Chapter 35
Thirty-Five
I t took everything Esther had to get through the school day on Monday. She’d contemplated staying home, but decided she needed the distraction. There was nothing she could do sitting around her house. But she’d been absentminded all day and not the kind of teacher she wanted to be for her students. Tomorrow, she’d stay home.
Which was why she was still holed up in her classroom, twenty minutes after the end of the school day, prepping plans for the sub. She’d talked to her principal during lunch and got the okay to take the next couple of days off. If things went beyond that, she could take more, but it put pressure on the substitute pool. And she might go stir-crazy sitting at home without anything to do.
“Hey, girl.”
Esther glanced up to see Liv in the doorway. She gave her friend a tired smile. “Hey.”
“I heard about what happened. I’m sorry I couldn’t get over here before now. It was one crisis after another today.” She wandered into the room and perched on a desk nearby. “And why the hell are you here?”
“Because I thought it would be better than sitting at home twiddling my thumbs.”
“Was it?”
Esther lifted a shoulder. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’m taking the next couple of days off, though. I wasn’t with it enough to teach well today. I’m just finishing up some lesson plans for the sub, then heading home.”
“Good. Do the police have any leads?”
“Some. But things are at a standstill until something pans out or something else happens.”
“I don’t want to think what that something might be.” Liv shuddered.
Esther didn’t want to contemplate it, either.
“Do you need anything?”
“No. My sister came up.” She didn’t mention Edie’s friends. It would just bring questions Esther didn’t want to answer. “And I have my folks. I’m okay.”
“You’re not, but I get that you’re trying to keep a brave face.” Liv heaved herself up, putting a hand on her swollen belly. “I’ll get out of your hair so you can finish your prep. If you need anything?—”
“I will call.” Esther smiled. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Liv waddled toward the door, pausing for a moment to glance back. “I hope everything works out okay. I like Asher. And Leah must be terrified.”
The emotions Esther had closed off knocked at the door. She pressed her mouth into a flat line and nodded. “Thanks.”
Liv gave her a soft smile, then left.
Esther blew out a breath, then sucked in another one through her nose, holding it for a second. She was tired of feeling like a train wreck. Another cryfest alone in her room was probably in order. This time, though, she’d probably do it in the shower. As much as she loved her sister, she didn’t want to share her emotions—just get them out.
Shaking off the melancholy, Esther dove back into her lesson prep.
As she neared the end—finally—her phone dinged. She paused to look at it. It was a text from Edie.
Are you almost done? You said you’d text and to give you half an hour, but it’s been forty minutes.
Esther tapped the screen and replied. Almost. You can head over. I should be done by the time you get here. Or shortly after.
Dots appeared on the screen, then, Sounds good.
Incentivized now, knowing Edie was on her way, Esther banged out the last bit of her plans and hit print. Pushing away from the desk, she left her classroom and went down the hall to get the papers from the workroom printer. With them in hand, she went back to leave a copy on her desk and get her things.
Double-checking she had everything and that her room was in order, she flipped off the lights and headed for the front doors, stopping in the office to leave a copy of her lesson plan in the principal’s mailbox, just in case something happened to the one on her desk.
“Hi, Esther.” The office manager, Nan, smiled when Esther walked in.
“You’re still here?” Esther held out her lesson plan.
“Only for a few more minutes. I had some things to catch up on. Is this your plan for the sub?”
“Yes.”
“Perfect. I’ll make sure Becky gets it.”
“Thanks, Nan.”
“Yep. Oh! I almost forgot.” Nan shuffled through the pile of papers on her desk. “I was going to stick this in your mailbox, then got busy.” She held up a white envelope. “A courier dropped this off for you earlier.”
With a frown marring her face, Esther took the letter. “Did they say what it was or who it was from?” She turned it over in her hands and saw a logo for an educational store in Coos Bay in the corner.
“Just that it was a promotional thing from that store.”
Esther sighed. “Now I’m getting junk mail at school too? That’s just great.” Chuckling, she waved it as she backed toward the door. “Thanks, Nan.”
“Not a problem. I hope you have a good evening despite—” She stopped and flopped a hand back and forth.
