Calculated Revenge

by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

  Frowning, he fidgeted with his seat belt as the engine revved up. He watched Laney out of the corner of his eye while she smiled and chattered with her excited daughter. They made an attractive picture.

  Evidently, he wasn’t the only one in Cottonwood Grove who agreed with that assessment. He could have done without that city bus driver hovering around Laney yesterday. The guy had it bad for the special ed teacher. Couldn’t fault the man on his taste, though it would have been nice for Noah’s sour grapes if he could have added the driver to his suspect list.

  Noah had ducked out of the party and called the city office. The route log indicated Pierce was delivering elderly riders to the senior nutrition site at the time the backpack was left on the playground. Of course, Noah didn’t blame the guy for knowing a good thing when he saw it. If attraction to Laney Thompson was a crime, they could lock Noah up and throw away the key.

  Pretty soon they were taxiing down the runway, and then the plane left the ground. Briana squealed and laughed. Noah smiled and locked gazes with Laney.

  “Not much scares her, does it?” he murmured to her. “Lots of adults are afraid to fly.”

  She gave a thin chuckle. “She’s convinced God is watching over her.”

  “And you don’t believe that?”

  She sighed. “If anyone deserves a heavenly protector, Bree does. But then, I thought Gracie did, too.”

  “It’s a puzzle, isn’t it? Why bad things happen to the innocent?” A pang struck his chest, and he looked away.

  He’d seen too much of that sort of injustice. What was he doing putting his soul on the firing line for possible tragedy again? Then he looked at Laney, her dark lashes shadowing sea-blue eyes, and her mirror image daughter so vibrant and happy. This pair trusted him. Dear God, please, don’t let me fail again! He must be desperate. Here he was praying. His favorite motto used to be “God helps those who help themselves.” Unfortunately, he’d learned too well what helplessness felt like.

  “What?” he said. Laney had asked him something, but he’d missed her question.

  “You must have had some training to become an expert private eye.” She gazed at him expectantly.

  Noah rolled his shoulders. “A little. After high school, I went to college and got a teaching certificate. Taught junior high math for a couple of years, but decided I wanted something with a little more excitement, so I went to the police academy.”

  “You’re a cop?” Her eyes widened.

  “I was. Spent two and a half years on the Minneapolis police force. Then a missing persons case came up that wouldn’t let me go. I worked on it in all my spare time, and when that wasn’t enough, I quit the force and took it on as a private case. After I solved that one, another case came along and then another and another, until—” He halted and cleared his throat. “Let’s say I finally realized that there was something to be said for a career with less excitement.”

  Her lips flattened. “So you went back to school and got your principal’s license.”

  “Good deduction.” He chuckled.

  “But the ‘excitement,’” she bracketed the words with finger quotation marks, “followed you anyway. I’m sorry about that for your sake, but for ours, I’ve got enough faith to believe that God put you in the right place at the right time when Bree and I needed you.”

  The words struck him like a blow to the solar plexus. What about Renee? Where was the good plan then?

  Laney breathed a deep sigh as they entered her parents’ cool and elegant home from the hot and stuffy outside. They’d made it to Louisville without incident.

  “There’s my princesses!” her dad exclaimed, striding across the tiled foyer toward her and Briana. Noah trailed them with the luggage. Laney’s mom had picked them up at the airport while her dad tied up a few loose ends at work, then raced home to be on hand when they arrived.

  “Grandpa!” Briana scampered forward, and Laney smiled as her dad twirled her in the air. His broad, sun-bronzed face crinkled into fine lines of delight, and his blue eyes danced. He smacked a kiss onto her forehead, then set her down and turned toward Laney with his arms open wide. She stepped into them and rested her head on his thick shoulder.

  Settling into her dad’s warm embrace was coming home, even though the house wasn’t like the ones she’d known in Minnesota. This home had a single floor, but plenty of square feet to include a spacious foyer, a sunken living room, a deluxe kitchen, a formal dining room, three bedrooms and two and a half baths, as well as a screened-in sunroom. Plus it sat on the edge of a golf course—a dream home for a couple nearing retirement. Laney was glad for her father’s big promotion that would let them end their working years in style, even though she missed them now that they lived so far away.

