“He acts suspicious as hell. Why would he have painted over his windows? Because he wants to hide something, that’s why.” Mattie paused and took a breath. “Robo and I are going to search this entire property.”
Stella scrutinized her. “It’s not a bad idea, and I wouldn’t tell you not to. All I’m asking is for you to remain neutral. Be the savvy investigator I know you to be. Are you too close to this one, Mattie?”
“I can do the job.”
“Good, because we need you.” Stella headed for the kitchen, carrying the medicine bottles with her. “Let’s talk to Tilley, and then you and Robo can finish your search.”
Stella’s inference that Mattie might not be able to do her work effectively irritated the hell out of her. Struggling to keep her temper under control, she followed Stella out to the porch. Tilley sat on its edge, his face tight with tension, cuddling Dodger and stroking his head. The image of man and dog reminded her so much of how she sought consolation from Robo during dark times that it threw her a curve ball. Stella’s warning to keep an open mind sifted through her irritation, and she settled herself, ready to listen. Brody stood by about ten feet away, as if giving the man space.
Stella joined Tilley on the edge of the porch, sitting near him. “Mr. Tilley, we need to talk. Could I ask you a few questions?”
“It’s getting late. I need to sleep.” He hugged Dodger, putting his chin on the dog’s head. Dodger swiped his cheek with his pink tongue.
“This won’t take long. Are you willing to talk to me?”
“I guess so.”
“I found these prescription bottles in your medicine chest, and I see they’re empty. I didn’t find any new refills, and I’m concerned about you. Have you been taking your medicine lately?”
“My pills didn’t come.”
“You mean they didn’t come in the mail?”
“Right. My check didn’t come either. I waited for a while, and then it did.”
“So your check came, but not your pills,” Stella said.
“Uh-huh. I think they’ll come soon.” Tilley rubbed the top of Dodger’s head, his eyes downcast.
“The date on this empty bottle says it was refilled almost two months ago, and it was only a month’s worth. So if I’m figuring it right, you’ve been without your pills for about a month. Is that possible?”
Tilley reached for the bottle and looked at the date. “Maybe. What is today, anyway?”
Stella told him, and he raised his brows as if astonished.
“Does that surprise you?” she asked.
“I didn’t know it had been that long.”
“Have you been in touch with your doctor?”
“I don’t think so. It’s been a while, I think.”
“I think you need some help getting this straightened out. Do you have a family member I can call?”
He shook his head.
“A case manager then? Someone who helped you get your checks set up?”
“I can take care of myself.”
Stella sat back and studied him—Mattie knew how it felt to be examined by those probing eyes.
“I’m going to have a person from the county contact you to help get things back on track,” Stella said. He started to protest, but she raised her hand to stop him. “I know you can take care of yourself, but I’d feel better if someone helped you get your medicine started again. It’s been too long since you’ve been without it.”
Mattie had to concede the point about the man’s illness to Stella. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t taken Sophie.
He was shaking his head, but Stella kept talking. “Now I need to switch back to our original concern. Finding Sophie Walker.”
Tilley shot to his feet, paced a few steps away, and then turned to face Stella. Mattie tensed and felt Robo do the same beside her.
“I can’t help you with that,” Tilley shouted.
Stella stood facing him, her demeanor calm. “Do you have any idea how Sophie’s scent got inside your truck?”
“No! I told you, she’s never been in my truck.”
“I’m sure you can understand how that dilemma still concerns us.”
Mattie grew tired of listening, observing, and essentially doing nothing. “I still think you know something,” she told Tilley.
His eyes darted to the sheriff’s Jeep and then out toward the barn, refusing to meet hers. “I don’t know anything.”
Squaring her shoulders and hooking one thumb on her utility belt, Mattie stepped in close, staring up into his face. “Where is Sophie Walker? Is she somewhere on this property?”
Tilley backed up a few steps. “No!”
