“When we asked if anyone held a grudge against Marci Thornton, you didn’t think about Bruce Tomlin? He headed the list you gave us of those that left immediately after the program.”
“But Bruce is in a wheelchair, and he would never…”
“We need to be the ones to eliminate suspects, Ms. Jones, not you.”
Her eyes flew to Deputy Richards. Could they possibly think Bruce could do this? That was ridiculous. How would he do it, anyway?
“Tell us about the homeless man you brought here to get a job.”
“Pedro?” She couldn’t keep the astonishment out of her voice. “Now you think Pedro had something to do with this?”
The other detective consulted his notes. “A number of people mentioned him.”
Detective O’Shay leaned forward. “And you didn’t.”
“He did come for a while last night, but I don’t know when he left.”
“He wasn’t here when the deputies arrived last night. When you were asked for a list of those that left during or after the program, you didn’t think of him either?”
“No, I—”
“George Costas said Pedro Gonzalez mentioned knowing someone who put babies on the market.”
“What?”
“The black market, Ms. Jones. Illegal baby sellers. Did he ever mention that to you?”
“Of course not! But Pedro would never do that. In fact, he said—”
“He said what?”
“Well, I…nothing. It has nothing to do with this.”
“Please let us make that decision.”
“But…” Her focus settled on Deputy Richards again, and he nodded. Sharee cleared her throat. Did they think she was keeping things back? “Well, he said someone offered him a lot of money to do something illegal. But he told him no.”
“And did he tell you what this illegal activity was?”
“No.”
“No?”
“No.”
“He seems to be a special friend of yours.”
“I know him. I work with a lot of homeless people. I guess he’s a friend. Not a special friend, but a friend. Yeah.”
“You pick him up when he’s hitchhiking?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t think that’s dangerous?”
She jumped to her feet. “Look, I’ve got enough mothers around here. Just because I pick someone up doesn’t mean I’d keep information from you if I thought it was important. If you’ve got any other complaints about my list, tell me. If not, I’m leaving.”
Deputy Richards coughed into his hand. Michael O’Shay shot him a look through narrowed lids then twisted back to Sharee. “If you can think of anyone else you left out of the list, Ms. Jones, please tell us. Remember everyone’s a suspect.”
“I’m a suspect?”
“Everyone’s a suspect, Ms. Jones.”
~.~.~
Coming back into the fellowship hall, she scanned the room for Lynn; and when she didn’t see her, she made her way to Pastor Alan’s office. Reporters had descended on the place earlier and had stuck microphones in all their faces. She avoided them now by skirting through a back hallway and out the side door.
She twisted the knob on the office door only to find it locked, but John looked out the window and threw open the door for her. She hesitated, but he grabbed her arm and dragged her inside before relocking the door.
“We’re taking a reprieve.” Pastor Alan sat at the desk across from Daneen. “So, we’ve locked out the media.”
Sharee dropped into a chair and told them about the detective’s questions. “I wonder how they knew about Marci and Bruce, who told them, and why.
Daneen leaned across her desk. “Everything’s bound to come out, Sharee. Roseanne told the detectives about Ted and Marci.”
“But I thought Roseanne went home, too. She always goes home as soon as rehearsal is over. Checks on her dog. He gets out of the fence sometimes.”
“She did, but she came back. Someone called her, I think. She came and talked to the detectives. Ted didn’t. He joined you and John and Lynn while you were searching the lot next door, but it wasn’t until later that the deputies caught up with him. Someone pointed him out to them. They weren’t happy.”
“Oh. He acted like he’d talked to them earlier.”
John spun a chair around and straddled it. “I think that’s what he wanted us to believe.”
“What about Matthew?”
“He turned up during the initial search, remember? But they really grilled Ryann, which riled Matthew. He had some words with one of the detectives.
“Do they really think Ryann had something to do with it?” Sharee’s voice rose, and she closed her eyes.
“No stone unturned, Darling.”
Her eyes flew open but dropped when they met his. The concern there caused her heart to stammer. How could she deal with this and Joshua’s kidnapping, too?
Lord, you promised not to give us more than we could bear.
Pastor Alan leaned his elbows on the desk. “They asked me about their relationship, too.” He looked at John and Sharee. “Which I didn’t know anything about. Between the two of you and the youth pastor, I usually know who’s going with whom. How was I supposed to know they were a couple if no one bothered to tell me?”
John picked up a sandwich from a plate on Daneen’s desk. “I don’t think it’s official yet.”
“Did they ask about Abbey?” Sharee looked from John to Pastor Alan.
“No.” The pastor made a heavy movement with his shoulders. “But I have to tell them about that note. It’s not a confidential matter. It’s a note John found. And it could be evidence.” He shook his head. “I will not tell them who we think it is. We could be wrong. That will be up to them to figure out or find out from Ryann. The note, however, might be important. The baby’s safety and return are central now.” He rose from the chair. “John? You want to come with me?”
He moved over to his desk, pulled the drawer open, moved some things around, and drew out a piece of paper. “They’ll probably ask for you, anyway, since you found it.”
