by Dana R. Lynn
“What else was she wearing?”
“I couldn’t tell. She was mostly out of view. I’m sorry. I’m probably not much help.” Her voice was growing embarrassed.
“No, actually, you are. I have more information than I did before—that’s always a good thing.”
So now they needed to search for a missing child and a missing girl. They would start searching in the local Amish communities. If they didn’t succeed there, then they would widen their search.
“Thanks, Irene. I mean it. Every detail helps.”
“How’s Mary doing?”
His heart softened. Irene, always thinking about the plight of others. She’d always been that way. “I left her with Sergeant Zee.”
“Did she go quietly?”
“Yeah, but that was probably because she was asleep.”
“Paul!”
He sighed, rolling his eyes. She couldn’t see him, after all. “I will check on her first thing in the morning. Promise.”
After disconnecting the call, he went to the room where Olsen was taking pictures.
“What did you want to see me about, Olsen?”
“Look at all this stuff, Chief. What do you make of it?”
There was a trunk full of children’s clothes in various sizes and colors. All of them showed signs of wear. And there was a pair of Amish breeches on top. Beside the trunk, there was a bottle, still half-full, and a dirty sippy cup.
“Mary wasn’t the only child these people have taken, is my guess. Maybe they still have one or two of them. What they were planning to do with them, I don’t know. But we need to find them. Fast.”
Before any more children were taken. Or worse.
* * *
Irene couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so tired. Last night, she had tossed and turned. When she had finally fallen into a restless sleep, it was to be disturbed in her dreams by images of being chased at gunpoint. She finally gave up. It was only quarter after six, but she knew trying to fall back to sleep was hopeless. Throwing back the covers, she padded to the boys’ bedroom and peeked in. Both were still sound asleep. She sighed, aching with tenderness at the sight of the peaceful children.
Since the peace wouldn’t last, she might as well get ready for the day. She dressed in casual jeans and an emerald green turtleneck sweater. She lugged out her workbag, shaking off the memories.
Pulling out her laptop, she spent some time finishing an evaluation report. By the time it was completed, she could hear the boys arguing in the kitchen. They were up early. Normally, the thought of facing their fighting at seven o’clock on a Saturday morning would annoy her. The memory of the night before washed away any trace of aggravation. She was here, safe, with her kids. That was a lot to be grateful for.
She entered the kitchen, kissed her boys and ruffled their hair as she walked past. Their dog, Izzy, was peacefully snoozing under the table.
“Hi, Mommy!” Matthew peeked up at her with his ragged grin, his front teeth missing. “Can we have waffles for breakfast?”
That was Matthew. His stomach always came first.
“Waffles sound good to me. AJ?”
Her older son peered at her through his new glasses. My, he was looking so grown-up. When had her baby become such a big boy?
Tony would have loved this.
“Waffles are yummy. Can we set up the tree today?”
Ugh. The Christmas tree. One more thing she didn’t want to face. But at least she could give her children the fun parts of Christmas.
She made them waffles, and then the boys helped her drag out the artificial tree and ornaments. She sat down in the center of the living room floor to sort the ornaments, AJ by her side. As she was unraveling the lights, Matthew stood at the window, his face intent. She frowned when she noted him standing on his tiptoes, straining to see something.
“Matthew, why are you staring out the window?”
“I’m watching the man, Mommy.”
She set aside the strand of lights in her hands, unease dancing down her spine. It could be nothing, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
“What man, darling?” Calm. Stay calm. The last thing they need is for you to overreact.
“That man across the street.” Matthew hadn’t turned around, still intent on the stranger.
“Matthew, come away from the window.” How she was able to keep from raising her voice she’d never know.
Something in her tone must have said she meant business, though, because Matthew left his place and skittered down on the floor beside her, his small face pale. The freckles on his cheeks stood out.
“Mommy, I’m scared.”
Her poor baby.
“It’s okay, love, I’m going to call Chief Paul. He’ll know what to do.”
Crawling over to the end table, she grabbed her phone and dialed Paul’s number with shaking fingers. It wasn’t until the phone started ringing that she wondered why she’d instinctively called him and not Jace. Because Paul helped her last night? Of course that was why. She moved to the window and peered out, taking care to keep out of sight. There parked on the street across from her was a dark sedan. Was that the one that had been sitting at the bearded man’s house?
“Hello.”
Paul’s deep drawl sent a shiver down her spine. She scolded herself. She didn’t have time for that. Sure, he was strong and was well respected in LaMar Pond, but he was hiding something. She was certain. Only, right now, it didn’t seem to matter.
“Paul,” she whispered. “There’s a man sitting in his car outside my house. He’s watching us. And I can’t be sure, but it may be one of the people from that house. The car looks familiar.”
“Irene, are the boys with you?” His voice had lost all trace of the lazy, relaxed drawl. Its intensity communicated his concern over the phone.
“Yes, we are all here.”
