Looking for Lainey - A gripping psychological thriller Read online

  He nodded.

  “I’m going to use the bathroom,” Yury said, finishing his drink. “Then we head out.”

  When Yury left the parlor, Tara begged Kurt not to let him take pictures of her.

  “Don’t worry about him,” Kurt said, trying to calm her. “We won’t be back until late and I’m sure he’ll have forgotten about it.”

  Tara knew Kurt. His words meant nothing and were just meant to placate her. They both knew that once Yury put his mind on something, he wouldn’t let it go.

  Dina stepped back into the room. “Kids put away.”

  “Good.” Kurt grabbed his jacket from the chair he’d set it down on earlier. “There’s an emergency. Yury and I are leaving for a couple of hours. Lock everyone inside until we return.”

  Dina’s eyes widened. “Tara, too?”

  Nodding, he avoided eye-contact with Tara.

  Seeing Dina’s smug smile, Tara clenched her teeth and stormed out of the parlor. It was hard to conceive that the woman could be so cold and bitchy, especially since she’d also been abducted by Yury, as a child. But, Dina had somehow gained his trust over the years and was now both a gatekeeper and caretaker. Not only did they pay her well, but she could come-and-go whenever she wanted.

  As Tara passed by Lainey’s bedroom, she could hear the girl crying inside. Hesitating outside of the door, she wished that she could do more. But, Tara was too frightened to even consider it. The last time she’d tried running, she’d ended up with a few broken bones and the kind of pain she never wanted to feel again.

  Dina tapped her on the shoulder. “Get to your room.”

  Before she could answer, Tara overheard Yury and Kurt arguing down below in the foyer.

  “I don’t care. Dina can take care of the kids. Tara will do movies and earn her keep. I will teach her how to please a man. Maybe I will even start tonight,” he said with a smile in his voice.”

  Tara began to panic.

  Yury was going to rape her.

  She looked at Dina, hoping that for once, the other woman might show some kind of empathy. Instead, she saw nothing in her expression that indicated she even had a soul.

  “Sounds like busy night for you,” Dina said with a glint in her eyes as the two men left the house.

  A sudden impulse to knock Dina flat on her ass and run like hell swept through her.

  Dina’s eyes narrowed. “Tara. No funny business,” she mumbled, as if reading her mind.

  Gritting her teeth, Tara stormed away from Lainey’s room and stepped inside of her own. As she stared at the bed, she thought about Yury’s words and knew that she’d rather die than let the pig put his hands on her.

  I have to get out of here. If I don’t make it, at least I’ll be too badly beaten for him to rape me.

  At least, she hoped...

  “Wait, Dina,” Tara called out as she heard the key in the door handle. “I’m thirsty. Can you get me something to drink?”

  “You have water in bathroom,” the woman said in her choppy English.

  “It’s well water. It tastes horrible. Can you get me something from the refrigerator? I promise not to make any trouble for you if you’ll do me this one favor,” she lied.

  Dina huffed. “Fine.”

  Tara imagined Dina spitting into the beverage. It certainly wouldn’t surprise her.

  Tara looked around the bedroom for a weapon to use. Not seeing anything but a thin, metal lamp, she removed the dusty shade and unplugged it. Darkness settle upon the room. With her heart hammering in her chest, she stepped back over to the bedroom door and waited for Dina to return. It was time to try and take back her life.

  Chapter 16

  Carissa

  CARISSA AND BETH walked into the living room, where the others were watching the news.

  “They still haven’t found that little boy, Sammy Johnson, yet,” Helen said sadly.

  “That’s too bad,” Carissa said, looking at the television. They showed a photo of the boy. He was a little older than Lainey and also a good looking kid.

  “I’ve thought of something,” Beth said, staring at the television, a sad expression on her face.

  “What is it?” Dustin asked.

  She told him about the repairman. “It might not mean anything but... I think it’s something worth checking out,” Beth said.

  Tom turned off the television and stood up. “Call Detective Samuels and let him know,” he said, excited.

