CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

 

GINNY PARKED in front of the Children’s Museum and led the boys inside.  They had a half-day at school and she was almost as excited as they were to be here.  Her own Children’s Museum was the next phase of the firehouse project.  She brushed her hand on her stomach.  Maybe when the baby was born, she would work on that full time.  What better way to take your child to work?

She had already talked with the franchise owners here and they were excited to branch out.  She planned to take notes today while the boys enjoyed themselves.

Raised beds lined the entrance with Spring garden vegetables and she had Scott and Sandy identifying the asparagus spears, red and white radishes, stalks of artichokes and mustard greens that they had studied in her class.

When they entered, she immediately had second thoughts about bringing them by herself.  People, adults and children were everywhere.  She bought their tickets and then made their way to the entrance.  Scott and Sandy were excited and had talked about the different areas they wanted to check out.

She held their hands.  “We’re going to have to stay close.  There are a lot of people here today and I don’t want anything to happen to you.  Okay?”

Both boys immediately headed for the mechanic station where they looked under the hood of a play car, changed the tires, fastened the license plate. 

“We need to be sure the inspection sticker is okay.” Sandy said.  “Remember when Mom got a ticket because hers was bad.”

“Yeah, where do you change the oil?” Scott asked Ginny.

They decided to go to the Diner next.  Each sat at one of the five tables and played with the juke box then moved to the replica of a counter with child size stools.  They took turns taking orders with several of the other children.  Ginny laughed as they ordered cheeseburgers and fries and pizzas.

While they played, she looked around and made mental notes of other stations she would like to have in her own children’s museum.  There was the bank with a miniature teller window, ATM machine and play money to count.  The news studio had a child size news desk, control panel, and sports backdrop.  Even a camera where they could pretend taping each other at the news desk.

Ginny knew she wanted an Art Studio where children could paint pictures then hang them to dry.  And a Playhouse with a ticket booth, lighting box and dressing room with a trunk full of costumes.  She was all for anything that stimulated a child’s imagination.

They were headed toward the mock Grocery Store when Ginny looked up and thought she saw Tim Cavanaugh.  She checked on the boys and looked back but he wasn’t there.  That’s odd, she thought.  Surely, he wouldn’t be here of all places.

She gave the boys a list of groceries to look for and was headed for the observation seats designated for parents when Tim suddenly appeared beside her.  He apparently took the day off as he was dressed casual in khaki’s and a shirt.

“Tim,” she exclaimed.  “This is a surprise.  I thought I saw you earlier.  What brings you to the Children’s Museum in Richmond?”

“I talked to Randi about coming to visit and she said you were bringing them here.”

Ginny beamed.  “Yes.  And they’re having a fantastic time.  Did you bring Miriam with you?”

“No. I just thought I’d try spending a little time with them by myself.  You don’t mind, do you?”

“Of course not.  I think it’s wonderful that you’re taking the time to get to know your boys.”  She spotted them in the grocery store and laughed.  “They’re doing a little grocery shopping right now.  We plan go to the bank next.  Problem is, there are so many children here.   Let me go get them.”

Ginny turned back to the store and frowned when she couldn’t find the boys.  She hastily searched for red-heads, hoping they would stick out, but there were no red-heads in sight.  She dashed closer, ran among the children but could not find them.  She turned to enlist help from Tim but he was no longer there either.

“Oh my God,” she exclaimed, where were the boys.

She searched the area more closely, then moved frantically throughout the entire Museum. She dashed to the front desk to see if a concerned parent might have found them and taken them there.  She described the boys and the clothes they wore and asked if they had seen the boys leave with anyone.  Four from the staff immediately started searching through the crowd.  They had just regrouped with no sightings when one of the teen volunteers returned from her lunch.

“Wait,” she said. “did you say they were twins?  Wearing navy and white shirts?  I think I saw them on my way out to lunch.  Yeah, I saw them leaving with a woman.”

“A woman,” Ginny exclaimed.  “I saw their father but not his wife.  Was she tall? Slender? Have dark hair?”

“Yeah.  She had each of them by the hand and was talking to them the whole time they walked out.”

Ginny panicked.  “You’ve got to call nine-one-one.  This is a possible child abduction.  I talked to their father right before they went missing.  Please, we need to get an amber alert out on these boys.”

Ginny called Cliff.  “You’ve got to come to Richmond.  The boys and I were here at the Children’s Museum but then Tim appeared.  I lost sight of the boys and when I turned around Tim was gone too.”

“What was he doing there?”  Cliff asked.

“I asked him the same thing and he said he had called Randi and she said we were here.  Cliff, a volunteer saw the boys walking out with Miriam.  Tim told me she didn’t come.  What if they’ve kidnapped the boys?”

“I’ll call the others and we’ll be right there.”

“Please hurry.”

 

Ginny was talking with the police officers when Cliff, Brina and Rafe arrived.  She ran into Cliff’s arms.  “I’m having the hardest time convincing them the boys should be with me.  I’ve been trying to call Randi but she’s not answering.  Cliff, how could Tim do this to us?  And if Randi said it was okay, why didn’t she call me?”

