by Terri Reed
Colleen gave him a look. “Now, don’t be coy. You know very well you’ve come to mean a great deal to that gal. I fair believe she’s fallen for you hard.”
Roman was glad he was sitting down, because the world just tilted. Fallen for him?
“And why wouldn’t she?” Colleen continued. “God brought you to us when we needed you and that says a lot, if you ask me.”
“God didn’t bring me to you, I found you on my own,” he retorted, still trying to sort out how he felt about Colleen’s little revelation.
Did Leah have feelings for him? And how did he feel about that? He liked her and cared about her well-being, but did his own feelings run deeper? Could he allow them to?
“Bah, on your own.” Colleen chuckled. “God’s in control, young man, not you. He wanted her found and He made it possible. You should be grateful to know God used you to work out His will.”
God had used him to work out His will? The thought wrapped around him and covered him with a cloak of comfort. Roman liked that. Liked that thought a lot. From the day he’d decided to invite Christ into his life, Roman had only wanted to follow God and know Him deeply. But it was hard to surrender sometimes, hard to believe that God was really in control. Being used by Him to do good made Roman feel loved.
His cell phone vibrated at his hip. He checked the caller ID and stilled. The call was from his friend within the Baton Rouge police department. Roman sent up a silent prayer that whatever Karl had to report was good news.
“Excuse me,” he said to Colleen as he stepped outside to take the call.
“Karl,” Roman answered.
“Hey, good buddy.” Karl’s raspy voice came over the line. “You won’t believe what popped up on the NCIC link today.”
Roman closed his eyes as hope flared. The National Crime Information Center’s computer database made it possible for law enforcement to catch criminals across state lines and jurisdiction. “You got a hit.”
“Yeah. I saw something come across my desk a few days ago and decided to run that print you gave me again, and today it came back with a verifiable match. Your man, an Ethan Stumps, is in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He was picked up on a rape charge, but the charges were rescinded. I have his address.”
Roman sagged against the brick building as everything he’d worked toward for the past twenty years was finally within reach. “Text me the information,” he managed to say before hanging up.
Finally, he would serve justice on the man who destroyed his mother’s life. His prayers had been answered. “Thank You, Lord,” he whispered.
He pushed away from the wall. Adrenaline pumped through his veins and plans formulated in his mind as he impatiently waited for Leah to finish her session.
“We made some good progress,” Jocelyn said. “The key is to relax and not let the fear of remembering overwhelm you.”
“I’ll try not to,” Leah said. Jocelyn may have thought they’d progressed but Leah hadn’t really remembered much that would help solve the murders. She had, however, remembered more of her father. She remembered he’d taught her to ride a bike and he’d helped her with her math when she was a kid. The memories were a soothing balm to her heart.
There was a quick knock on the door before the door opened. A tall man wearing a dark suit and red tie entered. His dark brown hair was cut short and his tanned skin implied a lot of time spent outdoors. His brown eyes assessed Leah before his gaze moved to Jocelyn. His expression softened, making him more handsome.
“Sam!” Jocelyn glided from her chair to hug her husband.
Roman filed in right behind the FBI agent, his expression grim. Leah suppressed a shiver of apprehension. Don’t let the fear overwhelm you, Jocelyn had just said. That was easier said than done.
Roman came to stand beside Leah as she rose to greet them, also. He gave her an inquiring glance. She shook her head to indicate she hadn’t remembered anything useful. He gave a quick nod of acknowledgment before he turned his attention back to the other man. “Agent Pierce has some questions for you.”
Sam stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “It’s good to finally meet you, Mrs. Farley. Jocelyn has been very worried about you.”
Leah accepted his offered hand. His handshake was firm but not crushing. “Nice to meet you, too, I think.”
Sam flashed a smile, though his eyes searched her face. “This is just an informal meeting, though I will have to have you come to the station for a formal statement later. Jocelyn has filled me in on your amnesia—and your claim that Dylan Renault raped you.”
