“I’ve got some news, too. Dan came into the garage today. He must have come there straight after he finished questioning Liam. Apparently, he was investigating the crash last night while Shannon was here.”
“What crash?”
“Remember, I told you about the car going into the ravine?”
“Oh, yes. You sent Kenny to pull it out.”
“That’s right. Kenny towed it to the garage last night, and the Sergeant wanted to take another look today. We’d been told not to touch it since it had been too dark to do a thorough search and they didn’t want us to muddy the evidence. Well, they went over it with a fine tooth comb today, and found a purse that held cards and a driver’s licence for Marie Harper.”
Abby gasped. “Liam’s mom?”
“Yep. They think she may have been the driver. The car wasn’t registered to her, but the owner was a friend of hers, who’d sold it to her for cash.”
“So, they still haven’t found her?”
“Not yet. The bags they pulled out of it last night must belong to her and Liam, so at least he’ll have some of his own stuff.”
“Do we tell Liam?”
Abby looked like this was the last thing she wanted to do, and fortunately she didn’t have to right now.
“Dan said we could say we found his bag, but not to say any more until we have proof of what actually happened to her. I agree with him. There’s no point in making the boy even more frightened than he is. Shannon said they were keeping a look out for Marie but they couldn’t find anyone who’d seen her since she filled the car with gas the day you found Liam. They couldn’t tell if she had someone in the car with her or not.”
“What do you think happened?”
“I’m not supposed to say anything, but there was blood on the steering wheel, which could have been due to the impact. Whoever was driving, I don’t think they were in the car when it went over the ravine.”
“What are you saying?”
“When I saw the state of the car this morning, I realized that no one could have survived that crash. I think she, or someone else, dumped the car. Maybe there was a fight, which would explain the blood, but I’m only guessing. I really don’t know. I just think that if she was alive she’d be looking for her son, then someone would have heard about it by now through the town grapevine. The police are working on it but it’ll probably take a bit of time, unless she turns up.”
“It sounds like she was trying to do the right thing.”
“What do you mean?”
Abby told him what Liam had said about his mother’s boyfriend, Pete Grainger.
“Poor woman. I think you’re right. Whatever was happening wasn’t good for Liam, and his mom was probably trying to keep him out of it. I hope she’s safe, wherever she is.”
“Me too. Liam deserves to have his mom back.”
Max was happy to hear that. It meant that helping Liam was Abby’s focus and not keeping him which had been his worry at first. Not that having a child like Liam wouldn’t be a good thing but he wasn’t theirs and he didn’t want Abby to get too attached.
They were both quiet that afternoon and evening, wrapped up in their thoughts of what might have happened to Liam’s mom and where this would all end up for the boy. Max wanted to hold Abby again. He needed to get back to what they once were. But, now wasn’t the time to push things. He just hoped that the time would come soon.
Chapter Five
“Hi Abby.”
Liam came running out the door of Jeanne’s house as soon as Abby stopped the car. Her heart did a little flip at the sight of him as it always did. It’d been a couple of weeks since he’d been living at Jeanne’s and the change was obvious. Looking so much better than the day she’d found him, he’d put on a little weight and the shadows under his eyes had lessened, although he still missed his mom terribly.
“How was school today, buddy?” She bent down so that they could hug, which Abby knew was a big deal for the serious boy.
“Okay, I guess.”
According to Jeanne, the papers from his last school said that he’d missed a lot of days. He was behind the other children, and was struggling to enjoy school because of it.
Naturally, he was still anxious about his mom, and asked to go home with Abby every chance he got. The police had found out quite a bit about Liam’s life over the last few years, and it wasn’t pretty. In spite of this, Abby thought he wasn’t doing too badly. His level of maturity constantly astounded her.
Her arm around his shoulder, they were just about to go inside when a police car pulled up in front of the house. A chill ran up Abby’s back as Officer Shannon climbed out and the look on the younger woman’s face did nothing to alleviate her fears.
“Hi, Liam. Abby, is Jeanne here? I need to have a chat.”
“She’s inside. Liam, how about having a jump on the trampoline for a bit?”
He stared at Shannon for a minute, then gave Abby an anxious look, and reluctantly went.
Shannon gave her a tense smile. “He looks great.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Abby nodded, knowing there was news and understanding that she wasn’t the one Shannon needed to tell.
Awkwardly they went inside where Jeanne, having heard them arrive, was making coffee. Liam could be seen through the large bay window, bouncing on the trampoline with little enthusiasm. He understood too much for a small boy and it was better that he was out of ear shot.
“Is everything okay?” Abby asked nervously.
“I thought you’d like to hear how things are progressing.”
Shannon pulled out a pad and, reading her notes, began to tell them exactly what was happening with Grainger.