“Ma’am, it’s not that we don’t believe you.  We just have to be sure they are supposed to be with you.”

“But can’t you do an amber alert anyway?”

“We’ve got everything set up, just need verification from their mother.  She’s their sole guardian, right?  You said their father had supervised visiting rights.”

“Yes,” Cliff answered.  “Her husband has recently started child custody proceedings but Miranda Cavanaugh, their mother, has sole custody.”  Cliff looked at Brina.  “You’ve got Trevor’s number.  Can you give him a call?”

“On it,” Brina said as she reached for her phone.

“Trevor,” she exclaimed.  “Hey, is Randi with you?”

“Yeah.  We just finished the presentation, why?”

“We’re here with Ginny at the Children’s Museum and we think Tim has kidnapped the boys.”

“He what,” Trevor growled.  “What is he even doing there?  Here, here’s Randi.”

“Brina?”  Randi asked.  “What’s wrong?”

“It’s the boys.  Ginny brought the boys to the Children’s Museum.  They’d been here a while, then Ginny saw Tim.  While he was talking to her, Miriam apparently lured the boys out of the place.”

“Tim was there?  Miriam took the boys?  Oh my God. Have you called the police?  Issued an Amber Alert?”

“That’s what Ginny has been trying to do but they wanted to be sure she is supposed to have them.  Here, the policeman wants to speak to you.”

Randi gave him an opportunity to identify himself.  “You have got to find my boys.  Their father is Tim Cavanaugh and he is not supposed to be around them without supervision.  Harriet Young is our GAL if you need to verify this.  Please, please get an amber alert started.  I have no idea why he should want to see my boys now.  Or what he might do.”

“Mrs. Spicer has given us a description of the boys and what they are wearing.  She doesn’t really remember what Mr. Cavanaugh was wearing.  She said he is a delegate?  From Maryland?”  When Randi confirmed it, he continued, “we can go online to get a picture of him.  Do you know what kind of vehicle he drives?”

“I can give you that information,” Randi heard Cliff say.  “Black BMW.  Not sure of the license plate.  Did you notice, Rafe?”

“No but I think it was personalized.”

“Ms. Cavanaugh, I think we have enough information to get an amber alert issued.  One of our officers will get in touch with your local authorities who will more likely contact Mrs. Young.  Do you know approximately when you will be home?”

“Trevor?” Randi asked.  “How soon can we get home?”

“Plane’s ready.  Three hours at most.”

“And where will you be?” The officer asked after hearing Trevor’s response.

“They’ll be at Spicer Meadows,” Cliff answered.  “I’ll give you the address once you finish talking with Randi.”

 

Miriam reached in her pocket for her cell phone when Tim stopped to get gas.  She had been concerned after talking with Randi and decided to get one.  Also decided not to tell Tim she had one.

It bothered her that Ginny didn’t come out with him and became worried when he abruptly told her to shut up and the boys to buckle in.  When they complained that he didn’t have their car seats, he once again demanded that they buckle in.  They had been quiet ever since.

They heard the amber alert broadcast on the radio and she had checked on them to see if they understood what was happening.  Her heart cried when she saw their frightened eyes.

She watched her husband while she discreetly dialed nine-one-one.

“Nine-one-one, how may I help you?” the responder answered.

“Please, you’ve got to help us.  My husband has kidnapped us and I’m worried about the boys.”

“Can you give us a location?”

“No, not really.  All I know is we’re past Fredericksburg.  Off ninety-five.  Oh,” she exclaimed, “he’s coming back to the car.  Please, you’ve got to find us.”

“Ma’am, leave your phone on.  Hide it but leave it on.  We should be able to track you if you keep your phone on.”

Miriam tucked the phone between her and the console.  “Tim,” she touched his arm when he started the car.  “Don’t you think we should stop and get the boys something to eat.”

“I don’t have time for that.”

“But Tim, I’m sure Scott and Sandy have to go the bathroom by now.  They’re already upset, please don’t make this more difficult.  Look, there’s a McDonald’s up ahead.”  She turned to look at the boys and tried to smile.  “Wouldn’t you two like a happy meal?”  She turned back to Tim.  “You can even get a burger. Eat it on the road if you want.  Just let me take the boys in to the bathroom while you order.  Maybe you can let us out near the door then go through the take-out line.  You won’t even have to get out of the car.  I’ll meet you outside.”

Miriam worried he wouldn’t pay attention to her but mentally sighed in relief when he turned into the parking lot.  He stopped by the door, told the boys to unbuckle and make it quick.  Miriam grabbed the phone and got out.  She steered the boys inside then headed for the bathroom.

“I need you boys to go with me to the women’s bathroom.  Please.  I’ll lock the door and we won’t let anyone come in except the police.  Okay?”

Scott and Sandy nodded with watery eyes and followed her into the bathroom.  She locked the door and reached for her phone.

“Are you still there?  Did you hear?”