“Okay, this is what I want you to do. Make sure the doors are locked. And keep away from the windows. Whatever you do, do not answer the door unless it’s me or Jace. I’m going to call him right now. He’s closer to your house. I will be over as soon as I can.”
Click.
She slid the phone back into her pocket and looked at the two frightened faces before her.
“Boys, let’s go back to the kitchen.”
“Aren’t we setting up the tree?” AJ asked, disappointment on his face.
Matthew didn’t argue. He was already halfway there.
“We’ll make Christmas cookies first,” Irene declared, coming up with an impromptu diversion. Both faces brightened.
Her phone rang again. Paul.
“Jace is on his way, too. Sit tight, Irene. We’ll be there ASAP.”
Her nerves were shot by the time Jace arrived. She saw his car pull around the corner from the kitchen window. Immediately, an engine revved. She heard tires squeal as a car raced in the opposite direction. The watcher had left. The cruiser’s lights burst into a swirl of blue and red as Jace followed in pursuit.
Less than five minutes later, someone pounded on her front door. Yelping, she dropped the bowl of icing she’d just whipped together. The silver bowl bounced, flinging white icing on the cupboard doors and all over her blue jeans.
“Irene? It’s me. Paul.”
Paul. She placed a hand over her pounding heart and closed her eyes, fighting the urge to wilt against the countertops.
“Mommy, Chief Paul is here.” AJ frowned as the chief called out again. “Should I let him in?”
“No! No, I will do it. You boys stay here and wipe up this mess. Please.”
They looked less than thrilled, but both nodded. She had expected some protest. Especially from AJ. That neither boy offered even a token resistance told her that they had sensed the serious
ness of the situation.
She moved to the door and opened it. She came face-to-face with Paul, his hand raised to knock again. Patent relief flashed across his face as he saw her. His gaze moved over her, checking for injury or signs of distress. She knew the moment he spotted the icing by the way his mouth curled up at the sides. Not exactly a grin, but she could tell he was amused.
Only for a moment, however. The smile vanished so fast she might have imagined it.
“Jace went after the guy,” she informed him.
He nodded. “Yeah, he almost caught him, too. The guy got out and took off running across the interstate. Unfortunately, Jace didn’t get a good look at him. The Zilchers are coming in to look through the data files. I think you should do that, too. Immediately, if not sooner. In the meantime, Jace is going to go over the car the guy abandoned. See what he can get from it.”
There was no way she could refuse. If this was related to what had happened the day before, they had found out where she lived. The situation was as serious and urgent as it could get. “My kids...”
Paul laid a hand on her shoulder. She shivered. The warmth of his hand spread out. Not now. This was not a good idea. She moved back.
“Take them to your mom’s house. Jace already called her.”
She had no choice. Reluctantly, she agreed. The reluctance was partially because she didn’t want to be separated from them right now. And, she admitted to herself, partly because she didn’t like this awareness of Paul that seemed to be returning. The thought of spending more time alone with him was unsettling. She wasn’t a high school girl anymore—what was wrong with her?
As she bundled them up for the trip to her mother’s, she couldn’t stop the dread quivering in her belly. She had to work hard to keep her apprehension from showing on her face. Kids were sensitive. They would pick up on her disquiet in a heartbeat.
But her mother’s heart wouldn’t let it go.
“Paul,” she began as she made her way back to the living room with two boys wrapped up tight in their winter gear. She stopped. Paul was no longer alone. Jace and Miles were there, deep in conversation. The men stopped talking when she appeared.
Paul nodded at the other two men and approached Irene and the boys. “Hey, guys. How would you like a ride to your grandma’s in a police car?” He grinned at the boys like he was suggesting an adventure, rather than moving to get them out of harm’s way. “Sergeant Olsen was wanting to visit your gran. Think she’ll have cookies he can swipe?”
AJ nodded, his face serious. “Yeah, Granny always has cookies. But he better ask first.”
“And say please,” Matthew added.
“I’m sure he will.” Paul patted their heads affectionately.
His eyes, though, when he glanced back at Irene, were completely devoid of humor.
He’s as worried as I am.
That scared her most of all.
FOUR
Two hours later, she sat back with a sigh, disappointed. No one in the mug shots looked familiar. But she really hadn’t expected they would. Jace was more fortunate. Mrs. Zilcher had identified the owner of the car. Jace felt certain it was the same man who had escaped from him that morning. His runner was wanted for several assault charges. A man by the name of Niko Carter. Jace immediately put out the alert to apprehend the young man. Unfortunately, the car was clean of any evidence that could be connected to Mary or other missing children.
There was nothing left for her to do here.
“I guess I should get the boys and go back home,” she said to no one in particular. “I don’t have my car back yet. I’m going to need a ride.”
Jace stood and stretched. “I can drive you. Just give me a few minutes.”
Paul’s voice stopped him. “It’s okay, Jace. I want to talk with Irene about what we should do to keep her and the boys safe. I’ll take her to your mom’s. It would be more efficient.”
