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Chapter Nineteen

S eth sorted through the photos from his last assignment before selecting three for Fallon’s final approval. He wrote captions for the pictures, then hit send. He’d already written up the shooting as a short news piece, leaving out his presence at the scene as requested by Fallon. Now he picked up his cell to check to see if Jetta had called or texted. She hadn’t responded to his text about the timing of dinner, and he hadn’t seen any other communication from her. It had been several hours since he’d sent it, so worry took up residence in the corners of his mind. Some people might think he was overreacting, but his gut told him otherwise. He’d learned from an early age to always listen to his gut. It had saved him and his mother more times than he cared to recall.

“Ready for tomorrow?” Brogan slapped the top of the cubicle with a notebook.

Right, the Topher Robotics interview. “Yes. Should we meet at headquarters or drive in together from the office?”

“Headquarters. I’ve got an appointment at noon.” His colleague appeared to be suppressing news by the way his fingers tapped out a rhythm that had a familiar cadence to it. Da, dum-de-dum. Da, dum-de-dum .

The sappy grin gave Seth the final clue. “You’re picking up an engagement ring.”

Brogan’s smile widened. “I knew you’d figure it out.”

“Have you asked Melender yet?”

“No, want to have the ring first.” Brogan waved a hand. “And no, I didn’t ask what kind of ring she wanted. I figured that out for myself.”

“Good for you. When you do plan on asking her?” Seth admitted Brogan and Melender’s sweet romance had given him hope he might one day find his own happily-ever-after. Connecting more with Jetta had given fuel to that hope, although his confidence in their own happy outcome wasn’t as high as Brogan and Melender’s must be.

“Saturday. I’ve planned a hike in Shenandoah National Park. She knows about the hike but not exactly where or the special picnic I’ve planned when we get to the waterfall.”

“Sounds romantic.” From what he knew of Melender, it would be the perfect spot for a proposal.

“It should be, if the weather holds. Right now, it’s showing a cool, sunny day, but that could change in an instant in the mountains.” Brogan gave the cubicle top a final tap. “Gotta run but will see you tomorrow at 9:45 in the parking lot so we can get our strategy set before the interview.”

“Sounds good.” Seth waved bye, his thoughts returning to Jetta’s silence. Rather than continue to stew about it, he would call her. The phone rang once, twice, three times.

Then Jetta answered. “Hello?”

The pain in her voice cut him to the quick. “It’s Seth. What’s wrong?”

Sobs greeted his query. He gave her a few minutes to regain control before softly voicing his question again.

This time, she managed to reply. “It’s Mom.”

His heart dropped to his toes at the despondency in her voice. Surely Emily hadn’t died? He waited for her to explain rather than pepper her with the questions swirling in his brain.

“She’s missing.” Jetta cleared her throat. “Someone’s taken her!”

“She’s been kidnapped?” Seth was on his feet and moving toward the door. “I’m on my way.”

“No.”

The single word stopped him in his tracks, sending his heart plummeting to the bottom of the ocean. She was regretting their kiss and was regulating him once more to mere friends.

“I need you to continue our investigation. It has to be the reason for them taking her.”

He returned to his workstation, his mind racing with which lead to pursue. One rose to the surface. “Brogan and I are going to talk to Ryan Topher tomorrow morning, so I’ll research the central cast of characters there more, including Fiona, the woman Dolores said moved to Topher from SafeSense.”

“Good idea. I’m going to work through the rest of my invoices. I have about ten more to go.” She sniffed. “There’s not much else I can do while I’m waiting.”

“Do they know what happened?”

“They’re certain she was kidnapped because the security footage had been tampered with during the twenty minutes an incident involving two residents took place.”

“Was the incident staged?”

“Not sure, as these two residents often kick things off between them. The police think the timing is suspicious as it drew staff and security guards away from my mom’s room.”

The weariness and concern underneath her words made Seth question his acquiescence to stay put. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come there? You sound like you need a hug.”

“More than you know, but”—her voice grew stronger—“I need you to help me figure this out. I believe this will be the key to bringing my mom home safely.”

“If you’re sure.” He frowned as he realized dinner would not be happening, at least not in the way he’d anticipated. “How about if I text you in a few hours to see how you’re doing?” He decided not to mention dinner but would figure out how to bring food to her when the time came.

“Sounds good.” She sniffled. “You haven’t mentioned the phone call.”

“What call?”

“I texted you a few hours ago.”

“Let me check.” He did so, but nothing had come through from Jetta. “I don’t see anything.”

“Oh, wait, now I see it didn’t send. I was going to follow up with the detective after I visited with my mom but forgot. I’ll resend the text. Would you pass it along to the detective?”

“Sure.” He wanted to ask about the phone call now, but the weariness in her voice made him hold off. He wouldn’t press her. He was about to sign off when he remembered there was something he could do for her, and it didn’t necessitate being with her in person. “May I pray with you?”

