Chapter 51

Though at times it may take her a little longer to process incoming information, there are those moments when her mind becomes highly astute of her surroundings…especially those which she's normally familiar with…and Adele can immediately tell when something's just not quite right. Right now, Adele's experiencing one of those moments. She's passed by their place every day this week, and every day their car's been gone and newspapers have been amassing at their front door. Adele made the correct assumption that the O'Reilly's were away. But today, there's an unfamiliar blue van parked in the driveway; and she notices that the curtains hanging in one of the windows on the side of the house occasionally move ever so slightly every time a breeze stirs up. She can't stop feeling that something's definitely wrong at the O'Reilly place. Adele suddenly recalls seeing a police officer a couple of blocks back at Hollister Park talking with people there; so she cuts today's visit at the oak tree short and quickly hurries back to the park. The police officer's getting ready to enter his patrol car as Adele comes running up. "Excuse me, Mr. Policeman, sir…hi, my name is Adele Wilson." "Adele Wilson? Wait…you're Joe and Estelle's granddaughter; right?" "Yeah…well, Estelle's…I mean, Grandma's…my Grandpa Joe died a few years ago…" Adele becomes quiet; looking sad. The officer expresses his sympathy. "Yes…I know. I was sorry to hear that when it happened. Your grandpa was a good man." "Thank you." Adele becomes silent again. He waits a brief moment for her to speak up; but when she doesn't, he asks, "Was there something you wanted, Adele?" She remembers, "Oh yeah; right…I think there's something wrong at the O'Reilly's" "The O'Reilly's?" "Yes, sir…they live a few blocks down on Grove Drive. They have that wonderful, big oak tree in their front yard." "Yeah; I know the place. Why do you think something's wrong there?" "Well…the O'Reilly's…they have a small, red car; and it hasn't been there all week…and now there's a blue van in their driveway." The officer reasons, "Maybe they bought a new car." "Maybe…" Adele ponders the possibility for a second or two before bringing up, "but there's a window open on the side of their house with the curtains closed. It's such a nice day out today; so why don't the O'Reilly's have more windows open…and why keep the curtains closed?" Now the officer begins to consider Adele's points. He opens the patrol car's door and radios to Dispatch… "Dispatch, this is Unit 38; the vehicle that witnesses saw speed away from the parking lot just before the call was made about the child abduction…what was the description given of it? Over." "Unit 38, be advised, vehicle in question was reported as being a mid-sized Cargo van; either dark blue or green in color. Over." "Copy that. Dispatch, be advised, have possible sighting of the vehicle. Have back up units meet me at 317 Grove Drive. My E.T.A. to scene is about three minutes. Over." "Unit 38, Dispatch copy. Having back up units sent to 317 Grove Drive. Over." Before closing the door, he tells Adele, "Adele; head back over to Grove Drive…but stay back at the end of the block and wait there until I come get you; okay?" "Okay." Adele watches the patrol car drive down the street, then starts meandering her way back to Grove Drive. About half an hour later the suspects were in custody, and the kidnapped infant was being taken back to her panic stricken family. The officer had taken Adele along with him for this special delivery. Extreme feelings of relief and elation quickly overtake the household as the officer enters the house carrying the child in his arms. Little Elizabeth VanCleef is back home safe and sound. Those former tears of fret and anxiety previously streaming down her face are now replaced by tears of exuberant joy as Leah adoringly embraces her baby sister. She's in the midst of thankfully welcoming her sister's return when she happens to notice Adele standing in the doorway. Though she remains mostly excited over Elizabeth being back, Leah's suddenly puzzled by Adele's presence; and appears a bit perturbed over it.