“As if you would have cared if I’d brought you something exculpatory,” Prensky accused. “You just chose the path of least resistance and arrested the first man you came across.”
“As I testified to in court, Arlo Prensky’s DNA was all over the crime scene.”
“Which could have been planted.”
“I’m not that kind of cop.”
“Sure you are.”
Noah gritted his teeth, but Roman pushed him to the side and got between the two men.
“We know you’ve been working with Esau Kittinger,” Roman said tightly. “We’ve got your phone records. We know you teamed up to kidnap Kylie Archer to use her to blackmail Sophia Archer into trying to prove Arlo’s innocence. We found where you were holding her in your warehouse in Albany. It won’t take us long to put the rest of this case together, and when we do, we won’t be interested in making any kind of deal with you.”
Roman took a step closer so their faces were mere inches apart. “We’re fighting the clock on this one, Prensky, so you can either tell us what we want to know, or we can take you straight over to booking. Like the detective said, we’re not playing games with you. Tell us where to find Kittinger and Kylie. Now. Help us save her life, and we’ll help save yours.”
Prensky eyed Roman before his eyes moved over to Noah and then back.
He tried to maintain his bravado, but the fear of going to prison must have finally sunk in. He wilted and threw back his head. “Okay. Fine. But you have to realize, I only did this because my nephew is innocent. He’s family and I had to step in. I know he’s not perfect. I get that. But there’s no way he would’ve ever killed that woman. He’s not a murderer.”
Prensky’s voice turned emphatic as he tried to convince them. “It was wrong to kidnap Kylie. I see that now. She’s innocent, too. I never should have done that, and I never should have involved Kittinger. I was so desperate I just wasn’t thinking straight. We wouldn’t have hurt her. I promise you.” He looked over at Noah again. “We just wanted someone from the outside to reinvestigate the case, someone we knew would be motivated to do a good job. Some of my cousins have been following Sophia ever since I made that call to tell her about the kidnapping. We knew she’d take the investigation seriously and really look into that student’s murder, not just go through the motions. We were going to release Kylie after the verdict was issued, no matter what.”
“Well, if you wanted her to investigate so badly, why did you lock us in that basement office at the university?” Noah asked caustically.
“I didn’t!” Prensky denied, his eyes widening. “We couldn’t figure out what had happened to you in there. We saw you go in, but then hours later you came out on stretchers. We couldn’t figure out what had occurred. Then I sent someone over to the hospital to find out what had happened. I didn’t have anything to do with that gas leak. I promise.” His shoulders slumped. “I never would have hurt either of you or Kylie. I just wanted Arlo exonerated. He’s family, and I know he’s innocent. He didn’t murder that student. It just isn’t possible. He isn’t capable of hurting anyone.”
“Well, are you?” Noah asked. “That’s the real question here. Someone has tried to kill us both on multiple occasions ever since we started looking into the case again. What about the bombing at Maggie Spencer’s apartment? Three people died in that attack.”
“I didn’t do that, either! I didn’t want you dead. I wanted Ms. Archer to investigate the case, and I wanted you to see your mistake. Period. How am I going to get Arlo freed if you’re poisoned or killed in a bombing?” Prensky swallowed hard. “I don’t know who planted that bomb. I don’t even know the first thing about how to make one.”
“You sell fireworks, don’t you?” Roman asked.
Prensky shrugged. “Sure I do. But that’s a far cry from buying a bomb that brings down an entire building. I don’t even make the fireworks. I just buy them wholesale and resell them.” He narrowed his eyes, which were going back and forth between the two cops. When he spoke, his voice was almost fanatical. “Arlo is innocent. He didn’t murder that woman. After everything you’ve been investigating, surely you must know that.”
“His DNA was at the crime scene,” Noah said under his breath. It always came back to that fact. “His blood was all over the victim. Sometimes, people use drugs or get drunk and do things you wouldn’t think possible. The evidence pointed to him and him alone.”
