I sat on the sofa and looked around the living room while Bernie went to check on Khrystal. I hadn’t been in his place in a couple of months. He’d added a recliner and replaced his flat screen television with a larger version.
“Well, she’s out like a light.” Bernie sighed. “How’s the case going?” He plopped on the opposite end of the sofa, grabbed a pillow, and squeezed it.
“I found Jennifer Moore. She’s got an attitude and shows all of the signs of being a junkie.”
“Did she say where she’s been and where she lives?” Bernie’s eyes were about to close, so I intended to make it quick.
“She was evasive, but I didn’t sense anything going on there. She said she lived here and there and doesn’t know where she’s going to be from one moment to the next. In other words, she had no idea where she was on the day in question and hadn’t been to the house in six months.”
“Did she know Jane Doe?” Bernie yawned.
Then I yawned. Funny how that happens. “She didn’t remember ever having met her. She had some people with her, and Theresa showed them the photo and asked them if they knew her. Negative.”
“Theresa? Trying to replace me again?” He smiled weakly.
“I never tried to replace you. You were in the hospital, out cold. What was I supposed to do? We had a case to solve.”
“Yeah. I’m just teasing you. You two work well together, huh?”
“We’re okay. She’s not you, though. But you do have one thing in common.”
“This ought to be good.” He smirked. “What’s that?”
“You’re both nosey. And neither of you watch the road when you’re driving because you’re so busy rubbernecking into my business.”
That got a laugh out of him, then he yawned again. That was my cue to leave. I could postpone my condo questions for another time.
“I’m going to get going. Tell Khrystal I stopped by and I’m glad she’s feeling better. I’ll talk to her later.” I headed toward the door.
“Hey, I almost forgot. How’s your apartment?” Bernie trailed behind me, shuffling his feet.
“They need to do renovations. I don’t know how long that will take. I’m at Mac’s for now.” I opened the door and stepped into the hall.
“All right. I guess I’ll see you at work on Monday, unless we catch a break in the case before then.” Bernie leaned on the door, stifling another yawn.
“Bernie, get some rest. See you later.” I got in my car and went to Mac’s house. I planned to ask her if it was okay if Brad came over while I was babysitting Josh. I didn’t think she would have a problem with it, but I wanted to ask out of courtesy.
Chapter Thirteen
Saturday morning was a scorcher, but I took Josh to the park, then we took a long walk. Well, I jogged slowly, and he rode the bike on the sidewalk, mostly. I’d bought him the bike for his last birthday, and once Mike had removed the training wheels, Josh had become quite the daredevil. If I didn’t keep an eye on him, he tried to speed up and down the neighbors’ driveways and into the street.
After our park excursion, I made him a lunch of PB&J, strawberries, and a glass of low-fat milk. I cleaned him up before putting him down for his nap then quietly tidied up his bedroom while he slept. Maybe I should have made him clean it up—I didn’t know. I was amazed how much mess one small child could make. Scratch that—one small child and a somewhat bigger child had made that mess.
Mac and Mike had decided to leave a little early for Las Vegas. I’d asked Mac if she minded if Brad came over, and she was fine with it. She’d initially wanted to meet him, but since they were leaving earlier than planned, that didn’t happen. Brad had to finish staging a flip, and I was expecting him in a few hours. After I washed the dishes and put away the games we’d played in the living room, I settled in to look through more of Mac’s real estate magazines. I’d left the other one on the nightstand in my apartment. I checked out a few builders’ websites and decided to start seriously looking for a house for myself if I could find the time. I didn’t know if I should have one built or look for a preowned home. In the process of searching, I could seek out information on our case.
I pondered where we stood on the cases. We still didn’t know who had rented the Moore house to Shelly Milton. Theresa had been unsuccessful in locating the con man. No leads had turned up on the fire in my apartment building and we couldn’t make out any faces on the photos Bryant had taken of the crowd.
DMV records indicated that the plates I’d given them from Frakes Realty didn’t belong to Sylvia or her husband Vincent. The cars apparently belonged to people taking advantage of the free parking. Cheapskates.
