For a while, Audra drove aimlessly, unsure where she was going or what she was doing. But then it hit her. She could talk to Jenna. She could make Jenna realize how detrimental it would be for so many people if Thomas turned himself in. She could convince Jenna that Thomas was sorry and that he was ill when he did whatever he did to her, but he was better now.
She’s just a girl. Audra thought. I know I can convince her. And if she doesn’t listen to reason, then I’ll tell her no one will believe her. Why would they when she’s been drinking and doing drugs and God knows what else. I’ve heard the rumors, but I’m too polite to partake in spreading them.
Still unfamiliar with Briarwood, Audra found the Kemps’ address in her Google Maps history and started the navigation. As she followed the monotone directions, she thought of an alternative way to make Jenna listen. Maybe if she shared the way she’d once walked a broken path littered with abuse at the hands of her own father, Jenna would be more sympathetic about how losing Thomas would affect Stella. Surely Jenna would reconsider if she knew Thomas had rescued Audra from the drugs and abuse and had helped her realize that she was worthy of God’s love and forgiveness. Maybe if Audra told Jenna all about her own past, Jenna would confide in her instead of thinking she had to involve the authorities.
No man should pass judgment on another man. That is God’s business. It’s my business to protect the ones I love.
Audra turned down Berkeley Street and was disappointed to see how dark the Kemps’ house was. She needed to figure out a way to talk to Jenna without waking Bonnie and Joseph, so she looped around the block for a little extra think time.
Should I go to the door? What would I say if Joseph or Bonnie answer?
As Audra looped around the block a second time, it was as if God had answered her prayers when she saw Jenna exiting the alley that runs behind the Kemps’ house.
This girl has just threatened my husband’s integrity and the well-being of our family, and she’s out for a leisurely run?
Audra did her best to follow Jenna at a distance without losing sight of her. She certainly didn’t want to risk Jenna spotting her yet because she hadn’t decided exactly what she planned to say. When Jenna turned down a street that cut off in a T at Jolliet Park, Audra had two options—go right and stick out like a sore thumb behind Jenna or go left and potentially lose Jenna. She chose right, but to her dismay, Jenna increased her speed and entered a path into the woods surrounding the park.
Damn it.
Audra didn’t know whether to park her car and follow Jenna or drive into the park and see if she could find her. Within seconds, she decided to drive because she had no idea how far the trail Jenna was on went into the park and no idea where it exited. If she couldn’t find her, she’d just have to go back to the Kemps’ house and wait outside for Jenna to return home.
Jenna sat on the merry-go-round, remembering the last time she was there. It had been right before Thomas moved back into town and things went to hell. She couldn’t stop wondering when Dustin was going to text her back, so she decided to spin to keep her mind off of it, which worked because then she started thinking about how out of control she’d spun over the past couple months. She’d let things spin out of control way too fast and couldn’t figure out how to slow it all down. It was like she was stuck on the merry-go-round and no one was there to help her slow it down. As a result, she was dizzier than she’d ever been before—dizzy with fear, dizzy with remorse, and dizzy with shame.
As she lay there, spinning at a nice calming speed and looking up at the stars, her phone vibrated. When she moved to jump off the merry-go-round, headlights appeared from a car that must have just pulled into the old parking lot just up the trail from the old playground. She wondered with anticipation if maybe it was Dustin, but his text said otherwise.
Dustin: I’m on my way. About 15 minutes.
The news that Dustin would be another fifteen minutes was unsettling to her. She thought about the car that she could have sworn was following her before she’d run onto the trail, and now she was looking at this other car that appeared to only have one occupant. When the car’s lights went out and a person got out of the driver’s side, Jenna thought maybe she should run. But then she recognized who it was.
Chapter Sixty
Keeley
Monday, May 14, 2018
Six and a Half Months After Jenna’s Disappearance
“Good morning,” I say, immediately wondering why I’ve said it. It isn’t a good morning at all. Not with the new information that Mrs. Kemp discovered in Jenna’s hidden diary coming to light. I could barely sleep because I needed to know if any of it will help find Jenna.
My mom and dad are sitting together at the kitchen table, which is unusual. Normally by now, she’s standing at the counter eating breakfast, and my dad is rushing to fill a travel mug with coffee because he’s running late.
My dad looks up from the morning paper. “Good morning, sweetheart.” His eyes migrate over to my mom. I didn’t notice at first that her chair is scooted over right next to his.
“Good morning, Keeley. As soon as you get that milk poured, why don’t you bring your cereal over here so we can have a chat?”
“Okay . . .” Again, unusual. We never sit together during breakfast on weekdays. I put the milk back in the fridge, grab a spoon and make my way over to the table. “What’s up? Did you tell Dad all about Mrs. Kemp’s call yesterday and Jenna’s hidden diary?”
“Yeah, and that’s actually related to something we need to talk to you about.” She slides the newspaper across the table so that it’s right under my nose. I stop mid-chew when I see the headline. I glance up at my dad. He sighs deeply and folds his hands under his chin, prompting me to start reading.
