Deadly Image

by Tamelia Tumlin

  Something inside Ace clenched hard. “I haven’t always had faith. There was a dark time in my past before I gave my life to Jesus when I didn’t believe God could even exist.” An image of his younger brother covered in blood, lying dead in the street flashed in his mind. The painful memory strained his voice. “I didn’t grow up with a family who believed in God or went to church. I grew up in the Bronx, very poor with little hope of ever making it in the world.”

  “You seem to have done well for yourself.” Lexi scrunched her brow. “I mean, you’re a special agent with the FBI, so you didn’t turn out too bad.”

  Ace pulled a hand through his hair. “I paid a steep price to be where I am today.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “My father worked all the time at what most would consider a menial job to make ends meet, not that they ever really did. My mother decided one day we weren’t good enough for her, so she took off and never looked back. I was eight and my brother was six at the time.”

  “I’m so sorry. That must have been really hard on you.”

  The genuine concern in her voice touched his heart, but he didn’t deserve it. Not after what he’d done.

  “It gets worse.” Ace shook his head. “When I was thirteen I got mixed up with the wrong crowd. A group of older boys in one of the Latino gangs. Looking back now, I realize it was because I just wanted to belong somewhere, but it was the worst mistake of my life. My so-called friends and I were involved in several crimes.” At her shocked gasp, he added ruefully, “Mostly petty theft or vandalism. But we made the mistake of spray painting the turf of a rival gang. When they came to retaliate a few days later they were packing heat. A quick drive-by left my brother José and two other members of my gang dead.”

  “Oh, Ace! I’m so sorry! I can’t even imagine.”

  “I’ve never forgiven myself for that. He was my little brother and I was supposed to protect him. Instead, I got him killed.”

  Lexi touched his arm. The warmth from her fingers offered him comfort. “You were thirteen. Just a kid yourself. You couldn’t have known what was going to happen.”

  “No. But, I was old enough to know better. I knew the gang wars were dangerous. Kids were killed all the time from stupid vendettas. I wasn’t actually a member of the gang, but I was close to becoming one.” Ace shuddered a breath. “After José died, my dad and I drifted farther and farther apart. He never came out and said it, but I’m sure he blamed me for José’s death. I was miserable, lost and had nobody to turn to. I probably would have ended up in a gang again if it wasn’t for Lieutenant Ortega. He knew of my involvement with the East Side Scorpions, but thankfully I’d never been caught or charged with a crime, so my record was clean. Otherwise, I’d never have qualified for the FBI. A few months after the shooting, he jerked me from the path of self-destruction and became my mentor. I guess he saw some good in me somehow.”

  “I’m sure he did,” Lexi agreed. “You are a good man, Ace. Anyone can see that.”

  Ace’s heart skipped a beat at her sincere declaration. “I appreciate that, though I’m not sure I agree with it sometimes.” A wry grin played at the corners of his mouth. “Lieutenant Ortega let me come to the police station with him and help with some of the cases he was working on. He also took me to church. For the first time I was able to accept what had happened to José and realize that I controlled my future. Not my heritage. Not the poverty I grew up in. Just me. I could do something good with my life if I chose to. I worked hard, managed to get a scholarship – though I’m sure Lieutenant Ortega had something to do with that – went to college and became an FBI agent. I chose law enforcement with the hope of somehow making up for José’s death. Getting the criminals off the street means one less chance another kid might end up like my brother. It’s my way of honoring his memory.”

  “I think that is a fine way to honor your brother.” Lexi offered him a smile. “I’m sure your father must be very proud.”

  Ace shrugged. “We talk sometimes, but our relationship is still a bit strained. Probably always will be. All I can do is pray about it and pray that my dad will find Jesus someday too.” He shook his head. “Of course, I was stubborn. I didn’t truly accept Jesus into my life until a few years ago.”

  “You seem to have your life together now.”

