Suspicions: a novel of suspense Read online

  After getting ready she went through her usual morning routine of helping everyone else prepare for the day. By the time Jason had left the rain had stopped and the sun had begun to break through the clouds.

  While walking back from the elementary school, Stacey decided to stop over at Amanda's house. She felt terrible about not going over the day before, but she had been in such turmoil over what Robby had told her about the car that she just couldn't face Amanda.

  Today, however, she felt much better. After having a day to think about it she felt more confident about her husband's innocence and even felt disloyal for having doubts the previous day.

  Walking to Amanda's house with a light step, she had to push her way through the reporters before she could reach the porch. She noticed Amanda's prized flowerbed had been trampled by the reporters, anxious to talk to anyone who neared the Stone's house. They watched over Stacey's head as Amanda answered the door. Several flashbulbs went off to capture Amanda at her worst moment.

  A heavy weight come down on Stacey’s shoulders when she saw her friend’s appearance. Her hair looked like it hadn’t been washed, her face was pale, and her clothes were wrinkled. But upon seeing Stacey her face brightened. That only made Stacey feel worse about staying away the day before.

  As she walked into the house she noticed the closed-in smell of a house in mourning. A different person was sitting in Amanda's kitchen. Amanda explained that the FBI would be around for a while.

  “Where's Mark?” Stacey asked.

  “He's down at the police department. He said he wants to be there if there's any word, but I think he just doesn't want to be here with me.”

  “Have there been any new developments?” Stacey asked.

  “Besides the fact your son saw Kyle's kidnapping?”

  Stacey looked away then back again. “I wish we had known about that sooner. I guess he thought I'd be angry at him for sneaking out, so he was afraid to tell me what he had seen.”

  “Oh,” Amanda said dully.

  Stacey felt her heart skip a beat. “Have they found out anything more about that car?”

  Amanda was dejected. “No, but they're still looking.”

  Stacey's heart pounded as she made an abrupt decision. “You know, Amanda, Jason used to have a car that might have looked kind of like that.”

  Amanda's head whipped up. “What?! Did you tell the police about this?”

  “No,” Stacey said, shaking her head as she wondered if mentioning the possible connection was a mistake. However, conscience-stricken about not revealing this important piece of information earlier, she realized she didn’t have a choice. Besides, she tried to convince herself, Jason has nothing to do with Kyle’s kidnapping so there’s nothing to be afraid of.

  “Why not?” Amanda wanted to know. “Are you hiding something, Stacey?”

  “What? Of course not. What would I be hiding?”

  Amanda's eyes narrowed. “I don't know. You tell me.”

  Stacey let out a short burst of air. “Look. I’m not hiding anything. Jason sold that car a long time ago.” She paused. “In fact, why don’t you go and tell the FBI agent in your kitchen about it.”

  Without another word, Amanda walked into her kitchen. Stacey remained in the living room, wondering what she had just done. Maybe I want to know the truth, she told herself. Determination flowed through her as she said over and over to herself like a mantra: I know he's not involved. I know it.

  The agent came into the living room, Amanda close behind him. “Hello, Mrs. Hunter,” he said. “What's this about your husband once owning a car like the one your son described?”

  “That's right,” Stacey said, feeling more sure of herself. “He sold it about four years ago. I don't know who bought it though.”

  “Can you get me the vehicle identification number?”

  “I don't know if we have any records on that car still,” Stacey said, a feeling of foreboding washing over her.

  He frowned. “That's okay. We can find out easily enough.” He turned to Amanda. “I'll call this in and see what we can turn up. This just might be the break we need.” Then he went back into the kitchen.

  A short time later the FBI agent came back into the room. Stacey was surprised when he approached her instead of Amanda.

  “Mrs. Hunter?”

  “Yes?”

  “What cars do you currently own?”

  She told him the make and model of their two vehicles.

  The agent seemed to study the slip of paper in his hand before looking at Stacey. “Do you know where we can find your husband?”

