“Really?” asked Brad.
“And we checked a little further and found out that when she was in high school, she got in trouble a couple times for shoplifting. Her parents were glad when she found Jim and consented to the marriage before she was 18 because it saved them a bunch of trouble with the court and someone else would be in charge of keeping her in line. And her dad helped Jim buy that little house just before he left for Vietnam so she wouldn’t have to worry about rent. Jim just sent the payment to her dad each month.”
“I see,” said Erik.
Brad spoke, “Isn’t Alice a little old for doing something like this? If she got married in 1968 at age 17, she’d be nearly 70 years old right now.”
“That’s just it, Brad,” replied Betsy. “She’s usually so quiet, I hardly hear her coming and going, and suddenly she’s smiling at me, all perky, waving and saying good morning. It’s like a total change has come over her. And why has she got car seats in her car? And where did she get that car? She hasn’t driven in years.”
“What?” gasped Sophia. “You didn’t tell us about that. I thought it was the same car.”
“What?” asked Betsy.
“Back when she was at her little house, she had an older gold colored car. I don’t know what kind. I didn’t realize this wasn’t the same car. I’ve seen it sitting in her driveway but didn’t think anything of it. Why didn’t you say it just showed up?”
“Couldn’t get a word in edgewise with all you talking,” replied Betsy. “I do think she could do this. She’s strong, she isn’t quite right upstairs. I don’t think she’d hurt the babies but if she does think they’re hers, she could have them in the house as we speak.”
Brad looked at Erik. “Is that everything?” Erik said quietly and looked around.
“Just that Brad’s babies are the same age hers were when they died in the hospital. They were taken in by ambulance. She had car trouble and couldn’t get there until the next morning and she never brought them home. They died the day she arrived. She never got to say good-bye to them.” The ladies in the room were very quiet. “I talked to her brother in Houston. He hasn’t seen his sister in years but said they’ve tried to get her to talk to someone but she never would. He was glad she was moved into town. He said she would visit the old place now and then. She’d never go to the cemetery to visit the graves, though, as if she thought if she didn’t go there, it would make it less real.”
Erik cleared his throat. “I’d appreciate his address. Thank you, ladies for your time.”
Getting back into the car, Brad said, “I’d like to go visit Ms. Stoneman. I want to ask a few questions.”
“I would as well. FBI ran her through the data base and she hasn’t got any record to speak of. No reason to talk until now.”
“I think I have reason now.” said Brad firmly as he started the squad car.
“I’m having Jed meet us there. He’ll be at the back door.”
Brad nodded.
“We need to look as if we aren’t breaking land speed records, Brad,” said the sheriff gently. The speedometer slowed. Erik rolled his shoulders back.
They got into town, drove the few blocks to the Stoneman house. Brad got out and he and Rutherford walked up to the house door. The dog tilted his head, he stuck his nose by the door sill and whined. He started to scratch at the door.
“Cars not here.” remarked the Sheriff. “I’m not sure we’ve got enough for a warrant.”
“Call Judge Milo anyway,” said Brad in a soft voice.
“He’ll ask me why we haven’t got the FBI with us if we’re so danged sure.”
“We can tell him they’re following leads.” Brad had his ear to the front door and Rutherford got more agitated.
Jed called them. “Erik, neighbor to the left said she left the house carrying two bundles and headed out an hour ago. I don’t think anyone is home.”
“Can you see anything from the back door?” asked Erik.
“No, curtains everywhere. Neighbor said he thought he heard a baby crying a couple days ago but nothing lately.” Brad tried the door. It was locked.
Erik was on the phone, carefully explaining to the local common pleas judge why they needed a warrant.
“We have probable cause,” he told Brad. “No, don’t break the door.” He went over to the railing, lifted a pot and handed him a key. “Most the older ladies leave a key under a pot on the porch. She’s no exception.”
“If the thieves knew that, it could be a problem.”
“It was a thief who told me and it does not matter to the old ladies.”
