Taken (3 page)

“Why, Jessica and Bryce. What brings you here?”

Jessie was thinking.
I’m not supposed to say anything about the hospital.
“Hi, Miss Tyler. Is there any chance we could copy a few things on your color printer?” asked Jessie. “We’d pay you.”

“Well”, said the librarian. “How many items do you want to copy?”

Bryce spoke up. “About twenty.”

Miss Tyler liked Bryce. “Maybe just this once. The printer is behind that door. Go ahead.”

Jessie and Bryce hurried around the desk.

“Thanks, Bryce. She likes you. I don’t know if she would have let me do this without showing her the picture first,” Jessie said. “My dad doesn’t want me to tell anyone else about mom and I seeing the kidnapper.”

“I remembered,” he said. “I figured she’d let me use the printer.” The copies began to slide onto the machine’s tray. “These are great!”

Jessie studied the prints. “The color is just right,” she said. “I know I’d recognize Andel if I saw him again. People say that new babies all look alike. But this one’s different”. She slipped the original photo and the twenty copies back into the envelope. “Let’s go.”

Back at Miss Tyler’s desk, Jessie and Bryce thanked her and hurried out the door.

“I’d better get home,” Jessie said. “I can ask Daddy if it’s okay to post the pictures. He’ll know.”

* * *

That night Jessie poured over
The Fairfield Times
to see what the paper wrote about the kidnapping. All the details were there. The story even mentioned “guests” in the hospital room with Mrs. Novak. But no names were given.
I’ll bet Daddy fixed that.
The account said that the hospital was shut down as soon as it realized the child was missing, but apparently too late because the woman and baby did not turn up despite a thorough search of the facility. Police asked for information from anyone who might have seen the woman flee with the infant. There was no description except that the kidnapper had posed as a nurse and wore high white tennis shoes.

Jessie carried the paper to the living room and handed it to her dad. “Boy. They sure don’t have much to go on. What will the police do next?”

Her father read the newspaper account. “We’ll just hope someone saw something and will call the authorities.”

“Bryce and I made copies of the baby’s picture at the library,” Jessie said. “Do you think the police would want to post them for the people to see?”

“I’ll take a picture to the police station,” said her dad. “We’ll see what they say.” He picked up the newspaper.

Jessie sat down at the piano bench and began to practice scales. She stopped. “I forgot to tell you. The kidnapper had some kind of burn or scar on her left hand.”

Her father lowered his paper and looked at her. “When were you going to tell me? Never withhold evidence, Jessie. In this case a child’s life could be at stake.”

“Sorry, Daddy.”

He stood and walked to the hall phone.

Chapter Six

The next morning the first snow arrived. It seemed as if it would never stop.

Jessie was sitting on her window bench when she spotted the Novak car travel slowly up Willow Lane. Mrs. Novak was coming home from the hospital.
Without her baby
, thought Jessie. The Novaks lived on the next block in a pretty little white cottage with blue shutters.

“Hi.” It was Phillip. He was bundled up in his red snowsuit and new boots. Blond curls escaped from his red stocking cap.

“Where are
you
going?” asked Jessie.

“Snow man. Want to help?” He smiled up at her.

“I guess,” said Jessie.

Her mother called Phillip and took him outside while Jessie dressed and put on her parka and boots. The phone rang. “Hello?”

“It’s Tina. What’s going on? I mean should we go to the stores and check for odd people buying baby stuff?”

“Tina! You’re beginning to sound just like me. Where do we start?” Jessie laughed. “You’re the baby expert.”

“I’m thinking. No one will be out with a baby in this storm. Maybe the snow’s a good thing. Now the kidnappers will be snowbound. But they still have to get baby supplies—diapers, formula. You know.”

“All true”, said Jessie. I’ll meet you at your gate in fifteen minutes.”

“Okay. Let’s wander around the stores and see who’s buying what,” Tina said.

* * *

Jessie and Tina trudged through the snow, heading for the Town Square.

