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Table of Contents
Copyright
Taken: A Willow Lane Mystery
“It’s the merry-hearted boys that make the best men!”
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Taken: A Willow Lane Mystery
By Virginia Rose Richter
Copyright 2015 by Virginia Rose Richter
Cover Copyright 2015 by Virginia Rose Richter
Cover Design by Susanna Richter-Helman
The author is hereby established as the sole holder of the copyright. Either the publisher (Untreed Reads) or author may enforce copyrights to the fullest extent.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher or author, except in the case of a reviewer, who may quote brief passages embodied in critical articles or in a review. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
This is a work of fiction. The characters, dialogue and events in this book are wholly fictional, and any resemblance to companies and actual persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Also by Virginia Rose Richter and Untreed Reads Publishing
The Secret of Willow Lane
Strangers in the Lane
Shadows in the Lane
www.untreedreads.com
Taken: A Willow Lane Mystery
Virginia Rose Richter
“It’s the merry-hearted boys that make the best men!”
—Irish Proverb
*
To My Grandsons—
Ryan, Adam, Cole,
Jack, James and Joseph
All seeking adventure with laughter in their hearts
Chapter One
“Jessie, remember not to look into the patients’ rooms when we walk by,” said her mother.
Jessie Hanson balanced a vase of autumn flowers in one hand and a small package tied with yellow ribbon in the other. Her thick blonde braid, the color of wheat, bounced as she walked. With eyes the shade of blue cornflowers, she looked like many of the Swedish people living in Fairfield. “I’ll bet Mrs. Novak is so excited about her baby, Mom.” She checked her coat pocket with her elbow to be sure her new camera was still there. She’d received it from her parents on her thirteenth birthday last week. “How long will she be here?”
“I think they go home tomorrow. Oh, here’s room 323.” Mrs. Hanson knocked lightly on the closed door.
“Come in,” said a soft voice.
The room was filled with bright flowers in pretty vases. Red and yellow leaves drifted past the window at the end of the sun-filled room. It was a perfect October day in Nebraska. Jessie loved this time of the year. She put the flowers and gift on a table by the door.
Anna Novak sat in a chair holding her child. Anna had dark curly hair and eyes that were almost black. Her skin was rosy and her smile was sweet. Jessie thought Mrs. Novak was gorgeous.
Jessie walked to the new mother and looked down at the baby. “Oh, he’s beautiful! He looks just like you, Mrs. Novak.” Jessie touched the child’s tiny hand and looked at the bracelet around his wrist. Little blue beads spelled out NOVAK. She took her camera from her coat pocket. Is it okay if I take his picture? Everyone wants to see what he looks like.”
“I don’t know, Jess,” said her mother. “Maybe the flash is bad for him.”
“It’s alright,” said the baby’s mother. “I’d like that.”
Jessie aimed her camera over the pretty infant. He was asleep and seemed unusually calm for one so young. His hair was black and curled but looked like he’d already had a trim at the barber’s. And his lips were a blush pink. Just then he woke up and looked solemnly at Jessie with lovely dark eyes. She snapped the picture. “I’ll get it developed and make an extra copy for you and Mr. Novak,” Jessie said.
“Thank you. The hospital picture isn’t that good. And thank you for the flowers. They’re lovely.”
“Look at his hair—all those curls,” said Mrs. Hanson. “And those eyes! Aren’t you thrilled?”
Anna Novak smiled and her eyes gleamed with tears. “Beyond thrilled.”
“Here’s a little present for…what did you name him?” asked Mrs. Hanson.
“His name is Andel,” said Mrs. Novak. She kissed his forehead. “That’s Czech for angel. And Stefan after my father.” She took the gift and opened it. “This is perfect. A silver spoon and fork.”
“He’s supposed to really eat with them,” said Jessie. “Then when he gets teeth, there’ll be tiny dents where he bites them. You should see Phillip’s little spoon and fork. All beat up.”
There was a sharp rap at the door. A nurse bustled into the room. She wore a white surgical mask.
How weird, thought Jessie. Why a mask? She glanced at her mom.
“Time for baby to go back to the nursery.” The nurse reached down for the infant.
“So soon?” exclaimed the baby’s mother. “He just got here.’
The nurse didn’t answer, took the baby and left the room.
Jessie watched her hurry out. Tennis shoes? Do nurses wear high top tennis shoes?
Jessie and her mom chatted with Anna about the bouquets and the excitement of the new arrival. They were all laughing when a different nurse pushed open the door and walked into the room. “I’ve come for your baby, Mrs. Novak. You need to…Oh, where is he?”
“A nurse took him about ten minutes ago.”
The woman retreated from the room without a word.
“What’s going on, Trudy?” asked Anna.
“I don’t know,” said Jessie’s mom.
Suddenly the second nurse reappeared at the door with a supervisor who said, “I’m afraid your guests need to leave, Mrs. Novak.”
Anna Novak’s face turned white. “Why? What’s the matter?”
