by Fry,Patricia
Iris winced. “They went out to the car. They’re kind of upset at the news.”
“But they don’t know if it’s Mr. Kittleman, do they?” Savannah asked.
“No.” Iris said. She put her hand on Savannah’s arm. “But what are the chances that it’s not? I think we must prepare ourselves for the worst.”
Savannah saw tears forming in Iris’s eyes before she turned and walked away.
Chapter 2
The Ivey household was quiet the following morning as Savannah prepared her usual Sunday bacon-and-egg breakfast. She placed a jar of her homemade peach jam on the table, then slumped into a chair across from Michael. “I’d like to go to church this morning.”
“Huh?” he said, peering at her over the top of the newspaper.
“I’d like to go to church and pray for Mr. Kittleman.”
He laid the paper on the table. “Do you know if…”
“If they found him last night? No. But whether that was him or not—whether he’s still missing or…dead…I want to pray for him,” she said. “…and I’d really like to go to church today.”
“Oh, sure, we can do that. Do you think they’ll let us in?” he joked. “It’s been a while since they’ve seen us there.”
“I know, and we need to change that. This would be a good time to start.” She glanced at Lily as the toddler tried to scoop up some cereal puffs with her spoon. “I just can’t stop thinking about that dear old man.” Sitting up straighter, she added, “Michael, did you know that he used to sponsor some of this community’s most disadvantaged children so they could attend summer camp? He did that for several years, as I recall. I was a kid then—nine or ten—and it was my first real opportunity to interact with some of those kids. I mean, you didn’t normally see them participating in sports and other after-school programs. That was an eye-opener.”
She spoke more quietly. “Until then, I thought everyone had a family car, new clothes off the rack, and plenty of food to eat. I made friends with one of the underprivileged girls. In my eyes, Gloria was no different from me, until Mom took me to her house once to deliver a birthday gift I’d made for her. I couldn’t believe the way her family lived. Michael, her house was more like a…a…chicken coop—a refurbished chicken coop.”
“A chicken coop?” he repeated, disbelieving.
“Well, an out-shed, at least. It was one of several small buildings behind a house on a big lot. I think a lot of families lived there. Gloria invited me in to show me her new blouse. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be one of my old ones that we’d donated to a clothing drive the week before. She shared a bedroom with several other kids—mostly cousins, I think. There was only one bed and it didn’t even have sheets on it. She kept her clothes in a cardboard box. I’d never seen anything like it. Until then, I’d only associated with kids who lived in real houses with closets and pretty comforters on their beds.”
Savannah sliced part of a banana into Lily’s bowl. “I swear I’m a more compassionate person than I might have been because of my association with those kids Mr. Kittleman sponsored.” She looked thoughtful for a moment. “To most people, it probably seemed that he was offering opportunities for disadvantaged children, but I know now that it was also a chance for kids like me to learn something about people I might not otherwise know. Gloria and I sure lived very different lifestyles, but we could relate as kids. I think we learned a lot from each other.”
“Where’s Gloria now?” Michael asked. “What became of her, do you know?”
Savannah’s eyes lit up. “Yes. We follow each other on Facebook, although neither of us is on it with any regularity. I do know that she earned a scholarship to a business college and met her husband there. His father ran a landscape business down south in Orange County. When her father-in-law decided to return to Mexico, Gloria and Gabe took over the business and later opened a nursery in the area.” She sat in contemplation for a moment. “I wonder what her life would be like if Mr. Kittleman hadn’t intervened.” She looked at Michael. “You know, he arranged for tutors for students who could use the help. Many of them had parents who didn’t speak English and couldn’t understand the homework. Gloria told me that without the tutoring, she doubts she would have had the confidence or the credentials to finish or even enter the business college, let alone graduate from high school.”
Michael thinned his lips and shook his head slowly. “Wow! What a story.” He took a sip of coffee. “I don’t know the man very well, but I can tell you, I like the guy. He was…uh…I mean is just an all-around good guy.”
