CHAPTER FOUR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Sam, I think there might be something wrong,” Vandy said. “I can’t reach Lindsay.”

“I thought she was spending the day with her friend Maggie,” Sam replied.

“She is supposed to be, yes.”

“Well, that’s probably your answer. She’s hanging out with her friend. Maybe her phone is off.”

“She never turns that damn thing off.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but she’s ignored your calls and texts before, hasn’t she?”

“Many times, but much less since our relationship has gotten better.”

“When was the last time you tried calling her?”

“About two hours ago.”

Vandy’s phone buzzed. She looked at the display.

“What is it?” Sam asked.

“Oh, thank god,” Vandy replied. “It’s a text from Lindsay. It says, Sorry I missed your calls. My phone is acting up. See you in Bozeman tonight. Love Lindsay.”

“Well, mystery solved, then,” Sam replied.

“I guess.”

“You still sound worried. Why don’t you just call her?”

She thought for a moment, “I think I’ll wait.  She’ll think I’m acting in a controlling fashion.”

“Suit yourself,” he replied. “If it were me and I were worried, I’d call her.”

“I think I will.”

Vandy dialed Lindsay’s number. She turned to Sam.

“It went straight to voicemail,” she said.

“Do you have Maggie’s number?”

“I do.”

“Try her.”

Vandy switched the cell to speaker phone, dialed Maggie’s number and sat the phone on the counter.  Maggie answered the phone on the second ring.

“Hello.”

“Maggie, this is Vandy.”

“Hi, Ms. Vanderbilt.”

“Maggie, I’m trying to reach Lindsay.”

“What a coincidence. I just talked to her on the phone.”

“On the phone?  She’s not with you?”

“No. She made… other plans. Is there a problem?”

“What other plans?”

“I’m not sure. She’s kind of independent, Ms. Vanderbilt.”

“Ya think?”

Maggie laughed, “I’m sure everything is ok.”

“Damn her for not answering. She has me worried sick.”

“Ms. Vanderbilt, I know you’re worried,” Maggie said. “I don’t want to get Lindsay in trouble or anything, but there’s something you should know.”

“What is it, Maggie?”

“Lindsay didn’t really stop off in Chicago to meet me,” she said.

“What are you talking about?”

She heard a deep sigh, “I sorry to be the one who tells you this, but Lindsay stopped off in Chicago to meet her boyfriend. I was supposed to cover for her, but you seem so worried.  I thought you should know.”

“You have to be kidding me,” Vandy scoffed.

“I’m sorry, I’m not.”

“What’s his name?”

“Steve.”

“Steve who?”

“I don’t know, I swear. I’d tell you if I did.”

“Do you have his number?”

“No, I don’t. All I know is, he met her in school and he lives in Chicago. She told me she was spending the night at his parent’s house.”

“Jesus,” Vandy gasped. “That girl… She’s in so much trouble.”

“If you want, I can try to call her.”

“Would you? She might answer if you call. If she is with a guy, she probably will not take a call from me. Tell her to call me. I’m worried sick.”

“I will, and I’m sorry, Ms. Vanderbilt. Take care.”

“Goodbye.”

Vandy hit the end button and looked at Sam, “Mystery solved, I guess.”

“Boyfriend, huh?” Sam noted.

“Apparently.  That means she spent the night with him.  You just wait until I see her...”

“And you didn’t know about this guy?”

She shook her head, “No. Nothing, but I’m not surprised about that. If I had a nickel for every time I lied about boys to my parents…”

Sam could tell, Vandy was seething… and worried.

“She’s had boyfriends before, right?” Sam asked.

“Of course. Nothing serious.”

“Are you friends with her on Facebook?”

“Yes, why?”

“Have you looked at it lately?”

“Sure, just a while ago. I posted a note for her to call me.”

“Anything on Facebook that leads you to believe she was dating a boy? Pictures of them together, notes back and forth—that sort of thing?”

“No, but this would be just like her.  She’s too smart to post something like this on Facebook when she knows I could see it. Are you worried?”

“No, it’s probably nothing,” he said. “I’m not.”

Sam lied. He was getting worried, but outwardly decided not to show it. He didn’t want to worry Vandy more than she already was.  He looked at his watch and then at Vandy.

“Text her again and let’s give her a little while to respond. I’m sure she’ll call.”

Sam nodded and picked up his cell.

“I’m headed to the barn for a few minutes,” Sam said. “I’ll be back soon.”

Sam walked to the barn and, when inside, pulled his own cell, and dialed Hank Patterson.  Hank was a former Navy Seal who now headed up an organization known as the Brotherhood Protectors, a private security force comprised of ex-military men and women.  Sam, a former Army Ranger, had been a member of the organization for more than three years now. It was through the Brotherhood Protectors that he met Vandy when he was assigned to watch over her.

Hank answered on the first ring, “Sam!” he greeted. “How’s the quiet ranch life treating you?”

“Damn good, thank you,” he said, “but I need a favor.”

“Name it.”

“Do you still have contacts that can ping the location of a cell?”

“I do. What’s up?”

“We can’t get in touch with Vandy’s daughter,” Sam said. “Her last known location was O’Hare in Chicago.”

“How long has she been missing?”

“Since she arrived in Chicago yesterday afternoon.”

“And how old is she?”

“Sixteen.”

Hank sighed, “Sam, she’s probably with a friend or a guy. There’s a lot to do in Chicago.”

“Something just doesn’t feel right. My radar is going off.  Can you have her phone pinged?”

“I can,” he said. “It’s not exactly legal. It might take a while.”

“It’s important. As soon as you can, ok?”

“Give me her name and cell number. I’ll see what I can do.  I can’t promise anything.”