Promise Kept

by Jodi Vaughn

  “I’ve got Elizabeth in the car with me. I went to the farm to speak to you, and she insisted on coming with me to find you.”

  “I see.” Her face turned pale and she gripped the corner of the table as she stood.

  “I’m going too.” Grayson stood and waved the waitress over. He handed her some money for the meal. “I’ll drive her to the station.”

  “I’m afraid you can’t do that.” Sloan gave him a tense look.

  “What are you saying? You just going to throw her in the back of the car like a common criminal?”

  When Sloan didn’t answer, Grayson realized that’s exactly what he was going to do.

  “Sloan…”

  Heather pressed her trembling hand to his chest. “Grayson, it’s okay. I’ll go. I don’t want to make a bigger deal out of this than it already is. People are starting to look.”

  He glanced at the restaurant where patrons had gathered at the window to peer out.

  She was already getting into the back seat of Sloan’s patrol car.

  His stomach clenched. Something about all this wasn’t right.

  He jumped in his truck and sped over to the police station. By the time he got there, Sloan was escorting Heather and Elizabeth into a small room.

  Sloan put his hand on his chest when he tried to enter. “I’m sorry, Grayson, but I have to follow procedure.”

  “Sloan, forget your procedure.”

  Sloan glared and let him enter.

  Heather was sitting in the only chair across the table from Sloan. Elizabeth and Grayson stood behind her.

  “Is your name Heather Smith? From Atlanta, Georgia?”

  “Yes.” Her voice was small in the room.

  “Heather, can you tell me how you came to be in possession of the car?” Sloan cocked his head.

  “Mrs. Ruth Galloway gave me the car.”

  “And is she a relative?”

  “No.” She shook her head.

  “Is she someone you worked for?”

  “Kind of.” She clasped her hands in her lap.

  Sloan sighed. “So you’re saying a Mrs. Galloway gave you her car without any money changing hands? And you barely knew her and you were not related?”

  “Well, yes.”

  “Heather if you were in my shoes, wouldn’t you find that hard to believe?”

  “But she did give it to me. I have proof.”

  “Do you have a title to the car?”

  “I have the paperwork in my backpack. It’s back at the farm.” She glanced back at Elizabeth.

  “I’ll run and fetch it.” Elizabeth nodded.

  Grayson shook his head. “I’ll go. You still can’t climb the stairs, remember?”

  “Fine. But I’m going too.” She clasped Heather on the shoulder. “We’ll hurry back and get this all cleared up.”

  “We’ll hurry. Okay?” He looked into Heather’s scared eyes.

  She said nothing but nodded.

  He could tell her faith in the situation was quickly waning.

  Chapter 31

  Grayson took the stairs two at a time. He turned and opened the door to Heather’s room.

  Her backpack was nowhere to be seen. He went to the closet and opened it up. The few clothes she had were hung neatly on hangers. Her sneakers were the only item on the top shelf. He knelt and spotted her black backpack on the floor. He picked it up and found a stash of nonperishable food behind it.

  Why would she be storing food?

  Unease snaked up his spine. He grabbed the backpack and dumped the contents out on the bed.

  Toothbrush, toothpaste, a lollipop, phone charger, a change of clothes, a recipe book, a map with small towns circled, an envelope, and a roll of money poured onto the bed.

  Why would she be hiding money in her backpack instead of putting it in the bank?

  His heart beat a little bit faster as he opened the envelope.

  He pulled out the official title to the car.

  His stomach hit the floor.

  Ruth Galloway still owned the car. She never signed the car over to Heather.

  The food, the money, the title.

  It all made sense now.

  He forked his fingers through his hair and hurried down the stairs with the title in his hand.

  “Grayson, did you find it?” Elizabeth called from the kitchen.

  “Yes. I’m headed back to the station.”

  “Wait and I’ll go with you.”

  “No. You stay here.”

  “But, Grayson, Heather needs me there.”

  He stopped, his hand on the doorknob. “Ms. Elizabeth, I’m afraid to tell you. But Heather is not who she says she is.”

  “How can you say that?” Elizabeth berated.

  He spun around and faced the old woman. “Because she has a stash of food, a roll of cash, and the title of the car isn’t in her name. I’m sorry to say she’s been lying to all of us.”

  He hurried out of the house and down the steps before she could defend her.

  He white-knuckled the steering wheel as he drove back into town.

  Chapter 32

  “I brought you some coffee. Sorry, we’re out of creamer.” Sloan set the Styrofoam cup in front of her.

  “Thanks,” she said softly. She lifted the hot coffee to her lips and sipped. She grimaced at the strong taste.

  “Sorry. Should have warned you about that. Cooper makes the coffee strong.”

  She nodded. Just when she thought everything was going great, this happens.

  She should have known not to get her hopes up.

  She should have known not to let her guard down.

  She should have known she’d never have a home here.

  There was a knock on the window. She jerked her head in that direction and saw Grayson standing there. He didn’t look at her but motioned for Sloan.

  “I’ll be right back. Hopefully we can get this cleared up.”

  The door slammed behind him and she jumped.

  She didn’t like it here. It was too cramped and dark.

