Sarah Woods Mystery Series (1-6) Boxed Set Read online

  I figured I needed to look somewhat professional for my appointment with Cunningham. I chose a reserved outfit: a white button down shirt, Bermuda-length shorts, and white sneakers with ankle length socks. I tied my long brown hair up into a bun and secured a few unruly strands with bobby pins. A little mascara, a little lipstick, and voila, I was ready for my assignment.

  I stood in front of the full-length mirror and inspected my ensemble. I could hear Daniel stirring in the other room. Luckily, he had stayed on the couch all night, allowing me to stretch out in the king-size bed.

  I wasn’t looking forward to dealing with him this morning.

  The plan I’d formulating in my mind was complete. I would tell Daniel I had booked a whale-watching cruise that would take up most of the day. If he tried to call me and I didn’t answer, the excuse would be credible: out of cell range. However, there was always the chance he’d be feeling better and would want to join me. I’d have to skip to plan B.

  I didn’t have a plan B.

  I tiptoed out to the main living area with a purse over my shoulder, hoping he was still asleep. It would be easier to leave a note, than to deal with him face to face.

  “Where are you going?” a voice boomed. I jumped.

  “Oh, you’re up. How’d you sleep last night?”

  “How do you think?” He slowly sat up, lifting one leg at a time with his hands.

  “Can I make you a quick breakfast before I head out?” I scurried to the kitchenette area, opened the fridge, and removed a container of strawberry yogurt I’d saved from the airplane.

  “You didn’t answer me, Sarah. You look like you’re ready to go somewhere.”

  “Remember that whale watching trip I booked for us? That’s today.”

  “What whale watching trip? You never mentioned that to me.”

  “Of course I did. Anyway, it’s non-refundable.”

  “Oh, that’s just great. I’m stuck here while you go off sailing the Seven Seas. Perfect.”

  “What do you expect?” I asked. “You think I want to hang around and listen to you bitch like a teenage girl all day?”

  “So that’s the thanks I get for taking you to Hawaii?” His nostrils flared as he tried to shift his torso around to lift himself off the couch. “Ingrate.”

  “Get real,” I said, heading towards the door. “The only reason you wanted to come here is to play golf. You know I hate golf. What did you think I’d be doing all day while you were on the golf course?”

  Daniel rolled his eyes, but could say little. I had a damn good point. “That’s what I thought.” I grabbed the remote control and tossed it on the couch beside him. “Here you go. I’m sure you can find some golf tournaments on T.V. Have a blast.”

  I walked out and slammed the door shut, unwilling to give him a chance to fire back some smart-assed retort. Once inside the elevator, the overwhelming urge to scream consumed me. Every nerve in my body pulsed with anger. Daniel knew just how to push my buttons.

  I entered the lobby to find Max sitting in a wicker chair, gazing out at the pool area. I took a deep breath and strolled over, calming myself down with each step. “If I don’t get some coffee pretty soon I may have a mental breakdown.”

  “Well, we can’t have that.” Max smiled and stood up. “Carter just called from Sanborn’s house. He mentioned them having coffee and food ready for us there. All set to go?”

  “More than you can possibly imagine,” I replied.

  “So,” Max said, starting the engine. “How’s Daniel?”

  He didn’t really give a damn how Daniel was, but I appreciated the polite inquiry just the same.

  “Cranky. He’ll survive,” I said, wanting to change the subject. “What did you do last night?”

  Max pulled out onto the main road and headed east. “Not much. I had dinner down at the hotel restaurant then went for a walk on the beach. I was in bed pretty early.”

  I nodded, imagining how nice it would have been to join him. “Yeah, I went to bed early, too. I’m a little nervous about today. I hope it goes okay.”

  “It’s not too late for you to back out of this whole thing, you know.”

  I paused to consider that. “Nope. I’m ready.”

  The gate was open when we arrived at the Sanborn’s house, allowing us to enter. Jessica greeted us at the door. Her hair was tousled in wispy curls that cascaded down her bare shoulders onto the yellow strapless sundress that hugged her petite curves. She looked stunning. A small part of me wished I hadn’t devoured that fried chicken sandwich and fries the night before.