Frustration urged her forward. Could he be holding Sophie in a hidden structure in the woods at the edge of his meadow? Or, God forbid, could he have buried her someplace on this acreage? She stayed close, pressing him. “I’m going to search this property until I’m satisfied Sophie isn’t anywhere on it.”
Nodding, he gulped, anxiety consuming his face.
Stella intervened, blocking Mattie’s advance. “You stay here with me, Mr. Tilley, while the others take another look around.”
Mattie turned away, told Robo to heel, and headed back to the barn with Brody following. She planned to search through every structure on this place, around the perimeter, and through the meadow. Pressure built in her chest as she thought of how time was slipping away.
Sophie can’t end up like Candace. She just can’t.
She vowed not to leave this place until she was absolutely convinced Sophie was nowhere on it to be found.
*
Cole sat in the sheriff’s Jeep, watching Mattie and the detective talk to Gus after they came out of the house. He knew if he dared try to get out of the vehicle, McCoy would force him to leave. His heart tripped when Mattie confronted Gus and then turned and strode back to the barn, Robo beside her and Brody following.
What’s going on?
Soon, LoSasso came over, and the sheriff rolled down his window. She leaned in and spoke to both of them. “Mr. Tilley swears he didn’t see Sophie after his time with her at the clinic yesterday. Dr. Walker, can you tell me what vehicle he drove to your clinic for the appointment?”
“His brown pickup truck and trailer. He brought his horse in.”
“The tires on that vehicle don’t match the prints we found at your property,” LoSasso said. “Do you know if Sophie entered that truck?”
Cole searched his memory. “I’m sure she didn’t.”
“Was the truck parked where you could see it while you worked on the horse?”
“No, we were inside the treatment room. What’s this about?”
“Was Sophie with you the entire time Mr. Tilley was at your clinic?”
“She was inside the clinic most of the time.” Cole paused, trying to remember the sequence of events exactly. “I think she went outside to play with her ball at some point while he was there.”
He saw LoSasso look at McCoy, and the penny dropped. He put one hand on the door handle, his muscles tightening, getting ready to spring. “Robo found Sophie’s scent in the truck, didn’t he?”
“Do you think Sophie could’ve gotten in the truck while you were inside the clinic, Cole?” McCoy asked.
“I’ve never seen her do anything like that. In fact, I’ve warned her against it. I don’t think she’d get inside someone else’s car.”
“I don’t know yet how to explain her scent being in the vehicle,” Stella said. “Maybe Robo failed on this one. But his tires don’t match the tracks on your property, and I think we’ll find the person who took Sophie when we find the tires that match that print.”
Cole stared at Gus, huddled on the porch holding Dodger. His hopes deflated, and he felt more helpless than ever before in his life. “So you’re positive Gus didn’t take her?”
“Mattie and Robo are doing a thorough search, and they’ll make sure there’s no scent trail outside the truck. But no, I don’t think Mr. Tilley took Sophie
.”
McCoy looked at him. “You should go home now, Cole.”
“Let me stay until Mattie finishes, and then I’ll go.” Cole gripped the door handle and stared out toward the barn, trying to spot Mattie through the darkness.
Chapter 21
Cole had come home after Mattie returned to the sheriff’s Jeep. “We searched everywhere . . . everywhere,” she’d said, her dark eyes burning. “But we didn’t find a scent.”
Now he leaned against the kitchen cabinets with his sister, Jessica Walker, who’d arrived shortly after his return. It had been such a relief to see Jessie. He even welcomed her take-charge manner, and as an attorney, she never lacked in that. A tall, athletic-looking brunette who worked out regularly, she was also not lacking in strength, and his ribs still smarted from the hug she’d given him. The pain had been worth it.
“There’s fresh coffee in the pot, Miss Walker,” Mrs. Gibbs said as she hovered near. As far as Cole could tell, she’d been cooking most of the night, although no one had been able to eat a thing.
“Call me Jessie. Everyone does.”
“I have food warming in the oven if you’re hungry.”
“Maybe later. Thank you, Mrs. Gibbs.”