No one had talked to Vincent Frakes yet because of his business trip. It was time we paid a visit to the Frakeses’ home. I’d messed up. I should’ve done that already. How could I have missed that? Too distracted by my relationship with Brad? Not good. We needed to have a talk about that, and I had to clear my head.
Before Josh woke up, I made a marinade and put three chicken breasts in it. I placed it all in the fridge. We could grill those later. Afterward, I soaked in the tub, getting ready for my date. I had to admit, the soak felt good after a day playing in the hot sun. Mac had told me Josh usually slept for two or three hours. I’d called Brad, and he’d told me he would be over at four o’clock. I dressed in denim shorts and a black-and-white T-shirt with black sandals. I left my hair loose and curly and pulled it off my face with a black headband.
I had a little while before Brad’s arrival. I’d spent the time making a green salad with lots of vegetables and three kinds of greens. Brad loved salads. That was a plus in my opinion. I also made a fruit salad. Josh would like that, and it would be refreshing since the temperature was still blazing outside. The weather was perfect for a barbecue and the pool, but I still didn’t know how to swim. I didn’t mind floating around on a raft or rubber chair in the shallow end, though. I wouldn’t be doing that today—I hadn’t brought a bathing suit from my apartment, and Mac’s would be too large. I’d told Brad he could bring one if he wanted and that I would do the grilling for dinner. He’d mentioned that he had worked as a lifeguard while in high school and was still an excellent swimmer. Good to know, maybe.
I went to check on Josh. Mac had told me if he slept too long he wouldn’t sleep at night. I couldn’t have that because I was sure I wanted to sleep after all of the activity. I nudged open his bedroom door and watched him. He’d curled into a fetal position with his thumb in his mouth. I went to the living room and got my cell phone. I snapped the picture then sent it to Mac. I didn’t expect to hear from her immediately, but she texted me back with “Ahhh. My baby.” She’d included a smiley face. I laid the phone on the bed and gently shook Josh. He buried his head in the pillow, moving away from me.
“Josh. Time to get up.” I nudged him again.
He pushed my hand away and whined.
“Josh, wake up.” I put my hands under his shoulders and legs, trying to move him. “Oh. Are you wet?” I’d forgotten to make sure he went to the bathroom before his nap. I headed for his dresser for new clothes. “Crap.”
“Aunt Syd? You said a potty word.”
I spun around. Now, he wakes up. Josh rubbed his eyes and yawned. “You said a potty word, Aunt Syd.”
I sighed. “Yes, I did. I’m sorry.” I smiled.
“That’s okay. I won’t tell.” He touched his pants. “I’m wet.” His chin trembled, and his eyes watered.
I rushed to the bed and sat down. “It’s okay, buddy. We’ll get you cleaned up and in fresh clothes.”
His bottom lip poked out. Tears flowed from his blue eyes and down his flushed face.
“Hey, how would you like to go for a swim afterward?”
That got a smile out of him. His eyes brightened, and he swiped at his tears. “I can?”
“Sure.” I found his Spider-Man swim trunks. “Come on. Let’s get you changed.” I went to the bathroom across the hall. I heard him scramb
le off the bed, and he followed me. We got him cleaned up and in his trunks, ready to go. I pulled a couple of towels from the shelf, then we headed down the hall.
Sunscreen! I hadn’t put any on him, and I’d forgotten to apply it before we’d left for the park that morning.
“Wait for me, Josh. Don’t go out yet.” I hurried back into the bathroom and looked for his kiddie sunscreen. I’d seen it earlier. “Where was it?” I spotted it on the upper shelf of a chrome shelving unit in the corner. I grabbed it and went down the hall toward the living room. “Josh?”
The sliding-glass door was open. I dropped the towels and sunscreen and ran out the door. Oh, no! Josh was splashing around in the pool. In the deep end! Shit! He went under.
“Josh!” I looked around for something to hold out for him to grab. If I jumped in, I’d surely drown us both. “Think!” My gaze darted around the patio, searching. I didn’t see anything.
