Solid Steel

by J. B. Havens

  “Ma’am, please, one more time. Tell us what happened.”

  I wanted to beat my head against the wooden desk in front of me rather than answer this same question again. “I arrived at the park and left P.J. in the car while I got the stroller out. I took her out of her car seat and buckled her into the stroller. I went to get the diaper bag out of the car, but I couldn’t find it. I realized I must have left it at home and when I turned around, she was gone.”

  “You didn’t hear someone behind you?”

  “No. Don’t you think if I had I would have laid the fucker out for touching my child? I told you. I didn’t hear anyone and she didn’t cry. It’s like she vanished into thin air. I saw a woman a few blocks away, but I didn’t think it could have been her since she was so far away. She was walking, not running and it didn’t look like she was carrying anything.”

  “Can you describe this woman?”

  “No. I saw her from behind and only for a second. She had dark hair and was about 5’5” or so. After I saw that woman, I searched the park while I was on the phone with 999. Then you guys arrived, and you know the rest.”

  “Do you have any enemies that would want to do this? Anyone that is upset with you for any reason?” The constable met my eyes, patiently waiting for me to answer the question.

  “I can’t tell you what I used to do, but I can tell you that my list of enemies is longer than I am tall. I have my men working on that now. We have resources and contacts that you don’t. I know that’s going to piss you off, you no doubt want to see every scrap of information on any person who would wish me and my family harm. But that fact of the matter is, sir, most of that information is classified and above your pay grade. I’m asking you to trust me and trust my men that we will explore those avenues. If we find something worth sharing, we will. In the meantime, you would be best served to acquiring the camera footage from all the businesses around the park. Someone had to have seen something.” I knew they were trying to help, but the police had to follow the law and procedures of the investigation. The same rules didn't constrain me. With Steel’s contacts, I could bend the rules and find her much faster since I wouldn’t have to wade through red tape.

  “I appreciate that I do, but please don’t tell us how to do our jobs. We are doing everything we can to find your daughter.”

  “You do your thing, and I’m going to do mine.” I crossed my arms over my chest, unwilling to bend even an inch. I needed to get the hell out of this interview so I could get back to the war room and find my daughter.

  He sighed, shaking his head. “We’re going to find her, please, just let us work.”

  “I will try to stay out of your way, and if I get a lead on her, I will share it with you, but don’t expect me to sit around with my thumb up my ass either. Now, do you have any other questions or can I go now?”

  “Okay, Ms. Michaels, that’s all for now. Why don’t you and your husband head home and we’ll be in touch as soon as we know something? It is important that you are there in case the kidnapper calls. We’ll be sending some men over as well.”

  “That won’t be necessary. We have a state-of-the-art security system, that’s good enough for me.”

  “It’s not an option.”

  “Fine, whatever, just stay out of my way while I find my daughter.”

  I stood and walked out of the station, making a point to slam the door behind me. “Incompetent fools!”

  Chris had only been questioned for a few minutes, once they determined he was at home and with a group of clients, they didn’t bother to ask him anything further. He was waiting at the curb in our Land Rover. As I got in, I couldn’t help but look in the back seat at P.J.’s empty car seat.

  “We’re going to find her, Mic. We have the best people in the world helping us. I called Liam, and he’s making some calls and getting us access to the CCTV cameras on the streets surrounding the park. Jones is beginning to review them now. Brody has linked in remotely and is helping search. Carter somehow got us access to some Sat feeds. It’s only a matter of time.”

  “That’s good news. I want my baby back, Chris. I need to apologize to her. If I hadn’t turned my back to her…”

  “Don’t do that to yourself! This is not your fault! The blame lies at the feet of the fuckers who took her, not you. You’re an amazing mother, Bea.” He reached over and grasped my hand, squeezing my fingers tight.

  I looked down at the wet spots on my shirt from my leaking milk and couldn’t prevent the tears from spilling over. “She’s hungry Chris, and scared. And maybe all alone. We have to find her!”

