The Toddler's Tale

“Yeah,” Max whispered. “Ironic, isn’t it, after I quit the force so I wouldn’t have to deal with this kind of situation again.”

“Drive away from there and don’t look back! Let the paramedics handle it.”

“You know me better than that.”

“Unfortunately I do. What a hell of a time to have Chelsea Markum in tow! Give me the location and I’ll get rid of her so fast she won’t know what hit her.”

“Believe it or not, that’s the last thing I want you to do. Chelsea’s been an amazing help so far.”

Michael made a noise that sounded more like a bark. “Come on, Max. It’s me, your closest buddy. We’re talking about the woman who’s been hounding the Maitlands for over a year. She’s poison.”

“I know.”

Max raked a hand through his hair. He couldn’t say he was sorry about kidnapping her. He’d been forced to do something drastic before any more people had gotten hurt. But he’d said some pretty harsh things, and he wasn’t too pleased over his own behavior.

Even if it was true, his reference to the black widow had been unkind. In hindsight he realized he’d gone too far. That was the problem when he got around Chelsea Markum. She was like an inflammation that flared up with increasing frequency despite all the precautions he took to stop it.

Oddly enough, he knew nothing about her private life. If he’d wanted to, he could have used the resources at his disposal as a PI to find out if she was married or single. So far he hadn’t given in to that temptation.

One thing was certain. There’d never been a breath of personal scandal attached to her name, only the scandal she created and exposed on “Tattle Today.”

If she had a husband, it was Austin’s best kept secret. As for Chelsea being romantically involved with someone in town, that would be news to Max, as well. But he couldn’t fathom a female as attractive as she was being without a man. He supposed she could be dating her boss or a colleague.

The idea of Chelsea having a lover put him in a foul enough mood that he preferred not to think about her at all. Unfortunately that was easier said than done. Especially since he’d seen her comforting Traci. He couldn’t forget the pleading in her eyes when she’d begged him to trust her for Traci’s sake.

“Michael? Just hear me out on this.” In a matter of minutes he’d told his friend everything. “As it stands, I have no idea how soon we’ll pull Betsy from that pipe. Hopefully before tomorrow. The press is going to be converging on every major hospital in Austin trying to learn the whereabouts of the child, so what I need from you is permission to have Betsy flown to Maitland Maternity Clinic. That’ll at least buy us some time.”

“You’ve got it. In fact as soon as we hang up, I’ll alert the necessary staff. Ford Carrington is one of the best pediatricians around. If the child requires surgery, then she’ll be in good hands. What else can I do for you?”

“Traci ought to be seen by a doctor, too.”

“You can count on Abby to give her a thorough physical.”

“Good. Traci’s been a hostage in her own home for a couple of years and I’m thinking maybe psychiatric counseling wouldn’t go amiss, if she’s willing.”

“If anyone can convince her to seek professional help, Abby’s the one to do it. She’ll also know which specialist to refer her to in case there’s a serious problem beyond her expertise as an OB. Anything else?”

“Can you arrange for Traci to be in the same room with her daughter?”

“Of course. And we’ll up the security. We’re getting used to it.”

Max closed his eyes. “Thanks, Michael.”

“You’ve done more for me, so forget it.”

“That’s not possible. Anyway, I’ve got to go. But first, tell me what’s happening with Jake and Connor?”

“Jake’s spending a little private time with Camille.”

“It’s long overdue.” As an FBI agent, Jake Maitland had guarded Camille for the past six months, and finally the two had acknowledged their love.

“That’s for sure. As soon as he’s free, I’ll contact Connor, and the three of us will put our heads together to figure out a plan to find Janelle and that creep who’s been posing as Connor.”

“What’s the FBI’s take on things right now?”

“Nothing we know about yet. But we’re not waiting on them.”

“I hear you.”

“It’s not your worry, either. You’ve got enough on your plate. Just keep me posted. When you arrive in the helicopter, I’ll be waiting for you. Then I can fill you in, and we’ll go from there.”

