“We don’t know when she left. She came upstairs over two hours ago. She could take the train,” Sandman said.
“Or she could play it real safe and take a bus, get there by tonight.” Duke added.
“I better call her brothers and the agents and have some agents posted around the bus stations and train stations. We have to pack our bags. It looks like we’re headed back to the Houston Police Department.”
* * * *
Frank’s cell phone rang just as Peter was about to walk away.
“Yeah, Thompson here,” said Frank into the receiver.
“Frank, it’s Sandman. Your sister pulled a Houdini on me. She’s headed home and I don’t even know how she’s getting there.”
“Oh shit. I was afraid this might happen. Damn it, what the hell is she thinking?” said Frank into the receiver as John and Peter stopped talking to listen to Frank.
“What are you going to do?” asked Frank.
“Well I’m going to call Jim and the guys, let him notify Lancaster, and have some men posted at the bus stations and train stations. I don’t want this information leaking to the press. We have to find her before…”
“Before the killer does. I know, man. This is really, really bad news. I can’t believe this. Did she leave a note?” asked Frank.
“Yeah she actually did and said something about a safe place she knew of. Do you know what she was talking about?”
“It doesn’t ring a bell but I’ll ask my brothers. They’re right here,” Frank said.
“Don’t tell your mom yet. She’ll be in a real panic when she finds out. When I get ahold of your sister, she’s going to get it. I can’t believe she did this.”
“I hear you, man, and thanks for calling me right away,” said Frank before hanging up the phone.
Frank stuck the cell phone back onto the clip attached to his navy-blue Dockers.
“What’s the really bad news?” asked Peter as John waited to hear as well.
“Looks like our baby sister just ditched her men.” Frank shook his head in fury.
Both John and Peter started talking at once. Frank settled them down and tried to keep in control.
“First of all we can’t let Mom know. Sandman doesn’t know when she snuck out, so he doesn’t know how far she may have gotten. He’s informing Agent Dickhead right now and he plans on stationing undercover agents at various bus stops and train stations,” said Frank. Both John and Peter laughed a little at their brother’s new name for Agent Lancaster.
“What does he want us to do?” asked John, wanting to get his sister to safety immediately.
“Stay put here. Maybe she’ll contact one of us, and knowing her I’m sure she’ll make it here without the agents even knowing it. She was always good at hiding and evading capture,” said Frank as he thought about the strategic military games they would all play as children.
“What are you talking about, Frank? We were kids when we used to play ring-a-lario and manhunt,” Peter said to his brother.
“Oh man, I remember that. She used to always win that game. Shit, did that piss me off and Clara, too,” added John and the three men began reminiscing about old times.
“You used to get so mad at her, John. That was when you wanted to become a Marine,” added Frank.
“Not just a Marine, he wanted to be a sniper or special forces,” added Peter and they started laughing.
“This is a little bit different, guys. She never had a real killer after her. Never mind someone without a face or a name,” John told them and once again they became serious. Frank’s cell phone rang so he answered it.
“Yes, Captain. Okay, I appreciate it, sir. No, I haven’t yet. Thank you again,” said Frank. Then he hung up the phone.
“That was the captain. He wanted to give me the heads-up on Grace. Unfortunately the word’s out about Grace and still there’s no sign of Donald. The captain said Lancaster is about to release a statement to the press telling them that Donald is the serial killer,” Frank told his brothers. They stood there in shock.
Frank called his mom to let her know about Grace, and John headed home to stay with her. Peter went along with Frank to talk to the judge. After their brief conversation they came up with nothing new.