Second on the Right (27 page)

“I think that’s the same kid, Eileen," he
said, his voice low and serious, his mouth barely moving. "Eileen!"
he said in a hissed whisper. She turned to face him. As Robbie
continued to look at the large cats, Eileen followed Patrick's
gaze. She gasped when she saw the boy.

"It's-it’s him," she whispered. The words
stuck in her throat, but Patrick heard her.

He frowned. "Where's Robbie?"

Eileen whipped around. She felt her stomach
drop. He was gone and so was the strange boy. Adrenaline began to
rush through her veins. "Robbie. Robert!" she called out.

"We need to find Robbie now," Patrick said to
Eileen. "You start looking. I’ll alert security. We’ve got to lock
this place down. Call me on my cell if you find him." Patrick took
off in the direction where the boy had been standing.

Eileen circled the snow leopard exhibit,
continually calling for her son. She was panicked, fearful this
stranger, or any stranger, had taken him from her. Her eyes welled
up with tears. What would James think of her, knowing she had lost
sight of Robbie, his only son?

She ran down a small walkway and ran into the
boy, the same one that had been staring at them moments earlier.
She gasped and pedaled backwards to escape, her back hitting a
wall. He pinned her against the wall and leaned close, pushing
uncomfortably against her pregnant abdomen. Behind him, she could
see Robbie lying on the ground.

"Robbie!" she cried. Robbie didn’t move. "No!
What have you done?" Tears were beginning to roll down her
cheeks.

The boy looked at her curiously. With one
finger, he caught a falling tear and examined it. Returning his
attention to her, he grinned and said, "Hullo." The boy was dressed
in dark green, from his form-fitting pants to the hooded sweatshirt
covering the sides of his face.

“Please, let us go. Give me back my son and
let us go.” Recalling her dream from the car, all Eileen could do
was plead with him, “He needs me. I’m his mother.”

He pouted dramatically, "I need him." Then
his look turned serious. "But I don't need you."

Using what she had learned from Captain
Benedict long ago, Eileen swept her leg around, hitting both the
boy’s legs and knocking him to the ground. Grabbing the front of
his hooded sweatshirt, she lifted him up and, with her fist, hit
him as hard as she could. She slammed his head into the ground.
Scooping Robbie in her arms, she ran back out into the crowd.

"Patrick!" she half yelled, half cried. With
a grunt, Eileen stopped only for a moment to hoist Robbie higher up
against her shoulder.

Patrick raced to her. Taking Robbie in his
arms, the three hurried out of the zoo. “Sir? The name’s Anderson.
The police and an ambulance have been alerted.” The head of
security, a short man with crew-cut brown hair, met them at the
exit. “Please follow me. Our office is just around the corner.”

“And the kid?” Patrick asked with
irritation.

“Kid? I doubt he’ll be any trouble. I’ve got
a few guys searching the area. We’re also checking everyone that
leaves. He won’t get out without us knowing.”

“Mommy, Mommy!” Robbie cried. As Patrick ran,
Robbie reached his small arms back at Eileen.

“I’m here baby. Everything’s ok,” she said,
choking back the tears. “Patrick, let’s go. If they have questions,
they can call us. I just want to leave.”

“Ma’am, please. We apologize for what’s
happened. We’d like to assure you we are doing everything possible.
The police will be here shortly. Whatever you need, for you or your
child, let me know.” Anderson rattled off while at the same time
attempting to direct them to the office.

“Patrick, please. I’m a bit shaken, but will
be ok. Robbie is fine as well.” Eileen pulled Robbie back into her
arms. Robbie gave her a tight squeeze.

Patrick was silent for a moment, as if
considering his next move. Finally, he nodded. Taking out his
wallet, he pulled out a business card and handed it to Anderson.
“Call me if you need any information. I can stop by the station
later. If the police want to speak with Mrs. Benedict, they’ll have
to go through me.”

They exited the zoo, leaving Anderson to
stare after them. His mouth gaped open and worry etched his brow.
Without a word, they reached the parking garage and got into the
Suburban. Eileen sat Robbie in his seat, but when she placed the
five point restraint on him, it wouldn’t fasten. As fast as she
could, and with trembling fingers, she pulled on the belt to give
more room for Robbie. Immediately after, she belted herself next to
him.

Patrick heaved for breath as he drove the car
out of the garage and headed to the airport, deciding to wait there
for James' arrival. Eileen took Robbie's vitals, after which she
broke down and sobbed, burying her head in her hands.

At last!
James thought as the jet
landed on the tarmac. Once it came to a stop, he jumped out of his
seat and scrambled to gather his things. He couldn’t leave the
plane fast enough. Taking the steps two at a time, he ran to the
terminal.

James hustled through the airport and out to
the curb. He looked around for the suburban, Patrick or Eileen. He
dialed Eileen's phone, but it went to voicemail after a few rings.
He tried Patrick's phone. Finally Patrick answered.

"Hi James. We’re in parking lot A," Patrick
said.

"Really? You're already here?" James asked,
excited. "I'll be right there!" he said, running to the parking
lot.

