Two rows behind Emma, Kurt Brown stood up. “Can we pray…” Piper’s ex-boyfriend swallowed several times before finishing what he wanted to say, “for the ones who are missing?”
Brody went back to the podium and spoke into the microphone. “Kurt has a great suggestion. Would you like to say a prayer, Kurt?”
The teenager lowered his head for a few seconds then lifted it up, his eyes filled with tears. He nodded and made his way to the podium.
Standing not far from Brody, Emma caught the scowl on Kurt’s father’s face. His gaze clashed with hers for a few seconds. Then he evened out his expression.
“I’m not good at this.” Kurt cleared his throat. “Lord, please bring Piper, Maria, Nate, and Bobby Joe safely home to us. Amen.”
Emotions choked Emma’s throat. She swung away from the crowd as a tear ran down her cheek. She brushed it away and forced a smile.
Brody stepped up to Kurt and patted him on his back. “That’s perfect. Thank you.”
“I agree, Kurt,” Emma said and glanced at the kids and adults who were dealing with the effect of the simple prayer.
Brody shook Kurt’s hand then turned toward the crowd. “Don’t forget there are still refreshments on the tables to the right. Please take some home. I don’t want any leftovers,” Brody turned off the microphone and closed the few feet to Emma. “I’ll take half your flyers and give them out at the other door.”
Emma handed them to Brody. “You did a great job today, especially you and Nick showing the kids how to defend themselves.”
“And I was thinking you were the star speaker, emphasizing that the children tell an adult when something doesn’t feel right.” He smiled. “Then you offered your services through the center. You’re already overworked.”
Her cheeks heated. “I can’t turn my back on a child in need. Sarah told me she would help with that, too. I know she mainly works with adults, but she has dealt with older teens. What I’m excited about is her offer to hold a support group once a week at the center for the parents. She referenced what happen to Ada.”
“Yeah, she told me that today when she arrived. While she has her sessions, Candy and Anna will enjoy the classes at the center.” He scanned the area. “I’d better go to my post. Stan will take the first group of kids back in fifteen minutes if anyone asks.”
“I was glad to see quite a few of the parents from the apartment complex. Stan should only have to make two runs today.”
Brody left and positioned himself at the other double doors on the left side of the gym. As the parents and children began to leave, Emma pulled her gaze away from him.
Hannah Rollins stopped and took the piece of paper Emma was handing out. “This forum has really opened my eyes. I’m going to be more alert with what’s going on around the complex.”
“Your tip about the black SUV was important. We need more people like you. Always keep alert.”
When the gym emptied except for the people who had set up the forum, Emma joined Brody under one of the basketball hoops. “I’m glad Kurt came to the center. I think he needed to be here for some closure especially if we don’t find the ones who went missing. I’ve got to go pick up Beth. Will you keep an eye on Danny and Terri?”
“Yes.”
When Emma stepped out into the hallway, she walked toward the corridor that led to the room where she had her group sessions for the teens. She started around the corner, but a tight, intense voice stopped her in her track.
“Piper wouldn’t be gone if I was still dating her. I could’ve protected her.”
“Son, you don’t know that. Don’t put the blame on yourself.”
“You’re the one that insisted I not date her. You’re the one I blame. You didn’t think she was good enough for me. She was caring and a good friend.”
The sound of stomping feet coming toward Emma prodded her to duck into the girl’s restroom right behind her. She opened the door slightly.
Kurt headed for the main entrance to the center. His dad hurried after him and grabbed his arm. The anger on Kurt’s face directed at his father surprised her.
She couldn’t hear whatever Zachery Brown said to his son, but Kurt jerked away from his father then slammed open the door and ran from the building. Zachery glanced around while Emma quickly closed the gap she had been peeking through.
She leaned against the wall nearby and gave the DA time to collect himself and leave. His son was dealing with a lot of anger. She’d seen two sides of the teen. What had caused the incident? Grief over Piper? Or something between the father and son?
Emma finally reopened the bathroom door a crack to see if Zachery had gone. He was, so she quickly headed toward her original destination.
It was where the daycare for the parents who came to hear the safety forum had been set up. When Emma entered the room, Beth as well as Candy and Anna were playing with some of the abandoned dogs that had been brought from Nick’s ranch. Aunt Polly and Sarah’s aunt, Louise, were running the daycare.
“Are you all ready to leave?” Emma asked as she watched Beth in between Charlie and a white fluffy puppy probably about seven or eight months old.
The five-year-old looked up. “Isn’t she cute?” Her bottom lip stuck out, and she lowered her head. “She needs a home like I do.”
Emma knelt in front of Beth. “Whatever home you’ll go to live in needs to have a say in whether the puppy comes, too.”
“But I want to live with you.”
Emma swallowed hard. She had wanted to be a mother one day, but to three children at once, and possibly a fourth—a teenager? What if no relative came forward? Could she take them in? Adopt them? What about her career as a child psychologist? She helped a lot of kids with her counseling services. Could she do both well?
“We’ll have to see what the search of a family member produces. But I do agree she’s cute and loving.” Emma finally answered Beth.
“Yeah, she is.” Beth picked up the white fluff ball and held her up against her cheek.