  “Come on in and get settled,” her mom said as Laney pulled away from her father. Her pretty, petite mother looked from Laney to Noah and back again. “Supper will be ready soon.”

  Noah sniffed the air. “Whatever it is smells delicious.”

  Laney’s mother beamed. “Thank you. It’s one of our little princess’s favorites—roast chicken and stuffing.”

  “Oh, goodie!” Briana clapped her hands.

  “Roland, why don’t you show Mr. Ryder to his room.” Mom nodded toward her husband. “Laney can take Briana and their things to their room while I set the table.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” Dad flashed thumbs-up, then motioned toward their male guest.

  “Call me Noah,” Laney heard him tell her dad as they went up the hall. She took her daughter’s hand and went in the other direction to a guest bedroom done in soft greens and mauves.

  Fifteen minutes later, they shared the chicken dinner, and conversation remained light, but Laney intercepted sober looks between her parents. They must be on pins and needles to speak to Noah about his plans for the investigation. Briana’s presence kept the adults tiptoeing around the pink elephant lounging in the middle of the table. Except for Noah. He seemed to be in high spirits as he teased and laughed with Briana.

  Laney noticed her mother’s assessing brown stare on Noah, weighing him for husband and daddy material like she did any male who came around her daughter. When her gaze switched to Laney, Laney’s face heated, and she looked away, but not before she caught the barest lift of her mother’s fine, dark brows. Great! As far as Mom’s eagle eye was concerned, she might as well have a neon sign stuck to her forehead blinking I’m into Noah.

  The evening wore on to Briana’s bedtime. Laney tucked her daughter in and came out to find her parents with Noah in the sunken living room. She descended the two steps onto the plush carpet and took a seat near them on a divan. Her parents sat together on the couch, holding hands. Their tense gazes never left Noah, who nodded toward her. He had a manila envelope on his lap and was showing them pictures of Eddie Foreman, Richard Hodge and Glen Crocker.

  Her father planted big hands on his knees. “Nope. We don’t know any of these guys.”

  “I’ve redone a background check on this guy that we hired to be school custodian at the same time as we offered Laney a teaching contract.” He showed Hodge’s photo. “No new information came to light. His former employers call him a quiet man with a negative disposition but an excellent work ethic and good skills.”

  Loretta leaned forward. “Is it significant that this Hodge came on at the school at the same time as our daughter?”

  “Sharp question.” Noah smiled, and Loretta’s pinched expression softened.

  She must like Noah. Laney’s insides warmed. Her mother’s approval meant a lot to her.

  “I noticed the coincidence, too,” Noah continued. “But if he’s our perp that raises the question of why he waited until the end of the school year to begin his terror campaign. I haven’t answered that one, but I did look into where he was at the time of Grace’s disappearance.” Noah cast a significant look at his audience.

  “And?” Laney’s father rubbed his palms together.

  “He was a teenage run
away with no known address. Basically, only he knows what he was doing from a period shortly before Grace’s abduction until at least a year afterward, when his traceable work record begins.”

  Laney clasped her knees in her hands. “Where did he live before he ran away?”

  “Near Hennepin Avenue in the heart of Minneapolis.”

  Roland frowned. “Not a good neighborhood.”

  Noah shook his head. “But that background might account for a dark outlook on life.”

  “Anything else?” Laney’s dad prompted.

  “I’m particularly interested in this one as a suspect.” Noah held up the photo of Glen Crocker, then glanced over at Laney. “On Friday, my contact faxed me what little was in the record about an old, unclosed case.”

  Laney’s parents exchanged questioning looks, and Noah filled them in about the electrician’s unexplained disappearance from Cottonwood Grove. “Turns out that sixteen years ago Crocker was accused of assaulting the fifteen-year-old daughter of a city councilman in Red Wing, Minnesota.”