“Would you? I’ve been praying for Mom’s safety, but I’ve run out of words.”

“It would be a privilege.” Closing his eyes, Seth bowed his head and lifted up the situation to their heavenly Father. He had prayed in public only a handful of times, but he felt no awkwardness as he bared his heart to the One who cared about them.

“Dear Lord, you know how scared we are for Jetta’s mom. Please keep Emily safe from harm. Let her rely on you for her strength of body and mind. Give Jetta peace during this difficult time of uncertainty. Help us to peel back the curtain on the lies surrounding the embezzlement and find the truth. Let us not grow weary of fighting for justice for her father. Let us be successful if it is your will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Jetta sniffled again. “Thank you, Seth. I feel better already.”

“I’m glad.” His heart swelled with purpose and a growing affection for this woman God had brought into his life, for he had no doubt who had orchestrated their meeting.

Muffled voices came over the line, then she said, “I’ve got to go, as the police are here with an update. Not on the location of my mom, but on the circumstances of her abduction.”

“Let me know what they said when you can.”

Jetta assured him she would, then disconnected the call. Seth held the phone to his chest and prayed again for Jetta and that Emily would be found safe—and soon. Then he dialed Detective Oldfield’s number to report the anonymous call Jetta had received.

After identifying himself when Oldfield answered, Seth said, “Jetta received a phone call telling her next time, the shooter won’t miss.”

“From an unknown number, I’m guessing.”

“Yes.” He outlined the warning to back off the embezzlement investigation.

“I’ll log it in my notes, but I’ll be honest—it will be next to impossible to trace the caller.”

“We know that.” Seth drew in a breath. “There’s more. Her mother’s been kidnapped from a rehab center.”

“What happened?” The detective’s voice sharpened.

Seth gave the scant information he had. “Jetta said she was meeting with someone from the police a few minutes ago, but as far as she knew, her mother’s whereabouts are still unknown.”

“Okay, I’ll see who from our department is working the case.”

“You think they’re connected?”

“It’s too much of a coincidence in my book for it to be otherwise. From what I’ve researched about the Ainsley family, they’re not the typical family to be targeted by kidnappers looking to score a big payout.”

The fact that Detective Oldfield was taking the embezzlement connection seriously made Seth feel marginally better. “So you’ll be looking into the original embezzlement charges?”

“Let’s just say I’m keeping an open mind.”

Seth ended the call, both troubled by the increasing danger related to their investigation and a little elated that someone thought they were making progress. He sent yet another prayer for Emily’s safe return and for God to comfort and sustain Jetta. Then he logged onto Topher Robotics’ website and found the list of personnel. First he pulled up data on Fiona Everly, whose photo showed a striking woman in her late forties or early fifties.

“Good write up on the shooting.” Fallon’s comment made Seth jump. “Startled you, huh?” The older man chuckled as he leaned a shoulder against the cubicle doorway. “How’re you holding up?”

It took Seth a moment to realize Fallon was referring to being shot at earlier that day. Had it really only been a few hours ago? “I’m okay.”

His boss raised a salt-and-pepper eyebrow. “I can see that it’s not been top of mind for you.”

Seth shook his head. “I’ve had other things on my mind.”

“Related to that embezzlement story you’ve been pushing Brogan to investigate?”

Nothing got past the editor-in-chief, something Seth would be wise to remember. “I think so.”

“Spill it.” Fallon crossed his arms, his posture not as combative as it might appear, as Seth had learned it meant the boss was listening hard.

Seth relayed the kidnapping of Emily Ainsley, Jetta’s anonymous warning, and his research into Fiona Everly, who had jumped ship from SafeSense to Topher after Dolores was fired. He also recapped the info Dolores had given them about her own involvement—or lack of involvement—in the altered invoices. “It can’t be a coincidence that Fiona left SafeSense and moved into a higher position at Topher Robotics.”

“You’re thinking the person who hired Fiona might be your head embezzler?”

Seth shrugged. “Could be, so I think it’s a lead worth following up.”

“Good. Don’t let your assumptions lead you in one direction only. It’s entirely possible Fiona got the job all on her own merit and it had nothing to do with the embezzlement.” With a nod, Fallon continued on his way.

Seth appreciated the reminder he shouldn’t get his hopes up that discovering how Fiona got her job would close the fraud case. Instead, he made a note of the names of those in the Topher HR department to call in the morning before his visit to see if he could glean who hired Fiona Everly. Then he spent some more time praying for Emily Ainsley to be returned home soon—and for her daughter to trust in God. He also added a petition for himself for patience and understanding as Jetta decided how to respond to their kiss and whether she would make room in her life for Seth.

