Hanging Falls

by Margaret Mizushima

  “Was she a child bride herself?” Mattie asked.

  Stella nodded, her eyes strained at the corners, the only sign of her inner turmoil.

  “For what it’s worth,” Mattie said, “I think she genuinely cares for her kids, and from what Hannah told me, Ruth wasn’t a willing participant.”

  Cole spoke up. “From my observation, I agree with that.”

  “I’ll pass it on to the prosecutor,” Stella said, before saying good-bye.

  After Stella left, Cole switched off the overhead light. A plug-in nightlight filled the room with a gentle, comforting glow. He sighed as he settled back against the wall. “We might as well try to get some sleep. It’ll be morning before we know it.”

  “I guess you’re right.” But Mattie’s feelings about this case were in such upheaval, she doubted if she could sleep. Guilt about Tracy Lee, worry about the women and kids, and concern that they still needed to lock in all the evidence made her gut churn.

  Exhaustion overcame her, and eventually she dozed, one hand on Robo, the other within Cole’s. When a text pinged her phone, she awakened suddenly to rose-colored light streaming through the window. She moved to check the text, making Cole groan and peer at her with sleepy eyes. Robo raised his head and thumped his tail on the floor, a very good sign.

  The text was from Julia. It said, Come when you can. Abuela has something to tell us that must be very important. She says she’s getting old, and she knows a secret she doesn’t want to take to her grave.

  THIRTY

  Two days later, Wednesday

  The briefing room felt cold and empty without Robo. Even though he’d given her sad eyes, Mattie had left him at home to spend the morning on one of his many dog cushions. Cole had recommended rest with no jumping in and out of the unit for two weeks while his wound healed, so Sheriff McCoy had officially placed him on sick leave.

  Mattie’s sister and grandmother had returned to California, and Mattie planned to take some time off while the Timber Creek K-9 unit was out of commission. Tomorrow she would leave Robo with Cole and fly to San Diego to meet with Detective Hauck and take care of some family business. But today, she wanted to tie up some loose ends.

  Though officially on vacation, Mattie sat at the table with the rest of the team, wrapping up details in the cases of Luke Ferguson and Tracy Lee Brown.

  Sheriff McCoy leaned back in his chair, shaking his head in frustration. “I managed to get a lead on Tracy Lee’s parents, and his father finally returned my calls early this morning. I’m sorry to say, they refuse to come forward to claim Tracy Lee’s remains. He’ll be buried here in the Timber Creek cemetery, and the county will assume the cost.”

  The fact that no one in this victim’s family cared enough to claim him saddened Mattie and did nothing to assuage her guilt. “I’ll pay for his funeral service,” she murmured.

  McCoy responded quickly. “That won’t be necessary. I already have preauthorization for cremation and burial. If you want, we’ll wait until you return and hold a private service at graveside when his ashes are interred.”

  Mattie met the sheriff’s gaze. “I’d like that. Thank you.”

  Brody cleared his throat. “I’ll be there too.”

  “We all will,” Stella said. “But you two need to quit beating yourselves up over this. There was no indication Tracy Lee needed protective custody, and we had no reason to hold him. We made decisions based on the information we knew at the time.”

  “Agreed,” McCoy said. “Legal protocol dictated your actions, and you performed your duties responsibly.”

  In light of Tracy Lee’s lack of family support, Mattie felt even more grateful that she’d connected with her own. She had already bonded with her sister and grandmother to the point that they could share their deepest secrets.

  “Go ahead and sum up the investigation, Detective,” McCoy said. “What’s the current status?”

  Stella glanced around the table. “Solomon Vaughn confessed that they obtained xylazine from Quinn Randolph, who named his supplier as Parker Tate. We’ve pressed charges against both Randolph and Tate for violations of the pharmaceutical act. They’ve lawyered up, but if this goes to court, the Perry brothers will testify that Randolph had the drug in his possession and used it on their horse.”

  Mattie doubted if it would go that far. She suspected the two would eventually pay their fines and move on, albeit with a drug-related felony on their records.

