Mistletoe Reunion Threat

by Virginia Vaughan

  “I wish everyone believed that.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a slip of paper.

  He opened it and saw the words scribbled on it. “Where did you get this?”

  “It was on my desk with my mail.”

  He fought he urge to crumple the paper. It was evidence and he had to preserve it, but it was truly nothing but garbage. “No one believes this.”

  “Someone does.”

  “Ashlynn, you and I have both seen our share of terrible mothers. You are not like her. You would never intentionally hurt your child.”

  She shuddered. Few people besides Ashlynn would know he was referring to Kathryn Rollins, the foster mother who had nearly killed her. After suffering her abuse for years, Ashlynn had stood up to her and nearly been beaten to death for it. Had she again stood up to the wrong person and now her son was paying the price? He saw guilt written across her face and grabbed her arm turning her to him. “This is not your fault,” he told her again, his tone pressing her to listen and believe him. “Jacob’s abduction is not your fault. Someone is targeting you and I will find out who.”

  She stared up at him, her countenance full of hopelessness and despair. He was more determined than ever to wipe that expression from her face for good. But he knew he would need all of God’s help to do so.

  Please help me find Jacob and bring him home safely.

  He couldn’t concern himself with the logistics of what home meant yet. First he would find his son, then they would unravel everything else.

  * * *

  In preparation for the press conference, Ashlynn went to the ladies room and splashed her face with cold water. She was glad now that she hadn’t bothered with the makeup because it would have just been washed away. She pulled on the jacket from her office, smoothed down her hair and stared at herself in the mirror in the ladies room.

  Someone knocked on the door then opened it. Garrett stood protectively just outside. “They’re ready for you, Ash.”

  She closed her eyes and tried to gather her confidence. She didn’t know how she was going to get through this without breaking down. Vince had told her she didn’t have to speak, but she knew she did.

  Although she was still miffed at him for his words last night, she was glad Garrett was with her. His strength was a comfort to her in this trying time. She didn’t know why God was allowing this to happen. Why Stephen had to die. Why Jacob had been kidnapped. She’d only thought her world was falling apart before when her marriage had ended, but now she knew she’d been so wrong.

  The press was already set up outside the police station. And even though it was December, the day was mild and the bright lights were hot. As Vince stood to address the press, Ashlynn noticed he was sweating.

  She listened to his official statement. “Yesterday evening, the body of twenty-one-year-old Mira Randolph was found murdered. Miss Randolph was working as a nanny for the family of Assistant District Attorney Ashlynn Morris. The child in her care, four-year-old Jacob Morris, was reported missing and is considered an endangered child. An Amber Alert has been issued. ADA Morris has been the target of multiple attempts on her life and the child’s father was found murdered in his home late last night. We are coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in the state and surrounding states, as well as the FBI. Anyone with any information about these murders or the whereabouts of four-year-old Jacob Morris are instructed to phone the JPD. A tip line has been set up for any information the public has. All tips will be investigated.”

  Ashlynn didn’t know how she was even still standing. The press was a blur surrounding her. Her only strength was Garrett behind her. She felt his presence holding her solid as Vince took questions from the reporters.

  “Do you believe this has anything to do with ADA Morris’s job as a prosecutor?” one of the reporters called out.

  “We’re investigating that possibility along with others.”

  After several more questions, which basically led to Vince’s reassurance that they were investigating every possibility, he turned to Ashlynn. “ADA Morris has prepared a written statement. She will not be taking questions.”

  Vince moved aside and Ashlynn stepped to the podium. This wasn’t the first time she had addressed the press. She knew most of their names. She’d met them before and discussed other cases. But this was different. Now, she had to face them not as a member of law enforcement, but as the victim of a crime. She didn’t much like being on this side of the story.

  She stared past the reporters and looked into the cameras, addressing the kidnapper. She took a deep breath to steady her nerves. She wanted to scream and rant and demand that Jacob be returned and even thought about threatening the kidnapper with full prosecution and every legal means she possessed, but she didn’t. It was a given that the person responsible would be prosecuted, but she knew threats and rants would do no good right now. Whoever had taken Jacob from her wanted to see her emotionally fall apart. Was the kidnapper out there now, watching and waiting to see her lose it? She thought he was and decided he wouldn’t get the satisfaction of seeing how his actions had affected her.

  She held up the photograph that had been distributed to the press and spoke as calmly as she could. “My son, Jacob, is four years old. He’s funny and he’s smart and he loves playing with his blocks and watching cartoons. I know he’s frightened and doesn’t understand what is happening right now. He’s only a little boy and I ask the person or persons who took him to please drop him off safely at a hospital or fire station. Whatever your problem with me, he is not a part of it. I don’t know why you are targeting my family, but I’m begging you to please return Jacob. He misses his family and we miss him.”

  She stepped down as reporters shouted questions to her and snapped her picture. Vince returned and reminded them that Ashlynn would not be answering questions. She stepped off the podium and hurried into the safety of the courthouse before she broke down in front of the cameras. She wouldn’t let them see her lose control, but she also knew she couldn’t hold it back much longer.

