by T. L. Haddix
“Sure, why not?”
Picking up the second spoon, she loaded it down with a good-sized portion of the chocolate and whipped cream. She carefully passed it to him on one of the small bread plates and watched to see his reaction as he tasted it.
“Wow, that’s rich.” He finished it in two bites.
“Want more?” He shook his head. Her mood turning serious, she told him about the reactions she had gotten while researching the disappearances.
“Like I said, when I contacted the addicts’ families, no one was surprised they were missing, and I got the distinct impression that their absence was not entirely unwelcome. As a matter of fact, by the time I’d finished talking to those people, I was surprised they had even bothered to turn in missing persons reports.”
“It’s a sad fact of life that addicts’ families often turn their backs so completely. It’s something a lot of them do to cope with the illness. And sometimes it’s a way of getting the addict to wake up – to help them hit bottom.”
Beth nodded. “I know, but it still sucks. Mr. Hernandez was a little trickier. I have a good relationship with a community advocate in Leroy who works with newly-arrived immigrants, no matter what their status is. I spoke with him, and what he told me was more than a little disturbing. Apparently, over the past few months, he’s had several people just vanish.”
“How many is several?” Gordon leaned forward and folded his arms on the table.
“Six, including the one in July. He’s heard rumors that a couple of them headed north for jobs, and he was going to make an effort to check for me, but that still leaves four who haven’t been seen or heard from. One disappeared the same day as Hernandez, two others on the eleventh of August, and the fourth on September fourth or thereabouts.”
Gordon gave a low whistle. “Six? Why weren’t missing persons reports filed on them?”
Beth shrugged. “Apparently, they’d packed up their belongings and headed out, from the look of things. No one was surprised or concerned. They were all itinerant workers, and even though they’re relatively stationary this time of year, at least in this part of the country, it isn’t unheard of for folks to just pack up and leave. When some time passed and no one heard from them, that’s when people started to worry and went to Juan.”
“You don’t think it’s a coincidence, do you?”
“No, and I don’t have a shred of proof that anything untoward happened to them either. Just a gut feeling.” The server brought them the check, and Gordon took it without allowing her to see it. She gave a token protest, but he just raised one black eyebrow and looked at her. Backing off, she relaxed into her chair.
“What do I do now? I’m at a little bit of a loss as to how to handle this information. Do I need to go to my editor? To the sheriff’s department? I can’t just sit on this.”
He put some cash in the receipt folder and stood. “Let’s walk, and see what we can figure out.”
They made their way through the crowd, and once they were outside, Beth saw that the rain had stopped, the sun peeking out through the clouds. The restaurant was located on the side of a small stream, and they walked around the building to the observation deck, which was deserted because of the rainy weather. She stopped next to the railing and watched the water rushing by as she waited for Gordon to speak.
“As to your question of what to do, let me talk to a couple people before you go to anyone with this information, okay? I’d like to know what the pattern is that we’re dealing with before we bring anyone else in on this.” He saw her reluctance and held his hand up. “I’m only talking a day or so, not weeks. I should have something by Monday at the latest.”
“Okay. That’s not bad, then.” She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the sound of the water soothe her strained nerves.
“What else is bothering you?” he asked quietly.
“It’s complicated,” she replied, her laugh without humor. “It seems that I have attracted a stalker.” He was silent as he stared at her, obviously surprised. She shot him a rueful glance and tried to look as though the idea didn’t have her tied up in knots.
“Tell me everything.”
Swallowing, Beth dropped the unconcerned façade and started talking. When she told him about the pictures, she had to stop while he stalked to the end of the deck and stood for a moment, cursing in a low voice.
He turned and came back to where she stood. “Has the sheriff’s department been able to find anything?”
Beth shook her head. “Not that I’m aware of, and since my brother’s a deputy, I’d know if they did.”
“You know all the things you’re supposed to do in this type of situation, right? Change your habits, your routines, avoid situations where you could be an easy target?”
“Yes, and I’ve done that. I’ve also had a security system installed and changed the locks on my apartment door. I make sure I walk out with someone if I’m anywhere after dark. I’ve racked my brain to try and think of who it could be, and I can’t come up with anyone. Unfortunately, being a reporter, being a target is a risk I run. I can’t very well hide away from the public.” Checking her watch, she grimaced at the time. “I need to head out.”
“I don’t like the timing of this. Do you think the stalking is connected to all the missing people somehow?” he asked as they walked to her SUV.
She considered his words. “I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought about it, that the two might be connected. That would be reaching a little, don’t you think?” She unlocked the door and tossed her briefcase into the passenger seat.
“I don’t believe in coincidences.”
Beth laughed softly, the sound tired. “I said that very thing to someone not long ago. I don’t know, Gordon. I suppose the two could be connected, but what would the motivation possibly be?” She glanced at her watch again. “I’m sorry, but I really have to run. Thanks for meeting with me today.”
“It was my pleasure. Call me if anything else happens, okay? Doesn’t matter what it is or when it is, if anything odd happens to you or around you, I want to hear about it.”
She reluctantly agreed. “You’ll call me as soon as you know something, right? About the dates and that pattern?” Holding the driver’s side door open, he kept his hands on the frame as she put her seat belt on.
