The False Exit Page 26

  “I don’t know,” Clifford said. “I never know.”

  “Well, I’ll say it again, you need to get that man out of your mind and keep him out!”

  “Bill,” Clifford paused, “I know you don’t like to hear it, but I just want to say I hate to see carrying around all that anger. It’s holding you both back. I do wish you could find a way to make your peace with him.”

  “I’m not there yet, Clifford,” he said.

  “Okay. I understand. Come on and get your plate.” He paused. “How is Anna Marie?”

  “She is doing well. It’s a big day! She is picking up little Annie today!”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Kevin.”

  Bill sighed. Clifford picked up a piece of Turkey sausage. “Come here, boy.” He threw it to Motley.

  “Cliff, you know I don’t feed him people food,” he said shaking his head in disbelief.

  “Don’t worry, this isn’t people food. It’s dog food. Hot dog food.”

  “I thought you said it was good?”

  “It is, but only with the right mind set,” Clifford said. “So how are you and Anna Marie? That is what I really meant when I asked, ‘how is Anna Marie’.”

  “We’re friends. Let’s just put it that way. We’re back to being great friends. We’re best as friends,” Bill said.

  “Friends? You looked like more than friends the last time I saw you walking up the sidewalk,” he said.

  “Nah, I decided to cool that down.”

  “Cool it down? What is the matter with you? Your whole life you loved that woman. You finally get a chance and you back off?”

  “I don’t want to be Kevin’s replacement. He broke her and I can’t fix her. After all these years, if I am going to commit to somebody, I need to know they’re all in and for the right reasons. I’m completely done with standing in that man’s shadow! I’ll be darned if I am going to be the love that he represented. I can’t do that.”

  “Wow! Okay, I get it. I see.”

  “What about you?”

  “Me? I got too cocky. It’s hard not to be sure of yourself when the good Lord himself tells you to go back and marry someone. I already have the heavenly blessing and the plan laid out for me! It’s pretty bad that I still can’t get it right,” he laughed. “I guess I wasn’t fair to Mary. She hasn’t gotten the same information. I suppose heaven works on a different time scale.”

  “You’re piece a work, Clifford.”

  “So are you,” he joked.

  “How have you been feeling?”

  “It’s taking me awhile to get my strength back but otherwise I’m as good as gold. The other day Mary popped a kiss on my cheek and it jump started my heart. I hadn’t felt that good since the 90’s!”

  “Oh, so you’re getting kisses from her, huh? That would make any man cocky!” he laughed. “So a little kiss got you in trouble?”

  “No, it wasn’t the kiss that did it. It was the message from heaven that got me all full of myself. The kiss just made me realize that I do have a lot more life left in me!” he laughed.

  Bill helped Cliff clear the table. “Thanks for the breakfast. It looks like the two of us are going to lose some weight!”

  “It wasn’t so bad, was it?”

  “Not bad at all. It was actually good!” Bill said.

  “I have to drop by the theatre today for bit. I better get going! Come on Motley.”

  “Leave him here,” Clifford said. “I can’t believe the hours you put in over there. I thought police work was demanding.”

  “It’s a different life! That’s for sure. Life on the wicked stage! I’ll be back in a few hours.” He stopped before he went through the door, “Just do me a favor, and don’t feed Motley any more sausages. He already likes you better than me and right now he’s all I’ve got! At least he’s keeping the foot of my bed warm. If you steal his heart from me, it would be just as bad as taking my woman! Maybe worse!” he joked.

  51

  It was nearly lunch time and Claire was still in bed when Anna Marie returned with groceries, fresh flowers and a giant welcome balloon for Annie. She glanced at the clock again. She’d been watching it all morning. The time couldn’t pass fast enough. It would only be a few more hours before she would finally be able to bring Annie home.

  She unpacked the groceries and surveyed the space around her. She was pleased. Claire had been working hard to help her put everything in order. They’d both stayed up into the early morning hours to finish perfecting everything. There wasn’t a trace of Kevin left in the house. They’d rearranged most of the furniture, and Annie’s room was ready. She was putting together a second pot of coffee when her phone rang. It was Bernie, the acting supervisor on her case.