* * *

In the easy chair in Mom’s room, Jetta rubbed her belly as the baby somersaulted. Seth’s easy acceptance of her pregnancy had been one of the things that had initially drawn her to him. He never looked at her as if she had committed a sin because she was expecting and not married. He also never directly asked her where the baby’s father was. Instead, he simply treated her like a fragile egg, making sure she called him for any heavy lifting and always taking her trash and recycling bins to the curb with his own.

Maybe she should call a Chicago attorney and explore her rights to exclude the father from her baby’s life. Jetta still couldn’t decide on whether she’d keep the baby or give it up for adoption. Asking a man to raise someone else’s child would be a huge undertaking, and she wasn’t sure she could handle raising a child on her own. Seth popped into her mind. His tenderness spoke of a man who would love unconditionally. Would that love extend to a non-biological child? Somehow, she thought it would, but she knew so little about his past, she couldn’t be one hundred percent sure.

“Ms. Ainsley?” A woman wearing a pantsuit stood in the doorway, her long black hair a stark contrast with the cream of the jacket. “I’m FBI Special Agent Alisha Keen.” She flashed her credentials. “The Fairfax County Police Department asked the FBI to consult on your mother’s kidnapping.”

Jetta shook the woman’s hand. “Is there anything new?”

“Not yet, but one of the officers said you had a theory as to why she was taken.” The agent called to someone outside the door. “Would you please bring in another chair?”

A moment later, a security guard entered with a plastic lobby chair and set it where the agent indicated. “Thank you.” She situated herself in the chair, a tablet and stylus in hand, then addressed Jetta. “Tell me everything.”

So Jetta did, starting with her mother’s accident, her siblings’ revelation about their father’s embezzlement, Bingley and the raccoon’s poisoning, the mysterious envelope, her car accident, the home burglary and assault, and the shooting outside Dolores Green’s house.

The agent listened, interjecting questions a few times for clarification. “What have you and Mr. Whitman found out in your investigation?”

“Not much.” Jetta blinked back sudden tears of frustration at their lack of progress. “We keep pulling strings to unravel more information and it simply leads to more strings and not answers.”

Agent Keen smiled. “Welcome to the drudgery that is real police work. In other words, that’s pretty normal. We all expect things to wrap up neatly like in those TV crime shows, but real-life investigations is a series of false starts and rabbit trails. Eventually, if we’re lucky, we stumble upon something that’s the key to the entire crime, but more often than not, it’s a slog through mounds of misinformation to get to the truth.”

“Now I’m really depressed.” Jetta laid a hand over her stomach, where her baby had settled down. “But still determined to figure this out.”

“You say you’ve spoken with someone from FinCEN?”

“Seth did, but he hasn’t heard back yet.” Jetta made a mental note to follow up with Seth about his contact. Probably too soon for her to have gotten any information about the original investigation, but it wouldn’t hurt to check.

“This Warner fellow—he provided you with copies of invoices?” Agent Keen made notes on her tablet.

“Yes, and that’s how Seth found Dolores Green.” Jetta shuddered as memories of the shooting a few short hours ago flooded her mind. Maybe she shouldn’t have encouraged Seth to continue the investigation rather than come here. She would give anything to have his presence beside her now.

As if her thoughts had conjured him, Seth stepped into the room, holding a plastic takeout bag in one hand. “Hey, Jetta. I brought some food.”

Without thinking, she pushed out of her chair and threw herself onto his chest. His arms came around her, the bag bumping into her back. Being supported in his embrace released the torrent of tears that she had been blinking back ever since she learned her mother had been kidnapped.

“Shhh, it’s okay. I’m here.” Seth’s whispered nothings triggered more tears. He rocked her in his arms as she let all her fears and worries flow out as she sobbed.

Her anguish spent, she raised her head to meet his gaze.

“Better?” He made no move to loosen his hold, for which she was grateful. She didn’t think she would be able to support her weight on her own quite yet.

“I think so.” She rested her forehead on his chest again, concentrating on her breathing to regain control of her emotions. Mom had been right—being pregnant did mean you wore your emotions close to the surface. Jetta had never been much of a crier, but she’d shed more tears over the past few months than she had in years. While she longed to stay within his arms for a while longer, she also wanted him to meet the FBI agent. Reluctantly, she placed her hands on his front and applied slight pressure to break his embrace.

Immediately, he dropped his arms, but he didn’t move away, as if unsure she would be steady enough on her feet.

“I’ll be okay.” She offered him a quick smile, then made her way back to the recliner.

The FBI agent looked up from her phone. “I take it this is Seth Whitman.”

“Yes.” Jetta willed the blush threatening to stain her cheeks to recede. She had nothing to be embarrassed about—her mother had been kidnapped, for goodness sake. She was entitled to comfort from a friend. And if that friend happened to be male and handsome, well, that was just a bonus, right?

