Mirror Image

by Curry, Edna

  Susie couldn’t have been far. They wouldn’t have been able to hear her screams if she’d been far away. And where was the dog? Her sharp yelps had sounded as though she were in pain. Where were they?

  Laurie realized that she must have gone too far. She turned back, pulling aside branches and calling as she went. But the only other sounds were Jass and Agnes’ voices, echoing her own frantic calls on the other side of the house.

  A branch slapped her in the face, and she lost her footing. She slid into a small ditch, mud from the recent rain coating her hands as she tried to stop herself. Tears of pain and frustration rolled down her cheeks.

  As she turned onto her hands and knees to pick herself up, she spotted a shoe under the next tree.

  Susie’s sneaker!

  Yelling, “Jass, I found her shoe!” she scrambled to her feet and stumbled toward it, wiping the mud from her hands onto her slacks.

  She picked up the shoe, but Susie was nowhere to be seen.

  Jass and Agnes joined her, and they searched under low-hung branches of the large pine trees, up and down the road. Nothing.

  Suddenly the sound of a large motor echoed across the lake.

  “A boat!”

  Together they raced through the neighbor’s yard to the shore. A boat with a man crouched low was racing across the lake. Seeing a spot of yellow in it made Laurie cry, “Susie’s in that boat! She was wearing a yellow T-shirt.”

  “Come on.” Jass yelled, racing down the shore toward their own boat. He hopped in and started the engine. “Hurry, Laurie, he’s getting away!”

  Agnes stood on shore, yelling encouragement as Laurie jumped into the boat. “I’ll call for help,” she shouted as they left.

  Grabbing an oar, Laurie helped Jass push them into deeper water, and then he revved the big motor to its maximum. They shot out across the water after the smaller craft.

  Laurie crouched close to Jass to ask, “Who is it?”

  “I can’t tell. But I think we’re gaining on him.”

  She watched and prayed as Jass concentrated on correctly hitting the waves that the other boat was leaving in its wake.

  Just then the dark-clad figure in the boat ahead stood up. He was holding something yellow, and he tossed it overboard.

  Laurie gasped. “Oh, my God! He’s thrown her into the water!”

  Chapter 15

  Jass cursed, and his lips tightened. He gripped the wheel so tightly his knuckles whitened. Keeping his eyes on the spot of yellow, he kept full throttle until they were near it, then slowed the boat and stopped as close as possible.

  They could see Susie, floating face down in the water.

  “Drop anchor, Laurie! Then hold the boat near us.” Pulling off his shoes, Jass dove into the water after his daughter.

  Fighting tears, Laurie watched, wanting to go after them, but knowing she was needed in the boat. She spared a quick glance at the other boat which was disappearing across the lake. He’d obviously known they would have no choice but to let him go if he tossed out the little girl. Who would do such a cruel thing to a small child?

  She held her breath as Jass reached Susie and began the return trip. Reaching the boat, Jass grabbed the side and said, “Here, Laurie, take her.”

  Laurie pulled the little girl into the boat, hugging her waist to try to expel water from her lungs, and staring at the pale form. Susie lay still, her long blonde hair spread around her head in a wet tangle. Her skin was turning blue. “No! Oh, no! We’re too late!”

  Raw panic and fear battled in Laurie, forming a lump in her throat. Quickly Laurie checked for debris in her mouth, and then began mouth to mouth resuscitation.

  She reached out a hand to Susie’s neck, searching desperately for a pulse. Warmth and a faint throb met her probing fingers. “There’s a heartbeat. She’s alive!” She called her name, but Susie didn’t respond. Her eyes were closed. A large bruise marked her temple.

  Laurie helped Jass into the boat and again knelt beside the still form, brushing away the angry tears that threatened to blind her.

  Desperately trying to catch his own breath, Jass took over the mouth to mouth.

  Laurie searched the boat for something to cover Susie, and found one of Jass' jackets. “Here, this will help keep her warm.”

  Covering Susie with it, she said, “Let me do it, you’re all out of breath, yourself.”

