But Why Daddy?

Chapter 15

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            Josh pulled into the parking lot of the hotel that Randy was staying it. He parked his car, got out and walked into the lobby. There were very few people lingering about so Josh was able to make his way to the front desk without being spotted by anyone.

            As Josh made his way to the front desk, the lady behind the counter looked up and gave a soft smile, “Welcome to the Marriott. How may I help you?”

            “A friend of mine is staying here and I was wondering if he’s checked out yet.” He said, “I tried calling his room, but there was no answer.”

            “What is room is your friend in?” the lady asked

            Josh thought a moment, “Room six thirty-two.”

            The lady typed something on the keyboard and looked at Josh, “Your friend hasn’t checked out, and isn’t due to until the day after tomorrow. Would you like to leave a message, should he come back?”

            “Yes. Tell him that it’s very important that he contact either Lizanne or Joshua.” Josh said, “He has both of our numbers.”

            The lady smiled and wrote down the message. “I’ll be sure and give it to him as soon as he comes. Is there anything else?”

            “No there isn’t. Thank you.” Josh said before turning and walking back out of the hotel and to his car.

            Josh got in his car, started it up and headed towards the beach. He thought about the last time Paula was in town and how she always went to this small café that overlooked the beach. He headed down the main highway when his cell phone went off. He pulled into a gas station, fished it out of his pocket and looked at the number. He took a deep breath, clicked it on and spoke, “Have you found out anything, Liz?”

            “I know you didn’t want me to get anyone involved, but I called in a favor and he used his credit card about thirty minutes ago.”

            “Where?” Josh asked

            “Up the interstate at a McDonalds.” She said, “I can be there in fifteen minutes…”

Josh’s brow creased, “Where are you?”

“Visiting a friend.” She said, “He’s fifteen minutes from the McDonalds and says that it’s a truck stop.”

Josh sighed, “You’re closer than I am. You have a picture of Randy and Paula?”

“No, but I can get one.” She said, “Why?”

“Get one, take it there.” Josh said, “I need to call my lawyer.”

“Finally!” Liz said, “Robert’s been going crazy. Apparently Paula called him not too long ago…”

“She did what?!” Josh shouted, “What did she say?”

“Said that Randy wanted to talk to her. I think Randy’s grown some balls and is going to fight this.”

“What do you mean?”

“He’s going to take this to court. I didn’t get the papers that I gave him to sign.” Liz said, “I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt and I won’t tell the police until later on. If I don’t hear anything, it’s not going to be pretty.”

“Just wait until Robert or I call you before you do anything.” Josh said, “I have to go.” He pressed end on his cell phone, pulled out of the gas station and headed to see his lawyer.

+*+

            Once Cynthia got dressed, she left Josh’s house and headed back to her house. It had been close to a month since she was last there. She stopped at her neighbor’s house and got her mail. The lady was kind enough to organize the mail into different piles so when Cynthia got to her house she was able to throw the junk away, write checks for the bills and skim through the letters from her parents, her boss and from her accountant. She made mental notes to call her parents and boss, then she faxed her accountant the information he asked for.

            Cynthia went up to her room and looked through her little black book for the number of an old boyfriend who worked at car rental shops. She found his number and called him.

            “Ryan, it’s Cynthia…” she said once he picked up the phone.

            “Cynthia, I was just thinking about you.” he said, “How have you been?”

            “I’ve been good. I’m helping a friend of mine get his place ready for his new daughter.”

            “Ohh, sounds like fun.” he said, “Have you talked to any of the old gang?”

            Cynthia sighed, “Not in a year.” she said, “Ever since they found out about Josh, they’ve treated me…differently.”

            “I know the feeling.” Ryan said, “You’re the only one who still calls me since I’ve…you know, come out of the closet.”

            “I always had a feeling.” Cynthia said, “I’d love to catch up with you more, but I’m kind of on a time crunch and I need to ask a favor of you.”

            “Depends on what it is…” Ryan said

            “I need you to look up something on the rental database…”

            “I don’t know…” Ryan said, “I could be fired if my boss found out.”

            “This is very important.” Cynthia pleaded, “Sort of a matter of life and death.”

            Ryan’s voice dropped to a whisper, “Is everything okay?”

            “Kind of.” Cynthia said, “Without going into all the details, an unborn baby and her mother are missing.”

            “I see…” was all that Ryan could say, “Have you called the police?”

            “Not yet, things are being handled a different way. That’s why I called you.”

            “I’ll help you the best I can…”

            “All I need you to do is find out the kind of car a Randy Johnson checked out earlier this week.” Cynthia said, “He’s from California and will more than likely be returning the car the day after tomorrow.”

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