The Forgotten

by Linda S. Prather

  “So Teresa and Brian were fighting?” Karen asked once they were under way.

  Loki nodded, wishing she could drive faster but knowing she needed to keep it slow to minimize the bumps and jars. “They were pretty heated when we left. Teresa accused him of screwing up the case.”

  Karen sighed. “I was afraid of that. He hasn’t, Loki. Brian has dealt with this type of criminal longer than any of us. He isn’t infallible, though, and sometimes we all make mistakes.”

  “It might help if I knew what the problem was.” Loki maneuvered a small hill. “It’s apparent there’s some type of tension between them.”

  “Teresa’s son went missing six years ago. That’s when I joined the FBI to be close to her.” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard. “We knew he was dead. Brian had been tracking this guy for months, and they finally cornered him. One of Brian’s team killed him before he could tell us where he buried Tommy. I don’t think Teresa has ever forgiven him for that.”

  Loki frowned, avoiding a small water hole. “Surely the people at the top know that. Why would they partner the two of them?”

  “The new director hates Brian and his team. He was looking for someone who could gather enough information so he could kick them out. Teresa volunteered.”

  Loki clamped her lips together, her hands tightening on the wheel. “I can’t believe she agreed. When we get back, I’m sending them both packing.”

  Karen laid a hand on her arm. “Don’t, Loki. It’s not like that. Most of the FBI appreciate Brian and his team, but there are a few who hate him and ridicule what his team does. Teresa knew if she didn’t take the job, someone else would.”

  The cabin came into view, and the ground finally leveled out. The curious looks and sadness in Teresa’s eyes finally made sense. Loki parked in front of the cabin and sighed. “I don’t see spirits, Karen, and I can’t help her find Tommy.”

  Karen leaned back in the seat and rested her head against the cool leather. “No, but Jules and Grace do, and they could if you’d let them.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Robert watched as Mother skipped along the edge of the water. He could still imagine her as beautiful when she relaxed and allowed herself to enjoy her surroundings. Sometimes she was more child than adult, as she was now, running barefoot, her sandals in her hand. It was times like this he could almost forget the madness running through their veins. He’d pretended at first it was just her, but he realized that in many ways, they weren’t all that different. For her it was young girls, for him it had always been animals. She enjoyed the kill. He, on the other hand, took more pleasure from prolonged suffering and the thoughts of a lingering, lonely death.

  He kept a close vigil on the area around them. Strange how the short distance between the two states could have such different weather, but the cold in Mississippi this year was somewhat of a fluke. Mother was still talking about California, and she was going to be pissed when he informed her they were going back to Mississippi. The woman he’d shot this morning was most likely FBI, and he couldn’t keep making the six-hour drive and leaving Mother alone. He needed to be closer so he could finish this.

  Robert sighed and stared at the water. He preferred the solitude of the forest and creek banks. She was safe there, and he could limit who she came into contact with. Control was the key to her survival. He’d learned early to keep his urges in check by working with the old and feeble. There was something cathartic about watching them slowly waste away, their eyes constantly searching the hallways in hopes of a visit from a relative, or a friendly face. They were the real forgotten. Put out to pasture to rot from the inside out.

  She turned, smiled, and waved at him again. He would never allow that to happen to her. A flicker of motion caught his attention, and he turned to watch the lone jogger headed toward them. “Time to go in, Mother.”

  “But it’s so nice out, Robert. Just a few more minutes?”

  The jogger came closer, and he saw what he’d feared he would see. She was young, perhaps sixteen at the most. Her long blond hair had been tied in a ponytail, her face intense as she breathed in and out, keeping rhythm with her pace. Mother saw her too, and her eyes twinkled in the moonlight. Robert studied the terrain around them as Mother feigned a twisted ankle. The girl stopped to lend a hand, and Mother waved to the house. Robert rose and approached them. He smiled at the young girl. “I’ll take her in.”

  Mother’s eyes narrowed, and her lips twisted. “She’s helping me, Robert. Go away.”

