The Perfect Ten Boxed Set

by Dianna Love

  She shook her head.

  “APB’s don’t get put out without a reason. Why do you think there was one out on you?”

  “I couldn’t guess.”

  “I think you could.” Scott leaned over his notes. “You live in Leighsboro, North Carolina. Correct?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why are you here in Emporia?”

  “Passing through.”

  “You know someone who lives here?”

  “No.”

  “Where were you headed?”

  She rolled her thin lips in, bearing down. Then she just shook her head.

  The chair screeched under Scott’s weight as he moved toward the table and leaned forward—an intentionally intimidating posture. He rubbed his hands together. “Let me explain something to you. This is serious. You could go to jail.”

  She licked her lips and turned her gaze to the cement block wall.

  He leaned back and waited, allowing the silence to stretch. She didn’t bite.

  “The charge is kidnapping.”

  She jerked her head in his direction.

  “Yeah. Kidnapping. We know you had a child with you when you left Leighsboro four nights ago. We have witnesses.”

  Her arms tensed. She clenched her hands into fists, and pressed them in her lap.

  “Was that your child, Ms. Braddock?”

  She didn’t move a muscle. She didn’t even blink.

  “Ms. Braddock, let me put this another way. Are you a mother?”

  “I’ve never had a child of my own, if that’s what you mean.” Her voice was tight.

  Her look was as cold as an arctic morning. It unnerved him. “So, the child that was staying with you. He’s not your child, is he?”

  She looked to the wall, silent.

  “How could you take another woman’s child?”

  No reaction.

  Scott skipped the compassionate stuff. It didn’t seem to be reaching her anyway. “Kidnapping is a federal offense. You go to prison for that. This isn’t a slap on the wrist we’re talking about.”

  She spun toward him. “I didn’t take anyone’s child.”

  “Really? Then tell me about how you came to be taking care of the boy.”

  She bowed her head and picked at the cuticle on her thumb. It was already torn and scabbed. “I’m not a kidnapper. I’m a Christian. I’d never do something awful like that.”

  “That’s not the way I see it. I believe you kidnapped that boy. Somehow, four nights ago, you found out the authorities were on to you. That’s why you left Leighsboro—just in the time. That’s what I think. Who told you that you’d been made, Libby?”

  Scott tapped his fingers on the table in a slow rhythm.

  She stiffened with each tap and cowered, closing her eyes.

  “Hey. Are you listening to me? This is serious.”

  “Stop it,” she whispered. “I wouldn’t do that. I would never hurt anyone.”

  “But you did. Why did you take that child? Did you see the accident?”

  She looked at him—eyes wide, jaw slack.

  Was that surprise on her face?

  “Accident? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said, shaking her head, brows knit. “What accident?”

  She appeared genuinely bewildered.

  “The accident that happened last August,” Scott said. “The boy was in the truck at the time of the accident. Were you there?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Ms. Braddock. A good Christian doesn’t lie.”

  “I’m not.”

  “A good Christian, or lying?” He knew that would get her goat. “What did you do with the boy? Where is he?”

  “Quit calling him boy.” Her voice sounded shrill, and her gaze held his. “He has a name. His name is Jake.”

  “Fine. Where’s Jake?”

  Libby’s hands trembled in her lap.

  Scott’s nostrils flared. He leaned in closer to her. “What kind of woman takes a child from his mother?”

  “Stop.” She covered her face with her hands. “I love Jake. He’s a good boy.” Tears shimmered in her eyes.

  “Where is he, Ms. Braddock?”

  She took a deep breath. “I did the right thing.”

  Scott stood and prayed he’d keep his cool. “What do you mean?” His words were slow and controlled. “What does ‘the right thing’ mean?”

  He moved to the other side of her.

  Her chest heaved with each breath she took.

  “I’m going to ask you again. Where is Jake?”

  “I’ll tell you where.” She sat taller in her chair. “He’s with his father. Where he belongs.”

