grandparents, she would lambaste her daddy and have no regrets.
"What are you going to do?" Austin asked Cassie.
"Give Daddy the benefit of the doubt and call the Sullivans."
"Alia girl," James muttered under his breath.
Wilma patted the seat beside her.
"Sit down, James, please. You're making me and everyone else nervous."
While Cassie dialed, she noticed Austin smiling at her mother and heard
him say, "It's great to see you looking so good, Wilma."
"Thanks, Austin. It's a blessing to feel good for a change." Answer,
dammit! Cassie said silently as the ringing went on and on at the Sullivan home. Finally Charlotte picked up.
"It's Cassie."
"Well, hello," Charlotte responded in a surprised tone.
"To what do we owe this pleasure?"
Charlotte's comeback was not encouraging, so Cassie didn't mince words.
"Is Tyler with you?"
"Uh, no."
Profound terror washed through her.
"Why do you ask? Of course, we'd love to see him, but then, you know
that." A petulant note lowered her tone.
"Lester picked Tyler up here and said he was going to your house."
"Why, that's wonderful," Charlotte cooed.
"Thank you for letting us spend some time with that precious child. I'm
sure Lester's thanking you, too."
"Charlotte, if he shows up within the next few minutes, call me.
Meanwhile, I'm calling the police."
Apparently it took a while for Cassie's last statement to soak in, for a
long moment of silence followed. "What?"
"You heard me. Charlotte."
"But why?"
"Because I didn't give Lester permission to take Tyler away from this
house.
My daddy did." Cassie forced her voice to remain calm when she wanted to yell, venting her fear and frustration.
"But-" Cassie cut her off.
"I have to go now. Call me if Tyler gets there."
"All right, Cassie, but you're being unfair and mean- spirited about all
of this. James needs to do some serious praying for you. Actually, we all do."
"Goodbye, Charlotte."
"Cassie is he there?"
She faced Austin, who had asked the question, but she had trouble getting the words out. Fear had a lock on her throat.
"No, he isn't."
"He will be," James declared, peering at his watch.
"Have they had time to get there?" Cassie asked.
James nodded in the affirmative.
"Call the cops," Austin said.
James jumped to his feet.
"Now, see here, Austin, whose side are you on?"
"Tyler's."
Wilma shook her head at her husband.
"Sit back down, James."
He scowled at his wife but did as he was told.
"You want me to call 'em?" Austin asked, his eyes delving into/Cassie's.
She shook her head, then cleared her throat.
"No. I'll take care of it."
Once she made the call, there was nothing to do but wait. She turned her
back on everyone and walked to the window. If that bastard hurt her baby, hell would know no fury like her wrath.
Tyler sweetheart. Mommy loves you.
"Ma'am, there's not a lot we can do."
The detective who had just arrived wasn't one of the two who had come when Tyler disappeared the first time. This was Detective Ray Malcom, a tall, string bean of a man with a mustache that blanketed his upper lip.
"Sullivan's recently been released from the pen on a weapons charge,"
Austin said.
"Doesn't that make a difference?"
The detective didn't so much as flinch.
"No, sir."
"Then why did you come?" Cassie's tone was filled with hostility, and she didn't care.
"Out of respect for your family."
"And we appreciate that very much, officer," James said in an embarrassed tone.
Cassie threw her daddy a cutting look and was about to say something
when Austin intervened.
"Exactly what can you do?"
"At this point, nothing."
"Dammit, my son's been kidnapped again," Cassie cried. She knew that if
she told them that Lester had given up all rights to Tyler they wouldhave to act. But if Austin found that out, he might start putting twoand two together. No, there had to be another way. She spoke again, allher fears coloring her tone.
"Does he have to get murdered for you to take action?"
"Cassie, please," James pleaded, holding out his hands.
"How can you say such a thing?" He shuddered visibly.
"How can you even think it?
You're blowing this all out of proportion."
"Stop saying that!" Cassie cried again.
"You had no right to let Tyler go with Lester, especially without my