  “You must be Max,” she said, offering a generous smile. “I wasn’t feeling well when you got in yesterday.” A slender hand with perfectly manicured nails extended toward Max. “I’m Jessica.” It could have been my imagination, but was she flirting with him?

  “Nice to meet you,” Max said.

  “Hi, Sarah,” she said, finally acknowledging my presence with a pat on the shoulder. Her charming, self-assured disposition was starting to grate on my nerves. I had to remind myself to take a deep breath and stop pouting.

  “Shall we head inside?”

  We followed her through the house and onto the lanai. Carter, Richard, Dr. Theo, and Alex O’Malley were already drinking from mugs. “Help yourself to some homemade pastries. Fresh coffee is on the way.”

  The woman with the bright apron set a mug down in front of me. I breathed in the coffee’s rich aroma.

  “Thank you.” I smiled up at her.

  She nodded and went about filling the other cups. I wondered if the Sanborns had someone like her back in Boston to serve them their daily coffee there, too.

  Dr. Theo looked as dapper as he had the day before, sporting a crisp white polo shirt and khaki shorts. He regarded us all with a swift nod of the head. When his eyes settled on me, I felt self-conscious. Could he tell I was a nervous wreck? He cleared his throat to get everyone’s attention.

  “I’d like to offer my deepest gratitude to everyone sitting here today,” he said, making eye contact with each person at the table. “I know I can speak for my daughter when I say this new hope of finding Toby means everything to us.”

  “And I know I can speak for my team when I say we’re thankful for the opportunity to help,” Richard said.

  “There’s one more thing I’d like to add.” Dr. Theo paused for effect. “I’d prefer to keep this operation confidential. The police and the media don’t need to be involved.”

  “Of course,” Richard said, his tone exuding sympathy. “We understand.”

  Jessica seemed content to sit back and listen to the whole discussion. If she had any thoughts or concerns, she refrained from speaking them. She was difficult to read.

  Alex O’Malley, on the other hand, was an open book. The creases in his wide forehead clearly showed his concern regarding our abilities to pull this stunt off. I understood. If things went sideways, Dr. Theo would be looking to him to deal with the aftermath.

  Twenty minutes passed in a heartbeat, and it was time to get ready. Carter said, “Max, why don’t you take Sarah in one of the bedrooms and get her set up with the transmitter. Richard and I will make sure the car is ready.”

  We dispersed from the dining table and got to work. Max grabbed a small black case from his duffel bag and motioned for me to follow him into a room down the hall. Once inside, he closed the door.

  “You’ll need to unbutton your top,” he said with a straight face.

  The mere act of partially disrobing in front of him made my cheeks hot. “What is this thing I’ll be wearing?”

  Max was looking at a small metal object in the palm of his hand. “This transmitter will allow me to listen in on your conversation with Cunningham. If things don’t go as planned, I’ll have a heads up and act accordingly. ”

  When he turned back to face me, my shirt was wide open. The mesh bra I’d chosen left little to the imagination. “Sorry,” I said, noticing his eyes wash over me. “Had I known, I would h
ave worn something a bit more modest.”

  “I like this one just fine,” he said, his hand trembling slightly as he affixed the small device to the inside flap of my bra. I closed my eyes, trying to mentally prepare myself for the meeting with Cunningham. Instead, I was praying that Max’s hand would slip.

  I opened my eyes and watched him. He didn’t seem to be in a big hurry as he kept rearranging the device. Finally, he seemed satisfied and backed away.

  “You know, this is the most exciting foreplay I’ve had in a long time,” I said.

  Max shot me a surprised look. He hesitated then said, “If you liked this, you’d love my other techniques.”

  “Really?”

  A loud knock on the door ended our playful discussion. “You two ready?” It was Carter. “We’ve got to head out.”

  I looked away, quickly buttoned up my shirt, and hoped we could resume the conversation at a later time.

