A Necessary Evil(5)
“There is this one fellow at Macy’s. He’s been, how can I put this, somewhat obsessed with Mollie since he started working there a couple of months ago. Name’s escaping me right now. But she’s been pretty upset about it lately. Says he follows her all around the store. Even leaves little notes in her locker.”
Kurt nodded as he wrote down this latest bit of information. “I see.”
Frankie could feel his blood pressure rising as his pulse quickened. “Do you think he did something to Mollie?”
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Kurt said, holding up his hand. “But I’ll certainly look into it. I need to go speak with her co-workers, anyway.”
“Just shoot me straight, man. I’ve heard about the other missing girls. The ones who disappeared without a trace.” Frankie’s stomach rolled, and he felt as if he might throw up the four cups of coffee he’d consumed so far today. “That’s why I came here. You know I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think something was seriously wrong.”
Kurt looked like he was going to be sick, as well, which told him the detective wasn’t sure how to respond. Though it had been over thirty years since they’d really interacted with one another, and though they led completely different lifestyles, he could still see his old friend in the face that was concentrating so intently on figuring out exactly what to say. He knew Kurt couldn’t reassure him on this count, not with all he’d seen in his many years as a cop.
Kurt finally let out a sigh and shook his head. “I don’t know what to tell you, Frankie. Hopefully, we’ll find her soon, and she’ll have some crazy story about how her car broke down and her cell phone died, and she’ll be back home by the end of the day.”
“But realistically?”
“I’m going to be honest with you. Considering the similarities to my other cases, and with what you’re telling me about her life and personality…well…I’m going to do everything in my power to find her. You have my word.”
Frankie stood and paced the room. He’d had a friend check out Kurt’s track record at the department. Detective Jamison had a ninety percent clearing record, which meant he solved nine out of every ten cases that came across his desk. This should have instilled every confidence in Frankie, but no matter what his file said, the fact remained. Six innocent young women had vanished, had in all likelihood been killed, and Kurt hadn’t been able to find their bodies, let alone their killer. The detective was in way over his head this time.
As Frankie continued to walk circles in the tiny interview room, his concern and frustration mounted. He rubbed the back of his neck, so full of tension it felt like his muscles were going to snap, as he thought over his options. One option was to let Kurt work this case like he’d done with the other girls and likely come up empty-handed again while Mollie suffered God only knew what kind of fate. No, that wasn’t really an option. No way was he leaving his beloved granddaughter’s fate in the hands of someone who, despite all his best efforts and intentions, had failed to stop a predator. Not only that, but could he really trust that, after what had happened all those years ago, Kurt would really be able to put the past behind them and focus on finding Mollie? He’d never forgiven Frankie. And Frankie had never forgiven Kurt, either.
Suddenly aware of exactly what needed to be done, Frankie stopped pacing and looked Kurt square in the eyes. “I’ll do it myself.”
“Do what yourself?” Kurt asked with eyes wide as two moons. “Frankie…what are you planning?”
“I’m going to find her myself.”
Kurt shot up out of his seat. “Be reasonable. You have to let me do my job. And I can’t have you going off half-cocked and—”
“I’ve changed my mind. No offense, Kurt, but I don’t trust you or anybody else with Mollie’s life. I shouldn’t have come here. I have the money. I have the resources. I’m going to find Mollie. I’ll take care of it.”
Kurt stood, placed his hands on the table, and leaned forward. “Like you took care of things thirty years ago?”
Frankie’s nostrils flared, and his face turned varying shades of red. He curled his fingers into a fist then flexed them straight again. He felt an overwhelming desire to punch Kurt Jamison’s angular jaw. But most of his anger was reserved for himself. Frankie had known Kurt was upset about what had happened after Addie, but he’d come and asked for his help anyway. How stupid, how na?ve he had been to think for a second that Kurt would be able to help him without taking the opportunity to throw the past in his face. Frankie took two deep breaths. Taking the bait and reacting to Kurt’s snide comment wouldn’t do anything to help bring Mollie home.
“I’m going to find Mollie,” he repeated. “You do what you have to do. I won’t stand in the way of your investigation. But I promise I’ll find her, alive or otherwise. And then…”
“Yeah?” Kurt planted his hands firmly on his hips and glared at Frankie. “Then what?”
Frankie grabbed hold of the doorknob and yanked open the door. He took two steps, then turned and fixed Kurt with a glare. “Then I’m going to track down this maniac, and I’m going to make him pay.”
Chapter 4
Mollie