Searching for Faith

by Kristen Middleton

  “This is ridiculous,” said the manager, coming to life. “She’s obviously a fraud. Don’t listen to her, Mrs. Bloom. If she knows where your daughter is, it’s because she’s involved somehow. Hell, maybe this is about getting a ransom and she’s here to feel you out?”

  Carissa glared at him. “Wow. You’re really something. I’m not involved and you should be ashamed of yourself, Mr. Johnson. If you wouldn’t have been fooling around with your attendant, when she should have been minding the front desk, the child might not be missing right in the first place.”

  The manager stared at her in stunned silence.

  “Is that true?” asked Rachel, looking at him.

  The guilty expression on his face was all the answer she needed.

  “Yeah, I thought so,” said Carissa and then turned to look at Rachel again. “Now, let me help you locate your little girl.”

  “Okay,” she replied. “I’m willing to do everything it takes to find her. Where do we start?”

  Before Carissa could explain, there was a loud rap on the door.

  “Police. Open up,” said a firm voice.

  Chapter 21

  PAUL FELT LIKE he was on the verge of a nervous breakdown when he couldn’t find Chloe in the pool area. Deeply ashamed of himself and his stupidity, he headed to the front desk, hoping that there was some better news to be found.

  “Where’s the manager?” he asked the attendant, a woman named Eva.

  “In his office with your wife, Mr. Bloom. It’s down the hallway,” she told him. “The police just arrived, too.”

  “Thanks,” he said, turning around.

  When he arrived at the manager’s office, the door was open and two officers were inside questioning his wife. There was also another woman, whom he didn’t recognize.

  “My husband was the last one to see her,” Rachel said, noticing his approach.

  The officers turned to him. They introduced themselves and then began asking questions about Chloe.

  “So, you left her in the lounge,” said the taller of the two cops. Officer Reynolds. “Was there anyone else around?”

  “No,” he replied. “Looking back, I realize it was a horrible mistake, but I was only gone for a couple of minutes. My wife couldn’t find her keycard in her purse right away and so it took me-”

  “Don’t you dare put this on me,” snapped Rachel. Paul was always giving her crap about being disorganized. “You shouldn’t have left her alone in the first place.”

  “I know,” he said angrily. “I’m not blaming you for it. I’m just trying to give them an idea of how long I was gone.”

  “How long do you think you were away from your daughter?” asked the shorter cop, Officer Smith.

  “Four minutes, tops,” he replied.

  “A lot can happen in one minute, let alone four,” said Officer Reynolds. “Are you sure that you don’t remember seeing someone leave the bar or pass anyone in the hallway on your way to find your wife?”

  Paul squeezed the bridge of his nose as he tried thinking back. “To be honest, I didn’t notice anyone coming or going. I was in a hurry and just wanted to get back to Chloe.”

  “What about the front desk clerk?” asked Officer Reynolds, looking around. “Did she see anything?”

  “Apparently, she was busy,” said Rachel dryly.

  The manager cleared his throat. “We were having a meeting,” said the man, his face turning a bright red.

  “And there was nobody else tending the counter?” asked Officer Smith.

  “No,” said the manager. “It’s pretty slow here at night and we usually only have one attendant working the counter.”

  “Are there cameras in the lounge?” asked Officer Smith.

  “Yes. In fact, we were just about to go over them,” replied the manager, motioning toward his laptop.

  “Okay. Let’s have a look at your footage,” said Officer Reynolds.

  As they were preparing the clip, Paul noticed Carissa standing there, watching silently.

  “I’m sorry, who are you?” he asked, wondering if she worked for the hotel or was with the police.

  “My name is Carissa Jones,” she said. “I’m here to help you find your daughter.”

  “She’s a psychic,” said the manager dryly.

  Paul stared at her in disbelief, and then snorted.

  “No need to be rude,” said Rachel. “Anyone willing to help us find Chloe should be thanked and not scorned.”

