Calculated Revenge (6 page)

T
he next morning, Noah got out of the shower to hear the phone ringing. Who would be calling this early? A crisis with Laney? Something at the school? He hastily wrapped a towel around his wet body, hustled into the bedroom, and grabbed the extension.

“You’re really starting to tick me off, Ryder,” a familiar voice growled.

Burns. Had he found out already that Noah had taken Laney’s case? How? He hadn’t told anyone yet but her, and she wasn’t about to go blabbing her business to her favorite FBI agent. “Feel free to tell me what’s on your mind, Burns.”

“That’s Supervisory Special Agent Burns to you, pal.”

Noah could answer,
and I’m Principal Ryder to you,
but he wasn’t into one-upping. “Are you still in town?”

A beat of silence followed. “On my way back to headquarters in Minneapolis. But we’ve got our finger on the pulse back there.”

“Never doubted it.”

“The sheriff tells me you called in a favor and got some dope on that electrician who’s missing. I thought I told you to stay out of the investigation.”

So that was it. Of course, Hank would have been obliged to share the information with the federal agents. “Thank you would do fine.”

“We’ll take it from here, so don’t get any big ideas.”

“Have at it.” Noah used the towel on his dripping hair. “The quicker this perp is caught, the better.”

“We’re on the same page with that idea, but let the professionals do their job, Ryder, and you stick to minding the kiddies.”

“That’s my plan,” Noah answered.

Just wait until Burns caught wind of how aggressively he intended to play the protective role where Briana and her mother were concerned. The guy would hit the moon, but there’d be nothing he could do about it. Grinning, Noah hung up the phone.

A few minutes after he arrived at work and before the pre-school madhouse got into full swing, he was on the phone to Laney.

“’Lo.” Her voice sounded groggy.

Noah mentally smacked himself. Here he’d given her time off, and he wasn’t letting her sleep in. “Sorry to wake you up.”

“No worries.” Her tone came back more alert. “My body clock has been trying to get me out of the sack for a while now. I keep resisting because I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“That’s understandable. I’ll keep this brief, and maybe you can catch a few more z’s before the little princess demands your attention.” Noah leaned back in his office chair. “I spoke to our friend Burns this morning, and he’s on his way back to Minneapolis.”

Laney snorted. “Did you tell him that you’re on our case?”

Noah laughed. “He was fuming that I’d discovered that stuff about Glen Crocker before his office did, so I didn’t say anything to add fuel to the fire. If he contacts you, don’t feel the need to confess. Let the guy find out some other way, and let me take the heat.”

“Agent Burns doesn’t scare me.” Her voice went steely. “I’m not a child anymore.”

No, indeed, you’re not, Lovely Laney.
“I noticed how you
held your own with him the day he showed up. Just don’t invite trouble. Okay?”

“You got it. Say, one more thing.” She paused on an audible breath. “Would it be all right for me to come to the school on Friday after class lets out for the year and set my room in order? You know, get it ready for a fresh new school term?” Her words were bright, and the tone held hope, but she had to be wondering if she’d be decorating that same room come fall.

“That’s a good idea. You need to come anyway for the teacher bash.”

“The what? Oh, yes, Ellen mentioned something about staff bringing in a potluck of treats and getting together after final bell. Do you think they’ll want me there after all the bother and danger I’ve exposed them to? And I’ll have to bring Briana along.”

Noah’s heart melted. How could she think she wouldn’t be welcome? He hadn’t heard anyone complain about bother or danger. The sentiment was squarely on her side. “Laney, your coworkers will be disappointed if you don’t show. And Briana will be the life of the party.”

“You got that last one right.” Laney laughed.

“Mommeeee!”

The child’s call carried to Noah from a distance.

“There she is now,” Laney said. “I’ll let you go and talk to you later.”

“Sure, we’ll stay in close touch.” Noah cradled the receiver.

Sounds from the outer office reached his ears. Miss Aggie had arrived. He went to the door and poked his head out. “Good morning.”

His cheerful greeting earned an assessing stare. “You’re here early again this morning.”

He shrugged. “I had some things to take care of.”

Miss Aggie humphed. “Wouldn’t have anything to do with the one teacher who will be absent today?”

“As a matter of fact,” he offered her a sly grin, “I took her case.” His staid assistant let out a whoop. “I’ll take that as approval.”

She sent him a mock scowl. “It’s about time you came to your senses, young man.”

He leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. “How did you know about me?”

“Remember the Bobby Gray case—little boy you restored to his mother from a deadbeat father?”

Noah nodded. That case had been one of the good ones with a happy ending.

A tiny grin stole across Miss Aggie’s lined face. “Bobby’s my great-nephew. I knew who you were the day you showed up to interview with the school board, but I kept my yapper shut. Figured if you wanted folks to know, you’d speak up. Since you’ve taken Laney’s case, soon the whole countryside will know, so you can quit stressing and get down to business.”

“You’re a peach, Miss Aggie.” Noah chuckled at the high color that stole across the older woman’s cheeks. “And speaking of business, I plan to escort Laney and Briana to her folks’ home in Louisville, Kentucky, the day after school closes. Would you be willing to handle those couple of weeks of post-school-year shutdown if I leave it in your capable hands?”

The woman drew herself to military attention. “If thirty years of working in this office means anything, I could pull it off with my eyes closed.”

“And one hand tied behind your back, no doubt.” He returned to his desk, laughing.

Now if he could just get through these next few days without seeing Laney’s lithe form and smiling face in the hallways.

Well before she reached the cafeteria, Laney could hear the sound of adult laughter and voices of the staff celebrating the end of another school year. Briana skipped up the hallway
ahead of her. Laney restrained the impulse to call her daughter back, so she could hold her hand when they entered the party. Would everyone stop talking and stare at them? After Gracie went missing, she’d experienced that reaction from people too many times. Her stomach tightened. How she hated reliving all these little experiences that she’d tried to forget.

Laney accelerated her pace and caught up with her daughter, who sent her a bright smile. Briana did love parties, and she was never intimidated by a room full of adults. It would be nice if Laney could say the same. They neared the door, and she inhaled a lungful of oxygen. Might as well get this over with.

They stepped into the cafeteria. The spacious room was half-filled with knots of chattering teachers, aides, office workers and other school personnel. At their appearance, Laney’s worst fear was realized. Heads turned, and a hush fell over the crowd.

Then Ellen burst from the pack and hustled toward them. “Finally, they’re here!”

Voices erupted in words of welcome as many surged toward Laney and Briana. Mouth hanging open, Laney was engulfed in a cheerful mob, and with Ellen’s arm around her shoulders, ushered to the serving end of the cafeteria. They stopped before a table laden with goodies, but her eyes widened on the centerpiece—a sheet cake with words written on it in frosting.

We’re with you, Laney and Briana!

A sob escaped Laney’s throat, then another and another. Through tears, she barely recognized all the people who hugged her. She did miss one though—Noah. He stood on the fringe, smiling, but made no move to approach. Their gazes met, then his figure was blocked by a pair of male shoulders. She received a quick, tight hug, then looked up to see who had given it.

Pierce grinned down at her. “You’re a popular lady. As you can see, no one’s getting scared away from you by the boogie man.”

Laney’s mouth worked into a smile. Pierce meant well. If only this threat were really a figment of childish imagination. “How did you get out of driving bus this afternoon?” She didn’t add,
What are you doing at a school staff party?
Ellen probably invited him. Her gaze found her friend standing nearby, and the dear, meddling woman had the cheek to wink at her.

Pierce shrugged. “It’s my weekend to drive, so I had this Friday off. Couldn’t think of anything better to do than lend my moral support to a special person.”

A genuine smile bloomed on Laney’s face. “I can hardly believe everyone’s kindness.”

“Come on.” Pierce motioned her to follow him closer to the cake. “Let’s get you the first piece.” He turned. “Oops! I think your daughter beat you to it.”

Ellen was ushering Briana past them toward a seat. The grinning little girl held a plate with a large chunk of chocolate-frosted marble cake perched on it. Her favorite! Laney shook her head. Ellen at work again.

Someone handed Laney the second piece, and then Pierce the third hunk. He took her elbow and escorted her at his usual leisurely pace toward the table where Briana and Ellen sat. He seated her, and then gave up his cake to the other woman at the table. The conspiratorial glance between the two wasn’t lost on Laney. Then he withdrew to go back for a serving for himself.

She dropped her gaze and dug into her cake. Maybe she should consider giving Pierce a chance. He had good manners. She glanced toward him returning with another slice of cake. He was an attractive figure dressed in a striped sport shirt, crisp slacks, and new-looking leather shoes. Plus he was kind and obviously interested—whereas, Noah pointedly lacked that last qualification.

