THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

says it was a family emergency.”
    “Where? Let’s go get them,” Kasey said, her voice filled with frustration. “Why are we still here?”
    “She doesn’t know where they went. But Kasey, the neighbor said the little boy’s name is Jake. He’s been here since September. It’s him. It’s got to be him.”
    “Oh, Kasey,” Riley whispered.
    Kasey tried to force her confused emotions to cooperate. A million questions floated through her head, but none of them made it to her lips. She covered her face with her hands.
    “She said he’s healthy,” Von told them. “He’s fine.”
    “It’s him. It’s really him?” Riley asked.
    “He’s safe. He’s alive, and she said he’s okay? I’ve prayed for this moment.” Kasey wiped tears from her face. “I want my son back. Why did she take him?” Sobbing, she choked on the words.
    Riley shook her head. “There are some nut-job people in this world.”
    “I don’t want my son with a nut-job!” Kasey squeezed her eyes tight.
    “I didn’t mean that,” Riley said. “I’m sorry.”
     
    While Von updated Kasey and Riley, Phipps went back to ask Doris Moon about a few more details.
    “Sorry to bother you again, Mrs. Moon—I mean, Doris. Do you have a key to Ms. Braddock’s house?”
    “Why, yes, I do have a key. We have each other’s. You know, just in case.”
    “Would you mind letting us in? I can get a warrant if you’re uncomfortable giving me access without one.”
    She hesitated, but only for a moment. “I suppose it wouldn’t be a problem—if I went with you.”
    “Thank you.”
    The woman slipped her feet into a pair of bright green gardening clogs that were on the floor next to the front door, then led the way next door. Her steps were short and swift, leaving a trail in the dewy grass. She slipped the key into the door and opened it, stepping aside to let them in.
    Four police officers spread out into different rooms of the tidy house. Especially tidy for a house with a four-year-old boy living in it. Doris stayed by the door as the officers opened drawers and checked trashcans for any hint as to where the woman had gone. Phipps hit the caller ID list on the telephone and wrote the last ten numbers on his notepad. The last call was from UNKNOWN CALLER. He hit *69 to see if the number would replay. No luck. No address left behind, and no notes next to the phone.
    The policemen filed out of the house and it wasn’t long before Phipps cruiser was the only one left. Phipps helped Doris secure the house, and walked her home before joining the others in his car.
    “I’m sorry.” Phipps put his arm on the back of the seat and turned to Kasey. “I know this has got to be hard for you. We’re on your side. We’ll follow every lead to find your son. I promise.”
    “I hope you won’t mind keeping me in the loop every step of the way,” Von said.
    “Not at all. I can definitely do that.” Phipps looked at his list. “I’ve already put an APB out on the car. I don’t think she knows she was made at the Walmart, so if she was naïve enough to use that credit card once, hopefully she’ll use it again.” He looked up from his notes and turned toward Kasey. “Von already updated you on what the neighbor said?”
    Kasey nodded.
    “We’ll find them.” Phipps radioed the dispatcher and asked her to schedule a drive-by check of the Braddock house for the next week. “Mrs. Moon said she’ll call and let me know when they come back, but we’ll keep an eye on things, too.”
    Phipps started the car and took his disappointed passengers back to the Walmart.
     
    Silence reigned during the drive from the Walmart back to the hotel. Von went to get ice and sodas from the vending machine. Kasey and Riley went back to their room.
    “More waiting.” Kasey got into bed and crawled under the covers, fully clothed.
    Von came back in the room and flipped on the television and his laptop. Riley closed the door between the rooms and crawled into bed next to Kasey.
    “I wish there was more I could do,” Riley said. She lay there, wide-awake, wishing and praying that this nightmare would end.
    After Kasey fell asleep, Riley got up and tiptoed into the other room. Von hunched over his computer, reading something on the screen. She stepped behind him and rubbed his shoulders. “What do we do now?” she asked.
    He reached up and patted her hand. He lifted her palm to his lips, kissed it, then squeezed her hand closed. “Love you.”
    “I