  She leaned against a wall, stopping to catch her breath and compose herself. It wasn’t fair this was happening to her. Her little boy didn’t deserve this. A wave of fury rushed through her and all the anger and bitterness she’d felt moments ago for the kidnappers now focused on God. He was the one who had allowed this to happen to them. He was the one who could have prevented it. Tears streamed down her face and she pounded her hands against the concrete walls.

  As her emotion was spent, she realized she wasn’t alone. She felt someone behind her watching her. She turned to see Garrett standing there, his face set and determined.

  Suddenly, he grabbed her hand. “Come with me,” he said, pulling her down the hall. “I have an idea I want to check out.”

  “What? Where are we going?” she demanded, wiping at her wet face.

  He stopped and turned to her. “I may know a way to find your son.”

  FIVE

  The idea had occurred to him during the press conference when he’d glanced at all the news vans parked near the courthouse steps. The white van the neighbors had seen might be the key to finding Jacob and he knew a way to possibly locate that van.

  “Do you remember a guy named Mike Webb?”

  “How can I forget him? I see his name on my roster every few months, but he always manages to avoid conviction.”

  He nodded. That was the guy. “He’s a major player in the car theft business. At least, he used to be. I’m glad to know that hasn’t changed.”

  They’d each shared their tales of difficult childhoods and bad choices they’d both made, so Garrett knew Ashlynn was aware he used to steal cars for Webb back in his younger days before the army cleaned him up.

  “Well, I thought I might be able to track him down. Maybe he can tell us who might be into stealing wh
ite vans in town.”

  “They probably all wind up in his chop shop,” she said. “The police have put together a task force to track down the car-theft ring operating in town. They haven’t been able to locate him. Why do you think you can?”

  “Because he knows me. I used to work for him. He wasn’t a bad guy. And I’m sure he would never be party to ripping a child from his mother.”

  “Garrett, he’s a criminal.”

  “So was I,” he reminded her. “Everyone deserves a second chance to do the right thing, don’t they, Ash?”

  She hesitated, perhaps wondering if he was talking about the car thieves or himself. Did she think he was hinting around that he wanted a second chance with her and Jacob? He hadn’t really meant it that way and didn’t want her to get the wrong impression.

  He pressed the point. “You’re searching through your recent convictions, you’ve got Ken looking into any recent prisoners released, and Vince and the police are following Amber Alert leads and investigating the deaths of your nanny and Stephen. I don’t know if this will amount to anything, but if it might, shouldn’t we follow it? I have to try.”

  “You didn’t mention this to Vince?”

  “No, because I don’t know if it’s going to go anywhere. I’d rather not get the police involved if it’s just a dead end.”

  He wondered briefly if her duty as a prosecutor would hamper her ability to get on board with his idea. He didn’t have to wait long to find out.

  She nodded. “It’s a good idea if you think he’ll talk to you.”

  “I believe he will, only...” This was the part of the plan she wasn’t going to like. “I don’t think you should come with me. These guys may not want to talk if they know you’re a prosecutor.”

  “Garrett, you were standing next to me during the press conference. Won’t they have seen you on TV?”

  “If anyone questions me about it, I’ll just say you’ve hired me to find your son.”

  He knew she would prefer to go in with a full police task force and so would he, but they didn’t even know yet where to search. Plus, this was a connection the police were unlikely to be able to provide.

  He reached out and stroked her arm. “I don’t want to leave you behind. I would prefer to have you with me. But in this case, I think it’s necessary.”

  “No, I understand. You can’t exactly get your former friends to open up to you with a prosecutor standing by your side. I’ll stay at my office and use the time to look through my case files.”

  He nodded. “You should be safe there. No one is going to attack you in an office full of people.”

  He escorted her back to her office before he left.

  He hadn’t been lying when he’d said he would feel better having her with him, but her status as a prosecutor would only hinder him. He was better off working this lead alone.

  Garrett chuckled, realizing there was a time not too long ago when working on his own would have been his preference, but not now. Not since Ashlynn had stepped back into his life.

  * * *

  Ashlynn had a difficult time concentrating on her case files. The words and information seemed to merge together. She couldn’t focus because all she could think about was Jacob and wondering if he was safe, and Garrett and wondering if he was making any progress. It seemed the police weren’t getting any closer to finding Jacob. She hoped Garrett was having more success.

  A knock on her door made her look up. She smiled, happy to see Judge Warren step inside. “Come in,” she exclaimed, welcoming him into the office. She reached up and hugged his neck. He was one of the few people who’d been there for her throughout the years and she cherished his friendship and advice.

  “I saw the press conference. I’m sorry this is happening to you. Do the police have any leads about your son?”

  “They’re following several, but nothing concrete so far.”

  “I’m so sorry to hear that.” He handed her a plate with plastic wrap on it. “My wife made these brownies. I remember how you used to like them so I thought I would bring them by. It’s not much, but it’s the least I can do.”

