Car lights slithered through the trees.
Everything about this smelled fishy to Emily. “What’d she look like?”
“Never saw her.”
As the group cleared the woods, light from Bree’s lighthouse pierced the darkness. “Then how did you get your money?” she asked.
“She left it where she said she would, in an envelope taped under the slide on the elementary playground.”
“How’d she know to call you?” Bree asked.
“I don’t know.” Drake hung his head. “I never thought about it. Never asked.”
“Because fifty bucks is fifty bucks, right?” Bree shook her head and approached the driveway lit up by the lights mounted on the side of the lighthouse.
Deputy Montgomery exited the cruiser, the slamming of the door almost drowned by the sound of the waves. “Drake Wilson?”
Drake nodded.
“Come with me.” He smiled at Bree. “Thanks. Mason said he’d update you later.”
“Anything new on Naomi?” Bree asked the deputy.
“No. Nothing.” He nodded at Samson. “I guess he couldn’t sniff her out?”
“She was in the area but is gone now.”
The wind blew harder, shoving the smell of the surf across the beach. Whitecaps crashed against the water’s edge.
The deputy put his free hand on the butt of his gun. “Probably got in a car.”
Bree shook her head. “Not in the woods around here. Samson lost the scent down the beach near the woods. Even with the tires deflated, there are too many rocks and no beach for a car to ride on.”
Emily remembered Olivia’s suggestion. “What if she left by boat?”
“Could be.” Bree nodded. “That would make sense where Samson lost the scent.”
Deputy Montgomery nodded. “We’ll check around on that. See if anyone saw a boat in the area.”
“Tonight?” Drake asked.
“Yeah. What do you know about it?” the deputy asked.
“That’s why I wasn’t in the shack. I’d heard a boat and went to check it out.”
“Did you see anybody? Anything?” Bree asked.
“I heard the boat and headed toward the beach. By the time I got to where I could see, the boat was leaving.”
“How many people were in the boat?” Deputy Montgomery asked.
“Two. One looked like a guy, and the other was shorter and smaller, like a woman.” Drake shrugged. “But it was really dark, so I don’t know.”
“Did you hear anyone mention a name?” Emily gripped Charley’s leash tighter.
“I didn’t hear any names.”
“What about the boat?” Bree asked. “Big, small . . . maybe one you’ve seen before?”
Drake shook his head. “It wasn’t big. More like one of the speedboats than a fishing boat. I don’t pay much attention to the boats around here.” His gaze locked onto Emily’s. “I’m sorry. It was dark and I couldn’t see much and I didn’t hear anything.”
“Thanks.” Emily pressed her lips together.
“We’ll check it out after the sheriff asks you some questions,” Deputy Montgomery said. “Thanks again, Bree.”
“No problem.” She rubbed Samson’s head while the deputy led Drake back to his cruiser. “You can take off Charley’s leash now.”
Emily did. Samson and Charley both ran toward Bree’s house.
“Come on, girls. Let me take you both home. Olivia, I’m assuming your parents have no idea where you are, right?”
Olivia ducked her head. “No, ma’am.”
“I suspect you’re both going to be grounded.” Bree clicked the button on her key chain and her SUV’s locks clicked. She opened the back and the dogs jumped inside.
Emily reached for the front passenger door. Not only was Bree disappointed in her and Dad furious, but the Websters would probably tell Olivia she couldn’t hang out with Emily for a long, long time.
She’d really messed things up this time.
FIFTEEN
“Grounded. Until Dad says otherwise, which could be until I graduate.” At last, Emily had a minute alone with Olivia. “I can’t go anywhere but school and school functions. I can’t even train with Sherlock.”
On top of that, Dad had made it very clear that if she didn’t straighten up, he wouldn’t allow her and Sherlock to participate in the competition. He probably didn’t mean that, but with Naomi still missing, he wasn’t in the mood for any argument.
Emily and Olivia sat on the wooden bench along the side of Rock Harbor Community Church facing the parking lot. Some members of the congregation lifted a hand in a wave as they got into their cars. Others called out to one another. Emily just tried to blend into the side of the building.
