Chapter 4
The sirens continued to get louder. A few minutes after the men took Elizabeth away, two police cars pulled to a stop along the road. One of the officers made his way to Lucky's car. He looked inside and saw Lucky still slumped over the steering wheel.
"Sir, are you all right?" he asked. He got no response. The officer looked around the car and saw Laurie sitting in the back seat. "Are you all right honey?"
"Yes sir," Laurie whispered.
"Is this your daddy?" he asked pointing at Lucky.
"Yes, he's asleep."
"I see," the officer said nodding. "We're going to get you and your daddy out of here ok?"
"Ok," Laurie said as the other officer joined them at the car.
"Call an ambulance," the first officer said. He turned to Laurie. Let me help you out of the car, and then we'll get your daddy out."
Laurie reached her arms out and let him pick her up. She kept a tight hold on the note that Ralph had gave her.
When he got her out of the car, the officer sat her on the ground. "You can call me Bill," he told her with a smile. "What's your name?"
"Laurie Spencer," she said shoving the note into the pocket of her jeans.
"Well it's nice to meet you. Do you know where your mommy is?"
"She went away."
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said thinking her mother was dead.
A few minutes later an ambulance pulled up and Lucky was loaded inside. Bill took Laurie and followed the ambulance in his police car. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Lucky had regained consciousness. He started asking about Elizabeth and Laurie.
"Are.. my wife and daughter all right?"
"Your daughter is fine. She's in a police car right behind us. You'll be able to see her once the doctors check you out."
"What about my wife?"
"Sir, the police said that you and the little girl were the only ones in the car."
Lucky was really worried. Had something happened to Elizabeth or had she gone in search of help. He didn't have time to worry about it for long because the ambulance arrived at the emergency room and he was rushed inside.
A short while later, the doctor came out and told Bill that he could take the little girl in to see her father.
"Daddy!" she yelled running to him.
"Hi sweetheart. Um, can I speak to my daughter alone for a moment?" Lucky asked Bill.
"Of course. I'll wait outside."
Lucky watched him leave then turned to Laurie. "Did you see where Mommy went?"
"Yes. She left with those men."
"What men?"
"The two men who told me to give you this," Laurie said handing him the piece of paper.
Lucky sat up and took the paper. He read it silently, "We have your wife. If you want to see her alive again, be at the abandoned barn on Route 30 at midnight. Come alone."
"Please don't let them hurt her," Lucky whispered as he laid back down.
Meanwhile on the other side of town a car pulled up in front of the abandoned barn. Elizabeth was pulled out of the car and taken to the hay loft. They tied her to a post and left her there.
"Lucky, where are you," she said quietly.