The federal agent stood in front of the couple. They were so tired and anxious they didn’t notice the bench they sat on had rails damaged over time by handcuffs. Their faces were trained on Carter and nothing would distract them from what he was saying.
Norris nodded to Carter to join him by Pickett’s desk. “Why are they here?” He knew it was a stupid question the second he asked it.
“Apparently they saw me leave and followed me. They thought I was going to see the girl.”
The couple sat on the edge of the bench and stared at them, desperate for answers to the hundred unanswered questions that had plagued them since their daughter was kidnapped. Their number one question: Had she been found?
The switchboard phone rang and everyone’s attention jumped to Sandy. She answered the police line and then proceeded to radio Frank, who was on patrol, to swing by The Sea Crest Restaurant where a couple of kids were using the rear parking lot for skateboarding races.
There was never a lull during the summer season.
Norris exhaled a sigh of relief. There was enough going on that morning without having another real emergency drop in their laps.
From his position, Norris saw the front door open a third time. Jolene walked through it with concern tightening her brow. Today, she was dressed more businesslike instead of the casual vacation attire he’d seen her in since they met on the Hackman’s boat. The off-white summer dress, covered with bold red flowers with black stems, accented her curves, and her black flat shoes showed she didn’t need extra height to be self-assured. Her poise shone through.
She pulled out her badge from her small purse and clipped it to the black belt at her waist.
Sandy gestured Jolene toward the den out back while she answered another call: “Cape James Police Department. How may I direct your call?”
Jolene stepped up to Carter and smiled as she entered the police den. “Good morning.”
She briefly glanced at Norris and nodded but he noticed her smile lacked something. “Chief.”
Norris’ heart dropped and for an instant he felt second best. And that was a shock. After last night, he hadn’t expected her to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him senseless like at the beach, but he hadn’t expected her to act cold either. He thought he’d at least be the recipient of a mischievous smile, the one he adored.
“U.S. Marshal Martinez.”
Jolene turned a shoulder to him and jerked her head toward the couple perched on the bench. The ones who studied them with undisguised hope. “I see we’re all here.”
“They followed me.” Carter frowned. “I wasn’t checking for a tail.”
Norris smiled at her arched brow. She ignored him.
“Well, if Lia turns out to be theirs, we’ll be front and center to a happy ending.” Jolene’s smile wavered. “I don’t know about the two of you, but I don’t get to see happy endings very often in my job. And even if she isn’t their child... They’ll have the attention of the media and it will give renewed life to their daughter’s case. Either way, this will go viral.”
“That’s true.” Carter’s phone chimed and he pulled it out of his breast pocket. He glanced at the screen and then looked up. “Do you mind if I use your office, Chief Stiles? My cell signal is spotty for some reason.”
“Not at all.” Norris stepped back, clearing the way for Carter.
Jolene stopped Carter by stepping in his path. “Is it the results?”
He shook his head. “It’s my boss.”
After Carter left them, she looked at Ted. “I take it he’s the guy who started this mess.”
He glanced Ted’s way and saw the man’s head was still bowed over a file. “How could you tell?”
“His body language speaks volumes. Whatever he’s reading must be important.”
Body language always told the truth, and right now Jolene was telling him she wasn’t wanting to connect in a personal relationship with him. She kept her distance and the space between them felt iceberg cold. “I think it’s his contact with the city.”
Finally, a smile pulled at her lips and she chuckled softly.
Norris couldn’t help his reaction. Her unexpected light throaty laugh made his heart do a free fall and he smiled back at her. “Can I get you some coffee? It’s not Starbucks quality but it keeps us awake.”
“Thanks.” She followed him to the small cabinet stationed alongside the far wall.
Norris grabbed two fresh mugs from the shelf above a small sink and then filled them with coffee. “How do you take yours?”
“Black is fine.”
“We have sugar and cream in the refrigerator.” He didn’t know any women who took their coffee black and pointed to the mini-unit under the counter.
“I’m used to drinking it black. It makes life easier when we’re on stakeouts.”
“Right,” he responded. Her comment was meant to remind him of what she did for a living and why she was there. Yesterday’s attraction for him seemed replaced with a level of detachment.
If the lady wanted to act as if last night hadn’t happened, he wasn’t going to let his disappointment show. He focused on the couple sitting across the room.
With an easy yard between them, Jolene and he stood silently sipping their coffee for a minute before they both spoke at the same time.
“When we have the results—” Norris said.
“What’s the game plan after—” Jolene started.
Her cheeks flushed and he felt the attraction rising between them again.
“Sorry,” she said. “What were you going to say?”
If Lia were the missing child, the case would remain open until they learned who had kidnapped her and since she was found in Carter’s territory he would be assisting in the case.
He told Jolene about the checks and inquiries his officers had done and continued: “So, in the aftermath, if the results show she’s not the Burgesses’ daughter, I’m going to head out and check with local pre-schools and churches. I have my man who is on patrol, checking with other businesses when he can between calls.”
