“Detective Stewart is out of the office all afternoon. Can I leave a message for her?”
“I’ll talk to whoever’s in charge.”
“Detective Stewart is in charge, but she’s out all afternoon. Can I leave a message for her?”
Devin hung up and laid down on the bedspread covered in cabbage roses. He went on to plan B. "Sam; it's Devin. I've got a situation here. Can you run something for me on your database?"
“Aren’t the local police in Glaxton able to help? Poppy’s capable.”
“You’d have to experience the town of Glaxton to believe it. Can you help me?” Devin pleaded.
“I’d say you owe me one, but that sounds redundant about now. Tell me what you need.”
“Last name Johnston, first name Ethan. Born January 2019 in the Canadian province of Ontario.”
“That’s international, but I have people who can get me that info in two minutes.” The sound of clicking keys came over the phone, then stopped. “Search complete. No Ethan Johnston born in an Ontario hospital in January 2019. Does that help?”
“It does – I think. Do me a favor and call your pal Poppy and tell her we’re in the middle of a kidnapping investigation and to get herself to the station ASAP.”
Devin's gut feeling about Dr. Grassley could no longer wait. He couldn't get a warrant to seize his computer and search his house because Poppy Stewart was out of the office. He drove toward the Grassley mansion, but first, he had one more question for Dr. Noah Morgan.
“Dr. Morgan.”
“It’s Devin Grant. Sorry to bother you again. I hate to get personal, but how much money do you make and did Dr. Grassley make a similar amount?” Devin asked.
“Not much Devin. I take home $100K. Not a huge salary but the cost of living here is nothing. No one makes a great deal of money in Glaxton, including Dr. Grassley.”
Considering Dr. Grassley’s car and mansion, he was getting money from somewhere.
“One more thing, Noah, do you remember the Elkhart Baby?”
“Tragedy; yes. I was on my way to the hospital when I was rear-ended. New to town and I wasn’t good in the snow. Dr. Grassley delivered that baby.”
“Thanks, Dr. Morgan.”
Devin had chills that ran down his spine to the tips of his toes even though the heat was blasting in his car. A child theft ring in Glaxton, Ontario? Something very wrong was going on, and it was beginning to make sense. Police and medical resources were underfunded and understaffed in a small town like Glaxton. It was the perfect place for a crime to go unnoticed. Devin jammed his hand into his backpack and pulled out his Bible. He pulled over and quietly prayed for Hope and any other child who was a victim of such a heinous crime.
Eighth Chapter
Devin was driving out-of-town towards Dr. Grassley's mansion when he noticed he was being followed. A black SUV with tinted windows was dangerously close to his car, which was older and somewhat on the small side. Devin wasn't able to speed up and get away from the vehicle because the roads were slick, and he feared spinning out. His knuckles were white, and all Reverend Devin Grant could think to do was say a prayer to St. Christopher. The medal that Ken always had hanging in the Humvee while in Afghanistan was dangling from the rearview mirror. The SUV pulled up alongside Devin’s car and laid on the horn as it whizzed away. He didn’t see the driver through the tinted windows. Devin realized he must be on the right track because someone was trying to knock him off.
He arrived at the palatial mansion, which may not be grand in another town or city but was for Glaxton. The gate that was open before was now closed, and there were two vehicles in addition to the Tesla parked in front of the house. Devin parked outside of the gate and trudged through the packed snow to the front door.
Instead of the screen lowering when he rang the bell, a woman answered the door. “Can I help you? I don’t recall my father saying that he expected visitors.”
“I’m Reverend Devin Grant, and I’ve been here before. If you’re Dr. Grassley’s daughter, then you must be Nora.”
Nora was a woman with a generous frame and intimidating features. Her thin lips didn’t curl up in a smile and her nose ended in a pointy tip. “Not sure how you know me and don’t care. My father isn’t available at the moment. Your last visit rattled him, and he’s sleeping.”
