food, he washed it down with some coffee.

She wasn’t really alone. She had Joshua and, more important, the Lord, because Joshua had led her to Him. Another thing she was grateful to her uncle for. “I’m starved. I missed your cooking when I was gone,” she said, wanting to change the subject of conversation. Her father was in her past. She only looked forward now.

“I get the hint.”

She savored her sandwich. The past ten weeks on assignment protecting a woman who was always on some weird diet had caused her to drop five pounds—five she didn’t need to lose. She was glad her usual clients were children.

She’d nearly finished her lunch when her cell rang. Bosco barked at the sound, sitting nearby and staring at her bag. Leaping to her feet, she retrieved her phone and answered it.

“This is Slade. I’m heading to Dawson Academy because I received another threat to Abbey at the office. A call on my private line. The school just phoned to tell me that they can’t locate Abbey. It’s lunchtime, and the students are scattered all over campus outside. I know she could be there somewhere, but I called Captain Dickerson to update him on the situation. He’s sending someone to meet me at the school.” Worry drenched his every word.

The beat of her heart slowed to a thud. “I’m not far away. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

As she slipped the cell into her pocket, she picked up her purse and started toward the front of the house.

“What’s wrong?” Joshua followed with her dog at his heels.

“Abbey’s missing at school.”

“I’d better come, too.”

At the door she pivoted and petted Bosco goodbye. “No, get to the ranch and make it safe. I’m hoping it’s nothing. It’s lunchtime and a beautiful day. When I went to school, we spread out all over campus for lunch. I gather from what Slade said that Dawson Academy is the same way.” She began to turn away but paused. “Oh, and will you pack a bag for me? Once we locate Abbey, I’ll be glued to her like she’s my new best friend.”

“Will do.”

Elizabeth hurried toward her car. Lord, don’t let anything happen to Slade’s daughter. Please protect her.

Slade pulled up to the school behind a patrol car and hopped out. He jogged to catch up with the two officers heading up the steps to the front entrance.

At the double doors into the school he said, “I’m Abbey Caulder’s father, Slade Caulder. Thanks for coming.”

“The captain filled us in on what has been going on with the threats,” the older police officer said. “I’m Sergeant Gibson.”

Slade entered the school behind the sergeant with the other policeman taking up the rear. After explaining who he was to the security guard and getting a laminated visitor badge, Slade quickly made his way toward the office to the right. The first thing he noticed when he came into the room was all the activity. The principal, Mr. Hartley, was on his cell, a frown on his face, nodding.

Slade headed for the man, whose expression indicated that Abbey hadn’t been found yet. Slade’s heart pounded so hard he felt breathless. When the man clicked off, he asked, “Have you found Abbey?” Fear caused a raspy edge in his voice.

The principal glanced at the officers, then directed his attention to Slade. “No. The security guards and some of the teachers are searching the grounds and having the students come inside early. They should be heading to their next class. The teachers have been informed and have returned to their classrooms.”

“Have you made an announcement over the PA system?”

“No. Most of the students aren’t in the building yet. They were spread out because of lunch.”

Anger and frustration surged through Slade. He gritted his teeth and started to count to ten. He made it to three. “Make an announcement for Abbey to come to the office. Maybe she’s in the building by now.”

The man paled. “I’ll do that, then make another one in five minutes.” He moved toward the counter to the left.

“Slade, have they found Abbey?”

He spun around and saw Elizabeth threading her way toward him through the crowd in the office. The sight of her brought a momentary wave of relief. “No.”

The announcement instructing Abbey Caulder to report to the main office blasted through the building.

When Mr. Hartley returned, Slade said, “I would like to search, too, with Ms. Walker here.” He gestured toward Elizabeth, who stood next to him.

“Fine. Our assistant principal can accompany you.” Mr. Hartley waved toward a middle-aged woman who joined them. “Mr. Caulder and Ms. Walker will join the search for Abbey. Please accommodate them any way you can.”

Sergeant Gibson stepped forward. “In the meantime, I want to talk to the head of your security, Abbey’s last-hour teacher and any of her friends you can locate.”

Slade followed the assistant principal out of the office, aware of Elizabeth a few feet behind him. If anything happened to Abbey… The thought chilled him. Exigency spurred him to quicken his pace as swarms of students began entering the building, jamming the hallway.

