Deadly Communications (8 page)

She said a little prayer and then started cleaning everything in sight: cupboards, refrigerator, stove, even the closets didn’t escape her organizing capabilities. Hours later, she stared at her basement door. She was too tired to think about cleaning the basement. Instead, she plopped on the sofa with the remote.

She deserved a reward for all that hard work.

Flipping through the channels, she came across a documentary about the Colorado River. Something clicked.

River Gorge Ranch. That was the name Sandra had told her.

Maven went back to the computer and typed in the name of the spa. She stared at the results of the search. Apparently, a lot of folks thought River Gorge Ranch was a good name for a spa and fitness center. In a lot of different states. Colorado. Arizona. New Mexico. Even one in Montana and South Dakota. Who would want to go to a spa in Montana or South Dakota in the middle of winter?

She clicked on each of the sites to see what they offered, and to see which one might be the best fit for Ella’s needs. What would she say when she called?

Would it be as easy as asking to speak to Ella Decker?

The snow kept falling as Maven made phone calls. On-hold music played while she waited. Discouraged, she clicked the phone off, bundled up, and went into the garage. It was time to get the snow blower out.

Paul would do it, but that would be taking advantage of his kindness.

Instead, she would dish out some of her own kindness. After forty-five minutes of clearing her sidewalks and those of her neighbors, she went back in. The wind ceased blowing the moment she was out of the weather. Watching as the snow covered up her work, she shook her head and took off her boots.

Back to the phones.

With coffee cup in hand, she found where she stopped. It took six more phone calls before she found the right one.

“River Gorge Ranch.”

“I’d like to be connected to Ella Decker’s room.”

“One moment please. Your name?”

Great. She’d found the right place.

Several minutes later, the operator was back. “I’m sorry. I can’t connect you. There’s a note that we aren’t to connect callers to her room. If you want to leave a message, she can call you back if she wants.”

Had they been given instructions to not allow Ella to receive any phone calls? Or was it they didn’t want her talking to Ella.

Maven sighed. “That would be fine.” After leaving her information, she hung up. She paced around the house waiting for Ella to call back.

The call never came.

18

Two days later, Maven boarded a plane bound for Arizona. Five hours later, she walked into the River Gorge Ranch and Spa.

The décor was top notch. A huge fountain was the focal point, along with the native plants that decorated the room.

A handful of people sat on leather sofas talking with each other, laughing and having a good time. All were dressed in workout clothes of one sort or another. The place seemed to be what it purported to be—a resort where people came to rest and relax.

She walked up to the counter.

A handsome young man hurried over to her. “Can I help you?”

“I need Ella Decker’s room number.” After looking at his name tag, she added, “Zack.”

Zack hit some keys on the keyboard and stared at the monitor. “She’s in room 315.” He pulled out a map. Using his finger, he pointed at a building. “This is the 300 POD. Walk out the back door and turn left. You’ll pass two other PODS and hers will be the third group of buildings. Hence; the reason for calling them 300.”

“Makes sense. Thanks, Zack.”

“Not a problem, ma’am.”

When she walked out the back door, she stopped to soak up the warmth from the sun. It felt good, considering what Ohio was like this time of the year. In front of her was a huge pool. Several people were swimming laps, but the majority looked as if they were only sunbathing.

Beyond the pool were tennis courts. A few brave souls were enduring the heat to play.

The resort was purported to have a golf course, but Maven didn’t see that. She followed Zack’s instructions and had no trouble finding the 300 POD or 315.

She knocked on the door.

No one answered.

There was a small garden area with tables and chairs. She sat down and pulled out her electronic tablet. Might as well finish the book she started on the plane. The sun felt good at first, but after two hours, it had ceased feeling anything but hot. Maven made her way back to the air-conditioned lobby.

Zack was still behind the counter. He smiled as Maven walked up. “Did you find who you were looking for?”

“No, I didn’t. Do you keep track of where people are?”

He shook his head. “Not really. They have to sign up for the classes, but other than that, they’re free to come and go as they please. We’re a resort, not a prison.”

“Well, I guess I’ll have to wander around and look for her, Zack.”

“Let me check the classes and see if she’s in one. What was her name again?”

“Ella Decker.”

After furiously pushing keys, he looked up. “She’s scheduled for a beginner’s spinning class at three in Exercise Room 4.” He pointed towards a hallway.

“Thanks, Zack.” Maven made her way down the hallway to Exercise Room 4.

The class was in session as she opened the door and walked in.

The participants were all furiously pedaling on their stationary bikes. No Ella.

A young woman made her way over to Maven. “Hi. May I help you?”

“I was looking for Ella Decker, but I don’t see her.”

“No, and you won’t. She’s not here. In fact, she missed the morning session as well. It’s not like her at all.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“She had her purse. And the man she was with was quite the hunk.”

“A man?”

She nodded as she marched in place.

“What did he look like?”

“Good looking. Tall, and sandy blond hair.”

“Did Ella look upset?”

“I didn’t notice. I was looking at the hunk more than her.”



Why had she left without checking out? Had someone forced her to leave?

Maven went back to Ella’s room. She stood there looking around at the grounds, wondering what to do. An ache began behind her eyes, and Maven lowered her head, rubbing her temples. To the left of Ella’s door, was a crumpled bit of paper. Maven picked it up, intent on finding a trashcan to throw it away.

As she touched the paper, her heart thudded, a frisson of dread rolled down her spine and the hair on the back of her neck stood straight up. Maven smoothed out the paper.

Maven,

Help me. Help. Monsters. Monster stick.

Red and silver. Sparks. Sparks. Sparks.

Need help. Come in.

Frantic, Maven knocked on the door and was shocked when it swung open. Had it been unlatched before? She’d not knocked hard. She debated about breaking and entering, but Ella’s message, still in her hand, was beating into her head.
Come in.

