The River Rolls On (Bellingwood Book 10) Read online

  "I know. I know. I can tell you right now that I don't want to make this call."

  "Suck it up and get it over with. I'll sit right here and give you moral support."

  Polly chuckled. "Uh huh. I know what that looks like. You'll serve me my pitiful head on a platter if I get out of line."

  "In a heartbeat. Now call him."

  "Tyrant."

  "Chicken."

  Polly swiped the phone and made the call.

  "Hey, sweetums. Are you calling to whine at me again?"

  "Wow. I've got a bad reputation."

  "I'll be nice. What's up?"

  "A piece of mail showed up at Sycamore House today."

  "I'm guessing it's a special piece of mail because otherwise, I'd be getting this call every day."

  "Smart aleck. Yes. It's special. From the kidnappers."

  There was a sharp intake of breath. "What did it say?"

  "Threats and a picture of a girl wearing my shirt. Henry, I think they killed her."

  "No." All of the life had gone out of his voice.

  "She was posed in my truck. Sylvie thinks the picture was taken near Luther. And Henry, there's more."

  "How could there be more?"

  "I think it might be Joey."

  "Joey. Your Joey?"

  "He's not my Joey. But yes. Him."

  "He's safely locked away in a mental ward someplace, isn't he? Tell me that he is."

  "Aaron is checking on it."

  "What makes you think it's Joey?"

  "The last line said that we were meant to be together."

  "We have to leave town."

  "I can't have that argument again with you, Henry. You know why I can't. But I promise to be good about staying inside."

  "Okay," he said, while inhaling a deep breath.

  "But honey, you have to be careful. He gets crazed when he thinks another man is vying for my attention."

  "I know. I'll keep an eye out. Can we stay in tonight?"

  "I think that's a good idea. I'm sorry, Henry."

  "What are you sorry for?"

  "I guess for ever deciding to go out with him in the first place."

  "Do we know for certain that it's him?"

  "Well, no. But it makes sense. Who else would do this to me?"

  "I want to hire burly bodyguards for sure, now."

  "Aaron's coming over. Do you want me to ask him about this?"

  "No, I'm probably kidding. What do you want for supper?"

  "Ice cream sandwiches. Lots of ice cream sandwiches."

  "I love you, Polly."

  "I love you too. Just stay safe, okay?"

  Polly put the phone down and looked across at Sylvie. "Okay. I told him. Now we're both scared. Know any bodyguard types?"

  Sylvie scowled at her. "The only one I know that could pull that off is my ex-husband and not having him around is something we all want to encourage."

  "Speaking of that, I thought he was going to get more involved with Andrew and Jason? Have you heard anything?"

  "Not a peep. The lawyer threatened him and he backed off. I know he's still in Fort Dodge, but last I heard, he had a chickie up there who was young, cute and childless. Maybe she'll keep him busy for a while."

  Sylvie pointed at the raspberry tart. "What did you think?"

  "It's good! That's a really flaky crust. Are you adding that to your baked goods?"

  "The bride wanted something different for her reception tomorrow night. We're doing these along with little cakes."

  Polly took another bite. "It's good. And thanks for stepping in and making me be normal."

  "It's what I do." Sylvie stood up to leave. "If you need any more butt-kicking, just send someone to get me."

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Polly felt Aaron's presence in her office before she saw him and looked up from her computer screen.

  "It's over there," Polly said, pointing. Using the tongs, she had moved the letter and photograph to the farthest corner of her desk. "I can't look at it anymore."

  Aaron took an evidence bag out of his pocket and put on a pair of gloves, then put everything into the bag before sitting down. He read through the letter while she watched him and then turned it over to look at the photograph, which he had slipped in behind the piece of paper.

  "I'm so sorry, Polly."

  "She's dead because of me, isn't she," Polly said flatly.

  "No, honey. She's dead because these people are sick."

  "But if I'd stayed instead of running away, she would still be alive."

  "Given what you knew at the time, would you have changed your behavior?"

