Taken by Virginia Rose Richter Page B

left hands.” He sat thinking. “I’m going with the grocery-store woman. We have two license plates numbers. One from the garage sale and one from Tina’s following her from the grocery store.”
    “Have the police checked them out?”
    “They’re watching three properties. One of the plates was out of town. Omaha. The police there are watching that house.”
    “I wish you’d tell me the addresses here in town,” said Jessie.
    “That won’t happen,” said her dad. “I worry about you and Tina enough already. Go ahead and practice. I like to listen. You’re doing very well! Stick to music.” He unfolded the newspaper and began to read.
    * * *
    On the way to school the next day, Bryce caught up with Jessie and they walked together.
    “Bring me up to date on the kidnapping, Jessie,” he said. “I haven’t talked to you since Sunday at the garage sale.”
    Jessie smiled, very happy to see him. “A few new things have happened.” She told him about the grocery-store woman and the sleepy-eyed lady from yesterday. “Tina and I used the signals in the grocery store. They worked great! Tina didn’t even change her expression.”
    “What next?” he asked.
    “Who knows? I went with Mom to the Novaks’ and felt so bad. Those poor people. This is Wednesday. It’s been six days since the baby was taken.”
    “I know. It’s awful,” he said. “I haven’t told anyone the stuff we’re supposed to keep a secret.”
    “Thanks,” she said. “My dad says that’s really important.” Jessie looked up into his eyes. His expression was full of concern. You are so cute, she thought.
    “Do you have a lesson Saturday?” he asked.
    “Yeah. At one o’clock. Mrs. Livingston’ll be back. How about you?”
    “I do. At two. Want to walk over together? I have to go to the library. I can do that during your lesson.”
    “Okay,” said Jessie. Very okay! “ Pick me up around twelve thirty. Then I’ll meet you at the café after your lesson.” They ran up the school steps and said good-bye.
    * * *
    In the car on Friday afternoon with Phillip strapped in his car seat in back, Mrs. Hanson said, “This is a nice amount of money to give to the homeless shelter. They’ll be pleased.”
    “Did Daddy tell you the real reason we had the sale?”
    “He did,” said her mom. “You could have told me, but, it’s okay since the money’s going to a worthy cause.” She turned the car into the shelter parking lot. “Besides, I think it was a smart plan. You don’t have to tell me everything.”
    “Thanks, Mom,” said Jessie.
    Jessie took Phillip from his seat and stood him on the sidewalk. “How’s your hand?”
    He held up his hand, all wrapped up in a bandage. “Tractor did it. Hurts.”
    “Are you going to let Mom take the tractor back to the store and maybe get a different toy?”
    “Maybe,” he said.
    They removed several boxes from the trunk that were filled with what was left from the garage sale.
    “What happened to Sunny’s baby dolls?” Jessie asked her mother. “They were beautiful.”
    Her mother took Phillip’s uninjured hand. “Tina’s mom bought them for the twins. In fact, she bought almost everything that Sunny contributed. The clothes and toys.”
    “Sunny will see herself everywhere,” laughed Jessie.
    “The shelter will be able to use these things that weren’t sold,” said her mom.
    “Oh, Mom,” said Jessie. Did you see the $25.00 in a bag by the cash box?”
    “I did,” said her mother. “I left it on the kitchen counter. Why was it in a bag?”
    “Thanks for keeping it. It was from that woman who came Tuesday after school. I kept it for fingerprints.”
    Her mother smiled. “I figured it might be some kind of clue.”
    Jessie smiled back. Boy, Mom’s getting smarter every day!

Chapter Sixteen
    When the doorbell rang on Saturday, Jessie ran to greet Bryce. She had on a blue parka and snow boots and carried a red zippered envelope with her music inside. He was smiling