The door opened, with Rutherford eagerly pushing ahead. He dashed around the apartment whining, bringing back a baby blanket.
Erik and Brad hustled through the house, then called the FBI lab team.
“The babies have been here, and not long ago,” declared Brad. “The baby bottle over here is still warm, the diapers were changed and left.”
“There’s a baby bed in the closet,” said Erik quietly. “And here’s that shrine but the pictures are all wrong. Brad, this picture is of you on patrol. These pictures are the twins. What on earth is going on in this ladies head?”
Rutherford had come over, sniffed the bed, had jumped into the playpen, ran from room to room and stood by the laundry room door on the side whining to get out.
“We’ve got to find her before she hurts the kids,” declared Brad. “Rufus! Come on boy, what direction?”
Brad opened the door; Rufus ran out, nose to the ground casting about the yard, came to the side yard and started to bay. Brad ran over. “Tire tracks. She must have brought the kids out in the back, loaded them in the car here, and driven off. Which way did they go, Rutherford Ruckus, which way?”
The dog ran to the street and started to run down it, full bore, nose to the ground, ignoring traffic and distraction. Brad ran after him, keeping him in sight. Erik watched in frustration until the lab people showed up.
“I think I just saw your detective running hell for leather down the back street. Is he high?”
“High on hope,” replied Erik. “The babies were here. Jed, be liaison, you guys find out what you can. Judge has a warrant coming. I’m heading out for Brad.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“You children are being so good,” cooed Alice as she drove slowly towards her old cottage. “I don’t know what is holding back your dad from coming. He’s usually home by now but we need a nice outing. Such a lovely day out.”
Kai and Enya sat quietly in their car seats. They looked feverish. Mrs. Stoneman stopped at a stop sign and waved at a boy who was standing on the corner with his bike waiting to cross. A thin tall young girl was with him, also holding up a bike. David’s eyes widened.
“That’s the sheriff’s kids!” he exclaimed. “I’ve got to tell Brad. You follow them.”
“And what do I do if they stop?” she asked practically. “You think a kidnapper is going to listen to me?”
“Here, take this. It’s Mom’s cell phone. She lets me carry it now to call her if I get into trouble.”
“So, who do I call if I get in trouble?”
“You call 9-1-1. I’ve got to go. Go, now, don’t let them get out of sight!”
David sped off towards the police station. The foster child looked at the phone and hopped on her bike, sticking the phone in her pocket and heading after the car which had not turned but wasn’t driving fast.
“I sure hope she hasn’t got a long way to go. I’m pretty tired already. I could just tell them she out sped me.” She peddled as fast as she could on the old bike.
Shortly, she was overcome by Rufus charging past her. A few yards behind, Detective Brad was pumping his legs as fast as he could.
“Officer, we saw the babies in a gold car, a little one, they’re in back and she went that way. Take my bike. You’ll make better time!” she said, stopping and jumping off.
“Thanks, that car up there?
“That’s i
t. You better get there before Rufus or he’ll tear her up.”
“Not as fast as I will!” Brad tore down the street on the bike after Rufus.
Soon after him came the sheriff’s car. He stopped and picked up Brad. They tossed the bike in the truck. And headed off the way Rufus was baying, windows down.
“I wonder what all that noise is?” said Alice to the babies. She pulled into the church parking lot. “Wouldn’t you know it; I’ve left my keys and can’t get in to practice. “What are you babies back there for?” she seemed confused. “Oh, I promised to let you see your daddy, didn’t I? Well, we can go visit for a few minutes. Pastor Matthews will be here to let me in shortly. He’s been such a help since Jim passed. I can’t believe it’s been so long.” She got out of the car, took up a small bouquet of flowers and took the babies out of the car seats. Tucking a child over each shoulder, she stumbled slightly, walking towards the cemetery.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Sophia stepped outside on her porch, shading her eyes, listening.
