Fade to the Edge

by Kathryn J Bain

  “I sure hope you’re right.” Tracy got out of the car and headed to the front of the crowd.

  A man in a long tan trench coat, like something out of a spy movie, bumped into her, knocking her purse from her shoulder.

  “Sorry,” he said as he bent to gather the items that had fallen out, handing them back to her.

  She shoved things back in trying to avoid getting knocked over from the thickening crowd. Friends and strangers alike patted her on the back showing their support as she passed. Glancing around, she found no sign of Swenson or Agent Nicholson.

  After a moment, Daniel came into view, walking through the crowd, shaking hands, nodding at people. He wore his business façade along with a suit and tie. Tracy looked down at her jeans and t-shirt. Why hadn’t she dressed up?

  With his head held high and his shoulders back, Daniel climbed the steps to the stage. She kept her eyes glued to his back.

  “There are Mark and the kids,” Vonnie said. “I’m going to stand with them.”

  “Okay.” Tracy reluctantly released her hand. She’d was almost to the stage when she heard her name being called.

  “Tracy.” Jenny caught her by the arm. Dad followed behind, leaning on his cane. He looked older than earlier that day. Was it the lights or DJ missing?

  “Dad.” Tracy’s voice squeaked.

  He pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry. DJ’sh all right. I feel it.”

  “Tracy. It’s time.” Gary came up behind her. He reached over and placed his hand on Jenny’s shoulder. It was good her sister had someone who loved her. She’d waited long enough.

  Daniel walked down the steps and held his hand out to Tracy. The kind gesture didn’t fool her. Did he know she was on to him and just wanted to throw her off guard?

  On the stage, she scanned the crowd again. Still no sign of Swenson. Patty Phillips stood in the front, her chin raised and shoulders back. She’d cut her hair into a nice bob since earlier that day. She might have had the appointment scheduled before DJ went missing. No point in everyone stopping their lives for her son.

  People held lit candles in the air. A song she wasn’t familiar with played from speakers on stands behind them. Something about trusting in Jesus.

  Jenny and Gary stood on the other end of the stage. Her dad sat in a chair beside them.

  When the song ended, Gary walked up to the front. Everyone got quiet.

  “I want to thank you all for coming tonight. It’s good to see how much everyone cares. We miss DJ and want him home. I’m sure with all of you here to help he’ll be back in his mother’s arms again soon. Pastor Nelson will say a prayer, then Daniel Allen would like to say a few words.”

  Pastor Nelson walked up to the microphone.

  “Lord,” he said, “please bring DJ home safe to his family. And get Tracy and Daniel through this trying time. You are in charge, so please let DJ know we all miss him and love him.” He went on for a few more minutes finally ending with the Lord’s Prayer in a comforting baritone voice.

  Once the pastor finished, Daniel stepped up to the mic and took it from the stand, holding it in his hand like an emcee.

  “Thank you all for coming.” He paused and cleared his throat, glancing around the crowd. “Thank you all for coming. I’m sure, with all your prayers and God’s help, my son will come home soon.”

  Tracy tried her best not to scoff. Once it came out that he’d been drugging her, all this phoniness would come to light. Anger seethed inside her with each word he spoke. The focus was more on his loss than anything else. For the first few minutes he spoke to the crowd, he never mentioned DJ by name. It was my son or my child. DJ was just a possession lost somewhere in the world. No more important than a missing wallet.

  Every few minutes, he’d brush at his dry eyes. Always acting the part whether the good husband, trusting businessman, or distraught father. But then it must be hard to make tears come when you’re lying about the circumstances.

  She caught Vonnie’s eye and shook her head. Daniel was so full of it.

  Once he finished, he turned the microphone over to Tracy. The crowd probably expected something prophetic, but she had no idea what to say. Should she accuse Daniel or would that be tipping her hand? She stared at the ground for a moment. “Daniel pretty much said how we feel about DJ.” Never good about standing up in front of others, she got too close to the microphone causing it to squeal.

  “I’m sorry.”

