Chapter Eleven

Robbie had left in a rage after seeing her with that cop in the room. She had betrayed him. Not only had she left him, she betrayed him too. It was probably that cop that had convinced her to leave the first time. He tried hard to remember if he had seen the man before. He was frustrated and he needed a drink. He drove to a liquor store and bought a bottle. He made it to the car and took a drink. Cliff. He would go get Cliff and they would finish this. Cliff would help him.

Robbie started to drive. He would return to claim what was his and kill what had taken it. It was a job too big for one person; luckily he had someone he could turn to. Cliff had helped him all those years before when they lived in Nebraska, and he would help him now.

Mac left the house before Mady woke. He needed to get to the lab. He wanted to track down Robbie and find the kids. He was worried about Mady saying she saw Robbie outside the house. He made sure the next shift of cops knew about the scare in the night. He sent one inside and warned him about the boy. The cop said that Goodrich already warned them. Mac left and went to the lab. He met up with Stella.

"You look more rested," Stella said as he came in.

"Got a little sleep last night," Mac replied. "Got anything new?"

"I started digging in the adoption files. Those that I could access anyway. Seems that Robbie has bounced, and actually has two adoption files."

"Two?"

"A family in Nebraska adopted him and another boy when they were just four and three."

"Other boy's name?"

"Clifford."

"Now we are getting somewhere."

"Yes, but its not good, Mac."

"What happened in the adoption?"

"The family was murdered. Mother, father, three kids. All killed when Robbie and Cliff were thirteen and twelve."

"Murdered?"

"And it's still unsolved. The boys were suspects, since they were still alive. But they never had enough evidence to convict. They were pushed back into the system and bounced around from home to home. They got separated. Seems that Robbie was in a foster home in the state of California when another murder happened. Also unsolved."

"This kid's a killer?"

"He was then adopted by a family from here in New York. His adopted father disappeared when Robbie was twenty three."

"And no one had put all this together before?"

"Never enough evidence to convict. Just coincidental evidence. I talked to some cops that worked on the three cases and they are convinced the boy did it. Not a single doubt. They just couldn't produce any physical evidence and no DA would put charges on a minor without solid evidence."

"We have a line on Clifford?"

"He bounced around a lot too. Was a violent kid in the foster homes he went into. Was arrested twice in his late teens for putting two other foster kids in the hospital on separate occasions. He and Robbie were separated when Robbie went to California. He stayed in the Midwest. Then he was also adopted by another family, also in New York. He lived with them for a while before differences made them go their separate ways. He resides in the city, Mac."

"We picking him up?"

"Sent a car over there this morning but the apartment was empty. We're sitting on it. Couple officers went to his work place, hasn't been seen there in a few days. Neighbors say they haven't seen him either. But the neighbors say that's not unusual."

"Keep on it. It's the best link we have to Robbie."

"Working hard, Mac," Stella said with a smile. Mac returned it. "You ok?"

"Will you stop asking me that?"

"Just worried about you."

"I'll be fine, Stella, after we catch this guy and get those kids back. I'm worried with his violent behavior and what Kolby James said that he will harm those kids."

"I know, Mac, we're working as fast as we can."

"I know.'

Mady woke to an empty bed and rolled over. She didn't know what she expected but she had hoped he would still be there when she woke. She didn't know what was going on but there was a definite attraction between the two of them, and he made her feel safe like no one else had ever done.

She got up and went into the living room. She noticed a new cop sitting on the couch as Kolby James sat at the table. They seemed to be ignoring each other. Mady smiled as the cop looked up and he returned it then went back to whatever he was reading. Kolby James looked up.

"Good morning," Mady said with a smile. He just nodded. He finished the bowl of cereal and then went into the another part of the house. She sighed and made herself something to eat. After she was finished, she went in search of her son. The cop was still reading the newspaper.

