by Liz Bradford
“Celebrate?”
“Yes!” Amelia said. “When the prodigal came home there was a party.”
“Well, how ‘bout pizza?”
“Good choice.”
Ella said, “You should call Becca.”
Amelia agreed. “Yes, you should. And tell them to join us for dinner.”
“All right.” Adam went over to where he had left his phone on the kitchen counter and dialed Becca’s phone number. He put the phone on speaker and tucked his arm back around Ella.
Becca answered on the third ring. “Hey,” her voice sounded concerned, “What’s going on?”
“Can you guys come over to Caleb and Amelia’s?”
“Sure, is everything okay?”
Ella held in a giggle at how Adam tried to suppress his smile. “Just come over for dinner, okay?”
“Okay. We’ll be there shortly. Dani’s still napping, but we’ll be there as soon as she wakes up. Is that okay?”
“Of course. See you soon.”
They hung up, and Ella couldn’t contain her giggles any longer. “You couldn’t tell her on the phone?”
“No, what fun would that be? I want to see her face. I know she’s been praying for me for a long time too.”
Ella hugged Adam close again. She couldn’t believe that he had finally turned to Jesus. It was the happiest moment of her life.
Ella was stirring the brownie mix when Adam came up behind her and reached for the batter. “Hey!” She swatted his hand, but he managed to get a finger covered in the chocolaty goodness.
He stuck his finger in his mouth and winked at her.
She shook her head and leaned towards him. He wrapped his arm around her waist.
“Becca, Jared, and the girls still aren’t here?” she asked.
“Not yet. Are those brownies for me?”
“Mostly, but you have to share with everyone else.”
“I guess I could do that.”
“Can you grab me that pan?” She nodded her head towards the pan that sat on top of the stove.
“Sure.” He slid his hand across her waist as he walked to the other end of the kitchen. He set it beside the mixing bowl and stuck another finger in the batter.
“Adam!”
“What?” He gave her a toothy grin.
He stayed very close while she poured the batter in the pan. After sticking the brownies in the oven, she turned around and nearly collided with Adam. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around him. It had become second nature.
He pulled her away slightly, so she could see his face. “You are really okay with all this physical contact? No flashbacks looming nearby?”
She smiled. “None! I can’t believe it. But I’m finally able to associate touch with something else. And I have you to thank for that.”
He smiled. “You are most welcome.” He winked at her again sending her heart fluttering away. “And Ella,” his voice became more serious, “thank you for always praying for me.”
“You’re welcome. I am so thankful that God heard them, and that you responded to Him.”
Becca’s voice broke the silence that had fallen. “Oops, we’re interrupting a moment.”
They laughed and turned towards her and Jared.
“Who’s going to tell me what’s going on? Adam, it sounded serious on the phone.” She walked the rest of the way into the kitchen holding Dani in her arms.
“Let me take Dani.” Ella raised her hands to take the toddler.
“Sure.” The worry lines on Becca’s face deepened.
Jared came up behind his wife; his forehead was also deeply furrowed.
“Well,” Adam said solemnly, “I have some news… I decided it was time to admit that I can’t do this whole life thing on my own.” He turned on his thick, southern ‘preacher’ voice that Ella hadn’t heard him use since they were kids. “I decided it was high time to turn from my worldly indulgences, as my momma would say. And I decided to accept God’s free gift of salvation.” His voice returned to normal. “But seriously, I did, I gave my life over to Christ today.”
Becca’s eyes widened. The news soaked in. “Really!?”
Adam nodded.
“Oh, my word! That’s like totally awesome! Adam!” She flew towards him and embraced him.
Jared was right behind her. “Adam, that’s fantastic! I’m so excited for you. But man, you had us worried.”
Adam flashed a sheepish look. “Sorry about that. But I had to tell you in person.”
Becca eventually let Adam go, and Jared hugged him.
“All right, enough hugging, everyone.” Amelia climbed onto one of the bar stools at the breakfast bar. “What’s everyone want on their pizza?”
“Ah, the pregnant woman wants food again,” Adam teased. “Big surprise there.”
Everyone chuckled. Ella slipped her hand in Adam’s, and Amelia took pizza orders. They all chatted while they waited for the pizza, the mood light and celebratory over Adam’s decision. But the mood changed after dinner and the kids had run off to play.
“Ella”—Becca leaned forward on the dining room table—“Jared and I would like to invite you to come stay with us for a while. I know you’re well settled here, but I’m worried that it may have gotten out where you are staying. Or simply that he’s had enough time to find you.”
Ella leaned back in her chair. She didn’t want to think about it, even though she knew Becca was right.
“I think it’s a good idea.” Adam put his hand on her arm.
She nodded but stared off. Adam squeezed her arm. She looked up and met his eyes. His eyes relaxed when he saw that she hadn’t gone down the tunnel that stress often brought on. She gave him a smile to set him further at ease.
“When?” she asked.
“Tomorrow?” Becca suggested.
“That would be good.”