  “We’re going to. I don’t have a doubt in my mind, babe. She’s going to come home and we’re going to rain hell down on the bastards that took her.”

  Chapter Seven

  Mary kept her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket as she walked into the store. She had an oversized purse over one shoulder. Mary didn’t have money, but Jennifer needed things, so she’d have to steal them. She had to show George that she could take care of everything and that he wouldn’t have to lift a finger. Going down the baby aisle, Mary grabbed a pack of diapers off the shelf and stuffed them inside her purse, followed immediately by a 3-pack of bottles, and two cans of formula. She walked up and down the aisles, pretending to be looking for something and not able to find it.

  An employee of the store approached her, “Can I help you find anything today?”

  “Nope, thanks. I’m just looking, killing some time while I wait for my husband.” It was an excuse she’d used many times over the years. She’d gotten to be pretty good at shoplifting, mostly out of necessity.

  “Okay, just let me know if you need anything.” The employee replied before walking away down the aisle.

  She spent another couple minutes walking around before leaving and heading back to the flat. Jennifer would be hungry by now, no doubt. George would also be getting home any minute, and the last thing she wanted was him meeting Jennifer without her there to introduce them. She quickened her pace, her now heavy purse smacking against her side with every step.

  Unlocking the flat, she breathed a massive sigh of relief when she saw George wasn’t home yet. But poor Jennifer was screaming the roof down. Setting aside her bag, she rushed into the bedroom and picked up her baby. Jennifer’s face was an angry shade of red, and in her distress, she’d kicked off her covers and socks. Her little body was trembling with fear and hunger.

  “Shh, now love, your Mum is here. I’ve got bottles for you.” Patting Jennifer’s bottom as she tried to soothe her she noticed her diaper was soggy and hanging off her body. “Oh you poor thing, you need your nappy changed as well. Let’s get you changed and fed, and then you’ll be happy when Daddy gets home.”

  Not having a TV in their home, Mary didn’t see the news reports on the missing baby, she didn’t realize that police were scouring the neighborhood and going door to door to speak with people. Mary changed Jennifer’s diaper and cradled her carefully in her arms while she fed her a bottle. Jennifer didn’t like the formula at first she kept turning her head away from the bottle and wailing. She finally drank half a bottle and fell asleep from exhaustion, her body worn out and stressed, she twitched and whined in her sleep.

  Mary rocked her gently back and forth, softly murmuring to the baby. She stared blankly at the wall, dreaming of what their lives were going to be like from now on. She tried not to think about what she would say to George. She was so sure that he would love her the second he saw his new daughter that he wouldn’t question where she’d come from.

  Jennifer finally settled into a peaceful sleep when the door opened, and George came in, stumbling his way into the living room. His shirt was untucked on one side, and she could smell the whiskey across from where she sat.

  “What are you doing, you fat cow? The place is a mess? What the fuck have you been doing all day, huh? I’m out there, trying to find work to support your lazy ass and I come home to you sitting on your fat fucking
ass?”

  “George, please, don’t yell. I just got the baby to sleep. You’ll wake her up.” Running her hand across Jennifer’s head, she loved the feel of her downy hair, like feathers on a baby bird.

  “Baby? What fucking baby?” He staggered forward, nearly tripping as he walked around her chair. Looking up from the baby, Mary smiled at him, hope lighting up her face. “What the fuck!”

  He took three shaky steps backward, his hands went to his head, and shock twisted his face. “What the fuck did you do, Mary? Where did it come from?” He was shouting, nearly screaming in panic. The baby woke, adding her high pitched wail to George’s shouts.

  “What do you mean, George? This is our daughter, Jennifer. I thought you’d be happy to see her?” Mary’s voice trembled as tears threatened to fall. “Please don’t yell. She’ll get scared.” Mary propped Jennifer up onto her shoulder and patted her back softly, shushing her as she did so.