  Everyone stared. Her face turned red. Gary walked up and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. She handed him the microphone.

  The vigil lasted less than an hour. Before heading to their cars, people came up and hugged her, giving their best wishes. Some placed flowers and stuffed animals at the stage. At once it became eerily quiet. Vonnie and Mark joined Tracy at the stage.

  Mark hugged her. “If you need anything, call us.”

  “Letting me have your wife to lean on is a lot,” Tracy said.

  “I’m going to take the kids home. I’ll talk to you later.” He leaned over and kissed Vonnie on the side of her head.

  “Bye.” Vonnie kissed each of the kids then turned her attention back to Tracy. “How are you doing?”

  “All that bull Daniel said about him and DJ, he’s got to be the one who took off with him. I’ve just got to find out where he’s hidden DJ before it’s too late.” Tracy led Vonnie to the parking lot.

  “Hey, there’s Swenson.” Vonnie pointed.

  “I don’t have time to deal with that right now. I need to get my car.” Tracy glanced over her shoulder. Daniel was still speaking to a couple near the stage.

  “What are you going to do?” Vonnie climbed into the Mustang along with Tracy.

  “There’s only one thing I can do.” Tracy slammed the car door closed. “Follow Daniel until he leads me to DJ.”

  Chapter 31

  Tracy kept her eyes on the Mercedes taillights. Her heart raced and palms sweated. If Daniel had DJ, would they find him tonight and bring him home?

  Vonnie had insisted on coming along to keep Daniel from getting away in the time it would take to get the SUV.

  This reminded Tracy of the time they’d followed Vonnie’s boyfriend in high school. He’d been sneaking off, making excuses. She was sure he was cheating on her. Turned out he was spending time with his dying grandmother.

  Daniel flipped on his right blinker to exit I-10.

  “Here we go,” Vonnie said as she pulled off the highway at the exit to Ookie.

  Tracy stiffened. She’d always made a point not to go to this part of the county, especially after dark. This was where the drive-by shootings often occurred and drug dealers got arrested.

  Vonnie glanced her way. “What better place to hide a child than a place his mother would never look.”

  Tracy nodded.

  Defunct businesses blighted the scenery. Graffiti covered boarded-up windows and one building had burned but never rebuilt. What used to be a thriving area had now turned into the gutter of Pinebrook County. Only a matter of time until it met Belmont. Would either place then be safe?

  The streets were quiet at this hour. People lived among overgrown oak trees and lower-priced homes. Some residents had lived in this area for decades, unwilling or unable to leave, long before the hoodlums moved in. Up ahead, two guys sauntered down the street, one holding a six-pack of beer. A woman walked between them. The men wore oversized faded jeans and loose T-shirts while the woman wore slacks and a crop top much too small for her.

  Vonnie drove past the Florida Retirement Center where Jenny used to work before she married Gary. Tracy had always hated the thought of her sister in this area.

  The Mustang made Tracy feel exposed. Like everyone could tell she had money. She mentally scoffed. If they only knew how close she was to losing everything.

  Daniel slowed and turned into the parking lot of Tytti’s All Girl Review.

  “This is where Agent Nicholson said Kimi worked,” Tracy spoke under her breath.
/>   He pulled into a spot in the far corner of the lot. A large sign, displaying a girl in a yellow bikini, blinked on and off. Vonnie slowed as she drove past and did a U-turn at the next corner, pulling up to the curb. A red and white sign to their right stated, No Parking.

  They both watched as Daniel handed a large man something before he strolled through the door to the club. He appeared comfortable entering that place. How often had he been there?

  On a talk show a few years ago, she’d heard someone say that men don’t change once you marry them, women just hoped they would. Had Daniel always had this raunchy side, and she’d refused to see it?

  “I’m assuming they aren’t holding a Bible study.” Vonnie shook her head.

  “Doubtful,” Tracy said.

  “What now?” Vonnie’s stare hadn’t moved from the front door of the club.

  Tracy glanced at all the cars in the lot. “Kimi drives a blue Honda with a slight dent in the door.”

