Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1)

by A Wallace

  Murphy tilted his head. “Humph, I learned something new. Thanks, so, if he didn’t wear gloves, and he touched the bracelet his DNA will be present.”

  “Let’s hope. Fleming will run the DNA results through the databases.”

  They approached the Ingram home, one of the few two-story homes in the neighborhood. Narrow and tall, the house had tan vinyl siding and a multi-colored brick face. The porch extended the length of the house with white railing. They trotted up the driveway and turned right onto the concrete sidewalk leading to the steps. At the desert tan front door, she tapped his arm with the back of her hand. “You know the drill.”

  IDs out, she rang the doorbell.

  The door opened. A tall, thin woman stood before them. Her umber eyes were teary, red, and swollen. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “May I help you?”

  “Are you Mrs. Ingram, Olivia’s mother?” Charley said.

  Mrs. Ingram dotted her eyes with a tissue. “Yes. Who are you?”

  Charley showed her ID. “We’re Agents Faraday and Murphy with the FBI. We understand this a difficult time for you. Would you give us permission to examine Olivia’s room? A child’s room is their sanctuary. It could give us clues and help with the investigation.”

  Mrs. Ingram opened the door, waving them into her home. “Her room is upstairs, first door on the left.”

  “You’re welcome to join us.” Charley’s eyes sped around the modest home, noticing the sparse furnishings.

  “If I need to join you, I will.”

  “May we talk first?” Murphy said.

  Mrs. Ingram wrung her hands. “Yes. Let’s sit in the living room.”

  They followed Mrs. Ingram. She sat on the sofa, while Charley and Murphy remained standing.

  Charley removed her voice recorder from her pocket. “Do you mind if I record our conversation?”

  “It’s fine with me. Have a seat.” She tossed the spent tissue in a small wastebasket next to the sofa.

  “We’ll wait for Mr. Ingram,” Murphy said. “We need to speak to him, too.”

  Mrs. Ingram lowered her head. “He isn’t here.”

  “Where is he?”

  She sniffed and choked. “It’s not any of your business where he is.”

  Charley glanced at Murphy, then at Mrs. Ingram. Her voice softened, “Mrs. Ingram, where is he?”

  She lowered her head and tears wet her cheeks. “He’s divorcing me.”

  “His daughter is missing. He should be here.” Murphy sat next to her. “I would be.”

  “You don’t understand.” She wiped her nose with the end of her blue chambray shirt.

  “Help us understand. How long ago did you two separate?”

  “Two months.” She folded her trembling hands in her lap.

  “Does Olivia know?”

  “She didn’t until last week.” Mrs. Ingram wiped her eyes. “I told her Roger was away on business. Olivia’s no dummy. She confronted me a few days later.”

  “She sensed your stress.” Charley took a step closer.

  “Olivia is a sensitive child. She has a knack for reading others.”

  “We need to talk to him. Any idea where he is?” Murphy said.

  Mrs. Ingram’s expression hardened into a hateful scowl. “Fucking the girlfriend in his new apartment.”

  Murphy’s shoulders stiffened as his eyebrows rose. He searched for Charley, standing to their right.

  “Oh, snap,” Charley mumbled. “Is it possible he took Olivia?”

  Mrs. Ingram shook her head. “No, I called his cell to tell him Olivia was missing. He told me to keep him informed. I guess I should tell you, Olivia isn’t his natural daughter.”

  Charley glanced at the chair across from them. She sat on the edge of the cushion. With her elbows on her knees, she rubbed her face before crossing her arms over her thighs. “Mrs. Ingram, you’re calm. In such a dreadful situation I don’t believe I’d be able to keep my composure.”

  “I’m not an excitable person, introverted. I hold everything inside.”

  “Since Olivia isn’t Mr. Ingram’s daughter is this your second marriage?”

  “No, teenage pregnancy. I had Olivia at seventeen. Roger and I met in college, married after graduation.”

  “He adopted Olivia?” Murphy said.

  “Yes, but he told me it was out of obligation.”

  “You’re saying he doesn’t love Olivia?” Charley said.

  Mrs. Ingram gazed over the room. “Looking back he never loved her.”