Savannah tilted her head, her blond ponytail flipping to one side. “You knew…I mean you know him? How?” she asked.
“He’s a client. He’s been bringing Shorty and Bridget to us for quite a while now…well, until we had to put Shorty down last year. That was a sad day for all of us. Mr. Kittleman was just broken-hearted.”
“I can imagine. Was that a dog or a cat?”
“Dog. According to what Craig said last night, he still has Bridget, a long-legged tiger cat he rescued from the streets and halfway domesticated.” He motioned toward the dining room. “Is that your phone?”
“Yeah.” She headed in that direction, calling over her shoulder, “Would you check the bacon? It should be nearly done.”
“Sure.”
“Hi, Auntie,” Savannah said into her phone.
“Good news,” Margaret said. She hesitated. “…well, sorta.”
“What?” Savannah asked, holding her breath.
“That wasn’t Leo Kittleman they found dead last night. Iris just called. I told her I’d let you and Michael know.”
“Oh, thank heavens.” She spoke haltingly. “So…uh…they haven’t found him?”
“No.”
“I know what you mean about this being only sorta good news. I’m happy that wasn’t Mr. Kittleman, but it’s sad knowing someone died yesterday. And it’s still frightening not knowing where he is.” Upon hearing no response, Savannah said, “Auntie?”
“I almost married that man,” Margaret said quietly.
“What?” Savannah exclaimed. “Did you say what I think you said?”
“Yes, what’s so surprising about that?”
Savannah chuckled. “Well, for starters, he’s old.”
“I like mature men. Max is eight years older than I am.”
“What about your first husband? Didn’t you marry him right out of high school?”
“Oh, pshaw, Vannie, he doesn’t count.”
Savannah couldn’t help but laugh before she became more serious. “So tell me about Mr. Kittleman. When were you dating him? And why?”
“He’s a great dancer—or at least he was thirty-five years ago—and quite the charmer, let me tell you! If it wasn’t for Tom Forster, I’d probably have walked down the aisle with Leo—Tom Forster and that floozy, Annabelle Watson,” she spat.
“Ms. Watson, the gym teacher? What did she have to do with it?”
“How did you know her?” Margaret asked. “You moved away before you entered middle school.”
“She visited our grammar school sometimes and helped with PE the year our teacher was pregnant. Mr. Kittleman didn’t marry her, did he?”
“No. He never married, as far as I know. But when that skinny witch began climbing all over Leo, Tom had already started wooing me, so I got interested in Tom and…” she paused. “…it was just as well. You know, Leo’s nieces came to live with him about that time. He took them in when his sister ran out on them. They were only four and five years old. So you see, that presented another problem. It’s as if Leo and I weren’t meant to be together.”
“What happened? Why were the children a problem?”
“Vannie, you know me. If I’d wanted children, I’d produce them myself. I certainly didn’t want to raise someone else’s kids…like Iris did. Oh no, he became quite less attractive to me when those girls came into his life. He felt the same, I’m
sure. He made a commitment to them and that left me out of the running as far as wife material goes. I knew it and he knew it.” Margaret let out a sigh. “It’s interesting how, with some people, the thing that makes them the most appealing can also be the same thing that causes you to reject them.” She paused. “I wonder if he ever took any pleasure for himself—you know—developed a passion for anything outside of helping others.”
“That’s not a bad legacy, Auntie. If that’s what gave him joy, then more power to him.” She caught herself. “Oops, there I go talking about him in the past tense again. Hey, we’re going to church this morning. I’d better eat breakfast and get ready. Are you going today?”
“Yes. Just wanted to tell you the…uh…sorta good news. I’ll see you there.”
****
“It’s wonderful to see you, Dr. Mike and Savannah,” Pastor Sheila said after the service. “Look how big your daughter’s getting.” She reached out to Lily. When the toddler took her hand, the minister smiled. “What a sweetheart.”
