by A J Rivers
“It’s obvious how close you guys were,” I observe. They nod and I mimic the gesture back to them to show I’m listening, that I’m engaged with what they are saying to me. “Which is why I’m confused about why you don’t want to help with the investigation.”
Vivian’s eyebrows tighten in, the laughter gone from her lips.
“What do you mean? We’ve answered all your questions. We went with you to the park and showed you what we did. We even told you we lied to the police and gave you the real story,” she says.
“Well, you told me a story. But you haven’t been upfront with me about the school. And you have refused to submit your DNA for testing,” I say.
“Because we don’t have anything to do with that. We already told you we weren’t there that night. It’s a coincidence that Tegan posted that picture,” Vivian says.
“Or maybe that’s where he brought Ashley,” Allison chimes in, her eyes darting over to Vivian. “Remember, the two of them went off on their own together. We never knew where they went. We assumed they stayed in the park and the guys had tents somewhere. But maybe they actually went out to the school.”
“That would make sense,” Vivian adds. “Ashley loved that place.”
“That’s interesting, because when I talked to you about it to begin with, you seemed to barely even know what I was talking about. Not as if it was a favorite place to visit.”
“She liked it. We went there with her sometimes,” Vivian shrugs. “But we weren’t there that night. We were at the park. If she was there, it was because Tegan took her.”
“So, the only two people who would know what actually happened if that is the case are either traumatized with no memory of what happened or dead. Which brings us back to square one. We still need as much evidence as we possibly can to trace through what went on that night,” I say.
“Why would taking our DNA do that?” Vivian asks. “And why are you bothering chasing after such a stupid detail? You’re just distracting from Ashley. If you haven’t noticed yet, she isn’t missing anymore. She’s right there. Right there in that hospital room. And instead of being in there with her, enjoying spending time with her and being happy that she’s back and she’s safe, we’re out here with you, dealing with this bullshit about some baby in a field.”
“You know what? You’re right. Ashley is there in that hospital room. She came back and is alive, which is a miracle. But nobody knows what happened to her, or how she ended up being missing for five years. Those years matter. What she went through during those years matters. And whoever did it is going to get away with it, if we don’t do everything we can to track down where she was and what happened the last night anyone saw her. You’re talking about distraction? Refusing to have your DNA tested is a distraction. You’re taking time away from the investigation by forcing these leads to stay open. If you continue to refuse, we can get a court order to compel you to comply,” I say.
“When you do, let us know,” Vivian snaps.
She takes Allison’s hand and guides her back to Ashley’s room.
“Hey, Vivian,” I say as she walks away, making her turn back around.
“What?” she asks.
“I never told you what was buried behind the school.”
Her jaw sets and a bright red flush streaks across her cheeks and down the sides of her neck. All the color seems to have drained out of Allison, who goes pale as her mouth falls open. Neither says anything, but they quickly disappear into the room. The door’s closing firmly behind them is a message: I’m on the outside. I’m not a part of this welcome-home reunion anymore.
“Hey,” Dean calls over, jogging down the hallway toward me. “There you are. Do you know how hard it was to get them to let me come up here?”
“I would think so, considering they’re taking care of a kidnap victim,” I reply.
My eyes move over to the door and my lips twist as thoughts turn and spin around in my head.
“What is it?” he asks. “What’s going on?”
“The police kept the detail about the fetal remains out of the media, right?” I ask.
He nods. “Yes. Ashley’s parents are the only ones who know that’s what was found behind the school. Other than the investigators.”
“That’s what I thought.”
“Why?”
I look back at him and realize he’s alone. “Where’s Xavier?”
“Security wouldn’t let him through. So, he’s downstairs with them. I got him going on root beer again, so he should be good for a while,” Dean says.
“The drink?”
“The song.”
I nod. “Well, he’ll either be fine staying down there or they’ll crack and let him come up.”
“Why did you ask about the fetal remains?” Dean asks.
“Oh. Because Vivian just mentioned them,” I explain. “She and Allison still haven’t given their DNA, and the detective asked me to try to convince them to do it. They still refuse, and she was getting angry. She said that we were wasting time testing a baby found in a field.”
“Maybe Ashley’s mother mentioned it to them,” he suggests. “They’ve stayed in touch. And she’s seen both of them since the remains were found.”
“That’s possible. We told Misty not to discuss the details with anyone, but that doesn’t actually mean she went along with that. But it’s the way that Vivian reacted when I pointed it out to her. I said I never mentioned to her what was behind the school and she just glared at me. She didn’t defend herself or try to say that Misty told her.”
“Have they run a DNA test on her?” Ava’s voice coming at me from behind Dean makes my jaw clench. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude on your conversation. I just got here, so I’m catching up. What have you found out?”
“Who told you to come here?” I ask.
She gives me a quizzical look. “Creagan. He told me he already spoke with you.”
“He did. And I would have gotten in touch with you if I needed you,” I reply.
“He told me I’m investigating this case,” she says.