  Charley tilted her head. “Was Olivia afraid of Mr. Ingram?”

  “Afraid? No. Why?”

  “Is it possible Olivia ran away?”

  “No, she wouldn’t. She’s a scaredy cat.”

  “Is it possible Olivia left with her birth father?”

  “No, he’s never seen her. After I told him I was pregnant I never saw him again.”

  “He’s local?” Murphy said.

  “No, I’m not from here. None of us are.”

  “You’re from where?”

  “Jacksonville, Florida. Olivia’s biological father was in the Navy. I don’t know where he is. I haven’t seen him since I told him.”

  “How old was he?” Charley said.

  “He was…” Mrs. Ingram massaged the bridge of her nose. “Twenty-two?”

  Charley glanced at Murphy with disapproval. “What’s his name?”

  “Matthew Gunderson, he was a lieutenant. It’s been thirteen years.”

  “He walked away from you and Olivia?” Charley said.

  “Yes.” Ms. Ingram lowered her head. “He had little choice… he was married.”

  Charley and Murphy’s eyes met.

  “Is it possible Gunderson took her?” Charley said.

  Mrs. Ingram shook her head.

  “This complicates the situation,” Murphy said. “We’ll investigate the possibility one of them did.”

  “I understand.”

  “Did Olivia know about her birth father?”

  “I told her last week. It’s time she knew the truth.”

  “How did she respond?”

  “Better than I thought. Olivia isn’t excitable. She’s the calmest kid on Earth.”

  “She wasn’t angry, or blaming you, or anything?” Charley said.

  “No, she rarely puts herself first.” Without warning tears reappeared on her cheeks. Mrs. Ingram grabbed Murphy’s hand with both of hers. In an emotional outburst, she threw her arms around his shoulders. “Are you married? Do you have children?”

  Wide-eyed, peering over her shoulder, he searched for Charley. His hands didn’t touch the distraught woman. As she clung to him, Charley signaled to Murphy, showing how he should comfort Mrs. Ingram by patting her shoulder.

  Murphy tapped Mrs. Ingram’s back. His eyes focused on Charley as if to ask for help or forgiveness, Charley wasn’t sure which. She gave him an accepting nod.

  “No, ma’am, to both questions,” he said.

  Mrs. Ingram released her embrace, squeezed his shoulders, and shook him as if he was a fretful child. “Piece of advice, marry for love, not security. I realize Olivia is a product of infidelity. I didn’t know he was married until I told him I was pregnant.”

  “Good advice. Thank you.”

  Mrs. Ingram lowered her head and wiped her eyes with the back of her hands.

  After Murphy recuperated, he took her hand. “Mrs. Ingram, you aren’t at fault for their behavior.” He released her hand, stood, and joined Charley at her seat. “Agent Faraday, you ready to go upstairs?”

  Charmed by Murphy’s behavior, the pupils of Charley’s eyes enlarged as she stood. “Yes.”

  Murphy and Charley took the stairs to the small interior foyer. They discovered a sizable master bedroom to the right and a modest guest room. On the left, the door to Olivia’s room, and a full bath.

  Once inside the child’s bedroom, Charley and Murphy placed vinyl gloves over their hands.

  A typical young girl’s room, decor
ated in shades of red and pink. Across from the door, the closed mini-blinds covered a double window with a desk extended along the wall to the corner. Stacked on the desktop, next to an easel, were small, multicolored, plastic storage bins containing art supplies. An unfinished piece of art stood neglected.

  Beyond the desk on the dresser, Olivia’s crumpled teal shirt. Charley held it to her nose. “She uses peach bath wash.”

  With a tight grip on the shirt, Charley stepped over to the full-sized bed pushed against the wall. She sat on the edge, eyeing the space above. “Oh, wow, the ceiling has glow stars. I love those. I wish it were dark.”

  Murphy sat next to her, absorbing her smile. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m trying for a sense of Olivia. There’s so little here.”

  “We’ve gone from one extreme to the next in little girls’ bedrooms.”

  “Olivia was here last night. What did she do? Read? Draw?” She rose from the bed, placed the shirt on the dresser and headed for the closet door. “I’ll take a look in the closet.” Charley opened the door, everything was in its place and color coordinated. “Is Olivia OCD, or her mother?”