Where
was
the school principal? Laney looked around the room. Her gaze found Richard Hodge, who stood on the fringe
of the festivities with his arms folded and the usual scowl on his face. Was he thinking about all the extra clean-up after this shindig? Or did he hate the love that was being shown to Laney and her daughter? Why would he feel that way about them? Hairs on her arms prickled. Hopefully, Noah could find something on him soon.

Laney continued to hunt for Noah, but didn’t spot him anywhere. He’d left the party. She set her fork down, appetite gone. Why did her feelings have to run so strong for a man who saw her merely as a school district employee and now a client in his newly resurrected profession?

“T
hat was a nice send-off the staff threw for you yesterday.” From the aisle seat on the airplane, Noah smiled at Laney next to him. He could still see the stunned look on her face when she walked into the cafeteria.

Laney’s color heightened. “I was totally humbled by the out-pouring of love and encouragement, despite the trouble I brought to the school. Cottonwood Grove has great staff.”

Noah nodded. “I think it’s fair to say you’re a well-liked team member. Hopefully, we can get this mess resolved soon so you can stay with us.”

“Amen to that.” Laney clasped her hands together. Then Briana claimed her attention.

They hadn’t taken off yet, and the little girl had her nose pressed against the window, absorbing the sights on the runway. Laney had said this was Briana’s first flight, and the child had been so proud, pulling her little princess wheeled suitcase to the gate and then onto the plane.

While Laney answered her daughter’s questions, Noah shifted in his seat, seeking a comfortable position. But he was too wound up to find ease on a feather mattress, much less an airplane coach-class seat.

He’d observed their FBI tail follow them onto the aircraft—
a stocky guy of medium height with dark hair and hard eyes set too close above a thin nose and thinner lips. If Noah didn’t know better, he would’ve pegged the agent for a crook. Developing a similar look as the scum they chased was a hazard of the cop trade. The agent sat across the aisle and several seats behind them. Noah hadn’t spotted anyone else following them, which is what he and the FBI had hoped would happen.

Frowning, he fidgeted with his seat belt as the engine revved up. He watched Laney out of the corner of his eye while she smiled and chattered with her excited daughter. They made an attractive picture.

Evidently, he wasn’t the only one in Cottonwood Grove who agreed with that assessment. He could have done without that city bus driver hovering around Laney yesterday. The guy had it bad for the special ed teacher. Couldn’t fault the man on his taste, though it would have been nice for Noah’s sour grapes if he could have added the driver to his suspect list.

Noah had ducked out of the party and called the city office. The route log indicated Pierce was delivering elderly riders to the senior nutrition site at the time the backpack was left on the playground. Of course, Noah didn’t blame the guy for knowing a good thing when he saw it. If attraction to Laney Thompson was a crime, they could lock Noah up and throw away the key.

Pretty soon they were taxiing down the runway, and then the plane left the ground. Briana squealed and laughed. Noah smiled and locked gazes with Laney.

“Not much scares her, does it?” he murmured to her. “Lots of adults are afraid to fly.”

She gave a thin chuckle. “She’s convinced God is watching over her.”

“And you don’t believe that?”

She sighed. “If anyone deserves a heavenly protector, Bree does. But then, I thought Gracie did, too.”

“It’s a puzzle, isn’t it? Why bad things happen to the innocent?” A pang struck his chest, and he looked away.

He’d seen too much of that sort of injustice. What was he doing putting his soul on the firing line for possible tragedy again? Then he looked at Laney, her dark lashes shadowing sea-blue eyes, and her mirror image daughter so vibrant and happy. This pair trusted him.
Dear God, please, don’t let me fail again!
He must be desperate. Here he was praying. His favorite motto used to be “God helps those who help themselves.” Unfortunately, he’d learned too well what helplessness felt like.

“What?” he said. Laney had asked him something, but he’d missed her question.

“You must have had some training to become an expert private eye.” She gazed at him expectantly.

Noah rolled his shoulders. “A little. After high school, I went to college and got a teaching certificate. Taught junior high math for a couple of years, but decided I wanted something with a little more excitement, so I went to the police academy.”

“You’re a cop?” Her eyes widened.

“I was. Spent two and a half years on the Minneapolis police force. Then a missing persons case came up that wouldn’t let me go. I worked on it in all my spare time, and when that wasn’t enough, I quit the force and took it on as a private case. After I solved that one, another case came along and then another and another, until—” He halted and cleared his throat. “Let’s say I finally realized that there was something to be said for a career with less excitement.”

