by Deborah Camp
“It’s someone who obtained the code,” Bill confirmed. “How, we don’t know.”
“What all was taken from the home? Mostly electronics, right?” Trudy asked.
“Two laptops, two iPhones, a diamond and ruby cocktail ring, a diamond and ruby necklace, a man’s Rolex watch, a man’s and a woman’s Cartier watch, and we believe money from the dresser. Hard to say how much. Whatever he was carrying and what she might have had in her wallet. Her purse was ransacked. He took her driver’s license. Didn’t take any credit cards that we know of. We checked their phone records, but nothing turned up from them. No unusual calls or anything like that. Second marriage for both of them. Stuart is their only child and they had him late in life. They did the normal things like visit friends, go to football games, see a movie now and then, take Stuart to Disney World and Six Flags, go to church.” He flipped through a couple of pages in the folder, squinting at the type. “Methodists, looks like.” He sighed and his gaze met Trudy’s. “Like I said, bupkis.”
“He had to have been in the house or knew someone who had acquired the code number for the alarm system,” Levi said. “You checked with the alarm company?”
“Yeah, sure did. Turned out to be a dead end. The guy who installed the system happens to be the cousin of a cop I know. Nice guy. He’s worked for that company for twenty years without incident. I agree that the perp had to know someone or he personally got the alarm code. We’ve looked at it from all angles and just haven’t come up with anything solid.”
Levi rubbed his jawline, deep in thought for a few seconds. “I read in the reports you emailed that you found fingerprints, but they haven’t matched anyone yet.”
“Right. No matches. Looks like they aren’t in the system.”
“The weapon used was . . ?”
“Walther P22.”
“With a silencer?” Trudy asked.
Bill arched his brows. “Could be. You tell me.”
“I think so. It was loud, but it didn’t sound like guns I’ve heard before. But it didn’t sound like the ones on TV or the movies, either.”
Bill chuckled. “Yeah, well, the sound guys don’t get it right in the movies. Suppressors or silencers don’t muffle all the noise a gun makes. They’re still kinda loud, but they just won’t wake the neighbors. Wouldn’t be surprised if the perp used one.”
“You think he acted alone?” Trudy asked.
“Yeah, I do. We only found one set of fingerprints we think were his. The boy could tell us more, I think, but he’s just not talking. Mostly he just talks about hiding in the closet.”
“In his closet?” She imagined a boy balled up in the corner of a dark closet and a shiver raked up her spine.
“In his closet there’s an access door to part of the unfinished attic. He slipped inside there and hid. He said ‘the man’ didn’t find him. Now, I don’t know if he means that there was only one man or only one man was in his bedroom looking for him. Like I said, he’s not been too talkative. That’s why the psychiatrist is working with him. Well, that and because I’m sure he’s all messed up in the head over this.”
Levi cleared his throat. “Something like ‘this’ will definitely do a number on your head. He’ll never fully recover from it.”
“No?” Bill asked.
“No.”
Trudy’s heart went out to Levi and she moved closer, touching her shoulder to his. When he met her gaze, she smiled, and the muscles in his jawline relaxed. “This kind of trauma sticks,” she told the detective. “You must know that. You’ve seen enough of it.”
“Sure, but this boy is so young. Hopefully, he’ll get past it.”
Levi shook his head, but held his tongue.
“There’s always hope,” Trudy commented, lamely, because she knew that Stuart McFarland was forever scarred. Oh, sure, the horror of his situation would diminish and there would eventually be days and weeks when he wouldn’t even think about it. But his innocence was gone and his trust in the world around him was forever altered. “He must have sensed or heard something for him to hide in the closet.”
“Yeah. He woke up. Said he didn’t remember why, but then he heard a sound and it scared him and he hid in the closet.” Bill glanced at a page of typewritten information and grunted. “He’s been vague about what he heard and what scared him about it. We’re waiting to see if Dr. McClain can help him recall more details. At this point, anything will be helpful.”
“I take it that he didn’t actually see anyone,” Levi noted.
“Right. I guess he was in the attic space until the cops arrived.”