  “Both?”

  “Possible.”

  “What do you want to do?”

  “Say goodbye to Mrs. Ingram.”

  Murphy gazed across the room. “Wait a second, her painting, it’s sad.”

  Charley turned, faced the artwork, and swiped the edge with her fingertip. “She painted this last night. Good job with the lightening streaks.” Her finger hovered over the canvas and stopped. “Across the water, there’s a light. Not sure from what.”

  “The trees are bare, it’s eerie.”

  “Yeah, it does. Too bad it’s unfinished, or maybe not.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Olivia’s last piece of artwork.” Charley’s dismal expression captured his eyes. “I hope she comes home to finish the painting.”

  Murphy dropped his head. “Let’s hope.”

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Mrs. Ingram waited for them in the den. “Did you find anything helpful?”

  “No,” Charley said. “Your daughter is tidy.”

  Mrs. Ingram lowered her head. “Like me, always in control.”

  “Olivia’s bracelet, she wore it on which wrist?” Murphy said.

  Mrs. Ingram looked at her arms, moving them back and forth. “Uh, the left one.”

  Murphy scratched the divot under his nose. “The painting on the easel in Olivia’s room… is it a place your daughter has visited or is familiar?”

  Charley slid her approving hand on the back of Murphy’s arm, stopping to squeeze his elbow.

  Lines formed between Ms. Ingram’s eyebrows. “No. She paints ocean views more than anything. Olivia has never been to a lake.” She bowed her head, covering her face as tears trickled from the corner of her eyes. “I would know. Right?”

  Charley touched the woman’s arm. “Mrs. Ingram, it’s okay to let loose, scream, yell, or whatever it takes to relieve stress and trauma. What you’re going through is unimaginable.”

  “Will losing control bring my Olivia home? Or change my husband’s mind and he’ll love me again?”

  “I don’t have the answer, but this much emotional trauma held in can manifest into so many problems. It can affect your physical health.”

  “It’s who I am. The reason Roger left me… because I’m not spontaneous, or excitable. Dull and boring. I didn’t make him happy.”

  “Is there anything we can do? I noticed you’re alone.”

  “My friends and neighbors were here, but I asked them to leave. I needed time for myself.”

  “You need to talk, to release tension and stress.”

  “I have my ways.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Ingram. We’ll let ourselves out.”

  “Thank you, Agent Faraday and Murphy.”

  They shook hands with the worried mother and left the Ingram home.

  “That was interesting,” Charley said.

  Murphy sighed. “Yep.”

  “Let’s find Doobie.”

  “I agree, also we need to speak to Erin Stokes.”

  “Right beside you,” Charley said as they walked to the bus stop.

  Chapter 11

  Erin Geaux Bragh

  Great Falls, VA – Heritage Hall Estates -Legacy Drive

  Erin Stokes’ Residence

  Wednesday, 13 April - 7:12 PM

  Murphy and Charley waited in Stokes’ living room for Erin to finish her evening bath. The Stokes agreed to allow them to question their daughter regarding Olivia, provided they were present.

  “Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, do you mind if we use a voice recorder during the interview?” Murphy said.

  Mr. Stokes leg bounced, glancing at his wife as she sat beside him on the river stone fireplace hearth. She clenched her hands. “Sure, go ahead.”

  Charley removed the recorder from her pocket and placed it on the cushion. Footsteps behind her, she peered over her shoulder. Erin eased down the stairs, wearing pink pajamas with dancing puppies and matching pink bunny slippers. With both of her hands grasping the banister, she sucked in her lower lip. Erin glanced at her parents, then jumped over the last two steps and ran into her father arms.

  Amazed by Charley’s warm smile, Murphy wondered if her declaration of not wanting children was more of a defense than a declaration. Maybe she’s not as she seems.

  Erin cozied between her parents. Her wide, blue eyes blinked repeatedly, while she folded her arms against her chest. She peeked at Charley and Murphy before glancing at her father. He gave her a toothy grin and held her hand. Reassured, Erin turned back to Charley and Murphy seated on the sofa. In a diminutive voice, Erin said, “Yes?”