  Stella continued. “Ephraim Grayson helped search for the Brothers of Salvation’s records. He suggested we sort through a pile of hay that seemed out of place in the barn, and we found a leather-bound Bible containing recorded unions. The records proved that only Solomon Vaughn and Isaac King had formed spiritual unions with underage girls in the past. We’ve added child abuse and conspiracy to commit child abuse to both their charges.”

  Combine those charges with two counts of murder one, and both should be put away for life, Mattie thought.

  “Extensive interviews with the women revealed that no one was being held in the group against their will, and all of them want to keep their families intact,” Stella said. “There are no marriage licenses involved. These unions were formed according to the rituals of their religion, so no state or federal laws have been broken. We found no current abuse of the social services or legal systems, and everyone has returned to their homes. Except, of course, for Vaughn and King.”

  “I heard from Cole that he’s taking Hannah out to visit her mother later this morning,” Mattie said.

  “She’ll be allowed supervised visits until it’s determined safe for her and the other teenage girls,” Stella said.

  “How will that be determined?”

  “Child Protective Services is working through that. Ephraim has stepped up as new leader for the time being. Evidently he’s been on the fence for quite some time about the direction Isaac King and Solomon had taken. Abel Grayson is adamantly opposed and has become very vocal about it with authorities and other group members. I expect there will be a falling-out soon and this particular branch of the Brothers of Salvation will disperse. Until then, Ruth is going to have to prove that she has the best interests of her children at heart if she’s going to be allowed to keep them.”

  Despite Ruth’s prior failure to protect Hannah, Mattie hoped it wouldn’t come down to her losing custody. She planned to stay involved until she felt satisfied that Ruth and her fellow sister wives could be trusted with the safety of their daughters. And Cole would watch over Hannah until Mattie returned from taking care of business in California.

  “I’m going out there with Cole later today,” Mattie said. “I’ll report back afterward.”

  Stella nodded. “There will be a social worker present too. Let me know what you think.”

  * * *

  Mattie left her unit at Cole’s house and rode with him and the kids in his truck. She turned in her seat to give Hannah a smile of encouragement as she studied her face.

  Sharing the back seat with Angie, Hannah looked pale but composed. She was dressed in loose jeans and a tee that she’d evidently borrowed from Angie. Mattie felt grateful that the kids were mature enough to realize that Hannah’s clothing choices should be conservative for this visit, and she’d chosen not to flaunt her newly found independence by dressing radically.

  Hannah looked nervous as she attempted to return Mattie’s smile.

  “How are you doing, Hannah? Do you feel ready to see your mother?” Mattie asked.

  “I talked to her on the phone, so it’ll be okay.” Hannah glanced at Angie before resuming eye contact with Mattie. “She might be mad that I decided to dress this way, but I might as well show her I meant what I said when I told her I’m done with all that.”

  “It could take her a little while to get used to it. But do you think she’ll adjust?”

  Hannah raised crossed fingers. “I hope so. I’m going to tell her that I want to go to regular high school too. I’m going to get everythin
g out in the open.”

  Angie joined in hesitantly. “I told Hannah she might as well speak up for what she wants.”

  “I think that’s a fine plan.” Mattie smiled at both girls, trying to put them at ease. “You’re old enough to speak up. Just do it respectfully and listen to what your mother has to say.”

  During the pause in the conversation, Hannah broke eye contact with Mattie and gazed out the window, a troubled frown on her face. “At first I was mad at Mother for being willing to sacrifice me for the cause.” She sighed. “But now I guess I just feel sorry for her. Her parents belonged to the Brothers of Salvation too, and it’s all she’s ever known.”

  “That’s a very grown-up conclusion you’ve drawn, Hannah,” Cole said. “I’m proud of you.”

  Hannah shrugged, and though she continued to gaze out the window, her face relaxed somewhat.

  “Let us know how we can help. You don’t have to hold in your feelings around us,” Mattie said, before facing forward, leaving the girl to her thoughts as she prepared for what might be a difficult reunion.

