He looked around, assessing the danger of complying with her wishes. In the end, he must have decided that no one would hear her if she broke her word, because he gave a hard nod.
Cramming the handkerchief in his other pocket, he walked off.
“Espera,” Merry called out hoarsely. “¿Dónde estoy?”
He didn’t reply. He just turned, staring at her with a brooding expression. Then he walked out.
Merry pressed her lips together, trying to ignore the stinging pain in her wrists. She had to be strong. She couldn’t let fear win out over reason. She was an adult, not a child.
Maybe. But all she wanted was her parents.
THE MINUTE SALLY heard that Pete was on the phone, she knew something was wrong.
He never checked in during the day. They talked alone each night, and with the kids some evenings. Those calls had been her emotional lifeline through this endless week and a half.
Now she hurried into the white clapboard house in Williamstown, thanking Molly for interrupting her walk to summon her to the phone.
She took the call in the den, which was empty and quiet.
“Pete?”
“Hey, Sal. You okay?”
“I am. But you’re not. I can hear it in your voice. Your gut was right. What’s happened?”
He blew out his breath. “Nothing good. Look, I’m driving up to the Pierson farm. I found a telephone bug in Devon’s basement. Someone’s been monitoring her calls. It’s possible that they got enough to figure out your whereabouts.”
Sally processed that. “But if they knew where I was, wouldn’t they have come after me already?”
“If they knew where you were, yeah. Hopefully, they don’t. Devon and I never mentioned a location. They’re probably searching everywhere they can think of and, at the same time, hoping one of us will lead them to you. Still, I don’t like it.” He paused, and Sally knew there was something else—something bad.
It was even worse than she thought.
“They’ve got Merry,” Pete said flatly.
Sally’s insides froze. “Oh God. No.” She sank down in a chair, her entire body trembling. “How?”
As calmly as possible, he relayed the details.
“Pete, what are they going to do to her?”
“The first thing they’ll do is figure out she’s not Devon. Which means they have a huge problem on their hands.”
“And how are they going to solve that problem? They killed Frederick. From what you’ve said, they killed Philip Rhodes. What if they decide to—”
“That’s not their agenda. Not for Merry. Not even for Devon. Trust me, Sal. I know what I’m talking about.”
“I do trust you. But I’m coming home. Right away. It’s not up for debate. So don’t bother arguing with me.”
“I didn’t plan to.” Pete sounded wearily amused. “I know what a mother bear you are where our kids are concerned. So I beat you to the punch. Anytime now, Molly should be poking her head in to give you a timetable. She’s finding Rod. He’ll drive you down to your house. I’ll meet you there. I’d drive up to Williamstown and get you myself, but I’ve got a date with Edward Pierson.”
“Wait for me,” Sally commanded. “I’m going with you.”
“No way. It’s too big a risk.”
“That’s my choice. Not yours.” Sally was finished being protected. “I’m not asking for your permission. I’m telling you. I’ll be leaving here in ten minutes. If Rod can’t break away now, I’ll rent a car. I’ll be at the Piersons’ farm within a few minutes of you.”
Silence.