  “She walked over to her purse and pulled out her cell phone.

  “What do you think, Carissa?” Dustin asked. “About this repairman?”

  “Honestly, I’m not clear about him,” she admitted, sitting down on the sofa. Rubbing her forehead, Carissa let out a frustrated sigh. “I feel we’re so close to finding out who the kidnapper is, and yet, he also seems so far out of reach. It’s frustrating.”

  “You think we’re really that close?” William asked.

  She nodded. “Definitely. It’s like when you’re trying to remember the name of an actor and it’s at the tip of your tongue, but you just can’t think of it? That’s how I’m feeling right now.”

  Dustin walked over and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

  “Wait a second, do you really believe that someone close to us has kidnapped my daughter?” Tom asked, looking confused and angry.

  “Yes,” she said. “Or someone who’s recently been in contact with her.”

  “Detective Samuels didn’t answer, but I left him a message,” Beth said, putting her phone away.

  “Did you get a receipt from this Bernie guy or get his card?” Dustin asked.

  “Yes,” she said, her face brightening. “It’s in the kitchen.” Beth disappeared and returned shortly with both. She gave Dustin the paperwork. “See. His name is Bernie Smith.”

  Dustin looked over the receipt. “I’ve heard of this place. It’s a small repair shop in Roseville. Bernie might even be the owner.”

  “I don’t think he is,” Beth said. “He mentioned something about his boss waking up on the wrong side of the bed that morning and being grumpy.”

  “He was talking about his wife,” Carissa said, the knowledge making her smile. “At least, I think.”

  Dustin pulled out his cell phone. “Let me call Jeremy back and see if he can run some background checks on this guy. He might have a record, you never know.”

  “Maybe he’ll have found some information for us by now, too,” Carissa reminded him.

  “That would certainly be nice,” Dustin replied, putting the phone up to his ear.

  IT TURNED OUT that Jeremy wasn’t having much luck searching for information in the dark web. Not yet, anyway. He agreed to check on Bernie Smith and told Dustin to stop by later.

  “He’s going to keep looking, though, right?” William asked, after Dustin hung up.

  “Definitely,” he said and looked at Carissa. “In the meantime, I think you and I should swing by this repair shop. Maybe we’ll run into Bernie and you can feel him out.”

  “It’s already after six. They might not be open,” she replied, looking at her cell phone.

  “The hours are nine-to-seven,” Dustin replied, checking the receipt. “If we leave now, we’ll get there before they close.”

  She grabbed her purse. “Okay.”

  Tom, who’d been sitting on the sofa, stood up. “I’d like to go with you.”

  Carissa knew that it was a bad idea. He would take one look at Bernie and start jumping to conclusions. Desperate to find Lainey, everyone looked guilty at the moment.

  “You should stay here with Beth,” Carissa told him. “And wait for the cops to call back.”

  Tom started to argue.

  “It’s a bad idea,” Carissa said firmly. “And the only reason we’re going is to see if I feel any bad vibes about this man. If you’re in the room with us, I’ll only feel your anger and that’s not going to help Lainey.”

  “She’s right,” Bet
h said. “We need to let Carissa do what she does best. I’m sure if she thinks he has anything to do with it, she’ll call us right away.”

  “I will,” Carissa promised.

  Tom let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine.”

  Chapter 17

  Tara

  TARA WAITED IN the darkness, listening for Dina’s foot-steps. After about five minutes, she heard the click of the woman’s heels as she approached the bedroom. Holding her breath, Tara waited.

  Dina opened up the door and stepped inside. “Oh, no,” she said, flipping the light-switch on and off.

  Heart pounding, Tara stepped around the door and swung the lamp, hitting Dina on the side of the head so hard, it knocked her out. The woman collapsed to the floor, dropping the glass of water, its contents spilling everywhere.

  Although she despised Dina, Tara’s eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled, dropping the lamp.

  Dina didn’t respond.

