Gone Before Goodbye (Love &Mystery in the--6-oh-3 Book 1)

by Nora LeDuc

  “Please, St. Jude, help me find Lisa and watch over Noah.” If she had her St. Jude’s medal, she’d feel better.

  Teagan picked up Aunt Sophia’s phone and glanced at the number of messages for her aunt. The woman had been a leader, a doer. Why was she sitting around looking at ancient texts? She needed to be involved. Maybe she’d find a clue and help Noah. She’d shower, change, and attend the search meeting.

  Chapter 34

  Paul followed Teagan to the door of the church office where she told him she’d be at least an hour at the meeting. He reassured her he’d be gone only a few minutes to pick up coffee at the drive through next door. After, he’d wait for her in the parking lot.

  “Thanks, I’ll find you.” Teagan walked up to the desk where Stacey slid her a glance and continued talking on the phone. Teagan watched the minutes slip by on the digital desk while the secretary ignored her. It was hard to justify Stacey’s action since she was discussing the sale at Hawick Falls Fashions.

  She might as well interrupt. “Stacey, where’s the search meeting? I didn’t see any cars outside for it.”

  “Hold on,” Stacey said into the phone. She pushed the mute button. “Matt had an emergency. The meeting’s rescheduled for tomorrow at eight p.m. I contacted everyone who volunteered about the schedule change. Your name wasn’t on my list. Next time, make sure you’re on the sign-up if you want to be updated.”

  Teagan’s patience dropped a level at the reprimanding tone. “Is the church open?”

  “Until Matt returns and locks it.”

  Teagan whirled around and left, her patience frayed over wasted time. Outside, the damp air and fog refused to budge. The church bells pealed out the hour. Teagan stopped in the middle of the parking lot. While she was here, she’d light a candle and seek a moment of peace. Halfway across the lot, the idea of looking for her medal floated into her mind. She’d need her flashlight in the glove compartment for the closet since the bulb probably hadn’t been replaced. Reversing direction, she caught sight of Vic Taylor’s compact car sailing past. Where was he going?

  What gave him the right to cause grief in Noah’s life? Her anger flooded back. She jumped into the driver’s seat and met the patrol car pulling into the entrance. Teagan didn’t have a minute to spare if she was to catch Taylor. She signaled Officer Paul to follow and set off.

  She tailed Vic through the village before the truth struck her. He was driving toward Pretty Park, but wasn’t the park still closed? His sister lived near there. Maybe he was going to her house.

  Taylor’s car came into the view near the park entrance. The fire had destroyed at least half of the trees in the wooded section. The odor of charred wood permeated the air vents. Teagan slowed. Taylor was driving between the sawhorses used to block the road with barely an inch to spare.

  By the time Teagan banged a U-ey, and waved at Paul to do the same, Taylor had disappeared inside and around a curve in the park. She prayed she could locate him before he detected she was shadowing him.

  She entered the park, rounded the bend, and braked. Paul flashed his blue light. He must have a few questions about their chase, but where had Taylor gone? She’d drive a few more feet. The paved road had turned to dirt before she pulled over and cut the engine. Paul parked behind her, hopped out, and strode to her.

  She opened the window and leaned out. “I was trying to figure out what Taylor was up to and where he went.”

  “Vic Taylor?” Paul said.

  “Yes, but he’s disappeared.” She blew out a breath of disappointment.

  “Why would he come here?” Paul scanned the deserted area.

  “Maybe he wanted to write a piece that blamed the firefighters for the woods burning.” She shook her head and stared across the old athletic field to the boarded up snack shack that budget cuts had forced the rec department to close.

  The tail end of a vehicle was visible behind the end of the building. “Is that Vic’s car?” She pointed to it.

  Paul moved closer and strained to see.

  “He told me he hung out at the park investigating his niece’s disappearance. I bet he’s inside the old snack bar spying on us with binoculars.” A new thought hit her. “Paul, he might have held Kara and now Lisa in there.”

  Paul’s eyes widened. “You should go home. I’ll call in a trespasser at the park and join you later.”