“I do believe that’s Ruckus,” she said to the ladies behind her. “He’s got a scent.”
“Maybe it’s the babies!” exclaimed Betsy.
“But that’s coming from the direction of the church, not your place.” answered Sophia.
“Maybe we ought to go find out what’s going on?” suggested Jane.
“I think we best not take too many cars,” answered Sophia. “Let’s just carpool over.” Shortly sixteen ladies were packed into four cars, hurrying to the church.
Casey and Annie pulled up to the police station. Annie drew a deep breath. “I can do this, Mom. I can go in and make a statement and I can come back out.” Her mom nodded as they got out of the car just in time to have David Atherton crash his bike in front of them.
“David, what on earth! Are you alright?”
“I saw them, me and Emory together.” He gasped, panting hard. “She’s following the kidnapper. She’s got mom’s phone. I got to get the sheriff.”
“Where? Which way?” asked Casey, pulling him up.
“Listen!” declared Annie. “That’s Rutherford! He’s got their scent!”
“Let’s find help and follow him!” declared Casey. She ran into the police department.
“Listen to David, then send anybody out after Rutherford, she gasped and ran out.
Millie looked up to see the front door slam. “I was going to tell her the sheriff is already in pursuit, but I got the feeling she’s going to be as well,” said Millie. “Still, David, let me get you a drink and you tell me what you saw.” She pulled a cold bottle of water out of the fridge and said, “Now I might not be able to type as fast as you talk so bear with me. Tell me exactly what happened.”
Taking a deep breath, David started his tale.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Rutherford ran panting up to the church, sides heaving, and waited for his master. The gold car was sitting in the parking lot. Rutherford Ruckus waited for Brad to pull up and get out of the car. He knew his training, but he was impatient. The puppies were here, he could feel them, and something was wrong.
Brad stopped, parked and he and Erik jumped out.
“Church is locked,” said the sheriff. “Choir won’t start for three hours. Pastor’s on his way over to open it if needed.”
Ruckus whined. He got up and started off at a lope across the parking lot and around the church to the cemetery. Brad went after him, unfastening his holster and slowly pulling out his pistol, Erik following a short distance behind, waiting for the pastor, but ready to rush if needed.
Up ahead, Ruckus howled a greeting. Brad ran, disregarding all his mother ever told him about stepping on graves. He arrived at the Stoneman family plots. There, sitting in their car seats, Enya on Sheila’s grave, Kai on Tommy’s, sat his children. They looked at him and started to cry softly. He unfastened them both and hugged them. He felt their fevers, and their listless bodies and knew there was a problem. Erik puffed up. He spoke softly. “Ambulance?”
“Absolutely. Lab guys as well.”
An old lady was sitting on the ground behind her husband’s gravestone, wrapped in a shroud, using a drop spindle, making yarn, humming to herself. The shroud she made was unfinished; as she got several yards of yard made, it appeared she crocheted it into the pattern until she’d used up one bit and went back to spinning.
“I told them you’d come, Jim,” she spoke. “We meet here every Thursday afternoon after I practice, and I told them you’d come so they could see. I’ve just about made enough yarn for me to make my shroud and when it’s done, I’m going to be joining you in heaven.” She smiled up at Brad, holding his babies. Rutherford sat between she and Brad, growling softly under his breath. Black shrouds enveloped the car seats.
“Mrs. Stoneman,” began the Sheriff. “You are being arrested on a charge of kidnapping. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be provided for you. Do you understand your rights?”
Alice looked confused. “I don’t understand. Who was kidnapped? I brought my children to come see my husband. They need to get to know him; he’s been away a long time.”
“Mrs. Stoneman, these aren’t your children. They belong to Casey and Brad Malcom. They’ve gone about crazy trying to get them back.”
“Who are Casey and Brad?”
Erik looked at Brad. “Did you call for an ambulance?”