“I think she’s part Bichon Frise and maybe poodle.” When Emma looked into the little girl’s face, she had a hard time resisting adopting the dog. She could take the animal, and if the family that took the kids in didn’t want the pet, she could keep her. She’d seen how important Charlie was to Brody.
“Bichon Frise?”
“Yeah, lots of hair with a curly tail.”
“That’s her. How can anyone give her up?” Beth hugged her even closer.
“We’ll be going soon after I talk with Brody. You stay here and play with her. I’ll be right back.” Emma rose and scanned the room.
Two parents entered to pick up their children. Emma headed for the door to see if she needed to do anything else before going home. After the past several days, she was emotionally and physically exhausted.
When she walked to the gym, a few more fathers or mothers had left with their teens. Today, she’d enjoyed meeting the parents of the girls she worked with. She searched the large room and found Brody talking with Nick, both off to the side with serious expressions on their faces. Did Nick have new information about the case?
She covered the space between them. “I’m envisioning Terri and Danny practicing the safety moves you taught them today. You’re going to have more kids signing up for your class at the center.”
Brody smiled. “We have five teens who want to start coming to Pals. Three kids are from the apartment complex. The other two go to school with them.”
“Girls or boys?” Emma asked.
“One guy and the rest girls.”
“I may have to restructure my classes if my numbers go up, but that’s a good thing if I can reach more kids.” She turned to Nick. “How did Jack die?”
“Drug overdose.”
“They could have left him near the shelter, and the police would have considered it another overdose. If Danny hadn’t told us Jack was a possible witness to Nate’s kidnapping, we wouldn’t know that something might be wrong h
ere.”
“You’re right, Brody. The killer must have hidden the body because the kidnappers realized Jack had possibly been in contact with others about Nate. The assailants decided they would have to hide his death. Just another homeless man moving on. They were going to make sure the body disappeared, so if it were found eventually, it probably wouldn’t be around here. Jack’s death wouldn’t be investigated aggressively, nor would the law enforcement agency where he was found realize the connection to a case possibly hours away from here. His death might not have been investigated. Mr. and Mrs. Greene weren’t going to be back from their vacation for another week. That would have given the murderer time to get rid of Jack.” Nick checked his watch and surveyed the gym. His gaze settled on his fiancée. “After I get all the dogs into my car, I’m taking them back to the ranch. Then I’ll actually spending a little quality time with Sarah and the girls.”
After Nick left, Emma checked to make sure no one was nearby to hear. “Not only are these children missing, but people are being killed. We know of at least three men involved in Piper’s kidnapping according to Bobby Joe. To take him, it would have required at least two or three people. He’s a big man, and if he didn’t understand what was going on, he’d freak out. He can’t be an easy person to control, especially when he’s agitated.”
Brody looked around. “It looks like everyone’s left us alone.”
Emma rotated in a full circle. “And it’s all cleaned up.”
“The kids helped.”
“I agree with Nick. It’s time to go home and spend some quality time with the kids.”
Brody took her hand and strolled into the main corridor then into the room where the daycare facilities were held for the forum. Beth stood by Terri while Nick was carrying two dogs out into the hallway. One of them was the white fluffy dog Beth wanted.
“Please get Charlie,” Emma whispered to Brody. “Beth is upset. She wants the dog that Nick just took out of here.” She hurried to Beth’s side. Tears ran down the little girl’s face. “Honey, we’re going to the ranch tomorrow afternoon to see all the abandoned animals, not just some of the dogs.” Out of the corner of her eye, Emma spied Brody coming into the room with Charlie at his side. Relieved, Emma relaxed, tension flowing from her.
Brody closed the distance between them. “Charlie insisted on coming to get you, Beth. He missed you while he helped with the forum.”
“He did?”
Brody nodded. “When I mentioned your name, he hopped up and led the way out of my office.”
Beth threw her arms around Brody’s dog. “Hi, Charlie. Love ya.”
Emma’s throat jammed with emotions. If no one would take all the children, then she needed to apply to adopt them.
* * *
Brody stood by the living room window and stared out into the darkness. Spots of light illuminated the porches of different homes on the block. A quiet neighborhood. But somewhere out there were people who kidnapped children. The very idea of what these monsters were possibly doing to the kids chilled his blood.
God, I need Your help. Please show me where these children are.
The sound of soft steps coming down the hallway propelled him to close the blinds and turn toward the entry hall. Emma appeared, and his heartbeat kicked up a notch. She had that effect on him.
He grinned. “Are the kids finally going to sleep?”
“Yes, but Beth wouldn’t until Charlie jumped up into bed with her.” Emma sank down onto the wingback chair. “It’s been a long day. There’s a part of me that hopes tomorrow is less hectic and exhausting, but I shouldn’t feel that way as long as those kids are missing.”
“Police officers and soldiers realize that they need to rest even in the thick of things. Mistakes are made when you don’t take care of yourself. We’ve done what we can to make a difference in the kidnapping cases. Without our visit to her apartment, Hannah might not have come forward about the black SUV she saw that day in the parking lot.”