  Mattie exchanged glances with Cole as he slowed to turn into the property. She steeled herself for facing feelings that might surface this first time back since Robo had almost been killed. Whatever might arise, she would deal with it and force herself to remain neutral. These remaining people had been cleared of wrongdoing, and it wasn’t her place to judge them.

  As Cole drove up to park beside the trailers, a social worker whom Mattie recognized stepped out of her car to meet them.

  “There’s Mrs. Elliott,” Hannah murmured as she opened her door. “Are you guys coming inside with me?”

  Mattie returned the social worker’s wave. “I think it’s best if we wait for you out here,” she told Hannah. “Unless you really want one of us to join you.”

  “No,” Hannah said, squaring her shoulders. “I’ll be all right.”

  Angie reached out and squeezed Hannah’s hand before she exited the car. When the door closed behind her, Angie heaved an audible sigh. “I hope everything will be okay.”

  Cole glanced at Mattie as he turned to face his daughter. “We’ll be here for Hannah no matter what, but I think her mother is a good person at heart. I think this will work itself out.”

  “Me too,” Mattie said quietly, before noticing a man step out of the barn. She gestured in his direction with her head. “Cole, there’s Ephraim.”

  “I’ll go talk to him and check that lame horse,” Cole said as he exited the truck.

  But Ephraim paused to speak to Cole only briefly before approaching Mattie’s side of the truck, and Cole came along with him. Since the engine had been turned off, Mattie couldn’t power down her window, so she opened her door to speak with him.

  Ephraim’s expression was grave. “I want to apologize to you specifically for what happened out here the other night. Our church is not about violence, and I’m sorry that Isaac endangered you and your dog.”

  Mattie acknowledged his apology with a nod. “I’ll be honest with you, Mr. Grayson. My primary concern is for the women and children here. I want to be certain that no one is being forced into any relationships against their will and that these children are all safe.”

  He winced as if her words caused him pain. “That’s my focus too. Children are precious to the Brothers of Salvation, and women should be honored. Solomon and Isaac lost their way.”

  She hoped he was speaking the truth, but she planned to do more than hope. As long as this brotherhood remained in Timber Creek County, her department would be keeping a close watch. “I hope you can take your folks in a better direction.”

  He lowered his gaze. “We’ve lost heart. Our trust has been broken. Once things get settled here, we’ll probably split up.”

  Mattie refrained from voicing an opinion. Ephraim was cooperating with law enforcement now, but he’d been willing to ignore his better judgment before and follow two men who were killers. The prosecutor seemed inclined to refrain from pressing charges against him in exchange for his cooperation, but Mattie remained unable to accept him as fully law-abiding. She would continue her plan to wait and watch.

  Cole ended the conversation by suggesting they go out to check the horse, and Mattie climbed back inside the truck to wait with Angie. Shortly after Cole returned from the barn, Hannah came around the corner of the first trailer, followed by Ruth and the social worker.

  Ruth appeared haggard, her eyes reddened and swollen from crying, and dark circles beneath them suggested sleepless nights. She snuggled a Siamese kitten against her chest, its brilliant blue eyes standing out against its dark-chocolate mask.

  “That’s the kitten that fell asleep in my lap,” Angie murmured as she scooted forward in the back seat.

  Ruth approached Cole’s side of the vehicle, and he opened his door to step out and greet her. With the door open, it was easy for Mattie to hear their conversation.

  “I’m forever in your debt for taking care of Hannah,” Ruth said, her voice choked with tears. “I want Angie to have this kitten as a very small token of my appreciation for helping my daughter when I wasn’t able to.”

  Mattie heard Angie gasp.

  “You owe us nothing,” Cole said. “We’re happy to take care of Hannah as long as she needs us. Besides, I thought you had this litter sold.”

  “I have one customer who wants to wait for the next one.” She held the kitten out toward Cole, the small bundle of tawny fluff squirming as it mewed. “Please take her. She’s been weaned and litter-box trained.”

