Something about Jenny C. looked familiar. Tommy swore he’d seen her before, not on the internet or TV. Why weren’t they taking Tracy Allen with them? Had she been arrested? It might be best to follow these two until he figured out what was going on.
Besides, politicians had plenty of secrets they’d pay good money to keep anyone from finding out.
Chapter 52
Tracy gripped the coffee mug between her palms to keep her hands from shaking. The aroma of strawberry herbal tea rushed up her nose. She glanced over her shoulder every few minutes half expecting the police to show up and toss her away in some dingy jail cell all the while DJ was out there probably scared to death.
Vonnie sneezed returning Tracy to the soft-driftwood table in her best friend’s dining room. The gray whitewash color gave the table a vintage look. Tracy leaned back against the rose-gold upholstered chair. While the curved feature of the chair back felt nice, her head hit the wood trim at an awkward angle.
Jim, who sat next to her, didn’t seem to notice the grim look or Mark’s coldness from across the table. He continued with questions and taking notes. Vonnie sat next to Mark, her hand over his. Every few seconds, she’d give an uncomfortable glance Tracy’s way.
“The good news,” Jim was saying, “is that the police know for a fact neither of you had anything to do with Daniel’s murder.”
Tracy grimaced.
“But they have them for breaking and entering.” Mark’s voice was tighter than his jaw. “I don’t want my wife involved in any of that.” He gave an accusing glace Tracy’s way.
“I agree.” Tracy took a sip of her tea.
Jim looked at his brother. “But —”
“There is no but.” Mark cut him off. “We have children to think of.”
The words sliced Tracy deep.
“I’m an adult,” Vonnie said. “I make my own decisions. Besides, we didn’t really do anything wrong.”
After a moment of uncomfortable silence, Tracy said, “Mark’s right. I shouldn’t have allowed you to get in this far. This is my problem. Not yours.”
“You’re my best friend, and I love DJ too.” Vonnie reached for Tracy’s hand. “I’ll help in any way I can.”
“And as your best friend, I shouldn’t have gotten you involved.” She turned to Jim. “I told them I went in. I’ll make any deal as long as they leave Vonnie alone.”
“I don’t think they care much about the breaking in.” Jim looked at each of the other three. “They want a killer, not a despondent mother and her friend.”
“I assume that’s Kimi Frazer,” Tracy said. “She and Daniel must have gotten into a fight. I’m worried about DJ. Did he see his dad killed? Is she the type to kill a child?”
“What if this has nothing to do with DJ?” Mark asked. Little lines appeared around his eyes. “For all we know, one of those men who goes to that club was stalking her.”
Vonnie rolled her eyes which reminded Tracy of the night they’d been caught sneaking out of Vonnie’s house on a sleepover.
“We didn’t see anyone,” Vonnie said.
“You weren’t exactly looking either,” Mark snapped.
Tracy hated the tension she’d caused between the two. She’d never seen them argue before.
“Give me a break.” Vonnie removed her hand from his. “Like Tracy said, it was probably Kimi.”
“If so, why didn’t the police see her arrive?”
“Maybe she was hiding inside.” Vonnie’s animated hands waved in the air.
Tracy glanced at Jim hoping he would put a stop to this, but he remained silent.
“Why?” Mark twisted in his chair to look Vonnie in the eye. “All she had to do was call the police and have you both arrested to get you out of the way.”
Jim held up his hand which halted his brother’s tirade. “According to the police, a man was seen in the back of the complex. It’s assumed he lives in one of the condos but no one’s been able to locate him yet.”
“What does that mean?” Mark crossed his arms over his chest.
“It means they don’t know who the guy was; a neighbor, someone cutting through. Might even have been a burglar.”
“That didn’t really help,” Vonnie said. “Besides, we didn’t see anyone hanging around.”
“Just because you didn’t see him, doesn’t mean he didn’t see you.” Mark paused. “Did you lock the door when you left?”
Tracy’s stomach did a flop. She hadn’t locked it. Is that how Daniel got killed? From someone sneaking in? Had she been responsible for his death?
Mark’s face went a deeper shade of red. He stood and looked down at Tracy. “We’re heading to Atlanta. Vonnie has a meeting next week and she can home school the kids there. I’ll not take a chance on someone coming after her.”
“Being a bit dramatic there, aren’t you, bro.” Jim grinned.
“What would you do if it were Ellen and Kelly?”
After a second, Jim nodded. “I know how to get hold of you.”
Mark turned to Tracy. His face pinched tight. “I would suggest you consider getting out of town also.”
Tracy stared at the table. She had to be strong and let her friend go. If nothing else, to satisfy Mark. “You’re right. Vonnie needs to go. Just in case.”
“Why don’t you come with us?” Vonnie’s brow furrowed.
“I can’t.” Tracy stood. “Not until I find DJ.”
Chapter 53
Tracy rushed from Jim’s car to the house, the roar of the media following her until she closed the door.
She was sorry to see Mark so angry. And losing Vonnie at this critical time left an empty spot in her heart. But he was right. He needed to keep his family safe. She had to do the same.
