Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1)

by A Wallace

  “Oh.”

  Murphy crossed his arms over his chest. “You’ve never been in my bedroom.”

  “That’s where your telescope is set up?”

  “Yeah.” He grinned. “My parents are retired Navy. I better know the map of the sky.”

  “Let’s go stargazing.”

  Outside, standing in the middle of her back lawn he pointed to the constellation. Unable to see it, Charley shook her head.

  He slid behind her, grasped her hand, and bent to her eye level. “Point your finger for me.” He moved her hand. “There she is, Lyra.”

  “I see it.” Charley smiled.

  He guided her hand, using her finger to trace the constellation. “To Lyra’s north is Draco, Hercules is to the west. Vulpecula is to the east, last is Cygnus to the southeast. See the tail?”

  “Yes.”

  “Vega, Lyra’s brightest star.” He squeezed her shoulder with his hand as his nose swept over the soft skin of her neck. Hints of lavender sent a message to the rawest depths of his brain. “Vega is the fifth brightest star in the northern celestial hemisphere.”

  Charley turned to him, spreading out her arms. “You’re amazing. They’re pretty diamonds in the sky.” To the tune of ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’, she sang, “Lyra in the sky with diamonds.” She smiled. “Lyra in the sky with diamonds.” Her singing ceased, her eyes widened, her mouth opened. “Lyra’s diamond is Vega. Lyra has six diamonds. Six children abducted. We need to go inside. Now.”

  She grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the patio. Out of breath, she opened the French door to the den. She darted for the office, dragging him behind her.

  She fixated on the diagram of the Lyra constellation on the monitor.

  “Vega, Sean, Vega.” Her heart thumped, her feet ran in place as she waved her hand at the plot of the abductions of the girls. “Vega. Star.”

  His eyes widened. “Rochelle Vega, the social worker with the public school system.”

  “Yes, but the Lyra part… how does it tie in?”

  “I’ll check.” Murphy accessed the database of the public school system to run a query. “I’ll bet a month’s salary, her middle name is Lyra.”

  “You don’t have to bet me. I’m calling to have her brought in for questioning.” She backed away from him. “I told you she was too perfect, and I didn’t like her.”

  “I thought it was…”

  “Was what?” Charley said as she scrolled through the list on her phone and pressed Doobie’s number.

  With his hands in his pockets, Murphy waited.

  Her call complete, she continued their conversation. “What were you saying?”

  “Jealous of her.”

  “Why would I be jealous of her?”

  “When I gave her the tissue box you seemed upset.” He clicked his tongue. “Pissed I showed her attention.”

  “Huh uh.”

  He frowned. “Okay.”

  They leaned on the front of the console, viewing the details of the map on the overhead screen.

  “We have a possible suspect. We need to find a connection,” Charley said.

  Murphy scratched head. “I’m not sure what we’re looking for.”

  “It’s a puzzle, solve it. The answer’s there.” Charley lowered her head, massaging the inner corners of her eyes.

  “Analysis?”

  “This case is so saturated and convoluted. How does someone come up with this? A chick named after a constellation. Sounds ridiculous, so elaborate.”

  Charley used a laser pointer to open the internet to search the name Lyra. After reading the information, she became more familiar with its mythology. The name, Lyra, Greek, for ‘lyre’, a small harp. The constellation Orpheus came from the poet’s lyre. Vega was Arabic, a falling vulture, or Spanish for ‘of the meadow’.

  “Vulture, how fitting. The children are the meadow. I’ll wager she’s a musician and an athlete. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s a college star.” She gasped. “Oh, crap. Star athlete. Star Vega. This is so freaking awesome. No one would believe this without proof.” Charley glowed.

  “Annabelle’s diary. Vega told her to call her Star.”

  “It all fits. Professional, educated, late twenties, and she works with children.”

  “I got a few things wrong.” Murphy shrugged. “How long could she continue?”

  Charley paced as the profile fell into place. “Delaney is the last one. She completes the constellation. In her mind, she left the best for last. Delaney’s dad is a doctor. She’s also a talented violinist and plays softball.”