“He didn’t come out until then?” Trudy asked, still imagining the frightened child hiding in the dark and feeling claustrophobic and terrified for him.
“That’s right. They were looking all over the house for him because we knew that the couple had a child. One of the cops finally noticed the door in the closet, opened it, and there he was, all balled up, shaking like a leaf.”
Levi ran a hand down his face. “Jesus Christ.”
Trudy rested her hand in the crook of his arm as she grappled with her own rocky emotions.
“Yeah. Poor kid. Wonder if he sensed that his parents were dead?”
Levi shook his head. “Holy Christ. I would imagine that his abject fear threw him into shock and he checked out.”
If anyone understood what Stuart McFarland might have experienced in that dark cubbyhole, it was Levi Wolfe, Trudy thought. His eyes had taken on that dark, shadowy color when his memories of ridicule and torture rose up to try to defeat him once again and his jaw was hard, one muscle ticking away just beneath his ear
“We’ll keep you informed about anything Stuart tells us that can help,” Trudy told the detective, giving Levi a few moments to collect himself. “And now that we’re ‘official,’ we’ll provide our usual assistance.” She squeezed Levi’s arm. “Levi will probably try to contact Stuart’s parents.”
Levi drew in a big breath and released it in a huffing sigh. “I’ll do that. If you can provide me with something of theirs – an article of clothing like a scarf or handkerchief. Anything they would have worn recently. That will help me connect with them.”
Bill jotted something down in his notebook. “Sure. No problem.” He looked at each of them, giving them a weary smile. “This one is like a rusty drill in my heart.” He pressed his thumb to his chest and twisted it. “Boring away, not giving me a minute’s peace. I want the sick bastard caught. If he’ll do something like this, then he’s probably done it before, and he’s sure as hell going to do it again.”
“Until he’s arrested, I have no doubt that Stuart McFarland won’t have any peace either,” Trudy said, swallowing against the burn in her throat. She drank the last of the coffee, then pushed back her chair. “If that’s all, we’ll be going.”
“Sure, sure.” Bill stood with them and they all shook hands again. “Y’all have a good evening.”
“Thanks.” Trudy linked her arm with Levi’s and they left the diner. A cool breeze blew her skirt against her legs and ruffled her hair. “Feels like fall.” She looked up at the canopy of trees along the street, watching a few yellow leaves flutter down from them. She hugged Levi closer, grateful for his solid security. “This one is going to be tough.”
He walked with her toward their parked car. He didn’t speak or acknowledge her comment until they were in the car and heading for the restaurant where they had made dinner reservations. “You’re right. Tough on the kid, too.”
“Working with Stuart is bound to bring up bad memories for you, as well. Maybe you should talk to Dr. McClain about it again before we embark on this.”
He chuckled, darkly. “I don’t need Stuart to stir up bad memories. I’ll be fine.” He shot a glance her way. “Don’t worry about me. Worry about the boy. He’s the one in hell right now.”
“Do you think he sensed what was happening to his parents? He must have felt the murderer looking for him.” She shuddered and hugged
herself.
“He had to have known that something bad had happened or he wouldn’t have hidden in the closet.”
Trudy turned her face away from him to stare at the passing cars and pedestrians without really seeing any of them. “I hope Dr. McClain has been able to allay some of his fears and anxieties. What he must be going through . . .” She shook her head, running out of words.
“And what he has yet to go through,” Levi tacked on.
Trudy closed her eyes against the tears that threatened her because she knew Levi was right. She prayed that young Stuart McFarland was made of tough stuff because she knew as well as Levi did that his personal nightmare was still unfolding.
Chapter 4
After discussing Stuart with Dr. McClain, Trudy and Levi decided that they would talk with the boy individually at first. Once he seemed comfortable with them, then they would team up and spend time together with him. Trudy didn’t want to meet him for the first time in a clinical setting, so she arranged for Dr. McClain to bring him to the apartment for lunch.
Dropping into “daddy mode,” Wes prepared pigs-in-a-blanket, baked sweet potato spears, and banana pudding for dessert. Trudy watched out the window as Dr. McClain’s car pulled off the street and into a “visitor’s” space in the parking lot.