Her lips flattened. “So you went back to school and got your principal’s license.”

“Good deduction.” He chuckled.

“But the ‘excitement,’” she bracketed the words with finger quotation marks, “followed you anyway. I’m sorry about that for your sake, but for ours, I’ve got enough faith to believe that
God put you in the right place at the right time when Bree and I needed you.”

The words struck him like a blow to the solar plexus. What about Renee? Where was the good plan then?

Laney breathed a deep sigh as they entered her parents’ cool and elegant home from the hot and stuffy outside. They’d made it to Louisville without incident.

“There’s my princesses!” her dad exclaimed, striding across the tiled foyer toward her and Briana. Noah trailed them with the luggage. Laney’s mom had picked them up at the airport while her dad tied up a few loose ends at work, then raced home to be on hand when they arrived.

“Grandpa!” Briana scampered forward, and Laney smiled as her dad twirled her in the air. His broad, sun-bronzed face crinkled into fine lines of delight, and his blue eyes danced. He smacked a kiss onto her forehead, then set her down and turned toward Laney with his arms open wide. She stepped into them and rested her head on his thick shoulder.

Settling into her dad’s warm embrace was coming home, even though the house wasn’t like the ones she’d known in Minnesota. This home had a single floor, but plenty of square feet to include a spacious foyer, a sunken living room, a deluxe kitchen, a formal dining room, three bedrooms and two and a half baths, as well as a screened-in sunroom. Plus it sat on the edge of a golf course—a dream home for a couple nearing retirement. Laney was glad for her father’s big promotion that would let them end their working years in style, even though she missed them now that they lived so far away.

“Come on in and get settled,” her mom said as Laney pulled away from her father. Her pretty, petite mother looked from Laney to Noah and back again. “Supper will be ready soon.”

Noah sniffed the air. “Whatever it is smells delicious.”

Laney’s mother beamed. “Thank you. It’s one of our little princess’s favorites—roast chicken and stuffing.”

“Oh, goodie!” Briana clapped her hands.

“Roland, why don’t you show Mr. Ryder to his room.” Mom nodded toward her husband. “Laney can take Briana and their things to their room while I set the table.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Dad flashed thumbs-up, then motioned toward their male guest.

“Call me Noah,” Laney heard him tell her dad as they went up the hall. She took her daughter’s hand and went in the other direction to a guest bedroom done in soft greens and mauves.

Fifteen minutes later, they shared the chicken dinner, and conversation remained light, but Laney intercepted sober looks between her parents. They must be on pins and needles to speak to Noah about his plans for the investigation. Briana’s presence kept the adults tiptoeing around the pink elephant lounging in the middle of the table. Except for Noah. He seemed to be in high spirits as he teased and laughed with Briana.

Laney noticed her mother’s assessing brown stare on Noah, weighing him for husband and daddy material like she did any male who came around her daughter. When her gaze switched to Laney, Laney’s face heated, and she looked away, but not before she caught the barest lift of her mother’s fine, dark brows. Great! As far as Mom’s eagle eye was concerned, she might as well have a neon sign stuck to her forehead blinking
I’m into Noah.

The evening wore on to Briana’s bedtime. Laney tucked her daughter in and came out to find her parents with Noah in the sunken living room. She descended the two steps onto the plush carpet and took a seat near them on a divan. Her parents sat together on the couch, holding hands. Their tense gazes never left Noah, who nodded toward her. He had a manila envelope on his lap and was showing them pictures of Eddie Foreman, Richard Hodge and Glen Crocker.

Her father planted big hands on his knees. “Nope. We don’t know any of these guys.”

“I’ve redone a background check on this guy that we hired to be school custodian at the same time as we offered Laney a teaching contract.” He showed Hodge’s photo. “No new information came to light. His former employers call him a quiet man with a negative disposition but an excellent work ethic and good skills.”

Loretta leaned forward. “Is it significant that this Hodge came on at the school at the same time as our daughter?”

“Sharp question.” Noah smiled, and Loretta’s pinched expression softened.

She must like Noah. Laney’s insides warmed. Her mother’s approval meant a lot to her.

“I noticed the coincidence, too,” Noah continued. “But if he’s our perp that raises the question of why he waited until the end of the school year to begin his terror campaign. I haven’t answered that one, but I did look into where he was at the time of Grace’s disappearance.” Noah cast a significant look at his audience.