“Sounds good. You’re one in a million, Michael.”

“The feeling’s mutual. Good luck. And, Max—”

“Yes?”

“I know you’ll get to the little girl in time. I feel it in my bones.”

“I pray to God you’re right.”

“I’ll pray, too.”

“Thanks, bud.”

Max clicked off.

Everything was in place. All they needed now was a miracle.

He handed Officer Keaton the cell phone, then left for the site on a run, pleased to see that the other officers had sealed off the house and the excavation site. Any onlookers or press would have to stand outside the tape, which would keep them a good ten feet from the edge of the pit.

“CHELSEA?”

At the sound of Max’s low, vibrant voice she let out a soft gasp and jerked her head in his direction. The darkness created an intimacy in which she could imagine they were the only two people for miles around.

“Things are under control. The officers at the house know the truth. They’ll do their part to protect Traci. One of them will get hold of the realtor and go for supplies. Is Betsy still making noises?”

“Yes. She just started crying again.”

“What did you tell the police captain?”

You mean the one who can’t stand me? She sucked in her breath. “Exactly what you told me to say. When it came to giving him names, I played dumb. If he asks, you can make up whatever you like,” she added in a quiet voice.

“Good girl.”

Those two unexpected words caused warmth to flood her system.

Perhaps Max didn’t realize what he’d just done, but this was the first time since she’d known him that he’d said something kind to her without hesitation or any hint of censure. Almost as if they were partners. It was a moment to cherish.

Don’t count on there being another one, Chelsea.

His eyes were still searching hers when one of the firefighters walked up to them.

“Hey, Jamison—long time no see.”

“That’s the truth.” The two men shook hands. “Since I arrived on the scene first, I want to help.” The blood was pounding in Max’s ears. “I have to get that little girl out. You know what I mean?”

The two men eyed each other while a stream of unspoken words passed between them. Brent had been one of the firefighters at the scene when the child who’d lost his life in the laundry chute had been pronounced dead.

“Sure. I’ll inform the guys. Grab the equipment you need off the utility truck when it gets here.”

“Thanks. I’ll owe you big-time for this.”

“It’s okay,” Brent said in a subdued voice, and patted Max’s shoulder. “No one walked away from that other case unaffected. This time the outcome’s going to be different.”

That’s what Michael had said. Max was starting to believe it. Realizing introductions were in order, he said, “Chelsea, meet Commander Brent Lewis, the battalion chief. In the past we’ve been on the scene of many a case together. Brent, this is Ms. Markum of ‘Tattle Today TV.’”

The other man broke into a wide smile. “I’ve seen your show plenty of times. You’re the best at what you do.”

“Thank you.” Chelsea supposed his comment could have been taken several ways, but she was too worried about Betsy to analyze the remark.

“Commander, I know it’s not that cold for us, but is there any way to keep the baby warm while you’re trying to get her out?”

“Yes. I’ve already sent for the utility truck. We’ll have floodlights, and fans to blow warm air through the pipe.”

She put a hand to her throat. “Thank goodness she won’t have to shiver down there much longer. Do you think I could fit inside the pipe since I’m smaller than the men? Maybe I could reach her.”

“No. It’s only a twelve incher. If we can’t make her crawl out, then we’ll have to free the blocked end so we can lift the pipe enough for her to slide out. That means getting a backhoe out here to unearth it. If that fails, we’ll have to cut the pipe.”

Chelsea shuddered. “Will you have to use one of those torches?”

“No. That would make it too hot. We’ll probably stick with the rotary saw.”

She bowed her head. “It’ll be dangerous no matter what you do.”

“Not if we’re careful. But that’s why we’d rather try coaxing her out first. We’ll go down there now. When I give the signal, start singing again. Your voice will comfort her,” he said over his shoulder before walking away.

“I’ll try to keep her responding.”