“Most people we talked to found Marie to be a lovely lady, a bit on the shy side. Before she got involved with Grainger she was said to be a great mom. Not a lot of money, but plenty of friends. Then things changed. The man who sold the car to Marie told the authorities that Grainger had paid him a visit and forced him to admit that Marie had left town in it. He mentioned that Marie had paid him in small notes and he had the impression that she’d been saving for a long time. He felt guilty for taking her money and in light of her disappearance wish he’d done more for her. He also said that Marie was scared of Grainger and had every right to be. He had a broken arm and bruises that had begun to heal, so he knew first hand what Grainger was capable of. Here’s some photos of Grainger. Until he’s in custody I think Liam shouldn’t be allowed anywhere on his own. In fact, you all need to be vigilant.”
“Do you think he’s still around? It’s been a while now.” Abby went to stand by the window so that she could see the yard.
“We don’t know what Grainger’s plans are but we do know what he’s capable of. According to Marie’s neighbors and the police in Georgetown, the relationship had been volatile quite soon after it began. Liam’s mom had been too afraid to leave before, but something happened and he hit Liam, which must have been the last straw.”
“That cowardly bastard. Sorry, Shannon.” Jeanne blushed.
“No apologies necessary. Also, you might like to know that Marie Harper and Pete Grainger were never married, and the biggest news of all is that Liam’s birth certificate had no father named on it. With no known relatives that we could track down, and no clue as to what had happened to his mother, it would appear that Liam might be staying with you for the foreseeable future.”
“He’s welcome to say for as long as it takes to find him a good home.”
“Thanks, Jeanne. Now, I’d better go.”
Abby and Jeanne saw her to the door, then Abby turned to Jeanne.
“I shouldn’t be glad about that, but I am.” Abby said. “The authorities could have put him in a home in Georgeville, or another foster home miles away. At least with him living so close, I can visit him. Another foster mother might not like me around so much.”
Jeanne touched her arm. “He loves your visits. But, if you can’t make them, that’s
fine too. He shouldn’t get to rely on you too much. Just in case.”
She heard the subtle warning and it jarred. Liam was always waiting for her, and so happy when she arrived, that it tugged at her heart strings. She wouldn’t let him down if she could possibly prevent it.
“I promised him I would come every day. I can’t just stop.”
“I’m not asking you to stop.” Jeanne frowned. “Never mind, it was only a suggestion. You come as often as you like.”
“Thank you. Please try not to worry about me so much. I’m fine. Truly.”
Jeanne relaxed. “Let me call him inside and you can do his reading. He hates it and won’t sit still with me for more than five minutes.”
Abby smiled gratefully at her friend. She loved to sit with Liam even though it really was hard going with his reading, but she’d noticed a huge improvement in the short space of time. He was eager to learn, and one on one seemed to be working best for him.
Liam came in and sat at the table. He pulled his book towards her, not as reluctantly as he once had, struggling through a few lines, his face screwed up in concentration until something got the better of him.
“I don’t know this word.”
“See the picture of that prickly weed? It’s called a thistle.”
“I’ve never seen one.”
“You can find them at the back of the beach, near the paddock.”
“I haven’t been to the beach before.”
“Didn’t your mom take you when you stayed at the house on the beach?”
“No. We had to stay inside so Grainger wouldn’t find us.”
“Would you like to go the beach one day?”
“Maybe. I could see it from the window of that house and it looked like people had a lot of fun there.”
Liam did need more interaction with the world outside school and this holiday park that Jeanne and Allan ran. Having Grainger out there was worrying but he hadn’t been in touch for two weeks, so if Liam was safely with them they could surely do something more. She just had to convince Jeanne.
Abby waited until Liam was washing up for dinner before she approached Jeanne.
“Do you think we could take Liam to the beach this weekend? Did you know he’s never been there?”
Jeanne looked shocked. “Never been to the beach in a seaside town? How did I not know that? Anyway, I don’t see why not, but you know my hands are tied about you and Max taking him out on your own. How about we make it a family day and all meet there?”
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. Max has a heap of stuff in the garage for the kids to play with and we could have a picnic.”
“As long as you bring some brownies, I know Allan will be happy.”
“I’m beginning to wish people didn’t like them so much. I think I’m going to try making something else,” she teased.
“Now, don’t go trying to swindle the good people of this town. It’s brownies or a mutiny, and you know it. Now, who else shall we invite?”
Abby thought for a bit. “Let’s ask Megan and the twins. They love Liam and your two girls love them all.”
“What about Stephanie?”
“I’ll ask but it’ll probably be a waste of breath. You know what she’s like.”
Stephanie loved kids, but not too many, or too often. Abby couldn’t fault her logic, because Max and she had felt the same, before they’d decided it was time to start their own family.
Ooops. Time to concentrate on something else. She’d talk to Max when she got home about the beach idea, and hoped he’d be okay with it. Fortunately, his reservations about her getting too attached weren’t as forceful as they’d initially been.
Max, as expected, wasn’t wild about the idea since he didn’t like crowds, but when he heard that Liam had never been to the beach he was sold. So, that Saturday he foraged around the garage and began to load the car with some things that they’d accumulated over the years. Things for the beach that a child might enjoy. Things they hadn’t quite gotten rid of. Unlike the cot and other nursery furniture, soft toys and clothes.