“Thank you,” Savannah said. “It’s good to be here. It’s been too long and we have no legitimate excuses.”
“How refreshing,” the pastor said, laughing. “In fact, I think that’s original. I don’t recall anyone using that line before.” She glanced around the couple. “Where’s your son, Dr. Mike? Adam, right?”
“Yes. He’s with his mother this week. But we’ll bring him next time he’s here. He always enjoys…”
“Yes, I know,” the pastor said, chuckling, “the refreshments.”
Michael grinned.
Savannah smiled, then addressed the pastor, “I’m sure we speak for many others when we say how much we appreciate you asking the congregation to pray for Mr. Kittleman.”
“Of course,” she said, her tone more solemn. “He and his family are active members of our little church.” She took Savannah’s arm and urged her to look off to the right. “You know his nieces, don’t you—Kathryn and Carolyn?”
Savannah gazed at the two women. “Well, they’re familiar, but I don’t think we’ve actually met.” She stared at the women for a moment. “But I’d like to. Michael, do you mind?”
“Uh, no,” he muttered.
“Come on,” Pastor Sheila invited. “I’ll introduce you.” As the two women approached the sisters, Savannah glanced back and saw Michael gravitating toward the refreshment table with Lily in his arms. “Kathryn and Carolyn, I’d like you to meet Savannah Ivey.”
The shorter sister flipped her waist-length blond hair to one side and offered Savannah her hand in greeting. “Hello. I’ve seen you around—at the mall, once at Dr. Mike’s clinic, and here at church during the holidays.” She smiled brightly. “It’s nice to meet you formally. I’m Kathryn, by the way.” She gestured toward her taller, dark-haired sister. “She’s Carolyn.”
“Yes, you’re familiar to me, too. Nice to finally meet you both.” She squinted in Carolyn’s direction. “Don’t you have a little boy about three years old?”
“Yes. He’s played with your daughter at Barbara’s day care once or twice.”
“Tony, right?”
“Yes.” She pointed. “He’s over there with his dad.” She laughed. “Looks like he’s trying to share your little girl’s cookie. And my husband’s probably bending Dr. Mike’s ear about his recent fishing trip to Alaska.”
The pastor put her hands on Savannah’s and Carolyn’s arms. “Excuse me, please. I see someone I must speak with.”
Savannah nodded after the pastor, then returned her attention to the sisters. Before she could speak, a teen-aged girl of around fourteen approached Kathryn. “Mom,” she said excitedly, “Chad swears he saw Uncle Leo Friday night outside the pizza place downtown.”
“Really? What time? How did he seem?”
“Chad didn’t talk to him, he just saw him walking by and didn’t think anything of it until he heard he was…you know…lost.”
Kathryn gazed beyond her daughter saying, “Thanks, honey. Tell Chad thank you. I’ll pass that along to the deputy just in case it’s helpful information.”
The girl hugged her mom, then rushed to join a group of her peers.
“I’m so sorry to hear about your recent family crisis,” Savannah said, addressing both sisters. “Your…a…Mr. Kittleman is so very well thought of within the community.”
Carolyn winced. “Everyone’s been so kind. We’re just beside ourselves with worry that something awful has happened to him.”
Kathryn chuckled weakly. “I think he’s out doing what he always does—making people happy.” She wiped at one eye, adding, “I just hope he’s safe.” She put her hand on Savannah’s arm. “Did you hear about the scare we had last night? They thought they found him…”
“Dead,” Carolyn said, solemnly.
“Yes, our friend Detective Sledge is on the case.”
Carolyn smiled. “Oh, I love that man. He can be gruff, but underneath it all, isn’t he a sweetheart?”
Savannah nodded. “We are fond of him.” She glanced in Michael’s direction. “I’d better be going. Just know that there are a whole lot of people praying for your uncle and looking for him, too. I’m going out with a search group on horseback this afternoon.”
“Bless you,” Kathryn said. She hugged Savannah. “Thank you so much. We just have to find him.”