She found Kolby James in the back room sitting in the middle of the floor absolutely still. He had his legs crossed in front of him and his eyes closed. His hands rested lightly on his knees. She stood for a long time watching him until he finally opened his eyes and slowly cocked his head at her. She held his gaze as he studied her. She was used to this now. She knew he was going to say something. She waited.

"You like Detective Taylor?" he asked softly. Mady was a little taken aback by the question. She stared at him in shock for a moment before she gathered her wits again. She stared at him thoughtfully as she mulled his question over in her head. She was a little confused about what she did feel but she was sure she did like him.

"Yes, he's a nice man," she said noncommittally.

"That's not what I meant," Kolby James said looking down. He stretched his legs out and leaned back on his good arm keeping the casted arm draped across his hips.

"I know," she replied.

"So?"

"I…I'm not sure, Kolby James."

"Figures," he said releasing his support arm and leaning back on the floor, moving the good arm up behind his head as he stretched his body out.

"Where is this coming from?"

"Never mind," he said softly as he closed his eyes. She could tell there was something on his mind.

"Do you like him?" she asked walking further into the room and sitting down on the bed. He turned his head and opened his eyes, looking up at her. He waited a while thinking about her question.

"Fair enough. Yeah I do," Kolby James said in a whisper. Mady didn't know how to react. He had never liked many people, or at least let on that he did. He was usually cold and indifferent when it came to other humans. She watched him a moment.

"Something about him."

"You think he's handsome?" Kolby James asked sitting up again.

"Kolby James."

"Do you?"

"Yes, ok? Yes, I do."

Kolby James surprised her when he broke into a wide grin. She hadn't seen him smile in a long time. It didn't last long but it was enough for Mady. She almost started crying. Kolby James spread out on the floor again and closed his eyes. Mady studied his face, where it was stitched closed, his arm in the cast; she stared at where the stitches were covered by his shirt. How could she let this happen?

"He left this morning about an hour before you woke up," Kolby James said. Mady didn't reply. That meant he spent the night with them. Kolby didn't say anymore. He would let her think about it. If she wanted to know she could ask Mac herself he thought.

Robbie had made contact with Clifford through his pager and gave him a pay phone number to call. After a brief conversation they had a place to meet and a time. Robbie didn't explain over the phone, said he would rather do it in person. Clifford said he could be there in a hour. Robbie agreed.

Robbie was waiting now. He saw Cliff coming and he flashed the lights on the truck. Cliff hurried over and got in. There was no greeting. They both new something was going to happen. Robbie had the plan.

"I found Mady. I have the children at the house in the woods," Robbie said calmly as he scanned the area for someone watching them.

"What do you need me for?"

"I don't have Mady."

"Ok."

"She's with the cops with that bastard of a boy she has."

"You want to take her back?"

"I want her, then I want the boy and the cop dead."

"Cop? Come on, Robbie. Killing the boy is one thing but a cop?"

"She betrayed me, Cliff," he said enraged staring hard at the other man. Cliff shrank back against the truck door. He knew how Robbie could be when he got like this. It was his helping in clean up that kept him alive in Nebraska. Robbie acted on impulse Cliff used his head. He would help here because it would save his life again, but he knew there would be risks.

"Ok. You have a plan?"

"Not solidified. We need to get them away from the house…or draw the extra cops from the house. Then move in."

"How many cops?"

"Saw two cars. Two cops to a car. Then one inside at all times. I figure wait till the one comes back and sends the inside guy out. Then get the outside cops to bite and go in."

"Bite on what?"

"That's where you come in, Cliff. You draw them away. Use the truck, high-speed chase. Make them think its me in the truck."

"Ok. When?"

"Wait until tonight, see if he shows up again. Then we do it."

"What if he joins the chase?"

"He won't."

They were both silent then as they thought over the plan. Cliff thought it might work. Robbie was locked in. He was ready to take the life of that cop. How dare she betray him like this? Cliff looked over and knew that Robbie was in a delusion again. He took a deep breath and knew if he backed out of this he would be dead. He nodded.

"Fine. We'll wait for tonight then make our move."

TBC…