Man in Custody in Connection with Disappearance of Local Teen
Jacob Bickers (43) of Thiensville was taken into custody late last night in connection with the disappearance of local teen, Jenna Kemp, who was reported missing by her parents on the early eve of Saturday, October 27. A police department representative revealed that the arrest was made, based on new evidence, including verified reports from an unidentified witness who saw Bickers’ car near the Kemp residence on the night of Kemp’s disappearance.
When questioned by authorities, Bickers admitted to having plans to meet with Kemp at the Holiday Inn located in Brown Deer on Friday, October 26, the last day she was seen by anyone. He then claimed that Kemp had canceled plans with him the day before. He denies having any contact with Kemp since. According to police reports, Bickers did not disclose information about his plans to meet with Jenna back when he was first interviewed in November 2017.
According to his wife, Bickers claimed to be out of town for a work-related event on the evening of Kemp’s disappearance. Bickers’ employer, Pax Pharmaceuticals, was also contacted by authorities. A human resources representative said they have no knowledge of any work-related business that would have kept Bickers overnight on that evening.
Bickers is associated with Kemp via a popular chat room site. Authorities are still looking into the screening protocol used by this site to ensure that users adhere to legal age requirements and are who they say they are.
Anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of Kemp is encouraged to call the Briarwood Police Department.
I turn the page to see if there’s more, but there isn’t. “Since he’s in custody, does that mean they think he did something to Jenna? Like he hurt her or he . . .” I can’t even bring myself to say it.
“We don’t know, Keeley, but what I can tell you is that it isn’t a good sign that this guy lied to his wife about where he was going. On top of that, they both lied the first time around when he was interviewed back in October.” My dad places a hand on top of mine. “Keeley, we thought you should know that it was on the news this morning too. Everyone knows, and this whole case is likely to blow up now. I imagine reporters might start showing up at your school.”
&nbs
p; Shaking my head, I mumble, “She’s not coming back, is she?”
“Oh, honey, don’t say that.” My mom gets up and wraps her arms around me from behind. “We don’t know that. I’m sure there’s more to it than what’s in that article. The police don’t reveal everything they know to the press. And things aren’t always as they seem. Thomas Steele certainly taught everyone a lesson in that department, didn’t he?”
Chapter Sixty-One
Friday, October 27, 2017
The Day of Jenna’s Disappearance
Audra looped around the park a few times with no luck. Then on her fourth pass, she noticed a turn she hadn’t seen before. There was a sign that said OVERFLOW LOT as she veered to the right. The lot was completely empty, so Audra pulled into a spot with the intention of turning around and heading back the way she’d come from. That’s when she saw Jenna standing next to the merry-go-round.
Jenna didn’t appear to notice Audra at first because she was looking at her phone, but then she glanced in the direction of the lot, and it looked like she might take off running again. This made Audra nervous because she didn’t want to miss what could be her only chance to talk some sense into Jenna. So she turned off her car and hopped out, ready to call out to Jenna. But to Audra’s surprise, Jenna was already walking toward the car.
Thank God I can finally talk to her and help her understand that turning Thomas in would be the wrong thing to do.
Audra rushed to meet Jenna on a trail halfway between the lot and the playground.
“Audra? What are you doing here?” Jenna asked.
“Oh, Jenna,” Audra paused and looked up because a light trickle of rain had started. “I was hoping we could talk, sweetheart.”
“Did Thomas send you?”
“Oh, no. He told me not to come. I swear.” Suddenly, Audra realized she needed to make Jenna think she was sympathetic to her if she hoped to attain positive results. “I’m so sorry for what he did to you.”
Jenna folded her arms across her chest and looked up at the increasing rain.
“This rain is coming down pretty hard. How about if we talk in my car?” Audra suggested.
Jenna nodded, and they scurried up the path and into Audra’s car. They both took a moment to wipe their faces, and Audra smoothed her hair.
“Jenna,” Audra said, turning to her, “you know, Thomas is truly sorry for what he’s done.”
“No,” Jenna rapidly shook her head. “I don’t care.”
Audra was shocked that such a tiny, timid girl could speak with such firmness.
“Thomas was sick, Jenna, but he’s better now.”
“Audra, do you know what he did to me?”
“Jenna, as soon as he got done talking to you, he came home and confessed to me. He’s repentant, and he won’t ever hurt you again.”
“How can you say that? How are you not worried to death that he’ll do the same thing he did to me to Stella. There’s no doubt in my mind Thomas has a sickness, but it isn’t the kind that can be healed.”
“Jenna . . .” Audra reached for Jenna’s hand, but she slapped Audra’s hand away.
“Do you know how old I was in the first memory I have of him assaulting me? Three. I was three years old, Audra. It’s one of my earliest memories . . . You need to be concerned about your daughter, Audra.”
Jenna placed her hand on the door handle, but Audra couldn’t let her go just yet, so she locked it and kept her finger poised over the master auto lock just in case Jenna tried to leave again.
“Let me out, Audra.”
Audra decided it was time for her to cry. As she’d hoped, the forced waterworks led to Jenna taking her hand off the handle and turning in her seat to face Audra.