  "No!" Polly exclaimed. "I had to get out of there."

  "Yes, you did. Stop blaming yourself."

  "I can't help it. I've been complaining because no one will let me leave Sycamore House and this poor girl died while I've been safe."

  Aaron leaned forward in his chair and glared at her. "This is the last time you and I are going to have this conversation. You are not responsible for the sickness in someone else's mind. What happened to this girl is a horrible, terrible thing. It breaks my heart that we are going to have to find her family and tell them that she is dead. But this is not on you. Don't let yourself go down that path. Ever."

  "I know what you're saying makes sense, but still."

  He scowled at her. "Should I feel guilty because we haven't been able to find them yet?"

  "Well, no."

  "Since I'm the one whose job it is to take care of the citizens of Boone County, should I tear myself up because these men are still out there?"

  "Of course not, but I know you do anyway." She felt her protests fading away.

  "Then let me. It's my job."

  Polly nodded at what he had in his hand. "Sylvie says that water tower is in Luther."

  He looked at the photograph again. "She's right. They have to be somewhere to the southeast. There is plenty of wooded area down there. This will take some searching."

  "They were smart enough to run from the house where they kept me, do you think they'll stay in one place very long?"

  "I don't know what to think right now. I don't have enough information to build a pattern for their actions yet."

  "That makes sense." Polly set her jaw. "I know I'm still complaining about this, but I'm going to be stuck in here forever, aren't I."

  "We'll find them."

  "I know. I hate being a baby."

  "You aren't used to having to sit still while people take care of things for you."

  "No I'm not. I'm thinking about hiring a burly bodyguard."

  Aaron chuckled. "That's not the worst idea in the world, though I'd hate to see what you'd put him through."

  "Be nice," she said.

  "Would you really consider a bodyguard?" Aaron asked.

  "If I'm stuck inside for too much longer, I might."

  "I could ask questions. A few of my people wouldn't mind making extra money."

  Polly's eyes lit up. "Really?"

  "We'll see. It's not something I like to encourage, but I'd rest easier knowing the people who were in your life."

  Jeff knocked on the door frame. "Polly?"

  "What's up, Jeff?"

  "I just got a strange request for room rentals here at Sycamore House."

  Aaron shook his head and said, "No. You can't rent any rooms here right now. It's not safe."

  "You might want to know about this one. They're going to be coming into town in about forty-five minutes."

  "Who is it?" Polly asked.

  Jeff pursed his lips and then broke into a grin. "He said that I was to tell you he packed an extra bib for you so that you could drink kool-aid."

  "Ray!" she said. "He's coming here?"

  "Him and his brother. Jon, was it?"

  "Did he say why they were coming?"

  "Something about you needing them. So do I give them the rooms upstairs in the addition?"

  Polly looked at Aaron. "Ray and Jon Renaldi. Drea's brothers. Y
ou know, the two who helped me with Joey in Boston?"

  He slowly nodded. "It sounds like your bodyguard situation just changed."

  "Why would they come out here? And how do they know that I need them?"

  Jeff shrugged and gave her a sly grin. "Do you want the number to call them back?"

  "Of course I do." Polly held out her hand and Jeff stepped in to hand her a piece of paper.

  "Do you mind?" she asked Aaron.

  "Go ahead. I'd like to know how they knew to come out here, too."

  Polly dialed the number and heard a familiar voice say, "Hello?"

  "Jon Renaldi, what are you doing in my neck of the woods?" she asked.

  "If it isn't my favorite little girl. Do you have room for two lonely men?"

  "Of course I do, but why are you in Iowa?"

  "We heard about your little escapade earlier this week."

  "From who? I didn't tell anyone. I haven't talked to your sister in a few weeks."

  "Your other friend. You know the tall, dark, drink of water that moved out there. She called Drea."

  "Sal? She didn't say anything to me. But that still doesn't make any sense. Why are you in Iowa?"