“Let’s check her next class first,” the assistant principal said and headed down a corridor to the left.

Slade scanned the faces of the kids. A sense of urgency charged the air. Slade kept surveying the people as he passed them. No Abbey. Each passing girl that wasn’t his daughter made his heart pound a shade faster, hammering him with a fear he’d never experienced before: of losing his child. He forced air into his oxygen-starved lungs.

The assistant principal stopped at a classroom and spoke to a teacher standing at the door as students filed inside.

The instructor shook her head, then peered at him. “Abbey hasn’t come inside yet. I’ve asked a few of her friends if they have seen her, and no one has.”

“Thanks.” He barely got the word out between parched lips.

Sweat beaded his brow. The press of people all around him prodded the fear forward to dominate all physical responses. He surveyed the students near him. His gaze latched on to Abbey’s best friend zigzagging through the crowd.

“Lily, I need to talk to you,” he shouted over the noise of the teens in the hallway.

The sixteen-year-old looked wide-eyed from him to Elizabeth, then to the assistant principal. “Mr. C, why are they looking for Abbey?”

“I came to pick up Abbey. Do you know where she is?”

Her eyebrows knitted together. “Is something wrong? The security guards are looking for her, and now we’re having to come in early.”

“She’s needed at home right now.” And maybe for the rest of her life. I don’t want to let her out of my sight. His heart continued to throb against his chest.

“We were supposed to meet for lunch in our usual place, but she didn’t show up. Has something happened at home?”

For a few seconds, words clogged his throat. He swallowed several times before he could speak again. “When was the last time you spoke with her?” he asked, ignoring Lily’s question because he didn’t really have a good answer.

“Right before our last class. I have algebra. She has English.”

“Was she okay?”

“She didn’t say anything, but I could tell she was tired.”

“Thanks.” He gave Lily a smile and began to turn away.

“Did something happen to Mrs. Bradley? Mr. C, what’s going on?”

That was a good question—another one he didn’t have an answer for. “Mrs. Bradley is fine. But I’ve decided that Abbey shouldn’t have come back to school so soon after the accident.”

He didn’t give Lily a chance to ask any more questions. He dove through the mass of teens and approached Abbey’s fourth-hour teacher. Taking a card out of his pocket, he scribbled down his cell number. “I’m going to keep looking for my daughter. If she shows up, please let me and the office know.”

“Of course, Mr. Caulder. I hope everything is all right.” The teacher’s own apprehension seeped into her voice.

“So do I,” he said, then turned toward the assistant principal. “Did anyone check with the school nurse? Maybe she wasn’t feeling well. This was her first day back since the wreck.”

“I’m sure the nurse heard the announcement and was alerted when the teachers were, but I’ll call right now and check with her.” The woman stepped away and took out her cell phone.

“If she isn’t at the nurse’s office, where else might she go?” The calmness that coated Elizabeth’s voice spoke of a person who dealt in intense situations and kept her composure throughout.

He could use some of that calmness right now. He thought of all the times he should have spent with his daughter—not working to drive away the memories of Catherine’s death. “Abbey is involved in cheerleading, basketball and drama.”

“Why don’t we check those places next?” Elizabeth asked as the assistant principal returned.

“Abbey isn’t at the nurse’s office.”

Slade’s gaze coupled with Elizabeth’s. “Then let’s go to the gym.”

It took them ten minutes to scour the gym and locker rooms. No sign of Abbey. Slade left the gym complex, trying to hold on to hope that Abbey was all right, that somehow she hadn’t heard the announcement. He clutched his cell as though having it in his hand would make it ring with news that his daughter was safe.

“Let’s check the drama wing and then go back to Abbey’s next class,” Slade said to the assistant principal.

The woman escorted them down the long hall that led to the drama classroom and the area behind the stage. Most of the students were inside their classrooms by now, with only a few stragglers. Teachers were encouraging them to go to class immediately. Concern marked the faces of the people he passed.

Elizabeth fell into step beside him. Why didn’t he get a bodyguard right after the wreck? Why did he think it was a hunter? If Abbey was kidnapped it would be his fault. How could he live with that? “If Abbey isn’t here, I’m going to have the police bring in more officers. Nothing can happen to her.”

