Kidnapped!

 

            Mary was just climbing into the hammock in her backyard when her phone started buzzing. She sighed when she saw that it was Chief Johnson. Taking a deep breath, she answered, “What can I do for you today, Chief?”

            “I need your help with a case, Mary.” His voice sounded stressed.

            Resigning herself to giving up her nap, Mary replied, “What is it?”

            “A small boy has been kidnapped at an event where his father was giving a speech. There were more than a hundred people there, and no one knows what happened to him.”

            Mary was already grabbing her keys. “I’m on my way.” Hanging up, she whistled for Rover. “Come on. We’ve got a job to do.” The black crow flew down from a tree and landed on her shoulder. Together, they got in the car and drove over to the station.

            Mary often got called in to the police station for her special skills. No one protested anymore about having a bird there with her. Officer Hall greeted Mary and said, “The Chief’s waiting for you.” He led her through the station to where Chief Johnson was on the phone.

            As soon as he saw her, he finished up his phone call and got right down to business. He held up a photograph of a blonde-haired boy with a big grin on his face. “This is who we’re looking for. His name is Randy, and he was last seen wearing a green shirt and jean shorts.”

            Mary took the photo and looked at it carefully, with Rover leaning down to study it as well. “Where was he taken from?”

            “The small convention center downtown. We’ve been all over there, but we haven’t found anything.”

            “When did this happen?”

            “A few hours ago. I don’t need to tell you how important it is that we find him. The first twenty-four hours are the most critical in a kidnapping case.”

            “All right. I’ll let you know what I find out.” Without another word, Mary turned around and walked back out to her car. As soon as she climbed inside and shut the door, she said, “What do you think?”

            In a crackly voice, Rover answered, “Yeah, I’ll find him. Just tell me where to start looking.”

            Studying Randy’s photo again, Mary said, “Let’s go to the convention center. We’ll see what we can learn there.”

            Ten minutes later, Mary walked past the police tape at the convention center and studied the scene. She brushed her hand along the walls and over the seats and tables that were set up inside. Abruptly, she stopped and whispered, “This is where Randy was sitting.” She put both hands on the chair and closed her eyes. “A man in a pinstriped suit took him by the hand and led him out the door.” She walked through the door, pausing with her hand on the handle. “Yes, they came this way.” Walking quicker now, she stopped every few seconds to lean down and touch the pavement. When they reached a certain parking spot, she whispered, “They drove in a red convertible, heading north.”

            “On it,” Rover croaked, flapping his great wings and taking off in the direction she had indicated.

            Mary followed him in her car, using their bond as a guide. She could always tell where Rover was—that was one benefit to being a witch. She knew that he would get information through other crows and be able to find the boy. This city was full of the black birds and made a perfect spy network. She and Rover had solved many cases this way.

            Twenty minutes later, she pulled up to the train station, where Rover was waiting for her. “They’re inside here,” he said quickly. “I think they must be waiting for a train.”

            Taking out her cell phone, Mary dialed the number for Chief Johnson. Holding the phone up to her ear, she said, “He’s inside the train station. Get your men over here immediately.”

            Chief Johnson arrived with several other officers after a few minutes. They quickly found the boy and arrested his kidnapper. Not waiting to be thanked, Mary and Rover left for home. Once again, Mary climbed into her hammock, a smile on her face. “Good work, Rover. I think we’ve earned the right to take a nap now.”

            Rover only let out a single soft caw in reply. Both of them were asleep within minutes.