  "Would it make more sense if we told you that your little psycho boyfriend escaped the clutches of his gatekeepers?"

  "I knew it," Polly gave a quick shudder and gritted her teeth. "Joey is here. But how did you find out?"

  "As soon as Drea told me what happened, Ray drove up to that little sanitarium to see him. They hemmed and hawed and went round and round. Tried to tell him that he didn't have any permission. You know how well that went."

  "Not very, I'm guessing."

  "An investigation has been launched. It seems that your boyfriend walked out of there three weeks ago and nobody thought to let the authorities know."

  "Three weeks?" She turned to Aaron and Jeff. "Joey escaped from the mental hospital three weeks ago and they didn't tell anyone."

  "The lily white, pansy-assed doctor that Ray finally strong-armed..." Jon stopped for a moment and then said, "I'm sorry. The doctor that Ray spoke to said that he was certain of Joey's return. Apparently, he's gone off the reservation before and always come back."

  "Are you kidding me? Their security is that bad?"

  "Not now, it isn't. You'd be surprised at how much an attorney general hates hearing they have a problem like this."

  "But..."

  "Yes, you're right. That doesn't fix anything for you. Which is why Ray and I have come to offer our services."

  Polly chuckled. "As what?"

  "We know you. We knew you before you moved to Iowa and started getting into trouble. From what we've heard, you've gotten much, much worse."

  "Now come on," she said in protest.

  "Let's see. Ray, what has it been four days? Five days?" Jon listened for a moment. "We figure almost five days. Are you making everyone insane because they won't give you any freedom?"

  "How did you know that?"

  "Like I said, we know you. And Mama wasn't going to leave you out here alone without some family protection. That's what we're here for. We're family and we're protecting you."

  "I don't know what to say."

  "Now, that doesn't sound like you. You always have plenty to say."

  "What about your jobs?"

  "Not what you need to worry about. You have to feed us and maybe introduce us to some cutie pies. I've heard about those corn fed chicks."

  "You aren't breaking hearts out here, Jon Renaldi."

  "That's not fair. I've run through everyone I could find on the east coast. Come on, you have to have something for me."

  "Not on your life. Do you know how to find me?"

  "Ray made me program the GPS in the rental car. I think we can do this. I can't wait to see you, little sis."

  "I can't wait to see the two of you, either. Thank you." Polly released a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding and brushed a tear from her eye.

  "Don't get all misty on me, little girl."

  "How did you know?"

  "Because it's what you do. Your reputation, remember?"

  "I'll see you in a bit."

  "Tell your little town to buckle up. The Renaldi brothers are about to be all up in their business."

  Polly shook her head and smiled as she put the phone down. "I don't believe this," she said.

  "I'd like to know how they were able to find out that Joey was gone and I still haven't received confirmation," Aaron said. He took out his own phone and swiped a call open. "Anita?" he asked. "Yes. Have you heard anything back from Boston yet?"

  Polly watched him set his jaw. "Get me the number of that sergeant we talked to on Boston PD when Polly was kidnapped two years ago. I want answers and I want them now."

  "They aren't talking. I'll find out what's going on, though." He took a deep, cleansing breath and looked at Polly calmly. "Do you have any idea who Joey might have hooked up with?"

  "He didn't have friends," Polly said. "And I can't believe he's working with someone. He wouldn't share me. And he's not a killer. Especially a woman. It's so out of character for him."

  "That's what I'm afraid of. This whole 'out of character' thing makes me nervous."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Nothing. It's just thoughts I've been having. And none of them are especially good." Aaron stood and took the evidence bag. "I'm going back down to Boone. I'm glad your friends are coming into town. I don't know how you do it, Polly."

  "Do what?"

  He nodded at her. "Actually, that's not true. I know exactly how you do it."

  "Do what!" she demanded.

  "How you manage to have people around to take care of you when you need them."

  "It's weird, isn't it."

  "No," he said with a warm smile. "It's not. You're willing to do whatever it takes to help others. When it comes time to do something for you, it's not even a consideration, it's a natural response."