Sheriff McCoy came in from the other room. “I need to get back to the office for a while. Cole, do you need anything from me before I go?”
Ever since Cole had gone up to the Tilley place, the sheriff had been by his side. In a way, it would be a relief to have him go, but in another way, it made Cole feel like the man was abandoning a sinking ship. “You’ll call me immediately if you hear something?”
“Right. And you’ve got my cell phone number, so you do the same,” McCoy said. “I’ll check in with you in about an hour. Jessie, I’m pleased to see you again and relieved that you’re here.” The sheriff extended a hand.
Cole wondered how McCoy kept from wincing when Jessie shook it. “You couldn’t keep me away,” she said.
Mrs. Gibbs left to show the sheriff out, leaving Cole alone in the kitchen with his sister.
“You’ve talked to Mom and Dad?” Jessie asked.
“Dad. He’s out with the volunteers.”
“Does Sheriff McCoy think the kidnapper might call here?”
“If someone was going to call for a ransom, don’t you think they would have done it by now?” His eyes stung, and he blinked hard.
“I don’t know. I think that could come at any time. If that’s what we’re dealing with.”
Cole didn’t want to imagine what else they could be dealing with. “I can’t stay and do nothing. I’m going to take Bruno out to search. Could you man the phone here at the house?”
“Okay. Where’s Angela?”
“In her room. She blames me for not being here when Sophie got home from school.” Cole shook his head and looked at the floor. “Which I wasn’t.”
“Geez, Cole. You’re not Superman. You can’t always be everywhere.”
Mrs. Gibbs reentered the room. “That’s the God’s honest truth.”
Jessie turned to Mrs. Gibbs. “Did Angela have any dinner?”
“Not unless she ate from the tray I took up to her.”
“I’ll go see.” Jessie left the room and headed upstairs.
Cole hoped Angela’s aunt could bring comfort to her, because he sure couldn’t.
In the den, the dogs kicked up a fuss and rushed the entryway as the front door slammed shut. Having not heard a knock, Cole hurried to where Bruno and Belle stood, barking.
The doorbell rang.
Someone tried to enter, but the dogs stopped him. An intruder, his parents, Sophie’s kidnapper? None seemed likely. He peered through the door’s peephole.
Olivia?
“Bruno, Belle, quiet. Sit. Stay.” Both dogs settled, obedient but watchful, and he opened the door.
Olivia stood on the step wrapped in a navy woolen pea coat, a chill breeze lifting her shoulder-length blond hair. Her blue eyes—which Cole had always thought matched the color of Colorado columbine—were reddened and showed her fatigue. Seeing the mother of his children standing on his porch as if she didn’t belong almost shattered what little reserves he had left.
“Olivia,” he breathed.
“What on earth are those dogs doing in the house?” she demanded.
Cole had always catered to her aversion to having pets in the house, even though some of his fondest memories growing up as a kid included his dogs.
“The kids have pets now, Liv.” He opened the door wide. “Come in.”
Olivia stepped across the threshold, eyeing the two large dogs, who in turn eyed her back. “Are they mean?”
“Just protective.” No need to divulge the part about Bruno’s attack training. “You surprised them.”
“Where were these protective dogs when Sophie disappeared? And while we’re on it, where were you, Cole?”
He had nothing he could say.
The anger in Olivia’s eyes pierced him. “How could you lose my baby? Can’t I trust you to take care of our kids?”
“Don’t blame him.” Angie’s voice rang out from behind him. “It’s not his fault.”
Cole found it hard to believe his ears, but nevertheless, it came as a small bit of relief to hear Angie defend him.
Olivia’s anger melted as she extended her hand toward their daughter. “Angela . . .”
Jessie came into the room from behind Angie. “Olivia,” she said, surprise on her face. “We didn’t know you were coming. Come in. Can I take your coat?”
As if unable to look away, Olivia stared at her daughter. Angie stood rooted in the archway between kitchen and den, and her mother gradually withdrew her outstretched hand. “How are you, sweetheart?” she said in a hushed voice.