  “Mary, I don’t know what the fuck you’re on about, but that is not our child. We don’t have a baby! You have to take it back to wherever the hell you found it, right now.” George paced anxiously. He knew kidnapping carried a heavy prison sentence and now he was an accessory to the crime. The alcohol induced fog was rapidly clearing from his brain, long absent clarity was sharpening his thoughts. “I’m not fucking going to prison for you, and that baby! Take it back!” His face was hot with rage, and his clenched fists trembled with the need to strike the stupid cunt sitting in front of him.

  “George! She’s our child! How could you!?” Mary stood, turning her back on George and went into their bedroom. “If that’s how you’re going to be, fine. We’re leaving.”

  “Leaving? That’s not happening. The only place you’re going is back to wherever you found that baby.”

  “Her name… is… Jennifer!” Mary screamed, spittle flying from her mouth and landing on the baby’s face. Mary clutched her baby close, desperate to soothe her all while trying to pack a bag with the other hand. “I am taking Jennifer, and we are leaving. If you don’t see how amazing she is, if you can’t love her—then you can’t have either of us.” Struggling to zip the bag closed, she finally managed it and hiked the strap over her shoulder. “All these years, George, all the names you’ve called me, all the times you’ve hit me, and abused me. I’ve stood by you, as a wife should. I’ve loved you even when you’re so gone in the drink that you piss yourself. But this? This I won’t tolerate, I won’t abide you treating our daughter like she’s a piece of trash that can be tossed in the bin.”

  George reached out, grabbing Mary’s bicep tightly, the same way he’d done hundreds of times before. This time was different. With her free hand, Mary reached out and slapped George across the face as hard as she could. The crack of her palm striking him was loud even over the baby’s cries.

  “Mary?” George touched his cheek gingerly, surprised at the burning sting from the blow.

  “I told you, George. I’m done with you. Jennifer is more important than you now. If you can’t accept her, which it’s obvious you can’t, then I’m done. She’s special and beautiful. She’s meant to be with me! I won’t let you ruin my one chance at being a mother.”

  “But Mary…” George trailed off, unable to form words past his shock and surprise. Mary shut the front door behind her, and it felt as if he was in a vacuum and all the air has been sucked from his lungs and the room around him. George didn’t know what to do or where to turn. Snagging a bottle of whiskey from the counter, he fell back heavily into his recliner and twisted off the cap. Throwing it aside, he took a long swallow—and then another.

  Chapter Eight

  I hurried into the war room, finding most of the seats at the table full. There were police from town mixed in with Rook, Rosa, Flynn, Pierce, and all the others. All hands were on deck so to speak. They all looked up at our entrance, Chris was right at my side.

  Jones and Nickoli were at the bank of computers, and I immediately saw Brody on the big screen on the wall.

  “Give me a sit-rep.” I pulled out my chair and sat, trying to project both calm and confidence I didn’t feel. Inside, my stomach was in knots, and I was sure if I let my guard down for even a nanosecond I would start screaming and crying.

  Brody spoke from the screen, “I’ve gained access to the security feed of most of the businesses around the park. The woman you saw? She took P.J. I have the vid of her doing the snatch and grab. Jones, pull it up.”

  The screen flashed for a second and then changed to a grainy black and white video. I saw myself getting the stroller out of the car and going around to P.J.’s side of the vehicle. I watched as I got her out and buckled her into the stroller.

  “Watch the bottom of the screen.” Brody’s voice spoke over the silent video.

  I watched as I leaned into the car, obviously intent on what I was looking for, not seeing the woman get up from the park bench and walk closer. I was inside the car now, and the woman reached into the stroller, unbuckled P.J. and quickly walked away. A few seconds passed, and I got out of the SUV and found the stroller empty.

  The video stopped, and Brody reappeared on the screen. “We track her from the park for a few blocks, then the neighborhood she goes into doesn’t have as many cameras and we lose her. But, we’ve also managed to gain access to this. Jones?”

  Again, the screen changed and this time it was security footage of the inside of a shop. The woman appeared on screen, carrying an oversized purse over one shoulder, but she didn’t have P.J. with her. We watched as she slipped diapers, formula, and bottles into her bag. She milled around the store for a few minutes and then left.