Jace acquiesced, his lips twitching as he raised an eyebrow. Irene felt her skin warm as embarrassment—and something she wasn’t quite ready to name—sizzled under her skin. As she walked out past Jace, she gave him her best narrow-eyed stare, daring him to tease. He shrugged, but continued to smile. Then he surprised her by standing and kissing her cheek. Jace might not have said it, but she knew he was concerned about her. After their sister Ellie had died, Jace had become overprotective of Irene. It had taken years for him to learn to let her have her space, but she knew it still ate at him to see her distressed or in any kind of danger. She reached out and squeezed his arm, silently telling him she understood.
Once she was seated beside him and they were on their way, Paul didn’t waste any time bringing up his concerns.
“Irene.” His deep voice settled between them.
She turned her head and raised an eyebrow.
“I talked with Zee while you were looking at the files. Mary’s doing fine, although she’s a little cranky.”
“That’s good to hear. Thank you for telling me.”
He nodded, then continued. “I don’t need to tell you that this is a potentially dangerous situation. I’m changing my orders. Instead of an hourly drive-by, I’m putting a detail on your house around the clock. Just until the danger passes.”
She’d been expecting that, and as much as she treasured her independence, she accepted it gratefully. It wasn’t only her life at stake here. Her boys were in danger, too.
“The department’s going to be stretched tight between the detail on you and searching for Mary’s family.”
She nodded. Then a thought occurred to her. “What about my car?”
“I will check on the status when we arrive at your mother’s house.”
The boys were thrilled to see her arrive with Paul. They chattered happily about the time spent with their grandmother and the new puppies her neighbor’s dog had just had that morning. Irene fended off subtle hints about getting a new puppy with ease born of practice. She could hear Paul talking to the mechanic about her car in the other room.
“Your vehicle’s fixed,” he announced as he entered the room. “The only problem was the windshield, and your insurance covered that. We’ll drive by and pick it up on our way back to your house.”
She smiled. It would be nice to have her car back. She thanked her mother, then gathered her boys and got them situated in the cruiser. Twenty minutes later, they had stopped to get her SUV, and were again on their way. It was comforting to look back in her review mirror and see Paul following her.
The closer they drove to her home, however, the more anxiety twisted in her gut. Would that man be watching the house again when they returned? Would she and her children be safe? She breathed a sigh of relief when she rounded the corner and no one was there. Still, she waited until Paul was parked behind her to get out of the car.
She scooted the kids inside as soon as Paul had checked the house and declared it was safe. When they looked like they wanted to complain, she reminded them that Izzy had probably been lonely and would need to be fed and walked. They hurried inside to see to the dog.
She nodded her thanks at Paul, then continued into the house. Paul pulled out his phone. She could hear his voice murmuring as she closed the door before moving into the kitchen.
Should she have stayed at her mother’s house for a day or two? She pondered the idea for a brief moment before rejecting it. No. Her mom was a worrier. And she still had normal things to do. Like go to work. And the boys had to go to school. She’d have to consider her next step carefully.
She put a kettle on the stove. A cup of tea might help settle her nerves a bit. Paul walked into the room just as she began pouring hot water over the mixed-berry tea bag.
She indicated the tea with her free hand. “Want a cup? Or I can make some coffee.”
A smile flickered briefly across his
handsome face. “Nah. I’m good. Listen, we might have a slight problem.”
She tensed. Apprehension skittered up her spine. What else could go wrong?
“I have a small gap in the morning where I will be without coverage for you. Jace and Miles are flying out tonight because they are witnesses in a trial this coming week. Sergeant Zee’s looking after Mary. I have Thompson keeping an eye on her house. And the other officers have assignments they’re working on. I’m the only one left, and I take my mother to church every week. She can’t drive anymore. Her vision’s too bad now.”
Church. Did he expect her to go with him? She hadn’t gone inside a church since Tony had died unless it was for a wedding. Lifting her mug, she took a small sip, holding the hot liquid in her mouth to enjoy the subtle flavors.
Apparently, her ambivalence got through to him. Paul’s expression was bland, but she could feel his withdrawal. “Of course, my mom will understand if I cancel one week. She can watch services on TV.”
And now she felt mean.
“We’ll go with you.” What was she thinking? But it was too late to back down. “The boys and I will go with you and your mother to church.”
Maybe, with all that was going on, maybe it was time she gave God another chance. Paul’s expression lightened. It almost made up for the mass of nerves in her stomach. Almost.
Paul hung around until the first patrol showed up outside the house. She could see the officer inside the car. It was one of the older officers she’d known for years, and the sight of him was comforting.
The day passed smoothly, but by nighttime, her nerves were all jangled. The phone rang. She let out a shriek, startled by the noise.
Silly, she chastised herself.
“Hello?” she answered the phone.
Whoever it was hung up.
Wrong number. Or was it him? Had he called to see if she was home? Running to the living room, she stood beside the window and peered out. The current patrol was there. She could see the man inside the car moving around. She was safe.