“I don’t know.” Nick opted for honesty. “We have a couple of possibilities.” He sat on the bed, linking his fingers with Maddie’s as she settled next to him. “The first is that it was a local woman. Maybe all this affair stuff really is smoke and mirrors.
“Someone could’ve been desperate for a child and saw Jennifer Cook as the way to get what she wanted,” he continued. “Under that scenario, the woman would’ve had to somehow talk her way into the house, attack Jennifer when she wasn’t looking, tend to the baby, drag the body out to the car, load the baby in the car, take the body to the park, and then drag it through the woods.
“Then, on top of that, the woman would have to work in secret to keep the baby away from everyone,” he said. “I mean … think about it, Mad. That baby’s photograph has been on every station for five hundred miles. People know what that baby looks like.”
“He’s a newborn, though, Nicky,” Maddie pointed out. “Most people believe that all newborns look alike. Would you really be able to tell one newborn from the next? Maybe, but most likely not. Let’s say she’s in a store, though. That’s a little baby. All she has to do is put his little car seat thing in the cart and cover it with a blanket, say he’s cold or sleeping, and that’s standard practice with a newborn.”
“I didn’t consider that.” Nick rubbed his chin. “I guess it might be easier than I thought. Still, this is a small area. If any of the gossiping neighbors in or around Blackstone Bay saw a woman with a baby – a woman who didn’t have a baby a week ago – they would’ve called it in.”
“Which means whoever took P.J. is hiding him somehow,” Maddie noted. “We need to figure out how.”
“It wouldn’t be hard if the woman has a house,” Nick said. “I know I keep referring to ‘the woman,’ which you might think is sexist, but I’ve never heard of a man kidnapping an infant under these circumstances.”
“I can live with your sexism,” Maddie offered. “Just this once, though.”
“That’s why you’re my girl.” Nick rubbed his nose against hers, desperate for the contact. He would have to leave her soon – a full day ahead of him – and he was worried Maddie would take off and find trouble as soon as he was gone. “As for the house idea, though, if this individual planned to take the baby before approaching Jennifer, she might’ve already had everything she needed by way of formula, diapers, and other supplies. She might be fine hiding out for a bit.”
“I guess that makes sense,” Maddie conceded, resting her head against Nick’s shoulder. “I feel as if we’re running out of time, Nicky. We need to find that baby.”
“I know.”
“So you’re starting your day with a computer geek?”
Nick smiled despite the serious nature of their conversation. “I am. I will also pop in and see Laura. She might be more willing to talk after a night behind bars.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that,” Maddie said. “She’s going to try to manipulate you sexually because that’s the way she believes the world works. She spent the entire time you were gone last night trying to convince me that you would walk away eventually. She seemed determined to try to get me to believe it.”
“You don’t, do you?”
Maddie turned, locking her sea-blue eyes with Nick’s somber brown orbs. “No. Once upon a time you told me that some things are destined to happen. I wasn’t sure I could let myself believe it at the time because I thought for sure you would change your mind. Now, though? I definitely think you’re my destiny.”
“We’re each other’s destinies, Mad.” Nick captured her left hand and touched the engagement ring. “We’re going to be together forever. That’s the one thing I never doubt.”
“Me, too.” Maddie pressed a sweet kiss to the corner of Nick’s mouth. “Will you keep me updated while you work?”
“Absolutely.” Nick answered without hesitation. “What do you plan to do today?”
Maddie knew he was trying to play it cool, but she didn’t miss the edge in his voice. “Well, for starters, I thought I would corral Christy and see if we can track down Jennifer Cook. She’s still our best bet for finding that baby.”
“Okay. I can see that.” Nick licked his lips. “Does that mean you’re going to be in the woods?”
“For a little bit at least.”
“And how is your knee?”
“Completely back to normal. Don’t worry about that.”
Nick cupped the back of Maddie’s head and tilted up her chin. “I can’t help but worry about you. I don’t want to step on your toes and be a mother. I believe that’s what Kreskin called me yesterday, something you laughed about.”
Maddie giggled. “That was kind of cute.”
“I’m still worried,” Nick said. “What do you plan to do after looking for your ghost?”
“Well, if she gives me anything, I plan to call you.”
“Good plan.”
“If she doesn’t, I thought I would look for the sister,” Maddie said. “You said you would let me know which hotel she was staying at. I know they’re having the funeral tomorrow so … she might need some help.”
“And you’re going to help her?”
“She’s completely alone, Nicky. What else can I do?”
Nick tilted his head to the side as he considered the statement. Finally, he nodded his head and heaved out a sigh. “That doesn’t sound too dangerous. I probably will only spend about half the day worrying about you rather than the full day.”
Maddie beamed. “Progress, huh?”
“Most definitely.”
18
Eighteen
Christy wasn’t keen on another ghost hike, but Maddie talked her into it. After two hours of fruitless searching, though, Maddie agreed to take a break and spring for lunch. Since she was trying to appease Christy, she suggested they go to the bed and breakfast where her father was staying. It was under new management and was getting rave reviews for the food.
