Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

merciful that way. Besides, he couldn’t have the girl telling Beckett he’d been down there. But first he’d asked her what Beckett said when he opened the trap door and prepared to climb down. Her voice was faint and hoarse, but he’d understood every word.
    Did you miss me? The same four words he’d read in the obsession file.
    Apparently much like Mitch’s great-grandfather, Beckett was a sonofabitch who believed in not fixing what wasn’t broke.
    But Beckett’s fun was about to end. Ford would lead the authorities back here and they’d catch the perverted old goat. If they failed, Mitch would anonymously turn him in. I’m a bastard, but I’m not a monster . Beckett  . . .  he’s a monster .
    The clomping of Beckett’s boots on the step startled Mitch back into action. He put his fists on his hips and glared when the old man appeared with a filled laundry basket under one arm. He was fully clothed, thank God.
    ‘Beckett, I want to know how long ago he escaped.’
    His question was met with a shrug. ‘A couple hours. Maybe.’
    More like thirteen. ‘This is a disaster. Did the kid phone for help?’
    ‘He said the phone was dead.’
    He rolled his eyes. ‘He said . He said . Good God, man, I thought you had a brain.’ He went to the phone and lifted the ancient receiver. ‘It’s dead. Did you cut it?’
    ‘Hell no!’
    Mitch had done that himself, also the night before. ‘Then the kid did. Of course he called for help first. He’s not stupid.’
    ‘He couldn’t have called for help. The law woulda been here already.’
    ‘We can kiss the ransom goodbye. At least he didn’t see my face.’
    Beckett paled. ‘We need to find that kid.’
    ‘Yeah, you’d better. Because I’m not going to jail with you, old man. I don’t care if you and my grandpa were joined at the hip in ’Nam. You’re on your own.’ He walked to the door, turning back to point at Beckett. ‘You find him and shut him up.’
    ‘Which way did he go? Where did you find my truck?’
    ‘When you get to the end of the driveway, turn right. Do you have gas?’
    ‘Got a can in the garage.’
    Actually, no you don’t . Mitch had taken it last night. He’d carefully planned where he’d wanted Ford to run out of gas and had only left that much in Beckett’s pile of rust.
    ‘Good, ’cause your tank’s dry as a bone. Are we clear? You’re going to find him?’
    Beckett sneered. ‘He probably headed home to his daddy.’
    ‘Yeah, the daddy who’s a very wealthy judge who was willing to do anything to get his boy back.’ Half true. He’s wealthy anyway . He couldn’t see Travis Elkhart going to any trouble to get his kid back. Because Travis Elkhart was a pretty lousy father. ‘You just cost me a fucking fortune.’
    With that he slammed out of the cabin, got back in his van, and started the engine. Your move, Beckett . Make it a good one .
    Mitch’s next move would be the long drive home. He dreaded it. His back was killing him and he’d just be turning around to come back tomorrow. When Ford’s mother got word of where he was, she’d race up here to collect him. Beckett would be chasing the kid, trying to eliminate him, since Ford saw his face. If my luck is good, their worlds will collide . If my luck is stupendous, I’ll get to see it go down .
    Normally he’d just stay at the studio apartment he rented for the times it didn’t make sense to drive all the way home. He’d had a few of those over the months – especially the times he’d been courting Beckett, convincing the man that he and Mitch’s grandfather had been best buds in ’Nam.
    But he wouldn’t be staying there tonight. He had an early morning appointment with Cole’s guidance counselor. The kid better not be suspended again . I swear to God I’ll kick his ass , he thought as he turned the van toward home.
    Baltimore, Maryland, Wednesday, December 4, 6.30 A.M.
    ‘That is one large tree,’ Maggie said. ‘Da-yum.’
    Daphne looked at the tree over her coffee mug. ‘Mama needs it right now.’
    ‘I know, but still. How’re we gonna get a star on top?’
    ‘Ford can do it when he comes home.’ Daphne lifted her chin. ‘Because he’s coming home.’ I have to believe . Day two. This will be the day he comes home .
    She wondered how many parents of missing children thought the same thing. Day after day. How do they stand it? She was suffocating and it had been only one day. One long, horrible day. Except for the moments