“They’re here,” Trudy said, glancing over her shoulder at Wes, who was adding ice chips to a pitcher of cranberry and orange punch.
“Everything’s ready when you are,” Wes assured her. “If you need anything, give a shout. I’ll probably be downstairs cleaning while you meet with Master Stuart.”
“Thanks, Wes.” She ran her damp palms down her thighs. She’d dressed casually in jeans, a light-weight, peach sweater, and boots. Crossing to the front door, she stood and gathered in a few deep breaths to calm her nervous excitement. It was silly to be so keyed up, but this meeting was important. She wanted Stuart to like her so that they could begin building a foundation of friendship and trust. He’d met Levi, and although that exchange had been brief, Levi had felt a connection with Stuart. She wanted to feel the same, and in time, she hoped that the feeling would be reciprocated.
She heard the elevator doors slide open and then the security guard stationed outside tapped on the front door.
“Mrs. Wolfe? Your guests are here,” Thompson’s deep voice floated from the intercom.
Trudy threw open the door and smiled at Dr. McClain. Beside the tall woman, Stuart McFarland eyed the security guard carefully before lifting his gaze to Trudy.
“H-hi,” Trudy stuttered as her heart climbed into her throat. Good lord, there was something about the child that made her think instantly of Levi! It’s the dark hair and blue eyes, she thought, but then discarded that as too obvious. No, it was something deeper than facial features. It was the way he looked at her. The intensity and the shadows lurking in the depths of his eyes. Classic Levi Wolfe. Realizing that she was leaving her visitors standing in the foyer, Trudy gestured for them to enter. “Please, come in.” She spared a glance and a quick smile for the security guard before closing the door and turning to face the doctor and her young client.
“Stuart, this is the lady I’ve been telling you about. Trudy Wolfe, this is Stuart.”
“I’ve heard some about you, too,” Trudy said, resting her hands on her knees and bending a little at the waist to be face-to-face with him. He was dressed in jeans and a red sweater. Freckles dotted his nose and cheeks. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I hope you brought your appetite with you because Wes, our chef, has cooked up a delicious lunch for us.”
One corner of his mouth quirked up. Trudy’s heart gave a kick. God, that was also classic Levi Wolfe grin! Was she so broody that she was seeing Levi in every boy child? Or maybe she was imprinting Levi’s characteristics on him because of the trauma they had both suffered as children.
“Stuart has been to Centennial Olympic Park several times,” Dr. McClain said, referring to the park across the street from the Wolfe properties. “He even went to a concert there once.”
“Harry Connick Junior,” Stuart said.
“Oh, jazz, huh? He’s good.” Trudy released a sigh, glad that Stuart didn’t also sound like Levi. Levi’s raspy voice had come to be when he’d damaged his vocal chords while screaming in terror while locked in a dark cellar with a collection of rats. He’d been about Stuart’s age. Stuart had a normal boy’s voice in that it was a pleasing tenor. His attention wandered from Trudy to the large, black-and-white framed photo of a wolf on the prowl that hung just inside the living room.
“That’s an artic wolf,” Trudy said. “On the tundra. Levi loves that photo. You met Levi, didn’t you?”
He tore his gaze from the photo and nodded. “At Dr. McClain’s office. He lives here, too.”
“Yes, we’re married.” Trudy motioned toward the dining room. “Why don’t we have lunch?”
“I’m going to have to take a rain check on that, I’m afraid,” Dr. McClain said.
“What? I thought you were staying,” Trudy said, startled by the change in plans.
“I was, but one of my sons was injured at school.” She held out a hand to stop Trudy from panicking. “It’s not serious, I’m told. A badly sprained ankle, but I need to take him to our doctor. I’ve explained this to Stuart and he’s fine with it. Trudy, could you have your driver drop Stuart at the shelter when you’re done here?”
“Of course. That will be no problem at all. I wish you could have lunch with us, but your mom duties take precedence.”
“Exactly.” Dr. McClain rested a hand on top of Stuart’s head and smoothed it over his brown hair. “I’ll see you in a couple of days. Enjoy your visit with Mrs. Wolfe.”
