by Rita Herron
JoAnn pulled the hard vinyl chair up beside the bed. “Tell me what happened?”
Lindsey explained about her thyroid imbalance, trying to gloss over the harshness of the truth, but JoAnn’s expression turned to shock. “I can’t believe all this has happened to you. It’s like something out of a horror show.”
“I know.” Lindsey patted her hand. “I just want to find my baby, Jo.”
“I want that, too. Everyone from school says to tell you hi. They’re all praying for you, Linds.”
“Thanks. Tell them I hope I’ll be back soon.” Lindsey squeezed her friend’s hand and told her about the photo Gavin had found. “Maybe I’ll be able to bring my baby by for everyone to see.”
She and JoAnn gushed over the possibilities for a few minutes, recounting the times they’d joked about changing diapers and midnight feedings before Lindsey’s delivery.
“We could dress him in all the little outfits you received at your baby shower and take pictures,” JoAnn suggested with a big smile.
Lindsey was so caught up in the fanciful imagery she didn’t realize Gavin had arrived. He cleared his throat, waiting in the doorway as if he didn’t want to intrude. Lindsey immediately introduced him.
“Hi, JoAnn.” Gavin smiled, although his expression seemed strained and Lindsey realized how difficult the last few days had been on him.
JoAnn stood. “I’d better go.”
“No, please stay, Jo.”
“I’m sure the two of you have a lot to discuss.” JoAnn squeezed Lindsey’s hand between her own. “Take care and call if you need me, all right?”
“I will.” Lindsey hugged her friend. “Thanks again for visiting.”
As soon as JoAnn left, Gavin settled his long body into the chair, then pulled out a folded photocopy and handed it to her. “Here’s our son.”
Lindsey’s hand trembled as she took the paper, her heart squeezing at the picture of her baby. “Oh, God, Mac, he’s so beautiful.”
Gavin moved over to sit beside her, gently tracing his thumb down her cheek. “Yeah, he is. Thank you for having him, Linds.”
Lindsey looked into Gavin’s eyes and saw all the tenderness and love she’d ever wanted. He might not be able to voice the words, but she knew seeing the picture of his son had moved him deeply. She memorized each feature of her son’s face, the tiny dark eyebrows, the pug nose, his creamy skin, the way his little mouth was pinched together in sleep, the little patches of baby-fine hair.
Gavin’s phone chirped and Lindsey tried to control her emotions while Gavin conferred with his partner. Finally, he hung up, looking slightly relieved. “That was Simon. The autopsy report you received was identical to the one for Candy Sue’s baby and her blood type matched.”
“Then…then our baby is alive.”
“I know he’s out there.” Lindsey automatically reached for Gavin and he pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly.
“You’ve never given up.” Gavin cupped her face in his hands and kissed her gently.
Lindsey stroked his jaw. “And I’m not going to.”
“Neither am I.”
“I do feel bad for Candy Sue, though.”
Gavin nodded, sympathy in his eyes. “I know. But she’s young. Maybe when the time’s right, when she’s finished with school…” He let the sentence trail off.
“I didn’t care if the time was right for me, Gavin. I wanted our son.”
He slid down on the bed beside her, careful of her IV. Using his thumb, he traced a gentle path over her cheek to brush away a tear. “I know, and you’re going to make a great mother, Lindsey. Our baby will be lucky to have you raise him.”
Lindsey smiled and kissed his cheek, her body tingling when he lowered his mouth and took hers. The kiss was sweet and gentle and full of tenderness. They lay together for several minutes, simply holding one another, clinging to their newfound hope while they stared at the picture of their son.
AFTER THEY’D watched the news and seen the photo air, Gavin had fallen asleep beside Lindsey. He immediately woke at 4:00 a.m. when his cell phone rang.
“No word on Cross yet, but we have an address on the Quinn woman,” Barnes said.
“I’ll get right on it.” He scribbled the address, his gaze zeroing in on the picture of his son, then Lindsey. She was sleeping soundly, her hand tucked beneath her head like a child’s. As soon as the doctor released her, they’d find the nurse.
