Chapter 9

 

The final practice session had gone extremely well and Andy was more certain than ever that the twins would make the Dalton junior squad. The Dalton coach had organized the tryouts over a full week with team scrimmages and practices Monday through Thursday and final cuts on Friday. Several other coaches from Dalton were serving as the selection board and were observing all the prospective players during the week, making detailed notes on performance logs.

 

The twins had called Miranda and Andy both Monday and Tuesday nights to deliver blow-by-blow accounts of the afternoon’s practice. Miranda was always encouraging, convinced that no coach would find fault with either of her daughters. Andy was just as certain, but asked thoughtful questions on some of the things the girls had been asked to do during the practice sessions and explained the reasons behind them if the twins didn’t know. She projected a calm assurance that they would make the team and by doing so kept the twins focused on what they needed to do to make that happen.

 

But inside Andy was as nervous as could be. She debated calling the twins during their Wednesday lunch period and rejected the idea. If she seemed at all uneasy that could spill over to the girls and might affect their play. She had survived Monday and Tuesday by forcing herself to go out and around the city checking facts and running down leads on corollary stories coming out of the bid-rigging scam, but by Wednesday afternoon she’d double-checked everything she could and was pacing the newsroom like a caged lion.

 

Screw it! I’m heading to the park. I’ll just lurk on the fringes and watch to see how they’re doing. She threw on her parka and took off.

 

Miranda had called briefly around 11:30 am when she had arrived back at the Runway offices just to let Andy know she was back in town and to invite her to dinner that night. There was no time to talk because Miranda had to make sure she was home for dinner that night. That meant Emily was shuttling people in and out of her office at breakneck speed, trying to cram two days’ worth of meetings into a single afternoon. Miranda had told her that Cara was collecting Patricia from the groomer’s and Roy would take them all home when practice was complete. She would join them there.

 

Andy got lucky with a cab and in a few minutes was tearing north on Sixth Avenue headed for the entrance to Central Park. The taxi gods continued to smile on her as her cabbie got her within a half block of the fields Dalton had booked for their practices. Andy tipped him generously and jogged across the softball fields to where the Dalton teams had gathered.

 

As she approached the field, she saw Cara sitting on a bench watching practice and riding herd on the twin’s gear bags, school backpacks and Patricia. Thankfully, the huge St. Bernard was a cum laude graduate of the finest obedience schools in the city and was sitting placidly by the nanny. Andy made sure to hide her approach behind as many trees and groups of spectator parents as possible and in a couple of minutes had settled on the bench next to Cara.

 

“How are they doing?”

 

“They look good. You can’t tell that this is their first year playing. In fact the coach had them demonstrate a give in…errr…a give…”

 

“A give-and-go?”

 

“Yes! That’s it. The coach had them demonstrate a give-and-go to the rest of the squad a few minutes ago. Cassidy and Caroline always seem to know where the other is on the field. I think the coach has noticed that.”

 

“It’s that twin thing of theirs. And I hope the coach notices it; that’s one of the strongest things they bring to the game. Okay, I’m going to go hide in the trees at the other end of the field so they don’t see me. I promised them I’d stay away from practice. They wanted to do this on their own.”

 

Cara smiled. “I know. And Andy, you’ve done a great job with them. They’ve blossomed since they started working with you. And they’re getting along with their mother much better. I think all three of them are happier now.”

 

Andy grinned back at her and gave Patricia a good scratch behind the ears. “They’re great kids. I know they can be a handful, but they’ve worked hard and really settled down these past two months. I loved working with them. But now I’ve got to make my escape before they see me. Is Roy here yet?”

 

“He’s in the parking lot behind that ball field,” Cara gestured to the softball diamond to her right.

 

“Give him my best. I’ll probably see you on Friday. I think Miranda and I are going to be allowed to come watch the final tryouts.”

 

Cara chuckled as Andy got up and started weaving her way along the sideline, watching the twins on the field and using groups of parents and bystanders for cover. She made it unnoticed to the opposite end of the field where she leaned against a tree and watched as the youngsters ran their drills and scrimmages. After about twenty minutes, one of the selectors strolled over and greeted her.