“Please understand how hard it is for me to accept this, Jenna. I thought I knew Thomas. My daddy was a sick son of a bitch, and here comes Thomas, riding into my life like a white knight coming to rescue me. I thought I could trust him, Jenna.”
“I did too.”
Good, she’s confiding in me.
“But he’s dangerous, Audra. He’s a liar. And Stella will be safer if he’s not around.”
Damn it. Damn it damn it damn it!
“Will you go with me to the police station right now, Jenna? Please?”
“I . . .” Jenna pulled her phone out of her pocket, causing Audra to panic until she saw the red bar at the top of the screen and the phone shut off. “Shit,” Jenna cursed under her breath. “I’m supposed to meet Dustin here pretty soon.”
Audra continued to sob. “Please, Jenna,” she pled. “You’re right. I need to protect Stella.” Audra didn’t know where the situation was headed, but she knew she needed more time with Jenna. She couldn’t let her leave until they’d come to an understanding, one that worked for everyone. “We can go to the police station, and you can file a report tonight. I promise I’ll stay with you, and I’ll tell them everything Thomas told me.”
Jenna nodded. “Okay, but I need to use your phone.
“Okay . . . okay,” Audra sniffled and started up the car. “Just . . . let’s get going. And then I’ll tell you where my phone is.”
Audra pulled out of the parking lot and drove, the whole time wracking her brain to think of what else she could say to sway Jenna to not ruin their lives.
“Audra, your phone, can I please use it?”
“Oh shoot, Jenna, I just realized I don’t have it. I was such a wreck after talking to Thomas. He was a wreck too, of course.”
“Audra, you were supposed to turn there. That’s okay, though, you can take the next right.”
“He’s just sick to death over the pain he’s caused you, Jenna.”
When Jenna didn’t respond, Audra looked over at her, and her face was filled with fear. Audra recognized the look. She used to see it all the time on her mom’s face when her dad would come home in one of his moods.
“Audra, you have to take me home . . . right . . . now.” Jenna began to plead, reaching for the door handle.
What is she going to do jump out of the car? Audra wondered.
Jenna realized how silly it was to consider jumping out while the car was moving, so she pulled her hand back into her lap and tried to turn her phone back on, but it was completely out of juice. Desperate to contact Dustin, Jenna threw open the glove box and rummaged around for a charging cord. Audra observed silently, looking back and forth from the road to Jenna until Jenna gave up and slammed the glove box closed.
“Audra, I don’t understand what you’re doing here, but we need to turn around. Please.” Jenna’s voice was laced with desperation.
“I don’t understand what I’m doing either,” Audra said, her eyes struggling to see through the downpour. And it’s true, she thought, I know what I need the outcome to be, but I don’t know how to get there just yet. “Can we just drive, Jenna? So we can both think things through.” Jenna stared at Audra, her eyes wide with disbelief. “I just . . . need to think things through a little more, prepare myself for what’s going to happen next. I can’t imagine what living with this has been like for you, but please try to understand what it’s like for me right now too.”
Finally, Jenna appeared to relent and leaned back in her seat. They continued to drive for a few more miles as Audra debated how to proceed. The only sound was the heavy rain pouring down as if God was crying for both of them.
Jenna was scared to death of Audra because she was certain Audra had lost her mind when Thomas told her about what happened. She didn’t know what else to do other than sit back and give Audra time to calm down and come to her senses. But with each mile that passed, Jenna became more and more nervous. After about twenty-five minutes of driving, she was beginning to think Audra was never going to turn around, so she decided to tell her what she wanted to hear.
“Maybe you’re right, Audra. I’m so confused.”
Audra glanced over at Jenna, hopeful that maybe they could work things out. “Oh, Jenna,” she said with a sigh, “I’ve been over h
ere praying that you would say that.”
Jenna rubbed her face with her hands, then looked over at Audra. “Do you really think Thomas is better? Do you think he’s truly sorry?”
“I do, Jenna. One-hundred percent cross my heart and hope to die. He feels so much remorse.”
“Do you promise that if I agree not to say anything for now, that he will go and see someone, like a therapist?”
Audra kept her eyes on the road as she nodded whole-heartedly. “I do. And I believe he would be more than willing to do that too. The three of us can figure this out, and I’ll be there for you every step of the way.”
“Okay, we’ll figure it out,” Jenna said. “Can we please turn around now? It’s close to eleven, and if we drive any farther, I’ll never make my curfew.”
Audra threw on her blinker even though there weren’t any other cars around them. As she exited the freeway, Jenna looked around to see if she recognized where they were, but she didn’t. She was hoping there would be a gas station or a house or anything because she didn’t want to be near Audra for one more second if she didn’t have to. She didn’t even care about the rain because her jacket was waterproof so it would at least keep the top of her body dry if she saw a place she could make a run for. But as far as she could see, there was nothing near that exit.
Audra looped around to get to the freeway entrance on the other side, but to Jenna’s dismay, the entrance was closed and there was a detour sign pointing them farther down the country road.
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