  Laney’s mother stiffened. “Red Wing is only a couple hours’ drive from Grand Valley.”

  Her father frowned. “Now, Loretta, that doesn’t mean he was anywhere near our house the day Gracie went missing.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Noah agreed. “But the incident puts Crocker within easy driving distance and exhibiting a taste for young girls.”

  Laney’s stomach twisted, and her mother clamped a hand over her mouth.

  Her father smacked his thigh. “Didn’t this pervert get sent to prison?”

  Noah shook his head. “He took a sudden trip to South America before the case could go to court, and stayed there until the statute of limitations ran out.”

  “So Crocker never felt any consequences?” Her father’s meaty face blazed red.

  “Unless you count seven years in Brazil as consequences.”

  Mom rubbed a hand down her cheek. “Won’t they arrest this terrible man for Gracie?”

  Noah shook his head. “There’s not enough evidence. Besides, he’s still missing.”

  Laney’s father let out a husky snort while her mother wilted beside him.

  “Maybe he went and got the backpack,” Laney said, “and left it for me to find. Then he dressed up and delivered the doll, and now he’s gone back to Brazil.”

  Noah sent her a sober look. “Hank’s looking into that angle, but the taunts against you have been targeted and vindictive, which makes me wonder if Gracie’s disappearance was a personal vendetta.”

  “You mean, not the random act of a stranger.” Laney crossed her arms. “We’ve been over that territory already. Nobody had it in for our family.”

  Her mother bit her lip and studied the carpet, and her father’s face went hard and still.

  “Our daughter’s right,” he affirmed. “I’ve never had so much as a business rival.”

  Noah frowned, looking from one parent to the other. “Are you sure you never met Glen? Or maybe he had relatives in Grand Valley.”

  Laney’s father shook his head. “There were no Crockers in Grand Valley. I’m convinced, as was the FBI eighteen years ago, that our daughter was the victim of a stranger abduction.”

  “Okay.”

  Laney bit her lip. Noah’s word put him in agreement, but his tone telegraphed doubt. Heat washed through her. How dare he imply that her folks might not be telling the truth? He obviously didn’t know them. The realization dashed cold water on her outrage, and she puffed out a breath. He’d acknowledge his mistake if he hung around her family for long. Wouldn’t that be terrific if he got that chance after this mess was sorted out? A little thrill tingled up her spine.

  “Noah,” she said, “if any of us knew of a reason why someone would want revenge on our family, we’d tell you.” There, that came out much better than snapping his head off like she might have done a few seconds ago.

  He sent her a small smile. “I have no doubt you would.”

  Was the emphasis on you in that sentence? There she went again, being touchy about her family. This whole subject of Gracie’s abduction made her skittish. The discussion was hard on everyone, judging by the strained looks her parents exchanged.

  “Fair enough.” Noah set the file aside. “Loretta, Roland, I’d like to hear in your own words exactly what happened the day Gracie disappeared. No detail is too insignificant.” He pulled a pen and a small notebook from his shirt pocket.

  Laney suffered through her folks’ rendition of events, not much different than her own, except from a parental point of view, rather than a child’s. Not a hint of blame came from their lips toward her. The unsolicited—and undeserved—generosity of spirit ate at her. Now could they not see that she’d been at fault? Instead, all she heard was their heartfelt gratitude that she had not disappeared along with Gracie.

  Laney’s dark mood lasted through an ancient rerun of Gilligan’s Island, which they all watched to unwind, followed by the news. In bed that night, she tried to lie still so as not to wake Briana, who slumbered peacefully next to her. Gracie, we have to catch your killer. Maybe if justice was finally served, she could forgive herself and move on with life, minus the guilt that dragged on her soul like a ball and chain.

  NINE

  The next morning, Noah got ready to leave on a flight back to Minnesota and a fact-finding mission to the Thompson’s old stomping grounds where the abduction took place. Last night’s conversation bothered him. Laney couldn’t, or wouldn’t, see it, but something had happened in Grand Valley that neither of her parents wanted to talk about. But that didn’t mean the veiled history was connected to Grace’s disappearance. Surely, Laney’s parents would speak up if there was even a remote chance that it might be.