John finished the sandwich and pushed his chair back. “Yeah, sure. Deputy Richards will be glad to hear this. He thought I’d kept something back earlier, anyway.”
Sharee glanced up. “He thought I did, too. That’s why he followed me to my car that night.”
“Was it? I thought he had other ideas.”
“Like what?” She studied his face. “Oh, that’s ridiculous.”
“It was a hard night. Like others lately.”
Silence filled the office. Sharee tore her eyes away from his to stare out the window. Pastor Alan cleared his throat.
John turned and moved toward the door. “Let’s get this over with.”
They left, closing and locking the door on their way out. Sharee lowered her head, staring at her hands for a while.
“Anything you want to talk about?” Daneen asked.
Sharee shook her head. “No. No, the important thing is Joshua. They have to find him, Daneen.”
The pastor’s wife nodded. “We’re trusting God for that. That’s all we can do now.”
“I don’t understand. The program seemed to go so well. How did this happen?”
“Satan comes immediately to steal the Word. We had a lot of people give their lives to Christ last night.”
“But if I’d known this was going to happen…”
“You said you felt like God was leading you.”
“I did.” She tried to keep her voice from cracking. I did, Lord. I thought you led me to do it. But I was wrong. I had to be wrong.
“Sharee, hang on to God. Don’t let go.”
“Things happen we don’t understand. People keep talking about it, but I’ve never had anything to deal with like this. John has, but—”
“John told you about Janice?”
“Yes.”
&nb
sp; Daneen’s face lit. “Praise God. We wondered if he had when he started coming to church, but he didn’t say anything.”
“He keeps a lot bottled up.”
“Yes, but lancing a boil is the best way to deal with it.”
“Well, he did.”
“A big step. So, what’s wrong?”
Sharee rubbed her fingers across her forehead. “Me.”
Daneen scooted closer. “Trust God. With John and with Joshua. Faith is a powerful weapon.” She hugged Sharee. “I’m going to go find Marci now. I think she and Stephen both need some encouragement.”
“Okay. I’ll go to the sanctuary and pray.”
“Try to avoid the media.”
“I will. They’re probably following John and Pastor Alan, anyway.”
“Thank goodness the police have made the fellowship hall off-limits to them. Let’s keep the door locked here, too.” Daneen touched Sharee’s shoulder and went out.
Sharee followed her, locking the door, and skirting around the TV crews, the police, and the searchers. She slipped into the sanctuary and knelt at the altar.
Peace descended as she let the prayers tumble the doubt from her shoulders. She inhaled deep into her lungs and forced her muscles to relax. Behind her, the sanctuary door opened. She moved her head.
Christy Byrd walked down the aisle. The lines around the woman’s eyes looked deep, but she smiled. Sharee rose to her feet.
“The police have interviewed Ryann twice about her miscarriage, and now they’ve asked to interview her again.”
Sharee reached to hug her. “I’m sorry, Christy. It must be horrible to have them question her. They mean well—they’re trying to find Joshua—but it’s tough.”
“Ryann’s just devastated.” Christy’s voice cracked. “As much as when she lost her own.”
Sharee tightened her hug. “I wish there was something I could do.”
Christy sniffed and straightened. “Miss Eleanor called to say those on the prayer team are praying for a miracle.”
Sharee’s gaze met the other woman’s. “That’s what we need.”
“Yes.”
“Listen, have you seen Bruce today? Bruce left early last night, and no one’s seen him since.”
“No, but I know the deputies are looking for him. It seems he’s a prime suspect.”
“I gathered that, but that’s crazy. Is there anyone else who left the grounds after the program? Anyone that wasn’t here when we first noticed Joshua was missing?”
“That’s why the police questioned Ryann for so long. She left right at the end of the last song because she wanted to be alone. She came here to the sanctuary. She said something warm spread over her during the program, and she knew that her baby was okay.”
“Really?”
“Yes. She felt peace, but she wanted to be alone, so she came here. No one saw her when they came looking later. She told the detectives she just laid across the seats in one row and didn’t get up when people came through. Of course, she didn’t know what was going on.”
“What about Abbey? I know she disappeared, too.”
“She was looking for Ryann and went home when she couldn’t find her. And Matthew left, too.”
“Was he looking for Ryann?”
“I think so. I’m not sure, though. Look, I think I better get back to the fellowship hall. I want to be there for Ryann.”
Sharee followed her up the aisle and out the sanctuary door. Her eyes traveled over the patrol cars, news vans, and other automobiles lining the parking lot. Fewer than before. Good. She surveyed the scene in front of her. People milled about the parking lot.
A row of cars lined the parking lot. Besides the work buildings, Sharee noticed the back of a car parked off the pavement. In all respects, hidden from view. It’s distinctive color identified it, though. She knew the owner.
Between her and the car, perhaps twenty or thirty people filled the parking lot. On her left, a group of trees and bushes grew and covered the ground up to the office. She left the church steps, sauntered over to them and circled around the back of the office. Passing behind the work buildings, she emerged near the end of the property. The old oaks, hung with Spanish moss, spilled dappled shadows across the ground.