  Paul looked at Carissa. “Sorry, I’ve had a rough night.”

  “I understand,” she replied.

  “By the way, you never did give me a good explanation as to why Chloe was so angry with you in the first place,” said Rachel, watching him closely.

  “I don’t remember. It was something stupid,” Paul said, avoiding her eyes.

  “Okay,” said the manager. “Here we go.”

  Everyone stared at the computer screen. On the footage, Chloe had her back to the camera and was sitting on the sofa. A few seconds after, a man approached her. He wore some kind of dark parka and a hoodie underneath, which covered his hair.

  Rachel gasped. “Oh my God.”

  “Son of a bitch,” growled Paul, watching as the man offered Chloe his hand.

  “Freeze the frame,” said Reynolds quickly.

  The manager paused it.

  Reynolds moved closer to the screen. “Okay, play it very slowly now.”

  The manager did what he was told and the footage resumed in slow motion.

  “It looks like he’s definitely avoiding the camera,” said Reynolds, glancing at the other cop.

  “Yes,” agreed Smith.

  The man offered his hand to Chloe again and said something else. Whatever it was, it changed her mind. She took it, stood up, and left with him. Unfortunately, his back was to the camera the entire time.

  “All that and we don’t know what the bastard looked like,” muttered Paul. “Is that the only camera you have in the lounge? Don’t you have anything facing the opposite direction?”

  “No,” said the manager.

  “I can’t believe that monster has my little girl,” said Rachel, now weeping openly.

  Carissa handed her several tissues from the manager’s desk.

  “Thank you,” said Rachel, taking them.

  “What about outside? Are there cameras in the parking lot?” asked Paul angrily.

  “Yes,” replied the manager. “Just one in each lot though. Hopefully we’ll pick something up.”

  “Play that again for us first,” said Smith.

  The manager rewound the video.

  “Is there anything that looks familiar about him?” asked Reynolds.

  “There’s not much to see,” muttered Paul.

  “I’m talking about his jacket or what he was wearing,” replied Reynolds, glancing back at him.

  “I doubt that I’ve never seen him before,” said Paul. “But, who’s to say?”

  “I don’t recognize him,” said the manager.

  Everyone looked at Rachel.

  “No. He could be anybody,” she said, sounding defeated.

  “Well, it’s definitely not Harold,” said Paul. “I guess we can rule him out.”

  “Yes. Harold is obviously heavier and that guy seems like he’d be younger,” said Rachel.

  “I wonder if he’s a guest here?” said Smith. “You mentioned that you were here for a wedding?”

  “Yes,” said Rachel. “My best friend’s. Mackenzie.”

  Smith scratched his chin. “It’s possible that he’s here for the same thing, and that’s how he may have spotted your daughter.”

  “We definitely need to search the cabins,” said the other cop. “I should get on that now.”

  “And issue an Amber Alert,” said Smith, looking over his shoulder.

  “I’m on it,” Reynolds replied and left the office.

  “The fact that this guy was avoiding the camera shows he knew about it,” said Smith, pointin
g to the screen. “Maybe he’s an employee?”

  “It’s not exactly a hidden camera,” said the manager with a frown. “Anyone could spot it. Especially someone who is up to no good.”

  Rachel stood up and began to pace. “I feel like we’re running out of time.” She looked over at Carissa. “After seeing that clip, do you think you know who he is?”

  Carissa shook her head. “No, but I believe it’s related to the little girl they found earlier today.”

  Rachel frowned. “What little girl?”

  Carissa told about the child who’d been found in Lutsen earlier. “I think it’s the same guy.”

  Horrified, Rachel sank to her knees. “Oh my God, Paul!” she sobbed.

  Chapter 22

  CARISSA HADN’T WANTED to be the one to tell them, but in her heart she knew that the crimes were related.

  Paul reached for his wife and took her into his arms. “Why didn’t you tell us about this?” he asked the cops angrily.