  He raised his head just long enough to shake it. “No, I can do it. Pull up anchor and get us to shore.”

  Laurie did as he said, thankful she’d learned to drive the boat. “Oh, Jass. Susie, I’m so sorry I didn’t protect you.”

  Susie coughed and began to cry, breathing on her own at last. Her skin was returning to its normal pink tone. Tears rolled down Jass’ cheeks and he cuddled her close in the blanket.

  “Thank God!” Their eyes met in relief and Laurie swallowed the huge lump in her throat as she turned back to guide the boat toward their dock.

  George and Agnes came running to meet them. The blue lights of an ambulance and police car flashed in their driveway. Thank goodness Agnes had brought help.

  Jass hurriedly carried Susie to the crew who ran to meet them while George tied up the boat.

  Laurie and Agnes crowded close, trying to see Susie.

  Concern written on his sun-burned face, George moved in to eye Susie’s white face. Susie whimpered, sounding for all the world like a puppy in pain. “She’s hurt.” George exclaimed.

  Jass assured them, “She’s alive, but we must get her to a doctor,” and kept walking toward the ambulance.

  They hurried along beside Jass, falling back when a police officer edged in to question him.

  “Later,” Jass told him, “first we must get Susie to the hospital.” He climbed into the ambulance after a crew member.

  Laurie called to Jass, “We’ll need a car to come home again. “I’ll follow you.”

  Agnes nodded. “Good idea, LaRae. I’ll get your keys.” She hurried into the house.

  Laurie began walking toward the garage, then remembered the dog. Turning back to George, she said, “We didn’t find Trixie. She had to be close by. We heard her barking and yelping at the same time as we heard Susie’s screams. Will you look for her while we go to the hospital?”

  “Of course, Mrs. Markham. Be glad to.” George’s throat worked.

  Agnes returned, handed her the car keys and nodded agreement.

  George and Agnes stood watching the ambulance and police car back out of the driveway with Laurie following close behind.

  At the hospital, Susie was whisked away, and Laurie and Jass were left pacing the waiting room. The same small room she had paced with Jass hoping for news of Martha.

  “You’d better go wash off some of that mud,” Jass urged. “How did you get so dirty?”

  Laurie looked down, surprised to see her hands and slacks were still smeared with mud, now almost dried on. “I slipped into the ditch. That’s how I happened to see her shoe. I’ll go clean up a bit and be right back.”

  In the bathroom, she saw herself in the mirror and grimaced. She was a mess, scratched, dirty face, tangled hair. She finger-combed her hair, since she hadn’t brought her purse. Her face was scratched, and she remembered the tree branches hitting her. She splashed her face with cool water and used paper towels to get rid of some of the mud. Shrugging, she went back to the waiting room.

  Soon after she returned, a tall, young policeman arrived, identified himself as Kevin, and began asking them questions for his report. Laurie told him about finding Susie’s shoe and then hearing the boat motor start up. Jass continued with the story of the boat chase, and rescuing the little girl from the lake.

  “Could you identify him?”

  “No, I don’t think so,” Jass said, his voice grim.

  “What happened, do you think?”

  “I’m not sure. Someone must have caught her outside walking Trixie. Maybe when she screamed and Trixie barked, he got scared. That bruise on her head mu
st mean he hit her with something. Then probably carried her from where we found her shoe under the tree to his boat.” If someone had raped Susie, he’d never forgive himself. Had he had time?

  “But who? And how did he know Susie was there?” Laurie asked, biting her tongue to keep from adding, Unless he lived nearby. Unless he merely had to pop out of a building. A neighbor? It couldn’t have been George. She was ashamed of herself for suspecting him. He’d been with them, and had looked so concerned about Susie.

  “I don’t know,” Jass said.

  Kevin nodded, as though it was what he’d expected to hear. “Did she say anything? Tell you who hurt her?”

  Laurie and Jass both shook their heads. Laurie added, “She was barely conscious. She came to and began to cry just before we got to shore.”

  Kevin said he would go call a colleague to talk to George and look for evidence. Before he could leave, Dr. Henry appeared, and Jass and Laurie quickly turned toward him.