Devin looked around the room, which was elegantly furnished with antiques sitting on polished wood floors. “I didn’t intend to rattle Dr. Grassley. I’m working with the Glaxton police on the kidnapping of Hope Spencer. He delivered the baby with only your daughter present as the nurse’s assistant. Only there was no nurse on duty to assist, but you knew that Nora, didn’t you? You do the scheduling for the nurses.”
Nora didn’t appear as confident as when Devin first arrived. Having been in the presence of many guilty people, he knew Nora was acting guilty. “I didn’t do the scheduling for the week including January 12.”
“I have to ask how you knew January 12 was Hope Spencer’s date of birth?”
“I do read the paper, Reverend,” Nora snapped.
“I saw the scheduling note you wrote, that specifically said Kara would be working that day and no one else. Also, January 12 was the day you knew the baby was due. Mrs. Spencer didn’t think it’d be for another three weeks.”
“Reverend Grant, I want you to leave and stop your accusations that my family was in any way involved in the kidnapping of Hope Spencer. You are the one with the problem. You walk into our family home and accuse us as if you were the police. You’re not, and you’re trespassing.” Nora folded her arms and waited for Devin to leave.
Devin walked out in a hurry. He was mad at himself for showing his hand without police back-up. He prayed that Poppy Stewart was back in the office. He needed Dr. Grassley, Nora, and Kara held, but he left them with enough time to run. As he was slipping and sliding down the walkway, he grabbed on to one of the parked cars. Inside was an infant car seat. Devin looked in the next car, and there was a toddler booster seat. He knew this after spending two nights at Spencer’s house, which was like a baby emporium.
Devin arrived at his car and dialed the police department immediately. “Devin Grant for Detective Stewart”
“I’m sorry…”
Devin cut off the receptionist. “I have an emergency at 1425 Lake Road. I have a kidnapping suspect, and reason to be the people in question are a flight risk.”
“Oh, sorry officer. Give me your badge number, and I’ll have someone right over.”
“I’m not with the Glaxton police. I’m a civilian.”
“In that case sir, we’ll send our next available officer, which will take 20-30 minutes.”
Devin banged his head against the wheel, and the medal on the rear-view window began to sway. He knew God was with him and he needed to relax. An answer would come to him. Devin pressed the cross against his chest under the multiple layers. He remembered on the battlefield that being able to rely on your brothers and sisters was vital.
"Sam, It's Devin. Do you have Poppy's personal number? I have an emergency at 1425 Lake Road and my civilian status isn't even getting me a cruiser."
“My heart aches for Ken and Magda, consider it done!”
Devin remained in his car which he had moved down the street to stay out of sight. He could see Nora and a young woman who must have been Kara loading their cars. Whatever they were putting in their vehicles was enough for a long trip. They were running, just as Devin predicted. Dr. Grassley joined them, which made him think they were ready to flee. Just as Nora slammed her trunk closed, Devin heard cruisers coming down either side of Lake Road. There was no escaping for the Grassley family.
Devin watched as one-by-one Nora, Dr. Grassley, and Kara were loaded into police cruisers. Now it was time to explain everything to Poppy and find baby Hope.
Ninth Chapter
By the time Devin pulled into the station, he had filled Poppy in on what he knew. He discovered that Poppy seemed flaky at times, b
ut when it was time to get serious, she was all in. He parked his car appropriately and dashed into the station. The woman at the desk must have gotten a serious talking to by Detective Stewart because Devin was treated like a VIP.
"Detective Stewart is waiting for you, Reverend Grant. Can I bring you hot coffee or tea?" She asked with a smile.
“No thank you.” Devin rushed into Poppy’s office.
“Excellent work, Devin. I ate at the Glaxton Cannery last night, and I had bad luck with the catch of the day, which was an ocean fish. I wouldn’t recommend dining there. I’m happy my ex was able to watch our 3-year old because I was useless.”
“The ocean isn’t nearby. I’d stick with fish caught in the lake.” Devin chuckled. “Anyway, I just put the pieces together. You’ve kept the Grassley’s separate before questioning, I assume.”