“If you get too cold or need to use the rest room, I told the officers to let you in the house,” Max murmured. “They’ll have plenty of food and drinks on hand.”

His thoughtfulness warmed her. “Thank you, Max. But I’m hoping she’ll be rescued long before I have to break my promise to Traci about leaving the baby alone.”

“Amen to that.”

He was gone in an instant.

Chelsea knew the man cared about people. She’d witnessed that concern and commitment on other cases. But just now the emotional intensity of his response led her to believe he’d been affected on a much deeper level by this crisis with Betsy.

She’d sensed that the circumstances under which Traci’s baby had come into the world had been as horrifying to him as to Chelsea. The fact that Betsy’s mother had been willing to face being murdered to save herself and her child from a fate worse than death proved what a remarkable parent she really was.

Some mothers didn’t have a clue.

Tears trickled down Chelsea’s cheeks as she remembered the wasteland of her own upbringing. Little Betsy had no idea how lucky she was to have a mother who loved her so much she would put her daughter’s welfare before all else, even her own life.

More than anything in the world, Chelsea wanted Traci to have the opportunity to raise her child in an environment of total love, not fear. Max wanted the same thing for them.

If either he or Chelsea had anything to say about it, Traci would be given that chance. Already Chelsea’s mind was filling with plans she would like to put into action once Max had restored Betsy to her mother.

While she waited for him to give her more directions, she ate the sandwich he’d brought her earlier. A few minutes later she noticed another fire truck roll up. Three more firefighters began unloading lights and heating equipment with their matchless expertise.

No matter what it took, Max would make the miracle happen. On that score Chelsea harbored no doubts. He was a man who lit his own fires. When she really allowed herself to think about it, there was no one to compare with him.

From her perch at the edge of the excavation, she followed Max’s progress to the utility truck. Behind it she spied a couple of television vans. It hadn’t taken them long. It never did, she reflected.

Before long the scene would turn into a media frenzy, but all she cared about was Traci’s little girl, who needed to be kept warm throughout her ordeal.

“Chelsea?” Max’s voice called a few minutes later. He had entered the pit. “Try talking to her, and then sing something.”

She spread the tarp on the ground, then lay down on her stomach so she could extend her head over the edge.

“Hello, little darling. It’s Chelsea. Come on out of there. Come on, sweetheart. Come to me and your mommy. That’s a girl. We’re right here. All you have to do is crawl closer. Show us what a big girl you are.”

Another song, “The Happy Wanderer,” came to mind. It was a tune she and her friends used to sing on their excursions into the Jura mountains above the Swiss vineyards.

“Did you like that, honey?”

“She’s imitating some of the sounds! Sing the song again! Maybe she’ll start crawling toward me!”

Encouraged, Chelsea did Max’s bidding. When she ran out of verses, she started again, then switched to “The Lonely Goatherd” from The Sound of Music.

“Well, well, well.” The familiar male voice came from the other side of the tape. “The boss is fuming because he hasn’t heard from you since you left for the Lord ranch ages ago. Unless this is a better story, you’re going to have some explaining to do.”

CHAPTER FOUR

CAREFUL, CRAIG. Your true self is emerging.

Chelsea continued with her medley, ignoring her ambitious colleague from “Tattle Today TV.” He’d never forgiven her for getting the top job in the show, but their boss, Howard, had been determined to offer it to Chelsea.

Chelsea had been flattered that Howard had flown to Los Angeles to woo her himself, but she’d only accepted his contract on the condition that he never reveal to anyone she was the daughter of the famous movie star Rita Maxwell. In fact, Chelsea had made him put it in writing in front of Sid Goldberg, the family attorney who’d always managed her finances.