“Yes, ma’am.  You did great.  We think we have a location and have dispatched some local authorities there.  You stay where you are until your husband is apprehended.”

Miriam collapsed on the floor and hugged each boy to her side.  “We’re going to be okay,” she sobbed.  “You’ll be with your mommy soon.”

 

The flight felt like it took forever and the road to Spicer Meadows seem endless.  They had landed in Richmond and Trevor raced up ninety-five towards Edmondsville.

“Should be another fifteen minutes.” He looked over at Randi who had been silent since landing.  She had paced on the plane, worried out loud about what Tim might do with her boys and called Ginny twice.  He pulled off the exit.

“Give Ginny another call.  It’s been over thirty minutes.  Maybe there’s been a development.”

“My phone’s almost dead.  Thank goodness, we’re almost home.  Ginny,” she said, “hey we’re almost there.  Have there been any developments?”

Ginny sobbed.  “Yes. Yes.  They apprehended Tim about thirty miles North of Fredericksburg.  Duane called to say he was on his way to get the boys.  Randi, I’m so sorry this happened.  I should have been more careful.  I’m just glad they found the boys.”

Randi reached for Trevor’s hand and smiled.  “Ginny, it’s not your fault.  It could have been me.  I just wonder how Tim knew I was going to be out of town. And that you would be there. Did Duane say when he might be back?”

“No.”  Then she laughed.  “He said he would try to give the boys something else to remember and probably run the blue lights all the way home.”

Everyone was at the manor house when Randi and Trevor arrived.  All looked exhausted but happy.  “Duane just called and said he had the boys.  They were upset and confused but okay.”

“Did he say anything about Tim?  Or Miriam?”

Cliff nodded.  “Just said he’d tell us when he got here.”  He looked at Trevor and Rafe.  “I don’t know about you but I could use a drink.  What about you two?”

“Lead the way,” Trevor said.

“Are you okay, Ginny?” Randi asked.  She looked exhausted and knew Ginny had been nervous the entire time.  “This hasn’t affected the baby, has it?”

“No, but I’ve just experienced a mother’s worst nightmare.  I’ll probably never let this child out of my sight.”

“Honey, it wasn’t your fault.”  She hugged Ginny.  “And it could just as easily have been me.  I’m just sorry Tim put you in that situation.  And Miriam?  I can’t believe she went along with it.”

“Well I can’t imagine how Tim’s going to talk his way out of this,” Marcie said.  “Oh, I called Brad.  Figured he should be here.  I hope that’s okay.”

Randi smiled.  “Probably for the best.  Especially since he’s representing me.  And he can talk to Harriet.”

“So?”  Brina asked as they settled in the den.  “How was the trip?”

“Great.  We worked hard, put together the presentation and they bought it.  As soon as the purchase has been finalized, Trevor will start on the project.  I’ll also be involved as I’ll be doing the interiors.  I’ll have to go to Atlanta some but thankfully, the boys will be out of school by then.”

“Probably won’t let me keep them again,” Ginny sighed.

“Stop it,” Randi said.  “I’m not going to let you blame yourself.”  She looked out the front window and saw the blue lights coming up the drive.  “I guess Duane wasn’t kidding.  Here they come.”

Everyone rushed outside to greet the boys.  Randi fell on her knees and hugged both boys who literally flew into her arms.  “I am so glad you two are okay.  I hope your father didn’t hurt you.”

“He was mean.”  Scott said.

“He didn’t hurt you, did he?”

“No.  Just hollered at us.  Wasn’t going to let us eat.”

“But Miriam talked him into stopping.  Then we went inside and she locked us in the bathroom.”

Randi looked up at Duane who nodded.  “Yup.  Let’s go inside.  I think one of the boys said he was hungry but I couldn’t go through the drive through with my lights going.  They said they’d have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich here.”

“Yeah.  Can we?” Sandy asked.

While the boys ate their sandwiches in the den everyone stood around in the kitchen.

“Please don’t say Tim sweet-talked his way out of this.”  Randi said.

Duane laughed.  “No way.  When I got there, he was hollering from the back seat of the cruiser.”

Everyone laughed.  “What about Miriam?”

“She was standing by another cruiser talking to the officers.  She said to tell you how sorry she was about all this.  She thought Tim wanted to take the boys and Ginny out to lunch.  Didn’t know what he’d planned until he returned without Ginny and told everyone to get in the car.

I talked to the officer in charge and he said Tim will be charged with kidnapping, child abduction and child endangerment since he didn’t have the proper car seats.  Even Miriam is claiming she was kidnapped.  The officer said Miriam helped them find them.  Called nine-one-one, talked Tim into stopping for something to eat, then locked herself and the boys in the bathroom until they got there.  She even made the officer identify himself before she would open the door.”

“You know, she called me,” Randi said.  “Asked me all kinds of questions about my marriage to Tim.  I think she was already getting suspicious of his behavior and when she told me she didn’t have a cell phone, I told her she needed one.  I’m just glad she took my advice.”

“Well, I think things have caught up with him and he might as well give up on any political aspirations he might have had,” Trevor said.