  She smiled at the gesture. She’d been a twelve-year-old battered girl the first time he’d offered her some of his wife’s brownies and, yes, she had liked them. He’d never forgotten that, and every now and then he brought her some. And it was always too many. Generally, she took a couple for her and Jacob then placed the rest in the break room for the office to share. But his gesture meant the world to her because it proved that someone did care about her. She took the plate and gave him a big hug and a sincere thank-you.

  “If I can do anything to help, please call.”

  “I will, Judge. Thank you.”

  He turned and sauntered out, and Ashlynn spotted Bridgette standing by her door. She walked in holding a steaming cup of coffee.

  “Oh, brownies,” she exclaimed, used to indulging in the treats from Judge Warren’s wife.

  Ashlynn laughed at the familiarity of the situation. It made her feel just a bit better. “Help yourself,” she told Bridgette.

  Bridgette set down the coffee, unwrapped the plastic and bit into one of the brownies. A satisfied look crossed her face. “So good,” she said. “Mrs. Warren sure knows her stuff when it comes to baking.”

  “She always has.” Ashlynn took a few of the brownies from the plate then replaced the cover and handed it to Bridgette. “Would you place these in the break room for everyone to share?”

  “Sure. Oh, I brought this for you.” She pushed the coffee toward Ashlynn. “I thought you could use it.”

  “Thank you. I could.” She bit into one of the brownies and washed it down with the coffee.

  “How’s it coming?” Bridgette asked. “Are you finding anything?”

  “Not yet, but I won’t give up. If there’s something in these files that can help tell me who took my son, I will find it.”

  “I’ll let you get back to work, then.” Bridgette walked out, carrying the plate of brownies with her while Ashlynn turned back to the files.

  She meant what she’d said about not giving up. Judge Warren had always encouraged her to fight for what she wanted and this was one fight she wouldn’t lose. She would find a way to bring Jacob home.

  But she realized she wasn’t fighting alone and that gave her comfort. Garrett was out there now, tracking down leads. She was thankful he’d come back into her life just when she needed him and his skills as a ranger. She thought about her earlier railing at God. She didn’t know if Garrett’s return to town was divine intervention or just plain good timing, but she was thankful nonetheless.

  She spent the next half hour poring over her records but then her eyes began to blur. She was having trouble concentrating and realized she’d read the same passage three times and still didn’t know what it said.

  She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Her eyes were tired and she supposed the strain was finally catching up with her. She glanced at her coffee cup, now empty again. She needed a refill, but instead of bothering Bridgette she got up to fetch it herself. She needed to walk, to stretch her legs and get her blood pumping or else she was going to fall asleep at her desk. She forced her legs to move. They felt like dead weight as she left her office and headed down the hall. Maybe she should have buzzed Bridgette instead, she thought, but it was too late for that.

  She entered the break room and saw no one was there. That was a relief because she wasn’t up to making awkward chitchat with her coworkers or rehashing all that had happened. There was a full pot of coffee, though, and it was still warm so someone had made it recently. For that, she was thankful.

  She poured some into her mug and doctored it the way she liked. Her brain still seemed to be in a fog and she felt groggy. And the coffee didn’t seem to help. She gripped the counter as the room be
gan to spin. Something was wrong. She shouldn’t be this tired. She felt more like...more like she’d been drugged. She saw the plate of brownies on the table. That was the only thing she’d eaten recently. But it couldn’t be...they couldn’t be. She stumbled to a chair and fell into it.

  Suddenly, someone grabbed her from behind. Something tight and hard dug into her neck. She was being choked!

  She pulled at her neck, trying to dislodge whatever was cutting off her air supply, then flailed her arms behind her. They felt like stone pillars and moving them was difficult, but she kicked and clawed and fought, knowing she had to do whatever she could to survive.

  Her attacker pulled her to her feet and Ashlynn’s head started spinning. She fought the urge to lose consciousness, knowing it would be the end of her. Fear pulsed through her and she wished Garrett was there. She reached up and jabbed at her attacker’s face, hoping to connect with his eyes. Her fingernails dug into something like fabric. A mask. Just like the man who’d been shooting at her at her house had been wearing.

  One of her kicks hit the cabinet and sent her coffee mug falling. It hit the floor, shattered and coffee splattered. It was hot when it hit her and Ashlynn groaned but her attacker did, too, obviously splashed with the scalding liquid. He loosened his grip just enough that Ashlynn managed to get her hands between her neck and the offending wire he was using to choke her.

  She heard footsteps and voices, and her attacker swore and shoved her. Her head hit the cabinet hard as she went down to the floor. When she looked back up, the break room door was swinging shut and he was gone.

  She glanced at her hand, which was cut and bleeding either by a shard from her coffee mug or the wire her attacker had choked her with. Her fingernails had also snagged pieces of the mask he’d used to cover his face.

  The door opened and Ashlynn tensed. Had he returned to finish her off? Bridgette stepped inside and Ashlynn breathed a sigh of relief. Hers must have been the footsteps that had frightened her attacker off.