  Charley’s cell phone chimed. “It’s Doobie.”

  “Well, Doobie?” She kept her eyes focused on Murphy.

  The anticipation overwhelming, Murphy stood in front of her, tapping his foot and rubbing his jaw.

  “Haul her in to the command center,” Charley said. “We’re on our way.”

  “Well?”

  “Two uniforms are on their way to get her.”

  “And?”

  “Doobie said to get our asses moving.”

  “Let’s not keep the boss waiting.” Murphy flicked his eyebrows.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  An hour later, Murphy and Charley entered the command center.

  Doobie waited for their arrival, approaching them shaking his head. “She’s denying everything.”

  “Is she talking?” Murphy said.

  “Yeah, but she’s not admitting to anything.”

  Charley grasped Doobie’s upper arm. “Let me at her.”

  “Room two.” Doobie pointed to the door. “Good luck.”

  “I’m not the one who needs luck.” Charley used her shoulder to open the door. “Vega does.”

  Rochelle Vega stood when they entered the room. Distraught, her eyes were swollen, watery, and red, her cheeks covered with her hands. “Thank goodness, it’s you two. Maybe you’ll listen.”

  “Happy to see us, are you?” Charley sat across from Vega.

  “You bet I am,” Vega said, sitting. “This is an answered prayer.”

  “Really?” Murphy pulled out the chair beside Charley’s and sat.

  Vega wiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “Annabelle? I loved her. She was an incredible child. So talented, and her parents are awesome. I can’t believe the police think I murdered the little girls.”

  Charley leaned over the table with an accusatory smile. “Did you?”

  “No,” Vega cried. “I’m a good person. I’ve dedicated my life to children. Everything I do is for them.”

  “Including murder?” Murphy said.

  “Agent Murphy,” Vega whimpered, patting her chest. “Do I look like a murderer?”

  “No one has determined what murderers look like.” Murphy cocked his head to one side.

  Charley removed her tablet, tapped on the screen, placed it on the table, and spun it around for the doctor to view.

  Vega leaned over, looking at the screen as she wiped her eyes to see. “What’s this?”

  “What does it look like?” Charley said.

  “It’s a map of Fairfax County. I don’t understand.”

  “Watch this.” Charley tapped an icon. “Recognize anything?”

  Vega gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh, my gawd… this is… oh, my gawd… it’s my constellation. These red points are where… oh, my gawd.” She dropped her head, wailing, as tears washed her cheeks. “I didn’t do this. I swear I have hurt no one. I would never harm a child. Never. I’m innocent.”

  “Sure you did,” Murphy said. “Explain to us why. The girls’ parents would like to know what motivated you to kill their children.”

  “I can’t, because I didn’t. Why won’t anyone listen?” Vega sheltered her face with her hands, rubbing her sore eyes hard, and jolted her head back and forth.

  “Who did?”

  “How would I know? If I did, I would step forward. I’m begging both of you, please, believe me.” Vega’s body trembled. The tears wouldn�
��t stop. “Annabelle. I went to all her piano recitals and concerts. I was so proud of her. All the hell she endured when a toddler. The foster care. She was a beautiful child with the loveliest heart.”

  Charley twisted her mouth. “You’re good at this. I’ll give you credit.”

  “The only thing I’m good at is creating programs for children in need,” Vega bleated. “Yes, I’m a do-gooder. I’m proud of it.”

  The door of the interrogation room opened, Doobie trotted in with a document in his hand. He tossed it onto the table in Vega’s direction. “Dr. Vega, we found this at your apartment.”

  She gathered the document. “It’s the deed to the cabin at Belmont Lake. I don’t understand?”

  “I’m here to inform you, we’re in the process of acquiring a search warrant for the property.”

  “All right. I haven’t been there since January when the pipes burst during the cold snap.”

  “You haven’t been there since January?” Charley jeered. “Create something more believable.”

  “I can prove the pipes broke. I have the signed receipt from the plumber.”

  “Meaningless.” Murphy swung his hand. “The first murder, Robin, you remember her, Robin,” he leaned towards her, his voice harsh and unrelenting, “choked to death in March.”

