But Why Daddy?

Chapter 16

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            Ryan typed the information into the computer and came up with two matches, “I have good news and bad news…” He heard Cynthia sigh, “There are two people by the name of Randy Johnson and both are set to return their car the day after tomorrow.”

            Cynthia sighed again, “Would it be too much to ask if you gave me the license plate numbers of those cars?”

            “Not at all.” Ryan said, “You have a pen and paper?”

Cynthia grabbed the pad of paper and pen from off the night stand, “Okay, ready.” Ryan gave her the plate numbers, “Thank you so much.”

“No problem.” Ryan said, “What are you doing this weekend?”

“I’m pretty busy…why?”

“You think you could make some time for lunch with an old friend?” Ryan asked

Cynthia laughed, “I’m sure that could be arranged.” she said, “You still have my cell number, right?”

“Yeah.” Ryan said, “I’ll call you around eleven.”

“That’s fine with me.” she said, “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

They both hung up their phones and Cynthia pulled the paper off the pad, put it in her pocket and walked out of her room. She grabbed the bills she needed to mail, the letters from her parents and boss then walked out of her house, closing and locking the door behind her.

Before she got to her car, she went to her neighbor’s house and thanked her before going to her car, getting in and going back to Josh’s house. On the to his house, she stopped for some snacks and was on her way again.

+*+

            Liz walked back into her friend’s office and sat behind the desk, she picked up the office phone and dialed her house number. Lance picked up on the third ring, “Hello?”

            “Babe, it’s me.” she said

            “Where are you?” Lance asked, “You were up and gone before the baby and me.”

            Liz laughed, “Sorry, I had to take care of some business.” she said, “That’s why I’m calling…”

            “Is everything okay?” Lance asked

            “Paula never came home last night and she’s not answering her cell phone.”

            “Does Josh know?”

            “Yeah, he’s going to talk to his lawyer.” Liz said, “But I need you to go into my office and grab the pink photo album off the shelf.”

            “Okay, hold on.” Lance put the phone down, went to her office, got the album and went back to the phone, “I got it.”

            “About half way through, there are pictures from Adriana’s birthday. I need the one of  Paula.” she said, “Then at the end, there’s a picture of Randy taken at our reception, I need that one too.”

            Lance took the picture out, “What do you want me to do with them?”

            “Scan them and e-mail them Robert and to me.” Liz said, “Adriana has a doctor appointment at three and I won’t be able to take her, so you’ll have to.”

            “No problem.” Lance said, “Be home for dinner?”

            “I’ll try, but if not, then I’ll eat at Josh’s.”

            Lance nodded his head as if she could see him, “Okay, then I’ll see you when you get home. Love you.”

            “Love you too.” Liz said before she hung up the phone.

            Just as she hung up the phone and flipped on the computer, her friend walked into the office, “Everything okay?” he asked

            “Yeah, Cap. Everything’s fine.” Liz said, “My husband’s going to e-mail me the pictures and so they can be made into fliers.”

            The man nodded his head, “You know there’s nothing we can do, though.”

            “Captain, my cousin is holding my best friend’s ex and baby…I will do something even if you can’t.”

            The Police Captain laughed, “I know, I know.” he said, “It looks like you’ve made yourself right at home at my desk.”

            “And you want me to apologize?” Liz asked with a laugh

            “Just don’t get too comfortable.” he said, “I have to get back to work, I have a briefing in ten minutes.”

            “Don’t let me keep you from doing your work.” Liz said as she smiled at him and logged into her e-mail program.

The Captain walked out of the office and went about his work. Ten minutes later, Liz was printing the flier out and on her way to the McDonald’s hoping that she could catch Randy before he left.

When she got to the McDonald’s she was told that she just missed Randy. The manager who was working the cash register when he came in told her than Randy was in a hurry and being snappy. She asked him if he saw which way Randy went.

“Up the interstate towards all those motels.” the man said, “He didn’t even bother for his change when he got cash back.”

Liz thanked him and left. Before she got on the interstate she asked a few drivers if they saw him, a couple of them said they did. She thanked them and headed in the direction that she was given.

+*+

            Thirty minutes after talking to Liz, Josh was pulling into the parking lot of his lawyer’s office. he parked his car, got out and walked into the building. He knocked on Robert Jamison’s door. Robert got up from his chair, walked to the door and opened it, “Josh, I see you got my message.”

            “Yes, I talked to Liz.” Josh said walked to the chair in front of Robert’s desk, “She told me Paula called you?”

            Robert nodded his head, “Yes, she sounded a bit out of it, like she was nervous.”

            “You wouldn’t be nervous too if you were running off with someone else’s child?”

            “But we don’t know for sure if she’s carrying your child…” Robert said.

            “But according to the papers the Paula signed, that’s my baby.”

            “Technically, that’s true, but if Randy’s smart, he’s gotten a lawyer and the papers that Paula and you signed aren’t any good.”

            Josh was shocked, “Aren’t any good? What am I supposed to do for the next two months? Pretend that none of this ever happened?”

Go to Chapter 17