Chapter 24
“Oh my God, oh my God,” BJ Carter felt almost giddy
as she listened to her parents rapid conversation about going with the FBI to
get Nick. To get him! They’d found
him! BJ wondered if they were going to
rent a car, or get a cab. She wondered
what time they would be leaving. Where
they could take Nick out to dinner... or better yet.. They could go home. Maybe
Mom would cook something. They could
rent a movie, even the stupid kind that Nick likes. Hell, BJ would even play a stupid video game with him.
In her daze she almost missed her parents’ mad
departure to the door.
“What the... hold on a second,” BJ grabbed her wind
breaker, “I have to go tell Les and the twins where we’re...” She paused seeing
the looks on her parents’ faces. “What,
you don’t want me to tell the kids that....” She stopped again feeling her face
flush with anger and disbelief, “You think I’m gonna stay here?”
Jane and Bob stared at their daughter
sympathetically, “BJ, we need someone to be here and explain to them...”
“That’s bullshit! You go tell them! Why can’t we all just go? He’s our brother!”
BJ threw down her jacket.
“Bobbie Jean you watch your mouth. We want you here
so we’ll know you’re being protected ok?
Where Nick is isn’t very safe... and there’s bound to be flocks of
reporters at the scene by now, and bystanders. The last thing we need is for
all of you to be involved and maybe end up being... being taken as well...” Bob
looked down at his shoes, then back up at his daughter’s face that was being smeared
by tears, “Please Beej, understand this... Please make your brother and sisters
understand... and watch over them. We’ll be back soon, hopefully with
Nicky. We’ll call you and keep you
updated, and....BJ please!” BJ was leaving her parents’ hotel suite in a huff,
she ran right into Tim Richardson. He
smiled apologetically at her then frowned at seeing her face, “What’s wrong BJ?
Didn’t you hear the good news?”
“Yeah... yeah I heard it,” she said her voice muffled
with tears and anger. She wiped her face roughly with her palms, “Have fun at
the site Tim. You see my brother, hug him for me.” She walked by in a rush to
the suite she shared with Leslie. Tim
Richardson stared after her in confusion, he looked to the Carters for an
explanation.
“She’s not coming with us,” Bob said flatly, “It’s
not safe.”
Tim nodded in understanding, he smiled, “Well, I’ll
see you downstairs.” He turned, heading
towards his uncle Harold’s room.
“Maybe we should let her go Bob,” Jane said to her
husband hastily. Looking longingly into
the room her oldest daughter had just slammed into.
“Jane, someone has to be here for the younger kids...
and Jane. What if something horrible happens? I don’t want them to see,” Bob
said with a shudder. Jane shuddered too
and clutched her husband’s hand. “Lets go, then.”
Bob nodded to her, and they left, hand in hand, to
the elevator to get to the first floor where a police escort would be waiting.