  Trembling, Tara leaned down and checked her pulse. Relieved that there was one, she grabbed Dina’s ring of keys, and raced down the hallway to Lainey’s room. Her hands shook as she unlocked the door.

  Lainey stared at her groggily from the bed as she flipped on the light-switch. “Tara? What’s going on?”

  She hurried over to the bed and held out her hand. “Come on. We’re getting out of here.”

  Lainey gasped, threw back the covers and scrambled out of bed. “Really?”

  “Yes. Really,” she said. “We have to hurry, though.”

  Lainey looked down at the pajamas she’d been given. “Should I change into something else?”

  “No time. Just, keep that on,” Tara said, rushing over to the old, knotty pine dresser. Dina had recently purchased a bunch of new clothing, in all different sizes, from the Goodwill, but the pajamas would do. “I’ll find you some socks. Wait a second,” she said looking around. “Where are your shoes?”

  “I don’t know,” Lainey said. “I haven’t seen them for a while.”

  Tara pulled open one of the drawers and grabbed two pairs of socks. “Hopefully, they’re downstairs in the closet. Put both pairs on though. Just in case.”

  Lainey started pulling the first sock over her foot, but was moving so slowly that it made Tara nervous. Half expecting Dina to walk in on them at any minute, she lost her patience.

  “Here, let me help,” she said, grabbing the socks from her. She quickly pulled both pairs over Lainey’s feet and then helped her up. “We have to get Sammy, too.”

  “What about Dina and the men?” Lainey asked, following her to the door.

  “They left,” she said, peeking out the door. Not seeing Dina, she motioned for Lainey to follow. The two rushed over to Sammy’s room and Tara unlocked the door.

  “Sammy,” she said, flipping on the lights. “Get up.”

  The little boy stared at them in confusion, his eyelids heavy. “What’s going on?”

  “We’re leaving,” Lainey said.

  His eyes widened. “We are?”

  “Yes. Come on. We have to move quickly,” Tara said, rushing over to the dresser.

  Sammy climbed out of bed and Tara helped him put socks on his feet as well. Afterword, they stood up and she looked around. “Your shoes are missing too, huh?” she mumbled, scowling. “Dang it.”

  “I haven’t seen them,” he replied with a shrug.

  “Hopefully, they’re downstairs by the doorway. Let’s go,” Tara said.

  The three raced out of the bedroom and headed down the steps.

  “Are there any more kids here?” Lainey whispered, looking back over her shoulder toward the top of the staircase.

  “Not right now,” Tara replied staring at the doorway ahead, expecting Yury or Kurt to walk in while they were trying to escape.

  “Where is everyone?” Sammy asked softly.

  Before she could answer, a noise at the top of the steps made them all look back.

  It was Dina.

  “You’re dead,” she snapped, staring at Tara with murder in her eyes and blood dripping down the side of her face.

  The kids gasped.

  Dina raced down toward them.

  Panicking, Tara rushed to the front door and tried opening it.

  It was locked.

  Before she could attempt to use one of the keys to try and open it, Dina pounced on her.

  Lainey stared in horror as Dina grabbed Tara by the neck and began choking her. “No!” she screamed.

  The teenager dropped the keys and dug her fingernails into Dina’s hands, trying to get her to release her grip.

  Crying out in pain, the older woman let go of her neck.

  “You bitch!” gasped Tara. She balled up her fist and hit Dina in the face, knocking her backward.

  Stumbling, the woman lost her balance and collapsed at the bottom of the steps. Blood began to gush out of her nose and she let out an angry howl.

  Picking up the keys, Tara rushed to the doorway. With one eye on Dina and the other on the keys, she somehow managed to unlock the door.

  “You’re stupid,” Dina said, rising slowly to her feet while holding her bloody nose. “They’ll find you.”

  Ignoring her, Tara opened the door. “Come on,” she said to the children, wishing there was time to look for their shoes. But, she knew that Dina had probably sent Kurt and Yury a message already. More than likely, they were already on their way back to the farmhouse.