  Vonnie glanced her way, her eyebrows raised.

  “Wasn’t me.” Tracy held up her hands. “No matter how tempted.”

  Silence filled the car for a moment. The club door opened. Light from inside cast over a couple who walked out.

  “Why would any woman go into a place like that?” Tracy muttered.

  “Maybe she works there.”

  The man and woman went to the side of the building. Tracy had a perfect view as the man leaned the woman over a car’s hood, pulled her skirt up, and pressed himself against her. She shuddered and turned away.

  It was like her husband lived two lives, one the proper father and husband he showed to the world. The other a sleazy man who went to strip clubs, picked up whores, and verbally berated his wife.

  Chapter 32

  Jenny hadn’t unclenched her teeth since Vonnie and Tracy drove off. The way they had their two heads together, they were definitely up to something. She should be the one Tracy turned to for help. She cared more for DJ than Vonnie.

  “What’s wrong?” Gary glanced at her while waiting for a light to turn green.

  Jenny jumped at the sound of Gary’s voice. “What are you talking about?” She brushed a tear from her eye before it fell.

  “It’s clear you aren’t fond of Vonnie.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Every time she comes around you get this tight jaw. I know you well enough to tell.” He took hold of her hand and kissed it.

  Dad stared out the window in the back, appearing to not hear, but he didn’t miss much, even at his age.

  “Vonnie used to get Tracy into all kinds of trouble as a teen. Sneaking off, going to parties. Not a good influence.” She nodded over her shoulder. “Ask Dad how bad it was.”

  “It was bad.” His focus remained out the car window.

  “Well, it appears she’s changed since then.” Gary pressed the numbers on the keypad outside Brentwood estates, the gated community where they lived. “I understand she has a thriving business.”

  “Yeah, but sometimes I’m not sure if she’ll ever be a full adult.” She wondered if he’d still find her mature if she told him Vonnie had taken Tracy off for a weekend when DJ was three months old, claiming the break would do her some good. More likely an excuse for them to party with no kids in tow.

  Not that she minded. Daniel couldn’t handle the new baby so she got to spend all weekend with DJ. Neither parent deserved such a wonderful boy.

  They walked into the house, and Gary flipped on the overhead lights.

  “I’m heading to my room.” Dad gave her a kiss and trudged to the back of the house. His gait slower than normal.

  Jenny swallowed back tears. If only she could stop this.

  “Would you like a drink?” Gary asked Jenny when she entered the living room.

  “That would be nice.”

  He walked to the small bar in the corner and poured the drinks, bourbon for him and wine for her. “So, any news on Sherman Kelly?”

  She took a large gulp of her drink. “I’ve been a bit busy worrying about my missing child.” she snapped.

  “What?”

  “You know what I mean.”

  “Sorry.” He put his hands deep in his pockets and lowered his head like a small child after a good scolding. “Just because you’re worried is no reason to bite my head off. We’re all worried, not just you.”

  “I’m glad Dad’s far enough away not to hear. Knowing you care so little would really hurt him.”

  “Hey, I care. We can’t stop living our lives over this.”

  “Right.” She gulped down the rest of her drink.

  “I hate to say it,” Gary said, “but in cases like this, it comes down to which parent has the child. And remember, he’s not your son, so don’t overdo the concern.”

  His words hurt as much as a slap. “He’s more a son to me than any child ever could be. It’ll kill me if anything’s happened to him.” She got up and stormed out of the room. He’d never understand losing a child. She touched her belly. Some days the pain made it hard just to get out of bed.

  She trudged upstairs and glanced at the cell phone in her drawer. No messages. She glanced up at the ceiling. “Please, Lord, let DJ be all right.”

  Chapter 33

  Darkness had taken over the day. Tommy pulled around the corner. A red Mustang had parked in the “No Parking” zone a block down from the club. The inside light was on. Two women sat inside. The passenger looked vaguely familiar. He drove once around the lot. Not spotting Kimi’s car, took a spot next to the insurance man’s Mercedes.

