Before Nightfall - Kat Martin Page 0,6
then come home and finish the salad.
“You ready?” Colt asked.
Julie untied the bright blue apron with the Pillsbury Doughboy on the front and tossed it onto the breakfast bar. “You don’t have to go with me. I’ll be fine.”
“From his appearance here after eight years, we know your ex is unpredictable. He might try to follow you, run you off the road or something. No use taking chances.”
Julie wiped her suddenly damp palms on her stretch jeans. “Maybe you’re right.”
“I’ll drive. You can give me directions.”
The kids were streaming out of the gymnasium when Colt pulled the Mustang up in front of the school. Timmy had called earlier to tell her basketball practice was running later than usual tonight. Julie and Colt waited in the car until the last straggler walked out, but there was still no sign of Timmy.
“Call him,” Colt said. “Find out what’s going on.”
Julie pushed his contact button, but the call went straight to voice mail. She looked up to see Colt sliding out of the car, and her heart began to pound. As he headed toward the big double doors leading into the dome-shaped gym, she hurried to catch up with his long-legged strides.
“That’s Coach Nunez over there.” Julie pointed to a lean, sinewy man with olive skin and coarse black hair.
Colt walked right up to him. “Where’s Tim Spearman?” Colt asked. “His mother’s been waiting outside but he hasn’t come out yet.”
The coach barely looked up from his clipboard. “His dad picked him up.”
Fear slid into her stomach, followed by a wave of nausea. “You...you didn’t just let him go off with a man you don’t know!”
“Mr. Spearman called this afternoon. He said he was picking the boy up from practice. I checked with the principal’s office. There was nothing in the file that said Timmy wasn’t allowed to leave with his dad. His father had ID and Timmy seemed excited to see him.”
“Oh my God!”
“What’s going on?” the coach asked, frowning. “Do I need to call the police?”
“Give us a minute.” Colt took Julie’s arm and led her a few feet away. “Bringing in the cops right now might not be a good idea. Not until we know what’s going on.”
Before she had time to argue, her phone rang. She looked down to see Timmy’s name on the screen.
“Timmy! Where are you?”
“This is Ray. The boy’s with me.”
“Ray. Let me talk to Timmy.”
“Take it easy. Tim’s fine.”
“This is kidnapping, Ray. If you don’t take Timmy home right now, I’m calling the police!”
“Calm down, Julie, and listen very carefully. Tim’s my son. I have every right to see him, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
She was shaking. “You...you’ve been gone eight years. Timmy doesn’t even know you.”
“Yeah, well, that’s about to change.”
“I’m telling you, Ray—”
“No, Julie, I’m telling you—and you had better listen good. Tim and I are going to spend some time together, get to know each other. You get the cops involved, you’ll never see your son again.”
A sound came from her throat. At the stark terror in her face, Colt took the phone from her trembling hand and pressed the speaker button.
“My name is Colt Wheeler. I’m a friend of Julie’s late husband. Let Julie talk to the boy.”
“No cops,” Ray said, “or she won’t see the kid again.”
“Put Timmy on the phone,” Colt repeated, tamping down his own fury.
Seconds passed. “Mom...?”
“Timmy! Sweetheart, where are you? Are you all right?”
“Dad came to the school. He said it was okay for me to go with him. He said you knew.”
She clamped her lips together, fighting for control. “It’s all right, honey. It’s not your fault.”
Ray came back on the line. “No cops,” he repeated. “You got it?”
She looked up at Colt, who nodded. “I’ve got it,” Julie said. “How long before you bring him home?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll let you know when I’ve figured it out.” The line went dead.
“Oh my God,” Julie said.
“We need to get out of here. Wave goodbye to Coach Nunez as if nothing’s wrong, and let’s go.”
She walked on shaky legs out of the gymnasium and Colt pulled her aside as soon as they cleared the door.
“You need to call Marsha’s mother,” he said.
“Marsha’s mother?” The rest of the blood drained from her face so suddenly she felt light-headed. “Oh my God, you don’t think—”
“Tell her to pick the girls up right now. Call Megan first, tell her not to leave with anyone but Marsha’s mom.”
“I’ll call her, but...but the cell service in the mall is