Nowhere to Hide

The Search Continues

Abby continues to lie motionless, scrunched up underneath the seat. She hopes the rest of the trip will be uneventful, but a lot could happen in an hour. She starts to relax when she hears her friend say;

"It's a shame her loser boyfriend didn't confess, tell the cops the drugs were his. She wouldn't be in this predicament if he had."

Brad was smart enough to hide them in a place I never go. She thinks back to that earth-shattering night. Abby wakes up to cops pounding on her door. They shove a search warrant in her face and then push their way inside.  She watches in horror as several cops proceed to tear her place to shreds. They discover Brad's stash in the basement a few minutes later. Abby denies any knowledge of the drugs, but since everything is in her name, she's the only one who receives any mail there; the police concluded the drugs had to be hers. Her court-appointed lawyer said he wasn't sure if he could get her out of this mess that it might be best to admit they're hers and take a plea agreement. Abby catches the first bus out of the city soon after she makes bail.

"Anyone who's ever met Abby knows she's not a druggie. Not her, the one who spends most of her time and money helping orphaned and special needs children. The woman is a saint, not a criminal."

Abby's eyes tear up when she thinks about all the children she's taught. I'm going to miss every one of the little stinkers. A little boy named Drew comes to mind. He's a ten-year-old class bully who's constantly picking on the younger children doing all he can to make them cry. I'll even miss him. She wipes the tears from her face.

"What's going on up there?" Thelma asks.

Abby braces herself for a sudden stop.

"They've set up a roadblock. I hope Abby has a good place to hide." 

***

The sergeant sees happy children running back and forth when Rachel pulls into the community center's crowded parking lot. Exhausted parents are chasing after them, their arms loaded with various gear. That'll probably be  Joe Jr. and me in a few years. She pictures the scenario in her mind and laughs. She then recalls all the times Bonnie chased after her. It'd serve me right, I suppose. Chuckling, she climbs out of her car. I hope they can help us find Abby. They were told she volunteers three days a week.

Walking into the spacious building, Rachel glances around. It's doubled in size since I was last here. The new additions include an indoor pool, a weight room, and a track. Her mind drifts back to when she was young as she looks around. It's not just for kids anymore.

"May I help you?" The receptionist asks.

"My name is Sergeant Bower." She shows the lady her shield. "I need to ask you a few questions about one of your volunteers."

The secretary rolls her eyes. "What has Jack done now?"

"It's not about Jack; it's about Abby Miller."

Her expression softens. "Ah, yes, sweet little Abby, what would you like to know about her?"

"How long has she worked here?"

"Almost two years. Her students adore her, and she loves the kids too."

"What does she teach?"

"Sports mostly, but she helps us with other things too. She never complains, and she always asks if we need help with anything before she leaves."

"It sounds like you care a lot about her."

She waves her hand through the air. "She's been a blessing to us all."

"Where does her family live?"

"Abby doesn't have any relations. Well, none she's aware of anyhow. She was put up for adoption at birth. Said she has no desire to find out who they are or why they gave her up. Can't say I blame her, either."

"Is there someone she's close to that she'd confide in?"

"She has lots of friends, but she's not close to anyone in particular. She tends to push people away, and she doesn't share much about herself, either. I imagine it's because of her background, being shuffled around so much growing up, she's learned not to become attached."

"Would you mind if I talk to her students?"

"You'll need to ask their legal guardian. See, the children she teaches are all wards of the state. Some are from the foster home, while the special needs children are from the group home. Abby's background makes her a good fit for these kids. It's like she knows what's wrong before they say a word. I imagine she went through some of the same stuff, so she can relate."

"I imagine so. Does she have a drug problem?"

"Oh, heavens, no." She chuckles and adds. "Abby wouldn't even drink a glass of champagne at the Christmas party last year." She remembers how Abby reacted when she handed her the bubbly. "You would've thought I was handing her a jigger of poison the way she pushed the flute away." She laughs.

"Can you think of anyone she might turn to for help?"

"Not really. She's a sweet girl, will give you the shirt off her back if you ask, but she keeps her personal problems to herself. She says she doesn't want to burden anybody. Like she could ever be any trouble."

Maybe the guy at the gym was telling the truth. Rachel closes her notebook. "Well, thank you for your time."

"May I ask what these questions are about, sergeant?"

"Her house was broken into early this morning, and we're trying to locate her; make sure she's alright."

A concerned look crosses her face, "Oh, dear, I do hope they didn't hurt the poor, dear."

"Do you have any way to reach her?"

"We either call her cell or the gym. Would you like the numbers?"

"We already have them. If you happen to see Abby, please tell her to call." She hands the lady her card.

"Her next class is on Saturday, so you might be able to catch her then."

I doubt if she'll show. "Thank you for your time."