Chapter 42

The next day started with the arrival of the support team Jon had called in: Bill and Helen, Carol and John, Joan, Matt, Jim, Michael.....and David. The wives had stayed at home with the kids, but would come if they were needed.

“Shirley! What are you doing here?” Tori hugged him. “You should be home with your family.”

“Karin sent me. I have instructions to do whatever you need me to do.” He kissed her cheek, leaned back and caught her gaze, his expression as serious as she’d ever seen it. “And I mean that Bela. Whatever you need.”

“Thanks.” She squeezed his hand.

Helen studied her daughter’s pale face, noting the dark circles under the sapphire eyes that matched the shadows in them . “Honey, I know you’re worried and upset, but you have to take care of yourself. You’re barely home from the hospital. You want to be strong and healthy when he comes home and needs you.”

“Yes Mom, I know.”

“That goes for you too.” Joan pointed a finger at her son.

“Yes Ma.”

“Nana! Gramma Helen! Grampa Bill! Gramma Caro! Grampa John!” Stevie ran into the lobby and looked around with wide eyes. “Whoa! Eveybody here!”

Bill scooped his grandson up in his arms. “Hey Peanut! How are you?”

“I good.”

They heard a screech, then Taffy came running through, Elmo in her mouth.

“What was that?” Jim asked.

“That was Lauren yelling at Taffy for taking her Elmo. Again. Watch, she’ll come after her.”

Sure enough, the toddler appeared searching for the puppy and her toy.

“Hi Sweetpea.” John picked her up. “Did the bad doggy take your Elmo?”

Lauren nodded and looked around, but couldn’t see her nemesis. Her bottom lip came out in a pout and started to quiver, making the family members around her go into distraction mode to keep her from erupting.

Tori shook her head at her daughter’s behaviour. “Let’s go sit down.”

Everyone had barely gotten settled with coffee or tea, when the gate buzzer rang. Richie went to answer it and met the messenger at the door. Taking the envelope, he returned to the living room.

“Who was it?” Tori asked.

“A messenger. He brought this.” He waved the envelope.

Sitting beside his wife, he slid a finger under the flap and opened it. A look inside revealed a single sheet of paper wrapped around a flash drive. He frowned. “Do we have any gloves?”

“I think Cathy has some rubber one she uses for cleaning sometimes.” Tori started to stand, but Dorothea waved her back to her seat.

“I’ll ask her.” She returned a few minutes later and handed him a pair. “They’re brand new.”

“Thanks.” Assured that he wouldn’t accidently destroy any potential evidence, Richie carefully removed the items and opened the sheet of paper setting aside the flash drive. He held the paper so that Tori could see it too as he read it out loud.

Richie,

Don’t worry, the baby’s fine. He didn’t want the formula and bottle at first, but he’s accepted it now and is eating like a little piglet. Come to us soon so we can be the family we were always meant to be.

J.

Richie blew out a breath and turned his attention to the flash drive. “Angel, where’s your laptop?”

“In the office.”

“I’ll get it.” Matt, who was closest to the hallway, offered.

When he returned with it, Richie inserted the flash drive and opened it. Seeing that it was a video, he set it to play on the T.V. so that they could all see it.

The video showed a sleeping Zachary, his mouth twitching in a sucking motion as babies often do, The Answer was playing in the background. After a few moments, a woman began to speak.

“He’s such a beautiful, precious little boy. I’m so blessed to have him in my life.” Her face came into view beside the baby’s. “All that’s missing is Daddy. Come home to us soon.”

As the screen went black, the silence in the room was deafening. Then the outbursts started.

“Whackjob!”

“She’s nuts!”

“Who the hell is she?”

Helen tried to put a positive spin on it. “At least you know she’s taking care of him.”

Tori sighed and looked at Richie. “You’d better call the police.”

Jon stood and started fiddling with the laptop.

“What are you doing?” Tori frowned.

“Making copies and sending one to Mike.” He glanced around the room. “A private investigator friend of mine who’s working the case.”

David frowned. “Does anyone else think she looks kinda familiar?”

“Yeah.” Jon agreed. “Obviously she’s a fan. I think we must have seen her at a few shows.”

“Maybe.” Richie acknowledged the possibility, but there was something about the handwriting on the note that teased his memory. He was almost positive he’d seen it before, but couldn’t for the life of him figure out where. Shaking his head, he picked up the phone to call the detective heading up the investigation. While he was explaining what they’d received, he watched Tori stand and leave the room.

She returned wearing her coat and carrying the kids’ jackets– and Taffy’s ball. “Come on Taffy, let’s go outside and get some fresh air.”

“Me too Mama?” Stevie gave his mother a three year old’s version of his father’s hopeful, puppy dog look.

Tori smiled. “Yes, you can come too. But put your coat on. It’s cool out today.”

Naturally, Lauren wasn’t about to be left behind, so in short order Tori, two kids and a dog exited out the patio door to toss the ball around the back yard.

Richie hung up the phone and watched his family playing in the sun. Feeling eyes on him, he looked around the room. Apparently, all eyes were on him. “What?”

“Is she talking yet?” Dorothea asked.

He shook his head. “Not really.”

“You should go talk to her Richard.”

“And say what Ma? ‘I’m sorry my job got our child kidnapped’?”

“That’s not what happened!”

“Isn’t it? You saw the video. One of my fans is a few fries short of a happy meal and has delusions of creating a family with me.....and took our child to try and make that happen.” He shrugged. “There’s nothing I can say to Tori to magically bring him home. And that’s the only thing that will make her feel better.”

No one could argue with that.

After lunch Tori took the kids upstairs to put them down for a nap. When she didn’t return right away, Helen went looking for her. A buzzing noise led her to the empty nursery where she found Tori sitting in the rocking chair with a breast pump -  she was determined to be ready to provide her son with everything he would need when he came home.

“Don’t lock everyone out Tori, they’re all here to help and support you.”

“I know that and I appreciate it. I’m not blocking anyone out.”

“You’re not opening up to anyone either. You’re barely talking.”

Tori snorted. “Gee Mom, I’m sorry if I’m not in a real chatty mood.”

“I know you’re hurting, but don’t take it out on me.”

“Sorry.” She switched the pump to the other side. “You heard all the conversation down there. What else is there to say?”

“Is that your attitude with Richie too?”

Tori sighed. “What are you getting at Mom?”

“Have you at least talked to your husband about how you feel?”

“It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out how I feel. I’m sure everyone in this house has some idea.”

“That doesn’t answer my question. Have you and Richie talked about it?”

After a brief hesitation, Tori grudgingly answered. “No.”

“Why not?”

“What would be the point? We each know how the other feels. We both feel the same thing.”

“Tori...”

“Mom, me falling apart won’t help anyone! It won’t bring my son back and will only make Richie – and everyone else feel worse. I’ve got two young children that need me to be strong and available for them. I don’t have the luxury of indulging in my feelings!”

“And what about Richie’s feelings? Did you ever think that maybe he needs to talk to you? Ignore your feelings if you must, but don’t ignore his. That’s not fair to him. He’s hurting too Tori, don’t forget that.”