  “I realize your scheduled pick up time for Annie isn’t until later today,” he said. “There was an altercation with another child at the home last night. Her temporary provider has made the decision to drop her off early. Is it possible for you to pick her up any earlier today? She is on her way to be dropped off now. You can come any time to start the pick-up procedures, we’ll keep her here until you’re ready.”

  “I will be right there!”

  Anna Marie felt her heart quicken. An altercation? It had to be the boy at the house! She woke up Claire.

  “It’s time!” Anna Marie said.

  “I thought you weren’t picking her up until later this afternoon?”

  “She’s ready early,” was all Anna Marie offered.

  “Oh my God. It’s time, she’s early! It’s like you’re in labor,” she teased. “Okay, here we go! I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “I left a pack of flowers on the table. Would you mind setting them up?” she asked.

  “I’ve got it. This is so exciting!” Claire said as she untangled the covers around her. “I’ll make up the bed and move all my junk to the back room. I’ll have everything perfect. You just go!”

  Anna Marie threw her arms around her. “Thank you. I’m glad you are here,” she said.

  The entire ride, her mind raced. What did Bernie mean by an altercation? Was Annie harmed? Why did the woman want to drop her off early? Was she protecting Annie, or was she protecting another child?

  On her way to the agency, her cell phone rang again. It was Bernie. She pulled over to answer.

  “I’m sorry, this is Bernie again. There is not need to rush in. The little girl has gone missing.”

  “Gone missing! Oh my God! What do you mean, ‘gone missing’?”

  “It appears that she’s run away from the temporary home.”

  “Run away? Appears? What do you mean it ‘appears’ she has run away? The girl is seven! Oh my God, Bernie!”

  “Her foster mother was on the way to bring her in and she’s nowhere to be found.”

  “Have they talked to that boy?”

  “What boy?”

  “The boy in the house?” Anna Marie said.

  “We’re doing everything we possibly can to take care of the situation. We’ve called the police. A missing person’s report will be filed if necessary, and they’re working on placing an amber alert. She hasn’t been missing long enough to do much about it yet. There is nothing else we can do but wait. I’ll call you as soon as we know anything.”

  “I’ll bet that boy at the house knows something! You tell the police that he knows,” she insisted.

  “I’m sure the police are doing everything they can. I’ll call you as soon as we have any further information.”

  Anna Marie stepped out of her car. She paced the sidewalk in disbelief! She felt the short breaths begin to rise. “Kevin, Kevin, Kevin, where is she?” she said out loud. She reached for her phone to call Bill.

  52

  When Liz walked through the door, Mary called to her from the kitchen. “I’m in here, Tootsie.”

  Her grandmother was chopping vegetables. “What are you making?”

  “I’m making you a salad.”
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  “A salad? Perfect!”

  “Yes, healthy choices. I fried up some bacon this morning. I’ll add it.”

  “No, I don’t need bacon!”

  “It’s turkey bacon.”

  “Turkey bacon? Wow, you have been working on it!” Liz sat at the table.

  “How’s my girl?”

  “I’m a mess!”

  “You don’t look a mess! What’s going on?”

  “You know how you suggested that I take a break from Mark and Gary?”

  “Yes?”

  “I took a break from Gary. I didn’t exactly take a break from Mark.”

  “Oh? How did that work out for you?”

  “It didn’t. I should have listened to you. I actually ended up going out for dinner with Mark. It was wonderful! I thought all of my doubts were gone. I had a great time. I can’t get him off my mind.”

  “So, what’s the problem?”

  “The problem is I think I’m more interested in him than he is in me.”

  “Then drop his sorry behind like a hot potato!”

  Liz was surprised at her grandmother’s candor. “But, I don’t want to. The truth is I’m crazy about him.”

  “Liz, you can’t make a man fall in love with you. Walk away, Sweetie. You want it to be equal on both sides. You deserve to have someone who is crazy for you. You’ll never be happy with this one.”