“In the aftermath... I’m sorry. That sounded a little cold. We’re talking about human beings with feelings here,” she nodded toward Mr. and Mrs. Burgess.
“I didn’t mean to sound cold.” He peered down at her. If she’d learned anything about him in the last forty-some hours, she should know he was a compassionate man. He thought his actions—jumping into the ocean to save her; his handling of Ted; putting Lia in Martina’s care instead of the system—had proven that already. “I want their nightmare to be over just as much as you do. My focus is on catching the son of bitch who put her in a little inflated raft on the ocean to die. I’m trying to figure out where else to go for a lead, because right now we have nothing.”
He felt her watching him and gulped his coffee. Then he rinsed the mug off in the small sink. He cleared his throat and turned to face her. “Pickett will be back in at noon. He’ll also do some checks.”
“Checking with the pre-schools is a great move,” Jolene said.
“I should’ve probably started there.”
“You didn’t because you felt no one in your community could do such a thing. You believed our perp had to be an outsider. The way people come and go on a daily bases here, you needed to scratch newcomers and transients from your suspect list first. You did the right thing concentrating your search on local businesses utilized by tourists. If I’d been in charge I would’ve done the same thing.”
Norris saw sincerity in her eyes. The frustration he’d felt in his gut lessened. She was right. They’d learned a lot.
Over Jolene’s head Norris saw Carter come around the corner. The agent’s tight expression revealed the DNA results weren’t what they had hoped for. Once again Carter would need to face Darren and Bonnie Burgess and give them heartbreaking news.
When the federal agent entered the room the couple stood. Their white-knuckled interlocked hands matched their stressed-out expressio
ns. And the hope on their faces faded with each step Carter took toward them.
“I’ll be right back,” Norris said, knowing his voice sounded tight.
Jolene’s soft fingers touched his wrist, stopping him in mid-step and his heart in mid-beat. “Where are you going?”
“I told Carter I was in this to the end. The end is now.”
Beside him, Jolene drew in a deep breath.
Norris met Carter and together, shoulder to shoulder they faced the couple.
“Did you get the results?” Mr. Burgess asked before Agent Carter had time to open his mouth.
“Yes,” Carter answered, sounding disheartened. “I’m sorry. Lia isn’t your daughter”
Bonnie Burgess’ heart-wrenching wail caught Norris off guard and he blinked and jerked back. Her face seemed to melt into a multi-layered mask of agony that bore no resemblance of the young, pretty mother. She crumpled as if the floorboards had given away under her and all three men lurched forward, hoping to stop her from hitting the floor.
Her fists wound into the material of Norris’ shirt’s sleeve and he felt the seams at his shoulder split.
He scooped her up.
Her heaving chest pressed against his thundering heart. Her questions and agonized moans hammered his eardrum, his soul.
A lump wedged in his throat and all Norris could do was look at the woman’s husband Darren and reassure the man that he had her.
The man didn’t look strong enough to hold her up at the moment so Norris placed Bonnie on the bench. Quickly, Darren took a seat next to her and cradled her protectively. He murmured reassurances that they weren’t going to give up searching for their baby and they would find her.
Carter, looking helpless and angry, stepped closer and placed a hand on Darren’s shoulder.
Norris glanced over his shoulder at Jolene and saw her put a finger to her eye.
He looked over at Ted. The seasoned officer’s head had dropped to his chest and a tear trailed over his weathered cheek, landing on the contract lying on the desk.
At the expense of others, Ted had learned a hard lesson. He would pay dearly.
Norris encased his right fist in his left hand. He vowed this case would stay open until they found out who Lia’s parents were and returned her to her family.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Why am I lighting a candle for her? I loathed her for what she did to me.
She gave me life, but I wasn’t enough. Never enough.
She made me do unspeakable things, caused me so much pain.
When I think about her my nerves rattle and I feel weaker. Bile tickles the back of my throat and I choke it back, quietly, so as not to disturb the others behind me who pray for the sad lots life dealt them.
My hand shakes as I place the lighting stick down. Through my trousers, my fingers scrape the welts on my thighs and a sense of safety blankets my shoulders. My father is with me.
I was enough for him. He saved me. God, I worshipped him.
Going to see her was a mistake.
Because of her, I’ve sinned.
I ignore the searing of my flesh and quench her flame as if it was her life.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Norris pulled up to the curb next to Saint Paul’s Church, their third stop.
Church bells rang loudly above their heads.
He shifted his SUV cruiser into park, set the brake. Through the windshield he stared up at the church’s towering steeple where a golden cross glistened in the sunlight. Saint Paul’s was the largest and oldest of the Cape James churches, sitting on a swell nearly two acres deep and wide and situated almost dead center in town. The foundation and walls, comprised of field stone, had been dug out of mainland Virginia fields and shipped across the Chesapeake. The old church undoubtedly served as a fortress at one time.
The modern fenced-in playground equipment off the basement was definitely a contrast to the historical building.