Apparently Howard had told Craig McDermott that it was his job to show Chelsea the ropes. When she’d arrived in Austin fifteen months ago, she sensed right away Craig despised her. But it wasn’t because of her age—at twenty-seven, she was twenty years his junior—or because she was a woman. What he hated was losing out to a nonlocal, especially one from California. Hollywood had been Chelsea’s playground from birth, and she had proven herself a successful radio and television reporter. She knew how to mix spice and glitz with the news, making her a sought-after property not only on the West Coast.

She didn’t need the seven-digit salary Howard had promised. Money was the one commodity she’d always had in abundance. Her mother’s box office earnings had set her up for life.

No, it was Austin’s smaller market that proved to be the enticement. That and the fact that it was unfamiliar territory. In Texas there was nothing to remind her that the only person in the world who truly cared about her welfare was Erna, the family housekeeper. And Sid, of course. But it was Erna who knew everything about Chelsea’s life, the ugliness that had gone on behind closed doors. An ugliness Chelsea’s mother had chosen to ignore.

“Does the boss know you can sing, too?” Craig baited her. “Where’s your car? How did you get out here, anyway?”

Chelsea waved a hand to signal that she couldn’t talk to Craig right now. As long as Max needed her help, she refused to let him down.

Craig let go with some profanity that wasn’t very original. “Will you stop singing for five seconds and tell me the real story behind the baby-stuck-in-the-pipe story? That’s the sum total of what I got out of Officer Unfriendly back there.”

Since Craig didn’t intend to go away until he had answers, she ended the song. “There is no other story,” she called. “My car broke down at the Lord ranch.”

“Did you get pictures of Eckart’s ex?”

“No.” As for Jake Maitland, he couldn’t get rid of her fast enough. “I don’t think she was there. After Eckart was killed last night, it figures she and the baby were moved to another location.” Chelsea had glimpsed Camille at the cabin, hiding behind Jake, but Craig didn’t need to know that.

“Obviously Max Jamison was out at the Lord ranch to keep people away from the crime scene,” she went on. “He was only too happy to get rid of me by offering to run me to a garage for help. When we drove down this street, we saw a woman running toward us, crying for help. We found out her little girl was trapped in the excavation site.

“I was asked to stay and help because the rescue workers think a frightened child might respond better to a woman. Her mother’s too upset. Right now I’m supposed to be singing to the little girl until she’s rescued. That’s all I know.”

Afraid he would ask more questions she had no intention of answering, she began another song. She was glad he couldn’t step inside the tape. But that didn’t prevent him from glaring at her back before he stomped off to join some other members of the media who’d gathered behind the tape with their camcorders.

She’d barely breathed a sigh of relief when he came back ten minutes later to interrupt her singing once more. “Something fishy’s going on around here. There’s a police guard at the house next door, and no one’s talking. What’s happening, Chelsea? And don’t give me that drivel about not knowing anything.”

She finished the song, then turned. “The mother saw her little girl fall into the construction site and disappear. By the time Max returned from town after calling the police, she’d gone into shock. He helped her home and made her lie down. To my knowledge, she’s resting and can’t be disturbed.” Chelsea prayed she sounded convincing. “The person you need to interview is Max, but he’s working with those firefighters, trying to figure out a way to get the child to crawl out of that pipe.”

He ground his teeth. “A lot of good your singing’s going to do. Did you try to get in and talk to the mother?”

“I have a job here and wasn’t given a choice.”

“You mean Jamison didn’t give you one.”

“It wasn’t like that, Craig. Both the battalion chief and Max asked me to help calm the child. That’s what I intend to do.”

Even from a distance, Craig looked livid. “Neither of those men has the right to interfere with your business as a reporter. Jamison’s not even on the police force any more, so he can’t order you around. Come on. Let’s walk over by the house. Joining forces might convince the police to let us have a short interview for tomorrow night’s show. If that fails, I know a guy at Pettigrew Realty. He can get us the background information on the family living in that house, plus the reason for this deserted excavation site. Unfortunately he won’t be able to deliver the goods before midmorning. You know the boss goes into orbit when we don’t come up with any new facts on a breaking story.”

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