  The young girl took a step backward, her eyes widening slightly as she stared from one to the other. “I’ll be going, then.”

  Damn you, Mother. He couldn’t let her go now. She’d seen them both, and she would remember their faces. He jerked a knife from his pocket and took her by the arm. “Scream and I’ll cut your throat.”

  “Please don’t hurt me.”

  Mother cackled, and Robert shook his head. “I won’t.” He led her toward the back of the house and down the steps to the basement. He’d have to get up early in the morning and search for places to bury the body.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Jake fastened his seat belt and waited for Wilkes to start the car as he read the reports on the murders of Mrs. Gardina and Dr. Vaughn they’d picked up from the Selma Police Department. Other than receiving the reports, the trip had been a waste of time, and they could easily have had those emailed or faxed to them. “How good is this Rosetta you keep talking to?”

  “The best. What’s on your mind?” Wilkes shot him a glance and grinned. “We’re getting married in three months.”

  Jake chuckled. “Guess that’s one way of keeping her part of your team.” His voice turned serious as he turned his attention to the reports. “We know he killed Gardina because he thought she saw him at the clinic, or somewhere else around Penelope. We can guess on the doctor, but I’d say he met with him or saw him in some capacity, maybe even outside the clinic. His murder intrigues me the most. He lived in a busy neighborhood, and the killer could have been caught any minute by the wife coming home, and yet he took the time to torture the cat but didn’t kill it. He left it to die on its own. I’d be willing to bet it’s not the first time he’s done that. We look for areas with high incidents of missing pets or mutilated animals and we might get a clue to where he’s been or where he’s holed up.”

  Wilkes reached for his phone and dialed Rosetta’s number. “Damn good thinking, Savior.” He relayed the information to Rosetta, listened for a moment, and ended the call. “She’s going to run it past the Dillon and Gardina areas first. We might have a hit on one of the other girls. A Donna Graves from McKee, Kentucky. She’s been missing for ten years.”

  “Don’t tell me we’re going to Kentucky?”

  Wilkes shook his head. “A ten-year-old case isn’t going to give us much information. One of my team members, Cody Allen, is from Kentucky. We’ll pass that one over to him. He can dig up more with a few calls than we could by going there. It’s almost nine o’clock. Do you want to stop to eat?”

  “I vote for getting back to the farm.”

  A comfortable silence set in between the two as the miles flew by, and Jake used the downtime to run the case through his mind. Even if psychics were real, which he doubted, they didn’t always get it right, and he’d seen more wasted manpower following up on wild-goose chases than any actual benefit. Even Loki’s visions weren’t exact and usually came only after something horrible had already happened. Seemed sort of pointless to have a vision of something that had already occurred and not be able to do anything to stop it.

  “So what are your and Loki’s plans after this case is over?” Wilkes broke the silence. “Headed to Texas or staying in Mississippi?”

  “We haven’t decided yet. How about you? Headed to Louisiana or somewhere else?”

  “Louisiana, I hope.” Wilkes sighed heavily. “Rosetta is about ready to tie me to the bed to keep me there so we can finish the wedding plans.”

  “
Will she still be a part of your team after the wedding?”

  “She will, but I’ll try to keep her at the computers and out of the field.” He shrugged. “She’s a redhead, so I usually lose if it’s something she’s adamant about.”

  Jake thought about Cara, a deep ache in his heart. He’d tried to keep her safe too, and now he was faced with his growing feelings for Loki. She hadn’t mentioned using herself as bait again, but he knew if she made up her mind, he wouldn’t be able to stop her. “How do you stay sane when she’s in the field and up against guys like this sick bastard?”

  “I don’t. I just try to remember to say I love you every chance I get.”

  Jake sank into the silence, his thoughts turning to Loki. When he’d first seen the sketch Wilkes had shown him, the thoughts of losing her had refueled his killing rage.

  “Have you thought about what you’re going to do with Grace and the baby?”

  “We haven’t talked about it. Unless we find some family, I don’t know.”