The way he said “claimed” made Leah’s insides quake. “It could be a false memory,” she said, hating the word rape. It sounded so dirty. Made her feel dirty.
Roman visibly stiffened. “Shelby Mason can confirm that they were drugged during the Renault Christmas party just prior to Leah’s pregnancy.”
Leah glanced at him and wondered at the hardness in his eyes.
Sam’s gaze turned just as hard as Roman’s. “Yes, we’ve heard Miss Mason’s statement. Only DNA testing will confirm the ID of Sarah’s biological father beyond doubt.”
“But if you do that, then everyone will know I was raped, or think that I had an affair with Dylan Renault,” Leah said, not liking that scenario at all. “I don’t want everyone to know.”
Jocelyn reached for Leah’s hand. “Honey, hiding the truth is never a good thing.”
“The rape will come out if you are tried for Dylan’s murder,” Sam said.
Leah gasped. “You don’t really believe I killed him, do you?”
Roman stepped protectively closer to Leah. “Agent Pierce, someone else is at work here. There have been three attempts made on Leah’s life.”
Roman’s visible show of support meant the world to Leah. Especially since she wasn’t sure if he really believed in her innocence.
A thoughtful expression crossed Sam’s face. “That does make things more interesting.” His intense gaze pinned Leah to the floor. “But who has motive to get rid of you?”
“I don’t know. I wish I did,” Leah said as tears burned the backs of her eyes. “There’s so much locked up inside here.” She thumped a knuckle against her temple. Recalling the conversation she and Roman had had after they’d learned she had worked for the mayor, she asked, “Could the attempts on my life be connected to my work at the mayor’s office?”
Sam’s eyebrows rose. “Intriguing theory. One worth checking into. The mayor has been adamant that you are innocent and has kept a close eye on the investigation into your disappearance. Now I’m wondering if maybe I should look into him and the workings of city hall.”
One of Roman’s dark eyebrows shot up. “I’m surprised you haven’t already.”
Jocelyn raised her hands as if to separate two kids about to go for each other’s throats. “The authorities have had no reason to suspect Mayor Charbonnet. He’s a good man, who loved Leah like a daughter.” She turned her gaze to Leah. “Do you have any recollection of your work at the mayor’s office?”
Leah grimaced apologetically. “No, but maybe if I go to city hall, I might remember something useful.”
“It’s worth a try,” Sam said. “Shall we?” He made a sweeping gesture with his hand toward the door.
Jocelyn reached for Leah’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “I’ll come, too.”
Leah glanced at Roman for his support. He inclined his head toward the door. “It’s a good idea.”
“You’ll come?” Leah asked.
Roman shook his head. “I think it would be better if I take Colleen back to the house.”
She didn’t want him to leave her. She wanted him at her side always. But that wasn’t a realistic expectation. “I’d appreciate that.”
In the waiting room, Leah helped Colleen to stand. Roman placed a new walker in front of her.
Leah captured Colleen’s hand. “I’m going to go with Agent Pierce and Dr. Pierce to city hall, where I used to work. We’re hoping being bac
k there will jog my memory.”
“Where you still work. I’m certain no one fired a treasure such as you, my girl,” Colleen said.
Leah smiled. “Thank you for your vote of confidence.”
Tears glistened in Colleen’s eyes. “I never should have kept you like I did. May the good Lord be as quick to forgive me as you have.”
Tenderness welled in Leah’s heart. “Shh, Grandmother. Of course you’re forgiven.”
“I’ll come to city hall, too,” Colleen said gamely.
“You need to take your medicine. Roman will take you back to the house,” Leah said. “I won’t be long.” At least she hoped not.
Roman held Colleen’s arm as he escorted her to the truck, where Mort was waiting. Sam opened the back door to a dark green Ford sedan. Leah slipped inside as Jocelyn went around to the front passenger seat and Sam slid into the driver’s seat.
When Mort pulled the truck away from the curb and passed the sedan going in the opposite direction, an acute sense of isolation hit Leah in the chest.
