Taken by Virginia Rose Richter

the Square and ditched the woman when I hid in the yarn shop doorway.”
    “Yes. And Tina?”
    “She’s still following the woman. But the woman has never seen her and Tina’s looking very casual.”
    “We’d better go find Tina,” said her dad. “Come on.”

Chapter Fourteen
    “There she is,” said Jessie.
    Her dad steered the car to the curb. Tina looked up and hurried through the snow to the car. She opened the rear door and got in.
    “What happened?” asked Jessie.
    “I’m getting snow all over your car, Mr. Hanson,” Tina said.
    “Don’t worry,” said Jessie’s dad. “Phillip tracks in everything.” He started down the street. “Did you find out anything?”
    “Well for one,” Tina said, “the woman was driving a different car. Not the one she got into at the garage sale.” She pulled off her stocking cap. “I got the license.” She handed a slip of paper over the front seat to Jessie. “I don’t think she figured out I was following her. She never turned around.”
    “Can you give the number to the police, Daddy?” Jessie asked. “I think this might be the fake kidnapper nurse.”
    She turned to Tina. “Make some more notes on the woman. What she wore, how tall, the scar and anything else.”
    “Okay,” Tina said.
    “You know,” said Jessie, “she was in the hair dye section. I’ll bet Andel will become a blond very soon.”
    “I want to talk to you girls,” Mr. Hanson said. “I know you think this is kind of a game, but, believe me, people who steal a baby are genuine criminals and would hurt you in order to keep you quiet.” He pulled to the curb in front of Tina’s house. “We’ll check out the folks in your notes. But we have to be careful. Try to be patient. If this woman is the kidnapper and she’s looking at baby clothes and hair dye, the baby is probably still alright.”
    Tina got out of the car. “Thanks for the ride, Mr. Hanson. I promise I’ll remember what you said.”
    She opened the wrought iron gate and ran to the house.
    “What about you, Jessie? Are you going to remember what I said?” asked her dad. “Don’t forget—the kidnapper actually saw you at the hospital. People remember you because of your braid.” His voice was stern and Jessie knew he meant what he said.
    “I’ll be careful, Daddy.” She pulled on her wool cap and tucked her braid into it. “But remember, Daddy, Tina and I were only going into the grocery store to buy shoelaces. We weren’t looking for trouble.”
    He looked at her and frowned when he saw that her braid had already disappeared.
    At home that night, Jessie was practicing her lesson when the phone rang. She ran to the hall.
    “Hi,” said a woman’s voice. “I’d like to come by and see your kids’ clothes.”
    “Sure,” said Jessie. “We’ll be here tomorrow between four and six after school.”
    “I’m sort of in a hurry. Could I come now?” asked the woman.
    Jessie’s mother was standing in the kitchen doorway listening to Jessie.
    Jessie covered the receiver and whispered, “Some woman wants to come now and look at the sale stuff.”
    Her mother shook her head and whispered, “It’s too late. You have to finish practicing. Tell her no.”
    “Sorry,” said Jessie into the phone. “It’ll have to be tomorrow. We’ll be here then. Good-bye.” She hung up.
    The next day was Tuesday. Five days had passed since Andel was taken. Jessie hurried home from school to be there if last night’s caller stopped by.
    “Hi,” said Phillip. “What you doing?”
    “Right now I’m getting home from school. What’re you doing?” She still wore her coat and her braid was tucked under her stocking cap.
    “I went shopping with Mama. Want to see?” Jessie followed him into the living room. Several bright new toys were arranged in a neat row.
    “See—new tractor.” He grinned up at her. “And two cars. Look at the animals. That’s a cow. And here’s a horse. And here are two chickens.”
    Jessie sat