  Nerves fluttered in Teagan’s stomach. “But the searchers went through the park.”

  “Doesn’t mean someone can’t squat here after we went through the area.” Paul’s lips tightened. “We should head to the entrance. I’ll call in.” He walked back to his cruiser.

  Her hand hovered over the ignition. Was Taylor inside the abandoned refreshment stand with Lisa? If only Teagan could look.

  Movement at the edge of the woods snared her attention. A form emerged. The man’s side-to-side sway gave away his identity. Travis.

  Goose bumps popped up on her arms. Paul was already in his car and probably waiting for her to turn hers around.

  The teen paused, and his gaze focused on her. At any moment he’d run and her one chance to question him about Lisa would be gone. She jumped out, leaving her door open, and the car beeped its warning that she’d left her key inside.

  “Travis, wait.” She ran toward him. “Where’s Lisa?”

  He turned to her. “Teagan?”

  She stopped a few feet from him.

  Travis’ stare held a glazed, glassy look that made her want to run away. “What are you doing here?”

  A musty, foul smell rolled off him. His jeans and T-shirt were mud-splattered and slept in. His uncombed hair stuck up on his head in odd places, and in his hand he clutched a knife.

  Whoa! She retreated two steps. “I’m looking for Lisa. Where is she?”

  “I haven’t seen Lisa since we fought.” He inched closer.

  Could she escape if he chased her? “What are you doing at the park?”

  “My uncle told me I had to get out of his house. I was causing too much trouble with the cops. I tried to sleep down by the lake on the beach. It was too cold. I moved to the snack hut after my uncle told me they’d searched the park.”

  “I saw you at my house after Lisa disappeared. Did you come to steal another of my aunt's dishware?”

  “I didn’t steal it. Lisa gave it to me. She said Mrs. Raynes was dead so it was up for grabs. I promised to split the money with her.”

  “Why did you come at night after she disappeared?”

  “We used to meet last at your house.” His mouth pinched together. “I kept thinking about her. I had a weird thought she might be playing a joke on us and be hiding at home. You know, she’s like that.”

  “You thought she wasn’t missing?”

  “I thought she might surprise me and come out. We used to stay in the cellar and pretend it was our place. I know it was dumb. I loved her. I miss her.” He lowered his weapon and collapsed on the ground. “Why did she leave me? Everyone thinks I hurt her. I never would. I wanted to marry her.” Drawing his legs up to his chest, he rested his head on his knees and cried.

  Fear and sadness jumbled in Teagan’s mind. Travis’ sobs and his crumpled form tugged at her heart, but the knife in his hand warned her to stay away.

  “Travis Bodell, I’m making a citizen’s arrest.”

  She spun around to Vic Taylor, but standing behind him was Paul with his gun leveled on Taylor.

  “Taylor, drop your weapon and kick it to me,” Paul said.

  Taylor turned around. “Are you arresting me? I didn’t hurt anyone. Take the kid.”

  “Drop it, Taylor.”

  Vic released his gun to the ground with a thud and booted it toward Paul. “I’ve been searching for this boy. He’s the one who killed my Kara and probably Lisa Grant.”

  “Miss Raynes,” Paul said, “come stand behind me.”

  Teagan joined him while keeping her eye on Taylor and Travis. Had they finally found the key to Lisa? Her heart pounded
in her head.

  Paul scooped up Taylor’s weapon and kept watch on everyone. “The patrol is already on the way. When they arrive, we’re all going to the station to talk. Travis Bodell, drop your weapon.”

  Travis raised his dirty face streaked with tears. “It’s just a knife.” He tossed it on the ground near the officer.

  “He probably stabbed my Kara with that knife,” Vic yelled.

  “I don’t know any Kara,” Travis said. He burst into louder bawling. His cries filled the air until the wail of a siren drowned them out. Relief rolled through Teagan. She whispered a prayer that Travis would change his denials and lead them to Lisa.

  ****

  Noah’s was running at peak level despite the fact the interrogation room would need a good fumigation after he finished.

  Teagan’s announcement about a break hovered on the edge of his mind, daring him to think about her and forget his job. No way could he let her in and feel that stab in his chest.