“I promise you’ll be the first call I make.” His green eyes were troubled. “Be careful and watch yourself, Beth. Don’t let down your guard.”
Promising him to be cautious, she closed the door and waved as she pulled out of the parking space.
~ * * * ~
Gordon watched her drive away before walking to his own car, and as he watched Beth pull out onto the highway, he grabbed his cell phone. When the call was answered, he spoke tersely.
“We have a big problem. When can we meet?”
Chapter Twenty
Sunday dinner was subdued at the Hudson farm. A car wreck Friday night had taken the life of a distant cousin’s ten-year-old son. Jackie Hudson was particularly close to the boy’s grandmother, and the entire family was devastated by the loss.
As she wiped down the kitchen counters, Beth couldn’t keep her thoughts away from the wreckage she had seen on Friday night. For once, the normal bickering and joking that went on when she and her brothers were together was absent, all their moods dampened by the sadness and the horror. They had turned the radio on for the noise, and as she passed by it, she turned the volume down a little.
Beth’s parents had spent the morning preparing dishes to take to the bereaved families. Beth, Chase, and Jason had helped pack it up, then stayed behind to do cleanup while Jackie and Richard delivered the food. As Beth returned to the kitchen from the utility room, Jason came in and sat down at the island bar. Chase followed, and she leaned against the counter, studying her brothers.
Chase was dark, taller, and lanky, quiet and a little brooding, whereas Jason was golden, a little shorter, and stockier, with an outgoing personality that drew
people like flames, but it was readily apparent that the two were brothers. It struck her that they had both grown into handsome, successful men.
She broke the silence. “When will they get the tox screen back on Reese?” Reese Bolen had been driving one of the vehicles, and was the uncle of Taylor Bolen, the little boy who had died.
“Should be back any time now,” Jason said, “at least the basic stuff. Some of the drug screens will take a couple of weeks.”
“His alcohol was elevated, wasn’t it?” Chase asked.
“Yeah, but not like everyone expected it to be. He was under the legal limit. I still don’t understand why his parents let Taylor go with him that late at night. They had to be aware of the problems Reese had been having with substance abuse.”
“From what Mom said, Reese was pretty close to Taylor, and it wasn’t uncommon for them to spend time together,” Chase said. “I don’t know whether to hope Reese makes it or doesn’t. If he does survive, how in the world will he live with Taylor’s death?”
Beth shook her head. “I don’t know, but if he dies, Sammy and William might never know what happened that night. I don’t know which is worse - losing them both or not knowing.”
“I’d want to know,” Jason said quietly. “I think that would be the hardest thing, to lose someone and never know why.” He grimaced as he realized what he had said. “Chase, I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”
Chase laid his hand on Jason’s shoulder and let it rest there for a moment before he stood and moved to stand at the French doors that led onto the patio. “Not knowing why is one of the worst punishments I can think of.”
When he was in college, Chase’s girlfriend had been murdered. The case was still open, and her killer had never been caught. While he had moved on with his life for the most part, Beth knew her brother had never truly gotten over the loss. He stretched his arms above his head, a huge yawn escaping.
“I didn’t sleep very well last night, boys and girls. I think I’ll head home.”
Beth went to the refrigerator and pulled out the plate of food her mother had prepared for him. Grabbing a plastic bag, she tucked the plate inside, along with a small bag of cookies Jackie had set aside. He took the bag and hugged her, pressing a brief kiss to her forehead, then gave Jason a one-armed hug before he left.
Jason looked at her with a speaking glance. She waited until she heard Chase’s car start before she spoke.
“Think he’s okay?” She started gathering up her own bag of leftovers, tired and ready to head back to her apartment.
He came around to get a drink out of the refrigerator. “I think so. He’s tougher than he looks.” Eyes narrowed, she jabbed him in the ribs as he walked past her.
“I’m being serious.”
Hands raised in self-defense, he shrugged. “So am I.” Just then his cell phone rang. An arrested expression came across his face, and he glanced at Beth. “Hold on,” he told the caller. “Can you hang around for a couple minutes before you leave? I may need a favor.”
“Sure.” She decided to make use of the facilities while he talked to whoever had called. When she came back out he was leaning up against the counter with his arms crossed, a subdued excitement lighting his eyes.
“Well, you’ve certainly perked up. Who was that?”
“Oh, just a girl.” A small, enigmatic smile crossed his mouth. “Look, I need a favor - you’re heading down past Ethan’s house, right?”
Immediately, Beth turned wary. She answered him slowly. “No, and you know that. Why?”
“I’ve got a couple files in the car that I’m supposed to drop off to him today. Any chance you’d do it for me? It’s only a few minutes out of your way.”
“Why can’t you do it?” She loaded her food into a small box and dropped her purse on top. Picking up the box, she edged toward the door with Jason following. He shot her a pleading look as he locked the door and pulled it closed behind them.
“I can’t do it because I need to head the other direction. Now. I told this woman I’d meet her in twenty minutes. Please, Beth? She’s a nice lady, and she might be ‘the one.’ I’ll even do the dishes next weekend after dinner.”