The city’s church sat on top of Quincy Hill, overlooking downtown. Emily thought it was like a guard watching over Rock Harbor. She’d always liked the idea . . . it made her feel safe and secure. Yet a day after Naomi’s disappearance, no one had a clue where she could be. Emily felt anything but safe and secure.
Pastor Lukkari had asked for special prayers for Naomi, and Emily had prayed, but it hadn’t brought her much comfort. And she’d been struggling with that whole forgiveness thing. What if Marika really had changed? Part of her wished it could be true. It hurt to have a mother who didn’t seem to care. If Marika had changed, maybe Emily could forgive her.
Even though the service had concluded several minutes ago, Dad was still inside talking to several people. Sheriff Kaleva and his wife, the mayor, had gone out of their way to speak to not just Dad but her and Timmy and Matthew. Thank goodness Grandma had taken Timmy and Matthew straight from service back home. Both of them missed Naomi something awful. It broke Emily’s heart to hear Matthew crying for her this morning.
Many of the ladies from the church had brought casseroles over to the house this morning before church. Sunday lunches in the O’Reilly household were usually a time for the family to be together. Without Naomi, today would feel . . . wrong. Emily didn’t even think she could eat anything, not even a panukakkua.
“I know what you mean. My mom freaked out, and my dad grounded me for a week.” Olivia zipped up her jacket as another strong breeze shot across the parking lot and whipped around the church.
“Only a week?” A week was nothing.
More people exited the church and made their way across the parking lot to their vehicles. Emily couldn’t help but feel a bit of anger. How dare they go on about their happy day while her entire life was falling apart?
“A week grounded from everything electronic: cell phone, computer unless it’s for school, television, radio . . . everything.”
“Seriously?” Emily would die. Everything electronic? She couldn’t make it a day, much less a week.
“I know, right? Get this, Mom kept going on and on about how my sneaking out was so deceptive.” Olivia huffed. “I wanted to point out how deceptive it was of her to not tell me I was adopted for fourteen years.”
Another crowd of locals headed to the parking lot, some of the girls whispering as they stared back at Emily. Even though Drake had said out loud to anyone who’d listen that Emily had done the right thing and he was thankful to her, a lot of the kids in school still treated her like an outcast.
“Ignore them.” Olivia sighed. “Anyway, I didn’t say anything to Mom. Even though I’m dying to know the truth, I didn’t bring it up. I just have to believe there’s a reason they haven’t told me.”
Emily leaned against Olivia, bumping her. “I’m sorry, Liv. Guess I’m gonna have to do all the online research, huh?” She grinned the goofy smile that always made her best friend laugh.
It worked—Olivia gave a little chuckle. “Ha. Looks like you’re stuck with all the research, and all communications.”
More people spilled out from the church, some of them drifting closer to the bench. Emily lowered her voice. “Maybe once Inetta finds out some more information . . . speaking of, I wonder why she wasn’t in church today. Have you heard an
ything from her?”
Olivia shook her head. “I meant to ask you that.”
“Last I heard from her was when I saw her last night.” Emily snuggled into her jacket as the wind picked up. “Now that I think about it, it’s a little odd that she didn’t call last night to get the scoop on Naomi’s disappearance.”
“That is odd. Have you tried calling her?”
Emily pulled her phone from her pocket. Olivia sighed wistfully. Emily chuckled. “Sorry.” She punched in Inetta’s number, then waited. The call went directly to the reporter’s voice mail. She shook her head at Olivia and waited for the electronic beep. “Hey, it’s Emily. Olivia and I are at church and wondering where you are. Call me when you can. Bye.” She slipped the phone back into her pocket.
“Maybe she’s sick. I heard Dr. Parker tell someone there’d been a lot of people with strep throat recently.”
“I guess.” Emily turned her back to the church members talking loudly along the building. “She seemed fine last night. More than fine.”
Olivia crossed her arms over her chest. “She’ll probably call you back before you even get home.”