  Stacey felt the blood drain from her face. “He . . . he’s at work. Why?”

  A grim look on his face, he turned to Amanda. “It seems there’s a Toyota Celica still registered to Jason Hunter.”

  “What?!” Both women said in unison.

  “Where does your husband work, Mrs. Hunter?”

  Barely able to speak, Stacey gave him the name of the car dealership where Jason was a salesman.

  “Thank you,” he said, before walking away.

  “There must be some kind of mistake,” Stacey whispered.

  Amanda had tears in her eyes. “All I want is my boy back.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “If Jason is somehow involved, I know he wouldn’t do anything to hurt Kyle.”

  “What? Amanda, Jason is not involved. I would know.”

  “But you didn’t know about Robby witnessing the abduction,” Amanda pointed out.

  “That’s different. He was just afraid to tell me.” Stacey paused. “You’ll see. They’ll talk to Jason and he’ll set them straight.” But what if he doesn’t set them straight? Stacey thought frantically. What if they find out we don’t have very much money and we’re behind on some bills? They might see that as a possible motive. And if they check with Jason’s employer, they’ll know he was running an errand at the time of the abduction.

  I need to call and warn him, she thought. “Can I use your phone, Amanda?”

  “What for?” Amanda asked, obviously suspicious.

  Stacey bit her lip. “I need to call my husband.” When Amanda hesitated Stacey said, “Nevermind. I’ll just call him from home.”

  Amanda’s face relaxed. “It’s fine. Of course you can use my phone.”

  Stacey hurried into the kitchen and dialed Jason’s cell number. She had to try several times before he finally answered.

  “Jason,” she started. “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  “I was in the bathroom,” he laughed. “What’s going on?”

  “Well, I’m not quite sure how to say -”

  “Hang on,” Jason interrupted.

  Stacey felt her heart racing as she waited for Jason to come back on the line.

  “I’ve got to go,” Jason said quickly. “I’ll call you later.”

  “Wait!” Stacey said, but he had already hung up. Slowly Stacey set the phone back in its cradle and stared at the wall. They’re already there to arrest him and it’s all my fault.

  Sudden panic gripped her mind and in a moment of stunning clarity she knew what she had to do. She had to find out who the real kidnapper was. And in the process maybe she would find Kyle.

  Going back into the living room, Stacey tried to smile reassuringly as Amanda asked if she’d spoken with Jason.

  “He was busy.”

  “Oh.” Amanda paused. “Don’t worry, I’m sure he has nothing to do with this.”

  Stacey nodded, hiding her shock and uncertainty.

  “I’m sure Jason has a reasonable explanation,” Amanda continued.

  Stacey nodded and forced her mind to concentrate on what Amanda was saying. Then she thought about the police questioning the media people the day the ransom note had been received. “Did the police ever find a witness who saw the ransom note delivered?”

  Amanda shook her head. “No. They’re guessing it was put in our mailbox sometime during the nigh
t.” She glanced at Stacey. “They think it’s someone nearby.”

  Biting her lip to keep from crying, Stacey swallowed over the lump forming in her throat. “Have you heard anything more?”

  She let out a sigh. “No, and Mark's been pushing hard for me to liquidate my assets so we can pay.” She let out a mirthless laugh. “Doesn't he realize I'm doing it as fast as I can?”

  A seed of a thought took hold in Stacey's brain. Mark. What was his story anyway? First he wouldn't tell where he was when Kyle was abducted, and now he's pushing Amanda to pay the kidnapper off. Could he be involved? Not Jason, but Mark? She knew she might be grasping at straws, but she had to start somewhere.

  I wonder what I could find if I did some poking around? Stacey thought in desperation. If I could find something linking Mark to Kyle's abduction, suspicion would be removed from Jason and maybe we would even find Kyle. Her heart lightened at the thought.

  She looked at Amanda as she began formulating a plan. “Have you been sleeping at all?”

  “Not really.”

  “I was just thinking,” Stacey said. “If you want to lie down for a while, I could stay here and wake you if there's any news.”