“Then the DNA had to have been planted. Please, listen to reason.”
Roman took Prensky’s arm roughly and started pulling him toward the door. “Enough. Tell us what we want to know about Kylie and Kittinger, or we’re done.”
Prensky dragged his feet, pulling against Roman’s grip. “Look, if Arlo had committed the murder, Maggie’s computer would have surfaced by now. Arlo doesn’t even know how to use a computer. He would have hocked that thing before the night was over. He was so strapped for cash, he would have pawned it or sold it immediately. You checked all the pawnshops, right? You didn’t find it. Arlo isn’t the sharpest knife in the drawer. If he’d sold it, you would have found it.”
Noah put his hands on his hips. “We don’t have time to rehash Arlo’s case any longer. The jury will decide his guilt or innocence. What we need to know is where Kittinger is holding Kylie Archer. That poor girl has been through enough. If you’re not going to tell us, then we’re done talking.”
Once again, Roman started for the door, and once again, Prensky balked. “Okay, okay.” Prensky’s voice was low, defeated. “But you’ll put in a good word for me with the prosecutor, right?”
“Yes,” Roman said emphatically. “You have my word.”
Noah was glad Roman had agreed. He doubted Prensky would have trusted him to help, but with Roman standing there, exuding authority, they might actually have a chance of getting the truth out of this man.
Prensky grimaced and a muscle twitched in his jaw. “Kittinger has her at my cousin’s apartment here in Atlanta. My cousin is out of town and doesn’t even know we are using the place. The address is in my phone.”
Noah grabbed Prensky’s phone from his pocket where he had stored it after they had searched him.
“Passcode?”
“It’s 546798.”
“What’s your cousin’s name?”
“Lenny Campbell.”
Noah thumbed through Prensky’s contacts and stopped at the listing for his cousin. “He lives at 142 Eastern Sky Drive.” He got in Prensky’s face again. “You’d better hope that they really are there and that Kittinger hasn’t hurt Kylie. If you’re wrong, or if Kylie even has a broken fingernail, you’ll be seeing me again. And soon.”
FIFTEEN
Noah, Sophia, Roman and Matthews waited in the car, watching the Campbell residence for any signs of life. They were only a block away, with a good view of the front yard and door. Another car was stationed behind the house and was watching the alleyway, just in case the building was approached from the back.
Unfortunately, the team had already searched the home and found it empty, but after discovering a bag full of clothing and toiletries that seemed to belong to Kittinger, they figured that the kidnapper was only on an errand with the girl and would return momentarily. They had decided a stakeout was the way to go, and they’d left the house as they had found it. Hopefully, Kittinger and Kylie would return soon and an arrest could be made without incident.
A black car drove by, then a red Camaro. Noah kept his eyes peeled, anxious to see if the campus police sergeant would appear. His muscles felt tight, and he stretched a bit, working out the kinks. He couldn’t remember ever wanting to solve a case more fervently.
Sophia would survive if her sister was dead, but it would be a very hard road for her. It would change her forever. He didn’t wish that kind of pain on anyone and still committed to doing everything he could to find Kylie. He was fairly confide
nt that John Prensky had told them the truth about Esau Kittinger and Kylie’s whereabouts, but if not, he wouldn’t stop until Sophia’s sister was safely back home.
They weren’t sure what vehicle the coconspirator was driving, so Noah glanced again at his phone and the Department of Transportation records that showed that Esau Kittinger owned a silver Ford sedan and a black 750 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Neither vehicle had been found at the house in Flint Rock, so they didn’t know which he was using or if he had picked up something else. Either way, Noah carefully studied every car and truck that passed, just in case.
Noah was also holding a photo of Kittinger that he’d found on the internet so they could verify they had the right man before completing the arrest. The photo was of Kittinger’s graduation from the law enforcement academy, and he was wearing his dress Flint Rock University campus police uniform, the United States flag behind him. He sported a wide smile that showed a row of perfect white teeth and a small dimple in his left cheek. Noah wanted to wipe that smug smile off the man’s face himself. He couldn’t imagine why a cop would break the law and kidnap a young girl—even to appease a friend. Kittinger had taken an oath to protect and serve, and he had violated that promise in the worst way possible.