  “I haven’t been there since January,” she wailed.

  “Tell me something.” Charley’s eyes tightened. “How does a person with a teacher’s salary afford two homes?”

  “I inherited the property from my parents. My mom died five years ago, and Daddy died last year. He spent his last days there. That’s why I won’t go there.”

  Murphy leaned back on the chair, teetering on the rear legs as he crossed his arms. “Where’s Delaney Ryusaki?”

  “Who is Delaney… how did you pronounce the last name?” Vega scrunched her brows.

  “Ryusaki,” Charley said.

  “I don’t know her? Does she work for the school system?”

  “No.” Murphy gravitated forward, the front chair legs clanked on the tile. “She’s a little girl who is missing, same as the other five.”

  “There’s another kidnapping? I hadn’t heard.”

  “Oh, please, Vega.” Charley rolled her eyes.

  “When did this happen?”

  “I’ll humor you,” Murphy said. “Three days ago.”

  “Three days ago I was in Palm Beach, Florida, vacationing with my best friend Zoe Letterman.”

  “Florida? Do you have documented proof? I won’t take the word of your friend.”

  “I have plane tickets, meal and hotel receipts. Is that good enough?”

  Charley and Murphy looked at each other.

  “Hmm,” Murphy said, “your friend could be your accomplice.”

  Exasperated Vega squealed, “What? Zoe? She’s in a wheelchair.”

  Charley removed her phone from her pocket. She held it under the table and sent a text. Finished, she closed the application placing the phone face down on the table. Murphy peered at the cell phone and glanced at Charley.

  “Coincidence or copycat?” Charley said as her cell phone indicated a message. She stood from her chair. “I’ll be back.”

  Murphy studied Vega. Throughout the interview, she never stopped trembling. Pain and heartache painted on her face, she said, “Agent Murphy, I didn’t do this.”

  His sharp blue eyes resonated contempt.

  Charley reentered the room. “Dr. Vega.”

  “Yes.”

  “SWAT, Agent Murphy, and I are preparing to search your lake house property.”

  Vega stood. Her mouth contorted as she crossed her arms over her body, clutching her elbows. “You won’t find anything. I assume I’m to remain in custody?” Tears dribbled past her cheeks.

  “Sit. Down.” Charley jutted her finger at Vega after directing her attention to Murphy. “Time to suit-up, Agent Murphy.”

  He stood from his chair and joined Charley, exiting the room.

  Chapter 45

  Olivia’s Vision

  Belmont Bay, VA

  Monday, 15 August - 11:30 PM

  Murphy, Charley, and SWAT filed out of the armored personnel carrier in alternate single formation, prepared to enter the cabin twenty yards north. No lights glowed from the two front windows of the rustic waterfront structure nestled in the woods on Spruce Road.

  “Murph, you wanna barrel this or go silent?” Greg said.

  “Vega is in custody. Delaney should be alone.”

  “How many of you have handled children in situations such as this?” Charley said.

  Greg acknowledged Murphy’s poker pals. “All of us.”

  “Excellent. Expect Delaney to be in a state of fear. Loud noises will cause her unnecessary stress and trauma. Let’s not be the cause.”

  Murphy did a final weapons check on his shotgun. “What do you suggest, Char?”

  “Remain calm, use an even tone when speaking. It’s your ballgame, Sean. SWAT is your expertise as are children.”

  Murphy considered each member of the hostage rescue team. “As far as we know, Vega doesn’t have an accomplice. It’s still a possibility.” He instructed the men. “Please approach with care and caution. Keep your weapons ready, but unthreatening. Do not scare her.”

  Charley turned a 360 to analyze the scene. Rigged to the dock, a billowing wave lapped the hull of an unkempt ski boat. A ripple formed as a single fish pierced the surface, flipped and dove back into the water. “Oh, man.”

  Murphy sidled next to her. “What is it?”

  Gnarled fingers of lightning streaked across the sky. Charley covered her mouth with one hand and signaled with the other across Belmont Bay. “Look familiar?”

  Thunder belched and rolled, threatening to explode into torrential rain. On the opposite shore, a dull yellow glow lit in the distance. Crashes of angry lightening hovered, warning doom.