Before James could reach the car, Eileen
jumped out and ran into his arms. He dropped his bag and held her
tight, burying his face in her neck. He was so elated to have her
back in his arms; he at first did not realize she was trembling.
After a few moments, he pulled back, looking into her tear-filled
eyes.

"What's wrong?" James asked.

"W-we," she shook her head. She couldn’t get
the words out. James led her over to the car. Robbie slept in his
car seat. Patrick was in the driver's seat.

As James helped Eileen back into the car, he
addressed Patrick, "What's happened? What's going on?"

"The kid was at the zoo. Then Robbie
disappeared. We searched for him. Eileen said she found Robbie
unconscious with the boy. Said something about needing him, but not
her. I don't know who this kid is. I've called my buddy at the
police station. We’ve filed a report."

"What are you talking about, Patrick? What
kid?" James asked.

"The one you told me about, at the airport?
This kid looked the same, just as you described to me. It can't be
coincidence."

After helping Eileen into her seat, James sat
next to her and put his arm around. "I'm in. Let's go."

Patrick started up the car and was back on
the road. James held Eileen in his arms, tenderly kissing the top
of her head. He fought to hold back his tears. Silence fell as they
started their drive. Patrick adjusted the mirrors on the car.
Slamming on the brakes, he whipped around to look out the back of
the car.

"Patrick?" James asked, following Patrick’s
gaze.

"I thought I saw something. I. Nevermind,"
Patrick replied, turning back and resumed the drive.

"James, we need to get you all to a safe
place," Patrick said.

James met Patrick's glance in the rearview
mirror. "Agreed. But where? We cannot go back to Westport. And the
apartment has tenants in it now. Where else can we go?"

Patrick’s brow furrowed as he stared ahead.
Snatching up his phone, he made a call to his contact in the police
department. Patrick explained the situation. His contact would make
the necessary arrangements for police surveillance near the dock
for the next twenty-four hours and possibly a patrol out in the
waters, at least until they could find a permanent solution.

Looking in the rearview mirror, he met James’
eyes. "As your bodyguard and head of security, I don't feel safe
here. Let's head to my yacht and set out to sea for now. Whoever
this kid is, he knows where you live. I'm betting he doesn't know
about the yacht."

James thought for a moment. It used to be his
yacht, but with all the help Patrick had provided over the past
years, he felt giving the boat to him was the least James could do
to say thanks. Still, to James, it had not seemed enough. "At least
the yacht isn't docked in the same location, correct?"

"No, I changed it as soon as the title was
changed," Patrick said. "It's docked at the 79th Street Boat Basin.
I had actually stocked it up last week, so there are enough
supplies to last for a short while. With the good weather, we could
cast off and set sail around the area. Should be able to note
anyone approaching by water. That may stop whoever this guy
is."

"Kid. He's a kid, Patrick. Yet…somehow he
seems much older. His eyes…" James trailed off, thinking of his
encounter at the airport.

Eileen leaned against James. "Do you think he
was the intruder from the other night?" she asked.

Patrick gave a nod. Eileen shuddered and
looked over at Robbie. He was still sleeping; his breathing was
deep and steady. She reached out to caress his face, but stopped.
Curling her fingers, she placed her hand back in her lap.

They arrived at the dock at sunset. Gathering
what bags they had, Patrick, James, Eileen, and Robbie, snuggling
against his mother, settled on the yacht. James cast off all lines
one at a time, except for the bow spring line. Patrick took to the
helm. He turned the motor and pushed the stern away from the dock.
Idling carefully and slowly, the yacht swung away from the dock.
James cast off the final spring line, allowing Patrick to continue
backing the yacht away from the dock. When they were safely adrift,
away from boats and any other obstacles, Patrick shifted forward,
picking up speed.

James went inside to check on Eileen. Both
she and Robbie were asleep. Knowing they needed rest after such a
trying day, he quietly walked back out to stand next to Patrick,
the wind ruffling his hair. He searched the surrounding waters, but
didn’t notice anyone approaching. He could see a patrol car parked
near the dock. It still didn’t put him at ease. James was not sure
how much more of this he could take.

Through the night, Patrick and James took
shifts watching over the boat and surrounding waters. The first
shift was Patrick's. James kicked off his shoes and slipped into
bed behind Eileen, wrapping his arms around her. She woke briefly,
turning to look at him. Upon seeing his face, she smiled, put her
head back down and fell asleep. Robbie slept in her arms.

Several hours later, Patrick nudged James.
"Hey man. There's coffee in the kitchen. You're up." He walked back
into the dining area and made up a bed to sleep until the next
shift.

James slipped out of bed, and put his shoes
back on. In the galley, he filled up a large cup of coffee and
headed to the helm. He took a few gulps to wake himself up. Picking
up the night-vision binoculars, he scanned the waters. All appeared
clear. With a sigh, he leaned back, looking up at the night sky. He
rubbed his sore neck muscles. For a split second, he thought he saw
movement, something dark, blocking his view of the stars. He looked
again, scouring the sky, but found nothing. He closed his eyes and
rubbed them for a moment.

Taking another sip of coffee, he began to
pace around the yacht to keep his body moving and awake, his mind
occupied. As the night wore on, he found himself worrying about
what might happen.