A knock startled her. She sucked in a deep breath and glanced out the window. Deputy Thomas stood on the other side of the door. What if he was there to arrest her? Should she call Jim? She glanced out again.
Thomas gave a wave with his right hand. Probably not something an officer would do if he were about to put handcuffs on someone suspected of killing their husband.
She opened the door about two inches.
“Sorry to bother you, Ms. Allen, but I’ve brought back some items we took from your house yesterday. I need to bring them in and have you check the list.”
“Oh, okay.” She opened the door wider.
Shouts came from the reporters in such a jumble she couldn’t understand any of them. How did they get any questions answered? Thomas returned to his car and lifted out a large box.
“I didn’t want to carry the box up until I was sure you’d allow me in.” He glanced over his shoulder at the reporters. “Wouldn’t want to leave it out for the leeches to get to.”
“Put it here.” She pointed to the living room floor.
“There’s one more.” He returned within a minute with a smaller box. He placed it next to the first. “Here’s the list. I need you to check through and make sure it’s all there.”
She opened the first one. Files from the home office were inside along with the old desktop computer Daniel used before he purchased the laptop which was also inside. She shuddered imagining the garbage found on it.
Her cheeks heated, though she wasn’t sure why. She had nothing to be ashamed of.
“If you need help connecting anything back up...” Thomas stood behind her.
“That’s okay. I don’t use most of this.” The sooner he left the better. A creepiness came over her as she scanned all the computer equipment that had been in the office. While Deputy Thomas had done nothing untoward, she still couldn’t shake off the ick factor from all the stuff that might have been downloaded. Had he seen it too? Had he enjoyed it or found it as disgusting as she did?
No way to tell, and she wasn’t about to ask.
She turned her attention to the smaller box which held her prescription pills, notebooks from her room and DJ’s, along with her laptop and Kindle.
“Everything on the li
st appears to be here.” Tracy caught sight of the notebook DJ had been writing in the night before he disappeared. She hadn’t realized they’d taken that as well.
“Can I get you to sign here and initial there?” Thomas held out a piece of paper.
She did as instructed. “Thanks for bringing the things back.” She walked him to the door, locking it once he left. She pulled out DJ’s notebook. Tears welled at her son’s scribble.
She flipped it open.
July 27
There fighting again.
A lump formed in Tracy’s throat upon seeing his misspelling.
I wish they’d stop. How can I sleep when they yell all the time?
DJ
She turned to the night she and DJ had spent at Jenny’s.
September 17
I hate him. I hate him. I hate him. He made her cry again. He hit her. One day I’ll be big enough to stop him.
DJ
Had DJ confronted his father about that night? Her stomach bounced. If so, that might explain his disappearance, but not Daniel’s death. Maybe Daniel went to harm DJ and Kimi protected him.
Wishful thinking.
Tracy touched DJ’s words. How could two adults who claimed to love a child as much as they did fill him with such rage? She swiped her finger over her son’s name. She leaned back on the sofa and tried to remember if she ever saw any sign of his anger. Except for that one night, she’d never recalled DJ raising his voice to either of them.
She placed the journal on her lap. Would she ever get the chance to tell him how sorry she was for all they put him through?
Chapter 54
“You said ten thousand.” Jenny bit her thumbnail. “That’s what I have.”
“That was before you killed Daniel.”
“I did not.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Kimi growled. “If you want to see this kid again, you need to come up with twenty-five grand. Call me back when you have it.”
“No, wait–” The line on the prepaid went silent. Jenny redialed but got the voicemail.
What was she going to do now? Images of DJ tied up, his blue eyes scared. She had to find him.
There had to be money somewhere. She tore through old notes and bank envelopes. Anything that might help, hoping to find money she’d forgotten she had.
She jerked out an invoice and stopped short.
Her eyes misted. Memories raced into her mind. Being so happy at first. The argument with Frank. Him not wanting the child. Driving to Jacksonville. Alone in that cold room and being made to lie on that table with her legs in the stirrups. The bright overhead lights that blinded.
Once done, she had the long walk down the corridor. Tears. Loneliness of no one being with her. Of no one knowing.
She’d returned to Belmont only to discover Frank was protecting himself. He didn’t want his wife to know about the affair. His wife.
Until that moment, Jenny thought he was single.
Tears rolled down her face from the memory. Her soul still felt empty at times. It hadn’t helped that she’d seen Frank a few months ago only to discover he and his wife now had children of their own while hers was in a plastic bag in the dump somewhere.
“Why did you make me kill our child? How? How?” She laid her head down, sobs ratcheting her body.
And now she might lose DJ.
Her phone rang, causing her to jump. She slid her finger across to answer. “Hello.”
“Hey, darling, it’s me. I was just checking on you.”
“I’m doing okay.” She faked a smile and swiped a hand across her face.
“You don’t sound fine.”
“I’m worried about Tracy, especially now that Daniel has been killed. No matter what she said, I know she still loved him.”
“I agree. By the way, I told the police about Patty Phillips being angry with us. They said they’d look into it.” Someone said something over the line. “I’ve gotta go. Unfortunately, I won’t be back until late tomorrow. I miss you.”
