L.A.P.D. Special Investigations Series, Boxed Set: The Deceived, The Taken & The Silent

by Style, Linda

  When Rico finished with LaVonne, his spirits soared. He had probable cause for a warrant to search records at Haven’s Gate…and the adoption agency. Maybe. He’d have even more if the other women corroborated LaVonne’s story. Yeah, he’d lied to LaVonne, but he’d gotten his answer and, more importantly, he had a case.

  With an hour before the interviews, he decided to see Holly Magruder’s grandmother again. Five years ago, he’d talked with the girl’s parents. But since Holly had later lived with her grandmother, maybe the woman knew things the parents didn’t. He knocked several times and was about to leave when the door opened a couple inches.

  “Yes,” the old woman said, squinting through the small opening.

  “Mrs. Magruder, Detective Santini. I was here the other day.”

  “Oh, yes.”

  “Can I come in for a minute?” He pushed the door a little, not wanting to take no for an answer.

  She opened it the rest of the way. “Might as well.”

  The place was small, one room that was a combination kitchen and living room. Dingy curtains hung at half-mast over the only two windows in the place. The woman didn’t look well.

  “I remember you,” she said directing him to sit at the kitchen table. “I remember you because I thought you were nice. And I thought maybe you wouldn’t put a sick old lady in jail.”

  “Now why would I do that?” He tried to smile but it didn’t come off.

  “Because I helped Holly.”

  “You mean before she died?”

  “When she came home with the baby. She’d been in the hospital you know, that crazy people hospital, and when she brought him home she couldn’t take care of him. So I did.”

  His records showed Holly had given up her child.

  “When Holly got sick, she told me the boy she brought home wasn’t her son. She said it was her friend’s baby and she’d taken him to help.”

  It took a moment for Rico to realize what the woman had actually said. He fought to control his reaction. “Are you saying she had someone else’s child?”

  “She said she was helping a friend. She didn’t want me to tell her parents because they’d make her give the baby away. I loved her and I didn’t know what to do. She was really sick all the time.” The woman touched her head. “Up here. It wasn’t her fault.”

  Rico’s hands shook. “When did she do this?”

  “I don’t remember. It was after she came home from that place that took her baby away, but before she was put into the crazy hospital. I had to take care of Adam while she was in the hospital.”

  “You didn’t tell anyone?”

  She shook her head. The lines in her face seemed deeper than when he came in. “If anyone knew, they’d keep her at that hospital and I couldn’t care for such a little baby any longer.”

  “How long was she hospitalized?”

  “I don’t know. A couple of days maybe.”

  Rico’s head swam. This was surreal. Holly wouldn’t say she’d taken someone’s child for no reason at all. Even if she was mentally ill. Or would she? What about the grandmother? Maybe she was lying. But why?

  “When she came back she took real good care of Adam. She loved that boy. When she died I just kept on. I thought about finding his mother, but I didn’t know who she was and the boy doesn’t know anything else. He only knows me as his Nanny. He’d be scared with someone else.”

  His emotions vacillating between excitement and disbelief, Rico asked, “Where is he now?”

  “Preschool. Head Start it’s called.”

  “When does he get home?”

  “My neighbor will be dropping him off in a few minutes. I don’t drive,” the woman said absently. “It’s hard for me to do things for him now, and I’m worried about what will happen to him if I… You’re not going to arrest me, are you?”

  Rico took a calming breath. This boy could be Chelsey’s child. But he couldn’t get his hopes up again. Just because Holly had taken someone’s baby didn’t mean he was any closer to solving the case. For all he knew, the woman was making the whole thing up to get someone to care for the boy.

  A knock at the door caused Rico’s lungs to constrict.

  “That’s him,” the woman said. Trying to get up off the couch, she didn’t make it before the door opened slowly and a young woman poked her head inside. “Granny, are you there?”

  Rico lurched to the door. “Yes, she’s here.” And as he stood there, a little boy bounded past him to hug his grandmother. Rico’s heart stalled.