  Ace took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I couldn’t do any of it without God by my side. If you want to strengthen your faith, Lexi, you have to get to know and depend on God on a personal level. Read your Bible. That’s what I do. Anytime my faith falters, I consult God’s word. I read and reread his promises until I know in my heart He’s with me. Find a good church – like Faith Community – and rebuild your relationship with your Heavenly Father with people who share your faith. It’s the only way you’ll ever find real peace in this hardened world. I’m not perfect. You’re not perfect. But Jesus is. Let Him help you.”

  “I guess I’ve just always felt like I’ve fallen short in the faith department. Carl was always so strong with his and I never could match it.”

  “It’s not a competition, Lexi. Faith is a very personal issue. It’s between you and God. You don’t need to compare yourself to others. Just place your trust in Jesus and everything else will fall into place. No one’s keeping score, and we all fall short. That’s why Jesus died on the cross. To cover our sins and our shortcomings. Give Him what little faith you do have and let Him show you what He can do.”

  Lexi nodded. “I suppose that’s true. I’ve always thought I had to be as strong or as good as Carl.”

  “No, you don’t. Pray about it and let God show you what he wants from you.” Ace opened the door. “Let’s grab some coffee, then start searching for Anna.”

  “I could use a strong cup of caffeine right now.”

  “Me too.” Ace grinned. Though Anna’s disappearance was still foremost in both their minds, Ace was grateful he’d had a chance to share his testimony with Lexi. He knew she was a believer, but obviously the pain and tragedy she’d suffered the past year had driven her away from God. He hoped he could help her find her way back to Him. Especially if the case took a turn for the worse and the news about Anna wasn’t good. Lexi would need all the faith and strength she could get to put the pieces of her life back together.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Night fell and the search for Anna had proven as fruitless as Ace had expected, but it had given Lexi a chance to feel like she was doing something to find her daughter. He understood that.

  They’d been to several places, but nothing had turned up. Not that he’d really thought it would. The volunteer search team had probably already covered the areas as well. Lexi had stopped at the Post Office to make copies of the flyers she’d made earlier, and they spent a good portion of the day posting them around town.

  “It’s almost time for the vigil. Do you need to go home first or would you rather just go from here?” Ace pulled the SUV out of the gravel drive. They’d just searched Gator Bayou Park and the immediate surrounding wooded area, but found nothing. Unfortunately, the park was nearly three thousand acres with various bayous that eventually emptied into the Atchafalaya River. They’d barely made a dent in the forest with their foot search. It was worse than looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack.

  “We can go from here. No need to go all the way back home.” Lexi reached in her purse for her cell phone. “Let me call Mom and Dad and tell them to meet us there.”

  A few minutes later Ace pulled into the parking lot of Faith Community Church. Several church members were already gathered in a small group holding unlit candles.

  “You okay?” Ace noted Lexi’s pale face when the interior light came on as he opened the door.

  “I forgot that a vigil involved candles.”

  “I’m not following you.”

  A flush climbed her face bringing some color back to her features. “I–I’m a pyrophobe.”

  “You’re afraid of fire?”

  She bobbed
her head up and down. “All my life. I even have regular nightmares about being in a burning building. Been having them ever since I can remember.”

  Wow. He hadn’t seen that one coming. “A candle is just a small flame. Nothing to be concerned about.” He really didn’t have a clue what to say to her about this.

  “A flame is a flame. It’s still fire. It still burns.” Lexi bit her lip. “It doesn’t matter how big it is.”

  “That’s one way of looking at it.” Again. What could he say to that logic? Think, Valdez. Think. Then, “I’ll tell you what. We’ll share a candle. You can hold the bottom. Not even close to the flame.”

  “You’d do that?” Lexi swallowed hard.

  “Absolutely. And if you feel anxious you can let go at any time. No one will be the wiser.”

  Lexi breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Ace.”

  They exited the vehicle and joined the group on the church lawn.

  Mandy Whitman rushed to greet them. “Lexi! I’m so glad you’re here. We’ve been praying for your family. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” She leaned in and hugged Lexi tight. “If you need anything – anything at all – don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “T–thank you.”