  A few minutes later Sloan reappeared with an envelope in his hand.

  “Where’s Grayson?”

  “He had to leave. Technically, he can’t be here.”

  Her stomach dropped. “You’re being too nice, Sloan. He left because he doesn’t believe me.”

  He pressed his lips into a thin line. “You know it’s better for everyone if you just be honest.”

  “You don’t believe me.” She pushed the coffee away and clasped her hands in her lap.

  “Not when I have evidence like this.”

  “Like what?” She frowned.

  “Grayson found the title to the car in your backpack. The title still has Ruth Galloway as the owner of the car. If she had given it to you, then she would have signed it over to you.” He sat down on the other side of the table.

  “I didn’t know that. I have never had a car before.”

  “And there’s more.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Grayson found your backpack in your closet with a wad of money, along with items that look like you were ready to leave at a moment’s notice.”

  “I’ve always had a backpack. I’ve moved around so much I never really had a place long enough to call home. I guess it’s just habit. It doesn’t mean I was getting ready to run off.”

  “And the money?” He cocked his eyes.

  “I cashed my checks from Elizabeth. I don’t have a bank account yet.”

  He sighed heavily. “And the food. He said he found food stashed in your closet.”

  She felt like she was sitting here naked in front of the police officer. Vulnerable and exposed.

  She crossed her arms and gritted her teeth.

  Old familiar walls rose up around her and she refused to talk.

  “Okay, I’m going to need you to stay here until I talk to the authorities in Georgia and see what the family wants to do. Right now, the family is getting ready to auction off
her home and belongings and won’t be available until tomorrow morning.”

  “I’m spending the night in jail?” Fear thudded in her chest.

  “Yes.” Sloan stood and opened the door.

  Her legs felt like lead as she stood and walked into the hallway.

  He led her to one of three jail cells in the building. He opened the door of the empty cell.

  “If she goes in, then I am too.” Olivia appeared in the hallway.

  “Olivia, you need to go home.” Sloan sighed. “Grayson’s already been here.”

  “He left?” She glared. “Wait until I talk to my brother.”

  “Olivia, you can’t be back here.”

  “Well, I’m not going anywhere. If she’s getting locked up, then lock me up too.”

  “Aren’t you afraid I’m a hardened criminal?” Heather narrowed her eyes.

  “No. And I know people. I’m not wrong about people.” She pursed her lips. “Most of the time.”

  “Olivia…”

  “I think there’s some kind of rule around about having a female chaperone for a female prisoner. I mean, you don’t want a lawsuit on your hands if she sues you for sexual harassment, or…”

  “Fine!” Sloan glared. “You can stay. But you have to leave any personal items with me.”

  “You can keep my purse but you’re not keeping my cookies from the bakery.” She held up the bag. “Women need chocolate in times of stress. And during menstruation.”

  Sloan paled and quickly ushered the women in the cell and locked it behind them.

  When they could no longer hear his footsteps, Olivia sat down on the bottom bunk. “Sit.”

  Heather felt the sting of tears behind her eyes and tried to blink them away. When she sat down, she felt Olivia’s arms pull her into a hug. She lost all control, letting the tears stain her face.

  Chapter 33

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall apart like that.” Heather swiped at the tears on her cheeks.

  “Here. Sloan was so upset that I said menstruation that he forgot to get my purse.” She pulled out a Kleenex and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.” She smiled a little. “Smart thinking about that.”

  “Yes. Men are so easily distracted.” Olivia brightened.

  “You shouldn’t be here, Olivia. Grayson is going to think I’m trying to turn you against him.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Grayson has a lot of explaining to do. He should have stayed here and supported you. Instead of running when he got scared.”

  “That’s not exactly what happened.” Heather sighed. “How did you know I was here? Does the whole town know already?” She buried her face in her hands.

  “Relax. Have a cookie and tell me what’s really going on. Elizabeth was the one who called and told me what you are being accused of. She asked if I could come and see if you need anything.”

  “She did?” Heather’s eyes burned with fresh tears.

  “Yes. Now don’t start crying again. A cookie will help that.” She pulled one of out the bakery bag and handed it to her.

  “Thanks.” She took a bite. “These are good.”

  “They are the best in town. Now tell me what’s going on.”

  Heather swallowed and took a deep breath. “They think I stole a car…”

  Olivia shook her head. “I know that. I want to know your side of the story. How did you get the car? Start from there.”

  She nodded. “Okay. I don’t know if Grayson told you, but I grew up in foster care. So I don’t have any family.”

  “I didn’t know. Grayson didn’t say anything to me.” Olivia squeezed her arm.