“Aunt…” His head disappeared beneath the surface.
I found a rubber raft and tossed it out there. It didn’t go far enough. He appeared too panicked to grab it anyway. I saw a floating chair on the patio. I had no choice. I had to go get him. I couldn’t see much through the tears. I picked up the chair and hung my feet over the pool’s edge. I took a breath and eased in, clinging to the chair and pool side. Josh continued to flail about. My heart thundered in my ears, and I could barely hear him.
“Help me!” he cried, reaching for me. “Aunt Syd, help…” He’d gotten tired and couldn’t stay afloat.
I saw his eyes—scared to death. That made two of us. I let go of the side of the pool, holding onto that chair with a death grip. I went under and panicked, too. I sputtered water. I couldn’t catch my breath. He tried to get to me but couldn’t make forward progress.
I knew I had to let go of the chair with one hand if I wanted to get across the pool. I didn’t know how to maneuver. I’d never paid attention to what anyone else did. I was always in the shallow end of the pool and could simply walk to get around. I released one hand, and the chair continued to float in front of me. Okay, good. Josh splashed and bobbed. I moved my hand and managed to row myself forward a little. My legs and feet felt jerky and awkward, but I kicked. I moved closer to Josh. I did that until I was within arm’s length of him. Scared, I pushed on. I moved the chair closer to him, and he grabbed it and took it down under with him, ripping it from my hands. I sank, too. I kicked and brought us both up, but I took in water and choked. I held on to him, and he clung to me and cried. We both sputtered water. I had to get us back to the edge of the pool.
I looked around. We both flailed about, making a little progress. I found it difficult to keep myself afloat and coordinate Josh’s movements. He clutched at me. I grew tired, but kept moving… seemingly an inch at a time. I hadn’t moved in a straight line somehow. My feet touched the bottom, and I walked, pulling Josh with me. I grabbed the side of the pool and hung on. Josh had grown so tired that he was no longer thrashing. He gasped for air and held on, his hands entangled in my hair.
“Josh?”
He looked at me, eyes wide and lip trembling, his skin pale. “I’m scared, Aunt Syd.”
Me, too. I hugged him. “I know you are.” I pulled away and looked him in the eyes. “Josh, I want you to hold the chair. Okay? I need you to hold onto the chair for me. I have to get out of the pool so that I can pull you out. Okay? Ready?”
He shivered but nodded. I pushed the chair toward him and held it there until he grasped it. Then I heaved myself out of the pool, reached over the edge, and pulled him up. He lay there shivering, still holding the chair. Then I turned away and vomited in the grass. I heard him say something, but I couldn’t make out his muffled voice, and my ears rang.
“Sydney!”
I looked toward the voice. Brad ran across the patio toward us.
“What happened? Sydney, what happened?”
“He was in the pool—can’t swim.” I turned away and dry heaved. When I finished, I went to Josh. I bent down and reached for him.
“I’ll get him.” Brad nudged me aside, picked up Josh, and carried him inside. He came back, stood next to me, and held my wet hair away from my face as I leaned forward, hands on my knees, shaking. “You’ve got to get in the house. Change clothes and warm up.” He held me around the waist. “Ready?”
I let him guide me inside. Josh lay still on the sofa. I plopped down next to his head and touched the drenched curls plastered to his scalp. He gazed at me, eyes still wide. I pulled him onto my lap and rocked him. We both let the tears flow. How could I have let that happen?
“I found these on the floor over there.” Brad had picked up the towels and sunscreen I’d dropped earlier. He handed me the towels and set the sunscreen on the coffee table. “Where can I find more towels?”
I pointed to the hall, barely able to lift my arm. “Closet. On the right.”
He rushed down the hall and came back with an armload of bath towels. He handed me a couple, and I dried Josh’s arms and legs then his hair.
“He’s shivering. Let’s get him in some dry clothes. Where’s his room?” Brad asked.
“The one next to the closet.” I rubbed Josh’s arms and legs to warm him up while Brad found dry clothes for him.