  They seemed a close-knit couple and adored their daughter and granddaughter. When she greeted them at the airport, petite Loretta Thompson had sized him up with a fierce look that told him he’d better be the real deal as an investigator and a stand-up kind of guy in the way he treated her loved ones. Yes, ma’am! Noah grinned as he tucked his shaving kit into his carry-on. He wasn’t about to do anything to antagonize a ferocious mama bear.

  Roland was actually built like a bear, thick and solid, with a booming laugh and a friendly manner. But he was an astute businessman and as determined as his wife to protect his own. While Laney put Briana to bed last night and Loretta did a few things in the kitchen, they’d retired to the living room for a serious discussion.

  “I’ve had you thoroughly vetted,” the man had told him. “My sources tell me you used to be the best, but nobody’s offered me a clear explanation for why you quit.”

  Noah shrugged. “I guess there’s only so much tragedy a person can witness until it comes time to change the scenery.”

  Roland frowned and nodded. “Fair enough.” His gaze turned assessing. “I suppose the better question would be what drew you out of retirement.”

  “I guess you could call it the case that landed in my backyard.” Noah grimaced. “When your daughter asked for my help, I could hardly turn her down.”

  The other man grinned. “I never could turn down those big blue eyes of hers, either.”

  If Noah could have stopped the heat from rising in his face he would have.

  Laney’s father laughed and offered his big bear paw. “Just so you know, I’d pay double your price to get the best for my daughter.”

  Noah had gladly shaken Roland’s hand.

  Now he zipped his suitcase with a frown. The man didn’t seem like the kind to make lethal enemies, but then, appearances could be deceiving. Of course, anyone could run afoul of a psycho and set him off for no rational reason. Noah would keep an open mind when he started asking questions of the natives in the Thompson’s old hometown.

  He pulled his case into the kitchen where the family waited for him, all but Briana, who was still sleeping at the 7:00 a.m. hour. Roland sipped coffee at the oval table with the newspaper spread before him. Loretta stood stirring scrambled egg
s. They both looked up and greeted him with smiles. Laney’s dad motioned to a spot next to him.

  “You’re all ready?” Laney whisked past him carrying plates and forks toward the table. Her blue gaze held a hint of sadness.

  Because he was leaving? Noah’s heart jumped but he commanded it to settle back into place. She had plenty of other reasons to be sad, as well as for the weariness betrayed by the droop of her shoulders.

  He touched her arm as he took his seat. “Get some rest while you’re in a safe haven.”

  She laughed, and tension retreated from her face. “Is it that obvious? I don’t think I’ve enjoyed a decent sleep since I found that pack.”

  Roland grabbed his daughter’s hand. “You just settle in here, honey, and let us look after you. Noah can do the legwork. Maybe he’ll come up with something those duded up FBI agents missed.”

  Noah’s chest expanded under warm scrutiny from three pairs of eyes. God, make me worthy of this trust. Maybe if he’d leaned more on the Lord, instead of his own abilities, that other case might have turned out better.

  The foursome settled at the table over an eggs and toast breakfast. Roland bowed his head and extended his hands. His wife and daughter each took one, while Noah accepted the delicate hands of the women and lowered his head. Noah might have been able to concentrate better on the prayer if an electric charge didn’t seem to run between his and Laney’s joined fingers, but he appreciated this family’s steady faith after what they’d been through. Sometimes families fell apart during tragedy; other times they got stronger. Noah wasn’t sure yet what his deep loss had done to the faith his parents had taught him. He was still on rocky ground, undecided where he was at with God…or God with him.

  Roland concluded the prayer, and everyone released hands. Laney’s smooth palm slid away from his, and Noah felt the absence. He kept his eyes averted from hers and concentrated on his plate. The steaming eggs sent delicious smells to his nostrils. The doorbell rang, and he halted with a forkful of eggs halfway to his open mouth. He exchanged looks with Roland. Who would come calling so early on a Sunday morning?