Alice scrambled to her feet. “No! No ambulances! That’s how I lost them the first time. The ambulance came and they took them away and I’ve been alone so long. God gave them back to me and you aren’t taking them away again! We’re going to be all together once more and forever,” She ran at the sheriff, waving her spindle at him like a sword. “I said no ambulance!”
Rutherford hit her mid center and knocked her over. He stood over her with his teeth bared, a low growl in his throat.
Suddenly, sixteen ladies from the Fiber Sisters showed up and started fussing.
“Get him off that lady! Stop that dog!” demanded a couple.
“Brad, I thought Ruckus was a gentle dog? Why is he attacking Alice?” asked Sophia, trying to go to her friend.
Annie and Casey came running to Brad and shortly Casey had the babies in her arms. Brad turned to Rutherford.
“Ruckus, let the sheriff get the cuffs on her and then let her up,” he directed. “As for you ladies, this woman kidnapped my children and I think they’re sick. I don’t think she’s completely in her right mind, but she also tried to attack the sheriff with a spindle. And I am calling an ambulance. My kids have fevers.”
“No!” screamed Alice. “Not again! They aren’t sick! There won’t be any hospital this time. They’re going with me to heaven with Jim!” The Fiber Sisters got very quiet.
Sheriff Black had Alice handcuffed.
“Heaven?” asked Sophia. “Alice, what are you talking about?”
“I have their shrouds. They’ll go to heaven. I don’t have mine ready yet. Jim’s has been stolen, but I know he’s watching us. He must have taken it. It was so pretty.”
Brad came over and swung Alice around. “Heaven? They’re too young for heaven.”
“How were they going to go to heaven?”
“They were just going to go to sleep and so was I, but I needed to get my shroud done first so we could find each other in heaven. We’ll all have matching shrouds.”
A strange look came over Brad’s face. He pulled out his phone. “On the ambulance, hustle it up. I think my children have been poisoned.”
Erik was on the phone with the lab guys, who were back at Alice’s house. “That’s right, look for poisons, something that could kill toddlers, something added in food or milk. We’re heading to the hospital. Meantime, get someone here to take this felon to jail and book her on kidnapping and attempted murder.”
The Yarn Sisters were quiet. For o
nce, they could not think of a thing to say. The pastor’s wife took Sophia’s arm and started to lead her back to the church. “It’s time we went and let them do their work. The babies are with the parents. It’s time we left,” she said softly. Numbly, the ladies all followed Sally back to the sanctuary, where they sat quietly. Some prayed. Others just sat.
Finally, Sally stood up. “I know this has been a terrible shock. I know our hearts hurt, but it could have been so much worse. Had it not been for the diligence of even our youngest members, this could have ended much worse. As it is, the babies are home, the perpetrator will get the help she needs finally, and we can go into the holidays with a grateful heart that all is finally well in Lyonsville. Shall we pray a moment and then go to our homes?”
The ladies stood and Sally led them in a heartfelt prayer that gradually got them back into themselves.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
The babies were admitted. Alice was screened, given an antidote, watched for 12 hours, and sent to jail.
Brad stood between the babies’ beds with his wife. Casey and her mother sat in chairs waiting. The babies slept. The hospital had pumped their tummies, filled their stomachs with a charcoal slurry, and done bloodwork. They were not out of danger yet.
Dr. Michaels had called in a pediatric specialist. They’d gotten the results of the tests and were just about to enter the room when Helen and Toby came up. The specialist asked, “Nurses, would you both come with us? It would be good for the family to have some support right now.”
“It’s going to get a little crowded in there.”
“Better crowded than empty in this sort of case,” replied the specialist.
They knocked on the door and Dr. Michaels led the way in.
“Good afternoon, Mr. And Mrs. Malcom. This is Dr. Fieldlings. He’s a pediatric specialist from Dayton who came up when I called. I’ve asked him as he has done a lot of work on this sort of problem and I wanted your children to have the best chance of full recovery.”
Criminally Spun Out: Book 5 of the Fiber Maven's Mysteries Page 12