The conversation lightened a little bit again, but Ella was restless about the idea of being displaced again. She knew it was the safest thing to do, but part of her hated to put another family with little kids at risk. She was just ready for this to all be over. She wanted her own space again, but where would home be? She could never live in her apartment again, not after knowing someone bent on killing her had gotten in there. She’d given so little thought to it in the last few weeks, but she couldn’t think about it, not until this was all over.
Becca, Jared, and the girls left after everyone had some brownies. Amelia and Caleb took the kids up to bed, so Adam and Ella settled on the couch for a few minutes.
“What’s up with you and Becca?” Adam took her hand in his.
She scrunched her eyebrows, confused by his question. “What do you mean?”
“You seem really closed off to her.”
“I don’t mean to be.”
“I didn’t figure, but give her a chance.”
“I don’t?” She turned her body to face him.
“I don’t know, but she’s like family to me, so I want you two to get along.”
“Well, looks like I’m going to have a chance to get to know her a lot better.” She gave him a smile.
“Definitely.”
“I’ve always been intimidated by her. She’s so sophisticated and put together. And I’m such a hot mess all the time.”
Adam chuckled. “I think she’ll surprise you.”
“Maybe.”
“No, definitely. I know her better than you do. You will for sure be surprised if you think she always has everything together.”
“She doesn’t?”
“You’ll find out.”
“Okay.” She snuggled close to him and enjoyed a few moments rest.
“I’ll pick you up from school tomorrow and take you to Becca’s to get settled,” he said a few moments later.
“I’d appreciate that.”
Adam let out a big yawn.
“You’re tired.” She rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.
“Yeah, I guess. Are you?”
“I suppose. Probably should go to bed soon.”
Amelia came around the corner. “Yes, you should.”
Whining, Adam said, “But Mom…”
“Don’t ‘but mom’ me, young man!”
All three of them burst into laughter, and Adam stood to his feet pulling Ella with him. They continued to laugh, and Adam and Ella walked to the front door hand in hand.
“I’m already looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.” Adam brushed a strand of hair out of Ella’s face.
“Likewise.” Without thinking, she reached up and stroked the two-day old stubble on his cheek. Her entire body flooded with heat. She pulled her hand back and looked at the floor. It was too soon.
He pulled her into a hug saving her from the desires she wasn’t yet ready to face. “Good night, Ella.”
“Good night, Adam.”
He kissed the top of her head before pulling away and disappearing out the front door. She closed it behind him and leaned against it. She tried to catch her breath. She couldn’t believe the intensity of the emotion she was feeling.
“You know he wants to kiss you, right?”
Ella jumped at Amelia’s voice. She looked up and saw her friend standing at the bottom of the stairs in front of her. “Yes, but I’m not ready for that.”
“Didn’t figure you were. Just making sure you knew.”
“Oh, I do! I’ve seen that look on his face plenty of times in the past.” She smiled and walked across the foyer to Amelia.
“Can I just say how happy I am for you two? You’re just too cute together.”
Ella’s cheeks warmed. “Yeah? It’s all so unreal. We haven’t really talked about it yet.”
“That comes in time. I think your actions are speaking louder than words.”
“I suppose.” Ella shuffled her foot and looked at her friend. “Amelia, I can’t thank you enough for opening your home to me.”
“You don’t need to. I’m going to miss having you around. It’s been a joy having you here.”
Ella reached out and hugged Amelia. Hugging a friend was not something Ella was used to, but she was so grateful that it was something she could do again.
Adam moaned and rolled over in bed. Ruff! “Oh, shut up, Rusty!” The dog stuck his nose into his face. Adam pushed him away, “Let me sleep, Boy!” The shrill of his cell phone pulled Adam’s attention from the dog. That’s why Rusty was barking. He glanced at the clock. The bright red numbers read “3:26.” Adam’s blood pressure shot through the roof as his heart pounded. Who was calling at three in the morning? Was Ella okay?
He scrambled to untangle himself from the sheet. Maybe we should have moved her to Becca’s tonight! He tried to catch his breath and grabbed the phone off the bedside table. The sight of Amelia’s phone number on the display double the speed of his pulse. He bolted upright and jabbed at the green answer button, but it didn’t cooperate. “Arg!” He jabbed it again. It answered, and he jerked the phone to his ear. “What’s wrong!?”
“Ella’s fine. My maternal instincts made me check on her as soon as I got the call.”
“What call?”
“We’ve got a homicide out at the old Nelson farm.”
“Why are they calling us in on it?”
“Becca called. It’s Hillary.”
“No.” Adam’s stomach sank. “Want me to pick you up?”
“If you would.”
“Of course. See you in ten to fifteen minutes.”
They hung up, and Adam swung his legs off the side of the bed. He leaned his elbows on his knees and rubbed his face. Hillary was dead. That made four victims. The killer’s goal was five. And that left Ella as his final target. Adam had to keep her safe. God had to keep her safe. Oh Jesus, please, I beg you. Protect my girl.
His legs shook, but he stood and walked across the room and retrieved the jeans he had left draped across the chair he kept in his bedroom. They got stuck on the exposed screw on the back of the chair. “Oh, for the love!” He freed them and hoped there wasn’t a hole.