 

“You’re Andy Sachs, aren’t you? From Northwestern? I’m Jennifer Ramsay from Virginia. You guys whipped us in the finals two years ago.”

 

Andy recognized the woman. “You played defensive wing. Damn, you were fast. I remember you took a shovel pass off a turnover and left half our team in a cloud of dust. Do you coach at Dalton now?”

 

“I’m teaching second grade at Little Dalton and helping out as an assistant for the lacrosse teams. What are you doing out here? Got family trying out?”

 

“No, I helped coach a couple of prospects who had never played before. They didn’t want me to come to tryouts but I really wanted to see how they’re doing. I’m trying to keep a low profile so they don’t see me.”

 

“Who’d you coach? Oh wait, I bet I know. The twins? Caroline and Cassidy?”

 

“Yeah. How are they doing?”

 

“Not much question they’ll make the team. You did a good job with them; their skills are solid. I’m kind of curious though; if you were the team coach, where would you use them?”

 

“I’d have to go with offense. It’s really weird, but the two of them always seem to know where the other is on the field. Their passes to each other are uncanny. Maybe it’s one of those twin things; I don’t know. But I do know that any two players who pass like they do can really help out a fast break.”

 

Jen nodded. “That’s what we were thinking too. Well, I won’t say congratulations until Friday, but I don’t think the girls have anything to worry about. They’ll be getting a lot of playing time. It was nice to see you again. Come by some of our games once the season starts, we can always use another pair of hands.”

 

Andy grinned back at her. “I’ll remember that. Maybe I’ll see you Friday.”

 

“I look forward to it. Say, if you’re gonna hang around at this end of the field, keep your eyes peeled for a bag of sticks and a duffel with a practice goal will you? We’ve managed to misplace a couple of equipment bags.”

 

Andy nodded toward the Dalton vans parked a few yards away. Green duffels were visible in the cargo doors of each. “What about those?”

 

Jen laughed as she headed back toward the field. “One of our part-time drivers brought them by mistake. The softball team is going to be very short of bats this afternoon. See you around, Andy.”

 

“Bye, Jen, it was good to see you.”

 

The practice wound down to be finished off with wind sprints. The sight of Cassidy and Caroline pushing themselves to be among the fastest players made her smile. The coaches gathered everyone together for some quick announcements and then the group began to break up. Andy watched as one of the twins – Cassidy she thought – trotted over to Cara and Patricia. The other one – probably Caroline – was still talking with one of the coaches. Their conversation ended, she walked toward her sister and Cara as Andy turned toward a park entrance to catch a cab back to the office.

 

Later, when she tried to recall what happened, all Andy could remember were isolated details. The players walking off the field in their colorful warm-ups and sweats. The sounds of engines turning over. Parents and spectators standing in small groups. Cars pulling up onto the grass to pick up their passengers and the late afternoon sun glinting off their trim. The excited chatter and happy laughter of the kids. Then the screams started.

 

“NO! LET ME GO! LET…ME…GO!”

 

Caroline!

 

Andy knew immediately who was screaming and her blood ran cold. Her feet were moving before she realized it and she sprinted toward the large man wrestling Caroline into the back of a gray minivan and piling in after her.

 

No! Cutoff their angle! Go back! Realizing she would never reach the van in time, she skidded to a stop and reversed course. Her only chance was to cut them off before they reached the west drive and could exit the park. As she tore past the Dalton coaches, they shouted at her demanding to know what was happening.

 

“Kidnapping! Call 9-1-1!” she screamed over her shoulder, now dimly aware of Cassidy and Cara’s cries and the shouts of the parents as the reality of what was going on dawned on them. She slammed to a stop at the Dalton vans and ripped a softball bat from the equipment bag then caromed off the rear quarter panel and headed toward the road. She could see the gray van several hundred yards away just making the sharp turn onto the access road and she put on a burst of speed, the sound of panting loud in her ears. She approached the trees lining the pavement and could see sunlight flash off the front of the van. I’m not gonna make it! She broke through the tree line and onto the road just as the van flew past her.

