ONE HUNDRED AND NINE
As soon as she spotted John walking up the front steps, Jessie bolted out of the house. “Stay with Abby,” she said. “I’ll be back. I’ve got to look for Aaron!”
“You’ll do no such thing,” John said, gently but forcefully easing her back through the door. Behind him, Caleb was lugging a large chocolate cake up the steps. “We’re here for the party and that’s where you’ll stay.”
But Jessie was no longer in the mood for parties. “He can’t be out there by himself!” Jessie argued. “It’s dark out!”
John gripped her by the shoulders. “Aaron has apparently been living on his own out there for months now. He seems to know how to take care of himself.”
“He’s five years old!”
“Listen to me, Jessie. Sit down!”
She didn’t want to obey, but she did. Caleb stepped by with the cake, much to Abby’s delight. The two of them moved into the kitchen as John stood lecturing Jessie.
“I had a long conversation with the FBI today. They believe now for certain that Emil has come back. He is definitely out there. They’re certain he has committed these killings and that you could be next.” He sat down next to her on the couch. “After the party, you and Abby are going to a hotel until Emil is apprehended.”
“And leave Aaron all alone? I won’t, John. I told him I’d never leave him again.”
“Excuse me,” Caleb said awkwardly, returning from the kitchen. “I’ve got to head out. Did you want me to make that hotel reservation, Mr. Manning?”
“Not if it’s for me,” Jessie said.
John sighed. “Apparently that will be all, Caleb. Thanks for getting the cake.”
“Well, have a happy Halloween, both of you,” the young assistant said. “And stay safe.”
“I’m not hiding out anymore,” Jessie said. “I’ve lived too long in fear. And I’m not leaving Aaron, especially if Emil is out there!”
John said nothing more until Caleb had left. Then he turned to Jessie, an angry look on his face.
“What’s gotten into you, Jessie?” he asked. “How can you go on believing that boy is your son—a son you miscarried?”
“We’ve been over this, John. I can’t explain it. But I know it’s so. I know it in my heart and my soul.”
“Whether it’s true or not, Jessie, you have a daughter to think about. A real, living daughter who’s been with you these past five years. And you aren’t taking her safety into consideration.”
“We have a security system installed here—”
“Like that would stop Emil if he has revenge on his mind!”
“Why the urgency tonight? Why the sense that Emil is out there tonight?”
John looked at Jessie with stern eyes. “The FBI has gotten a description of a man they think might be him. A man who was seen on the road beyond the woods, out near the gorge. There’s a team of agents right now searching the woods and the area around the gorge.”
Jessie shuddered. “Emil . . .” she muttered.
“Let’s get out of here right now. Go get Abby and we’ll take the cake and all the party favors and get a room at a hotel. We’ll have a great party away from all of this.”
“I can’t.”
“Jessie—”
“It’s not just Aaron. It’s also Aunt Paulette.”
John looked at her oddly. “Paulette?”
“She’s been gone all day. Her car is here, but she isn’t. I’ve looked everywhere. She’s not at her cottage, not anywhere on the grounds.”
“Maybe she’s with Monica.”
“She wasn’t earlier.”
“We can check with Monica before we leave.”
Jessie wrapped her arms around herself. “She would’ve called me. Something’s happened. I fear something has happened to both Aunt Paulette and Aaron.”
“Let’s call Monica. . . .”
“I’ve tried. She doesn’t pick up. She probably sees it’s me and doesn’t want to speak to me.”
“All right,” John said. “Stay here. Keep the doors locked. I’ll go down to Monica’s and see if she’s heard from Paulette. And I’ll take a look around. But after that, we’re leaving. All right, Jessie?”
She didn’t reply.
“All right, Jessie?” he asked again.
Emil . . . he was out there.
You have a daughter to think about.
“All right,” Jessie replied.
“Good,” John said. “Go pack a bag for each of you. I’ll be right back.”
He headed off into the night.
Jessie didn’t move from the couch. She just sat there, hugging herself.