A large van drove by, and Noah gritted his teeth in frustration. They’d already been there an hour and a half. Surely, Kittinger would arrive soon. He tapped his hand against his thigh, anxious to get this show on the road.
He glanced over at Sophia, who was quiet and pensive. To her credit, she was holding it together amazingly well. He wanted to touch her, to reassure her, but he didn’t know if she would welcome it. He also didn’t dare to reach out while Roman and Matthews were in the car. Both fellow officers had already voiced their concern about his involvement with Sophia. There was no reason to make their suspicions worse. He knew he was walking a fine line between being too invested and remaining objective, but he was glad that his colleagues were willing to give him the benefit of the doubt while he figured things out.
And he needed to figure things out.
What would he do if Sophia decided to limit their relationship to friendship alone? He’d reacted poorly the last time he had been rejected. He knew he would handle it better this time. But it would still break his heart. He loved this woman. He now knew that without a doubt. Sophia was a class act that no one could follow, and he couldn’t imagine his life without her, especially now that he had been given a second chance.
But he couldn’t force her to share his feelings, and he definitely didn’t want to try. If friendship was all that was offered, he would just have to accept it. Noah also knew he wanted to help reunite her with her sister, whether she loved him or not. And he would always be thankful that God had given him the opportunity to ask for forgiveness and put the past to rest.
Noah noticed the small stress lines around Sophia’s eyes and mouth. She noticed his glance and gave him a small smile in return. Even when going through one of the most difficult times in her life, she radiated kindness and caring. She was simply a beautiful person, inside and out.
He knew God had a plan for him; he was sure of it, and the Bible told him so, as well, in several passages. If that plan included Sophia, it would be wonderful, but if it didn’t, then God would see him through and help him deal with the loss. He had to trust God to know what and who was best for him. It was easier said than done sometimes, but Noah realized deep down that he was only able to see a small part of the picture, while God saw the entire canvas. He was creating a beautiful work in Noah’s life, with or without Sophia.
Noah took a deep breath and turned his thoughts back to the case.
A white Honda Civic passed by as he studied the house again, anxiousness making his muscles tense.
Dear God, please help us find Kylie safe and sound, he prayed silently.
Suddenly a motorcycle roared past, a male driving and a female seated behind him. Both were wearing helmets, so their identities couldn’t be verified, but all four occupants of the car sat taller and watched as the bike pulled up to Campbell’s garage, stopped and parked. It was a Harley and the right color, but who were the riders?
“All units get ready to move,” Roman commanded through his police radio.
The girl got off the bike first, but she was holding her hands in an awkward way. As Noah studied them, he could tell that they were zip-tied together. Then the man got off and pocketed the key. He took off his helmet and then turned to the girl and removed hers. Brown hair cascaded down the girl’s back, and she shook her head, moving her hands clumsily to push a lock behind her ear.
“That’s Kylie!” Sophia exclaimed.
“And that’s Kittinger,” Noah added.
“Targets identified,” Roman said into his radio. “Move in now!”
All three cops got out of the car, but Noah was fastest. He ran straight for Kittinger, who had his back to the police officers who were advancing. He turned just as Noah tackled him and pressed him up against the outside wall of the house. Kittinger groaned as the air was forced from his lungs, and Kylie screamed, not knowing what was going on. She moved back and barely missed being hit by Kittinger’s flailing arms as he struggled to escape. Matthews was quick to pull her out of harm’s way as the two men fought, and Roman had his gun pulled and ready, the barrel trained on the kidnapper.