  Scott blew out a breath, as if he’d been sucker punched. He tried to swallow, struggling to keep his composure.

  “He’s with his father?” Scott’s insides sank.

  “It’s where his father would want him to be.”

  “What did you do to him, Ms. Braddock?”

  She shook her head.

  “I did the right thing,” she whispered again. “I love him.”

  Bile rose in Scott’s throat. He winced.

  Had she harmed Jake once she’d learned they were on to her?

  There was a double-rap on the door, and Deputy Taylor poked his head in. “Sheriff?”

  Scott slapped the table as he walked around it and headed out to the hall. As soon as the door clicked closed behind him, Scott kicked the metal file cabinet three times. “Damn it.”

  “What’d she say?” the deputy said.

  Scott shook his head. He couldn’t repeat Libby Braddock’s words. “What do you have?”

  Dan handed him a small photo album. “I just finished inspecting her bags. You need to take a look at this.”

  “What’s in it?” Scott flipped open the small book. Pictures of Jake filled the album. It was sort of a brag book like the one a grandmother might carry around in her purse.

  “Flip to the very back,” Dan said.

  Scott turned to the last page—to a picture of a woman and a man.

  The woman was Kasey. Next to her stood a man he recognized—the guy he’d recently met at her house.

  Jeremy.

  Kasey wore a wedding gown, Jeremy, a black suit. If Scott didn’t know better, he would have thought it was their wedding picture.

  Von rushed down the hall toward them. “Hey. I got here as quick as I could,” he said, out of breath. “What do we know?”

  Scott turned the picture to Von. “Ever seen this?”

  Von looked surprised.

  Scott said, “I thought that guy was the chauffer or nurse or something—for her grandmother.”

  Von nodded. “He is. But he’s like a family member. That picture is from Kasey and Nick’s wedding. Where’d you get this?”

  Dan spoke up. “It was in Libby Braddock’s suitcase.”

  “I wonder how she got it.” Von looked from one of the two men to the other.

  Scott leaned against the filing cabinet. “That guy showed up at Kasey’s one day, unannounced. I was with her. It was during her first week there.”

  “At the new place?” Von asked.

  “Yeah. She seemed surprised to see him.” Scott rubbed his chin. “I had a bad feeling about him. And those butterscotch candies he’s always eating. What’s that all about?”

  Von laughed. “I don’t know, but he’s always got a pocketful. Sugar addict? Ex-smoker, maybe?”

  “It might be a coincidence, but when I was at Kasey’s the other day, I was looking for a spoon and there were a bunch of those candies in one of the drawers.”

  “Interesting.” Von crossed his arms. “Could be a coincidence.”

  “He’s got something to do with this,” Scott said.

  “Kasey will never believe it. She thinks that guy walks on water. You better have a rock- solid case.”

  Scott rolled his eyes. “I hear you.”

  Von
snapped his fingers. “You know, the neighbor said Libby Braddock was keeping her nephew. Did you ask her about that?” Von rubbed his upper lip. “Do you think she’s Jeremy’s sister?”

  “She could be.” Scott motioned for Von to follow him, leaving Dan standing in the hallway. Scott led Von into the room next to the interrogation room.

  “She has the same color hair as Jeremy,” Von said, shrugging, “but then half the world has brown hair. I guess she could be his sister.” He held up the sketch artist’s picture. “This is not Libby Braddock, though. A different woman sent Kasey the pictures from Nashville.”

  “Partners?”

  “Maybe,” Von said.

  “I’ll ask her about it.” Scott took the sketch from Von. “I have to tell you what she said.” Scott rolled his shoulders. “She said Jake is with his dad.”

  Von whistled and stepped back. “That can’t be what she means. Not with Nick.”

  “I know. I sure hope not.” Scott scrubbed his hands on his face. “That was before we made this connection to Jeremy. How about observing—listening—while I go back in and see if I can get more out of her.”

  Von clapped Scott’s shoulder.

