“Excuse me?” I leaned on the receptionist counter. “Stephanie, right?”
“Yes, sir. Can I help you?”
“Just wondering if Mr. Hadley was ready to see us.” Miss Jimenez was still talking on her cell phone by the front doors. She lifted her index finger at me. Just a minute.
“I’m sorry, sir, but Mr. Hadley’s still on the phone.”
“Have you let him know we’re here?”
“I’m sorry, no. I didn’t want to interrupt his call.”
“Would you mind emailing him? Or sending him an instant message? Something to let him know we’re here? I’d appreciate it.” I forced a smile.
“Um…” Stephanie turned to her computer. “Yes sir. I apologize for the wait.”
“Thank you, Stephanie.”
I glanced at Detective Riley and walked over to Miss Jimenez. She lowered her phone, covering it with her hand. “This is a private conversation. I’ll be with you in a minute.”
“All right. Sorry. I’ll be out in the courtyard. Call me when Hadley is ready for us.” I opened the door and noticed Riley following me. “You can wait in the lounge and enjoy the cookies.”
†
I sat on a wooden bench in the courtyard and listened to the birds singing and water flowing from the cherub fountain. Children played somewhere nearby, their laughter easing my tension a little bit. Twenty minutes passed before Miss Jimenez finally waved me in.
A middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair greeted me as I walked through the double doors of the old mansion. I’d expected him to show up in a clergy robe, or at least a suit and white collar, but the man wore casual business attire.
“Detective Sanders, I presume?” the man said in a British accent, offering his hand. “Jerome Hadley, director of Saint Hedwig Youth Home. It is quite the pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
I shook the man’s hand. “And a pleasure to meet you,” I said in a pseudo-formal tone.
“I must apologize for the delay. I was speaking with Family Services. As it turns out, we may soon have a new home for one of our guests.”
Guests? What was this, a hotel?
Mr. Hadley grabbed a file off the front counter and handed it to Miss Jimenez. “Here is the preliminary file for Cody Sumner. We have yet to assign him a psychologist, so we will need to arrange that straight away.”
“What about medications?” Miss Jimenez asked as she thumbed through the file. “Have you talked to his doctor?”
“Until we have him properly psychoanalyzed, I believe it is proper that we refrain from giving him any prescribed medications. For now, we will give him generic over-the-counter medication to help him sleep.”
“What about night terrors?” I asked.
“Night terrors?” Mr. Hadley seemed surprised with my question. “It is perfectly normal for children to have trouble sleeping the first night they arrive here… or any facility for that matter. Cody had a nightmare. Nothing more.”
A UPS delivery man entered the building with a small box and an electronic clipboard. He greeted us as he delivered the package to the receptionist.
I nodded at the UPS guy. Mr. Hadley glanced at him and cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should meet in the privacy of my quarters,” he said. He held an open hand towards a set of double doors to the right of the massive staircase. “I can answer your questions there.”
He led us through the double doors, then down a wide hallway lined with more doors, toward yet another set of double doors. He opened them, and we went inside. His office was more like a royal suite, and was similar in design to the main lounge, with antique furniture and a large Egyptian rug. Oil paintings from the Renaissance era lined the walls, along with the same faux candle fixtures lighting the chamber. There was no marble fireplace, but instead he had a modern portable electric fireplace set in the far corner of the room.
Along the left wall of the room was an opened door leading to what appeared to be a private kitchen. Another door remained closed on the far end of the room. An archway on the right corner led to an office.
“Please, make yourselves comfortable.” Mr. Hadley motioned for us to sit. He sat on an ornate high-backed arm chair.
I sat next to Miss Jimenez on an old Victorian couch. Riley sat near the director in another high-backed chair.
“So, about this nightmare,” I said, arranging myself on the couch. “Did you find anything unusual about his behavior after the dream?”
“Define unusual,” Mr. Hadley said.
“Did he say anything that seemed, you know, odd?”