  “I was working at a dry cleaner in Atlanta. Because I worked extra hours, my boss put a cot in the back room for me to spend the night when I worked late. The thing was, I worked late all the time. So I basically lived there. He never said anything, but I think he knew. He put a small refrigerator and coffee pot in the room. Anyway, we had this customer, Mrs. Ruth Galloway who would come in every week. I got to know her and we would chat. Sometimes she would bring me goodies like cookies or muffins. She was always telling me I was too thin.” She smiled as she recalled her old friend. “One week she didn’t come in. She called the owner and asked if her cleaning could be delivered. She had a weak spell and had fallen. She was scared to drive. Her children didn’t live near and she really didn’t have anyone to help her. She was friends with the owner, and he allowed me to drive the company car to take her stuff to her every week. We would have tea and cookies and talk for fifteen minutes before I would have to go back to work. One day she asked me if I ever considered becoming a caregiver. I hadn’t. She offered me a job to come live with her and take care of her. She said she knew I was living at the dry cleaner. She said this would be a good thing for both of us. She would have a caretaker and I would have a home.”

  “She sounds like a lovely woman.” Olivia smiled and took a cookie.

  “She was.” Heather cleared her throat. “She gave me the keys to her car. She said I would need to have transportation to drive her around. She said she would put it in her will that I was to get the car when she passed. She said all the insurance paperwork and title were in the glove compartment of her car. Anyway, I gave my two weeks’ notice and started driving the car whenever I dropped her clothes off. While I was there, I would do laundry, clean her house, and help her write some letters to her relatives. She would always tell me to have dreams and goals. She would make me promise her that I would find out what I wanted in life and go for it. I told her I would. Someone had taken my position at the dry cleaner and I was just showing them the ropes until I left so I was working part-time there. I had also started living with her. It was nice to have a home and my own bedroom.”

  “I’m sure it was. Every girl needs their own space,” Olivia agreed.

  “One day, I went to wake her. And she had died in her sleep.” Heather swallowed hard at the memory of her friend.

  “I called the ambulance and the police showed up. They all agreed she’d probably had a stroke. She died peacefully and without pain.”

  Heather shook her head. “I was so upset. The family wanted me out of the house immediately. Honestly, I didn’t want to be there myself. Anyway, I packed my meager belongings in the car and drove around for a while. I ended up sleeping in my car a few nights. She had died before paying me, so all I had was the money left over from working at the dry cleaner. One night I slept in the parking lot of the library. When a cop banged on my window at six in the morning asking what I was doing, I lied and said I was waiting for the library to open. He hung around. So when the library opened, I went in. I ended up at the computer section and researched the best places to live. I wanted small town, family friendly, and low cost of living. I ended up coming across Harland Creek, Mississippi. And that’s when I searched the want ads. I found Elizabeth’s job posting for a caretaker. So I applied and got an interview.” Heather shook her head. “I didn’t steal the car.”

  “I know you didn’t. Ruth probably just forgot to sign it over to you before she died,” Olivia said softly.

  “And now Grayson thinks I’m a liar.”

  “Grayson can be an idiot sometimes.” Olivia shook her head.

  “You don’t understand. He found my backpack with money in it. And my stash of food.”

  “Stash of food?” Olivia frowned.

  “It’s embarrassing.”

  “I’m not judging,” Olivia assured her.

  “I keep a stash of food, usually nonperishables, in my bedroom. It became a habit. When you are in foster care, not all the homes are good ones. Sometimes you don’t know when you will get your next meal. So I keep things like peanut butter and granola bars, things that have a long shelf life in my room. Just in case.” She shrugged.

  “Heather, I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine growing up like that.” Olivia shoved the whole bag of cookies at her. “Here. Take all of them.”

  Heather laughed and shook her he
ad. “It’s okay. I know I’m not going to starve.”

  “Is there anything else, anywhere that Ruth would have written a new will or her intentions down?” Olivia pressed.

  “Not that I know of. The only time I saw her writing was when she was writing to her distant relatives and taking notes when she’d watch a preacher on TV.”

  “Don’t give up. I believe you.” Olivia smiled.

  “Thank you. You’re the only one that does.” Heather felt the weight of the world.

  “Well, might as well make these bunks up so we can get some sleep.”

  “You can’t stay here, Olivia.” Heather shook her head.

  “I’m not going anywhere. We’ll figure this all out in the morning.” She nodded. “Oh, I almost forgot.” She opened her purse and pulled out something wrapped in a paper towel.

  “It’s not a bouquet, but I picked it in my yard before I came over.” She held out the single daisy to her.

  “Thank you.” Heather took it.

  “We all need some beauty in our lives, especially when times look the darkest.”

  That night as Heather tried to sleep, she stared at the daisy lying beside her on the pillow.

  Hopefully dawn would look a lot different than the bleak night.

  Chapter 34

  Grayson didn’t sleep that night. He stayed on the computer and looked up anything he could regarding Ruth Galloway. He came across Ruth’s obituary and tried to track down her family. Most lived outside the state of Georgia. But after all night, he did track down the son who gave him an earful at six in the morning for calling so early.

  “Again, I’m sorry for calling so early, but it’s important. I’m in Harland Creek, Mississippi, and I need some information on someone your mother knew.”

  “Well, I’m trying to get my mother’s estate sale ready for today. I don’t know who you are but you have awful timing,” Richard Galloway barked into the phone.

  “Please don’t hang up. It’s important. It’s about Heather Smith.”

  “Oh. Her. I suppose this is about what we discovered yesterday. My attorney was supposed to be handling those details for me and getting in contact with the local authorities.”