  Cole took the kitten and held her close, where she settled down, supported by his large hands. Mattie could feel the anxiety coming from Angie as she watched the exchange silently. The girl really wanted this kitten, and Mattie hoped Cole would decide in favor of keeping it.

  “But this is your livelihood, Ruth—now more than ever. We can’t accept her as a gift,” Cole was saying.

  Angie leaned forward between the two bucket seats. “I’ll pay, Dad. I have enough money saved up.”

  Cole glanced at his daughter, and Mattie could tell by the look on his face that he was going to give in. Her heart filled with joy. With Belle so attached to Sophie and Bruno to Cole, Angie needed a pet for herself.

  “It’s my gift to Angie,” Ruth said, her lips slightly upturned in a tremulous smile. “It would make me happy for her to have it.”

  Angie projected her voice for Ruth to hear. “I’ll pay for the kitten, Mrs. Vaughn. I’ll bring the money out here soon.”

  “Well, I’ll leave that up to the two of you,” Cole said, passing the kitten to Angie, who slid back in her seat to cuddle and soothe the tiny animal. “Are you going back home with us, Hannah?”

  The social worker spoke up. “For now. I hope it will only be for a few more days.”

  Mattie assumed the visit had gone well, and this exchange with the Walkers made her think that Ruth regretted not protecting her child when she should have. Mattie hoped the two could be reunited, because deep in her heart, she couldn’t help comparing her own past with Hannah’s current experience.

  She wanted a happier ending for this girl than the one she’d suffered during her childhood.

  THIRTY-ONE

  Several days later

  A small village in Mexico

  The heat was oppressive. Sweat trickled down Mattie’s back as she strolled down a boardwalk that edged the packed-dirt street. People cluttered the walkways. A small boy filled empty plastic bottles with water from a spigot on the side of a building—the kind of bottles she’d seen another kid hawking as purified water a few blocks down the street.

  She entered a panadería to buy some bread. A bell jingled as the door swung open, and she scanned the half-empty glass cases on the other side of the room. She was wearing ragged cutoff jeans and a black tee, trying to blend in—just another villager shopping at the local bakery.

  She’d been cautious. No one had followed her when she drove an old beater car across the border. No
one had followed her since she’d arrived. No one seemed to even notice her.

  The clerk came through a doorway from what must have been the kitchen, the delicious scent of baking bread wafting along with her. Mattie greeted her in Spanish, complimenting the contents of the lady’s display before buying a loaf of warm bread and a half dozen sugar cookies.

  The clerk seemed bored and uninterested as she took Mattie’s pesos and made change. Mattie hoped she’d pulled it off—just another local buying food.

  After she left the store, she paused outside and scanned the street. A handful of cars parked at the edge, all of them old like hers. She moseyed down the sidewalk to the end of the building and entered the alley. Pausing a few seconds, she scanned the crates, boxes, and trash bins before walking down the alley to the next street. She encountered no one and no one followed.

  Nondescript adobe houses lined both sides of this dirt road—very small buildings with yards that were bare or planted with a few succulents. Chickens scratched and pecked as she went past, making the throaty sound hens made, searching for food on a hot summer day.

  At the end of the block, she found the house she was searching for, and her heart leaped to her throat when she spotted a woman out front. The woman wore a gauzy, russet skirt that flowed to below her knees, its hem waving in the slight breeze, and a loose tan peasant blouse made of thin fabric meant for the hot climate. A large bun was pinned at her nape, and strands of gray were noticeable within the tight, shiny, black hair scraped back on her head. She carried a bowl on her hip and was throwing potato peelings to hens while they flocked around her.

  As Mattie approached, the woman glanced up and froze. She recovered quickly and greeted Mattie in Spanish. “Hello, my friend. It’s good to see you. You must be thirsty on this hot day. Please come inside for a nice, cold drink.”

  Mattie would have recognized her mother anywhere. She swallowed the lump in her throat and responded in kind as she held out the bag she carried. “Gracias. I’ve brought some bread and cookies from the bakery.”