Mr. Hadley furrowed his brow. He looked at Miss Jimenez. “What information did you share with the detective, Maria?”
Before she had a chance to say anything, I said, “The devil’s nightmare. Does that ring a bell?”
“Yes, I believe the boy labeled his dream as such, but he was frightened, possibly even delusional from his medication.”
“But why would he say that? Why call his dream ‘the devil’s nightmare’?” I placed an elbow on the arm of the couch and rested my chin in my fingers. “You ever hear a kid refer to his dreams like that before?”
“Not that I can recall, Detective.” Mr. Hadley tilted his head slightly and asked with narrowing eyes, “Is there any particular reason why the boy’s dreams are of so much concern to you?”
“I’d like to visit with Cody, if that’s okay,” I said, avoiding his question.
“I believe it would benefit him to limit any visitations for at least a few days,” Mr. Hadley advised. He looked at Miss Jimenez. “Would you like to schedule a visit for Friday afternoon?”
“Mr. Hadley, with all due respect, I’m in the middle of a murder investigation. There are some details that I need to discuss with him. It can’t wait another few days.”
“Detective Sanders,” the director said, standing. “Would you not agree this boy has been through quite enough? I believe probing him about the death of his parents, a single day after arriving here, is quite inappropriate.”
I remained seated and rested back on the couch, not giving in to the director’s subtle hint that he wanted me to leave. “I spent eight years here when I was a kid, so I think I can relate to him. I’m not here for an interrogation. Besides, I think he trusts me.”
“Is that so?” Mr. Hadley didn’t seem convinced.
“Yeah, we’ve talked a little bit.”
Miss Jimenez interjected, “Jerry, I think he’s right. Cody should see him, and as soon as possible. He’s a former resident, so maybe he can help Cody cope with the idea of temporary residence here.”
I thanked Miss Jimenez with a slight nod, but I had no intention of helping Cody get used to living at the youth home for any length of time. I’d hated living at Saint Hedwig. Maybe things had changed, but when I’d lived at the facility, the staff had been mentally and physically abusive. Those so-called Christians had an interesting way of showing their love and obedience to God’s commandments. The Christian elders who operated Saint Hedwig back then had shown more interest in punishing us for our sins than they’d had in teaching us how to show kindness towards others.
“You think you could do that, Detective Sanders?” Miss Jimenez asked.
“Do what?”
“Help Cody get more comfortable by telling him about your experience here. Maybe you could even show him around. I’m sure things haven’t changed much since you were here.”
That’s what I feared.
Mr. Hadley insisted, “Our counselors are more than capable of handling Cody’s social integration here. There is no need for Detective Sanders to—”
“No, I think she’s right,” I said, rising from the couch. “What better person do you have to help a kid get acquainted to his new home than someone who enjoyed his childhood here at this grand facility?”
Mr. Hadley gave me a guarded gaze. I could tell he didn’t appreciate my sarcasm. He tightened his jaw and released a sigh, but finally acquiesced, “Perhaps you are corre
ct. You could join us for Mass at eleven in the chapel. And then lunch, afterwards. You could spend the entire day with Cody, if you would like.”
Was that sarcasm? Or sincerity? I looked at Miss Jimenez for clarification. She shrugged a bit and said, “That’s up to you. I have some appointments this afternoon, but if you and Detective Riley want to accompany Cody, I don’t see a problem.”
“Thanks for your permission,” I said to her, mockingly. I looked at Mr. Hadley. “So, now you’re saying it’s okay for me to speak with Cody?”
“By all means, Detective Sanders. I would not want to be responsible for obstructing justice.”
No question of sarcasm there.
I glared at the director, letting him know that I recognized his cynical jest. “Save the sarcasm, padre. In any case, I appreciate your cooperation, even if you’re only trying to appease me.”
Detective Riley laughed, then quickly stifled himself.
“Well then, gentlemen and Madam,” Mr. Hadley said, motioning towards the door. “If you do not mind, I have much work to do. I will have one of the staff fetch our young newcomer for you.”