When he’d moved here last summer, he was surprised to learn the town of Cape James had four daycare centers and during the summer several of the churches ran day camps so the children’s parents could take on the abundance of seasonal jobs.
The bells ended the melody on a lingering note and then proceeded to bong twelve times.
Jolene laced her purse strap over her shoulder and turned to Norris, her eyes hidden by her sunglasses. “They say the third time is the charm.”
“Let’s hope so.” He cut the engine and immediately the car warmed. He unlatched his seatbelt, shouldered his door open and was slapped in the face by the humidity and heat. A bead of sweat quickly formed and rolled down his spine under his vest. He rushed around the car, hoping to find relief in the daycare’s air conditioning.
His cruiser—with wide tires made to travel the beach, if necessary—sat higher and he intended to give Jolene his hand. But, by the time he rounded the rear quarter panel she was stretching to put toe to ground. Her dress slid up her thigh and he got a great view of her shapely legs. The sight of their full length aroused him yet again. His dick urged him to walk up to her, part them and...
He caught her eye over the rim of her glasses and quickly looked away and buried that image.
“Don’t think I don’t know you checked out at my legs.”
“What do you mean?”
“Right.” She glared up at him.
He closed the door behind her and mumbled, “You’re the one who wore the dress.”
She spun around on the sidewalk and he nearly walked into her.
“I didn’t bring a pant suit with me. I’m on vacation remember.”
“You brought a dress that shows off your legs,” he said, trying to contain his chuckle.
“In case I decided to go out to dinner at a nice place.”
He arched a brow. “Alone?”
“Yes. No. Maybe. What does it matter?” Her mouth snapped shut.
There was the answer to his question. He loved the way her dark eyes lightened with sparks when she was goaded. “It doesn’t.”
She spun around, sending her purse to swing outward and hit her hip. She clutched it to her side and marched up the walkway to the church.
Norris followed, biting back a smile brought on by their bickering.
She stepped to the side and let him press the intercom button on the daycare’s front door.
A voice from inside crackled a greeting: “Good afternoon. Can I help you?”
“It’s Chief Stiles. I need some information on a child. Could you open the door and let us in?” He pushed his sunglasses to his head.
“Of course,” the voice responded. “One minute.”
The radio on his shoulder came to life the second a young woman pushed through the interior glass door and saw him. “Chief.”
Norris put his finger up, indicating the girl should wait a second before opening the outside glass door. He stepped back a few steps on the sidewalk, squinting against the sun’s rays and answered his deputy’s call. “Go ahead, Larry.”
He saw Jolene smile at the woman through the glass as he listened intently to what was being said by his officer.
“I stopped by Mercer’s Grocery.”
“Has Mercer seen the girl?”
“He’s not sure. But, he has an employee who hasn’t shown up for work. A Greg Hittler. He stocks shelves. Mercer’s called the house several times and there’s no answer.”
Damn it was hot. Rivers of sweat ran down his back. He stepped into the shade of a nearby tree and felt immediate relief. “Ok, so the guy quit without notice.”
“Greg Hittler has a daughter about two years old. Mr. Mercer only saw her once or twice in the backseat of Hittler’s car.”
Norris looked at Jolene and noted her spine had stiffened.
“Go on,” he said.
Jolene walked into the shade next to Norris.
He filled her in: “You told us we needed to consider all possibilities including a possible domestic violence gone bad, so I questioned
the employees there. Greg’s wife Cheryl works at Suntan Zone on the boardwalk. I hiked over there and guess what?”
He watched Jolene’s lips curve up at the ends. “She hasn’t shown up for work in a few days.”
“You got it,” Larry responded.
Inside the glass door, Norris saw the daycare worker anxiously looking back into the building and then at him. She was growing impatient. It was noon and she was probably in the middle of dispensing lunches.
He gave her a smile and held up his finger again which prompted a frown that time. “Get their address and head over there. Text it to me. We’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.”
“One more thing, Chief. The woman here at Suntan Zone stated Hittler’s daughter went to St. Paul’s Daycare.”
Jolene’s smile bloomed.
It felt great when a piece of the puzzle fell into place, but the ramifications, if Jolene’s theory played out, could be heartbreaking.
“We’re there now,” Norris spoke into the mike. “Let me show the girl’s picture to the child care workers and then I’ll meet you at the Hittler’s home. Don’t approach the house until I’m there. Understood?”
“Roger.”
The mike went silent.
Jolene’s shoulders lifted in a shrug. “It’s better to know now than have someone report a God-awful smell in a few days.”
He frowned, recalling the time during his rookie year when a man from the gas company was checking the meters. He’d noticed a foul smell coming from inside an older home via an open window in the Westover area. He’d called 911. Norris and his partner had found an elderly man dead in his Norfolk home during a scorching five-day heat wave in August. In the heat, flies already inhabited the body and there were signs of rodent nibbles. It was a memory he’d buried deep and he shook it back into place.
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