“Okay.” He blinked his big, blue eyes at her.
Trudy saw the doctor to the door. “Is your son on a sports team?”
Althea McClain nodded. “Basketball. Runs in the family. My husband is two inches taller than me and I think our children are all going to tower over us!” She patted Trudy’s arm. “Take your time. I told the shelter personnel that you’ll have him there by five o’clock. Bear in mind that it’s downtown, so the traffic will be hideous by four.”
“Thanks, Dr. McClain.” She waved her off, waiting for the elevator doors to close before she joined Stuart again. He stood in front of the wolf photo, staring up at it with a singular intensity that made her think of Levi again. “What does the photo make you feel? Awestruck? Fearful?”
“Curious.” He kept staring at it. “I wonder where he’s going. He looks hungry. Maybe he’s on his way to lunch, too.”
Trudy laughed under her breath. “Maybe so. I know that I’m hungry as a wolf. Let’s eat.” She rested a hand lightly on his shoulder and escorted him to the dining room. She motioned to the chair that Levi usually sat in and smiled at Wes. “Wes, this is Stuart, my luncheon guest.”
“Hello.” He gave a little wave at Wes. “Thank you for cooking.”
“You’re welcome. I hope you enjoy it.” He carried two platters to the table. “Do you want ketchup or any other condiment?”
“Ketchup, please,” Stuart said, eyeing the food. He pointed at the chunks of frankfurters rolled up in pastry. “What are those?”
“Pigs-in-a-blanket. You’ve never had them before?” Wes asked, clearly surprised when the boy shook his head. “They’re kind of like hot dogs.”
“Oh. I’ll like them, then.” He craned his neck to see the potatoes. “I’ve had those before. They’re sort of sweet.”
Sitting beside him, Trudy leaned a little closer and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Save room for dessert. Banana pudding.” She giggled when Stuart’s eyes widened and he rubbed his tummy.
“Wes, why don’t you join us,” Trudy said as he poured punch into two glasses. “Dr. McClain had to dash off, so we’re short one guest.”
“Well, I . . . really?” He glanced from her to Stuart.
“Yes.” Trudy gave a firm nod. She felt like it would be easier t
o chat with Stuart if one other adult were present. Otherwise, it might be too intimate too soon for him to feel comfortable. “Please.”
“Okay. Don’t mind if I do.” He took Dr. McClain’s vacant seat.
“Wes and I have lunch together a lot,” she told Stuart as she slid two pigs-in-a-blanket onto his plate.
“Is he your brother?”
“No.” Trudy chuckled. “He’s our chef, driver, housekeeper, dog walker—.”
“You have a dog?”
“Yes. She’s in her crate right now because she is a notorious beggar of scraps. I’ll let her out so that you can meet her after lunch. Her name is Mouse.”
“Mouse? Is she little?”
“Yes. She’s a Chihuahua. Have you ever had a pet?” She gave him a helping of potatoes and Wes set a bottle of ketchup near.
“No, but I was going to get a dog maybe one day when we weren’t so busy.” He took a big bite of the pastry-covered frankfurter and his eyes rounded.
“Good, aren’t they?” Trudy asked.
He nodded, enthusiastically and got a chuckle of appreciation from Wes.
Trudy mulled over his comment about getting a pet. Sounded just like two working parents explaining why they didn’t want to take on another responsibility. She let the conversation drop for a few minutes while Stuart enjoyed his meal. She exchanged a few glances with Wes and could tell that he was also taken with the boy. After finishing off most of his meal, he wiped his mouth with his napkin and glanced around him.
“What can I get you?” Trudy asked, wondering if he were ready for dessert.
“Your phone.”
“My phone? Do you need to call someone?”
“No.”
Her ring tone – Nat King Cole singing Nature Boy – wafted to them from the living room where she’d left her cell phone. Everything inside Trudy stilled for a few startled moments of revelation and then her heart bucked and galloped. She caught Wes’s look of amazement and smiled at Stuart before going to collect her phone.
He knew! He’s psychic! Giddiness raced through her as she grabbed her phone and answered the incoming call. “Yes?”