  Amanda hesitated, mulling it over. “I am a little tired. Maybe I can lie down for a few minutes.”

  “Come on,” Stacey said. “I’ll walk you to your room.”

  Once Amanda was tucked comfortably into bed, Stacey walked back down the stairs, glancing into the kitchen. Agent Morrison was talking on his cell phone.

  Stacey wondered what was happening with Jason. Had they arrested him? Was he now trying to call her and ask her to find an attorney to represent him? The thought pushed her down the hall toward Mark’s office where she went in and shut the door as quietly as she could.

  It looked exactly as she remembered it from the other day when she'd helped Amanda make fliers. Not a thing was out of place. In the corner stood a wooden file cabinet. Stacey walked over to it and pulled on the first drawer. It didn't move. She pulled again and still nothing.

  Looking around, she tried to figure out where Mark might keep his key. Her eyes scanned the room, stopping on the desk drawers. Moving over to the desk, she slowly pulled open the first drawer. It made a scraping sound and she froze in place, listening for the sound of footsteps outside the door.

  When there were none, she carefully searched the drawer. She was careful to put things back as she had found them, knowing Mark was meticulous enough to notice if anything was moved. Not finding the key in that drawer, she moved on to the others. There were no keys in any of them.

  Fresh panic filled her mind until she remembered seeing a crystal bowl on top of Amanda and Mark’s dresser that held some change, and more importantly, a set of small keys. That’s got to be where he keeps them, she thought.

  The door to the master bedroom was ajar. Snoring softly, Amanda was lying on the bed with her back toward the door. Unfortunately, the dresser would be in her line of vision if she woke up.

  Stacey stopped while she decided what to do. Then she calmly walked into the room and paused at the foot of the bed. When she got to the dresser, she turned toward Amanda's sleeping figure and glanced over her shoulder at the dresser. Yes! She thought in relief. There are some keys on the dresser.

  Stacey jerked her head around when she heard Amanda stirring.

  Amanda's eyes slowly opened. “Oh. Stacey. What are you doing here?”

  She thought quickly. “I was just coming in to check on you. Do you need water or anything?”

  “No, I'm fine. But thank you,” she said, yawning.

  Stacey had no choice but to leave the room. I was so close, she thought.

  Standing in the hall, she tried to figure out what to do next. She didn't have to wait long. She heard Amanda get out of bed and walk over to the bathroom. When she heard the bathroom door close, Stacey dashed in, grabbed the keys and shoved them into her jeans pocket. No sooner had she pulled her hand back out of her pocket then Amanda came out of the bathroom.

  “Oh! Stacey, you're still here. You don't have to stay if you don't want to.”

  “I don't mind, really. I cleared my schedule today.”

  “Well, if you don't have anything else you need to do then I don't mind you staying.”

  “You should sleep longer, Amanda,” Stacey said, trying to show concern.

  Amanda was not convinced. “Actually, I don't really feel like sleeping.”

  “Don’t you think you’d feel better if you showered and put on some fresh clothes?” Stacey asked.

  “Maybe you're right. A shower might be just what I need.” Amanda turned toward the bathroom, then pivoted back to Stacey. “To tell you the truth though, I don't want to be in the shower if the phone rings.”

  Stacey nodded in understanding. “What if I go downstairs and wait by the phone there? Then if it rings I can come up and get you.” Stacey smiled her encouragement.

  Amanda hesitated. “I don't know. What if they hang up before you get up here? Then I'll miss the call.”

  Stacey was torn between understanding and exasperation. “What would you like me to do?”

  Amanda looked at Stacey with pleading in her eyes. “Stay in here while I'm in the shower. Then I could answer it in time.”

  Stacey agreed, hoping the phone didn't ring while she was in Mark's office.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jason pushed open the bathroom door and walked out onto the showroom floor. Glancing out the window onto the car lot, he saw his buddy, Steve, talking to two men dressed in suits. He shrugged his shoulders, hoping he would get the next customer.