 

Suddenly, the roar of twelve German-engineered cylinders exploded around her as Miranda’s Mercedes flew out of the trees to her left and smashed into the van, tires screaming. Both vehicles spun out and Andy had a vague image of Roy’s head flying into the door pylon as she ran toward the van shouting Caroline’s name.

 

The minivan had come to rest against a tree, the left front wheel nearly snapped off. Nothing was moving inside as Andy charged up. The doors were locked so she started swinging, smashing in first the windshield and then the driver’s window. Again and again she swung, shouting for Caroline to answer her as the shattering glass sliced her hands and forearms. Finally, one of the back doors of the van was forced open and the big man who had first grabbed Caroline staggered out with the girl wrapped in his arms. Andy’s vision tunneled down to see only the terrified child struggling against him. Snarling like a feral animal, she charged and brought her bat to bear.

 

Her skills as an offensive shot-maker served her well as she hit him, trying to force him to release Caroline. She finally connected to the side of his knee, and as his leg folded under him, he relaxed his grip enough for Caroline to slip free.

 

“Run!” Andy shouted as she put him out of the fight with a solid shot to the side of the head. Caroline disappeared from her sight line and she pivoted back to face the driver who had just climbed out of his shattered window. Sirens could be faintly heard and Andy knew if she could just hold him off a bit longer help would arrive. She swung wildly and he managed to grab the bat, throwing her off balance as he yanked a large automatic pistol from the waistband of his pants and aimed it in the direction Caroline had headed.

 

Andy screamed “NO!” and threw herself against him as he fired. The explosion wasn’t as loud as she thought it would be but the smell of cordite was worse. He apparently wasn’t a very good shot, because she could still see Caroline running away out of the corner of her eye. He ripped the bloody bat from her hands and bellowed “You fuckin’ bitch!” as he slammed the gun into the side of her head and dropped her to her knees. He was taking aim at her head when a snarling St. Bernard in full attack mode bowled him over, leaping for his throat. The gun flew out of his hand and landed in the middle of the roadway.

 

Andy became aware of other people around them as she staggered to her feet. Blood streamed down her face as she scrabbled to get a grip on the enraged Patricia and pull her off the screaming driver. Another hand joined hers on the leather collar and she looked sideways to see Roy dragging the dog with her, most of the left side of his face starting to bruise. Together, they got Patricia under control as the Dalton coaches subdued the would-be kidnappers and other people began to run up.

 

“Caroline? Caroline? Roy, where’s Caroline? Caroline?” Andy frantically searched for the girl as the wail of approaching sirens grew louder. The blow to her head must have been worse than she thought, because Andy could have sworn she heard horses too. Finally, her eyes found Caroline wrapped safely in the arms of Jen Ramsay and the relief that flooded through her made her legs weak. Sobbing, Caroline broke free from Jen.

 

“Andy!” she cried and flung herself against Andy, who clutched her as tightly as she could, resting her cheek on top of the girl’s head. For some reason her left arm wasn’t working quite right, but Caroline was safe and that was all that mattered. Andy would worry about her arm later.

 

“It’s okay now, baby; it’s okay. I’ve got you now. Are you all right? Did they hurt you, honey?”

 

“Oh, Andy, you’re bleeding!”

 

“Sweetheart, I’m okay. He just hit me in the head and that always bleeds a lot. I’m just fine. But are you sure you’re okay?” Andy raised her head just in time to see three mounted Park Police officers thunder up and dismount. They quickly handcuffed both kidnappers and confiscated the gun. The approaching sirens were now close enough that the vehicles’ flashing lights could be seen through the trees.

 

Andy refused to release Caroline, even when the Dalton coaches came over and tried to get her to sit down. She kept repeating that they were both fine, just leave them be. Finally, Coach Ramsay looked at them and said gently, “Andy, you’ve been shot. You need to sit down.” Firmly she moved both Caroline and Andy over to a large tree at the side of the road, where she eased Andy off her feet and leaned her back against the trunk. One of the other Dalton coaches ran up with a bag and Jen pulled a clean towel from it and pressed it against the front of Andy’s left shoulder. Andy glanced down and was shocked to see bright red blood begin to soak it. Jen snatched another towel from the bag and pressed that against the back of Andy’s shoulder as well.