“Of course, and I can tell you right-off-the-bat that Nora is not going to cooperate.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. She’s the type of criminal – alleged criminal -- that truly believes she hasn’t done a thing wrong. I’d say Kara has the best chance of caving. She’s young and naïve.”
“She’ll also talk so she can cut a deal and not spend the rest of her young life behind bars. Care to join me in the interrogation room?”
“I wouldn’t miss it, but first I’d like to tell Ken and Magda where we’re at.”
“Devin,” Poppy said before Devin left.
“Yes?”
“Don’t get their hopes up because we still haven’t found the child.”
Devin knew Poppy was right to warn him. The Grassley’s were only part of the puzzle.
***
Devin hadn’t seen the Spencers or Elena smile since he had arrived in Glaxton on that unforgettable flight. When he walked into the waiting room, they all glowed with jubilation.
“Our prayers were answered! Thank you for encouraging us to keep the faith and believe in miracles. Ours is a kind God and he has brought our Hope home!” Magda grasped his hands. She still wore the bracelet from the hospital.
Ken put his arms around Devin. “I could have fallen off the ledge, but you saved me from throwing away all of the progress I’ve made since Afghanistan. I used God as my focus and never stopped thinking of positive outcomes.”
Devin cleared his throat. “We have the Grassley’s in custody, but we don’t have information that will lead us to Hope. Their cooperation is what we’re waiting for now, and the worst-case scenario is that they know nothing.”
Ken reacted like he was going to choke Devin by putting his hands around Devin’s throat. Fortunately, the turtle-neck the Reverend was wearing provided additional cushion to prevent damage and eventually, Devin pulled free.
Ashamedly, Ken faced his friend with tears in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Devin, for snapping. But they can’t “know nothing”! They must know something, or you wouldn’t have brought them in for questioning.”
"I'm afraid they only cared about the money received and didn't bother to check out the adoptive parents," Devin said. He quickly realized that using the term adoptive parents was wrong.
Elena clutched her daughter’s hand. “Are you telling us that this nightmare isn’t over?”
"Yes, unfortunately, but we're a whole lot closer to finding Hope than we were 25 hours ago," Devin said. He put his hand in his bag and came out with the leather-bound Bible that had been all over the world with him, and he rarely let out of his sight. "This has been with me through every conceivable circumstance. I'm leaving it with you until Hope is in your arms again."
Ken knew how much that Bible meant to Devin. He touched his arm. “Thanks, brother.”
***
Kara was in the small investigation room with a table and four chairs. She sat alone on one side of the table. Her waif-like stature, big eyes, and short-cropped, black hair made her look as if she were ten years old.
Poppy started the questioning. Her maternal instincts were on display. “This is not how a 22-year-old envisions spending a Friday night. I know you’re young, and none of this was your idea. If you’re not cooperative and tell us what we want to know, I’m afraid you’ll be missing out on a lot of Friday nights for years to come.”
“Are your mother and grandfather involved in a baby stealing scheme of some type?” Devin asked.
“No, they are taking babies from families who will have another shot at having a baby. Then they give them to loving couples who are out of options. It’s a good thing they’re doing. It will only hurt the Spencers until they have another baby. The adoptive parents will be forever grateful,” Kara spoke through tears. “It all made sense when they told me about it.”
“Breathe, Kara. God still loves you, although that may be hard to believe at this point. He still loves baby Hope Spencer, too, and wants to reunite her with her mom and dad. Can you tell us something about the people who adopted her?” Devin asked.
“No, my job was to help deliver the baby. My mom dealt with everything after. I watched my little sister a lot because she was so busy with the family.” Kara clammed up after that. She knew talking about her little sister might get her in trouble.
Poppy and Devin tried to keep Kara talking, but it was fruitless. They reconvened in Poppy’s office. They both picked up on the word babies. It alluded to the fact that Ken and Magda’s baby was not the only child stolen. Devin quickly thought of the Elkhart baby. He needed to scour the records at GCH and see how many infants expired while there.