Finally Lindsey stirred, her sleepy eyes registering surprise to find him still sitting beside her bed. “I thought you’d go home for the night.”
He smiled, rubbing a hand over his rough early-morning stubble. “I figured I might as well stick around, give you a ride home if the doctor says it’s okay.”
She pushed a strand of hair from her face and tried to sit up. Thankfully her cheeks had regained some color and the hollow look in her eyes had filled with life again.
She reached for some water. “Did you hear anything?”
He nodded. “I have an address on the Quinn woman.”
“Then let’s go.” She pushed the covers aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. He caught a glimpse of her shapely slender thigh and stifled a groan.
“I told you, you’re not going unless Dr. Albright says you’re healthy enough to leave.” He pointed to the IV pole. “Besides, he has to unhook your IV.”
Her pretty eyebrow shot up. “You could remove it.”
The corner of his mouth quirked into a smile. “No way, I hate needles.”
She smiled and jabbed his chest. “Then go find the doctor.”
A half hour later, a nurse wheeled Lindsey to the front door. Dr. Albright hadn’t been pleased about releasing her so soon, but Gavin had promised to make her rest and eat. When they’d explained the circumstances, he’d agreed that the best medicine for Lindsey was to find her baby. By seven-thirty they’d both showered and were back in the car on the way to Wilmington to see Janet Quinn.
HE TURNED OFF the television set, praying she didn’t see it as she strolled into the kitchen with the baby tucked beneath her arm. The boss wasn’t going to be happy about this latest development. Within seconds, the phone rang. He answered, already knowing who it would be.
“Did you see the news?”
“Yes. I can’t believe it.”
“How did they get that picture?”
“That damn cop probably dug it up.”
A long sigh hissed over the line. “First, we find out the baby belongs to that detective, now this. We have to change our plans.”
A nerve tightened in his neck and he reached for a cigarette, knowing he’d agrehatever the boss said. But in the end it wouldn’t matter—because he had his own agenda and the baby was going to be his, no matter what.
Chapter Fourteen
Lindsey awakened as Gavin pulled into the complex where Janet Quinn had been spotted. She stretched, faintly aware of Gavin’s breath fanning against her cheek. “Are you sure you’re up for this? You can always wait in the car.”
“No, I’m going.”
He smiled and unfastened his seat belt. She didn’t wait on him to open the door, but leapt out herself. The large complex consisted of upscale condos reminiscent of Charleston row houses with separate entrances and private backyards for the owners. The swimming pool and tennis court community featured a clubhouse and restaurant. The expensive cars parked in the lot definitely indicated the club catered to the upper class.
“Simon said Miss Quinn has been staying with a friend from nursing school.”
“I wonder if she intended to return to Maple Hollow.”
“I don’t think so. In Cross’s files, I found a notation that she’d resigned.” Gavin rang the bell and Lindsey’s nerves jumped in her stomach.
“She’s been working the night shift at the local hospital so I hoped we’d catch her coming home.”
Finally the door creaked open, the chain still intact. An attractive brunette peeked through the narrow openin
g. “Who are you?”
“We came to see Janet,” Lindsey said.
The young woman frowned. “Janet who?”
Gavin pushed at the door. “Look, miss, we know Janet Quinn is staying here.” He flashed his badge. “Miss Payne and I need to talk to her.”
“Let them in.”
Lindsey froze at the tremulous voice on the other side of the heavy wooden door.
The door closed, the chain glided across the metal lock, then the brunette opened the door, watching them warily as they entered. “I’m Renee Rosenthall. You’d better behave or I’m calling security.”
“We’re not here to hurt anyone,” Gavin assured her. “But we do have some questions for Miss Quinn.”
A middle-aged auburn-haired woman appeared, huddled inside a thick terry cloth jogging suit, her pudgy face void of makeup, her blue eyes shifting away from Lindsey. “I…I knew you’d find me…eventually.”
Lindsey clasped her hand. “Janet, why did you leave?”
Janet raised a shaky hand to her temple, her voice heavy with defeat. “Let’s go in the den and sit down. I guess it’s time I told the whole story.”