  Charley grinned, showing the dimple in her right cheek before picking up the voice recorder. “Hello, Erin.” She placed her palm on her chest. “I’m Charley and the man beside me is Sean. We’re here to speak to you about Olivia.”

  “Okay.”

  “You understand Olivia is missing.”

  “Yes.”

  “Tell us about Olivia.”

  The girl clasped her hands in her lap. “Olivia is my best friend. She hasn’t lived here long. Everyone likes her, and she makes good grades. She likes to paint and draw.”

  “Good.”

  Erin picked at her fingers, glancing back and forth between her hands and Charley. “Am I in trouble?”

  Charley shook her head. “No. Why would you say that?”

  Erin shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s all kinda scary.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  “Could we sit on the floor?”

  “Sure.” Charley and Murphy left the sofa and sat on floor facing Erin. The girl settled in front of them, crossed her legs, and pressed her back against her mother’s shins. “I told the policeman everything I remember.”

  “Our questions may not be the same.” Charley smiled. “Are you comfortable?”

  “Yes,” Erin said.

  Start with known facts, then move to emotional attachment. “You and Olivia rode together on the bus home today?”

  “Yes. We sat a couple seats behind the driver.”

  “What did the two of you talk about on the bus?”

  “If it’s pretty outside this weekend we want to play at the park.”

  “Did she mention a visitor, a man? She may have mentioned he was her real dad?”

  “No.” Erin scrunched her nose. “Isn’t what’s-his-face her dad.”

  “Roger?” Murphy said.

  She frowned. “Yeah, him.”

  “You don’t like him?”

  Erin crossed her arms and sneered. “He’s mean.”

  “How so?”

  “He doesn’t talk nice to Olivia, like he’s mad at her a lot. He makes her cry.”

  “You’ve seen this?” Charley said.

  “He’s a bully, nothing like my daddy.” She peeked at her father and smiled. “I haven’t seen Olivia’s daddy in
a long time.”

  Charley’s brows drew inward, contemplating Murphy. She nodded with a gentle smile and in a mellow tone, she said, “Go. You’re good at this.”

  Murphy smiled and gave Erin his attention. To ease her fears, he softened his voice. “Erin, did Olivia mention anything about her father leaving?”

  The little girl twisted her locked fingers. “No.”

  “Did Olivia tell you she may go away somewhere?”

  “No.” She locked her fingers and put them behind her head.

  “Erin, was Olivia different today?”

  “She was okay.”

  “You and Olivia must have secrets? I had secrets with my friends.”

  “Secrets? Well, we have a secret hiding place.”

  “I lived in San Diego growing up. Lots of places to hide out.”

  “That’s in California.”

  “Yes it is.”

  “What was your secret place like?”

  “There was a wooded area behind Brent’s house. We used wood and lumber no longer wanted and built a treehouse.” Murphy laughed.

  “Why is that funny?”

  “The first time the four of us went inside, it broke and we tumbled to the ground. We were lucky. Bumps and bruises but no broken bones.”

  “So, you didn’t have it long.”

  “Well, no.” Murphy gazed at the oak flooring. “Our dad’s chipped in and helped us build a better treehouse. When I moved away a few years later it was still there.”

  “Olivia and I don’t have a treehouse. But it sound more fun.”

  “Tell me about your secret hideout.”

  Erin lowered her head. “I’ll get into trouble.”

  “Olivia,” Mr. Stokes said stern.

  “Yes, Daddy?”

  Mr. Stokes knelt next to Erin. “Honey, Olivia is missing and the police are trying to find her.”

  She nodded.

  “Maybe she went to your secret place,” Mr. Stokes said. “You don’t want Celeste to worry, do you?”

  “Uh, no, Daddy. I like Celeste.”

  “Sweetheart, you need to tell them about the secret place.”

  “But Olivia will be mad at me.” Erin’s face drooped.

  “Not when she learns we’re concerned for her safety. You and Olivia can find a new secret place. Wouldn’t that be exciting?”

  “Erin, what if Olivia is at the secret place, and she’s hurt but no one can hear her calling for help?” Murphy’s eyes saddened.