“The police are closing down the hospital.” The supervisor began to cry. “Someone took your baby.”
Chapter Two
Outside the hospital, Jessie’s mother found a phone booth and called her father. Carl Hanson was County Attorney and needed to know about the stolen baby. “Carl. We were visiting Anna Novak at the hospital and…you already know about it? Are you coming here? This is terrible. Poor Anna. Okay, I won’t hold you up.” She hung up the phone.
“What’d he say?” asked Jessie.
“He’s on his way here. He said to go on home and he’ll call later.”
“But, Mom…”
“Let’s go, Jessie. We’ll just be in the way,” said her mother. Jessie reluctantly followed her mom to the car, got in and fastened her seat belt. “Who would do this, Mom? Don’t they check out strangers in the nursery?”
“You would think so. Let’s hope that it’s someone who wants a baby for themselves.” Mrs. Hanson turned the ignition key. She drove th
e car onto the street by the hospital.
“I thought the first nurse was weird,” said Jessie. “Didn’t you? Why was she wearing a mask? And did you notice her tennis shoes?”
“I didn’t even think,” said her mother. “How could this happen? Poor Anna and Ben. I hope and pray that whoever did this doesn’t hurt little Andel.”
“Do the police usually find stolen babies?” asked Jessie.
“They need to do it quickly because babies’ looks change so fast.” She turned into Willow Lane and drove up the street to their house. “Can Bryce Peterson develop that picture you took? The police will want it.”
Oh good! thought Jessie. An excuse to call Bryce. Her folks frowned on Jessie calling him for no reason. “I’ll ask him.”
Mrs. Hanson parked in front of the house, and hurried up the walk and steps to the big wide porch. Mrs. Winter, the babysitter, was in the swing with Phillip, reading him a story.
“Mama,” said Phillip. His hair was the same color as Jessie’s now. He wore little jeans and a red jacket. He was tall for two-and-a-half and had no trouble jumping from the swing and running to his mother. She lifted him up and hugged him tight.
Jessie was glad to see him too. What if someone had taken Phillip when he was born? She couldn’t even imagine it. Sometimes he was a real pain and did all the annoying things that toddlers do. But she wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to him.
Mrs. Hanson left Phillip with Jessie and hurried to the car with the babysitter.
Jessie steered Phillip into the house and to the living room where he found his toy truck and began making loud motor noises.
She hurried to the hall phone and dialed Bryce’s number. She knew it by heart.
The housekeeper answered.
“Hi, Mrs. Nelson. This is Jessie Hanson. Is Bryce at home?”
“He’s practicing, Jessie,” said the housekeeper.
“Oh. Would you ask him to call me when he’s finished?”
She hung up. Mrs. Nelson never interrupted Bryce’s practice sessions on the violin. It was no use telling the woman it was an emergency. Jessie had tried that. I’ll just have to wait.
Jessie went back to the living room, picked up another truck and played with Phillip until her mom got home. When the phone rang, she was sure it was Bryce, but instead it was Tina Adams, Jessie’s best friend from kindergarten.
“I can’t talk for long. I’m waiting for a call from Bryce”. Jessie twisted the telephone cord through her fingers.
“How is it you are always around when some crime happens?” asked Tina.
“Oh you know about the baby. How’d you find out so fast?”
“My dad called. Totally freaked out my mom.” Tina’s father was a doctor on the staff at the hospital.
“I took a picture of the baby so Mom wants me to ask Bryce to develop it.”
“She actually asked you to call him?”
“Right. Miracles do happen,” said Jessie. “Mom and her endless rules.” She glanced around to see if her mother was nearby. But she could hear her upstairs talking to Phillip while she put him down for his nap. “It’s terrible what happened. We should try to figure out where those kidnappers have that baby. Why don’t you come over and we can make a plan? I have to go.” She hung up.
The phone rang. It was Jessie’s father. “Don’t tell anyone you were there today, Jessie. You and your mother are now witnesses.”
“Uh-oh.”
“What?” said her dad. “Who’d you tell?”
“I told Tina. But she already knew because her dad was at the hospital.”
“Ask her to not repeat it. I have to go. See you tonight.”
“But, Daddy…Mom wants me to call Bryce because I took a picture of the baby and she wants it developed,” said Jessie.
The line was silent. “A picture? We could use it for sure. The police don’t have much to go on. Okay, tell Bryce but swear him to secrecy. You could be in danger here.” He hung up.
When the phone rang again, it was Bryce.
“Hi, Bryce.” Jessie’s heart started pounding.
“Hey, Jessie. What’s happening?”
“We need a favor. Could you come over? I’ll be on the front porch.”
“Sure. I’ll be right there,” he said.
Jessie took the camera from her pocket, rolled the film to the end and removed it. Then she hurried to the porch and sat on the top step.
Bryce lived with his father and sister, Sunny, across the street in the guesthouse of the Swedish Museum. His dad, Dr. Peterson, was the museum curator and they were fairly new in town. She watched Bryce as he hurried up her sidewalk. His hair was lighter after being out in the summer sun. She just liked to look at him. He’s so cute. Tall and smart too, she thought. He was in the ninth grade—one year older than she. And the best-looking guy in school.