Angie’s face hardened. “What do you care?”
Cole felt trapped between mother and daughter. Considering Angie’s current level of distress, this was a poor time for a reunion. But still, this was his child’s mother, and she deserved her daughter’s respect. He lifted his hand in restraint. “Angie, please.”
Olivia sent him a hateful glance. “You’ve turned her against me.”
“You’re the one that did that! Dad does nothing but defend you. What are you doing here?”
Although he could have guessed at the answer himself—no mother who loved her children could stay away when one of them went missing—he thought it a fair question and decided to let Olivia field it.
“Your dad called to see if I had Sophie. I was so worried, I had to come.”
“You never worried about Sophie before. You didn’t care that she’s just a little kid and she wants you and she cries herself to sleep and—”
“Angela, that’s enough,” Cole said, cutting off her tirade and going to her with his arms outstretched. “This isn’t the time for this discussion.”
Angie met his gaze and her eyes filled. “But Dad, she can’t just walk in here and expect . . .”
“Shh.” Cole drew her into a hug, and her last words were muffled against his chest. Her shoulders heaved as she began to sob. Fighting his own tears, he sensed that Olivia remained frozen by the front door.
He’d made such a mess of things. He tilted his head back as he held his child.
Where are you, Sophie? Where are you, baby girl?
Angie pushed away from his chest. Still sobbing, she ran up the stairway to her room, slamming the door behind her. Jessie gave him a fortifying look before turning to follow. “I’ll go to her. You two need time to talk.”
Talking was the right thing to do, and he didn’t need his sister to say it, but what he wanted most right now was to go out and search for Sophie. He turned to his ex-wife, who looked wilted and broken as she leaned against the front door.
It surprised him to realize how much his feelings had changed. A year ago, he’d begged this woman to stay with him and ached to hold her in his arms. Back then, he would have done anything to soothe her, but tonight, he felt nothing—just a tired
recognition that she was as stressed and worried as he was. If he felt anything at all, it was sympathy.
“She hates me,” Olivia said, hugging her coat tightly closed.
“She doesn’t hate you. She’s mad because you’ve shut her out these past months.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks, and she dashed them away. “Is it all right if I come in?”
“Of course.” Feeling awkward, Cole gestured toward the den. “Come in and sit.”
Together they walked into the den, and they stood beside the overstuffed leather sofa and armchairs, but neither of them sat.
“Why are you here, Liv?” he asked quietly.
Tears spilled from her eyes again. She let them fall, standing rigid with her hands thrust deep into her coat pockets. “Apparently I can’t trust you to handle things. What’s being done to find Sophie?”
Leaving out the part about Candace Banks, Cole summarized the search so far, knowing that it sounded like precious little had been done.
“Who’s in charge?” Olivia asked.
“Sheriff McCoy.”
“If they think a stranger took her, why hasn’t he called in the FBI?”
“The Colorado Bureau of Investigation was notified this afternoon when they issued the Amber Alert. It’s gone out region wide, and it might be expanded to a federal level if necessary. Evidently, it’s somewhat related to time passing and need for resources. Right now, the local sheriff and county detective are handling things.” Discussing it made Cole feel even more powerless.
“That’s not enough.”
Coldness washed through him. Things were never enough for Olivia. “It’s the way it is. What are your plans?”
“I need to be here. To stay informed. To help if I can.”
Cole searched for his own plan. He wouldn’t leave Angela alone to fend for herself with her mother, and he knew she’d want to come with him to join the search.
“Come meet Mrs. Gibbs,” he said, turning his back on his ex-wife and heading for the kitchen. She followed.
Their housekeeper was at the sink, wringing out a dishcloth.
“Mrs. Gibbs,” Cole said as she turned to face him. “This is Olivia Walker, Angie and Sophie’s mother.” For some reason, he couldn’t use the label “my ex-wife.”
Hunting Hour Page 20