  “Adam, this nice man is here to talk to us.” The boy turned.

  A boy with a mop of dark brown hair — and sea-green eyes.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  RICO’S HEAD FELT as if it was going to burst. Finding out that the Magruder boy might be Chelsey’s baby and then doing back-to-back interviews with the other young mothers from Haven’s Gate had him so preoccupied, he’d made a wrong turn. He didn’t want to get too excited, but he couldn’t help it. He turned off at the next exit and circled back to 405 heading north to Hollywood.

  He focused again on his conversation with Evelyn Magruder. While he felt ninety-nine percent certain he’d finally found Chelsey’s child, he couldn’t be sure until DNA tests were done. A quick trip to social services had given him some sense of relief. Everyone was willing to work together because they understood if the tests showed a positive match they’d have to transition Adam to his real parents with care. Ripping the boy from the only home he’d ever known would be traumatic.

  Macy had said the same thing about Cody, and he’d been too bullheaded to understand.

  He’d been shocked at the grandmother’s tale … he was still shocked, and he wasn’t about to say anything to anyone until he had proof. He could only imagine Chelsey’s disappointment if it turned out to be a false lead.

  If it was true that Adam was her son, he’d finally be able to close the case. Five years too late, but they’d have closure — not only for Chelsey, but for him.

  It didn’t let Haven’s Gate off the hook, however. The situation surrounding Macy’s baby and his other suspicions about illegal adoptions had to be put to rest. He was going to start with a visit to Wesley Capshaw.

  Twenty minutes later, he pulled into the circular drive of the Capshaw estate, surprised to see the main gate was open. Climbing the steps in front, he was met at the door by Macy’s mother. She seemed flustered and not too happy to have an unexpected visitor. “Rico. What a surprise.”

  He’d wanted the element of surprise when he talked to Capshaw, so the attorney didn’t have a chance to come up with some story to cover his ass. “Hello, Mrs. Capshaw.”

  “Is Wesley expecting you? He didn’t say anything to me.” She looked away. “But then he’s not talking to me much lately.”

  “No, he’s not expecting me.”

  “Is this about Macy?”

  “In a way.” Rico took a step inside. “Can you tell him I’m here?”

  “Yes, of course. I’m just leaving anyway.”

  Rico saw some suitcases stacked by the door. “Another trip?”

  “You might say so.”

  Before Rico had a chance to ask, she disappeared and he could hear her telling her husband he had a visitor. Wesley Capshaw emerged from a room off the foyer as Sarah hurried up the curved staircase. “It was nice seeing you, Rico.”

  Capshaw stood in the doorway to the room, an imposing figure. “Rico. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

  “It’s business, I’m sorry to say. Can we talk privately?”

  “Of course. Come in.” The older man motioned Rico into the library and closed the door. “Have a seat.”

  Rico’s nerves were as taut as a tightrope and the last thing he felt like doing was sitting. But he did anyway, getting right to the point. “I need to ask you about Haven’s Gate.”

  Capshaw scowled. “Have you been talking to Macy?”

  “I have, but that’s not why I’m here. I want to know about your
involvement with adoptions during a five-year period when you worked with the Family Services Adoption Agency used by Haven’s Gate.”

  The briefest hint of surprise flashed in the man’s eyes. He sat in the chair beside Rico. “You know, that was a long time ago.”

  “Seven years to be exact. Do you want me to tell you the specific time period?”

  Capshaw shrugged. “I handled private adoptions for the agency for a period of time. Lots of attorneys do private adoptions.”

  “I’m aware of that. Dr. Dixon is a friend of yours, isn’t he?”

  “A former friend. We’ve had limited contact since I did the work for the shelter.”

  “Did you know he referred girls from the free clinic to Haven’s Gate and they in turn worked with the adoption agency?”

  “No, I wasn’t aware of that. It makes sense, though. What’s your point?”