  “Dadron and Jules are quite taken with her and the baby. I think Loki is too,” Wilkes said.

  “She’s a kid. She needs to be going to school and parties, dating, and doing the things kids do.”

  Wilkes shot him a sad look and shook his head. “She’ll never be a kid again. Her whole life revolves around Hope. You and Loki could adopt her and the baby.”

  Jake shifted in the seat, uncomfortable with the turn of conversation. “We’re not there yet, and besides, with the work we do, there’s no place for them to stay in Texas.”

  Wilkes turned in to the driveway leading to the farmhouse. “Most men I know aren’t too smart when it comes to love. If I were you, I’d think about staying in Mississippi.”

  Jake stared at the farmhouse. He’d told Loki he wanted to stay here. Maybe they could adopt Grace and the baby. Jake turned to stare at Wilkes. “What did you say your paranormal power was?”

  “Projectionist. I can sometimes influence the thoughts of others.”

  The son of a bitch is putting thoughts into my head. “Yeah, well, keep it to yourself in the future.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Loki followed Mary Coomer’s gaze to where Dadron and Anna Claire were laughing and talking to Jules and Grace. “Looks like they’ve renewed their friendship. Would you like a cup of tea?”

  Mary followed her to the kitchen, and Loki filled the pot and set it on a burner. “I hope you gave Karen something to help her sleep. She wouldn’t even lie down until you got here.”

  “I swear, Loki, this whole thing is like one of those TV dramas Anna Claire likes to watch. Surely there’s some better way of catching this guy.”

  “Teresa said when Wilkes gets back, she’s going to make a plea for him to do a broadcast and bring the public in. I don’t think he will.”

  “Why the hell not?” Mary slapped her hand over her mouth. “Sorry about that.”

  Loki pulled down two cups, plopped in tea bags, and filled them with water. “If that’s the worst thing you say, you’re a saint.” She placed a cup in front of Mary and sat beside her. “I’ve tried to look at both sides of the equation. If we get the public involved, he might be spotted sooner. On the other hand, if he saw the broadcast, he might be more inclined to kill every store clerk where he stops, or if he uses a motel. Jake says he’s insane, and it’s harder to judge how an insane person will react.”

  “Lord have mercy on us all.” Mary sipped her tea. “At least one good thing came of this.” Her face brightened with a smile. “Jules is chattering away like a whole new person.”

  Loki nodded. “We can thank Grace for that.”

  Mary turned and stared into the living room. “Looks like she’s healing too. Girl is gonna have a rough road ahead, though. What do you plan to do with her and the baby?”

  I plan to keep them. The thought startled her, but she knew it had been there all along. Without any family to return to, Grace would never heal, and she’d be lost amongst strangers. “I think I’m going to stay in Mississippi. If social services will let me, I’ll adopt her and the baby.”

  “You’re taking on a big task there, Loki. You’re awfully young to be saddled with a ready-made family. Have you talked it over with Jake?”

  “No, but it’s what I want to do.” She retrieved the pot and refilled their cups. “And I’ve been raising Dadron and Jules for the past ten years. I don’t think they turned out too bad.”

  Mary rose and pushed her chair under the table. “Heard a car outside, so the men are probably back. Best be getting home now, as Anna Claire wants to go shopping tomorrow, and I’m sure you’ve got plenty to talk about.”

  Loki followed her to the door. “Thank you for coming, Mary.”

  Mary slipped on her coat and motioned for Anna Claire to get ready. “Way things are going, I figure I’ll be back before the week is out. You take care of yourself, you hear me?”

  “I will.”

  Loki stood in the doorway as Wilkes and Jake got out of the car and stopped to say hello to Dr. Coomer. Neither of them looked happy, so either the information in Alabama had been bad or Jake was ticked off with Wilkes again. Bruiser trotted up and sat beside her. At least if he’s ticked off, he’s not going to want to join Wilkes’s team. She headed for the kitchen as an image flashed through her mind of the drawing showing the killer shoving a knife into her chest. If they didn’t catch this guy soon, what Jake did wouldn’t matter to her—she’d be dead.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Robert wiped down the doorknob. He’d rigged the house to blow up if the door was opened, but he could never be too safe. Especially now that the FBI was involved. Mother smiled at him from the car, and he smiled back. It wasn’t her fault. The girl had been asking for it, running along the edge of the water so late at night all by herself. He opened the car door and slid behind the wheel. “Ready to go?”