  “She’s just bruised. She’s going to be fine,” he said with a smile. Laurie sagged against Jass in relief.

  “Was she raped?” the officer asked bluntly.

  Dr. Henry shook his head. “No evidence of it. Maybe whoever attacked her was scared off.”

  “The dog was barking, and Susie screamed. That’s how we knew something was wrong.”

  Jass added, “We all ran outside immediately and began calling for Susie, as soon as we heard her and the dog. Whoever did it must have still been there.”

  The officer nodded. “All the noise probably saved her. Noise is a good deterrent.”

  “But isn’t it odd she would be attacked in broad daylight?” Laurie asked. Her dreams had always pictured it happening at night. Somehow she associated crime with darkness. She shook herself. This was reality. She must stop confusing it with her dreams.

  Kevin shrugged. “Usually there’s more danger at night. But opportunity comes at all hours. Often it’s done on the spur of the moment when an opportunity suddenly presents itself to the perpetrator.”

  “Can we see her?” Laurie asked Dr. Henry.

  “Of course, but she’s sleeping. Let’s leave any questions for tomorrow,” Dr. Henry told the officer. He nodded at them and left the waiting room.

  They went to Susie’s room. Laurie’s heart tightened as she looked at the now quiet, pale little girl. Susie was still asleep, looking small and fragile in the white bed.

  Laurie stood there, closed her eyes and said a thank you to God the child was all right. She sank into the chair beside Susie and took her limp hand in hers, needing to touch her, to hold onto her and feel her little niece was really safe. Laurie glanced at Jass. “I want to stay with her a while, Jass.”

  Jass nodded, saying, “I’ll walk you out, Kevin.”

  Laurie watched them leave and listened to their footsteps echo down the quiet hospital corridor. She felt devastated. Martha had died today. Susie was hurt.

  God, what a day this had been. She was so tired. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the antiseptic-smelling hospital air, knowing she would forever believe someone, somehow had warned her that this would happen to Susie.

  Yet she hadn’t been able to protect her. Relaxing at last, Laurie fell asleep.

  Jass returned. He bent to kiss Susie, but she slept peacefully.

  He needed to hold Laurie. To tell her how sorry he was for doubting her. He shook her shoulder. “Laurie. Laurie, wake up.”

  She awoke and went into his waiting arms. “Oh, Jass!” He held her tightly, then nodded to his sleeping daughter. “Sh, don’t wake Susie.”

  They both stood there for a long time, watching her sleep.

  At last Jass roused, and said, “The nurse says she’ll sleep ‘til morning. Let’s go home.”

  She nodded and followed him. Home. What a wonderful word.

  The lights in Susie’s room had been dimmed. As they walked out into the brighter corridor, Laurie glanced at her watch. It was after midnight.

  In the hall outside Susie’s door, Kevin sat on a chair. When they emerged, he stood, asking, “Did she wake up yet?”

  Laurie shook her head. “Did you find Trixie?”

  Kevin’s lips tightened. He nodded and said, “George did. Her dog is dead. Clubbed with a blunt object, maybe the same thing the attacker hit Susie with. Thank goodness he didn’t hit her as hard.”

  Jass nodded, his face grim. “Do you have any clues? Any idea who did this?”

  The officer shook his head. “I’m hoping Susie can tell us. And I’m staying here to make sure he doesn’t try to prevent her from doing so.”

  “Oh!” Laurie gasped. She closed her eyes, suddenly feeling sick. She’d thought it was over, that Susie was safe. Now it didn’t sound that way. Opening her eyes, she turned to Jass, her fists clenching in anger and frustration. “We’d better stay with Susie.”

  “Nonsense,” Kevin said, lifting his chin. “Nobody will get past me and the hospital staff.”

  “Mommy! Mommy!”

  “She’s awake!” Laurie and Jass spun around and went back into Susie’s room, with Kevin on their heels. Susie was sitting up in bed, her eyes round with fear. “Mommy! Oh, Daddy, you’re here!”

  Jass sat on the bed and took Susie in his arms to comfort her. “Yes, Sweetheart. Daddy’s here.”