“Yeah. Me too.” Smile fading, she pushed a shoulder into the door and waved again as she left. Outside, there was no sign of Edie yet, so Esther sat on the bench near the entrance and opened the envelope. She did like the store and shopped there regularly for supplies. Maybe it was a coupon she could use on her next visit.
Except it wasn’t.
Esther’s blood ran cold, making her hands tremble as she read the typed lines on the single sheet of paper she’d unfolded.
If you want to see your friend alive, bring me Lindy. 2247 Sorrell Lane. Come alone. If I see anyone other than you two, he’s dead. I’m watching.
If there’d been any doubt in her mind that Bradley Lennox was involved, it had been erased with the use of Connie’s real name.
Her head lifted, and her gaze darted from one corner of the parking lot to the next. She stared at the shadows, wondering if someone was hiding.
If he was, she couldn’t leave with Edie. He’d know.
But how was she supposed to leave the school without a vehicle of her own?
Esther’s eyes tracked the sidewalk that eventually led out to the street. She’d have to walk. Get far enough away her sister wouldn’t see her when she drove in, then call an Uber.
She set off down the path, away from the school, nearly running in her haste to get out of sight before Edie arrived. She also wanted to see if someone truly was following her. The beginnings of a plan had formed in her mind.
Grateful she’d worn boots today and not regular heels, or even flats, she broke into a jog once she was out of sight of the school. Edie would come down the main road, so Esther’s plan was to duck into the adjacent neighborhood. There was a gas station on the other side where she could have an Uber pick her up.
All along the way to the intersection, Esther glanced back every few yards, but saw no one. If Lennox was there, he had mad tracking skills. She never caught a glimpse of anyone.
At the stop sign, she turned, dashing into the sea of ranch-style homes. Still keeping watch, she dug her phone from her bag and pulled up her rarely used Uber app. Hopefully, it wouldn’t take too long for someone to reach her.
She picked the type of car she wanted and typed in her pickup location. After a few more clicks, her ride was confirmed and on the way. She had twelve minutes.
Esther didn’t hesitate. With another look over her shoulder, she called Edie.
Her sister picked up on the second ring. “Where are you? I just pulled in and don’t see you.”
“I got a note. A courier dropped it at the school, and the office manager gave it to me on my way out. I’m supposed to get Lindy and take her to the address listed on the letter.”
A short pause came over the line. “Wait, what? The letter said Lindy? Not Connie.”
“Yep.”
“And he left you an address? What is it? Wait, hang on. I need something to write with.”
Esther heard some rustling, then a soft clatter.
“Shit. Stupid console… Sorry. I hit the bottom of my bag on the armrest and dropped it. I’m ready now.”
“Twenty-two forty-seven Sorrell Lane.”
Edie repeated it back as she wrote it down. “Okay. Did he give a timeframe?”
“No. The note says he’s watching, but I haven’t seen anyone. I don’t see how he could be sure I’d get the letter today. What if Nan had just put it in my mailbox? Even if I hadn’t taken the next two days off, it would be tomorrow before I’d see it if she did that.”
“Good point. It could be he’s just prepared for you to show up whenever.”
“Do you think that’s where he’s holding them?”
“No. I think he’s got cameras on site, so he can see when you arrive, but they’re not there. I bet they’re nearby, though. This is good. This gives us a solid area to look. Where are you? I’ll come get?—”
“No! No, you can’t. I need to do what he says. You call the others. Come up with a plan. But I’m taking an Uber to the Tylers’ house, collecting Connie, then going to that address.”
“Esther…”
“I know you don’t like the idea, but we need to make it look like we’re following his instructions. I doubt he’ll harm Leah, but Asher could be in real danger.”
“What about the officer Stroud left at her house? He’s probably still there. You have to get past him.”
“Let me worry about him. But don’t tell Stroud. Not until you hear from me that I’ve got her and we’re away from the house.”
Edie’s sigh turned into a growl. “I really don’t like this.”
“I’m not asking for permission. And we’re wasting time. Go back to my house and talk to the others. I have to go.” Esther stabbed the button to end the call before Edie could respond. It probably left her fuming, but she didn’t care. Edie needed to trust her. Esther had faith in her sister and their friends. Edie needed to lay off the control freak side of her personality.