  “Gammy, what if I’m never happy?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I feel like I’ll never be happy without him.”

  “Oh sweet Liz, let that go. Like I said, that man has you under his spell. If he was sincere, he wouldn’t be able to let you doubt his intentions! I will say it again—you need to get some distance from the boy. If you do, you’ll see it clearly soon enough.”

  “But, I already gave him distance and I still kept thinking about him. I can’t stand to see him with Shayla.”

  “Who is Shayla?”

  “Some girl who’s always chasing after him.”

  “Let her have him!”

  “But, I don’t want to.”

  “You need to start over! There is someone for Liz.”

  “What if it’s Gary, and I already chased him off?”

  “Oh sugar,” her grandmother said, “you are too caught up in it. Step back and give it some time. If it’s Gary, he will come back to you.”

  “What if Mark comes back to me?”

  “Wait and see, wait and see. My advice to you right now is not to chase after either one of them.”

  Liz thought for a moment. “What if I lose them both?”

  “What if you do? Do you think that of all the millions of eligible men in the universe, there are only two possible candidates for Liz? Or, is it possible that there is a whole world of gentlemen out there that would be honored to have a chance to explore the heart of the beautiful Elizabeth Mary Johnston? You are throwing in the towel after only two attempts?”

  “Oh my God, Gammy. You’re right! I’m so stupid!”

  “Don’t be hard on yourself, Baby. They call it ‘crazy, stupid love’ for a reason! I know they say follow your heart, but I’ve always thought that it’s a good idea to ask someone you trust to check in on your brain too.” She set the salad in front of Liz. “Here, have some salad. It’ll do that crazy stupid heart of yours some good.”

  “Thanks Gammy,” she grinned, “for always looking after me and my stupid heart!”

  “I certainly don’t want to see it get broken!” Mary said. She grabbed a bowl to join her. “I guess I’ll dig into some of this rabbit food with you.”

  “It’s good! Especially if you drown it in ranch dressing,” Liz laughed.

  Mary set her fork down and looked at Liz. “Now it’s your turn to check my heart, Liz. I think I am falling for the Captain.”

  “Oh Gammy, fall!” Liz pointed a cherry tomato at her with the end of her fork. “You tumble right down that mountain! Don’t you stop till you get to the bottom! He is wonderful and you two are a match made in heaven.”

  Mary blushed, “I only asked because I think I’m interested in dating him seriously.”

  “Well you have my full stamp of approval. When I check on your heart, all I see is joy!”

  “Well,” Mary said. “We’ll see, we’ll see.”

  The phone rang. “I’ll get it.” Liz said. “Hello Grandma Mary’s house, this is Liz speaking!”

  “Put Mary on, please,” Clifford’s request held a serious tone. She quickly handed her Grandmother the phone.

  “It’s him,” she whispered, “he sounds upset!”

  “Mary! It’s Clifford. I’m sorry to bother you but I’m very unnerved. Kevin is back and it’s different this time. I haven’t felt this before! He has me all worked up!”

  “Worked up? Why?” Mary asked.

  “He keeps repeating something about the B. and B. He says B and B over and over! I don’t know what it means, but he’s really upset. I think he is trying to tell me something about an old buddy of his. I can’t figure this one out.”

  “Cliff, are you okay?”

  “No! Something is terribly wrong. I just know it! I just can’t figure this out! I feel whatever it is he is feeling. It’s more than just hearing him. He has me so agitated.”

  His panic was alarming. “Well, stay calm. Maybe we can figure it out together.”

  “No, this is different. I’ve never felt like this before. I’m over here walking in circles and pacing the floor. He has me all nervous! Something terrible is happening, Mary. I just know it!”

  “You have to calm down, Clifford. You don’t want to end up back in the hospital for your heart. Liz is here, and I’ll have her drop me off on her way to the theatre. We’ll figure it out. Just try to stay calm.”

  “I can’t stay calm with Kevin like this! I have to figure out what’s going on!”

  “Do your best to be calm! I’ll be right there!” She hung up and turned to Liz, “You need to get me over there quick. Cliff needs help! It’s gone too far.”