“I’ll make some coffee.” Her friend retreated to the kitchen as they settled themselves on the plush burgundy furniture. Lindsey noticed the gl and chrome coffee table, ornate art, expensive vases. Cold. Formal. Definitely not a homey place.
Not the kind of place to raise a child in. Then again, her baby wasn’t here. She knew that immediately.
She only prayed Janet had answers.
The silver tray filled with coffee and condiments rattled as Renee bustled in. They accepted the refreshments, giving the anxious nurse time to compose herself. Janet grabbed a pack of cigarettes from a glass table, smacked them against her hand, took one and lit it with trembling fingers. Her fingernails had been chewed down to nubs.
“I hope you don’t mind. It calms me.” A nervous laugh escaped her. “Believe it or not, I’d given up smoking until a few weeks ago.”
“What happened a few weeks ago?” Gavin asked.
Janet’s gaze cut to Lindsey. “She knows. So do you, that’s the reason you’re here.”
“Tell me about my baby,” Lindsey said softly.
The woman blew a smoke ring, tapping the ashes into a swan-shaped glass ashtray. “Your son is alive.”
Lindsey swallowed painfully. “You sent me the note? And the autopsy report?”
Janet nodded, staring off into space. “Dr. Cross had been acting strangely for weeks. I’ve never seen him like that. All tense and nervous, jumping and snapping at everyone. I even suggested he get a physical.” She laughed again, a hollow sound as cold and brittle as the china coffee cups. “He’d been receiving weird phone calls, then he’d hang up and go irate, leave the office, not return for hours.”
“Why was he so upset?” Gavin asked.
Janet shook her head and took a long draw of her cigarette. “I don’t know. But that night…” She looked at Lindsey with sympathy in her eyes. “No, let me backtrack. That morning another young woman came in—”
“Candy Sue?” Lindsey asked.
“Yes. It was awful. We tried to save the infant, but her baby was stillborn. Afterwards, Doc closed himself in his office with the phone for a while, wouldn’t take any calls, didn’t want any interruptions. Even had me reschedule all of his regular appointments. Except for you.”
“I had my weekly check-up that day.”
“Yes, and he made it a point to examine you. I thought that was odd since Mrs. Beechum was a high-risk delivery but he switched her appointment.” She paused as if to allow them time to absorb the information. “Doc left right after you did, in a big hurry. But he came back later.”
“Was something odd about his return?” Gavin asked.
“He wasn’t supposed to be on duty that night.” Her dead-eyed stare made the hairs on the back of Lindsey’s neck prickle. “Anyway, it was as if he knew you’d be back in to deliver. And you did.”
“But I hadn’t even started dilating that morning.”
“I know, I sawchart. We both figured you had a few more weeks to go.”
“But I started having contractions almost immediately after I left the clinic.”
The nurse stared at her long and hard. “I know, I wondered…”
“Wondered what?” Gavin asked.
“If Dr. Cross might have done something to force you into premature labor. He could have made a tiny tear in the amniotic sac so your water would leak.”
Lindsey gasped. “Then I came in and had problems.”
Janet crushed her cigarette in the ashtray, stood and stared out the picturesque window. Lindsey saw the well-kept, small rock garden but had a feeling Janet wasn’t seeing it. She was lost in memories of that night. When she spoke again, her voice sounded low, distant. “I took your son to the nursery after the delivery. He was fine. But I had to leave to check on Candy Sue. She was so upset, she needed me.” Her gaze rose to Lindsey’s, sorrow and regret deepening her voice.
“The next thing I knew, Dr. Cross told me there was trouble, that your baby didn’t make it. He ordered me to break the news to you. And when I asked to see your baby, he refused.” She turned then and Lindsey saw the horror on the woman’s face. “He wasn’t like the Doc I knew. It was as if he was a stranger.”
“But you suspected he was lying?”
“I didn’t know what to think,” Janet said in an agitated voice. “I…Andy said he saw a man at the back, he thought Doc gave him your baby.”