  Tears formed in Charley’s eyes. “Olivia.”

  Her sniff grabbed his attention. “What?”

  “The unfinished painting in Olivia’s room.” Charley covered her face with her hands. “This is her last piece of art.” She spread out her arms. “It’s all here.”

  Murphy considered the landscape. “How would Olivia know?”

  Charley tightened her mouth, shaking her head. “I don’t think she did. But, we’ll never have the answer.” She hung her head. “I should have asked for the painting, given it to Scott Grae. He could have manipulated topography with overlays. Used the visual comparisons with the geographical database and identified the location.”

  “You don’t know for sure.”

  She faced him. Guilty tears filled her eyes. Charley’s mouth quivered. “This would have ended months ago. Olivia and the others would be here today.”

  “Stop blaming yourself.” Murphy balanced the stock of his Remington shotgun on his hip, wrapped his free arm around her shoulders, gathered her close, trying to ease her contrition. “C’mon, let’s do this.”

  Charley stepped back and wiped her tears. She readied her Sig Sauer P-226. “This is your show. Lead the way.”

  In a diamond formation, Greg, Steve, Ted, Ethan, and Murphy surrounded Charley as they approached the front door.

  “Do the honors, Murph,” Steve whispered.

  Murphy lifted his knee, and with tremendous power, his tactical boot breached the door, shattering the wood. From the rear of the cabin, a child screamed in terror.

  Charley readied her weapon. “Vega is a consummate liar.”

  The combination living room and kitchen housed three doors on the back wall.

  Murphy moved his hand to the right. “Ethan, Steve, take the far right door. Ted and Greg, the middle door. The size indicates it’s a bathroom.”

  They signaled okay and took position.

  “Charley, we’ll take the left.”

  In position, Murphy called the order, “Go.”

  The first two teams barged through their targeted entrance. Seconds clic
ked by, two sets of voices called, “Clear.”

  Murphy and Charley caught the cries of a child behind their door. He placed his hand on the doorknob and dipped his chin. “You take the other side of the door. I’ll take this one and open it gradually in case she isn’t alone. If she isn’t, and we go in full assault, her life is in danger. If someone is with her, they have nothing to lose.”

  “Okay.” Charley pressed her back against the wall on the left side of the door. He offered the ready signal. She concurred. He released the lock, the door creaked as he pushed it open.

  Charley peeped around the corner and smiled.

  Murphy pointed at his eye.

  Charley winked.

  Outfitted in a green and yellow dress with a royal blue belt, curled into a ball, Delaney hid under the antique iron twin bed.

  “She’s dressed as Mulan and tied to the bedpost with a long lead.” Charley wet her throat to soften her vocal tone. “Delaney, my name is Charley. We are here to take you home.”

  “I wanna go home,” Delaney wailed.

  “Are you alone, sweetheart?” Murphy said.

  The child peeped from under the bedrail as her cries twisted her tiny face. Her eyes veered to the right. “Hurry.”

  Murphy tilted his head around the doorframe. “Delaney, we have weapons, but we will not hurt you.”

  The other men took post behind them.

  Murphy raised his chin and swallowed deep. “May we come into the room?”

  “Yes,” Delaney squealed, her eyes shifted right. “Hurry. Oh, my gawd, hurry.”

  Charley rounded the corner, holstered her weapon, and extended her arms out to Delaney. The tiny girl scurried from under the bed, pushed from her knees to her feet and bolted towards her. The rope jolted Delaney back, and she plummeted onto the floor.

  “Help me,” she squealed as tears flooded her face. “Watch out,” Delaney screamed as her petite hands grabbed for Charley. Desperate for safety, her fingers begged as she struggled to her feet. “Help me.” She bawled.

  Charley rushed to her.

  “Charley, stop,” Murphy roared.

  In one swift move, Charley scooped the girl off the floor into her arms, as three quick bursts of gunfire blasted. Struck in the back, the bullets tore into Charley, and she ragdolled into mid-air.

  Delaney wailed, screaming high and shrill, flailing her arms and legs. “Help me.”