“He’s way too young and vital to lose so soon,” Carolyn added.
Savannah reached out and squeezed Carolyn’s hand. “Let me know if there’s anything we can do, okay?”
“Will do. Thanks.” When Savannah approached Michael and Lily, the toddler began to fuss a little and reached out to her mommy. “Got a cookie, huh?” Savannah said, taking the baby in her arms.
“Cookie,” Lily said offering her a bite.
Savannah smiled at the toddler. “Thank you, sweet pea.” She then addressed her husband. “Hon, we’d better go. Bonnie’s picking me and Peaches up in a little over an hour.”
“Oh, that’s right, you’re joining the search team. Yes, we’d better get you home. He turned to the man he’d been talking to and excused himself.
****
“Thanks for joining up with us, ladies and gents,” the mounted posse leader said as the group of eight volunteer riders prepared to take instruction later that afternoon. Bonnie and Savannah were asked to cover the eastern-most section of the wilderness area. “We’ll use the buddy system. We don’t want any of you running into trouble out there alone. Everyone have a cell phone with plenty of charge?”
When each rider responded in the affirmative, he suggested, “Punch in my number in case you need it—that is, in case you find anything or have a problem. Rattlers are starting to come out and enjoy this nice weather, so beware. Now here’s a picture of the gentleman we’re looking for. I understand that some of you know him. But I want you to look closely at what he’s wearing in this composite his nieces put together. Watch for anything that might be out in the open or hidden—a swatch of fabric caught on a bush, a body partially hidden…be alert to any possibility. If you’re not sure about something you’ve found, check with your buddy, take pictures, and mark the area just in case it’s significant.”
He scanned the array of riders. “Any questions?” When no one spoke, he turned his gelding around and said, “Then be off and be safe. Let’s meet back here in ninety minutes.”
An hour and twenty minutes later, Savannah and Bonnie rode back to the temporary base camp. They were met by a couple of sheriff’s deputies. “How’d you do out there?” the woman officer asked. “Find anything?”
Bonnie grimaced. “Just a few quail, a jackrabbit, and a roadrunner.”
“And a dead coyote,” Savannah added. “Have you heard from the others?”
“A few. It doesn’t sound like the guy’s out here anywhere. We’ll probably extend the search to the west hills. Sure expected to find him here—it’s a straight shot from his home. It’s the most logical scenario
.”
“Yeah,” her partner said, “since when do we stumble across the most logical, these days?” When the three women looked at him, he continued, “He could have hopped a train, taken a bus, or climbed in with a trucker. Chances are he’s no longer in the area, which could make it even more difficult to locate him.”
The female officer nodded. “Unfortunately, that’s true.”
“How long do you keep searching for someone who’s missing?” Savannah asked the duo. “I mean, intensely like this?”
The officers glanced at one another and he said, “Until we feel we’ve exhausted our options.” He looked out over the terrain. “And that could be soon.”
****
“How’re you feeling?” Michael asked his wife early Monday morning as she changed Lily’s diaper.
“Still reeling from the disappointing search yesterday, actually.” She placed the baby on the floor and watched her toddle down the hallway after Buffy. “It was frustrating, Michael. I so wanted to see results—to find a clue—something!”
“Well, you tried,” he said. “There must be some satisfaction in that. They aren’t giving up, are they? They’re continuing the search?” he asked, as they followed Lily toward the kitchen.
“Yeah, but not for long. One deputy told me they’ll quit when they feel they’ve run out of options.”
He frowned. “What does that mean?”
“Heck if I know. I think it means we’d better find him soon.”
Michael watched as Savannah picked up their daughter and snuggled with her. “She’s a cuddle-bug this morning, isn’t she?” he said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
She smiled and held Lily close. “Yes she is.”
“Ho?” Lily said cheerfully, pointing at the back door.
“You want to go out and see the horsie?” Savannah said. “Okay, we’ll go see the horsie after you eat your breakfast. Want some breakfast?”