But Why Daddy?

Chapter 26

By: Lizzie

©Lizzie 2002-2004

            “Did she use the house phone or her cell phone?” Karen asked

            “Umm…” Heather said thinking, “Part was on her cell and part was on the house extension.”

            Cynthia looked on the side table, got up, went to Josh’s office and came back with the cordless phone, “This one?” she asked

            “Is that the one with the bad reception?” Heather asked

            “No, this is the good one…” Cynthia said, “The one that a certain paranoid man had tapped.” She glanced at Josh, but his face stayed expressionless, “But anyways,” Cynthia said looking back at Heather, “Hopefully Liz’s police connections can help us in getting the conversation.”

“Oh, she will.” Josh said. He stood up, walked out of the living room and into the kitchen. No one bothered to stop him or ask him where he was going and he was glad they didn’t because he knew he wouldn’t be able to control or censor what would come out of his mouth.

+*+

Twenty minutes later, there was a rapid knock at the door. Cynthia rushed to it and opened it, “He’s in the living room and livid.”

            Liz walked to the living room, set her briefcase on the floor and sat on the sofa, “I’m here. What was so urgent?”

            “Paula’s taken Kayla.” Karen said

            “Come again…” Liz said

            “Paula. Took. My. Daughter.” Josh said emphasizing each word, “I want you to help me get her back…no matter what it takes.”

            Liz leaned back against the sofa, folded her hands and looked at Josh, “Whatever it takes?” Josh nodded his head, “Then go about life as normal…” Josh was about to protest, but Liz held up her hand, “Release your album…do your tour…do everything that you would have done. While you do that, I’ll be working.”

            “So you’re not going to help me?” Josh asked dreading the answer he would get in response.

            “I never said that.” Liz said, “You do your thing and I’ll do mine. I hope that I’ll be able to get Paula before she leaves the country.”

            “You hope?”

            “Yes, hope.” Liz said, "If she leaves the country, it’s going to be twice as hard to get to her as it would if she were in another state.”

            Josh sighed, “I guess my life and my daughter’s life is in your hands.”

Liz smiled some before standing up, grabbing her briefcase and walking out of the living room, “I’ll see you tomorrow before the Release Party.” Liz said, “And Josh…” he looked up, “Relax.” she walked out of the living room and out of the house.”

“How can she be so clam about this?!” Josh said out loud

“If she let her emotions get the best of her every time a case hits close to home, she’d be a nervous wreck.” Cynthia said, “Personally, I’d be more worried if she was flying off the handle and spitting fire.”

Josh laughed a bit, “I have to admit that’d be a sight.”

Karen looked at Josh, “What would be a sight?”

“Fire coming out of Lizanne’s mouth.” He said, “We’ve all seen the daggers she shoots with her eyes, and the steam from her ears, but fire from the mouth, I’d pay to see that.” Karen, Cynthia, Heather and Tyler laughed.

“So what are we going to do while we wit for word from Liz and Robert?” Karen asked

“Go about life?” Cynthia suggested

“I’m going to take a drive.” Josh said standing up, “I need to think.”

“Umm, okay?” Heather said, “Pick up some pizza on the way back.”

“Ohh and something to drink.” Tyler added

“Why don’t we all just go out.” Karen said, “Try to go about life normally…”

“I think I’ll stay here in case Robert or Liz call.” Cynthia said

“Oh no.” Josh said, “When mom says we all, then it’s we all. No one left behind.”

Cynthia made a face, “Okay, fine.”

+*+

            Once Paula left the area, she crisscrossed around town thinking of what she was going to do. She hadn’t thought that she’d make it as far as she did so the next things that she did were spur of the moment. She did, however, know that she needed to get baby things. She pulled into the parking lot of the first store that she saw, parked her car, got out, pulled the baby carrier out and walked into the store. She placed the carrier in the front of a basket and walked up and down the aisles placing various things in the cart. When she got to the baby aisle she put multiple packages of diapers, bottles, powdered formula and new bottles in the cart.

            Once she was sure that she had enough things, she headed to the check out, paid for the items and walked back to her car. She loaded everything in the car and went back to the hotel she was staying at. To avoid being seen by anyone, she parked near the back entrance and only took the thing she needed right away with her went she went to her room.

            On the way up to her room, she thought she saw Josh so she ducked into a room that was being cleaned. The maid looked up from the bed she was making, “Can I help you?”

            Paula turned and looked at the lady, “Sorry, wrong room.” She said. She walked out of the room, to the elevator and up to her floor.

            When she got to her room, she set the bags on the floor, then placed the carrier next to them. She pulled her room key out of her pocket, unlocked the door, and pushed it open, picked up the carrier and walked in. She placed Kayla on the sofa before going back to the door for her bag. Once she had them all, she closed and locked the door before returning to Kayla.

            “My precious little girl…” Paula said as she unbuckled the carrier and took the small baby out, “One day you’ll thank me for doing this.” She walked to the bed, moved some pillows around and placed Kayla snuggly between them.

            Then she sat on the bed, picked up the phone, dialed a number and waited for the person to pick up. “Hello?” the person asked

            “Mom, I need a favor…” Paula said

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