George was in the lobby when they entered and he graced Maddie with a wide smile. He’d met Christy a few times – found her gregarious and funny – and happily accepted when Maddie invited him to lunch. He waited until everyone was settled and had placed their orders to ask the obvious question.
“No news on the baby?”
“It feels as if we’re getting closer and yet we’re really not any closer,” Maddie replied. She told him about the previous evening, barely managing to keep a straight face when Christy interjected certain points as if she was there for the hoopla. When she was done, George was perplexed.
“That’s quite the tale,” he said after a beat. “What does Nick think about all of this?”
“He’s as confused as the rest of us. There are a couple of different scenarios that fit, but none of them fit all the way, if you know what I mean.”
“Give me a ‘for instance,’” George prodded.
“Okay, let’s say that there’s some sad woman living in Blackstone Bay who is desperate for a baby but can’t have one,” Maddie started. “Maybe she started watching Jennifer when she saw she was pregnant. Maybe she saw her with the baby one day and snapped. Maybe she made a plan and waited until she had everything in place so she could simply take the baby home and pretend he belonged to her.
“If she didn’t snap and planned it, then she was stalking Jennifer for some time to learn her movements and whatnot,” she continued. “According to Laura Ferguson, who isn’t the best source of information, the private investigator she hired said the only thing Jennifer did on a regular basis was hunker down inside the house to take care of the baby.”
“He was a newborn,” Christy interjected. “For like the first two months all they do is sleep, cry, spit up, and crap.”
“You’re a lover of children, aren’t you?” Maddie teased.
“Oh, I want children,” Christy clarified. “Well, child. I might have two if the first one is really quiet and well-behaved.”
“As so many children are.”
&
nbsp; “I know. That’s why I’m leaning toward one.”
“Anyway … .” Maddie exchanged an amused look with her father. “From everything we’re hearing, Jennifer didn’t open herself up to making friends. She was too overwhelmed because she was essentially raising the kid on her own. The father was nowhere to be found and that meant she was doing all the work and suffering because of it.”
Maddie realized what she said too late to take it back. The jab landed squarely on George’s jaw, but he didn’t make a big deal out of it.
“I didn’t mean that how it came out,” Maddie offered lamely.
George managed a weak smile. “Maddie, if that’s the worst thing you ever say about me, I’ll consider myself lucky. I know very well I wasn’t there for you when I should’ve been.”
“Still, that was a terrible thing to say. We’re starting fresh.”
“Fresh doesn’t mean that you’ve forgotten the fact that I wasn’t there while you were growing up,” George pointed out. “It’s okay. I’m fine.”
“He’s fine, Maddie,” Christy echoed, shifting uncomfortably on her chair. “Don’t make a big thing about it.”
“I’ll do my best,” Maddie said dryly. “Anyway, if someone was watching Jennifer then they had to approach her at some point. I would think that Jennifer would mention that to her husband, especially if she made a new friend. If someone was stalking her, though … .”
“You also have to take into account the fact that moving a body into the woods isn’t easy,” George said. “I don’t know from personal experience, mind you, but I’m guessing that it would be hard for a woman to carry a body from the park into the woods.”
“That’s what everyone says, but Jennifer was a really small woman.”
“But what about the baby?” Christy asked. “How could someone carry a baby and a body at the same time?”
“What if the baby was left in the car?” Maddie asked. “The body was probably dumped at night and only dragged far enough into the woods that people visiting the park wouldn’t automatically see it. If it was the only car in the lot, no one would’ve heard the baby cry.”
“That kind of makes me sick to my stomach,” Christy said.
“You’re not the only one.”
“So what are the other options?” George asked. “Have you completely ruled out the husband?”
“I’m not ruling anyone out because I’m not in charge, but I think he’s currently low on the list,” Maddie replied. “He was in Bay City. Most everyone seems to agree that he’s a cheating bastard. He doesn’t appear to have the constitution to murder someone, though, and he seems genuinely upset about the baby.”
“Maybe he hired someone to kill his wife and take care of the baby until he can reclaim him,” George suggested. “He might be upset because he can’t risk calling to check and his anger is coming out as worry.”
“I guess that’s possible.” Maddie rolled her neck. “I don’t think it fits, though. He doesn’t have a lot of money and at some point he’s going to have to explain where that baby came from. He’s a mealy-mouthed little puke, but I’m not sure he’s a murderer.”
Christy snickered. “I think you’ve been spending too much time with me. Your vocabulary has definitely expanded since returning home.”
“Oh, no.” Maddie wagged a finger. “This is all me. Still, we should discuss something more fun over lunch. I’ve been thinking about this far too much lately. I think I’m starting to drive Nick batty.”
“Something tells me he won’t complain.” George’s eyes twinkled. “I am curious how you two girls met, though. Were you friends in high school?”
“Oh, Maddie spent all of her time with Nick in high school,” Christy teased. “Everyone in town thought they were doing it. Imagine my disappointment when Maddie came back to town and I practically had to dare her to finally do it with Nick.”
Maddie’s cheeks flooded with color as she averted her gaze. “Christy!”
George, equally as uncomfortable as his daughter, chuckled hoarsely. “I see.”