He sat down next to her on the step. When he turned to her, she could barely think straight. His soft green eyes were the kindest she’d ever seen.
“What’s the favor?” he asked.
“You know the Novaks? Up the street? Well Mrs. Novak just had their baby and someone stole it from the hospital!”
“Are you serious?” He took her hand. “Who would do that?”
Jessie could feel herself blush. Don’t let go of my hand, Bryce. “I took a picture of the baby when we visited the hospital today. Could you develop it? The police will want it and it takes so long at the camera shop.”
“Sure. Let me have the film and I’ll take it to the lab at school. Mr. Swanson will let me use the dark room. How many copies?”
She handed him the roll of film. “Is three too many? One for the Novaks, one for the police and I’d like one too.”
“Okay,” Bryce said. “I’m gathering that you’ll need one for some detective work. Right?”
“You’re getting to know me very well, Bryce.” She smiled. “Yeah, I would love to find out where the baby is. Mom says time is important because a newborn’s looks change so fast.” Jessie stood up. “Oh…I forgot. My dad said not to tell anyone I was at the hospital today. So please keep it a secret. He says Mom and I could be in danger.”
“I promise I won’t tell anyone—not Mr. Swanson or my dad.” He squeezed her hand and stood up. “I’d better get moving on this picture. I’ll come back as soon as I finish.” He smiled down at her.
Jessie’s heart did a little flip.
She watched as he ran across Willow Lane and then came out of his driveway on his bike. Farley, the Peterson’s sheepdog, ran behind him to the curb, but returned to the yard when Bryce said, “Stay, Farley.” Bryce waved at Jessie and raced down the street.
Chapter Three
Jessie watched him disappear through the falling leaves. Where is Tina? Suddenly Tina appeared pushing the big double stroller up the sidewalk. Tina looked small maneuvering the babies toward Jessie’s house. At the steps, she set the brake on the buggy and plopped on the step next to Jessie.
“I’m telling you, my muscles are getting big from pushing those two around.”
Jessie checked Tina’s skinny arms. “I don’t see any difference.”
Tina laughed. She was smaller than Jessie with short dark hair, cut in a pixie style. Her eyes were brown and her skin tan. Everyone thought she needed looking after because she was little and petite. But Jessie knew she was plenty smart and able to take care of herself.
Jessie stood and went to the stroller. “They are so cute!” She smiled at Pam and then Tori. The twins were eight months old now and looked exactly alike. They wore little pink caps that matched their jackets. Dark curls peeped from the hats and their eyes were big and brown like Tina’s. They both stretched out their arms to Jessie and laughed. She leaned down and gave each a kiss on the cheek.
Tina watched with pride. She complained about all the work the twins created, but actually loved them like a mother.
“How come you have the babies?” asked Jessie.
“Mom went to the hospi
tal to help with the crises. So guess who was appointed babysitter?” She looked at the babies. “What do you want, Pam? You want a drink?”
Jessie looked at Pam who had her fingers bunched together and was tapping her lips. “What the heck are you doing? Pam can’t talk.”
“Well, in a way, she can. We’re teaching them some Sign Language. Just some easy signs to show us what they want.” Tina stood and took a Sippy Cup from the bag in the stroller. She put it to Pam’s mouth. “My mom read about it in a medical journal of Dad’s.”
Pam finished drinking, patted her chest and then pointed to Tina.
“That means, ‘thank you.’ You’re welcome, Pam.” Tina made the same gesture back at Pam.
“This is amazing,” Jessie said. “Will it keep them from learning to talk?”
“The article says it just helps them communicate before they can express themselves verbally. You always say the words with the signs. Then when they can talk, they quit doing the gestures. We sort of make up our own gestures and keep them simple.”
“Can I try it?” asked Jessie.
“Sure. Tell them you love them. Here’s the sign.” Tina pointed to herself, then patted her heart and then pointed to the twins. “Say ‘I (point to myself) love (pat your heart) you (point to the twins).’”
Jessie made the sign for “I love you,” and both twins made the sign back.
“Be sure to say the words when you make the sign,” said Tina.
“Oh. I forgot. I love you, Pam and Tori.” Jessie made the sign again. The twins laughed and signed back.
“Pretty nifty, isn’t it?” said Tina. “Sometimes my mom amazes me. Course, I don’t tell her that.”
“I’ll bet Phillip could do this with them. When he wakes up, I’ll try it.”
“Are you two sleepy? asked Tina. She put her hands together against her cheek and tilted her head. The twins did the same. Tina adjusted their stroller seats back and placed little pillows under their heads. By the time she had covered them with tiny white fleece blankets, they were fast asleep.
“Okay, let’s make a plan while all the children are napping,” Jessie said. “If these baby snatchers are still in town, what would they need and where would they have to go to get baby stuff?”