  “The point is that I have several women willing to testify that they were coerced into giving up their babies. Did you know anything about that?”

  “Never heard a thing. I was only involved after the decision for adoption had been made. Sometimes the agency found viable parents for the unwanted children and sometimes I did.”

  “Viable?”

  “People who wanted the children and who could afford to take care of them. Believe me, the children who were adopted through Haven’s Gate have much better lives than they would have had staying with their biological mothers.”

  Rico tensed at the condescending tone, the superior attitude. “Does that include Macy’s child?”

  Capshaw’s expression didn’t change. “Yes, that includes her child.” His voice was cold, matter-of-fact.

  “It’s too bad Macy doesn’t feel the same way.” Damn. He hadn’t intended to get into this.

  “Macy doesn’t know what’s good for her. Never did. She’s too emotional and can’t see the real picture.”

  “But as the mother of the child, adoption’s a decision she should make. Not you.”

  “I did what was best for my daughter, who happened to be a minor at the time… and furthermore, I don’t see how this is any of your business.”

  Undaunted, Rico went on. “It’s my business because many of the adoptions you signed off on were illegal. Macy’s included.”

  Capshaw scoffed. “You’ll have to prove it.”

  “I have witnesses.”

  “If you’re counting on the statements of a few street sluts, I could blow holes in their testimony in seconds. I’m afraid your evidence wouldn’t hold up in any court.”

  “I didn’t say anything about who the witnesses are.”

  “I said if, Detective. My answer was hypothetical.”

  Rico had no doubt an attorney of his caliber could blow holes in the character of some of his witnesses. But he wasn’t going to let him get away with what he’d done to Macy. “Does Macy know you’re the one who arranged the adoption of her child?”

  “Of course not. And she never will.”

  “She will if I tell her.”

  Capshaw leaned back in his chair, a slow smile forming. “Okay. I get it. How much do you want?”

  Rico clenched his fists. Anger suddenly burned like fire in the back of his throat. “Odd as it may seem to you, Capshaw, I’m here to see justice for all those mothers who had their babies illegally adopted. I’m here because I care about Macy. She needs to know the truth.”

  “Nice altruistic sentiments, Detective. How much do you want?”

  “Twenty-four hours. That’s what I’m going to give you to tell Macy the truth. If you don’t, I’ll tell her.” It went against everything he’d just told Macy about seeking out her child. If he did what he was threatening, he’d be giving her the exact information she’d need. Man. His stomach churned. It didn’t matter what he did, each action had bad consequences.

  Ultimately the choice wasn’t his. Macy had to know about her father’s involvement. That would give her access to the name of the adoption agency. What she did with the information was up to her, not him. He could only hope she’d do the right thing.

  Wesley Capshaw was on his feet. “She was seventeen. She didn’t have any idea what taking care of a child would be like. She only wanted to keep the baby to spite me, to remind me of the worthless kid who’d fathered the child. She still doesn’t know what it’s like to be tied down with a responsibility you never wanted in the first place.”

  Bitterness edged Capshaw’s words, and Rico knew the man was talking about himself. Was that why she felt she never measured up? Had her father let his own bitterness affect his relationship with his daughter? The thought sickened him.

  “Twenty-four hours.”

  “You can’t blackmail me,” Capshaw sputtered.

  “Twenty-four hours or I’m telling Macy about your involvement at Haven’s Gate and the adoption of her child.” He paused, then added, “And if the same information gets leaked to the media, don’t be surprised.”

  ***

  MACY PICKED UP Hercules well before Rico was due home and headed back to her condo. Rico couldn’t know the emptiness she’d felt for twelve years believing her child had died. The knowledge that she’d never have another made it even worse. Now, finding out her son was alive — and out there somewhere — changed everything. There was no way she could simply ignore it.

  If she’d willingly given up her baby for adoption, it would be different. But she hadn’t. Other people had taken the decision from her. She’d never forgive her father for that.