  “That goes for the rest of us too.” A plump, gray-haired woman hobbled over to them. “I’m Angie Barnett. My husband, Gil, is heading the volunteer search.”

  “Please let him know I appreciate it.”

  “I will. We hope you find her soon.”

  Mrs. Jenkins, the elderly owner of Lil’ Gators Daycare hesitated a moment before coming to stand beside Lexi. “I’m so sorry about Anna.” She wrung her hands in agitation. “I just don’t understand how this could have happened.”

  “Mrs. Jenkins, why did you tell the police I checked Anna out that day?”

  The older woman looked startled. “Because you did, dear. You came by about two o’clock and said Anna wouldn’t be back the rest of the week. You paid the bill and collected her things. Don’t you remember?”

  Ace studied both women for any sign of deception. Mrs. Jenkins still appeared genuinely distraught over the situation and she had never once changed her statement. Not even now, when confronted by Lexi. It appeared Mrs. Jenkins was telling the truth. At least the truth as she knew it.

  “But, Mrs. Jenkins, you know it wasn’t me who came to pick up Anna.”

  Mrs. Jenkins paled. “I–I don’t understand. Of course it was you. The person who came in to sign her out looked just like you. Sounded just like you and everything. She even called Anna by her nickname. Ladybug.” Tears welled in the older woman’s eyes. “I feel like this is all my fault, but I’m not sure why. I don’t see how I could have made that kind of mistake.” The older woman’s eyes clouded for a moment. “I was a bit distracted by the delivery guy bringing my new preschool furniture, but I could have sworn it was you who picked Anna up that day. You know I would have never let her go if it wasn’t someone on the authorized list checking her out. Please forgive me, Lexi.”

  Lexi touched Mrs. Jenkins arm. “I’m not blaming you. I don’t know what happened or why you thought it was me, but I know you wouldn’t have let my baby go with a stranger on purpose.”

  Visibly upset, Mrs. Jenkins dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. “We’ll keep praying for her. That’s all I know to do now.”

  “Please do.” Lexi offered a tight smile. “We need all the prayers we can get.”

  As Mrs. Jenkins walked off to join a group of women Ace couldn’t shake the feeling that both Mrs. Jenkins and Lexi were telling the truth. That could mean only one thing. Someone had taken great pains to make themself look like Lexi in order to snatch Anna. But why?

  For the next few minutes other church members embraced Lexi and offered their support. Ace could see the tension easing out of her features as the church family took her under their wing just as he’d thought they would. Gator Bayou was full of wonderful, giving people. He’d seen evidence of it throughout the investigation. It was the type of town he’d have loved to have grown up in. A close-knit community pulling together in time of need.

  With the exception of one bad seed.

  A few minutes later, Pastor Hall gathered everyone together to begin the vigil.

  “I don’t see Mom and Dad,” Lexi whispered as they formed a large circle.

  “I’m sure they’re on their way.” Ace glanced at his watch and frowned. They’d had plenty of time to get here since she’d called them.

  Pastor Hall passed out the rest of the candles and, as promised, Ace made sure Lexi could share his without anyone noticing.

  Pastor Hall began the ceremony with a prayer, then lit the first candle. He passed his flame to Angie Barnett who was standing on his right. Angie passed her flame to the person standing beside her and the rest of the circle followed suit.

  When it was Ace’s turn to take the flame, he felt Lexi stiffen beside him.

  “Relax. I won’t let you get burned,” he whispered in her ear. He kept his hand in the middle of the candle to give her room on the bottom.

  Lexi paused, then nodded as she grasped the tapered candle below his hand, her fingers brushing his ever so lightly.

  A tingle zipped through his hand at her light touch. Why did he react to this woman like this? Even the lightest touch had his heart racing.

  Pastor Hall gave a short sermon on faith and offered another prayer for Anna’s safe return, then the congregation lifted their voices in a hymn as they stood in the circle holding their lit candles.