  “We weren’t sure if that case had anything to do with your missing daughter,” said Smith. “And we certainly didn’t want to panic anyone.”

  “It’s the same guy,” said Carissa bluntly.

  Everyone looked at her.

  “Excuse me, but can I see some identification?” asked the cop.

  Before she could respond, Alex and Jim appeared in the doorway.

  Carissa relaxed.

  “Hey, Jim,” said Smith.

  As the sheriff introduced himself to Paul and Rachel, Alex edged his way over to Carissa.

  “I take it their daughter is still missing?” he asked.

  Carissa nodded.

  “Is it the girl from your dreams?” he asked quietly.

  “Yes. Her mother showed me a picture. It’s definitely her,” she replied grimly.

  She hadn’t ever met Chloe but now that she knew the girl was real, Carissa couldn’t help but feel partly responsible for her abduction. Especially now knowing that the girl had been staying at the same resort.

  “I was just asking her for some I.D.,” said Smith motioning toward Carissa.

  “I already did that a couple of hours ago,” said Jim. “She’s just someone trying to help. So,” he turned to the manager, “you have video footage?”

  They watched the video again and the sheriff took his turn in questioning the couple.

  “Do you think it’s the same man who killed the other little girl in Lutsen?” asked Rachel, wiping fresh tears with a tissue.

  “We don’t know for sure, but… my gut says that it probably is,” said Jim somberly. “It’s too coincidental.”

  Rachel looked at Carissa. “You have to help us find our daughter.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can,” she replied.

  Jim looked at Carissa. “By the way, we think we have a positive I.D. on the other girl. Her parents are going to verify it, but you were right about what you said. The child’s name was Amy and she was from Duluth. She’d been missing since last weekend.”

  Carissa nodded. “What about the friend? Was there another girl he released?”

  Jim nodded. “Yes. Hopefully we can get a hold of her and find out if she remembers anything more about the assailant.”

  Rachel perked up. “Are you saying that you might have a suspect soon?”

  “I hope so. I can only promise that we’ll do our best to catch this guy and bring your daughter back. Fortunately, Ms. Jones has given us several… unexplainable tips,” he replied. “I never thought I’d be saying this, but, you definitely have my attention.”

  “Thank you. I’m going to try and meditate, to see if anything new comes to me,” she replied.

  “Let me know if you do,” said Jim.

  Carissa nodded.

  “Oh for God’s sake, you don’t believe this woman is really a psychic, do you?” muttered Paul.

  “Actually, yes. I do. Like you, I doubted her at first, too. But, she definitely knows things, Mr. Bloom,” said Jim. “Things that she shouldn’t. Whatever kind of sixth sense she has, it should be taken seriously.”

  Rolling his eyes, he shook his head.

  “I believe in you,” said Rachel, looking at Carissa.

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  “So do I,” said Alex.

  Carissa smiled.

  “That other little girl. The one that they found earlier,” said Rachel, looking at Jim. “Was she… molested?”

  “She was found naked but we don’t know for sure if the kidnapper sexually assaulted her,” he replied.

  Rachel’s lips began to tremble. She covered her face. “Oh, God.”

  “If he touches Chloe, I’ll kill the bastard with my own two hands,” said Paul, so angry that he was shaking again.

  Carissa sighed. “He didn’t touch her in that way. He’s not interested in that.”

  “So, why is he doing this?” asked Paul, looking at her. “If you know so much about this asshole, tell us why.”

  “He’s looking for his daughter,” said Carissa, understanding his anger but not appreciating his rudeness. She really didn’t like Paul. “And, right now, he thinks Chloe is her.”

  “The sick bastard,” muttered Paul.

  “The good news is that while he believes this, he’ll be good to her,” said Carissa. “But, eventually, he’ll figure out that she’s not who he wants her to be and that’s why we have to move fast.”

  “What will he do to her?” squeaked Rachel. “When he realizes she’s not his daughter?”

  “Nothing good,” Carissa replied.