“Okay,” said Jessie. “What’s the story we tell if someone gets too inquisitive?”

“How about—we’re looking around for early Christmas shopping?” Tina said.

“We haven’t even had Thanksgiving yet,” said Jessie.

“Well, people know how organized I am,” said Tina “They’d believe it about me and figure I’m just dragging you along.”

“Actually that makes perfect sense.” Jessie said. “So I should act kind of impatient and irritated.”

“That won’t be difficult for you,” Tina laughed.

Jessie laughed too.

It was a relief to step into the warm drug store. The girls stuffed their mittens into their coat pockets and moved slowly through the aisles. Jessie trailed Tina as if she was not happy to be there.

A clerk came up to them. “Well, Jessie and Tina, what brings you out in this storm?” she asked.

Tina gave her best smile. “I’m kind of looking for baby things for the twins’ Christmas gifts.”

“My you’re going to be prepared early,” said the clerk. “The baby supplies and toys are in aisle nine.”

“Sometimes I cannot believe Tina,” Jessie said to the clerk. “Is there anyone else in town this eager to get started? Or buying stuff for their baby in this storm?”

The clerk smiled. “Well actually we’ve had several people in today buying baby supplies.”

“Who? I can’t imagine anyone else is crazy enough to be out today,” said Jessie.
Please say a name,
she thought.

“Bob Smith came in for diapers. And Carrie Post was in for formula.”

Phooey, thought Jessie. I know the Smiths and the Posts and their babies.

“Oh. And then there was a woman—I didn’t know her. Buying nightgowns for her new grandchild,” the clerk said.

“I can understand diapers and formula in a storm. But couldn’t nightgowns wait?” asked Tina.

“I guess not. She seemed anxious and in a hurry.”

Jessie and Tina exchanged glances.

“What…?” Jessie started to say but the clerk dashed off to a man entering the store.

“Wow,” said Tina. “She must be desperate for company—telling us all that.”

“Yeah. Are they supposed to discuss their customers with other people?” Jessie laughed. “Or are doctors and lawyers the only ones who have to keep quiet?”

The girls casually walked the aisle in the baby department. Tina would hold up an item and Jessie would lean against a shelf acting disinterested.

The same clerk found them in the clothing section. “Well, Tina, did you find anything you like?”

“Could you show me the nightgowns? I think that was a good idea since it’s getting cold.”

“Well,” said the clerk. “You’ll probably need bigger gowns than the other customer, since she was buying for a newborn.” The saleswoman directed them to stacks of nightwear for babies.

Tina held up a nightgown. “What color did the lady buy? Pink or yellow?” asked Tina.

The clerk sorted through the pile. “Oh no. She bought three of these pretty blue nighties. Look how tiny they are.”

“Must have a boy then,” said Tina.

“Oh, not necessarily,” said the clerk. “People buy all colors for babies these days.”

“Come on, Tina,” said Jessie. “Decide.”

“I’m still just looking, Jessie. Thank you for your help,” Tina told the clerk.

The girls zipped up their coats and left the store.

“You were very convincing,” said Tina. “She’ll remember you for being a real kill-joy.”

Jessie laughed. “Thank you. Maybe I should join the drama club.”

They hurried down the block to the grocery store.

Before they pushed through the door, Jessie said, “What are we checking out?”

“Baby formula, diapers and hair dye,” Tina said.

Inside the store, the owner, Mr. Schroder, greeted them.

“Well, Jessie and Tina. What brings you out in this storm?”

“Mom wanted me to pick up some diapers,” said Tina. “But I forgot the money.”

“That’s okay,” said the grocer. “We’ll just put it on your account.” He headed to the baby department. “What size?”

“Is anyone else as absent-minded as me, Mr. Schroder?” asked Tina. “Who would forget the size diaper their baby wears?”

He laughed. “Sometimes people don’t have a clue. I had a man in here today early. He said he had a newborn then picked a year-old size. I had to teach him all about diapers. Actually he seemed old to be having his first baby.”