“Maybe.” But it was very unlike Inetta. Last night she’d met with Sheriff Kaleva, and from what Grandma had told her, Inetta had spoken on the newscast about Naomi being missing. Why hadn’t she called Emily?
“Don’t let your imagination get away from you, Em.” Olivia’s tone was firm, even though her expression mirrored Emily’s worry.
“Okay, okay.” She forced a smile, but made a mental note to call Inetta as soon as she got home if she hadn’t heard from her. “So, when she calls me back, maybe she’ll have more information on Charlotte Tarver.”
“Hey, Emily.” Lauri Matthews, Kade’s sister, stood at the end of the bench. She was in town for a few days.
“Oh, hey, Lauri.” Emily stood. She felt awkward next to beautiful Lauri, whose light brown hair shone under the October sun. “You remember Olivia Webster?”
“Hi,” Olivia said shyly.
“Yeah. Hi there.” Lauri turned her attention back to Emily. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn’t help overhearing Charlotte Tarver’s name. Are you talking about the attorney in Marquette?”
Great. Now she was going to get in even more trouble. “Um, yeah.” She’d better think fast, before Dad came out of church. “For a research project we’re working on.” Which wasn’t technically a lie.
Lauri cocked her head to the side. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Emily nodded and licked her lips. “About adoptions.”
“Oh. Then you’re talking about the same attorney I was thinking of.” Lauri stuffed her hands into her jacket pocket and turned her back against the wind. “Listen, don’t talk to anyone at the Charlotte Tarver office.”
“You know her?” Olivia asked, standing and crossing her arms over her chest.
Lauri shook her head. “I only met her once, when I was looking into options for my baby. There was something . . . off about Charlotte and her assistant.”
“What?” Emily’s curiosity radar bleeped.
“I can’t explain it, really. Just that they seemed way too interested in me and the baby. And my family and support system. I don’t know. She gave me the heebie-jeebies.”
Kade and Bree walked out of the church, each carrying a smiling twin.
“Just use someone else for your project, okay?” Lauri gave Emily and Olivia a smile. “I’ll see you later. I’m watching the kid-dos while Kade and Bree join the search party for your stepmom. I’m hoping they find her okay.”
“Thanks.” Emily waited until Lauri joined Kade and Bree before she whispered to Olivia, “It’s not just Inetta. Even Lauri thought something was fishy with Charlotte Tarver, and that was, what, five or six years ago?”
Olivia blinked her big eyes. “I’m starting to think maybe I should just forget I ever found out.”
“Don’t be silly. You—”
“Olivia! We’re leaving.” Mrs. Webster smiled at Emily, even though she had to be furious about Olivia sneaking out. “We’re praying for Naomi.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Webster.”
Dad came outside, his eyes red. As she took in his pale face and stern expression, Emily felt like her tongue grew four sizes too big for her mouth. He looked so sad . . . so lost. She moved to hug him. He gave her a tight hug, then smiled back at Pastor Lukkari before releasing her. “Come on, honey, let’s go home. I want to grab a bite to eat, then get out with the search group.”
Emily knew she’d be left at home with Grandma and the boys. She fought the sigh as she followed Dad to the SUV. She gave Olivia a finger wave as she passed the Websters in the parking lot.
As much as she hated being left behind, she would have to stay at home and help Grandma with Timmy and Matthew. No way could she argue to go out now. Not with Dad and Bree both still pretty upset with her.
So she’d do what Dad told her, but she’d also figure out a way to discover everything she could about Charlotte Tarver. At least she could help Olivia, even if she couldn’t help Naomi.
The house creaked as the wind whipped outside. Sherlock whimpered in his sleep, curled up in his plush doggie bed beside Emily’s desk.
Emily stared out her bedroom window. The bottom half of the sun touched the tips of the trees in the forest across Pakala Street. Soon, darkness would swallow Rock Harbor. Another night without Naomi home.
Matthew had cried for Naomi a good twenty minutes before he finally fell asleep. Emily’s heart had cried with him. Grandma had snuggled in bed with him, whispering assurances that his mom would be home soon. But it didn’t seem to do any good. Even Charley’s wet kisses didn’t help.