Noah grabbed Kittinger’s arms and threw him to the ground face-first, then straddled his back. The two helmets that Kittinger had been holding went bouncing harmlessly down the driveway as he struggled to free himself from Noah’s grip, but Noah was stronger and more determined. He pulled Kittinger’s right arm behind his back and forced it upward, then leaned down and pressed against his back, forcing the young officer to stop bucking and fighting.
“Freeze, Kittinger!” Roman roared as he moved to make sure the kidnapper could see that they meant business. “You’re done.” The Flint Rock policeman saw the metal flash and finally quit fighting. Noah secured his wrists with his handcuffs and pushed away from him, leaving him on the ground.
Noah turned and cut Kylie’s hands free from the zip tie just as Sophia ran up to the group and bear-hugged her sister. Within moments, both women were crying.
* * *
Kylie was alive! Sophia could barely control her exuberance. She said a quick prayer of thanksgiving, praising God for keeping her sister safe, then pulled back and held Kylie’s face in her hands. She had to look at her and take in every nuance of every feature. She had been so scared that she would never see Kylie again that her relief was palpable. “Are you okay?”
Tears streamed down Kylie’s face. Her wide brown eyes had dark circles underneath and her skin was pale and sallow, but she nodded. “I will be.”
Sophia pulled her close again, then tried to turn her so she couldn’t see Kittinger being taken away from the scene. “You’re safe now. That man is never going to hurt you again.”
“He was a cop!” Kylie said bitterly as she turned and purposefully watched him being led away in handcuffs. “He was wearing his university law enforcement uniform when he came up to me after class. He said there had been a robbery at the dorms and he needed me to come with him to see if any of the stolen items that they had recovered belonged to me. He told me one big fat lie after another.”
“I’m so sorry. Not all cops are like that, though. Do you remember Noah Bradley?”
Kylie sniffed and wiped her eyes. “He was that guy who used to be your friend and then treated you like trash in high school, right?”
“Yeah, that’s the guy,” Sophia agreed. “But he’s changed. I know we didn’t end things on a good note, but he’s more than made up for it over the last few days. He’s been working around the clock to help me find you.”
Kylie leaned closer, studying her sister’s face. Finally, she gave Sophia a knowing smile. “So, it’s like that, huh?”
Sophia
frowned, wondering what her sister was seeing. “Like what?”
Kylie leaned closer so only her sister could hear her. “You like him. I can tell.” She raised an eyebrow, but when Sophia purposefully didn’t react, the younger girl shrugged. “Never mind. I’m so messed up, I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I’ll tease you after I’ve had a nap and something to eat. Just forget what I said. Want to get a burger and fries?”
Sophia put her arm around Kylie’s shoulders. She was glad the conversation had turned away from Noah. She didn’t know how she felt, and now wasn’t the time to try to figure it out. Besides, she was too elated that her sister had been found safe and sound to think about anything else. “How about a big, fat, juicy hamburger with fries and a chocolate milkshake. Sound good?”
“That sounds wonderful. I hope you have cash. Kittinger took my backpack. I think he threw it away, and it held two books that I need for class and my wallet.”
“Not to worry. We’ll get you new books and anything else you need.” Sophia had to smile. It was so like Kylie to immediately start thinking about the practical things like books and school supplies. She loved that about her sister, but her own mind wasn’t ready to close this case and move on quite yet. She was still caught up in the investigation. Although they had answered the questions surrounding Kylie’s disappearance, there were still mysteries abounding. Who had tried to kill them besides Maggie’s fiancé?
She was still struggling with the questions when Noah approached. He had a hesitant look upon his face, as if he couldn’t decide whether or not to interrupt them. Finally, he took a few more steps closer and looked at Kylie from head to toe. “I’m so glad we found you safe and sound.”
Sophia gave him a smile as she introduced him. “Kylie, this is Detective Bradley. He’s the one who helped save your life.”
Kylie shook his hand and gave him a smile. “Thanks for everything you did.”
Noah nodded. “You’re welcome. Wow, you’ve sure grown. The last time I saw you, you were still in elementary school.”
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