  His cell phone began ringing.

  “Hello?”

  “Jason,” Stacey said. “Where have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you.”

  “I was in the bathroom,” he laughed. “What’s going on?” As he listened to her, he watched what was going on outside. Steve was still talking to the two men in suits and Jason became alarmed when he saw Steve point in his direction.

  “Well, I’m not quite sure how to say -” Stacey said.

  “Hang on,” Jason interrupted. He stared as the two men, who now looked a little too official for his comfort, walked toward the showroom. “I’ve got to go,” Jason said quickly into his cell phone. “I’ll call you later.” Ending the connection, he walked in the opposite direction of the men in suits, heeding a feeling that they weren’t bringing good news.

  The sound of his name being shouted stopped him and forced him to acknowledge the two men. As much as his brain told him to run in the other direction, he knew everyone, including his boss, was watching the exchange. He put a broad smile on his face as he began walking toward the men, his hand extended.

  The men did not smile as they each took a turn shaking his outstretched hand. Jason's smile faded as the men pulled out badges and introduced themselves as agents for the Federal Bureau of Investigations.

  “How can I help you?” Jason asked, the feeling of unease increasing.

  “We have a few questions we'd like to ask you.” They looked around the showroom at their audience. “We'd like you to come with us, please.”

  Jason knew it wasn't a request and followed them out to their car. “I can get you a good deal on a car,” Jason said, as he scrutinized their dark blue sedan.

  Their response told Jason volumes. “Are you trying to bribe a federal agent?”

  He tried to laugh. “Why would I need to bribe you?”

  They ignored his question as they opened the rear door for him. He tried to smile confidently at his fellow salesmen, who watched as the agent shut the door.

  * * *

  The cold gray folding chair did nothing to ease Jason's discomfort. He knew something was seriously wrong when they read him his rights. They were using an interrogation room at the police station, the two FBI agents asking all the questions.

  “Just what exactly is this about?” Jason asked, a tense smile on his face.

  “Mr. Hunte
r, do you own a brown Toyota Celica?” the first agent asked.

  Jason eyed the man warily, knowing his answer was not going to satisfy him. “I used to.”

  The agents looked at each other. “And where is it now?”

  Jason let out a sigh. “I sold it to some guy a while ago.”

  “And who is this 'guy'?”

  “I don’t remember his name. I signed over the title to him, though.”

  The agent looked skeptical. “The DMV shows you as the registered owner. Did you submit a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability form to the DMV?”

  Shaking his head Jason said, “I know I screwed up.”

  The second agent took over. “Now, Mr. Hunter. You are a car salesman. You deal with car buyers all the time. Why would you not turn in the proper paperwork to the DMV?”

  Sighing again, Jason rubbed a spot between his eyes. “I know it was stupid.” He looked up as the agent snorted in ridicule. Jason went on. “I was busy and kept putting if off and then I forgot about it. Now I don't even know where I put the stupid form. The guy said he was just going to use it for parts so I didn't worry about it too much. Besides, he specifically told me to 'take my time.' ”

  Skepticism was written all over the agent's face. “Didn't you find that odd? Why didn't you press him for his reason?”

  Jason felt beads of sweat forming on his upper lip. He brushed his finger across the wet spot, watching as the agents took note of his discomfort, knowing it only made him look guiltier. “I didn't want to scare him away. It was the only offer I'd had on the car.” He tried to laugh. “It was in pretty bad shape. The trunk didn't even match the rest of the car.” He stopped laughing at the look on the agents' faces. “What?”

  “Mr. Hunter. We have reason to believe your car was involved in Kyle Stone's kidnapping.”

  Jason felt like he had been punched in the gut and he came halfway out of his chair. “What?!”

  The first agent smirked, pleased at his response. “That's right. Your son identified that particular car as being the one in the vicinity of the boy who was kidnapped.”

  Jason was speechless. Somehow that little detail had been missing from the story Robby had told him the night before.