  He’d already wasted most of his afternoon on the Albino Man, whose legal name they’d discovered was Mr. Alfred Moore through his Vet records.

  The guy laughed and grunted answers to questions. The clock in Noah’s head ticked away, reminding him Lisa Grant needed to be found while this guy played him for a fool. Noah shoved a picture of Kara Linn at him and asked if he’d seen the girl. The homeless man shrugged and shook his head. Noah followed up with a photo of Lisa. “Did you see this girl at the park?”

  The homeless man nodded and sat grinning at him.

  “Did the girl get in a car?”

  Moore gave him thumbs-up.

  Was he just gesturing or was that a yes? “How about you describe the vehicle? Truck? Car? Bike?”

  Moore rocked back and forth in his seat.

  Hell. Noah ripped a piece of paper from his pad and handed it and a pencil to Moore. “Draw the girl leaving the park.”

  After several silent minutes, Moore produced a stick figure and a rectangle with four circles.

  Noah gritted his teeth. What had he expected? Did Moore suffer from more than a stroke and PTSD, or did he just enjoy torturing a detective of the Hawick Falls Police Department?

  Noah needed a new tact. “Hungry, Mr. Moore?”

  The older man raised his eyes to Noah. His lips parted.

  Now he’d gotten through to him. “You know what I like? That fast food place near the plaza. Their hamburgers are three inches thick, juicy, and on homemade rolls. Mmm. Ever taste one of those?”

  Moore shook his head.

  Now they were communicating. “We can finish up with you drawing or printing the name of the person who picked up Lisa Grant. Then I’ll buy us some burgers.”

  Moore licked his lips.

  What was going on in his brain?

  Moore reached for the pencil and went to work scratching out something on his sketch.

  What was he doing? Noah placed his palms on the table and leaned toward him. “What happened to Lisa Grant? Did she get into a car?” Moore seemed to be retracing his lines.

  Noah pointed to the drawing on the paper. “Is this the vehicle?”

  Moore added lines to the rectangle.

  Mercy. This was useless. Noah’s thoughts drifted to Teagan. Time apart. Why didn’t she just say get lost? The priest was at her home while she ended it with him. Had she confessed her sin of sleeping with him and her penance was telling him to stay away? Pain stabbed him. He wasn’t ready to date again. He didn’t need the grief.

  Across from him, Moore held up his picture. A series of Xs covered the shape.

  Great, X marks the spot. Noah shoved away from the table. He needed to do something productive, and questioning Moore wasn’t it. He’d cruise over to Muffy’s and to the homeless shelter to ask a few questions about Moore. Maybe they’d been chasing the wrong suspects, and this man was involved in Lisa’s disappearance.

  “I’ll order your burger before I leave.” Noah went to open the door and hesitated. “How about a side of fries?”

  Moore’s eyes grew large.

  “Try and tell me one more thing. Did—”

  A knock interrupted his last question. Noah opened the door to an officer in the hallway.

  The uniform gestured for Noah to step into the hallway. “I’ve something you should know. When the suspect emptied his pockets in booking, he had a wallet and key inside. I thought they were his and checked a few seconds ago. He had the missing girl, Lisa Grant’s, billfold with her license and a couple of dollars. The key was inside with the bills. It could be hers too since he doesn’t rent or own a home or car as far as we know. There’s a pink heart on the top of the key, which indicates probably belonged to a female.”

  “Are you kidding me?” The Lisa Grant case grew stranger by the second or by the suspect. It explained why he chose the Raynes’ house. “What else did he have?”

  “Nothing except the stolen food from Muffy’s.”

  “Send a picture of the wallet, license, and key to my phone.”

  The officer left. Noah waited until he heard the ding on his phone and marched back into the interview room.

  “Okay, Mr. Moore. He pulled up the first photo on his cell and held it up to him. “Where’d you get the wallet?”

  Moore tapped his mouth with his fingers.

  “Did you find it?”

  Moore gave Noah his vacant look.