“Oh, that’s probably not something a dad wants to hear, huh?” Christy wasn’t especially bothered by the shift in Maddie and George’s demeanors. “Maddie and I were friendly. We always got along. She was all about Nick, though. They had their own little club and no one else was allowed to join.”
“And yet you didn’t date?” George turned his curious eyes to Maddie. “How come?”
“Because we were friends,” Maddie said. “We were always friends.”
“They were both terrified of risking the friendship even though they were totally in love with one another,” Christy volunteered. “Do you want to hear the entire sordid story?”
George nodded, genuinely amused.
“Okay, brace yourself, because it’s a long, sad tale that ultimately has a happy ending.” Christy beamed.
“I’ll be right back,” Maddie said, shaking her head as she caught sight of a familiar figure through the front window of the hotel restaurant. “I’m sure Christy will take forever to tell this story anyway and I’ve heard it a million times. Don’t let her eat my sandwich.”
“Never.” George fixed his full attention on Christy. “Tell me all of the juicy details.”
Maddie left them to talk and headed for the front sidewalk. She was almost positive she saw Jennifer Cook’s ghost looking through the window a moment before, and sure enough, when she hit the sidewalk, the ghost was half a block down and beckoning for her to follow. Unsure of herself, Maddie cast a glance at the restaurant before making up her mind.
Jennifer couldn’t be taking Maddie far. She was downtown, for crying out loud. Maddie figured she would be safe and if Jennifer could share juicy information, she definitely wanted to find out what the woman had to offer.
PETER COOK LOOKED EVEN worse than he did the night before when he walked into the police station. He was an ashen mess, his hair wet and smoothed back from his face. He looked as if he hadn’t eaten in days and Nick was convinced the man was about to fall over.
“Sit down.” Nick got to his feet and moved toward the refrigerator in the corner of the office. “I’ll get you a bottle of water.”
“I don’t need water,” Peter said, although he accepted the bottle with shaking fingers as Nick returned to his seat. “What’s being done to find my son?”
“We have a state police computer technician going through Larry Boone’s computer right now,” Nick replied. “It’s slow going because it appears someone tried to set it back to manufacturer’s settings, but our tech thinks he can overrule the command.”
“Why would someone do that?”
Nick cocked his head. “Why do you think?”
“To hide information,” Cook surmised. “Boone had something on there that would lead to Jennifer’s killer and someone is trying to cover their tracks. Why not just take the computer?”
“A lot of computers these days have tracking programs built in so that might’ve been a risk,” Nick replied. “We simply don’t know.”
“What are your theories?”
“We have several to consider, but I’m not sure which one makes most sense at this point.” Nick worked overtime to be calm. He didn’t think the distraught father could take much more. Sure, he caused most of the trouble himself, but his child was missing. The boy could be dead for all they knew. No parent should ever have to face what Peter Cook was facing. “It could be a stranger who wanted a child.”
“In which case he would most likely still be alive, right?”
“I don’t want to give you false hope, but that’s the assumption we’re working on,” Nick replied. “Not to be too blunt, but if P.J. was dead, I think we would’ve found him with Jennifer in the woods.”
“You think someone killed her strictly so they could steal the baby, don’t you?”
Nick nodded. “That seems to be the most likely scenario. There is a very real possibility that Larry Boone witnessed your wife’s murder – or at
least saw who abducted your son.”
“Aren’t those things connected?”
“Yes, but unless Larry was staring through the window of your house, he most likely didn’t see the actual murder,” Nick supplied. “He might’ve seen someone leaving with the baby, though. He might not have realized what he saw at the time because he was unaware of what happened in the house.
“Then, when news of your wife’s disappearance spread, he might’ve put two and two together,” he continued. “He probably realized he not only knew who had the baby, but also who killed Jennifer.”
“Why wouldn’t he come straight to you?”
“Because Larry Boone isn’t exactly what I would’ve called an ethical guy.” Nick related the previous story that garnered Boone so much attention. “It’s probable that Boone ran the same scam on the person who did this.”
“And that’s why he’s dead.”
“Exactly.” Nick nodded. “He underestimated who he was dealing with. At this point, the person responsible is looking at life behind bars without chance of parole. He or she – although we’re leaning toward a she – most likely figured they had no choice but to kill Boone.”
“What does that mean for P.J. if she decides that she has to hide what she’s done at all costs?”
“I don’t know.” Nick had no idea how to answer. “I would like to think she wouldn’t harm the baby, that she believes the baby is hers and she will protect him as a real mother should. If she’s a sociopath, though … I just don’t know.”
“What can I do?” Cook was wrecked. “Should I go on television and plead for his return?”
“That’s an option, but you’re not considered a sympathetic figure right now,” Nick replied. “Gossip has spread about your affair. In a town the size of Blackstone Bay, you’re officially considered the enemy.”
“There has to be something.”
“What about your sister-in-law?” Nick suggested. “She’s probably not happy with you right now, but she’s the aunt and she just lost her sister. People might react favorably to her.”
Grave Paths (A Maddie Graves Mystery Book 11) Page 17