Mr. Hadley disappeared into an adjacent room without saying anything further.
I whispered to Miss Jimenez, “Is he always this stiff?”
“You just seem to bring out the best in people, Detective,” she answered, without lowering her voice.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
The Wages of Sin
I stood at the edge of a playground behind Saint Hedwig Youth Home and watched several boys of various ages running around yelling and enjoying themselves. One boy, however, sat alone on a swing on the far end of the playground. He gripped the chains with his head lowered, nonchalantly kicking at the gravel with the tips of his shoes.
“There he is,” said Miss Jimenez, pointing at Cody. “Wait here while I talk to him for a minute.”
Detective Riley and I sat on a bench and watched the social worker approach the boy on the swing. I couldn’t help but notice the sway of the woman’s butt as she walked. I took a deep breath and refocused my attention on a staff member pushing a merry-go-round while four boys held on, laughing and yelling for her to go faster.
“Maybe this place has changed after all,” I said to myself.
“What was that?” Riley asked.
“Nothing.”
“So, do you mind if I ask what it was like living here?”
“Yes, I do,” I answered. I stood from the bench and headed towards Cody and Miss Jimenez.
“You know,” Riley said, “eventually, you’ll have to accept the fact that we’re partners.”
“We’re not partners, Riley,” I stressed, keeping my back to him.
The sound of my feet moving over the gravel got the attention of both Cody and his social worker. Miss Jimenez shook her head and glared at me, but Cody’s eyes widened.
“Aaron!” Cody jumped off the swing and ran to me. I took a couple of steps back, surprised at the kid’s enthusiasm. Cody wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me. I lifted my arms slightly with my palms out and looked at Miss Jimenez. I didn’t know what to do. Cody released his embrace on me and smiled. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Wow.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say at the moment.
“I guess you’ve made quite an impression on the boy,” Miss Jimenez said, bemused.
“I don’t know what to say.” I scratched the side of my neck. “Why the sudden change of demeanor?” I asked Cody.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’d barely talk to me before. And let’s be honest, you didn’t seem all that thrilled to see me at the hospital.”
Cody tilted his head towards the ground and slipped his hands in his khaki shorts pockets. “I’m sorry, Aaron.”
“Address him as Detective Sanders,” Miss Jimenez said.
I lifted my hand. “No, that’s okay. He can call me Aaron.”
“Who’s that?” Cody pointed at Detective Riley, who was tapping on the screen of his phone.
I took a breath and exhaled slowly as I contemplated an appropriate response. After a few seconds, I said, “That’s my um… That’s Detective Steven Riley.”
Cody frowned. “So, you’re just here to ask me more questions.”
Miss Jimenez crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows.
I mouthed, What?
She shifted her weight and continued to glare at me. She didn’t have to say anything. I knew what she was thinking. “I heard you had some bad dreams last night and—”
“You told him about my dream?” Cody said to Miss Jimenez.
“Hey, she was just a little concerned about you,” I said in her defense. “I thought maybe I could, uh, maybe help you get adjusted here. Remember when I told you the story about losing my dad?”
Cody nodded.
“What I didn’t tell you is that my mom died about six months later.” I let the boy process that for a moment. “I was a year younger than you are. I’m an orphan, Cody. Just like you. So, I know how scary it can be to live in a place like this. I lived here too.”
“What about nightmares? Did you have nightmares when you were here?”
Memories of the physical abuse I’d endured flashed through my mind. The truth was my nightmares hadn’t been in my sleep while I’d lived at Saint Hedwig Youth Home. My nightmares haunted me while I’d been awake, and I knew I couldn’t tell Cody that.
“I had a hard time sleeping for the first week or so. I was scared, lonely, confused. You probably feel the same, right?”
Cody nodded.
“That’s why I’m here. Not just as a cop, either. I want to help you get through this, because I’ve been here. I know how scary it is.”