  Lexi joined in the song, but worry marred her features as she searched the crowd.

  Ace’s cell phone rang during the next hymn. He pulled it from his shirt pocket and checked the screen.

  Sheriff Dawson. He pushed the silence button before it could ring again and disturb the vigil.

  Ace leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I need to take this. Will you be alright holding the candle?”

  Fear widened her eyes, but Lexi nodded. As he let go, he could feel the candle tremble in her hand. Ace stepped away from the crowd to answer the phone. “Valdez.”

  “There’s been an accident. The Carlisles are being transported to the hospital.” Sheriff Dawson’s voice sounded strained. “The mother is in critical condition.”

  Ace hung up as the news settled cold in his bones. He dreaded relaying the news to Lexi. Another blow to an already fragile family.

  * * *

  Lexi mouthed the words to the hymn as Ace hurried toward her with a grim expression. The tension in his jaw stopped her cold.

  Oh Lord, had they found Anna? Was she dead?

  Ace reached her, blew out her candle and grabbed her hand. “Your parents have been in an accident. We need to get to the hospital.”

  A strangled cry escaped her lips before she could stop it. “Are they–?”

  “I don’t know any of the details yet.” Ace guided her through the small crowd as curious stares followed them. “Emergency.” He explained tersely as they made their way to the SUV.

  Silence accompanied them on the way to the hospital. Ace appeared edgy and Lexi spent most of the trip silently praying her parents were all right. If she lost them too, she knew she couldn’t go on.

  Ace pulled the SUV into the parking lot of Gator Bayou Hospital. Lexi bolted toward the sliding glass doors. Ace hurried after her.

  “Victoria and Peter Carlisle?” Ace asked at the front desk.

  The nurse directed them to a small, enclosed waiting area on the other side of her desk. “Dr. Phillips will be with you shortly.”

  Sheriff Dawson was sitting in one of the orange vinyl chairs when they arrived.

  “What happened?” The strain in Ace’s voice had never been plainer.

  “Best I can tell, they ran the red light right before you get into town and a dump truck plowed into the passenger side of their car from the side street. The driver of the dump truck was checked out at the scene and seemed fine. The Carlisles weren’t so lucky.” H
e shot Lexi a sympathetic look. “Your father was pretty banged up and your mother was unconscious when they brought her in.”

  Lexi sank to the orange vinyl couch beside Sheriff Dawson with a cry. Ace joined her and took her hand. “We should know something soon.”

  Seconds stretched into minutes, but to Lexi it seemed more like hours before anyone with news came into the waiting room. Finally, a man wearing a white lab coat walked in. “Peter and Victoria Carlisle?”

  “Yes.” Lexi and Ace stood at the same time. “I’m their daughter. Are they okay? Can I see them?”

  “I’m Dr. Phillips. Peter suffered a few minor scrapes and bruises. Possibly a concussion. We’ll keep him overnight for observation.”

  Lexi swallowed hard. “And my mom?”

  “Victoria hasn’t regained consciousness. She suffered a couple of broken ribs and a lacerated liver, as well as some cuts to her right arm. She’s lost a lot of blood. We’ll need to give her a transfusion.” The doctor hesitated. “She’s in surgery now, but we’re a little low on her blood type. We have enough for the surgery, but I’m waiting on word from St. Thomas to see if they can bring us an extra supply in case something happens. They’re only about thirty minutes from here.”

  “I can do it.” Lexi burst out. “She’s my mother; I’m sure we’re the same blood type.”

  Dr. Phillips nodded. “There’s a good chance you are, yes. However, we have to run several tests before we can use your donation, so it’s not possible for your blood to be used for the surgery. We’ll have to wait on word from St. Thomas. Hopefully, they’ll be able to send us her type in case something goes wrong. I don’t like to be this low. If there are complications after surgery she might require more transfusions, so it wouldn’t hurt for you to donate anyway, just in case. I’ll have my nurse take you to the lab shortly.”

  “Yes. Anything to help. When can I see my parents?”