  “Brody?” I didn’t need to finish my sentence. He knew what I was asking.

  “No sign of P.J. outside. She didn’t bring her into the store or leave her outside. Our best guess is she left P.J. at her house and ran out to steal the supplies. I know this is incredibly hard for you Mic, Chris, but she stole things she needs to care for her. P.J. is being fed and changed. Please, let that reassure you a little bit.”

  “I get your point. What else do you have for me?”

  At this point, one of the officers who up until now were silent raised his hand and spoke up. “I’m Constable Williams, ma’am. We have men on their way to that shop right now to interview the employee she spoke to. She seemed to know her way around in there. She found what she needed quickly. Maybe she’s a regular customer? We’re hoping to get some information from them.”

  “That’s good. Thank you.” I nodded in his direction. “Jones, Nickoli, Brody, has Carter checked in?”

  “Yeah, about twenty minutes ago. Carter is with Liam. I sent him this footage, and they are going to run it through their facial recognition software. Maybe we’ll get a hit.”

  “Anything else?” I looked around the room. I saw red eyes, tired faces, and heartache written on their expressions as clearly as words on a wall. They grieved with me. P.J. was as much theirs as she was Chris’s and mine.

  “Not right now. We should have more information soon.” Brody replied from on screen. “Mic… Jordon, guys, I’m so fucking sorry. We’re going to do everything we can to find her. Boss-man is on his way to help. He couldn’t pull everyone off their duties, but he’s coming personally. Should be there about five hours or so. He’s gonna get a rental and come straight to the castle.”

  “Okay. Good.” I felt numb and empty. Outside of myself and unsure of what to do or say.

  “Mic,” Rook spoke from across the table, getting my attention. “Go get some rest. Trust us; we’ve got this for a bit. If we find out anything, no matter how small, we will come to get you. Jordon, you too. P.J. needs you to be rested and strong for when she gets home.”

  Chris spoke, “Rook is right, come on Bea. Let’s go upstairs and lie down for a bit. You need to change anyway, maybe pump. P.J. is going to be hungry when she gets home.”

  I knew I was in shock. I’d been here often enough to remember the signs. Shaking, mentally out o
f focus, chills, and headache, the works. “Okay, I guess you’re right. But only for an hour or so. I need to be out there looking for her.” Chris held his hand out to me, and I took it. He led me upstairs to our room, calmly, as if leading a child.

  “How are you so calm?” I asked him, “I feel like my heart has been ripped from my body.”

  “So do I, but she needs us to be strong for her, to keep our heads and wits about us so we can find her. I’m saving my rage for those mother fuckers that took her from us.”

  Once in our room, I stripped to the skin and changed into clean clothes. I couldn’t bear to open the door to P.J.’s room. Seeing it empty would destroy me more and Chris was right, we needed to stay strong. Chris had changed into flannel pajama bottoms and a plain white t-shirt, he was lying in bed, holding back the covers for me.

  “Come here.”

  Without a word, I climbed into bed, scooting closer to him and laying tight against his side. He wrapped his arms around me and held me close.

  I quickly fell into a fitful sleep. It felt like every few minutes I awoke partially, only to slip back into sleep. My dreams were chaotic and fragmented. I chased a woman who held Phillipa, I ran until my legs gave out, yet I never reached her. She walked calmly, humming a tuneless song to my daughter. She didn’t look back and see me even though I screamed until my voice cracked. I was invisible to her. She laughed and sang, rocking Phillipa in her arms. My baby laughed and cooed in response, her little arms waving excitedly.

  I woke, startled by the sound of P.J.’s laughter still echoing in my mind. Rubbing a hand down my face, I carefully got out of bed, not wanting to wake Chris.

  Looking at my watch, I saw we’d been asleep for almost two hours now. No one came and woke us up as I’d asked. Softly shutting our bedroom door, I quietly walked down the staircase, intending to go into the war room for an update.