In the Name of Revenge

Chapter Twenty

TWENTY

Darryl left for work that morning, just as he usually did. He kissed Felice goodbye, hugged the children and went out to his car. It was just another quiet day in the suburbs ofLos AngelesCounty. That was, until he received a call fromTracy.

“I’m so sorry to bother you at work, Darryl.”

“That’s okay. What’s up?”

“Well, I was wondering if Felice was bringing the baby by this morning. It’s Friday and on Fridays she volunteers at the hospital.”

“Yes, I know. When I left this morning that’s what she planned. Hasn’t she arrived yet?”

“No, and it’s an hour later than normal. I tried calling the house and just kept getting the voice mail. I was going to run out to the store, but I didn’t want to leave and have her show up while I’m out.”

“Did you try her cell phone?”

“Yes and again I just got her voice mail.”

“I’ll drive back to the house, check it out and call you the minute I know anything. Would you mind waiting at home until I call you? Just in case she shows up at your place.”

“Of course not. Please call me the minute you know anything.”

“Thanks for calling,Tracy.”

A feeling of dread began to wash over Darryl. This was unlike Felice. She was always dependable and responsible. After what happened with Rita Grace, he was worried that something happened now to Felice.

He grabbed his car keys from his desk, went out front, told his assistant to change all of his morning appointments and rushed out the door before she had the chance to ask any questions.

He drove home as quickly as the traffic would allow. Pulling into the driveway, he opened the garage door and noticed Felice’s car was gone. Pulling his in, he got out of his car and walked into kitchen.

Even knowing there was little possibility that she was there as her car was gone, he began calling her name.

“Felice?”

No answer.

“Honey, are you here?”

He walked into the hallway and toward the stairs.

He yelled up the stairs, “Felice?”

Felice’s normal habit on the days she volunteered was to drop off the twins at school and Rita Grace atTracy’s and then to be at the hospital by nine a.m. It was now almost eleven o’clock.

He checked all the rooms downstairs and then ran up the stairs and did the same. Felice was not in the house.

Just as he was heading back down the stairs, the house telephone rang.

“Hello?”

“Darryl! Oh my god! Help…”

“Felice, are you all right? Where are you?”

The line went dead.

He stood there with the cradle next to his ear yelling, “Felice! Felice answer me!”

He hung up the phone and stood there. He couldn’t believe it. What the hell was going on? First Rita Grace was kidnapped and they still don’t know who was responsible for that. Now the baby and Felice? Who was tormenting his family, and why?

He picked up the telephone and called the police station. He was in a panic now. He didn’t know what to do. He only knew he had to do something.