There were no such assurances for Emily or Timmy. Both of them were all too aware of Marika’s antics to get what she wanted. She’d messed with Timmy’s insulin medication, which could have caused his illness or even death. Even now, she’d just assumed Emily and Timmy would want to see her . . . just because she was their birth mother.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Emily turned back to her computer and stared at the search results. Maybe Olivia was better off not knowing about this Mackenzie Barnes. Maybe Olivia’s birth mother was just as bad as Emily’s, if that was possible.
But God changes people. The thought wouldn’t let her alone. Maybe she should at least talk to Marika and see if it could possibly be true. She pushed her worries away. Better to concentrate on Olivia’s problem.
She changed the search criteria, this time entering Olivia’s birthday, county, and births. Seconds later, the results page loaded. She scanned the links, found the one to the state page, and almost clicked on it when something else caught her eye. A report of a missing baby.
Emily clicked on the link and rubbed her hands together as she read. Although the house’s heater had kicked on, a chill snaked around her spine. A baby girl, born the same day as Olivia, had gone missing her first day home from the hospital.
According to the news article, Mr. and Mrs. Carter woke up the morning after they’d come home with baby Grace, only to find their newborn missing. The police and FBI never found her. No trail had been left.
How awful! What if Matthew had been taken as a newborn? Emily knew her family wouldn’t have been the same. She did further research on the Carter case, only to have the facts confirmed: someone had stolen little Grace and she’d never been found.
Emily twirled her hair. Fourteen years, never seeing the baby. Not watching her grow up. Not knowing what happened to her. It was heartbreaking to read how Mrs. Carter continued to push the FBI on the case every year, yet still get no results.
She closed the page on her computer, staring at the blank screen. If only she could research Charlotte Tarver without breaking her promise to Inetta. Especially after what Lauri had said.
Speaking of Inetta . . . Emily had been so busy helping Timmy with his homework and then helping Grandma get Matthew to bed and then researching on
Olivia’s birth mother that she’d forgotten to check her cell for any missed calls. She grabbed her cell from her jacket pocket. Sure enough, she had a missed call from Inetta several hours ago, but she had a voice mail.
Emily retrieved her voice message.
“Hey, Emily, it’s Inetta. Sorry I couldn’t take your call earlier. I’m in Marquette following up on something. I’ve got a meeting set with the sheriff tonight about your stepmom. I’ll call you after I talk with him. Know that I’m praying for her safe return. Bye.”
Emily glanced out the window again. The sun had all but disappeared, leaving behind streaks of orange across the sky. Night would come in less than a half hour. She moved to the window. Sherlock lifted his head, then curled back up and returned to sleep. Emily stared out into the darkness.
Where is Naomi? Is she okay? God, please bring her home safely. We love her. We need her. Please, God. Please.
“Emily?”
Sherlock jumped from his bed, giving a little bark.
Emily spun. “Grandma, you surprised me.”
“Sorry, honey. Just checking on you.”
Making sure she was still in the house, most likely on orders from Dad. Put Matthew to bed. Make sure Timmy takes his medicine. Check and make sure Emily hasn’t snuck out of the house again.
“I’m fine, Grandma.” Emily hugged herself as she turned back to stare out the window. The wind howled outside. Sherlock plopped back onto his bed.
“She’s okay.” Grandma had moved silently across the room and stood practically beside Emily.
Throat tightening, Emily blinked. “You don’t know that.”
Grandma smiled. “But I do.” She patted her chest, right over her heart. “I feel it in here. She’s okay.”
Mother’s instinct? Emily didn’t really buy into that. After all, Marika had never had any type of mothering instinct. More likely, Grandma was hoping.
“You don’t believe me, do you?” Grandma asked.
Emily smiled. “I hope you’re right.”
“Are you familiar with Hebrews 11:1?”
“No, ma’am.”
“I didn’t think so. Hebrews 11:1 says, ‘Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’” Grandma sat on the foot of the bed. “Do you know what that means?”
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