  “What’s happened?”

  Mary’s eyes filled. “Oh, Liz! I think he is losing his mind. I feel terrible. I should’ve seen it coming! He’s all upset over something with Kevin. He’s been so calm about it up until now. I began to think it was all harmless, but this is not good.”

  “Maybe he needs to call his doctor.”

  “That is exactly what I’m going to talk to him about as soon as I get there. I don’t want to upset him any further. I have to figure out a way to convince him without upsetting him. He’s supposed to see a psychiatrist next week. I hate to say it, but he needs one now!”

  “I can take him in, if he needs a ride?”

  “He’s talking nonsense! Something is terribly wrong!”

  “What exactly is he saying?”

  “He’s saying Kevin is really upset about something! It has him extremely agitated. Kevin is telling him something bad has happened. I just hope he doesn’t end up having a nervous breakdown!”

  “How about I drop you off now, and you can call me if you need me to help. My day is pretty flexible. I’m sure Bill won’t mind if I need to help you take him in. You can call me when you know something.”

  “Let me grab my sweater! Maybe I can get him to calm down when I get over there. You check to see if the stove is off.”

  53

  Liz waved at Bill as she started toward the theatre. He was standing on the sidewalk hanging up his phone. “Good morning,” she called to him.

  “Hey,” he replied.

  He looked stunned. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

  “I just got off the phone with Anna Marie. She was supposed to pick up Kevin’s girl today and apparently the child is missing.”

  “Missing?” Liz asked. She stopped in her tracks. “That’s weird.”

  “They think she ran away. There is an amber alert out for her. Of course, Anna Marie is in a panic. I’m going to go check on her. I need you and Gary to cover for me.�
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  “Hold on, something odd is happening.” Liz said. She pulled out her cell phone. Bill shuffled his feet trying to avoid his impatience with Liz. “Grandma?”

  “Liz?”

  “Grandma, what exactly did you say Clifford was so upset about?”

  “Well I’m here trying help him figure it out. He says Kevin is bothering him about something called the B and B. He insists it’s an emergency.”

  “B and B? What is that?”

  “I don’t know, Honey. He wants us to go there? How can we go there if we don’t know what it is? Clifford thinks it has something to do with his buddy. Who was Kevin’s buddy? Do you know?”

  “Grandma, that doesn’t make any sense.”

  “Hold on.” She heard Clifford interrupting, “Oh, Clifford wants you to ask Anna Marie who Kevin’s buddy is. He wants her to go to his buddy right away. Are you there with Anna Marie?” Mary’s tone changed and she whispered in the phone, “I’m going to tell him to call his doctor when he calms down. I’m trying to help him calm down, first.” Her voice was loud again. “Ok, tell Anna Marie that she needs to go to Kevin’s Buddy, right away. Are you with her?”

  “No, I’m not with her but, something crazy is going on. I’ll call you back, Gammy.”

  “Okay, I’ll tell him you are going to tell Anna Marie,” she heard her grandmother say for Clifford’s sake only.

  She hung up and looked at Bill. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but my grandmother says that Clifford is very upset because Kevin is telling him that he needs to go to something called the B and B. He is saying that we need to ask Anna Marie who Kevin’s buddy is.”

  “What? Kevin’s Buddy?” Bill said.

  “I’m sorry. I know, you don’t like talking about Kevin but this seems important.”

  Bill shook his head and punched in Anna Marie’s number on his cell phone. She answered in a panic.

  “Bill? Oh my God! I’m so upset! They still don’t know where she is. It has been two hours now!”

  “I know, keep breathing. I’m on my way.” He paused and listened to her breathe, “Anna Marie put that finger in front of your face. Deep breath in,” he waited, “and exhale. Stop for a minute and just concentrate on your breathing! We are going to find her.” He waited again. When he thought that she was ready to listen, he said, “I don’t know if this means anything to you, but Clifford is insisting that Kevin is telling him about something that has to do with the B and B. He says he needs to know who Kevin’s buddy is.”