  "Yep. That sounds weird."

  "We love you, Polly Giller. So you take care of yourself. Or at least let us take care of you." Aaron strode out and she turned in her chair to watch him walk to his car in the parking lot.

  If the Renaldis were spending time at Sycamore House, she needed to set in supplies. The little bit of food she had in her refrigerator wasn't going to do at all. This stunk. She hated being trapped and having to ask others to run her errands. Especially when they had their own lives to lead and their own work to do.

  She picked up her phone and swiped a call.

  "Hey sweetums. Has your day gotten any better?" Henry asked.

  "Aaron was here and he's gone."

  "What did he say?"

  "Not much. But I'm confident that it's Joey who is doing this. I just don't know who he's with."

  "What raised your confidence level?"

  "My two new bodyguards."

  He chuckled and asked, "Where did you find bodyguards?"

  "They found me. We're going to have guests for the weekend and I need you to go to the grocery store because these boys can eat."

  "Guests? Boys?"

  "Jon and Ray Renaldi are on their way here. They should be here in about twenty minutes or so. We're putting them in the addition."

  "Drea's brothers?"

  "Yep. They didn't tell me they were coming until it was too late to stop them. Henry, they knew that I'd be driving you all crazy, so they came in to take care of me. Isn't that great?"

  "It's a little odd."

  "That's what I thought. But they don't think so and Aaron says it's not weird."

  "Did I miss something about you and them?"

  "Stop it. No. They think of me as their little sister." She whispered, "And besides, I think Ray is gay and Jon's a horndog. Sweet little Polly never interested either of them that way."

  "How in the world are they both able to take time off from work? What do they do?"

  "Jon works front office for the Bruins and Ray owns a gym. He travels arou
nd the world running different athletic competitions. He organizes them and oh, I don't know. I'll ask when they get here."

  "And they're just going to land in Bellingwood to take care of you."

  "I know. But can you go to the grocery store and pick some things up? I'll send you a list."

  "They eat regular food?"

  "Their mama is Italian. She'd hit them over the head if they didn't. And trust me, when Mama Renaldi hits one of those boys upside the head, the entire block hears it happen."

  "Send me a list. We're finishing up here soon anyway."

  "How's it looking?"

  "Good. I'll take pictures and show you later."

  "I love you, Henry."

  "Uh huh. I'll see you after a while."

  "Henry?"

  "Yeah."

  "What's the 'uh huh' about?"

  "What? Oh. Sorry. I need to go."

  ~~~

  Polly was in the kitchen talking to Sylvie and Rachel when she heard a loud voice call her name. "Polly Giller!"

  "It's them," she giggled. "You've gotta see this."

  She ran out to the main foyer and Ray grabbed her up and swung her around. "Polly Giller, you're still the prettiest thing I've ever seen," he said.

  As soon as he put her back down on the floor, Jon put his hands on her cheeks and pulled her in for a long kiss.

  "Whoa!" she heard Rachel say. "That's hot."

  Jon let her go and then pulled her in close beside him. "It's good to see you, Polly. Boston's light dimmed the day you left."

  "Stop it. You're incorrigible." Polly could barely speak, she was so flustered. She patted his chest and watched Sylvie roll her eyes. "Jon and Ray Renaldi, this is Sylvie Donovan and Rachel Devins. Girls, these are Drea's brothers."

  Sylvie stepped forward to shake their hands while Rachel wiped hers on her apron before approaching them.

  "Sylvie is our chef and Rachel is her assistant."

  "No wonder we were able to find Bellingwood so easily. We told the GPS to find beauty and it sent us here," Jon said.

  "Now you've gone too far," Ray said, pushing his brother's shoulder. "No one will ever believe you if all you do is exaggerate." He winked at Polly. "Even if he's correct about the beauty you have here. This place and its people are wonderful."

  "Come on, boys," Polly said. "I want to show you my home. Let's start with your rooms."