  Laurie put out her hand to take the one Susie reached out to her. It felt wonderful to feel part of this family. But how long would she be included, now that Jass knew she wasn’t Susie’s mother?

  Susie wept a minute, then said, “Daddy, Davie’s daddy hurt me. I don’t like him anymore. He grabbed me and tried to carry me to his house.”

  Jass gasped and his face flushed with anger. “Harold? Susie, are you sure?”

  She nodded. “’Course I’m sure, Daddy. I know him. He drives us all the time. I got scared, though, so I kicked and screamed so he’d let me go, but he just held me tighter. Then Trixie started barking so he put me down and hit her with a big stick. And Trixie just got home from the vet after being hit by a car. That was mean, wasn’t it, Mommy?”

  Laurie cleared the tears from her throat and managed, “It certainly was, Sweetheart.”

  “So then I kicked him for hitting Trixie, and I ran, but he chased me and caught me. I screamed, but he put his hand over my mouth. And then Mommy screamed, too. When he heard Mommy, he said it was my fault she heard me, and he hit me with the stick, too. That’s all I remember. My head hurts, Daddy.”

  “I’ll ring for the nurse,” Laurie said, pressing the call button. “Maybe she’ll give her something for the pain.”

  Susie started crying again, and Jass cuddled her close. “Shh, Sweetheart. You’re okay, now. We’re here.”

  Jass looked at the officer, his face grim, and tipped his head toward the door. He eased away from Susie and said, “I’ll be right back, Sweetheart. Mommy is here with you.”

  Laurie’s throat contracted as Jass left. She took his place on the bed beside Susie. Jass had called her, ‘Mommy.’ Did that mean he was going to let her stay? Or was he just putting off the inevitable until Susie was better?

  A white-clad nurse appeared and gave Susie some medication. “She should sleep better with this,” she said, and left, her uniform rustling.

  Jass and Kevin moved away from Susie’s door a bit and spoke in low tones.

  “Did you hear enough?” Jass asked.

  Kevin nodded, his brows knit in a frown. “I certainly did.”

  “You know who she means?”

  “Yes. Your neighbor down the lake-shore, Harold Stevens.”

  “Yes. I thought the boat looked like his, but I wasn’t sure. I can’t believe it. We car-pool with him, trusted him to share driving the kids everywhere.”

  The officer nodded. “It’s often someone they know. I’ll call in to have him picked up right away. I’d better not use my cellular phone, though. He might have a scanner. In the meantime, I’ll stand guard here until he’s brought in.”

  “And i
f you don’t find him?”

  “We will.”

  Jass sighed. “You’d better take Davie to his mother. Noreen and Harold are separated. She’s got an apartment in Minneapolis, last I heard.”

  “No, I hadn’t heard. I’ll see to it Davie gets to her. He’ll be fine. Noreen is a good gal. Any idea of her address?”

  Jass shrugged, then said, “Maybe Ken or Denise knows. They told us about them separating.”

  “Thanks, I’ll ask.” The officer walked off to use the hospital telephone.

  When Jass returned to the room, Susie was snuggled in Laurie’s arms. She turned to look at him, and said, “I don’t like Harold any more, Daddy. I don’t want to ride in his new red pick-up any more, either.”

  “You don’t have to, Sweetheart.”

  “Good.” She cuddled closer in Laurie’s arms and closed her eyes.

  In a few minutes Susie was asleep again and Laurie eased her down onto the pillow and tucked her in.

  Kevin stuck his head in to signal he was back on guard.

  Jass said, “Let’s make another try at going home.”

  “But....”

  “The nurses will check on her. Come on, you’re exhausted.” He put his arm around her as they walked out.

  Laurie thought she’d never felt such a welcome touch as Jass’ accepting arm. She reveled in the warmth of hope it gave her. She needed him so much after this horrible day.

  The hospital corridor was dimly lit, and most doors were nearly closed. They stepped out into the starlit night, relishing the fresh, cool night breeze. It smelled good after the antiseptic closeness of the hospital.