Tension builds through my spine and I fight to keep down my reaction to her.
“I am investigating this case,” I say carefully. “You are part of it to help. I will let you know when there is something I need done. For right now, this is a very delicate situation. Everything needs to be done in a specific way to make sure other elements aren’t compromised.”
She nods. “I understand.”
“As for the DNA, testing takes time. It’s not like on TV when someone can start flashing around results in a matter of minutes. They have to do mitochondrial testing because her biological father is not part of the equation. Just as when they tested the remains, it will take a little bit of time. Likely longer, because this isn’t considered as pressing an issue. Results will come in a couple of days. But for now, everyone is satisfied this is Ashley. It’s only been five years and her appearance hasn’t changed much.”
“What do you think?” Dean asks.
I pause from where I’d started toward the steps and look at him.
“I think she looks like an older version of the picture I saw of Ashley Stevenson,” I admit.
“Her growth patterns would likely be stunted by the conditions she was kept in, but the shape of her ears and the symmetry of her facial features suggests this is the same girl,” Xavier says.
“Xavier?”
“Xavier, where in the hell did you come from?” Dean asks, whipping around to face him.
Glancing around as if he’s not sure why everyone is so surprised to see him, Xavier points behind him.
“The stairs,” he shrugs. “All the root beer had been taken down and passed around.”
“What about the security guard?” I ask.
“He stopped checking on me around fifty bottles,” he says.
“But how did you get up here? Guards are supposed to be positioned at every entrance,” I say.
“Not at
that one,” he says. “I found the door in the vending machine area. No peanuts. Sunflower seeds. No baseball, no seeds. The door didn’t have any words on it, but there was part of a sticker from an alarm warning.”
“And you opened it anyway?” Dean asks.
“If there was an alarm on that door, it should have been properly marked, now shouldn’t it have been? I was doing my duty to ensure the hospital is properly secured,” he offers.
“And proved it sure as shit isn’t,” Dean says.
Thirty-Four
“We need to speak with every security guard on duty here and the police and make sure they know about that door,” I say.
The door to Ashley’s room opens just as I’m saying this and Misty steps out. I wonder if she heard me, and the quizzical expression on her face tells me she did.
“What door?” she asks. “What are you talking about?”
“You remember Xavier,” I say, gesturing toward him. “He identified a breach in the perimeter security of the area.”
Her eyes grow wide. “What does that mean? Is Ashley safe?”
“Everything’s fine,” I tell her. “We found it and are going to make sure everyone who is responsible for keeping guard over Ashley and securing the hospital knows about it. It will be under continuous surveillance just like every other entrance and exit. I can promise you no one is going to be able to get to her.”
“How much longer is she going to have to stay?” Misty asks.
“I don’t know,” I say. “That’s up to her doctor. Do you want me to go talk to him?”
“Yes,” she nods. “I don’t want to leave her.”
“I’ll be right back,” I say.
I go out to the nurse’s station and have the head nurse page the doctor to come speak with me.
I hold my hand out to the silver-haired doctor as he approaches. “Agent Emma Griffin. We spoke briefly when Ashley Stevenson was brought in.”
He nods. “Of course, Agent Griffin. What can I do for you?”
“Misty Stevenson asked me to find out how much longer Ashley might need to be here,” I say.
“I really can’t make that determination right at this moment,” he tells me. “We’re still waiting for results from her tests; what those results tell us will be critical in determining how much longer she needs to stay here or if there’s any further treatment necessary. She seems in fairly good condition, considering everything. Of course, we don’t know exactly what she went through the last five years, but we can make pretty good assumptions.”
“I can,” I say, not wanting to dwell on it. “I’m guessing you’re going to do a full physical exam on her?”
“Yes,” he says. “As soon as I think she’s ready, we will do a thorough exam and as much testing as we can. I don’t want to wait too long because the evidence is degrading even as we speak. But I felt she needed some time just to be back here. To know people are thinking about her and taking care of her.”
“Absolutely,” I say. “Is it safe to assume she’ll be here for at least another day or so?”
“I would say that is a conservative estimate,” the doctor says.
“I will let them know. Thank you.”
I go back to Ashley’s room and find that Vivian and Allison have left. Misty is leaned close to Ashley and is talking to her in a whispered tone. She straightens up as I come back in the room.
“What did he say?” she asks when she notices me.
“He isn’t able to give you an exact length of time yet. There are further tests and examinations he needs to do, then he needs to wait for the results to determine when Ashley will be healthy enough to leave. He does say she looks as though she’s in good condition, so that’s definitely a positive. But she will definitely need to be here for at least another day or two,” I say.
Misty nods, looking saddened by the news, but also forcing a small smile as she pats Ashley’s leg.
“We can do another couple of days,” she says. “And I will be here every moment they let me.” She turns to look at me. “What about when I can’t be?”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“If the hospital makes me leave, what’s going to happen to Ashley? Now that we know there’s a way for someone to access this floor without authorization, how do we know she’s safe? What if the person who did this to her comes after her again?” she asks.