“It’s late, but I’m heading to GCH. If I have trouble accessing records, I’ll give you a call,” Devin said as he put on his parka.
"Sounds good. I'll keep Dr. Grassley and Nora on ice because I can hold them for 48 hours," Poppy said in a cracked voice.
“Are you ok, Poppy? We got this – don’t worry.”
“Devin, my child was adopted. You don’t think…”
Devin’s jaw dropped, and his heart sank. “I wish I had answers. Go home and kiss your baby as you do every night. Say a prayer.”
Tenth Chapter
“Darlene, I don’t know how to be blunter; the gig is up. There are serious allegations against GCH, and it’s time to cooperate. You aren’t being implicated, but you may be unless you tell us everything you know,” Devin said. He found Darlene at the nurse’s station doing her nails! “I’m working with the police department, and if you’d rather deal directly with them, I understand.”
With a single brush of the arm, Darlene swiped the nail polish and other paraphernalia into a drawer. “What do you need, Reverend?”
“I need you to pull the files of every infant death in the last five years. I’m going to need the doctor on duty and a copy of the schedule for that day. Hold on, Darlene, things are about to get bumpy around GCH.”
Devin received the documents within an hour. Most hospitals would have the information in minutes, but the digital files at GCH were hardly up-to-date. Devin was handed a small batch of files, only three of which caused alarm. The others involved infants that were sent to the NICU at a neighboring hospital where they expired due to previously known conditions. If this was some sort of black-market baby scheme, they chose Glaxton Ontario because they thought it was a place no one would notice. It was also clear they had no imagination because the three deaths flagged were all the result of cords around the neck. For it to happen so often in a small hospital was alarming. Devin needed help deciphering the medical jargon, so he waited for Dr. Morgan to be free. Devin laid his head down on the waiting room couch. A few moments of reflection and prayer were just what he needed.
The pillow wasn't the cleanest thing he'd ever laid his head on, but it didn't matter. He had learned not to be picky or germophobic while in the Army overseas. Devin was nearly relaxed when his phone chimed. He didn’t recognize the number.
“Reverend Grant.”
“Hello. This is Mia Ahn. I heard a rumor that you’re working on a possible baby kidnapping ring. My infant died at GCH four years ago. I rememb
er it like yesterday and my family grieves every day.”
Devin heard a young child in the background. He knew that what Kara said about families of stolen children recovering quickly from the loss of a child by merely having another was unequivocally false. “Mrs. Ahn. The investigation is active, and I’m unable to comment, but I assure you answers are coming. I’m not in the position to confirm or deny anything. May I ask how you knew to call me in particular?”
“The network of grieving families is tight-knit. Any glimmer of hope spreads like wildfire. I have so many questions I want to ask you right now, but I won’t keep you from seeking answers. You have my number. Call my husband or me any time of the day or night. We’ll be on the first flight anywhere if needed.” Mrs. Anh hung up, and Devin lowered his heavy eyelids.
“Reverend Grant.” Dr. Morgan nudged him. “You could have used the couch in my office. I recommend it over this industrial-like sofa.” Dr. Morgan laughed. “Seriously, I spoke briefly with Detective Stewart, and I was astounded. I’ll help in any way I can. Let’s head to my office.”
Devin followed Dr. Morgan down the sterile hallway. He had to feel sorry for the good-looking young doctor who was languishing in Glaxton. He closed the door and turned up the heat. Like Devin, he was not used to the freezing winds blowing off the lake.
“I have the charts of three babies that died in this hospital under Dr. Grassley’s care. One when you were in a vehicle accident and two others before you came on board at GCH. How uncommon is it that three babies died as a result of umbilical cords being around the infant’s neck?”
“Not at all uncommon if you’re at Mass General or Cedars Sinai. In Glaxton, Ontario, that’s highly irregular. If an infant is in that situation, a hospital with a NICU would be notified immediately. A child wouldn’t die here at GCH. It’s not plausible,” Dr. Glaxton said.
When Hope is Missing Page 3