“It may only be coincidence,” Wil said, although he didn’t sound convinced.
“It’s strange how I remembered that time at the beach,” Samantha said. “I don’t have very many memories of my childhood. My parents died when I was very young, and I don’t remember any relatives. I must have lived in some kind of foster home or in an orphanage, but I just don’t remember it. Could something bad have happened to me, something so terrible it put holes in my memory? I’m not sure I want those holes filled in, but if Julie is part of them, then I know I want her back again! She’s a link to my past, Wil. Answers to my questions. I can’t . . . stand . . .”
She started crying again. Wil hurried across the room and took her into his strong arms. He held her tightly until she calmed down again. He was about to say something when the phone rang.
“I have to get that,” Wil said, pulling himself gently away. He picked up the phone. A surprised look came over his face and he handed the receiver to Samantha. “It’s Barbara Huston!”
Samantha’s eyebrows went up. She took the phone.
“Barbara, where are you?” she demanded.
“I seem to be in a motel in New Jersey,” Barbara said. “Do you remember how you felt when you woke up in that motel in Durango? The same thing has happened to me! I don’t remember coming here! And I think I’ve done something terrible. I think I kidnapped Julie!”
Wil had switched the phone to a speaker. He looked up at Samantha and mouthed the words “she thinks?”
“What do you mean?” Samantha asked. “Is she there, or isn’t she?”
“She . . . she was here,” Barbara said. “She left a note.”
“Read it to us,” Wil said.
“Oh . . . uh . . .” Barbara’s tone indicated she hadn’t realized Wil was listening. “Sure. She says: ‘Dear Barbara: I am sorry Marty made you bring me here, but it was the only way. Now I must go to find the others like myself. Go home and tell Samantha that I love her and I hope I can see her again. I will be okay. Love, Julie.’
“That’s all she writes,” Barbara said.
“Marty?” Samantha said. “Who’s Marty?”
“Julie never mentioned the name?”
Samantha shook her head. “Never. Barbara, do you know who she’s talking about? She said Marty made you bring her there.”
“I never met anyone named Marty,” Barbara said. “The last thing I remember is being in my apartment. I’m sure the doorbell rang. After that, it’s a blank.”
Like the night in my garage, Samantha thought.
“Samantha, what have I done?” Barbara asked worriedly.
“I wish you could tell me,” Samantha said. “I have a thousand questions for you.”
Wil held out a hand.
“But right now we have to find Julie,” he said. “Barbara, it will be hours before we can get to New Jersey. Can you stay there in case Julie tries to call you?”
“I . . . I suppose I could,” Barbara said uncertainly. “But I have no idea where she’s gone.”
“Is there anything else in the room besides the letter?” Wil asked. “Anything she left behind?”
“Well,” Barbara said, “nothing but some drawings she made. That kid sure likes to draw, Samantha. Especially beaches.”
Samantha stood up abruptly.
“Look at the pictures, Barbara,” she said. “What exactly is in them?”
There was a pause; then Barbara answered.
“A house with shutters. A girl with a dog. And a jetty. Oh, wait, this looks familiar. Yes, yes, I’ve seen this place. Where? It’s a concession stand with dolphins painted along its awning.”
“Haybrook’s,” Samantha said.
“How did you know?” Barbara said. “Never mind. You must have heard about it sometime. It’s pretty famous on either coast. Like Nathan’s or Red Lobster. There’s one in California, where my brother lives. They sell fried clams and shrimp and stuff like that. But it has a bigger name than just ‘Haybrook’s.’ “
There was another delay as Barbara racked her brain.
“I know,” she said. “It’s called Haybrook’s Seaside Clam Bar. It’s a very old business that was established at the turn of the century.”
“Can you find out if there’s such a place in New Jersey?” Wil asked.
“Sure,” Barbara said, confidence suddenly filling her voice. She was happy to be doing something constructive.
“Give us your number,” Wil said. “We’ll call you back in a little while.”