She finally gave in, unable to resist his pleading look. To be fair, he didn’t ask her for favors very often. “You’re sure Ethan’s expecting these files? This isn’t just another attempt at matchmaking?”
“No, this is a real task.” He got the files out of his jeep and placed them on top of her purse in the box. “Thanks, sis.” He gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “I won’t forget this.”
Watching her brother drive away, she shook her head. “I’m sure you won’t, because I won’t let you,” she grumbled, the words ending on a yawn. After she dropped the files off at Ethan’s, she was heading straight home to take a nap. Chase wasn’t the only one who hadn’t been sleeping well.
~ * * * ~
When she pulled into Ethan’s driveway, she was relieved to see that his truck was the only vehicle present. This was going to be awkward enough without anyone else added to the mix. As she opened the door to get out, he came around the corner of the house, pulling work gloves off as he walked toward her.
“Hey.” She leaned back into the vehicle to get the files. “Jason asked me to drop these off. He said you were expecting them.”
“Thanks. Come on up. Want something to drink?”
She raised her eyebrows, surprised at his friendly attitude. “Sure.” She followed him up the steps and into the old farmhouse.
“Did Jason get a call or something?”
“Well, you could say that, I suppose. A girl called and he dashed off to meet her.”
Ethan gave a short bark of laughter. “Which girl?”
She shrugged. “Who knows? They follow him around like bees go to flowers, so there’s no telling. He did say that she could be ‘the one,’ though.”
“Yeah. Haven’t heard that one before from Jason,” he said, and Beth laughed, agreeing. He led her into the kitchen and went to the sink to wash his hands. Drying them, he opened the refrigerator and asked what she wanted to drink.
“Water’s fine, if you have it.”
“I do.” He handed her a bottle and grabbed a beer for himself, twisting off the cap. He gestured toward the back of the house. “Let’s go out to the porch. This is probably one of the few nice days we’ll have left before it turns cold.”
They went down the hall and out onto the screened-in porch that looked out over the fields surrounding the house. Cattle grazed in the distance, and the dry cornstalks rustled as the wind blew through them. The house was on a small rise with the surrounding countryside spread out around it, and the views were panoramic.
“Have a seat,” Ethan said, taking a spot on the porch swing. Beth gingerly sat beside him and stretched out her legs as he used his foot to set the swing in motion.
“How are the Bolens?”
She shook her head, keeping her gaze on the fields. “Not good. I can’t imagine what they’re going through right now.” She fell silent, and he stretched an arm out along the back of the swing to toy with the ends of her hair. As his fingers brushed the skin of her neck, she shivered.
“Last I heard, they still aren’t sure Reese is going to make it. It might be better for him if he doesn’t.”
She turned to look at him as she heard an unfamiliar note in his voice. When he saw her questioning look, he shrugged, tugging on her ponytail. He sat the beer bottle on a nearby table and sat back, resting his head on the back of the swing, then turned his head and watched her watch him.
“Had any more suspicious packages show up?”
She accepted the change of subject graciously. “Nope, nothing. No phone calls, no flowers, no more pictures of myself. None of my missing underwear.” As soon as the last part left her mouth, she cringed. Feeling her cheeks heat up, she turned her gaze back to the fields. “I don’t know what to think. Maybe it was just a really bad joke.”
“Doesn’t
feel like much of a joke, if you ask me. Feels more like a sick pervert with a vendetta.”
“Whatever and whoever it is, maybe they’ll go away and leave me alone. God knows we could all use some good news around here.” She sighed. “I probably should go. You’re busy.”
“You headed out to the farm?”
“Not today. That’s where I just came from. Mom and Dad are taking food to everyone.” Not wanting to leave, she played with the drawstring on her hooded jacket. “The guy that Reese hit - did they find his family?” Beth had covered the story for the paper, and Ethan had been there, as well.
“Not yet. His neighbors told the cops who went to do the notification that he and his wife were separated, and they didn’t know where she had gone and taken their kids. They’re still looking.”
She closed her eyes against the sadness of it. “That’s horrible. To be killed and be so estranged from the people in your life that they can’t be found to be notified about your death.”
“It happens, more than you’d think these days.” He tugged gently on the end of her ponytail again. “Don’t go to sleep on me, blondie.” She opened her eyes and gave him a little smile, swatting at his hand. He captured her hand in his.
“I wasn’t going to sleep.” Her heart thudded heavily as he kept her hand in his, playing with her fingernails. Her denial was interrupted by a yawn, and he laughed as she blushed. Standing, he tugged her up after him.
“Come on, I’ll walk you out.” She went past him into the house, rubbing her neck as she walked.
“I’ve got this hideous kink in my neck that I just can’t seem to get out. I fell asleep on the couch last night. Well, this morning, really. I can’t get the sight of that windshield out of my head. It’s there every time I close my eyes, that jagged hole Taylor must have gone through...”
As her voice trailed off, she felt his warm hands close gently on her shoulders, stopping her in her tracks. He used his thumbs to trace her muscles and found the knot that had formed at the base of her neck. Kneading gently, he slowly worked until the muscles relaxed, and she sighed with pleasure and relief.