Jocelyn turned in her seat and smiled. “It’s going to be all right.”
Leah could only pray so.
City hall shared a parking lot with the library. The stately two-story brick building had inviting benches around the outside and beautifully landscaped bushes and flowers. Leah followed Jocelyn and Sam up the wide concrete staircase to the thick oak double doors. Inside the echoing foyer, they approached the security gate.
Sam flashed his badge and they were admitted.
The security guard, an older gentleman with kind hazel eyes, regarded Leah in surprise. “Why, Mrs. Farley, y’all are back. We sure have missed seeing your smiling face.”
Disconcerted, Leah gave the man a tentative smile. “Thank you…I’m sorry, I don’t remember your name.”
He stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. Which, ironically, she had.
“Jeb Henry.”
“Good to see you then, Jeb,” Leah said, and was thankful when Sam took her by the elbow and led her away. Small talk was hard when only one person in the conversation could remember anything.
“The mayor’s office is on the second floor,” Jocelyn said, indicating the next wide staircase. Unlike the main staircase, this one was built of marble with an ornately carved banister.
By the time they were at the top, Leah could feel the effort of climbing the stairs in her calf muscles. She must have been in better shape if she’d traversed these stairs every day while working for the mayor.
“You okay?” Sam asked.
“Yes,” Leah replied.
As they moved away from the stairs toward the mayor’s office at the far west end of the hall, Leah noted the framed paintings of Loomis’s past mayors. All men and most from either the Pershing or the Renault family.
“Quite the gallery,” Jocelyn commented. “I hadn’t realized how political the Pershings and Renaults were. Though, why I’m surprised, I can’t say.”
“There are a few not connected to either family,” Leah said.
“Well, now, I’d have to correct you on that point,” a deep, smoothly Southern male voice intoned.
Leah swung around to find herself staring into the lined, tanned face of a silver-haired older man.
“Most every mayor of this town for the past hundred years has had some connection to one or the other of the two families. Myself included. My great-grandmere was a Pershing on my mother’s side.”
“Mayor,” Sam said, and held out his hand.
“Agent Pierce.” He nodded to Jocelyn. “Dr. Pierce.”
“Mayor, good to see you again,” Jocelyn acknowledged with her own nod.
“Security alerted me to your presence.” Then the distinguished-looking man turned his kind gaze toward Leah and regarded her with concern. “Dr. Pierce explained that you are suffering from amnesia.”
Leah nodded. “That’s correct.”
“My dear child, I’m so sorry.” He gathered her hands in his. “Ruth has been beside herself with worry over you. She will be mighty glad to see you.”
“Ruth?” Another friend?
“My wife,” the mayor explained.
“Please give her my best,” Leah said, feeling the need to be polite regardless of the fact that she didn’t remember her or the mayor.
“Mayor,” Sam said, his voice turning authoritative. “I need to ask you a few questions. Was there anything of a sensitive nature going on here in the mayoral office at the time of Leah’s disappearance? Have you received any threats? Anything unusual happen at all?”
The mayor thought for a moment. “Not that I recall. Deputy Olsen asked me the same questions back at the time.”
Jocelyn put her arm around Leah. “We’re hoping that if Leah can be at her place of work she might have a breakthrough in her memory.”
“By all means.” Mayor Charbonnet gestured toward the office from which he’d come out. “Leah, please take your time.”
“Thank you, sir,” she replied, and walked into the mayor’s office.
At first glance, she didn’t remember the opulent, richly appointed space. The large room was sectioned off for two work areas. The larger portion of the room, with a wide mahogany desk, leather captain’s chair, set of standing flags and bookcase loaded with official-looking volumes, was obviously the mayor’s workspace.
A smaller, though no less expensive-looking desk sat near the window. A computer, filing cabinet and another bookshelf flanked the desk. Behind it, a brunette with tortoiseshell glasses who sported a little bling at the temples sat, typing. Her fingers flew across the keyboard. When the phone rang, she answered with one hand while the other remained actively typing.
