Chapter 71
Suzy’s cell rang. She raced to get it off the counter. According to the caller ID, it was Lt. Montgomery. After putting him on speaker, she waved madly to get Ken’s attention.
Ken bolted off the couch and ran across the room. “Any news?”
“I have the girls,” the cop said.
Suzy put one arm around Ken’s waist as tears flowed down her cheeks. Chest tight, she almost couldn’t breathe.
Ken’s jaw unclenched ever so slightly. His eyes flickered but he didn’t smile. “They had better be alive and unharmed.”
“They’re very alive and appear to be fine. Be there in five.” Lt. Montgomery hung up before Suzy or Ken could ask further questions.
Suzy tried to read Ken who remained stoic. “This is great news, hon. They’re okay. Izzy’s okay.”
“I’ll see just how ‘okay’ they are.” He crossed his arms and stared icily ahead. Obviously, she wasn’t going to be forgiven easily. They stepped outside, stood on the front porch, and waited in silence.
Lt. Montgomery pulled in front of the house. Both girls were in the back seat. He jumped out and opened the back car door. The teens walked toward them with heads bowed. Suzy noticed a chocolate ice cream stain on Izzy’s shirt.
All business, Lt. Montgomery shook Ken and Suzy’s hands. “Glad to have a good outcome.” He shot the girls a stern glance. “This time.”
Izzy ran to her father. Ken wrapped his arms around his daughter and kissed the top of her head. “Thank God you’re okay. Thank God you’re home. Thank God you weren’t—” His voice broke.
Izzy sobbed uncontrollably as she buried her head in her father’s chest. Her friend, Nelly, stood silent. Nelly’s face was pale and Suzy noticed she had dark circles under her eyes. They must have stayed up all night.
Ken turned to the cop. “What happened? Where did you find them?”
“Within an hour after the AMBER Alert was issued, we received numerous leads. Most were dead ends. Officers scoured the city. I followed one anonymous lead to Crystal City Park. Sure enough, the girls were sitting in swings beside a twenty-something suspect.”
Lt. Montgomery paused, obviously for dramatic affect. With an annoyed tone, he said, “They were eating ice cream. Looked innocent enough, but as soon as I approached them, the man ran. I called dispatch and stayed with the girls while patrol officers caught him.” He crossed his arms. “Pizza Guy is now the proud new resident of the Crystal City Jail. I’ll deal with him later.” He glanced at Izzy and Nelly. “I hope you two learned a valuable lesson leaving with a stranger in the middle of the night.”
The girls didn’t make eye contact with the officer. Instead, they bobbed their heads, sniffled, and stared at their feet, obviously not willing to anger the cop further.
Suzy extended her hand to Lt. Montgomery. “Thank you for finding them—” Her voice trembled. “For rescuing them.” She turned toward her husband. “Ken, they’re okay.”
Ken clung to Izzy. “Thank God.” He squeezed her tighter. Izzy cried, and Ken blew his nose into a handkerchief. Suzy tried to hug Izzy from behind but felt like an outsider. It was very clear this moment was between father and daughter.
Suzy beamed at Lt. Montgomery. “You’re a hero. Thank you again. We’re so relieved.”
The cop lowered his voice. “I asked the girls if they needed to be taken to the Crystal City Hospital for a rape kit but they both vehemently assured me that wasn’t necessary. He turned to the teens. “Right, girls?”
Both Izzy and Nelly bobbed their heads, still inspecting the ground.
Suzy gasped at the thought of potential rape.
Ken held Izzy’s shoulders and tipped her chin up so she had to make eye contact. “Did he touch you because if he did, I’ll kill—”
Lt. Montgomery narrowed his eyes. “We take care of those matters.”
Ken obviously got the message and didn’t press.
The cop continued, “I’m happy to be the bearer of good news—this time.” He glanced from Ken to Suzy. “You need to keep a closer eye on your daughter. Next time might not have a happy ending.”
Ken shot Suzy a look as Lt. Montgomery strode toward his car. The cop shouted over his shoulder. “I’ll let you know if I need anything else after I write up my report.” He wagged his finger at the girls. “Crystal City spent a lot of time, money, and effort on this. I understand the school was involved as well and I’ve seen the “Missing Person’s” posters all over town.” He climbed inside his car and made air quotes. “If you’ll excuse me, I have a certain ‘pizza guy’ to interrogate.”
After he drove off, Suzy blew out her breath. “Isn’t that their job to spend time and effort on missing people? Tony can be a real jerk. Sometimes I wonder what Alex sees in him.”
“But he found Izzy,” Ken said.
Suzy knew Ken would be more protective of his daughter than ever.
Nelly spoke. “Mom is on her way here. I texted her while the cop was lecturing us.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Suzy said. “I should have called her immediately.”
Izzy broke the uncomfortable, tension-filled silence on the porch. “What’s the big deal? He didn’t hurt us. He didn’t even touch us. Weren’t you rebels once? A flowerchild, skipped school, took a joy ride, or something?”
Suzy crossed her arms. “No, I wasn’t a rebel. I followed the rules. Besides, I’m a little young to be a flowerchild.” She put her arm around both girls. “I’m glad you’re okay. You and Nelly were very lucky.”
Ken blubbered. “My baby. I was so worried. Don’t ever do that again.”
“I won’t, Daddy. I promise.”
They walked inside where the smell of stale coffee greeted them. Minutes later, the doorbell rang and Nelly ran into her grateful mother’s arms. Suzy greeted Nelly’s mom and told her what had transpired. They exchanged hugs and left.
Suzy entered the family room where Ken and Izzy were snuggled on the couch. Izzy leaned against her father’s shoulder while he smoothed her hair. She felt her blood pressure rise. “Izzy, don’t take this the wrong way. I’m thrilled you were found and are okay but do you realize how many people were scared out of their minds? Do you know how many people dropped everything to find you? The school even canceled first hour so students could help with the search.” She shook her head. “And to think, all the while, you were eating ice cream in the park.”
Ken glared at his wife. “What’s wrong with you, Suzy? Aren’t you glad she’s home?” He pulled Izzy closer. “This isn’t like you.”
Izzy turned and snickered at her stepmother. “We rode around, listened to music, and ate ice cream in the park. We’re teenagers. We do things like that. What’s the big deal?”
“What’s the big deal?” She ticked off her fingers. “Where should I begin? You scared us half to death. Your dad almost had a coronary. We made posters and hung them all over town. Students and faculty from school canvassed Crystal City. The police got involved. Want more?”
Ken held up his hand. “That’s enough, Suzy. I don’t like your tone.”
Izzy made a face at Suzy behind Ken’s back.
Suzy bristled. “Izzy, you and Nelly should take all of the posters down. You also need to apologize to Paige who was traumatized, call the principal, and at least attempt to act contrite when you go to school tomorrow.”
Ken put his arm around his daughter’s shoulders. “I’ll take the posters down and call the school. I’m happy to have my baby back.”
Suzy threw her arms in the air. “I’m glad the girls are back too, Ken, but they need to take responsibility for their actions or they’ll never learn anything from this.”
Ken ignored his wife. “Want breakfast or lunch out? Anyplace you want, sweetie. Name it.”
He’s rewarding Izzy for her bad behavior. I give up. Suzy felt like an outcast in her own home. She stormed from the room. “I’ll be back later.”
“When?” Ken asked.
“Later.”