“When we find her, I’ll do my best to protect her.” Although Elizabeth’s words were spoken with a hard edge, her expression softened as she looked up at him.

A tough exterior meshed with a kind heart. He saw it in her eyes as he held the door to the drama room open for Elizabeth. She exuded confidence by the way she carried herself. To look at her a person would never think she was a bodyguard, and yet since he’d been around her, he’d gotten the distinct impression she could take care of herself in many tough situations.

Students were seated in the large drama classroom. The assistant principal walked over to the teacher to speak with her while Slade let his gaze travel around the room, fastening on each teenager there. Slade held his breath and finally released it in a rush when he saw the teacher frown and shake her head.

“She’s not here,” he murmured to Elizabeth, who scanned the area, checking out every nook and cranny. She shook her head at his words.

“We should still look everywhere. Backstage is a huge place—or at least, it was when I was in school.”

“Backstage? Why would Abbey be there?”

“Does Abbey have a boyfriend?”

Slade went cold. “What are you implying?”

“She’s a teenage girl. I have to think of all possibilities.”

“No, she doesn’t have a boyfriend that I know about.” But what if she’d kept one secret? It wouldn’t have been difficult to hide. The past few months he’d lived at the office, finalizing the unveiling of a new product. He should have been home discovering what was going on in his daughter’s life.

“One of my jobs is to ask tough questions. Ones you might not want to hear.”

The assistant principal approached. “She’s not here. Let’s go back to her fourth-hour class before we head to the office.”

His gaze connected to Elizabeth’s, Slade said, “First let’s go backstage and make sure she isn’t there.”

“But she—”

The glare he sent the older woman halted her words. “Humor me.”

“Fine.” The assistant principal led the way through a long corridor that ran behind the stage and opened a door.

“What’s back here?” Elizabeth asked as the woman switched on additional lights.

“There’s a room where costumes are stored. Props and pieces of furniture are housed over there.” The assistant principal flipped her hand to the right.

Some of the furniture overflowed the storage room and was stacked along the wall. “I’ll look in there,” Slade said.

“And I’ll check the costume room.” Elizabeth started toward the left.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

Slade froze for a few seconds before he pivoted toward the voice. He closed the space between them in three long strides and clasped Abbey’s arms. Pulling her into his embrace, he hugged her tightly to him. She was okay.

“Dad, I can’t breathe.” Wiggling out of his arms, she backed away a few paces and tilted up her face to peer at him.

“Abbey, where have you been?”

Confusion marked her expression, but something more, too. Her brown eyes held a lackluster look. A pallid weariness highlighted her features. “I was tired. I thought a nap at lunch would help. I set my alarm on my watch to wake me before my next class.”

“Why didn’t you just come home? I’d have picked you up if you weren’t feeling well.”

“I didn’t want to go home. I don’t want to miss the last play practice before Thanksgiving weekend.” She dropped her head. “And I wanted to see my friends. Go to the game tonight.”

“We’ll talk when we get home.”

“Home? But I want to stay.”

“That’s not an option, Abbey. I came to school to get you. There are some things I must talk to you about.” A conversation he didn’t want to have at all and especially not in front of the assistant principal.

Abbey glanced at Elizabeth and frowned. “What’s going on?”

“This isn’t the place to discuss it.”

“Is Gram all right?” His daughter’s voice rose, fear pushing the confusion and exhaustion away.

“She’s fine. Let’s go to the office and check you out.”

“I’ll let everyone know Abbey has been found.” The assistant principal withdrew her cell again and placed a call as they headed to the main office.

“Who is she?” Abbey asked, tossing her head toward Elizabeth.

“Abbey, this is Elizabeth Walker, a friend of Kyra Morgan.”

Abbey’s features pinched into a deeper frown as though that didn’t explain anything. “Kyra? I haven’t seen her in a while. Why—”

“Hon, I’ll explain everything later. Let’s go home.”

Abbey came to a halt just outside the main office and faced him. “What’s going on? Why are the police here?” She pointed at the two officers visible through the large plate-glass window, talking with the principal.

The ringing of his cell gave him an excuse not to answer. Instead, he faced the empty hallway they had just come down and answered the call from the ranch, glad for the interruption. “Slade here.”

His housekeeper’s frantic voice came over the connection loud and clear. “Mr. Caulder, there’s been a break-in.”