Seth put the bag on the bedside table, then offered his hand to the agent. “Nice to meet you.”

Agent Keen introduced herself but didn’t show him her badge. “Ms. Ainsley was telling me what you had discovered.”

“May I see your credentials first, please?” Seth’s question startled Jetta, but she supposed it was a natural question, given how easily her mother had been snatched.

The woman handed him her badge folder. Seth examined it but didn’t return it. “What office do you work out of?”

“DC.”

“I’m going to verify you are who you say you are.” Without asking permission, he tapped on his phone, then lifted it to his ear.

“I’m sorry about this,” Jetta said in a soft voice to the agent.

“I understand his wanting to make sure I’m the real thing.” The agent appeared relaxed as she leaned back in her chair.

“Hello?” Seth moved to the other side of the room and turned his back on the two women.

Jetta couldn’t hear his side of the conversation, but the agent prompted her to continue telling what they’d learned so far about the embezzlement.

“I’ll wait for Seth, since he’ll have info to add.” Jetta crossed her arms over her stomach as an uncomfortable vibe settled over the room.

Seth whirled around and held the phone up toward the woman, the flash indicating he’d taken a photo. The woman frowned, then rose. Jetta thought she would ask for her creds back from Seth. Instead, she headed for the door.

In an instant, Seth had blocked her exit. “You’re not going anywhere.”

The woman knocked the phone out of Seth’s arm, but he blocked her next blow. Jetta couldn’t keep up with the flurry of movement as they grappled together. She prayed for Seth to get the upper hand because it had become apparent the woman wasn’t an FBI agent after all. Then Seth whipped the woman’s right arm behind her and pinned her to the wall. She snarled but he held firm, using his body weight to subdue her.

“Jetta, get a police officer in here now.”

She scurried to comply, returning quickly with two officers. When Seth explained the woman was impersonating an FBI agent, one of the officers handcuffed her and began Mirandizing her. He retrieved his phone and apologized for the disruption before handing the false agent’s phone and badge to the other officer.

He came to Jetta, who had returned to her chair, adrenalin pulsating through her body at how much she had revealed without a second thought.

“The badge is real, but Agent Keen is out on maternity leave.”

“How did you know she wasn’t a real agent?” Jetta felt all kinds of stupid for missing that. Was she doomed to repeat her mistakes in judgment the rest of her life?

“It seemed too soon. Your mom’s only been gone a few hours, and usually the FBI doesn’t get involved in adult kidnappings unless they have reason to believe the victim has been taken across state lines or there’s been a ransom demand.”

What he said made sense. “I should have known she wasn’t a real agent.”

He crouched beside her chair and took her cold hands in his, rubbing them lightly. “Don’t beat yourself up. Your focus was on your mother and her safe return.”

Now that Seth was here and the false agent gone, Jetta replayed the conversation. “You know what was strange?” She didn’t wait for his answer. “I could have sworn she was surprised to hear about some of the things that had happened. Not Mom’s kidnapping, but her eyes widened slightly when I mentioned Bingley’s poisoning and the raccoon’s death.”

Seth moved to the chair the agent had occupied. “That is weird. If she was here to find out what we’d learned, you’d think she would have known about the attacks designed to make us stop our searches.”

“Exactly.” The aroma of Chinese food wafted toward her. “You brought Chinese?”

“Yes, sweet-and-sour chicken and Mongolian beef, with rice and egg rolls.”

Her stomach growled at the mention of the food. “I’m starving.”

“I forgot to bring plates.” He started to rise but she waved him back.

“Let’s be decadent and eat directly out of the cartoons.”

He hesitated but then nodded. “Sure.” He got them paper cups of water from the supply in the bathroom while she unpacked the food. Soon they were eating and sharing the main courses. By mutual agreement, they avoided talking about the fake FBI agent and her missing mom but instead discussed their favorite books. Seth read widely, more fiction than she’d expected, so they’d had a rousing debate on the merits of different genres.

Jetta set down her chopsticks. “I’m stuffed. Couldn’t eat another bite.”

Seth dug around in the bag. “Good thing there are no fortune cookies.”

“Those never have fortunes anyway, but weird sayings like, ‘Take advantage of your opportunities,’ and ‘You are kind and friendly.’” A burp surprised her. “Excuse me.”

“No worries. My mom always burped more when she was expecting.” Seth stuffed the empty containers into the plastic bag.

“I didn’t know you had a brother or sister.” She handed him her cup.

“I don’t.”

The anger behind the denial startled her into probing deeper. “But you just said your mom—”

“She lost the babies.” Seth wouldn’t look at her, but the rigid set of his shoulders told her how upset he still was over the deaths of his baby siblings in utero.

His hands fisted, crinkling the plastic bag. “No, she didn’t lose them. They were taken from her.”