  Chapter 23

  WHEN THEY CHECKED the video footage of the parking lot, again, the kidnapper kept his face down.

  “Did you see that? They stopped for a minute and I think that she might have pointed at our cabin,” said Paul, leaning toward the screen.

  “That’s where she thought he was taking her,” said Carissa, the knowledge hitting her quickly.

  “So, then why did she go with him into the parking lot?” mumbled Paul.

  “That’s a good question. Any ideas?” asked Jim, looking at Carissa.

  “I don’t know. He must have lied to her,” she replied.

  “I just don’t understand why she left with him so easily,” said Rachel. “I taught her better than that.”

  “Maybe she knows him?” said Jim. “Do you recognize anything about the man? Like the way he walks or if there any other physical characteristics that look familiar?” asked Jim.

  “The only thing that I can tell is that he’s slim and maybe my height,” said Paul. “Other than that, there is not a whole lot to look at.”

  Alex glanced at Carissa.

  She shrugged. There wasn’t anything distinguishable about the kidnapper for her either.

  Unfortunately, the guy had also parked beyond the camera range, so they weren’t able to get a look at his vehicle.

  “Look. There’s Paul,” said Rachel, pointing toward the screen. They watched as he stepped outside.

  “Jesus, I just missed them?” he said angrily. “Are you kidding me?”

  “Did you see anyone get into a vehicle?” asked Jim.

  He rubbed his forehead. “I… I’m trying to remember. I called her name and nobody answered. Wait a second.” His eyes widened. “I did see someone in the parking lot. He was standing in the back, next to a car but I only glanced at him for a second. I was too busy looking for Chloe. I thought she’d run off, to be honest. The idea of someone kidnapping her never even crossed my mind at that point.”

  “Could you tell what kind of car it was?” asked the sheriff.

  “No. It was too dark and I only glanced his way for a second. I can’t believe I was that close to them,” he said in a hoarse voice.

  “She didn’t yell out your name?” asked Jim.

  “Not that I heard,” he replied, his eyes filling with tears.

  “She couldn’t,” said Carissa, her eyes looking somewhere far away. “He put a rag over her mouth. She passed out.”
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  “The bastard,” said Paul, who’d finally reached his breaking point. He buried his face into his hands and began to sob.

  Chapter 24

  AN AMBER ALERT was issued for Chloe and the police began interviewing both guests and employees. A new, larger search party was formed and although it was late, some of the town’s people heard about the missing child and volunteered to look for her as well.

  “One of you should go back to the cabin,” said Jim, talking to Chloe’s parents. “And keep your phones nearby. Does your daughter know how to use a telephone?”

  “Yes,” said Rachel.

  “Good. If, by the grace of God, she gets away from him, she might try calling you,” said Jim.

  Rachel nodded.

  “You mentioned something earlier about Gooseberry Falls. I sent one of my deputies over to check it out,” Jim said to Carissa. “In an unmarked squad car. He’s going to keep an eye on things for a while and call me if something comes up.”

  “Good,” she replied.

  Jim looked at the manager. “I want a list of every employee that was working today. I’ll need their address, phone numbers, and the hours they put in.”

  “I highly doubt one of my people did this,” said Mr. Johnson.

  “Let’s hope not but we can’t rule anyone out,” he replied.

  “Maybe you should have Carissa sit in while some of the people are being interviewed,” suggested Alex. “I know that’s unorthodox, but she might pick up on something.”

  He nodded. “I suppose it’s possible that someone saw something and she might be able to probe their brains. It could take all night, though.”

  “I don’t know if I can probe anyone’s brains, but if you don’t mind, I would definitely like sit in,” Carissa said with a little smile.

  “Sure,” he replied.

  Reynolds stepped back into the office. “The FBI is here,” he said.

  “I was wondering when they were going to show,” muttered Jim. He sighed. “I should go and talk to them. Obviously, they’ll be wanting to interview you as well.”