No Way Out by Fern Michaels (great books for teens .TXT) 📗

What kind of job?

Tailing someone.

You mean like a private eye or something?

Yeah, kinda.

For how long?

Two days, maybe three. I’ll make it worth your while. 200 bucks a day plus expenses.

I’m in! Send details.

Libby sent him the casino information and the make and model of Rick’s car. At least the one she remembered. She didn’t imagine he would have given up his BMW roadster. She mentioned that Rick had hired and paid someone $5,000 to find her. Then she dug out an old photo of her, Rick, Kara, and Christian. She cropped the photo so only Rick’s face showed, scanned it in, and e-mailed it to her new partner. After she hit SEND, a sense of relief filled her.

Two days went by, and her new sleuthing pal reported no movement, but very early Saturday morning, he spotted Rick leaving the casino and heading east toward Denver. He followed the sports car for several hours until it made a pit stop in Colby, Kansas.

Libby thought that if Rick were heading to New York, he would take a more northern route. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. She felt he was coming for her. She texted her accomplice.

Stay on him.

Will do.

Five hours later, he sent her another text.

Kansas City.

Her heart was in her throat. He wasn’t far away. She decided to call Colleen and tell her what she feared.

Earlier that morning, she saw Frank and Jeanne bring Andy home. He stopped short at the front door. Like Frank a few days before, he didn’t know what he was walking into.

“Come on, Andy. You’ve made it this far,” Jeanne urged him.

The minute he stepped foot in his house, he began to cry.

“Andy, we did the best we could. Everything is in the storage unit next to where you keep your cars. We only wanted to make it comfortable and safe for you,” Jeanne continued.

Frank chimed in. “And you have a new coffeepot and a new toaster, and the refrigerator has a few staples for you.”

Andy was trembling. Neither Frank nor Jeanne knew what else to say, but then Andy spoke. “You are the kindest people I have ever known. This . . . this is more than I could ever have hoped for.” He looked around the room and spotted one of his favorite pieces, a cherry buffet cabinet. “My gosh. I haven’t seen that in years!” He continued to take in all the wonderful items he had collected over the years. “I must say, I have very good taste.” He smiled. Jeanne and Frank laughed.

“I don’t know how to thank you.” Andy moved toward the bedroom. “I have a Hepplewhite dresser! Whaddya know!” He was more than pleased.

“This is absolutely wonderful. Thank you again.” He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed his eyes. “I want to sponsor some sort of celebration to thank everyone.”

“That’s not necessary,” Frank said.

“I don’t care what you say, Frank. I’m going to do it anyway. So there.” End of discussion.

“We’ll let you get settled,” Jeanne said. “Let us know if you need anything.”

“I can’t think of a thing,” Andy replied.

Colleen watched from her window as Frank and Jeanne left Andy’s house. She was happy they had gotten the industrial-strength cleaning service. But once they were done shampooing the rugs and putting the furniture in place, it was a lovely and impressive collection of antiques.

Colleen felt a sense of satisfaction that they were able to pull off this herculean feat. As she was getting ready for her date with Officer Pedone, her phone rang.

“Hi, it’s Ellie. I mean Libby.”

“Everything all right?”

“I don’t think so.”

“What is it?” Colleen asked. She hoped it wasn’t serious, not only for Libby’s sake, but also because she had been looking forward to dinner with Bob.

“I think Rick is on his way here.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Rick. I had someone tail him from Black Hawk to Kansas City. If he’s on his way, he’ll be here soon.”

“OK. Don’t panic. Bob will be here shortly. We’ll stop by when he gets here, if that’s all right.”

“Colleen, I’m sorry to be bothering you with this, but you’re the only one who knows.”

“Don’t worry. As soon as he gets here, we’ll be there.”

“Thank you.” Libby was pacing the floor. A half hour later, the front gate signaled that someone was approaching the door.

She pulled out the pepper spray and had one finger poised above the alarm that went directly to the police station. She looked at the CCTV and saw that it was Colleen and Bob.

Libby let them in. “Tell Bob what you told me.”

The three of them sat down, and Libby related the entire story. Bob always had a small notepad with him, so he took copious notes. When she was finished, he called into the station and spoke to the desk sergeant. “Hey, Pedone here. I need a BOLO on a blue BMW roadster, New York plates. Driver’s name is Richard Barnes. Wanted in an assault case in New York City.” He paused. “Thanks.”

Pedone turned to Libby. “We put out a ‘Be On the Lookout’ for him. If anyone spots him, they’ll pull him over.”

“Then what?”

“We’ll take him in for questioning. We can hold him for up to twenty-four hours. After that, we’ll have to figure something out. Maybe you can file a report with us, even if it’s not our jurisdiction. That could extend his stay at the Crowbar Hotel.”

“The what?” Libby looked confused.

“That’s what we call jail.” Pedone chuckled. Libby followed suit.

“I know you have plans for tonight. I think I’ll be OK knowing there are other people looking for him.”

“I’ll have them send a patrol car around every half hour.”

“Thanks so much.” Libby gave Colleen a big hug, and the hug felt good.

She watched them walk to Pedone’s civilian car. He opened the door for Colleen. “Chivalry is not dead,” she said to Buddy and Percy. But before they could pull away, the sound of a sports car could