Hitched

51

On the way back to the city from Joyce’s, Regan called the producer at Tiger News and told her about Joyce.

“You mean she was at Brianne’s bachelorette party last night?” Dana asked, surprise in her voice.

“Joyce’s group met up with Brianne’s group, at Club Zee, that hot new club on Fourteenth Street. Then Joyce disappeared. Now that her purse has turned up, it appears certain that she must have run into serious trouble.”

“This is unbelievable! We’d be happy to run her picture, but I’d like to show it in relation to the April Brides story. I’d like to have Brianne on to talk about their last moments together. I’d like you to be on again as well. We’ll have a camera crew cover your search downtown.”

“I’m sure Brianne would agree to being on the show again,” Regan said. “I appreciate you bringing attention to this story.”

“We have some great footage of you and your handsome fiancé tackling those two thieves in Central Park. It’s getting a great response from our viewers.”

“How did you get it?” Regan asked.

“There are always tourists in Central Park with video cameras. They caught the ‘Dynamic Duo’ in action.”

Regan smiled. “I’m just glad the Neys got their jewelry back. I’ll call Brianne, and we’ll see you in a little while.”

“Sounds good.”

As expected, Brianne was more than pleased to go back on the air. But she sounded serious. “I’m so happy right now about getting married, Regan. I hate the thought of Joyce being in danger.”

“I know.”

Regan and Jack swung by to pick up Kit. “I knew there was something about that Shauna,” she said. “I just wish I had seen you two in action.”

“You can see it on tape,” Regan muttered.

Regan’s cell phone rang again. This time it was Alfred, but he didn’t sound as happy.

“I heard from Tracy,” he moaned.

“Is she suing you?” Regan asked.

“I’m not sure. She was screaming so much I’m not very clear about it. She hung up on me. Would you call her?”

“What do you want me to say?”

“I don’t know, Regan. Think of something.”

“Give me her number.” Regan jotted it down, ended the conversation with Alfred, and then called the Timber household. Tracy ’s mother answered.

“Oh, good morning, Regan!” she said, sounding as if she didn’t have a care in the world. The old stiff upper lip, Regan thought.

“Hi, Mrs. Timber, may I speak to Tracy?”

“Sure. Tracy ’s here with her friends having a lovely breakfast.”

Regan blinked. I’d have thought Tracy would be suffering from indigestion.

“Regan,” Tracy said abruptly as she grabbed the phone from her mother.

“Yes, Tracy. I know what you’re upset about. Alfred is very sorry.”

“What good does that do me?”

“I understand. But you’re just going to have to put a good face on it.”

“That’s what my friends say. I have to say I’m glad I missed the show this morning.”

“We’re going back to the studio now.”

“What?! Don’t you dare mention my name!”

“ Tracy!” Regan said impatiently. “We’re dealing with something else. A girl is missing and her purse was just found on the street. Brianne Barth was out with her last night. We’ve gotten a search party together of all the girls who were with her to canvass downtown and distribute her picture. This girl’s life could be at stake, and her friends are most anxious to find her before it’s too late. That is my concern right now. Not stolen wedding dresses or embarrassing news items. I can assure you your name won’t come up in this conversation.”

The kick in the pants was just what Tracy needed. Her grip tightened around the phone. She looked out at the three friends who’d been there for her, who would never betray her, the friends who would do anything for her. They wanted to spend the day with Tracy doing whatever she wanted. They’d even joked about driving into the city and stalking Jeffrey, planning his demise. “I’ve got my three best friends in the world with me, Regan,” Tracy said quietly. “We’ll drive in and help you.”

Regan was shocked. “You will?”

“Yes. I know I’m lucky to have such a great family and wonderful friends. I’ve been dumped but I’m grateful for what I have. Where can we meet you?”

“There might be cameras there. This story is gaining a lot of attention.”

“It’s okay. I don’t want to sit here and feel sorry for myself. We’ll leave right now.”

Regan smiled and gave her the address of Club Zee. She could hear a man in the background cheering, “Tracy, my dear, you’ve got that Timber spirit!”