  A broad smile remained on Max’s face.

  Chapter 7

  “Cunningham’s house is three blocks down from here,” Carter said. “It should only take you a minute or two to get there. I left a map on the front seat. The house has blue roof tiles. It’s the last house on the street. Any questions?”

  I shook my head and took a deep breath as Max climbed into the back seat of the car. Carter threw a dark blanket over him while Jessica and her father stood by.

  That’s when it hit me. The life of a little boy was hanging in the balance. My actions could make all the difference between success and failure. Jessica and Dr. Theo were putting their trust in me. I couldn’t let them down.

  Carter leaned against the door and looked in at me. “Listen, you’re just a massage therapist today, not a detective, okay? And remember, his name is Eric Fisher. If you slip up and call him Duane, it won’t be good.”

  “Got it.” I waved as I pulled out of the driveway. “You okay back there?”

  “It’s hotter than hell,” Max replied, “but I’ll survive.”

  Cunningham’s rental was modest, but the landscaping was dramatic. There was a small pool with a waterfall that immediately caught my attention. Mounds of lava rocks and miniature palm trees added to the overall ambiance. I pulled up and parked in front of what looked to be the main entry stair. A silhouette behind the screen door above caused my heart to skip a beat. I fought the urge to comment to Max. I had to act casual. And I certainly had to act as if I’d come alone. The screen door opened and a blonde haired guy stepped out onto the deck. He looked the same as his picture, only with longer hair and a deeper tan.

  I got out of the vehicle and looked around before I grabbed my things and climbed the stairs.

  “Hello. Are you Eric?” I asked.

  “You must be Sarah.” His voice was softer than I’d anticipated. The quiet, yet raspy tone surprised me.

  “Nice to meet you,” I said.

  “Here, let me carry that table for you.” His unassuming smile put me at ease. Under normal circumstances I might have actually liked this guy.

  Upon entering the house, I was afforded a sweeping view of the open concept interior. The only furniture in the main living area included a couch, love seat, and a small dining set adjacent to the kitchen. I quickly scanned the area and saw no indication that a child had been present.

  Once inside the bedroom, he set the table down and turned to me. “So, you’re new to the area?”

  I smiled and nodded, not sure what to say. It’s not every day you come face to face with a child snatcher. “Yeah, how’d you know?”

  “Just a hunch. So, where are you from?”

  “Oh, you know, here and there. I move around a lot. How about you?”

  “Moved here a few weeks ago.”

  “Why Hawaii? Do you have family here?” Carter’s warning played back in my mind. I needed to curtail the questions and get down to business.

  Cunningham shook his head and sighed. “Nope, no family. It’s just me and the occasional house guest.”

  I nodded, looked around, and forced myself to concentrate. “I usually ask clients a few medical questions before I start. Do you have any physical issues, recent injuries, or surgeries I should know about?”

  He rotated his shoulder a few times. “I haven’t been sleeping very well. I get up early most days to go for a swim. It’s the only thing that relaxes me. My shoulders get real tight. Maybe you can focus on that.”

  “Great. I’ll have everything set up in a few minutes.”

  “Perfect, I’ll take a quick shower.” Cunningham disappeared and I soon heard water running.

  I set up the table in record time then scanned the room. The guy’s belongings were strewn about, typical for his age. I spied a laptop computer on the bedside table. Max would be looking for that.

  I wondered if Max was already inside. I pictured him moving through the house, planting devices. It made me smile to think we were a team.

  The running water stopped. I commenced to smoothing out the sheets as Cunningham reappeared, a towel around his waist. “Perfect timing,” I said. “Make yourself comfortable.”

  I began the treatment at his feet. I placed my hands under his ankles and gently lifted his legs. The technique was designed to help align the body and determine how tense a client was. Cunningham proved to be exceptionally relaxed, immediately relinquishing control of his body.