So the mentally challenged orderly really had seen something.
Janet rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if to ward off a chill. “Problem is, I don’t know why he’d do such a thing. You have to believe me, Dr. Cross is one of the finest doctors I’ve ever worked with. He always prided himself on taking care of his patients….” Her voice broke. “That’s why his behavior seemed so odd and scary.”
Lindsey’s fingernails dug into the palms of her hands. “You don’t know who he gave my baby to?”
Janet shook her head. “No, but I planned to find out. Only, when I went home that night, a man was waiting for me in my apartment. He…he had a gun.”
“Did you see his face or recognize him?”
Janet teared up. “No, he was wearing a mask, he…he threatened to kill me. I know I should have called the police, but he said he’d slit my throat….” She turned to Lindsey, her tortured expression begging for forgiveness. “I was terrified. And he said if I told anyone about your baby, he’d kill my parents, they’re both in their seventies…” As if the burden had been too much, the nurse buried her face in her hands and burst into tears.
Lindsey rose and closed the distance between them, placing her hands gently on Janet’s arms. “Janet, you were scared, shh, it’s okay. I understand.” Lindsey pulled her into her arms and hugged her. “You don’t know what it means to me to know my son is alive.cleared his throat. “Is there anything else you can tell us?”
The woman shook her head and wiped at her eyes. “No, just that I’m sorry, I…I hope you find your little boy. And I hope Dr. Cross tells you the truth this time.”
Lindsey hesitated at the door. “I don’t understand though, Janet. I was so upset I let Dr. Cross handle things, but if Candy Sue buried her baby and Dr. Cross gave my son to someone else, then whose child did I bury?”
Gavin lay a comforting hand on Lindsey’s shoulder. “My guess is—the grave’s empty. Right, Janet?”
Janet choked up, then simply nodded in reply.
SEVERAL MINUTES later, Gavin and Lindsey said goodbye. Gavin radioed for a patrol car to watch over Janet and her friend until they found the person who’d threatened her. Lindsey was obviously shaken from learning about the empty grave and he had called Simon to give him the definite go-ahead on the exhumation for verification. He and Lindsey were walking to the car, contemplating their next move when a loud noise suddenly exploded behind them. Glass shattered on a nearby car,
jagged slivers pelting the sidewalk and flying around them. Lindsey screamed. Gavin grabbed her and dove into the bushes just as the second shot whistled through the air.
Chapter Fifteen
Lindsey screamed again as another bullet zoomed above her head. Was Gavin hurt?
No, no blood, no visible wounds. He knelt, yanked a gun from the waist of his jeans and fired. She clutched his arm as he braced himself in front of her, the bushes clawing at her skin as he pushed her to safety. A motor rumbled. Tires screeched on the pavement. She peeked through the leaves and spotted a black sedan peel from the parking lot, exhaust fumes infiltrating the air behind it.
Gavin tore through the bushes and started to fire again but a group of young kids roller-bladed around the corner. When they spotted Gavin with his gun, they raced the other way. He stuffed his gun beneath his shirt, then backed toward Lindsey, keeping his gaze on the car speeding out of sight as he phoned in the incident. Several garage doors slid down, barricading the inhabitants into their safe nests.
Gavin turned to Lindsey. “Are you all right?”
Lindsey nodded. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t see. No license either.” He plucked a leaf from his shirt. “I called in the make of the car. Maybe the police will track ’em down.”
Minutes later, a black-and-white rolled into the parking lot and Gavin waved for him to stop. A hulking uniformed officer with no neck met them on the sidewalk. “You call in a shooting?”
Gavin explained about the incident.
“We got a sighting on North and Main. Two patrol cars are in pursuit.”
Gavin pointed toward Janet’s condo. “Come on, Officer. We’d better let Miss Qu know her hideout isn’t safe anymore.”
A tremor ran through Lindsey. Janet had been living in terror ever since she’d discovered Lindsey’s baby had been kidnapped. But she’d still managed to send Lindsey messages to alert her to search for her son. If it weren’t for Janet, she wouldn’t even know her baby was alive.