Tina glanced at Jessie who was leaning against the shelf and gazing out the window.
Brother, Jessie’s playing this to the hilt.

“I’m going to come back for the diapers,” said Tina. “I don’t want to go home with the wrong size.” She turned to Jessie. “Let’s look at the hair color—just for fun.”

Jessie perked up. “Good idea. I always look when I’m here. Not that Mom would even consider such a thing.”

Mr. Schroder laughed. “Let me know if you need me.”

At the hair dye shelf, the girls checked the arrangement in the blond section. It looked like no one had touched it for years.

“This doesn’t look promising,” said Jessie. “Let’s go.”

Outside, Jessie said, “So. Two unknown people—an older man and woman—came to buy baby stuff early today in the middle of a snowstorm.”

“It looks good,” said Tina. “But at this rate, we aren’t going to find the baby before it’s walking around.”

“Maybe we can speed it up,” said Jessie. “I’ve got an idea.”

“I’m listening,” said Tina.

Chapter Seven

“What if we gather up some of our old baby stuff and post a ‘For Sale’ ad on the town bulletin board. These people might want to buy things that way so they don’t have to go into stores,” said Jessie.

“What’ll you tell your mom, when people start calling or showing up at your house to look at baby stuff?” asked Tina.

“I’ll say we’re having a sale to give money to the homeless shelter,” Jessie said. “She’ll think that’s good and we actually will give them any money we take in.”

“Okay. That sounds great!” said Tina. “I’ll go home and start putting things together. We definitely have a bunch of kid supplies to get rid of. You should see our garage.”

When Jessie got home, she found her mom in the kitchen fixing lunch for Phillip.

“I saw the snowman in front,” Jessie said.

Phillip beamed. “Looks good!”

Jessie hugged him. “Yes it does!”

“Mom,” said Jessie. “Is it okay with you if Tina and I have a garage sale with all our old baby stuff that we don’t need anymore?”

“Jessie, it’s winter. Who will come?” Her mom arranged Phillip’s lunch on a plate and set it in front of him.

“Well that’s just the point,” said Jessie. “It’s starting to get cold and we can sell Phillip’s old winter clothes to people who can’t afford new things.”

“What will you do with the money you make?”

Jessie could tell her mom was warming to the idea.

“We thought we’d donate it to the homeless shelter. They always need money.” Jessie sat at the table next to Phillip and cut his sandwich into triangles. “That way two good things will happen. Little kids get nice warm clothes and the shelter’ll have cash for supplies.”

“You’re good, Jessie. You’ve sold me,” laughed her mother. “I’ll go through some of his old baby stuff. Do you want toys too?”

“That would be great, Mom!” Jessie headed for the phone. “I’ll call Tina and start cleaning up the garage.”

When Tina answered the phone, Jessie said, “It’s all set. Mom’s on board.” She twirled the phone cord between her fingers. “Shall I go ahead and write the ad?”

“That’ll help,” said Tina, “because Mom wants me to sort through the garage and box up baby things. She’s happy to get rid of all of it.”

“Okay,” said Jessie. “I’ll write the ad and go to the town bulletin board and post it. Then I’ll come back and set up the garage.”

“We’d better say it starts tomorrow,” said Tina. “Can we do it that fast?”

“Sure,” said Jessie. “If your dad can bring your boxes after dinner, we can set it up and be ready to go in the morning. Tomorrow’s Sunday. Maybe people will stop by after church.”

“Put your phone number in the ad,” said Tina. “That way people can call and arrange to come after school next week.”

Jessie went to her bedroom and took a pen and paper from her desk drawer. She wrote:

BABY GOODS GARAGE SALE—BARGAINS!

GENTLY USED BABY CLOTHES AND FURNITURE—

BABY CLOTHES FOR BOYS AND GIRLS AGES NEWBORN

TO TWO YEAR SIZES; STROLLER, BABY BED, INFANT