“I miss you too.”
And she did miss him. She couldn’t believe her luck when she first met him.
Tracy had been working to get him elected for City Counsel and dragged her in to volunteer. Gary was so handsome, kind, and honest. There was a connection that first day. Instant sparks. She’d sworn she’d never let a man hurt her again, but Gary broke through the barriers she’d built.
But what would he do if he ever discovered what she’d done?
She touched her belly.
“My child,” she whispered. “I miss you more than you’ll ever know.” She would not let Tracy go through the tragedy of losing a child. “No matter what, I’ll get DJ back.”
Anger rose inside. If Kimi harmed him, she’d hunt her down and make her pay.
Chapter 55
While parked across the street from the Carlisle house, Tommy glanced through his phone. Three messages from Filmore full of curse words and warnings. He planned to take off, so Filmore’s threats were useless.
He glanced at the house Jenny Carlisle had entered. Nice neighborhood. Gated community. He’d gotten lucky enough to get in on the bumper of some old lady. Jenny C. lived in a single-story house. She parked in the driveway even though the garage had enough room for three cars.
Maybe it was the old man’s car, though she’d driven it home.
He pulled up more pictures of her with her husband. They went to a lot of social events, probably good for a politician. How he would love to see Mr. Pro-Life Carlisle end up being spotted at a Planned Parenthood rally.
Tommy laughed out loud.
He swiped his finger across the screen. A side view of Jenny Carlisle came up. He swiped the phone to continue, then paused and went back.
“That’s it.” He bounced upright in the truck.
He glanced around to see if anyone had seen him but no one appeared to be out.
It had to be her. He glanced through a couple more side views.
“Yeah, it’s you.” He laughed. “And you’ll pay a high price to keep me from letting everybody know.”
It was too much a coincidence that Jenny C and Kimi ended up in the same diner outside of town not even a month before that kid turned up missing.
Chapter 56
Tracy awoke, startled. Were those footsteps on the stairs? Her ears perked up.
“DJ?” She bounced off the couch. The journal fell to the floor. She scooped it up, staring between it and the staircase. “DJ?”
She listened more intently. A new crack splintered in her heart with each passing second. Her mind played cruel tricks on her.
An article she’d read once stated that when someone lost an arm or a leg, their mind wouldn’t at first allow them to realize they’d lost an appendage. The mind had to get used to the notion of not having that body part. Was that how it was with a missing child? Did a mother pretend until she could accept it?
“I’ll never give up.”
Children disappeared every day never to be found. All over the world. In this country. Even in this state. She’d never be able to live.
She trudged up the stairs, trembling, exhausted.
Before she realized it, she was standing in DJ’s room. She looked at everything and nothing at once. His baseball trophies were still in place. His team photo and the pen he used for writing in his journal was on his nightstand. Nothing appeared disturbed by either the police or some ghost she’d conjured up downstairs.
“DJ.” The word floated in the air where it hung for a second before it slammed to the floor with a thud.
She placed the journal on the bedside table then sunk down onto her son’s bed. Pulling DJ’s pillow against her, she inhaled. His melon shampoo coated her senses. Maybe if she breathed deep enough, she could make him reappear. But it did no good.
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t push away the tragic possibilities threatening her mind. She slid from the mattress onto the floor, clutching the pillow even tighter. She clung
to it, unable to let it go. Tears fell, first slowly then faster. Sobs racked her body to the point she found it hard to catch her breath. What would she do without the sound of pounding feet throughout the house? No slamming doors? The void in her heart grew with each passing second.
She wiped her tears on his plush blue blanket. “I’ll do anything. Even go to church every Sunday, give all this away to the poor.” She swung her hand in the air. “Please, please, bring DJ back.” She pleaded with a god she wasn’t sure even existed.
But DJ didn’t magically appear. No phone call came telling her he’d been found. Nothing but silence.
Was it too late to believe he’d be coming home? Tracy curled into a fetal position on the floor in DJ’s room. Her phone rang for the third time before she finally answered.
“Hello.” Her voice sore from crying.
“Tracy?” Jenny’s voice sounded muffled through the phone line. “Are you all right?”
“No.” She placed the phone on the floor and clung to DJ’s pillow. Her sister’s voice hollered over the line, but Tracy had no energy to respond. Jenny would never understand how she felt, no matter how close she was to DJ.
Within fifteen minutes, a knock sounded on the front door. Tracy seemed unable to move. What was wrong with her? What if it was news about DJ?
She heard the front door close.
“Tracy. Tracy, where are you?” Jenny’s voice sounded from downstairs
How did she get in? Yeah, the spare key. Tracy pressed her face into the pillow, folded it around her face until she couldn’t see, couldn’t hear, could hardly breathe.
Footsteps pounded up the staircase. Arms lifted her from the floor. The pillow tossed away.
“It’s okay.” Jenny rocked Tracy back and forth in her arms as her little sister sobbed. “You’re going to be okay.”
“No. I’m not.” Anger took over and Tracy pulled away. She slapped at her wet face. Jenny tried to hold her again, always wanting to make things right, but there was no making this right, so Tracy scooted away.
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