  She stood in the hallway of her condo, still hesitant about going back. Opening the door, her pulse quickened. A vision of the attack flashed in her head and she couldn’t move. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears. But the new alarm system was installed, the door had been replaced and the cleaning people had taken care of the rest. Still clinging to Hercules, she forced herself to take first one step and then another. Reaching the living room, she glanced around furtively. Everything was the same. She let out a breath of relief. Everything was fine. She was going to be fine.

  She stopped by the door to the guest bedroom where she’d spent the night with Rico. Despite the circumstances that had brought them together, her short time with him had been the most wonderful experience of her life. He’d opened her eyes to how normal families lived. Made her realize how narrow her world had become.

  An all-too-familiar ache of loneliness enveloped her. How could something so perfect end so badly?

  It wasn’t really a question because she knew the answer. The fact that she couldn’t have children wasn’t negotiable. It wasn’t something she could even tell Rico, because although she’d only known him a short time, she knew him well enough to know he’d probably say it didn’t matter. Only it wouldn’t be his choice. She knew how important choices were — and she knew how much he wanted children.

  If he gave up his dream for her, he’d eventually come to resent her. She knew that as well as she knew family law — she’d lived with that kind of resentment all her life.

  The door buzzer sounded, sending her heart to her throat. Who knew she was home? Who had the security code to get upstairs?

  On the fourth ring, she went to the door and peered out the security hole. Rico. She hit the intercom. “Yes?”

  “Macy, it’s Rico. I need to talk.”

  She just stood there.

  “I need to talk to you in person.”

  Her hands shook as she let him in.

  “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, thanks.” Keeping her distance, she motioned for him to sit. She took the chair across from him.

  If she remained distant, she wouldn’t get caught up in other dynamics. “I went over to your place and brought my things home.”

  “I gathered that when I found no one there. But I can’t say I didn’t have a few moments of concern.”

  “I left a note.”

  “I know. I found it.”

  “I’m sorry if I worried you. I received a call from Off
icer Malloy. He said they’d had a positive ID on the guy who attacked me and he felt it was safe for me to come home. Did he tell you that?”

  The soft, attentive way he was looking at her cut to the bone.

  When he didn’t answer immediately, she realized his visit wasn’t just to check on her.

  “Yes. We have an ID.”

  “Officer Malloy didn’t say who the man was or why he was here. Do you know?”

  “They’re still looking into it, but they have a pretty good idea.”

  She wrung her hands together. “What is it?”

  Now he was looking everywhere in the room but at her. If he had something to say, he was having a hard time doing it. That was so unlike him.

  When he finally looked at her, he said, “If there was a leak, it could ruin our investigation.”

  “A leak? How would that happen?” It was a stupid question, she realized. She’d shown him more than once that she had no compunction about doing what she thought needed to be done. Regardless of the consequences. She lifted a hand. “Don’t answer. I’m sorry my methods don’t meet your expectations.”

  His eyes shot to hers. “That’s not it at all. This has nothing to do with my personal expectations. And as far as those go, all I expect is respect and honesty.” He stood, turned away and raked a hand through his hair. “The ID on your burglar shows that he’s married to a woman named Selena Burns. That just happens to be one of Sally Brighton’s aliases.”

  Macy’s mouth dropped open. “Sally Brighton has an alias? She’s married to the man who broke in here? No.” She shook her head. “That can’t be right. If the man who attacked me is Sally’s husband—” Macy abruptly stood. “Do you think Sally was behind the attack because I was getting too close to finding out what happened to my child?”

  He nodded. “Yes, but that’s not all. We have reason to believe Dr. Dixon and Sally Brighton have been running an illegal adoption ring. For a long time now.”

  “Oh, my god.” Macy took a step in one direction, then another. “Oh, wow. Those poor girls … that’s unconscionable. I can’t imagine how anyone could be so ruthless, so heartless.” She shook her head. “Do you have proof?” She caught his eyes with hers and locked in. “Do you think that’s what happened to my child?”