  “That’s it.” He snapped his fingers. Earlier there’d been a news story about a missing boy. Tracy Allen was out shopping for groceries instead of looking for her son. Some newsman made it sound suspicious. Didn’t fit right with Tommy either.

  Until that minute, he didn’t put two and two together, but that missing boy had to be Daniel Allen’s. And Kimi? What did she have to do with it? Why would Tracy Allen be parked outside the club if her kid was missing? Same with Daniel Allen. Unless both expected Kimi to show up.

  On the television, Tracy Allen hadn’t really looked the type to march into a strip club and make a scene, but you never knew with women these days. Might be humorous to see her come busting into Tytti’s.

  Tommy got out and walked the front door. The bouncer stood guard, his massive arms crossed over his chest.

  “Hey, Emanuel, has Kimi shown up?” Tommy asked.

  “Not yet. One of the girls is covering for her.”

  “She call in?”

  “Cost you to go in and find out.”

  “Come on, man. I’m just looking for my girl.”

  “Sorry. Rules is rules.” Emanuel held his large palm out.

  Tommy handed over a ten. Inside, the music blared as three women on the stage gyrated to the beat. Sweaty bodies of men watching, excited. Ben was still behind the bar, this time serving drinks.

  Gloria, the woman in charge of the girls on the stage, passed by Tommy. He grabbed her arm, not hard, but enough to get her attention. No point in ticking off any of the bouncers.

  “Have you seen Kimi?” he yelled over the loud music.

  “Nope,” Gloria said. “Never showed, never called neither.”

  “Any idea where she is?”

  “She told one of the girls she was comin’ into some money. You know anything about that?”

  “No.” He wasn’t about to mention the movie.

  “Well, if she does, let me in on the secret ’cause I got bills to pay too.” She rushed off to take another order.

  Tommy scoffed. No way would Filmore ever use an old woman like that. It’d destroy his rep if any of his girls weren’t thin and under twenty-five. Tammy walked to the bar and ordered a beer.

  Ben poured the draft then slid the glass on over without saying a word.

  Tommy stared at the girls on stage though he didn’t really enjoy routines. Too much on his mind.

  Sounded like Kimi expected to do the mov
ie. So, what happened?

  Daniel Allen walked past him into a private room with one of the other strippers. So much for Kimi’s money man. Strippers were a dime a dozen. Tommy grunted a laugh. Now would be the perfect time for the wife to enter. He’d gladly point out which room her husband entered.

  He half expected Tracy Allen to come through the door. Instead, a tall man walked in followed by a woman in a suit. They stopped Gloria and showed her their I.D. A lot of the men hid their faces. Nothing like cops to take attention away from the girls.

  Tommy scooted into a nearby corner as Gloria took them to the back office. Two men at a nearby table got up and scurried out.

  When Gloria returned, she marched straight up to Tommy. “Those cops are looking for Kimi. You didn’t do something to her, did you?”

  “If I had, would I be here?” He scowled. “Besides, I love the woman, why would I hurt her?”

  “You love the money she makes. You really care less for the girl.” Gloria stalked off.

  Tommy’s breathing increased. What had Kimi gotten herself into? He jerked around and found himself staring at a man’s chest.

  Charlie, Filmore’s grunt boy. He did anything and everything the man asked from acting in films to beating on guys who got too close to their stars.

  “Is there an issue?” Charlie’s voice sounded like ice from a snowstorm.

  Irritation flared up Tommy’s back. Leave it to Kimi to mess up his deal. “Hey, long time no see. Buy you a drink?”

  “Got enough to buy my own.” Charlie put his bruised knuckled hand against Tommy’s chest. “My boss don’t like what he’s hearing on the street.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Your girl’s taken off.”

  “I got her on ice,” Tommy lied.

  “Better. If she don’t show, you’d better be willing to take her place, pretty boy.”

  Tommy held his free hand up. “She’ll be there.”

  He tossed back his drink, edged around Charlie, and made his way out the front door. He glanced down the street. The Mustang was still there. Tommy looked over his shoulder to the door of the club. The Allen kid missing. No sign of Kimi.