As soon as the young woman was off the phone, the mayor said, “Rachel, would you give us a moment, please?”
“Sure thing, Pops.” Rachel rose, grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. “Just page me when I can come back.”
When Rachel disappeared out the door, the mayor gave them a sheepish grin. “My youngest, home from college.” He addressed Leah, “After you disappeared, I hired a succession of temps through All Temps Employment Agency. None were as good as you. So when Rachel came home, I offered her the position. But when you are ready, your job is waiting for you.”
His kind words brought tears to Leah’s eyes. “Thank you, sir. You have no idea how much that means to me.”
Sam steered the mayor out into the hall. “Mayor, let’s step out so the ladies can get to work.”
Once the men vacated, Jocelyn gestured toward the room at large. “Wander around a bit. Sit in your old chair,” Jocelyn instructed. “Relax your mind and breathe. Be open to whatever comes in. You’re safe.”
Leah nodded, trying to do as instructed. She took deep, calming breaths as she slowly walked around the office and touched the equipment. She sat in the chair behind her old desk. She placed her hands flat on the desktop. She closed her eyes, picturing herself here working, answering phones, typing, filing.
From the deep recesses of her mind a memory rose. She sat at this desk, the phone rang. She could see herself answer.
Her heart rate picked up. Her breathing turned shallow.
“Leah, breathe,” Jocelyn said softly.
Forcing air in through the constriction in her throat, she remembered that phone call. Dylan was on the line. Leah’s eyes flew open. “Dylan called me. He wanted me to meet him at Renault Hall. He said he wanted to discuss Sarah.”
“Good. Anything else?”
She shook her head. “No.” She couldn’t keep the disappointment from her voice. “I don’t think what happened to me has anything to do with the mayor or my work here.”
Jocelyn inclined her head. “I tend to agree.”
Leah rose and they joined the gentlemen in the hall. Jocelyn explained the new memory.
The mayor seemed relieved. “I’m glad nothing we had going on here had caused you pain.”
“Thank you for your time, Mayor,” Sam said as
he led the way back toward the stairs.
Just as they were descending, the clickity-clack of heels on the marble floor drew Leah’s attention. A stunning blonde approached from the east wing of the second floor. Her tight, form-fitting black dress with a short jacket looked both professional and stunning.
The woman jerked to a stop when her gaze met Leah’s. “I’d heard you’d resurfaced. It takes some nerve to return after what you’ve done.”
Stunned by the attack, Leah could only stare as anger bubbled in her system. This woman definitely didn’t ring any bells, but she did push some buttons.
“Coral, mind your manners,” Jocelyn said with a good dose of irritation in her voice.
The blonde arched an eyebrow high. “We’ve all heard she’s responsible for Dylan’s death, not to mention her own husband’s. And to think she abandoned her own child, too. Tsk, tsk.”
“I did not kill either of them,” Leah said hotly as tears of anger and shame burned her eyes. She hadn’t deliberately abandoned her daughter. She hadn’t.
“That’s not what the sheriff thinks.”
Coral’s smug smile nearly pushed Leah over the edge. She balled her fists, ready to explode. Only Sam, stepping between Jocelyn and Leah, taking each of them by the elbow, gave Leah the sanity to hold her anger in check.
“Ladies, shall we?” Sam said, maneuvering them past the blond busybody.
Once outside, Jocelyn seethed. “That woman. I can’t stomach her.”
“I’m sure she’s stating what everyone in this town thinks,” Leah said, her shoulders sagging. “And they’ll only think worse of me when they learn Dylan really is Sarah’s father.”
Jocelyn gathered Leah’s hands in her own. “Honey, you did nothing wrong. You were the victim.”
“Why doesn’t it feel that way?” Leah asked. “Why do I feel dirty and ashamed?”
Jocelyn’s voice gentled. “Believe it or not, those are common reactions of rape survivors. Denying the rape happened won’t make your pain go away. Only by dealing with it will you be healed.” Jocelyn hugged Leah tightly. “We will work through this together.”