  Scott stood in front of the door of the interrogation room. He flexed and unflexed his hands, then opened the door and went inside.

  “Let’s try this again.” He sat in the chair across from Libby Braddock. He slid the sketch artist’s rendering in front of her. “Know her?”

  Her eyes widened. “Yes.”

  “Who is she? What’s she got to do with this?”

  Anger flashed in her eyes. “She’s my half-sister. And I have no idea what she’s got to do with anything. We haven’t spoken in over ten years. She’s nothing but bad news, that one. She travels around like a gypsy, pretending to tell the future.” Her face pinched as if she smelled something rotten.

  Scott pulled the picture in front of him, and turned it over. “The police spoke to your neighbor the night you left town. She said you’ve been caring for your nephew.”

  She nodded.

  “How long has he been with you?”

  “Since the end of the summer.” Her face had softened, and so did her tone. “He’s a good boy. An angel.”

  The word ‘angel’ twisted in Scott’s gut. “Why is he staying with you? Why isn’t he with his mother?”

  “I had to help him.”

  “Who? Jake?”

  “No. Well, yes. Him too, but that woman....” “I told my brother that woman was out of his league. He was so smitten with her. When he told me they were married, I couldn’t even believe it.”

  “What’s your brother’s name?”

  “I don’t know why he wanted to marry that rich girl. He was a servant to them. He slaved away for her and that wicked grandmother of hers, too. I told him it wouldn’t last. I warned him.”

  “What happened?”

  “She left him, and then she wouldn’t let him see his little boy. I had to help him.”

  Scott pulled the photo album out of his back pocket. “Is this your brother?”

  Her lips pressed together. “Yes. That’s Jeremy. Stupid fool. He still wants that woman back.” She reached for the book. “That’s my personal property.”

  He moved the book out of her reach. “Not while you’re in my custody.”

  “So you see, I didn’t kidnap anyone. I was helping my brother. He was so upset the day he brought Jake to my house. Desperate. He was crying. I’d never seen Jeremy cry. Never.”

  Scott let her keep talking, welcoming the flood of information.

  “The little boy was filthy and had scrapes on his arms and cheek.”

  Her eyes softened. “It was the first time I’d ever even met my nephew. He was scared. When I held Jake in my arms that day, he cried.”

  Her breathing became heavy. “That woman is a terrible mother. She’d do anything to keep Jake from Jeremy. It’s not fair. I had to help him. He has rights.”

  “Where is Jake now?”

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Libby, your brother lied to you.”

  She shook her head. “No. He wouldn’t do that. You’re the one lying. You’re trying to take him away from Jeremy.”

  “No, Libby, listen to me. Kasey wasn’t married to your brother. She was married to Nick Rolly. You said it yourself: your half-sister is trouble. She’s involved here, too.”

  “I have the picture. You saw it.” She blinked. “You’re trying to confuse me.”

  “Nick Rolly died in a car accident in August. We found Jake’s car seat at the scene, but not Jake. I think it’s because Jeremy took him that day. I think Jeremy was desperate, and he took Jake to you looking for help. Think about it.”

  “I don’t understand how...”

  “I’m telling you the truth. He lied to you, and that little boy is not his child.”

  “That can’t be true,” her voice wobbled and her face paled. “You’re confusing me.”

  “Is Jake alive, Libby?”

  “Yes. He’s fine. I love Jake. I’d never hurt him.” She clutched the side of the table, steadying herself.

  “Where is he?”

  She started breathing heavily, then she mumbled.

  “What did you say?” Scott asked.

  “I’m dizzy.” She shook her head. “Something’s wrong.” Her hand trembled like that of a junkie needing a fix.

  “Libby. Stay with me.” Scott left his seat and crouched in front of her. “You hear me? Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth.”

  She followed Scott’s instructions.

  Once her breathing slowed, he returned to the chair across from her. The color came back to her face.

  “Do you need medical assistance?”