Emma closed her eyes for a few seconds, her chest rising and falling slowly as she inhaled and exhaled long breaths. “I’ve decided to adopt the white fluffy dog that Beth fell in love with today.”
“What happens to it when Terri, Danny, and Beth leave here?”
“If they leave here, the dog goes with Beth unless the new family won’t take the pet. If they don’t, I will. She’s a cutie and deserves a home, too.”
“It sounds like you’ve become attached to this fluffy white mutt.”
A blush suffused her cheeks. “I’ve come to respect the ability of an animal to help people with their problems. Charlie’s doing a terrific job with Beth. She isn’t the only one who loves on him. I’ve seen him with Terri and Danny too.”
“And my dog loves it.” Brody moved to the couch and took a seat across from her.
“Do you think we’ll ever find the kids?”
Did he? That was a question he hadn’t wanted to think about. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. Slowly, he lifted his head and looked her in the eye. “I hope we do, and I’ll do whatever I can to search for them. But the longer we don’t find them, the odds go down that we will.”
“That was what I thought. Do you think there are any clues in the SUV? Like, did anyone see the person who drove the car back to the Greene’s house?”
“Nick and his partner are working on it. When he left the crime scene in order to attend the forum, Brad was canvassing the neighborhood. One of the houses near the Greenes’ home had video footage that captured the street. The black SUV was on it Friday night, but whoever returned it wasn’t visible on camera. There wasn’t another vehicle on the footage until the morning when neighbors were leaving for work or going about their day. The couple he talked to knew all the cars.”
“Maybe the person bringing the SUV back walked away from the house rather than having someone pick him up.”
“If so, that wasn’t caught on that footage. Brad checked several other cameras from two neighbors on the other side of the Greene’s home. The cars they captured were ones they could identify. And there were no people walking away, other than a couple who were jogging. They lived two houses down from the Greenes. Again, nothing that led to a clue. Only a few people knew the Greenes had gone on vacation. The others didn’t think anything about the black SUV on their camera.”
“Maybe the driver left by the backyard.”
“That’s possible. I’m sure they’ve searched for evidence throughout the property.”
“That has to be tedious.” Emma collapsed back in the chair and closed her eyes for a few seconds.
“Go to bed. I’ll check the house to make sure it’s locked down.” He rose and offered her a hand.
She fit hers within his grasp, and he tugged her to a standing position. He raked his fingers through her hair, hooking the strands behind her ears. He cradled her face between his palms. “You’d be a wonderful mother if they can’t find a home for Beth, Terri, and Danny.”
Their gazes bound together. “I’m praying we find Nate, too.”
“Me, too.”
“You’re a champion for these kids.”
She wound her arms around his neck and pulled him toward her, brushing her lips across his before she kissed him. He responded by deepening the connection, holding her against him. He poured out the intense feelings this woman produced in him. When they broke apart, her arms around him fell away at the same time his did.
Her cheeks flushed. She sidestepped away from him. “I’d better go to bed. I imagine Beth will be up early. When I put her to bed, she was counting down the hours to when she would see the fluffy dog she wants.”
Brody chuckled. “She does know we won’t go until after church.”
She walked toward the entryway, stopped, and glanced over her shoulder. “Yes, she knows.” Then she continued toward the hall that led to the bedrooms.
Brody made his bed on the couch then went into Beth’s room to take Charlie outside before going t
o sleep. The five-year-old was sound asleep. He was glad she was because she would want to go outside with him, and he wanted to circle the house.
Outside with Charlie on his leash, Brody first covered the backyard, checking every place a person would hide. Then he headed toward the front. On the far-right side, he spied Neil Lowe smoking a cigarette not far from the boundary line of the two homes.
“Hi,” the neighbor said. “Beautiful dog. A German shepherd?”
“No, a Belgium Malinois. Some people get them confused.” He glanced down at the man’s driveway with butts on it, which was only a foot away from Emma’s property.
Brody noticed the type of cigarette he was smoking. It wasn’t what he had given Nick to test. “You changed your brand?”
“No. I’ve always smoked these. I wish I could quit. My wife certainly feels that way.”
“Interesting about your brand. The cigarettes I found over here were different. Thanks for making that clear.” Brody started for the front porch. He should have delved deeper when he talked to him a couple of days ago.
When he returned to the house, he made sure Charlie went back to the girls’ bedroom. Then he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Nick about the cigarette brand—which meant that someone was most likely watching Emma’s home.
After he made sure the place was locked up tight, he stretched out on the couch and pulled the blanket over him. Sleep whisked him away…
A sound pierced his sleep deprived mind. He shot up and frantically glanced around him. Charlie stood in the entry hall, facing the front door growling.
Chapter Fifteen
Piper lay on her mattress, the light leaking into the room from the blind’s slits dimming. Nighttime was coming. Before she’d had no sense of whether it was night or day. She didn’t even know how many days she’d been missing. Was anyone looking for her? Did anyone care?
She sat up and drew her legs up against her chest, hugging them to her. She was no longer tethered against the wall, but handcuffs and a chain still restricted her, keeping her close to the mattress, a bucket, and a glass of water.
Missing (Everyday Heroes Book 6) Page 12