Hustling through the neighborhood, Esther made it to the gas station with two minutes to spare. So she didn’t look like a weirdo, loitering outside, she went in and grabbed a drink—which she needed after her jaunt—and watched out the windows for her ride. A quick glance at the app showed “Amanda” was two blocks away.
Time to go .
Esther went to the register and paid for her drink, then went outside. The white sedan with Amanda behind the wheel pulled in a few moments later. Lifting a hand, Esther flagged her down.
The driver’s window rolled down. “Hi. Are you Esther?”
“Yes.” She showed the young woman her phone with the reservation.
“Great. Hop in.”
“Thanks.” Esther got in the back and buckled up.
“Where to?”
She gave the woman the Tylers’ address. Amanda arched an eyebrow, recognizing the neighborhood, but said nothing. Within fifteen minutes, they were pulling up out front of the house.
“There you go. Do you need me to wait?”
“No, but thank you.” Esther opened her door, ready to step out.
“All right. Have a nice evening.”
“Yep, you too. Thanks.” Climbing out, Esther closed the door and walked up the driveway, leaving the woman a tip on the app as she went. She stowed her phone and knocked on the door.
Landon answered once again.
His face fell, and he crossed his arms when he saw her. “Back again?”
“Yep.” Esther stepped forward, aiming to walk past him, but he wouldn’t budge. She huffed and gave him a bored stare. “I don’t have time for this, Landon. Let me in.”
He held her gaze for another moment before shaking his head and stepping to the side. “Don’t get me in trouble again.”
A pang of misgiving went through Esther’s chest. She didn’t want to cause him problems, but there were far bigger things at stake than a reprimand from the police chief. So, she lied. “I won’t.”
“Esther?”
Connie looked up from her seat on the couch.
“Hey. Can we talk?” Esther tipped her head toward the kitchen.
Landon let out a soft groan. “Yep, I’m getting in trouble again.”
Esther ignored him and headed for the kitchen, knowing Connie would follow. Her gaze flitted over the window. Buster was outside, nose in the air, watching a butterfly. If she wasn’t so stressed, she’d smile.
Connie joined her as she sat down at the table.
“What’s going on?” Her eyes widened, and she lowered her voice. “Did something happen?”
Esther nodded. She reached into her bag and withdrew the note she’d received. “I got this at school today.” She slid it over the tabletop. “Don’t react when you read it. We don’t want to set off Officer Garner’s radar.”
A fine tremor went through Connie’s fingers as she unfolded the note. Her quick intake of breath was her only reaction. After she read it, she folded it up and pushed it back. “What do we do?”
“We’re going to sneak out of here. I don’t think he’s actually watching. I ditched my sister just to be safe and didn’t see anyone following me. I think when we go there, we’ll be watched, but right now—and when I got the note—he didn’t have eyes on me. Edie’s on it. She and the others will come up with a plan. But you and I are going to show up alone.”
“Okay.” Connie clutched the edge of the table. “How do we sneak out, though? This house is small. My car is in the driveway, but he could run out and block the drive before we can leave.”
Esther bit her lip, thinking. They needed to incapacitate him in some way without harming him. “Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Then follow my lead, okay?”
“All right.”
Getting up, Esther went out to the living room with Connie right behind her. Landon sat in a chair, staring at the kitchen.
“Landon, we have a favor to ask.”
He lifted an eyebrow, his eyes clearly skeptical. “What’s that?”
“Connie said she has some pictures of Leah—from when she was little—in a box at the top of her closet upstairs, but she can’t reach it.” She glanced at Connie. “I guess Rob put some things away and that was one of them. She wants to show me the pictures. Could you get it down for us?”
His expression cleared, and he stood. “Sure. It’s in the master bedroom closet, you said?”
“Yes,” Connie replied. Her gaze darted to Esther, then back. “I’ll show you.”
Esther followed behind, praying Connie had a walk-in closet. That would be the best way to trap him. Otherwise, they’d probably have to shove him down, then close him in the bedroom. She wasn’t sure how, though. The door locked from the inside.
Upstairs, Connie led Landon into her bedroom. Esther hung back, scanning the hall and the rooms they passed for something to keep the door closed. But nothing caught her eye.