The room was beautiful. In the corner was a hot tub where Ella could relax and watch TV after a hard day of fun. The drawers were open and still had clothes in them. Ella planned to come back. Or she’d not been allowed to pack up everything?

Maven walked through the room, searching for something that would explain why Ella had left. She lifted up the mattress. A small, purple electronic tablet laid on the foundation. Maven picked it up and moved to the desk. After several minutes, she finally made it to the e-mail program.

There was another message addressed to Maven. Her heart thumped as she read it.

Maven,

Help me. Help. Monsters. Monster stick.

Red and silver. Sparks. Sparks. Sparks.

Help Dream remember Please come

19

Maven’s heart thumped as she read and reread the e-mail. The words had an even more ominous feeling than the first message. Ella was trying to tell her something important. Questions swirled. Why hadn’t Ella sent it? Why had she hidden her electronic tablet under her mattress? Someone must have interrupted her before she could send it.

Where was Ella?

How was Maven supposed to help when she didn’t know where the girl was?

There was a phone, perhaps for outgoing calls only?

She’d need to check on that before she left. She looked at the message again.

Dream remember.
Was Ella trying to tell her that she’d remembered her dream and that it had been a memory, not just a dream?

Who was the monster?

Try to think like Ella.
Monsters. She knew from past conversations that the monsters were in Ella’s nightmare. The monsters chased her through the woods.

The area where Ella’s accident happened had been near the woods behind her house. Had someone chased her into the road that night and onto the highway?

If monsters could be translated as bad guys, then what would a monster stick be? A knife? Red and Silver. A knife was silver, and if it was used to stab someone, there would be red. A knife wouldn’t have sparks.

But a gun would.

Fear trickled through Maven’s body.

Had someone chased Ella through the woods with a gun? Is that what she was trying to say?

Someone knocked on the door.

Maven jumped. Should she answer it? She went to the door and opened it.

A girl about Ella’s age stood there. She looked surprised to see Maven. Her hands moved up to her chest level as she signed,
Where Ella?

Maven signed back. D
on’t know. Been looking for her all day.

The girl’s eyes widened.
Who are you?

Maven, Ella’s speech pathologist.

Why you here? I worried. Now more worried. Can’t find.

The girl’s hands flew through the air.
She gone when I come here this morning. Hasn’t shown up to classes.

Your name, what?
She finger spelled her name. D-O-N-I-T-A. She waited a moment and then added,
You think I call her parents
?

The Deckers would not be happy to know Maven was there. How would she explain that? She signed,
No. She make new friends here we can ask?

Next door. Angela.

Ask her
.

Donita shook her head.
Go. I wait here.

Maven knocked on the unit next door.

The door opened.

“Hi.”

“Hi, I’m a friend of Ella’s. I’ve been waiting all day for her, but she doesn’t seem to be around.”

“She must have a lot of friends. I saw her leaving with a friend last night.”

“What time was that?”

“About eleven. I heard some noise, so I looked out the window. She was leaving with some guy. Nice-looking, if you know what I mean? I figured it was a hookup. I didn’t think much about it.”

“Had you seen the guy before?”

“No. Is there a problem?”

“Well, we can’t find her. Nobody’s seen her all day.”

“Must have been a good hookup.”

Maven forced herself to smile. “What did he look like?”

“He had short, sandy, blond hair. Nice body.”

“Tall or short?”

The girl thought for a moment. “Well, I’d say he was at least a couple inches taller than Ella, and she’s pretty tall. So that would make him over six feet.” She smiled as if proud of her deduction.

“I know this is going to sound strange, but did she look scared or anything?”

“Not really.” Her words came out slow as if she was truly thinking about it. “But now that you mention it, she didn’t really look happy or excited. You know, like you would if you really liked the guy.”

Maven thanked her and walked back to Ella’s room. After explaining to Donita what she’d learned, she was as confused as Maven.

Donita’s only concern was whether she should contact Ella’s parents or not.

A question Maven didn’t want to answer.

20

The next morning there was still no sign of Ella.

Call Deckers.
Maven signed to Donita. If the Deckers were upset with her, then so be it.

Maven wasn’t exactly happy with them, either.



Maven drove directly to the Deckers’ home from the airport. She’d expected a phone call but none came.

How could they ignore the fact Ella was missing? Unless they knew where she was. Maven hoped that was the case.

The door opened. Sandra Decker stood there. In her pajamas, her eyes were red and her hair uncombed. “Maven?”

“Sandra, did Donita call you?”

“Come in before you freeze to death.”

They walked into the living room. The tree was still up but dark.

Sandra looked worried. “Why did you even go out there? I don’t understand what’s going on. Donita texted me that she didn’t know where Ella was and that you were out there looking for her.”

“Did you file a missing persons report with the police?”

“Donald called the police out there, but he was told that since she’s over eighteen he’d have to wait. The police suggested she’s just sowing a few wild oats. After all, she’s been cooped up in this house with us for months.”

“Do you believe that?”

“Not really, but Donald said it was possible.”

“When was the last time you spoke with her?”

“A few days ago. She was fine.”

“She didn’t seem agitated? Or depressed or worried?”

“Not at all. She loved the resort and was having a good time. Donita was working out well as her sign language tutor. Ella said she’d met a few other people, including a young man. That’s why Donald thought she might just be having some fun…you know, with a boy. He said if we haven’t heard from her by the time he gets home, we’ll fly out to Arizona and insist they file a report.”

“Where’s Donald?”

“On a business trip.”

“Well, Ella wasn’t fine when she wrote this.” Maven handed her the e-mail message that hadn’t been sent.

Sandra stared at the note and then back at Maven. “I don’t understand. What was she trying to say?”