 

Caroline’s eyes widened in fear as she saw the blood soak the towels and Andy quickly reached up to her and pulled her down against her uninjured side. She pressed a kiss against the red hair and whispered fiercely “I am so proud of you! You were so brave and you did everything right. You hollered so we all knew you were in trouble and you fought him. You’re a hero, Caro!” The youngster just burrowed more tightly against her as Ramsay continued to put pressure on her wounds.

 

Just then, Andy heard Cassidy’s frightened voice calling for her sister and she managed to catch Cara’s attention with a wave as the two arrived, surrounded by a protective ring of Dalton parents. Cassidy dashed over and threw her arms around both of them crying. Now Andy had two distraught twins to deal with. To complicate matters, Patricia decided to join the fun and, with a huge sigh, promptly collapsed across as many pairs of legs as she could.

 

Andy was given a sudden assist from Jen who promptly grabbed Cassidy and told her Andy needed her help. “You need to press this towel firmly against her shoulder while I do the same on her head. Do you understand?” Cassidy nodded wide-eyed and did as she was told. Andy winced as the girl pushed the towel against her.

 

As the adrenaline wore off, the pain set in. Thanks to Jen’s quick actions, the worst of Andy’s bleeding had been controlled, but now the pain rolled over her in waves. A patrol sergeant arrived in the first of the emergency vehicles on the scene and she strode up to question the girls. Her experienced eye quickly told her that Andy was in no immediate danger and that the trembling children wrapped around her would not be easily dislodged. She didn’t even want to think what it would take to move that monster dog.

 

“Ma’am, I know you’re hurting right now, but I’ve got to ask you some questions. We need to get some vital information right away.”  Thankfully, Cara stepped in at that point, identified herself and began to recount what had happened. When Cara identified the girls, the sergeant winced.

 

“You’re telling me that these are Miranda Priestly’s daughters? That those two yahoos tried to kidnap Miranda Priestly’s daughter?” Cara nodded in confirmation and the sergeant just shook her head muttering “Fucking idiots,” under her breath.

 

Andy interrupted at this point. “Sergeant, one of these people has to go to Ms. Priestly’s office. She can’t hear about this on the television and the media trucks are pulling in now. Please, this is Ms. Priestly’s driver. Let him go and bring her here. That will make things much easier for everyone.”

 

The sergeant must have heard about Miranda because she simply nodded and waved a junior officer over. “Laskey? You’re going to provide an escort for this gentleman and that Mercedes to West 49^th and Sixth Avenue, the Elias-Clarke building. You’re going to wait there for him to pick up his employer and then you’re going to give them an escort back here. You will get him and his vehicle quickly and safely to their destination and back. I’ll alert the traffic division and request an assist from them. Is that clear?”

 

“Yes, ma’am. Sir, if you’ll pull your vehicle behind mine for just a moment until we get clearance from the traffic division, we’ll leave very shortly.” Roy handed Patricia’s leash to Cara and went to the Mercedes as the police officers walked a short distance away to organize Miranda’s transport. When the sergeant returned, she informed them that a representative of the Police Commissioner’s office and the District Commander were enroute to Miranda’s office to inform her of what happened. They had been ordered to wait for Roy’s arrival so that there would be no delay in bringing Miranda back to the park.

 

The influx of emergency vehicles had not slowed and now an EMS ambulance pulled in, adding its strobes to the wildly flashing lights surrounding them. Two paramedics jogged up to Andy and one of them said brusquely “You kids will have to move so we can work on her.”

 

She summoned a glare every clacker at Runway feared and leveled the men with it. In tones as icy as Antarctica, she said menacingly, “The girls stay. Deal with it.” Caroline and Cassidy hugged Andy tighter as the medics went to work.