The dog barked as he slid his legs into his pants. “Hold on, Rusty. I’ll let you out before I go. Don’t worry.” He had a doggy door on the back door that was in the utility room, but he kept that room closed at night, so the dog wouldn’t set off the alarm going in and out at night.
He let the dog out and finished getting ready to walk out the door. He went to the back porch when he was ready to go. The motion activated light by the back door had gone out, so Adam stuck his hand out of the door and waved his arm and called the dog. “Rusty! Come on boy, time to come in.”
The light came on. Adam jumped as the light illuminated the porch. Nothing was there. He was just being hyper-aware. Of nothing!
“Rusty! Let’s go!” The dog wasn’t coming. What was going on? “RUSTY!” His heart raced again.
He was about to turn inside to get a flashlight when the dog came bounding up the steps onto the porch. “There you are; you, old lug. You had me worried. Now get inside I have to go.”
Adam left his house without incident, coffee in hand, and found himself praying as he drove to Amelia’s house. Once he picked her up, they drove out to the edge of town to a little old farmhouse that hadn’t been occupied for several years since the last of the local Nelson’s had passed away. The children of Farmer Nelson had debated what to do with the property for years.
Adam pulled up behind Jared’s truck. They climbed out of the car and entered the little old farmhouse. Adam caught a glimpse of the body that was tied to a bed in the back room and stopped Amelia. “You’re not going to want to go in there.”
She nodded and turned to look around the rest of the house. Adam steeled himself against what he knew he would see in the room ahead of him. He had to remove his own personal emotion from this. He couldn’t think about the fact that this vile man wanted to do the same thing to the woman he was growing to love more every day.
He closed his eyes and swallowed. He entered the room. No matter how strong the wall he put up to protect his heart was, nothing could stop the anger that welled up in him. His blood boiled at the sight of the brutally beaten and murdered woman that lay on the bed, hands duct taped above her head. Just like the others. Her throat was slit as well.
Adam could feel the tips of his ears and his forehead grow red with anger. He clenched his hands. He had to keep this from happening to Ella.
“Hey.” Jared’s hand came to rest on Adam’s shoulder.
Adam looked at his friend and superior and let out a shaky breath. “Hey. Didn’t expect to see you here too. Figured you’d be home with the girls.”
“Amy came over. Becca’s a mess, blaming herself.”
“But from what she told me, Hillary wasn’t the most cooperative when it came to staying hidden and safe.”
“No. But you know Becca.”
He nodded.
Adam twirled his pen as he sat at the conference room table with Amelia, Gavin, and Becca.
Gavin tried to comfort his partner. “Palmer, we did all we could!”
Emotions were running high for all of them. They had stayed at the crime scene until dawn, at which point, they had come back to the station to piece together what happened. They now, at eleven o’clock, had a pretty good idea of the timeline of events.
The Captain and Sergeant came in the room. Jared leaned up against the door and the Captain leaned on the table and said, “Run me through what happened. I want to know where we went wrong. Tell me everything.” He pulled out a chair, sat down, and crossed his arms.
Adam leaned forward in his chair. “The last time Hillary was seen was Friday evening. Riley picked her up from work, per the usual, and took her to where she was staying with a friend on the west side of town.”
“Yep,” Gavin said. “Dropped her off. Her friend was home, and nothing seemed out of place, so I left. Just like we’ve done for three weeks. But on Saturday afternoon the friend said she had to run an errand and Hillary insisted that she would b
e fine at the house by herself. When the friend got back, Hillary was gone.”
“But why didn’t the friend call?” Captain Baker asked. “We could have been out looking for her.”
“Because Hillary left a note. Said she was going to stay with her mom for the weekend up in Greensboro.”
“But she didn’t,” Becca said. “Her mom said that she hadn’t even called on Saturday.”
“Where did the note come from?” The Captain asked.
Amelia answered, “Best we can figure is that the unsub forced her to write it.”
Adam tapped his pen on the table. “Also, from what Henry said, Hillary’s beating began on Saturday afternoon.”
“What was the time of death?” asked the Captain.
“Around eleven last night.” Gavin looked as if he might be sick.
The Captain rubbed his chin. “He kept her for over twenty-four hours? That’s a huge escalation.” They all nodded. “Any viable suspects?”
Adam set his pen on the table. “We combed through our entire list last week and came up blank. No one stood out. We went back to the video tapes of who could have dropped the flowers on my desk and came up with nothin’ as to whom the last mystery person was.”
“So that’s most likely our guy?”
“Yep, but we can’t figure out who it is. He definitely knew where the cameras were and how to avoid being seen on them. We went back through that entire day. And nothing helped us figure out who he was. We talked to everyone who was around, and no one could identify who it was.”
“How does someone walk into a police station set flowers on a detective’s desk and no one notices anything?”
“We can only assume he belonged. No red flags were set off, so no one noticed.”
“So, make note of every person that works in this building and have their whereabouts for the entire weekend accounted for, even if they were on duty, I want to know exactly where they were. Figure out who it was!” Captain Baker lifted himself to his feet and walked out the door.
Adam leaned forward and dropped his head onto his arm on the table.
“What does he think we’ve been trying to do!?” Becca sounded like she was about to start crying. Adam couldn’t blame her.