Cody looked away and pursed his lips. “What type of nightmares did you have?” he asked.
Riley approached us then, distracting me. I motioned for him to stop, but he ignored me. I never got around to answering Cody’s question.
“Hey, kiddo,” Detective Riley said with his hand outstretched. “I’m Steven. What’s your name?”
Cody just stared at him for a moment.
“Cody,” I said, formally introducing that thorn in my side, “this is Detective Steven Riley.” I glared at Riley with fire in my eyes.
“Your partner?” asked Cody.
“He transferred here from—” I began.
“Yeah, I’m his new partner,” Riley interjected. “Lucky thing, too. He probably could’ve used my help last night.”
“What happ—?” Cody started.
“Nothing!” I placed a firm grip on Riley’s shoulder and said, “May I speak with you privately for a moment? Partner?”
“Uh-oh! I’m in trouble now,” he said to Cody, with a smile and a wink.
“Follow me,” I ordered, brushing past Riley. I led him away from the playground, out of earshot and out of view, behind a small cluster of trees.
“What’s up?” he asked.
I shoved Riley back a step. “What the hell is your problem, man?” I hissed. “That kid just witnessed his parents’ murders and possibly his friends’. He sure as hell doesn’t need to hear about another death just down the road from here.”
“I thought they were all attacked by an animal.”
“When I tell you to stay put, you stay put. When I tell you to keep your mouth shut, you keep your goddamn mouth shut. The only reason you’re here is Chief Hernandez ordered it. I respect him, and you sure as hell had better respect me.”
“Respect?” Riley said, eyebrows raised. “Don’t lecture me about respect. I’ve tried to be nothing but respectful. You didn’t even give me a chance. You’re treating me like I’m some fresh recruit out of the academy, and—”
“How many murder investigations have you worked involving kids? Huh? Tell me, and then maybe I’ll—”
“I’ve done my homework,” he said. “You’ve never worked a case like this either. And from what I hear, you don’t even like kids.
I could tell you were feeding that kid a bunch of insincere crap just in the short time I heard you talking to him.”
“Yeah, well, one thing I have that you obviously don’t is a little thing called common sense. What would you do? Toss him photos of the crime scenes, shine a light in his face?”
“Oh, give me a break. I’m not an idiot.”
“Could’ve fooled me,” I said through a laugh. “You’re no better with kids than I am. At least this one seems to trust me.”
“For your information, I spent four years as a youth minister. I know more about working with kids than you give me credit for.”
“So, you thought talking about a guy getting torn apart down the road from here would be an inspirational way of doing God’s work?”
Riley laughed and leaned against a tree. “I only said that to strike a nerve. I knew you’d stop me, and we’d end up here.”
I stepped closer to him and said, “You think you have some point to prove with me or something? I was just starting to connect with this kid when you pulled that shit.”
“I just wanted us to have some dialogue, that’s all.”
“Dialogue? Seriously?” I stepped away, frustrated. “Oh, my God, you’re a piece of work. You have absolutely no tact, and you certainly don’t know when to shut up. If you wanted to talk you could have—”
“Could have what?” Riley stepped away from the tree. “Look, if you would just give me a chance, you’d find out that I’m a good cop. That’s all I’m asking. Just give me a chance. You admit you’re not good with kids. Well, I am.”
“I’ve been doing just fine without you, Riley.”
Detective Riley grunted in frustration. “Fine. Have it your way. I’ll just stand around on the sidelines and do nothing to earn my paycheck. Explain that to Chief Hernandez.” Riley headed back towards the playground and added, “I’ll be at the office if you need me.”
“Oh, no, I don’t think so. As much as I don’t want you here, I sure as hell don’t want you downtown when the chief specifically requested your presence here.”
“So, what do you want me to do?” Riley turned around and spread his arms out. “Just stand around with a thumb up my butt?”
Devil's Nightmare (Devil's Nightmare, Book 1) Page 13