“You have my word, she will be safe. I’ll be back to see you soon. And while I’m not here, the officers will be. I’m going to talk to the detectives and make sure that they know the security guards aren’t enough. I’ll have them place officers around and they will be there for as long as they need to be. No one who isn’t on an approved list for one of the people on this floor will be able to get up here,” I say. “You decide who you want to be able to come see Ashley, and then give the list to the officers downstairs.”
“Do you have to go?” Ashley asks.
“I do,” I tell her. “But I’ll be back. And if there’s anything that you need before I come back, your mother has my phone number; she can get to me any time. Okay?”
She nods and I say goodbye before heading for the door. Before I step out into the hallway, I hear Misty.
“Honey, I’m going to be right back. I’m just going to walk Agent Griffin out.” She follows after me, pulling the door most of the way closed behind her. “Agent Griffin?”
“Call me Emma,” I say, walking back toward her. “What do you need?”
“Do you really think she’s safe here?” she asks.
“Yes,” I say without hesitation, because I have to. “She will have people watching over her all the time. And she won’t be here for long. They just need to get through the tests and make sure there’s nothing seriously wrong with her that needs immediate treatment or intervention.”
“She’s healthy,” Misty says. “Hungry and worn out. But there’s nothing wrong with her that needs to be treated by a hospital.”
“Nothing that we can see yet,” I point out. “Sometimes there can be damage or problems beneath the surface. We still don’t know what Ashley has been through over the last five years. It’s not something you want to think about, I know. But the doctors have to do everything they can to make sure there isn’t any lingering effect of the conditions she was living in, or the way she was treated. As soon as they know she’s healthy and stable, they’ll send her home and you’ll be able to take care of her.”
“I can’t wait,” she says. “I want to have my babies home with me again.”
“I know,” I say. “I noticed Leona seems to be taking this pretty hard.”
“She is,” Misty says. “She and Ashley were close. It was traumatic for her when Ashley went missing. It took a lot of time, but finally, she was able to emerge from that darkness and confusion. She was really coming to terms with what happened and finding ways to move ahead with her life. I always told her she didn’t have to put her sister behind her, that she shouldn’t put her sister behind her, but that she could put the hurt behind her. I think Leona was really getting there, and then Ashley showed back up. It’s just hard for her to process. I think part of her feels as though she betrayed her little sister by not only no longer looking for her but coming to terms with her loss and being willing to move forward with her life without her.”
“How about your husband?” I ask. “How is he taking this?”
John Stevenson was at the vigil when Ashley first reemerged, and I know he was at the hospital in the beginning, but I haven’t seen him since.
“Not well, as I’m sure you can imagine. He’s struggling with the feeling that he should have been there. He should have protected her,” Misty says.
“He can’t do that to himself. He didn’t know she was lying to the two of you about where she was going that day. She was thirteen years old. It’s still so young, but at the same time, most people expect their children to have some independence by then. Where is he now?” I ask.
“He couldn’
t take the chaos,” Misty says. “Especially with all the media. It’s just too much for him. He doesn’t handle stress well and this was going to push him over the edge. He wants to see Ashley when it isn’t someone else’s spectacle.”
I meet Dean, Xavier, and Ava downstairs, where they’re talking to the police about the door Xavier found.
“Dean,” I say, “I need you to look into a few things for me. I’m going to email them to you.”
“Where are you going?” Xavier asks.
“I need to go trace some steps. Meet me at the hotel later. Call me if you find anything,” I say.
“What about me?” Ava asks.
“Go with Dean,” I say.
I get in my car and attach my phone to the cradle on the dashboard. As I pull on my seatbelt and start the car, I call Sam.
“Hey, babe,” he says. “The news is blowing up over this thing with Ashley Stevenson. What have you found out? Does she remember anything?”
“Not really,” I say. “She says she remembers hanging out with her friends and then waking up tied to a bed.”
“I guess it’s really not that unusual for her to have memory lapses after everything she went through,” Sam notes.
“No, it’s not,” I say.
“Then why does it sound as if you don’t believe her?” he asks.
“It’s not that I don’t believe her. Obviously, she went through something. She’s been missing for five years. That’s not arguable,” I say.
“But?” Sam leads.
“But it feels as if everyone in her life is hiding something. The only question is whether they’re all hiding the same thing.”
Thirty-Five
Keeping track of the passage of time in the hospital was impossible. All around, there was chaos. Everyone was trying to figure out what was happening at the same time, but nobody was listening to each other. I hadn’t been able to tell if I was there for an hour or a day. Now that I’m out of the middle of it, I realize it must have been several hours.
The vigil was at noon and had been going on for less than an hour when Ashley reappeared on the soccer field. Now the sun is sliding down the opposite side of the sky and the air around me is getting that heady feeling of a summer night. I drive away from the hospital and out through the neighborhoods to the outskirts of town. An area that had been dominated by bright light and people scurrying around just a couple of days ago, examining the scene, is now silent and deserted.
