The Kidnappers Read Online Free Page B

times I’d ever been in it before had been when I was delivering something or getting dressed down for something.
    I closed the door behind me and crossed the deep green carpet to the impressive desk. There was nothing on it except the phone, a pen and pencil set, and a notepad with nothing written on it.
    Now that I was ready to call, I was almost paralyzed. My fingers were cold as I dialed 9-1-1.
    I was so panicky that I didn’t even hear the words spoken by the calm voice, but I knew it had to be the emergency operator.
    â€œI . . . I need to talk to someone about a kidnapping,” I said, thankful that I didn’t squeak.
    â€œA kidnapping? Your name, please.”
    â€œUh . . . Joe Bishop,” I said, sounding as if I wasn’t sure about it. “There’s this kid from my school. I saw a car stop and drag him inside. I didn’t get the license number, but it was a black Chrysler New Yorker, this year’s model, I’m pretty sure.”
    There was a small silence before the man’s voice came back on, brisk and cool. “Look, son. This is an emergency line. We have no time for practical jokers. In fact, it’s a crime to make false reports. You could wind up before a judge for this kind of thing.”
    â€œNo, wait! This isn’t a joke, it really happened! You’ve got to listen to me! The kid’s name is Willie Groves, his dad’s the head of—”
    The man had hung up. I stared in disbelief at the phone. The police were supposed to help you, not write you off as some kind of kook.
    The door opened and my mother stood there looking at me. And not as if she were pleased with me. “What are you doing in here, Joel?”
    â€œUsing the phone. I was trying to call the police, but the guy wouldn’t listen to me—”
    â€œThe police? What for?”
    â€œMom, nobody believes me, but it’s true, I swear it! I was sort of hiding from Willie Groves. He was chasing me. There was this car that drove up beside him and a guy pulled Willie into the backseat and they drove away! Willie dropped his books on the sidewalk, and they kidnapped him! Honest!”
    She stared at me for another few seconds, then sighed. “Joey, don’t get into another one of your dramatic presentations. We have a major event planned for tomorrow evening, and there are still dozens of things to see to. I don’t have time for this. And you know you’re not supposed to be in your father’s study. He hates to have anyone touch his things.”
    I got up from Father’s chair, feeling like screaming. How could I get someone to listen to me?
    â€œCall Willie’s folks, then! They’ll tell you he didn’t come home from school! They’ll tell you he’s missing!”
    For a few seconds I thought she was halfway convinced that I was on the level. Then she turned away. “Come out of here before anyone else sees you. Your father would be most unhappy if he knew you’d been in here.”
    â€œPlease, Mom! It would only take a minute to call and find out for sure!”
    She wavered, and I pulled open drawers, looking for the phone book. “I’ll find it, the number. Call them!”
    So she did. My heart was tearing my chest apart, making a thundering in my ears where the blood was racing out of control.
    â€œHello, Mrs. Groves? Oh, this is Joel Bishop’s mother. Is Mrs. Groves available?”
    I held my breath.
    â€œI see. Well, can you tell me if Willie is home from school yet?”
    Whoever was on the other end of the line said something, and my mother’s expression changed. There was no belief there now as she fixed her gaze on me. “I see. Thank you.” She dropped the phone into its cradle. “Mrs. Groves has gone to Boston for a few days because of her mother’s illness. And Willie isn’t home because the chauffeur called half an hour ago to say he’d been