PART II Chapter Twenty-five
Kate had only been home about forty-five minutes when the doorbell rang. When she opened it, Karen was standing there with a pizza box in hand in full delivery attire. Kate asked her to come in and have a seat. Kate went through the motions of looking like she was paying for the pizza in case someone was watching.
Kate invited Karen inside the house and introduced her to Megan. Kate had already told Megan details about who Karen was and the plan they hoped would get them inside the gated community and find those who carried a dark secret. Megan knew first hand how scary the ordeal could be and gave Karen a hug when they met.
Megan said, “If you want to ask me any questions please feel free to ask whatever you think you need to know.”
Karen replied, “Your mom gave me an overview but that isn’t like firsthand experience. You were at a party and not at a club, is that correct?”
Megan responded, “Yes, I was invited by a girl I had been casual friends with. I just thought it was a friendly gathering and didn’t give it much thought. I let my guard down and failed to pay attention to my surroundings. That is a mistake I will not make again.”
Karen said, “At least I will be aware of what may happen. Kate has shown me some photos of the guys who are recruiting now so I will know who they are if they approach me. I know not to drink anything.”
Kate said, “We are giving her plenty of help. Her purse has a hidden compartment where she will carry her weapon and it has a built-in reservoir to empty her drinks into.”
Megan responded, “Holy crap, that is a good idea. You give the illusion of having drank what they brought you. My mom said you were ex army so you should be a good shot and capable of self defense.”
Karen replied, “I hear you are a pretty good shot too. I saw you in the paper.”
Megan blushed before she answered, “I didn’t really have a lot of choice.”
Karen replied, “I want you to walk me through being in the trunk.”
Megan replied, “It was completely dark and I was still groggy from the drugs. I actually had a headache. There were a few moments when I first woke up that I didn’t realize where I was. I felt around the space and could feel the motion of the car. It was easy to tell if the vehicle was on pavement or gravel by the sounds I could hear.”
Karen replied, “You must have been super scared.”
Megan responded, “My heart was beating so hard I was convinced everyone could hear it. The car stopped and I heard car doors slamming so I waited, figuring someone would come to get me out, but time passed and no one came. I used the opportunity to feel around to find the release and raised the trunk lid just enough to to see out. When I couldn’t see anyone there, I raised the lid enough to roll out and close it back.”
Karen responded, “So no one was there at that point?”
Megan replied, “I think I lucked out and they had stopped for a dinner break. It was a town so I ran through some buildings and got as far away as I could. My clothes were unbuttoned but I fastened them back and went to look for some help.”
Karen said, “You had no idea at that point who was in on it and who you could trust.”
Megan responded, “Exactly. There were some stores around and I found one with a female clerk. I thought I had to take a chance. I didn’t know where I was, I had no purse or money and I didn’t have my phone. I didn’t know where it went.”
Karen said, “Wow, this sounds more intense than Afghanistan. You managed to get the use of a phone and called your mom and you were rescued. You never got to see if there were other girls and you didn’t make it to their studio.”
Megan responded, “I was lucky enough to be captured by guys that can’t go over two hours without eating.”
Kate said, “We have arranged to have Karen as a transfer student so she will be attending classes. If you could introduce her around that will help her get accepted faster. We are hoping she can get invited to some off campus parties. That is where we are sure a recruiter will strike. We have her wired for sound and tracking.”
Megan replied, “I will try to introduce you to a few kids I know. A lot have been scared away after the newspaper reports of me killing the intruders.”
Karen replied, “I look forward to being part of the team.”
Kate said, “The snow should be mostly gone over the weekend, I am thinking we should get you in class Monday morning. I have everything cleared with the captain. We don’t want you being seen at the station now. Stay home and do everything a college student would do.”
Karen took her pizza thermal case and left Kate’s house to head to her own place. Kate would be contacting her through personal phones and not anything issued by the department. Kate hoped this would work, she wanted to get the man at the top. That was her goal now, she wanted to halt the kidnapping and exploitation and catch a murderer in the process.
Kate told Karen to call when she got home to let her know she made it okay since the roads were still bad. This was almost like adopting another daughter. Karen wasn’t a lot older than Megan. She had lived on her own for a while and had served in Afghanistan for a couple of years. Kate knew that made you grow up quickly.
Kate said, “Megan, what do you think of our plan, do you think Karen will be good enough that a recruiter will take the bait?”
Megan replied, “I think so. There have been a lot of abductions since mine and there doesn’t seem to be any special traits that are sought after other than young.”
Kate responded, “I think this will work. I have to think that way, because. I don’t have a plan B. How about we have a cup of hot chocolate?”
Megan replied, “That sounds pretty good, with whipped cream on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
Kate said, “Just a few drops of Jameson makes it warm your insides.”
Megan replied, “Mom, I am underage and you are a cop.”
Kate said, “We are in our own home and have no plans of going out anywhere. We need something to eat first. How about grilled cheese and some tomato soup?”
Megan replied, “That sounds good and then we can sit and sip hot chocolate and talk about our day.”
Megan said, “I will get the soup started and you can work on the grilled cheese.”
Kate loved it when she got to work in the kitchen with her daughter. It had been a long time since they spent much time together cooking. They did that a lot when Megan was younger, in the pre-teen years. They had some years where the defiant teenager was the main resident of the house but that had improved and their relationship had improved.
The reality was that Kate and Megan related more like friends now than mother and daughter. Megan didn’t seem so mad anymore. It helped when Kate rescued her after she was kidnapped and it showed that Kate was always there for her regardless of what their differences may be.
Megan had begun to ask Kate about whether she was interested in dating. Kate had been reluctant before, afraid that Megan just wouldn’t be able to accept it. But that phase seemed to have faded away.
Megan said, “Mom, I like these times. I know it seemed like I blamed you for everything but I am pretty observant and I can figure out things. Dad left us and when he did, he left me as much as he left you.”
Kate replied, “Megan, I won’t trash talk your father in front of you. He isn’t perfect but he is your father.”
Megan responded, “Mom, I know he had to be seeing his girlfriend while you were still married. I know suspicious things were happening when you were working at night. He would leave me for an hour or two after saying he had to meet a client. I am okay with you dating. Dad has moved on and you deserve to move on too.”
Kate hugged her daughter and told her thank you for expressing that. She didn’t have anyone in mind at the moment but she would think about it.
Kate and Megan were ready for bed when the phone rang and Karen announced that she had made it home without any problem. She said the plows had been on the main roads and they were pretty good.