“And?” Laney’s father rubbed his palms together.

“He was a teenage runaway with no known address. Basically, only he knows what he was doing from a period shortly before Grace’s abduction until at least a year afterward, when his traceable work record begins.”

Laney clasped her knees in her hands. “Where did he live before he ran away?”

“Near Hennepin Avenue in the heart of Minneapolis.”

Roland frowned. “Not a good neighborhood.”

Noah shook his head. “But that background might account for a dark outlook on life.”

“Anything else?” Laney’s dad prompted.

“I’m particularly interested in this one as a suspect.” Noah held up the photo of Glen Crocker, then glanced over at Laney.
“On Friday, my contact faxed me what little was in the record about an old, unclosed case.”

Laney’s parents exchanged questioning looks, and Noah filled them in about the electrician’s unexplained disappearance from Cottonwood Grove. “Turns out that sixteen years ago Crocker was accused of assaulting the fifteen-year-old daughter of a city councilman in Red Wing, Minnesota.”

Laney’s mother stiffened. “Red Wing is only a couple hours’ drive from Grand Valley.”

Her father frowned. “Now, Loretta, that doesn’t mean he was anywhere near our house the day Gracie went missing.”

“No, it doesn’t,” Noah agreed. “But the incident puts Crocker within easy driving distance and exhibiting a taste for young girls.”

Laney’s stomach twisted, and her mother clamped a hand over her mouth.

Her father smacked his thigh. “Didn’t this pervert get sent to prison?”

Noah shook his head. “He took a sudden trip to South America before the case could go to court, and stayed there until the statute of limitations ran out.”

“So Crocker never felt any consequences?” Her father’s meaty face blazed red.

“Unless you count seven years in Brazil as consequences.”

Mom rubbed a hand down her cheek. “Won’t they arrest this terrible man for Gracie?”

Noah shook his head. “There’s not enough evidence. Besides, he’s still missing.”

Laney’s father let out a husky snort while her mother wilted beside him.

“Maybe he went and got the backpack,” Laney said, “and left it for me to find. Then he dressed up and delivered the doll, and now he’s gone back to Brazil.”

Noah sent her a sober look. “Hank’s looking into that angle, but the taunts against you have been targeted and vindictive, which makes me wonder if Gracie’s disappearance was a personal vendetta.”

“You mean, not the random act of a stranger.” Laney crossed her arms. “We’ve been over that territory already. Nobody had it in for our family.”

Her mother bit her lip and studied the carpet, and her father’s face went hard and still.

“Our daughter’s right,” he affirmed. “I’ve never had so much as a business rival.”

Noah frowned, looking from one parent to the other. “Are you sure you never met Glen? Or maybe he had relatives in Grand Valley.”

Laney’s father shook his head. “There were no Crockers in Grand Valley. I’m convinced, as was the FBI eighteen years ago, that our daughter was the victim of a stranger abduction.”

“Okay.”

Laney bit her lip. Noah’s word put him in agreement, but his tone telegraphed doubt. Heat washed through her. How dare he imply that her folks might not be telling the truth? He obviously didn’t know them. The realization dashed cold water on her outrage, and she puffed out a breath. He’d acknowledge his mistake if he hung around her family for long. Wouldn’t that be terrific if he got that chance after this mess was sorted out? A little thrill tingled up her spine.

“Noah,” she said, “if any of us knew of a reason why someone would want revenge on our family, we’d tell you.” There, that came out much better than snapping his head off like she might have done a few seconds ago.

He sent her a small smile. “I have no doubt you would.”

Was the emphasis on
you
in that sentence? There she went again, being touchy about her family. This whole subject of
Gracie’s abduction made her skittish. The discussion was hard on everyone, judging by the strained looks her parents exchanged.

“Fair enough.” Noah set the file aside. “Loretta, Roland, I’d like to hear in your own words exactly what happened the day Gracie disappeared. No detail is too insignificant.” He pulled a pen and a small notebook from his shirt pocket.

Laney suffered through her folks’ rendition of events, not much different than her own, except from a parental point of view, rather than a child’s. Not a hint of blame came from their lips toward her. The unsolicited—and undeserved—generosity of spirit ate at her. Now could they not see that she’d been at fault? Instead, all she heard was their heartfelt gratitude that she had not disappeared along with Gracie.