  Sammy rushed outside, followed by Lainey. Soon all three of them were racing away from the porch and into the cold, dark November night.

  Chapter 18

  Carissa

  “I HATE THESE short days,” Dustin said, referring to the fact that it was already dark outside. “And this damn snow. It’s only November. I must have missed Autumn when I blinked.”

  Carissa grinned. “I know. Fall never lasts long enough for me.” She looked up at the sky. It was snowing - big, soft fluffy flakes. Although, it was pretty, she could definitely do without more of it. Especially, after the blizzard she’d experienced in Two Harbors the week before. “I like the darkness, thought. I’m a night owl, you know me,” Carissa replied as they pulled away from Beth’s house.

  Amused, Dustin’s eyes danced. “That’s right. Darkness and spooky things have always fascinated you.”

  She grinned. “The supernatural is what fascinates me.”

  “Wish I could say the same. It creeps the hell out of me.”

  “Including me?” she teased.

  “Yeah, you definitely do. But that’s because you’re a woman. You people are terrifying.”

  Carissa laughed.

  He stared at her affectionately. “I miss that. Your laughter.”

  She didn’t reply although she felt the same way about him. Not only his laughter, she missed, but his corny jokes. Then there was his cooking, which was so much better than hers. His ability to remember small details, including her favorite brand and color of lipstick and least favorite vegetable. And the way he was around children. For someone who’d never had any, it was obvious that he adored kids. Which was another reason why Dustin chose the cases he did. He needed to save or avenge the innocent.

  They drove in silence for a while, listening to the radio. When a commercial came on, he turned down the volume and asked her about Tom. “So, you really don’t think he’s involved?”

  “No. I don’t know if this repairman is either.” She leaned back and sighed. “I just needed to get out of the house. There were so many emotions swirling around in there, it was clouding my mind.”

  He nodded. “I understand. You know, there’s one person we haven’t met yet. Beth’s fiancé. I don’t know about you, but I’m kind of curious about him. Did Beth say much?”

  “Only that he paints and is also an art dealer. I think she mentioned that he’ll be back in town late tonight. We could stop by tomorrow and talk to him.”

  “Yeah.” He sighed. “I’m hoping someone will have found Lainey by then, though.”r />
  She nodded. “I know. I hope so too. Still, I just can’t believe that Mike is out traveling when Beth needs his support. Talk about insensitive.”

  “We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. He might not have been able to get out of it,” Dustin replied. “It’s not like he’s traveling for fun.”

  He was right.

  When had she gotten so cynical of people?

  “True,” she said as they approached a stoplight.

  “You don’t think he’s involved do you?” he asked, looking at her curiously as they waited for the light to turn green.

  “I don’t know. I’d have to meet him, I guess, to know for sure.”

  “Beth mentioned that he has a son. I can’t imagine a family man being involved. Especially one that she’s engaged to.”

  “I know.”

  “Still, you’re pretty confident that the kidnapper stepped inside of Beth’s home?”

  “Yes.” An image of an airplane suddenly flashed through her mind. “I’m also pretty confident that if we don’t figure something out soon, Lainey will be lost to us forever,” she said, imagining the child being forced onto it.

  Dustin sighed. “Me, too.”

  WHEN THEY ARRIVED at the repair shop, there were two employees inside. One a middle-aged guy with glasses, the other, a man who looked to be in his thirties. Carissa guessed them to be father and son.

  “Can I help you?” asked the older man, standing at the register. He wore a light, blue polo shirt with the company logo and the name Bernie inscribed on the front. He had a stack of invoices in front of him and appeared to be going through them.

  “We’re in the market for a new water-heater,” Dustin lied. “I know you’re almost closing for the night, so we’ll just take a quick look around and then get out of your hair.”

  “Hey, don’t worry about it. My son, Dan, here will show you where they are and help answer any questions you might have,” Bernie said with a friendly smile.

  “Yes, definitely,” Dan said.

  “Thanks,” Dustin replied.