  “Can I have some water?”

  “Sure.” Scott left the room.

  Von met him in the hall. “Thank God. He’s alive. Now we just need to find out where he is. What the hell is Jeremy up to? I don’t really know the guy, but he’s always been there for Kasey.”

  Scott pulled a paper cup from the side of the water cooler and filled it. “Wish me luck,” he said, then went back in.

  Scott handed Libby the cup. The water rippled as she lifted the cup to her lips, her hand trembling.

  “Thank you.” She set the cup on the table in front of her.

  Scott rubbed the back of his neck, then straightened. “Let’s start over. How do you know Kasey Phillips? She’s never heard of you.”

  “Of course not. She doesn’t care about our family, just her own.”

  “Even if that’s the case, you can’t take a child from his mother and get away with it. It’s illegal.”

  “Jeremy has rights.”

  “Even if they were married, matters of custody are for a court to decide. Not you.”

  She rested her head on the table.

  “I know this is exhausting, but if you’re a Christian, I know you want to do the right thing.”

  “Of course.”

  “I want to show you something. I’ll be right back.” Scott walked out of the room, went to his desk, and got the case files from the accident and Jake’s disappearance. He walked back in and started reading facts to Libby.

  Logic outweighed the story she’d been told by Jeremy. Scott saw the expression on her face change with each fact. He licked a finger and turned to another page, chronicling the last several months of the investigation.

  Thirty minutes later, Libby had the whole string of events laid out for her.

  Her jaw went slack. She kept muttering, “I can’t believe it.” Her gaze darted, unsettled, as if she was looking for a way out.

  Control was finally shifting.

  Only one thing could save her now—the truth.

  Scott spoke slowly, careful to choose the right words. “Libby, Kasey is a wonderful mother. She lost her husband. She loves Jake. Please help us reunite them.”

  “What about Jeremy?”

  “Libby, you bette
r worry about yourself right now and doing the right thing.”

  She zoned out for a long moment, then turned to Scott. “The address is written inside the cover of a paperback book I was reading. It’s in my car.”

  “Who is he with now?” Scott asked. “Is he safe?”

  “Oh yes. I’d never have taken him there if I didn’t think so. They’ve been friends of our family for years—they have four kids of their own. I was supposed to go pick him up next weekend. Jeremy was going to visit Jake there.”

  “Thank you, Libby.”

  “I am so sorry.” She lowered her head. “I had no idea. You’ve got to believe me.”

  “I do.” Scott walked out and locked the door behind him. Von shadowed him down the hall while Scott gave orders to move Libby to a holding cell. He and Von located the keys to Libby Braddock’s vehicle, and ran to the cruiser to go back to the hotel and search the car.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Kasey rushed to the processing desk at the station. “Is Scott around?” she asked one of the officers.

  “He just left.”

  Her shoulders drooped. “How long ago?”

  “Ten minutes, maybe?”

  She dropped her hands to her side. “Did he leave a message for me? Kasey Phillips.”

  The officer shuffled some papers and checked a rack of cubbyholes. “No. I don’t see anything up here for you.”

  Kasey tried Scott’s cell phone but it went to voice mail, she left him a message then scribbled a note on a slip of paper and handed it to the gal at the desk. “Can you see that he gets this if he comes back?”

  “Sure.”

  Kasey thanked her and left for Scott’s house.

  Not five minutes later, Von and Scott returned to the station.

  A young officer sat at the front desk. “You just missed a visitor. She left a note.”

  “She?” Scott reached for the piece of paper. “We just missed Kasey,” he said to Von. “She’s at my place.”

  “Go get her,” Von said. “I’ll work with the deputy to get the rest of the address from Libby, and coordinate how we can get Jake home.”

  Scott nodded. “Great. I have my phone. Call me if you need me. I’ll bring her up to date and meet you back here.”

  “Good luck. She’s not going to want to believe that Jeremy betrayed her. He’s like family to her. Go easy.”