The last time she’d come out of hospital, after the loss of their last baby, it had all gone. Max had done it by himself and, even though it was a shock, it was also a relief not to see them every day, or have to do something about it herself.
She felt a twinge as she watched him, knowing how much that episode in their lives had cost her loyal husband. The doctors had said no more trying. The next time it might kill her, so Max had put the line in the sand for both of them, when she wasn’t as convinced. After a while, as her depression lifted, she realized how truly grateful she was. To not have the stress or the heartache was a huge relief despite the sadness.
Max looked at her across the pile of toys and she smiled at him. “The food’s ready.”
“Great. I think I’ve packed enough in there to keep them happy.”
She tugged on his shirt as he went past to collect the cooler bags, and he stopped in surprise.
“I love you, Max.”
His beautiful, grey eyes darkened a little as he swept her to him and he kissed her so thoroughly she could barely breathe. Then he released her and playfully kissed her nose.
“That’s the best thing I’ve heard in a while. I think this is going to be a great day.”
“Every day with you is a great day.” She rubbed her hands up and down his arms.
“Hell’s bells, Abby. Are you flirting with me?”
“And if I am?”
“Then I would respectfully suggest you get in that car before I decide on missing the beach altogether.”
Abby laughed and did as he asked, although the idea of what they could do instead was quite an interesting one, and one that her body was definitely ready for.
When they got there, Megan and the twins had already arrived. Jeanne and Allan turned up soon after with their girls and, of course, Liam. Stephanie had decided to try some baking. It was her passion, what she was trained in, but her rented flat and its derelict oven were not conducive to the amazing things she was capable of whipping up.
He jumped out of the car as soon as it stopped and ran to Abby. She knelt on the sand and he landed in her arms with a soft thud. He looked healthier every time she saw him. Now, if they could get a bit of color onto his skin he’d look just like the other kids in Prossers Bay.
“Hi, Liam.” Max called out to him from where he was pulling out things from the boot of the car.
“Hello, sir.”
“I have some machinery here, ready to build a gigantic sand castle. I’ll need a lot of help. Someone with strong muscles. Do you think that could be you?”
Liam nodded shyly, unlike the twins, who squealed at the sight of the shovels and buckets, and tried to drag them all down to the sand in a tangle of arms and legs.
“Ladies, please. We need a bit of quiet while we divvy up the equipment. Then we can build something amazing.”
They quieted down as much as possible for two very competitive five-year olds, while Max gave out the spoils. Then the girls followed Max and Liam, chattering away, offering advice on making sandcastles, and where the best place would be to set everything up. After a bit of collaboration, they settled on a space half-way between the BBQ and the water. Close enough to be heard, but not close enough that their enthusiasm could coat the food in sand.
Next, Max issued tasks for them and, like puppies, they did what he asked with various degrees of success.
The rest of the party set up an area by a couple of picnic tables and a park barbeque, which anyone could use for free at any time of the year. Then they separated, except for Abby and Jeanne.
Lisa sat under a tree studying, while Alice, who had given up pretending that she was a grown-up, was now in the middle of the children trying to get a moat organized, with little hands and feet thwarting her attempts. They were such pretty girls, blonde haired and blue eyed you could imagine they were of the same blood. Both had been tainted with harsh childhoods. Espec
ially Alice. Yet both had come through it with their new parent’s help. Sure, they had disagreements as sisters did, but they were incredibly close and they idolised Allan.
The man in question had settled himself in a deck chair, his head buried in the newspaper.
Jeanne poured the four of them a coffee. “Liam looks like he’s enjoying himself.”
“He does. This was a good idea.”
“Even if it wasn’t quite what you had in mind?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Abby took her cup and sat at the table, while Jeanne made a very indelicate noise.
“You and I know that you want him to yourself. I get that, I really do, but it’s not what he needs right now, even if I could swing it with child services.”
“What makes you say that?”
Jeanne sat across from her and took one of her hands.
“Because I’ve seen first-hand what disappointment can do, to you, Max, and to that boy, as well as several children I’ve fostered. Life’s been hard for him. Liam needs time to heal before the next big thing happens. And it will, because the authorities will make a decision at some stage on where he’s to end up. It may not be the one we all want, but there won’t be any stopping proceedings, once we hear from the courts about his future. If they can’t find his mom or he’s sent elsewhere, it’ll be hard. I believe you’re in a good enough frame of mind to cope, but will he? The closer you get to him the harder it’s going to be. For all of you.”
Abby knew Jeanne was right and she desperately wanted them to find Liam’s mom, but in the meantime she had to be there for him because she’d made a promise.
“You won’t stop me from seeing him, will you?”
“I wouldn’t do that. But please be careful, Abby. This could end very badly.”
“You and Allan are great friends. I don’t know what I would have done without you, especially over the last few years, but like you say, I’m in a better place than I was back then. I don’t want to hurt Liam, and I do understand what the probable outcome is. Let’s all enjoy this time we have with Liam. However short it may be.”
Prossers Bay Series Page 5