While Connie led him over to the closet—which was not a walk-in—Esther’s gaze roved over the room. Panic started to set in, quickening her heart rate and making her palms sweat as still nothing snagged her attention.
Think, Esther! What could she do? Wedge the door?
No. It swung the wrong way.
She could tie it shut. If she could find something long enough to reach across the hall to the other door. But she didn’t see anything in here that fit the bill.
Her gaze landed on a charcoal-colored tree holding necklaces and bracelets that looked like it was made of iron. Esther bit her lip, casting a quick glance at Landon before sidling closer to where the piece rested on the dresser. If it really was metal, maybe she could break the doorknob off on this side.
“It’s up there.” Connie pointed to the stash of things on the shelf. Luckily for them, her closet wasn’t that well organized. Landon would have to wade in to get to the stuff at the back.
Landon stretched, moving a stack of sweaters to the side. A hat fell off and into his face. He frowned. “Are you sure it’s up here?”
“Yes. It’s just buried. They’re old baby pictures. Not something I look at all the time, you know?”
“Right.” He shuffled forward a step. The clothes hangers tipped as he pressed against them.
It was now or never.
Taking one long step to the side, Esther picked up the tree.
Yes! It was solid.
Adjusting her grip, she quickly sidled closer to Connie.
The woman’s eyes flicked to hers, rounding as she saw what Esther held.
Knowing they wouldn’t get a better chance. Esther set the statue on the bed and silently moved in behind Landon. With all the force she could muster, she put both hands on his back and shoved.
Landon pitched forward with a shout of surprise. He grabbed at the clothes, but they slipped off their hangers, falling to the floor with him.
“Run, Connie!” Esther turned and ran, snagging the tree as she went. She pushed Connie through the doorway, then raised the statue high before bringing it down on the bedroom-side doorknob. The force jittered up her arm, making her fingers tingle. The knob bent but didn’t break. She hit it again, bending it further.
Scrabbling came from the closet, along with several colorful male curses. Esther smashed the doorknob one more time, and it snapped off.
“Oh, thank goodness,” she breathed. Hooking a hand around the door, she yanked it shut as she fled into the hallway.
“Will that hold him?” Connie hovered a few feet away, her blue eyes round as saucers.
“I think so, but we still shouldn’t stick around to find out.”
A thud hit the door. “Esther!” Landon bellowed from the other side. “Let me out of here!” He let out a frustrated growl. “Why do you do this to me? I thought we were friends.”
“Sorry! It’s important.” Touching Connie’s arm, Esther backed away. “Let’s go.” Together, they turned and ran for the stairs. Banging from inside the bedroom followed them down.
“Where are your keys?” Esther asked as they reached the first floor.
“In my purse.” Connie ran around her to the table along the wall by the stairs and grabbed her bag. “Let’s go.” She headed for the front door and flung it open.
Esther caught it, right on her heels. Together, they ran down the front steps to the car in the driveway. “Do you know where Sorrell Lane is?”
“Yes.” She shoved the key in the lock on the driver’s side and yanked the door open. “Get in.”
The lock on the passenger side popped up when she pressed a button. Esther opened the door and fell into the seat. She buckled up as Connie backed down the driveway and onto the road. “Follow the traffic laws. We don’t want to get pulled over.”
The car slowed a bit, and Connie nodded. At a more normal pace, she maneuvered the car out of town. Sorrell Lane was a country road. Within minutes, they were surrounded by fields, trees, and old farmhouses.
They passed 1516 Sorrell Lane, and Esther leaned forward. “Slow down. We’re close.”
Half a mile later, she saw the mailbox. “There.”
Connie slowed and turned onto the gravel drive. A once white two-story house sat fifty yards away. Overgrown bushes hid the front porch, and it looked like one of them might have grown through the window.
“I know you said they probably wouldn’t be here, but this seems like the perfect place to hide when you don’t want to be found, doesn’t it?” Connie brought the car to a halt in front of the garage, leaving enough room for her to turn around.
“Yeah. But I still think they’re elsewhere.”
“So, what do we do now?”
Esther stared out over the property, hoping her sister and their friends were on their way. She didn’t know what Lennox wanted with them, and she didn’t want to leave this property without someone following behind. “We wait.”