  “I’m sorry, Robert.”

  “It’s all right, Mother. Why don’t you put your seat back and close your eyes? By the time you wake up, we’ll be in Mississippi.”

  “Nobody’s gonna miss her. A few weeks and she’ll be all but forgotten. I could tell that by looking at her. I did her a favor.”

  “Of course you did, Mother. Go to sleep now.”

  “I messed up your vacation,” she whined. “And you work so hard. Please forgive me.”

  “This wasn’t our vacation, Mother. We have to finish the girl and the Indian, remember? After we’re finished, we’ll take a real vacation. We’ll go deep into the forest where the birds wake you in the morning with their singing. You’ll like it there.”

  She relaxed in the seat. “And we’ll find you a new bride too. A pretty one with spunk.”

  Robert didn’t answer, content to watch the lines on the highway as he sped past them, and in moments, he heard her snore from the passenger seat.

  He hadn’t told her about the police officer that had knocked on the door this morning, carrying a picture of the girl and asking questions. This one wouldn’t be forgotten so easily. She was the daughter of some big shot doctor in Kansas, here visiting her grandparents. Her family was already offering a reward for any information. Their leaving so soon after the disappearance would look suspicious, but staying would have been even more dangerous.

  His head began to throb. She was happy at the farm, and so was I. I should have killed that damned Indian when I had the chance.

  Mother rolled toward him and snorted in her sleep. You didn’t kill the Indian because you don’t want to be like her. She was gradually getting worse. A few more years and she’d lose her strength and become like all the rest, pitifully living out her days with only memories to warm her in the darkness. Then what will I do?

  His hands clutched the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as the little girl’s voice sounded inside his head, followed immediately by his mother’s whiny voice.

  Make the dog go away, Robert.

  Clean it up, Robert.

  Robert turned t
he car around at the next stoplight. The officer had seen his face, and he’d been suspicious. He’d have to kill him, then the Indian and the girl. He turned his rage toward the dog, a deep throbbing pain setting in behind his eyes. Don’t worry, little girl. I’ll make the dog go away.

  ~ ~ ~

  Jake woke to the delicious smell of bacon frying, his stomach growling to remind him he hadn’t eaten since yesterday at lunch. He rolled over and sat up, pulled on the same jeans he’d worn the day before, then rummaged through the closet for a clean shirt. One of them would have to do laundry soon.

  Movement outside the window caught his eye, and he pushed aside the curtains. Jules and Grace were at the practice range with Dadron as guard. He continued to watch as Grace drew an arrow, nocked it, pulled, and released. She hit the target, turned with a smile, and high-fived Jules. Hell, she’s better than I am after one practice. At least she looked happy, carefree, as a teenager should. He shook his head to clear the last dregs of sleep and headed for the bathroom. The odds were slim of any hot water being left. He was going to have to put in a bigger water heater soon.

  His feet stopped midstride, and he realized he’d already made up his mind about Texas. He wasn’t interested in returning to law enforcement, and if they went back to Texas, Harry would never let up about it. Bruiser limped down the hallway toward him, and he gave him a morning hug. His life in Texas was over. He belonged here.

  Loki was removing a pan of biscuits from the oven when he entered. “About time you got up. Everyone will be here in less than a half hour, and I’m starved.” She stared out the kitchen window. “I wish they’d come in. Even with Dadron as guard, they may be in danger.”

  Jake snatched a piece of bacon and chewed on it. “I agree, but we can’t hide inside the house forever, either. We’ll go stir crazy.”

  “I hope this new information gives us a lead we can follow. I feel like we’re all stumbling in the dark, and he’s the only one who can see what’s next.”