Best Defense by Randy Rawls

ever seemed so impossible. The well-being of a five-year-old depended on me and so far, I had nothing. True, I had gained allies, but without information to feed them, I had little reason to think they could help.
    With the future so uncertain, I grabbed a moment for David. I didn’t care what he was doing, I needed to talk to him, and talk to him now. I dialed his number.
    â€œBeth. So good to hear from you,” he said when he answered. “Aren’t you up rather late?”
    That sounded like a strange greeting, but I charged on. “I just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you and wish you were here. This is turning into one long week.”
    â€œYeah, me too,” he said.
    Reality, or what I took to be reality, dawned on me. “Are you with someone? Can’t you talk now? Where are you?”
    â€œI’m in a cab on the way to the hotel. Phil Houston and Herb Warring are with me. We decided to share the tab since we’re all staying in the Hilton. A group of us went out to dinner. It was a fascinating day. Some really good lectures.”
    Rats. Obviously, he was unwilling to talk in front of the other doctors. Guess he didn’t want them to know what a romantic he could be. So much for the solace I sought. “I understand. I just wanted to hear your voice and tell you how much I miss you. You go on with your evening. Maybe we can talk tomorrow.”
    â€œBeth, I agree in every way. I’ll try to call in the morning during a break. You get some sleep and take very good care of my favorite lady. I’ll see you this weekend. Good-night.”
    The phone went dead, leaving me hanging on the thought of a real conversation with him in the a.m. Then Ashley’s plight took over again, slamming me back into depression.
    Time to check in with Hammonds, even though I had a promise he or the police would contact me with any new information. For all I knew, the authorities might have talked him out of involving me. Besides, if there were no new developments, I’d have time to slip home, clean up, grab a few winks, and be ready when the kidnappers called. I punched in his number.
    After several rings, while I pictured the police starting the recording equipment, a dog-tired voice said, “Hello, Beth. Nothing new here. They haven’t made contact yet. I’m going slightly crazy with the waiting.”
    â€œYou need to grab hold of yourself, John. It’s going to be a long and frustrating boat ride. You’re the anchor around which we have to work.”
    â€œYeah, I know. The police keep telling me it’s not unusual for the kidnappers to delay contact for a day or two—or longer. That doesn’t make it any easier though. Do you want to talk to the duty cop?”
    â€œSure. Put him on. And, John … you need rest. You have to force yourself.”
    A new voice came on the line, causing me to cringe.
    â€œHey, it’s my favorite skirt-PI. Solve the case yet? Can I go home and get some sleep?”
    Sargent. Just my luck to catch him with the duty. I knew I had to keep it official, rather than what I really wanted to say. “Anything new?”
    â€œNo. My mission is to stand by so I can keep you informed, and I have nothing to report. Is it okay if I don’t stand at attention? Do you have anything to share with me?” His sarcasm dripped from his words.
    So much for his having gained respect for me. Well, two could play that game. “If I knew anything, I’d call Chief Elston,” I said in my most caustic manner. “Just don’t forget my phone number.” I flipped my cell closed. That man was just too insufferable.
    I checked my watch again. One-thirty. I opted to use some time to make myself presentable for whatever the future held. Plus, I had some new hardware I wanted to pick up.
    I headed for home where I crawled into the shower, enjoying the sting of the hot water as I thought about what to do the next day.