“This should help.” He had Josh’s pajamas and blanket. The blanket was wet from Josh having wet the bed during his nap. Still, it was better than nothing. How much could a little kid possibly have peed?
“His feet are freezing.” I rubbed his feet between my hands as he peered up at me with watery eyes.
“I’ll get some socks.” Brad headed back to Josh’s room.
I removed the swimming trunks and pulled on his pajamas.
Brad handed me socks. I put them on Josh’s feet then wrapped him in the blanket. He lay there in the cocoon I’d made for him.
“I need to change, too. Josh, I’ll be right back. Okay?” I picked up Josh’s swimming trunks and stood on rubbery legs.
Brad sat next to Josh and kept an eye on him. I left our wet clothes and my sandals in a pile in the bedroom and pulled on a dry pair of underwear, sweatpants and shirt. My headband encircled my neck like a soggy necklace. I pulled it off and dropped it on top of the pile. I ran my fingers through my hair—or tried to. I glanced in the mirror over the dresser and groaned. Too tired and not caring enough to do anything about the tangles, I went back to the pile of wet clothes and plucked the headband off the top. I wrapped it around my hair and made a ponytail. I took another blanket to the living room while Brad went to the kitchen to make something warm to drink.
I held onto a quiet Josh. He’d calmed, but I could tell he wanted Mommy and Daddy. I needed to call Mac. I’d almost lost her baby. Would she ever forgive me? Would I forgive myself?
A few minutes later, Brad came into the living room with two mugs. He handed one to me. “I found some hot chocolate packets. I didn’t make his as hot… it’s warm.” He held it for Josh while he drank.
I sipped. “Thank you. This helps.” Tears stung my eyes.
“Do you think we need to have him examined? In case he swallowed water?” he asked.
I watched Josh. He seemed okay, but I didn’t want to take any chances. “I think we should take him—to be sure he’s okay.” I went to my room and put on my running shoes and thick socks. My feet felt cold, too. Mac had left me an envelope containing Josh’s insurance card and his pediatrician’s contact information. The envelope was on my dresser. I slid Josh’s insurance card into my wallet then slung my purse over my shoulder.
Brad picked up Josh. “I’ll drive. San Sansolita Memorial?”
I nodded. “I’ll call my sister once we find out how he is.” I figured he would be fine and it would be better to give her good news with the bad. I secured Josh’s car seat, which Mac had left for me.
Brad buckled him in and took us to the emergency room. I nearly fell asleep on the way, but I couldn’t stop thinking about what would’ve happened to Josh if I’d taken a li
ttle longer to find the sunscreen. I’d never felt as helpless as I had when I saw him in the pool, struggling.
Chapter Fourteen
The doctor in the ER said Josh was fine and released him right away. He fell asleep on the way back home. Brad carried him from the car and held him while I changed his bed linens. Brad put him in bed, and I covered him with a clean blanket. I’d found my cell phone on the bed and slid it into the pocket of my sweats.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I kissed Josh on the forehead. “I’m so sorry, Josh. I should’ve gotten out there sooner.” I swallowed my tears then stood. I turned toward the door and saw Brad leaning against the doorjamb, arms crossed. He held out his arms, and I walked into them. I sobbed for a while before he led me into the living room. This man might be a keeper, I thought.
We sat on the sofa for a while. He brought me some water, and I drank very little. I’d had enough of water for the day. I needed to call Mac. I got my phone out of my sweats, took a deep breath, and called her.
“Hi, Syd! We just got back from a show. It was fabulous!” Mac said. “How’s my little boy? Is he behaving himself for his favorite aunt?” I was his only aunt.
I took another deep breath. “He’s fine, Mac. But we had an incident.”
“What kind of incident?” Her voice was eerily calm. I couldn’t even hear her breathing.
“He was in the deep end of the pool—”
“What? Is he all right?”
“Yes, he’s okay. We took him to the hospital and had him checked out. They said he’s fine.”
“We took him to the hospital? Who was with you?”
“Do you remember, I told you Brad would be here?”
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