  He appeared to be fond of body jewelry. A ring in his belly button, and one through each nipple, adorned his torso. He had a stud in one earlobe. A small gold cross dangled from a thin chain. This surprised me. Was Cunningham religious?

  A few minutes into the session it occurred to me; for a suspected felon, he seemed surprisingly calm and secure, never once opening his eyes to look at me. His demeanor left me confused. Was this guy really someone who could abduct his own son?

  Chapter 8

  An hour had passed and the massage session was over. I gently woke Duane Cunningham, aka Eric Fisher, from his peaceful repose.

  “Thank you,” he said, opening his eyes. “That was wonderful.”

  I turned around to wipe my hands on a towel. When I turned back he was standing buck-naked. I blinked a few times. “Um, everything okay?” It was a struggle to keep my eyes level with his.

  “I have a question to ask.” He placed a hand on his lean hip.

  My heart dropped. “What is it?”

  “What’s your schedule like tomorrow? I’d love to have you come back. I’ll pay full price for the next one, of course.”

  I let out a quick breath. “Oh.” I looked up at the ceiling and scratched my head with a new feeling of panic. “Uh, I think I’m already booked for tomorrow.”

  He tilted his head to the side as if he didn’t believe me then smiled. “Maybe another time then.” He turned and walked into the bathroom.

  I quickly folded the table and stuffed the sheets in my bag. He came back into the room wearing towel around his waist and handed me a wad of bills. “A little something extra for you,” he said.

  “Totally not necessary, but thank you.” I tucked the money in my back pocket without counting it. At least he was thoughtful enough to leave a tip.

  “Let me help you take the table to your car,” he said, reaching for the handle.

  “No.” I interrupted a little too quickly. “I mean, you’re all relaxed.” I prayed Max was back inside the car, adequately hidden from view.

  I made my way down to the vehicle, threw the table and bag inside, and got behind the wheel. My hands were shaking as I started the car. I saw Cunningham wave good-bye in my rear view mirror.

  Back on the main road, Max removed the blanket. “Glad that’s over.”

  “His laptop was in the bedroom,” I said.

  “I figured. Luckily his cell phone was on the kitchen counter. I was able to download his call history, but there wasn’t much on it.”

  “And the hidden cameras?”

  “They’re in.”

  As we pulled up to the Sanborn’s p
lace, Jessica was outside, pacing. Her hair was disheveled, her mascara, smudged.

  “Is Carter inside?” Max asked her.

  She nodded in the affirmative. He brushed past her and into the house.

  I began to follow when Jessica clutched my arm. “Did you see any sign of Toby at the house?” she asked.

  “No,” I said, putting a hand on her shoulder, “but maybe your son is staying with someone nearby.”

  Her eyebrows furrowed. Probably not the answer she was looking for, but what else could I say? I’d just met Cunningham, and still had no idea what his motives were.

  “I know this might seem awkward,” she said, leaning closer to me, “but can I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Did he behave himself? I mean, did he try to, you know, get frisky during the massage?”

  “Frisky? No,” I said, a little surprised at her question.

  “That little bastard. He did, didn’t he?”

  “Look,” I said. “I promise you, he kept his hands to himself.”

  Jessica sighed. She looked around as if she were afraid someone was listening. “Sorry. It’s not that I don’t believe you. Uh, I just don’t know how to explain this.”

  “I get it,” I said, offering her a sympathetic smile. “You still have feelings for him. It’s okay. You shouldn’t feel guilty.”

  She crossed her arms and stared at the ground. “I really did love him, you know. But I can’t discuss this with my father. He wouldn’t understand.”

  Poor girl. Not only was her son missing, but the man she loved had abandoned her. It became clear just how much she was suffering, and it seemed like she could use a friend. “How do you really feel about all this?” I asked. “You don’t think he’d ever hurt your son, do you?”

  She buried her face in her hands as if she was going to cry. The sobs never came. “Of course not.”

  “Look, it’s not my place to suggest anything,” I said, lowering my voice even more. “But what would happen if you went over there and talked to him? Just the two of you. No detectives, no cops, no daddy.”