  He swiped to the next image. “How about the key? Did you use it to try and enter the Raynes’ residence?”

  Moore stared back without recognition. Noah asked a few more questions, but Mr. Moore was done.

  Noah dropped his arm in frustration. “I’ll order the food.” He had to talk to Teagan about the wallet. Would she act different around him now? What had happened to change her feelings for him from this morning? It had to be Father Matt.

  Mentally, he shook his head. What had he expected? One night together didn’t mean they were going steady. Geesh, he’d lost it and over a woman who believed in saints and miracles. Get your head into the case.

  Moore was smiling as Noah left the room. Noah told the officer outside the room to order some food for Moore and to charge it to Noah before Moore returned to the holding cell.

  Noah walked into the squad room where half the desks stood empty.

  “Hey, Cassidy.” A young woman in uniform waved him over to her desk where she was closing down her computer. “I heard Paul found Travis Bodell.”

  “Paul? I thought he was at Miss Raynes’ home?”

  “Guess you’ll have to investigate, Cassidy. I’ve got to go. A bear is emptying the bird feeders on Elm Street. Animal Control called for assistance with the crowd.”

  “Thanks.” He whirled around and missed colliding with Teagan.

  Her mouth opened with a small gasp of surprise as she recognized him.

  They stood staring at each other. Stray strands of hair clung to her flushed cheeks. Her gaze of shock smoothed into one of confusion. She was embarrassed to see him again.

  “Noah, I…”

  “Are you with the priest?” He struggled to speak in a low voice.

  “Matt? He’s not here. Why?”

  “You seem attached to him.”

  “I don’t understand.” She shifted and her shoulders slumped forward. “Noah, I…” Her voice trailed away. She lowered her eyes and twisted her ring.

  He wanted to touch her, to reassure her, and watch a smile of relief and happiness spread across her face before he kissed her one last time.

  But he wasn’t asking for another knife in his chest. “I’d like a moment to show you a couple of pictures.” He motioned for her to move to an empty desk and took out his phone. In two seconds, he brought up a photo of the Mr. Moore.

  “That’s him. That’s the man who tried to get into my cellar.”

  He swiped to the picture of the blue wallet with the initial L on it. “Look familiar?”

  Teagan’s shoulders rose as she nodded. “It’s Lisa’s. Where did you find
it?”

  “Your homeless man had it in his possession. Could he have taken it from your house?”

  “Only if he came inside before I reported Lisa missing. The police searched the house, and it was gone.”

  “I just wanted to make sure. We don’t know how he got it, or if he met Lisa. He’s not talking. I’ve another picture.” He brought up the key.

  Teagan twisted the ring on her finger round and round. “The key belongs to Lisa. She drew the pink heart on it with permanent marker. She kept it in her wallet. She was going to add the house key to a keychain when she bought her first car.”

  “We know why Moore didn’t break a lock to enter. He assumed the key would work.” Noah pocketed his phone. “That’s all I need for now.”

  “Noah, I’m sorry about earlier when—”

  “It’s not important.” He walked past her. He had to forget about Teagan, workplace politics, and even his own past. Self-torture wasn’t his style. He had to do one thing. Bring down the predator who had killed Kara Linn and kidnapped Lisa Grant, and do it fast. Instinct told him it was one and the same person. But who? And how would he find the predator?

  Chapter 35

  The next day, Teagan entered the brick courthouse across from Falls Pizza for Travis’ arraignment. Gray clouds blanketed the sky, threatening another storm. First they had a heat wave, and now downpours. The good news was the police might have a lead to Lisa, thanks to the homeless man.

  Travis entered the oak paneled courtroom with his middle-aged public defender with a goatee. The charges of criminal trespass and destruction of public property were read aloud. A prosecutor explained how a search had determined Travis was sleeping inside the public building with clear No Trespassing signs.

  Travis pleaded not guilty, and the judge announced bail and the next court date. The arraignment was over in minutes.

  Teagan’s stomach fluttered with nerves as she rose to leave. No one had mentioned Lisa. What if Travis hid her somewhere and she depended on him for food and water? They had to locate her and fast.