Her GPS indicated the first named felon on the list was north of town. At the third stoplight heading north on US 1 she noticed the white Toyota SUV following her.
She took a sharp right turn to convince herself, and indeed the SUV turned with her. Her first impulse was to speed up, but at that point she was interested in who it might be. Her safety didn’t seem a real concern there in the bright Florida sunshine. She pulled over to the curb.
The SUV driver stopped in the lane. Then he realized he’d been spotted and pulled over behind her. Her convertible’s top was rarely up but fortunately, it was that day. Her doors were locked, but she pushed the lock button to hear that satisfying click again to be sure. She kept the car in gear and watched in the mirror as the driver walked up to her car. A nice height, slender, and about her age. If he lost that ridiculous baseball cap, he might even look appealing. He appeared far from menacing, more like a tourist in her opinion.
As he came up to her car she said, “You were following me.”
“Damn right I was.”
That didn’t come out as rough as he intended. He didn’t appear as though he wanted to be angry. She lowered her window. “And?”
“You’re the one who’s causing all the commotion!”
“My grandmother used to say commotion. She’d say, what in tarnation is all that commotion? Unfortunately, I’m the only one who
“Kevin Olin. You phoned me and said she was missing.”
“That’s right.” Sandy started frowning. “Hey, I phoned you late yesterday. How’d you get down here so fast? Where were you when you answered my call?”
“At home, in Athens.”
She had a disturbing thought. “I don’t think you could drive down here that fast. Maybe you were already here when I phoned. Maybe you already knew your daughter was missing. Maybe you already know everything.”
“What are you accusing me of? I leave my house early this morning. I drive down here and find out you’re the problem.”
“You must have friends and family around here, you lived here at one time. You must know people who would take in Jamie for a while. Look, if you have her, tell me now.”
“Why would I take my own daughter?”
“Maybe it’s a custody battle. Maybe you know what’s going on and it’s to protect her.”
“So if I’m guilty of all that then I’m a bad father?”
“Considering your ex, it probably means you’re a good father. If you snatched her, I think it’s great. Your secret is safe. Just tell me so I can start sleeping at night and I’ll stop leaning on the city and county police.
“Look, all I have to say to you is back off, get uninvolved. And stay away from me.”
“Wait, I’m sorry...I’m pleased you came down. You sound like an okay guy. How did you find me?”
“Abby said she once phoned you at that lawyer’s office. I followed you from there.”
“You could have just walked in and said hello.”
“You’re not to be trusted, according to her. You started the entire problem. Everything was fine until you showed up.”
“Hey, if Abby said that, it must be so. Your ex-wife’s judgment is pretty reliable, huh? I hadn’t noticed. Yes, I’m a troublemaker. Just like those pesky police who are always nosing around bothering criminals.”
“But you’re responsible for Jamie being missing. You talked to her and got her involved.”
“I talked to her to help. This mess started when Abby shot Toby. That would have happened without me being around.”
“She’s says you’re not police and you’ve nothing to do with anything and no business sticking your nose in.”
“That was before I met your daughter. Someone has to look out for her. You and your ex certainly aren’t doing it. Sounds as if you’re feeling guilty for not being down here for her.”
“That’s not fair. I’m down here twice a month. More often when the turtles are active. I wanted full custody but didn’t get it.”
“The turtles?”
“You’ve never gone to a moonlit beach to watch one of those prehistoric sea turtles nesting, or baby turtles hatching? Fascinating. You might have to wait until two a.m. before the first turtle sightings occur so prepare yourself for a long wait, but definitely worth it. I’d really like to go to the Galapagos Islands. Ever been there?”
“Been there? I can’t even pronounce it.” So he has a nature lover side to him. That’s okay. “Let’s start over, Kevin. Get in. We’ll talk.” She pushed the door unlock button. By the time he walked around and got in they both had settled down.
“Does Jamie like you?” she asked just to start the conversation.
“Of course she likes her daddy. What kind of question is that?”
“I didn’t know. I didn’t get a chance to discuss it with her. Okay, any friend of Jamie’s is a friend of mine. If she likes you, then I like you.” She had no reservation in saying that.
He appeared a bit on the shy side and she didn’t yet know if he had a brain. If she were at a dance, she’d have been watching him, and if Mr. Nice Guy came near, she’d do that little flirty thing she could do with her eyes. When he got closer, she’d stand, try hard to blush, and say, “Oh, me? Yes, I’d love to.”
“You’d love to what?” He looked at her.
Geez, did she say that aloud? “Ah...love to meet Jamie’s dad.”
“Sorry, I came on strong. I guess I don’t really know the situation. Thank god you called me.”
“Take off your cap.”
“My cap? Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize gentlemen must remove their hats in your presence.”
That was quick, she thought. Maybe there’s hope. “No, I just wanted to see your cap.” She didn’t, she wanted to take a look at his hair. It was dark brown and lots of it. “What’s the emblem on the cap?”
“EMT, I’m a paramedic up in Athens...you know, ambulance stuff and all that.”
“You like that gig?”
“Pay’s nothing. Especially in Georgia. I flunked out of pre-med. I want to go back.”
“Okay, I forgive the cap.”
She explained the situation. Her background with Abby. All she knew so far about Jamie’s disappearance. They agreed to team up and search for her. He knew some of Abby’s background, her family, and friends. He’d contact them to see if they had any information on Jamie. Meanwhile, she’d keep trying to locate Toby whatshisname. They exchanged phone numbers.
“Does Abby work? How does she support herself and Jamie?”
“I pay child support. And she has some rental income. Her dad used to live in a condo in West Palm Beach. Cheap when he bought it, but since then the value has shot up. She inherited it from him. It rents for an unbelievably high amount. There’s no mortgage on it, so I guess she makes out being a landlord. I don’t know what else she’s into.”
“How nice for her. I guess I was misled by Jamie as far as her suspicions about her mother being into Internet porn.”
“Porn? Oh, my god, what are you talking about?”
She explained what Jamie had told her. “There is no proof whatever. Just my suspicion and I might be wrong. I heard Jamie acts out sometimes and is prone to exaggerate.”
“Who told you that?”
“You know, she’s made some false police reports and such.”
“Probably not false. Like when much younger, Jamie was lost in the mall and Abby kept on shopping without her. Jamie found a police officer. Abby claimed it was a prank. Said Jamie was with her all the time, saw the policeman, and ran over to him. This kidnapping is the last straw. I’m going back to court and try to get full custody of her again.”
“You had full custody once? Why did you give her up?”
“Long story, I’ll explain later. We’re wasting time. I need to start looking for my daughter. Why don’t we meet last thing today?”
“Super. We could have a drink.” She was glad she thought of that. “You don’t know how pleased I am you