Quiet filled the property here. Only bird songs and buzzing insects broke the silence. Sharee slipped over to the empty car and checked the back seat. The car seat still sat in the back. Something bothered her about it. Or was it another one? Another one out of place? Where was that?
She brought her mind back to the one in front of her. Why would Ted Hogan have a car seat? And why had he parked here, away from everyone else? She stood, eyes unfocused, thinking.
“What are you doing?”
Sharee jumped, whirling around. Ted stood three feet from her, eyes narrowed, fists clenched by his side.
Chapter 29
“Nothing,” she said. “I…uh…nothing.” She couldn’t think past the obvious.
Ted studied her for a moment. “The car seat? You’re wondering about the car seat. Is that it?”
“Yes.”
“I told you before, this is none of your business.”
“Well, I…”
“You’re what?” He sneered. “Wondering if I had something to do with Joshua’s disappearance? You really think I would do that? Hurt Marci that way?”
“Then what are you doing with the car seat?”
“None of your business. I told you before. My business and Marci’s are not yours to worry about.” He stepped forward. “You got that?”
Sharee backed up against the car. His mouth lifted on one side, and he stepped forward again.
A twig snapped to their right. Sharee jerked her head around, heart jumping.
John stood at the corner of the building. The shadows played over his face, but his eyes were intent on Ted. No one spoke.
Ted moved first, thrusting his hands into his pockets. “Your girlfriend seems to be playing detective. Why don’t you set her straight and tell her I had no earthly reason to kidnap Joshua?”
They stood looking at each other. John put his hand out to Sharee. She crossed the grass to his side and caught his hand.
Ted gave a sharp laugh, whirled and strode away. They watched until he disappeared. A light breeze rustled the oaks and stirred the Spanish moss.
“Are you okay?” John’s voice held a peculiar note.
She cleared her throat. “Yes.”
“What was that about?”
“I just saw his car over here—kind of hidden—and I remembered I saw a car seat in it when we ate at the deli. I just wondered if he still had it.”
“You think Ted had something to do with this?”
“I don’t know. He said all those things about Marci not wanting Joshua. But he’s the one that resents the baby.”
“You were playing detective.”
“I didn’t think about it. I just wondered.”
“You didn’t think?” The words jumped. “We’re supposed to stay in groups. What are doing wandering around alone?”
She pulled her hand free. “Don’t lecture me.”
“Believe me, I’d like to do more than lecture.”
A retort jumped to her lips but died at the concern she saw in his eyes.
“I saw you go past the window in the toolshed and wondered where you were headed. Sharee, someone kidnapped a baby.” His voice emphasized the last sentence.
“I know.”
“Well, stay away from Ted, will you? And don’t go out alone.”
She gave a mocking salute. “Aye. Aye.”
“Good.”
His mouth lifted when she scowled, and then his hand encircled hers. He turned her toward the parking lot. Sunlight spilled over the area. The news media had vanished.
“Go home and get some rest,” John urged. “You must be exhausted.”
“I can’t.”
“You
can. No one’s asking you to give up. Just get some rest.”
“I won’t be able to sleep.”
“I went out with another search party but had to come back because I wasn’t helping—just going through the motions. I’ll find a place to crash soon, but you should go home. Come back later. We’ll both be able to help once we’ve had some sleep.”
“John, I can’t.”
“Do I have to lock you up someplace?” Gentle amusement laced the words.
Her heart ached at the warmth in his eyes. The heaviness that she was trying to keep at bay swept over her. She bit her lip and turned from his gaze.
His arm slipped around her shoulders, and he pulled her close. She stiffened. Why did he act like Friday night never happened?
“We need to talk.” His voice had deepened.
What would she say? That unless he changed, it could never work between them? “No. Not now. Not until Joshua’s found.”
“I have something to tell you.”
“No.” She tugged free of his arm and tried to contain the emotions that surged through her. The last thing she wanted to do was to talk. She spun away, but he caught her arm and turned her around, frowning. She dropped her eyes from his gaze. “Not now. Please.”
The quiet stretched and became uncomfortable before he answered. “Okay. Your way then. Later.”
Her strength evaporated as if draining into the ground. Later. She didn’t want later either. Fatigue flowed through every limb. Her watch showed 3:00 P.M. Maybe I do need some rest.
He guided her toward her car. “Go home. Get some sleep.” He leaned over to open the SUV’s door.
She hesitated. How could she leave? They hadn’t found Joshua. Would they find him? Her heart shrunk, leaving an empty feeling inside. Why had she agreed to use him as Baby Jesus? Idiot. She should have insisted on a doll. Tears blurred her eyes, pooled, and overflowed.
“Don’t, Sharee.” John caught her shoulders. He held her against the car, his mouth touching the top of her head. She clung to him, telling herself how stupid she was for doing it.
“Don’t,” he said again. “It’s not your fault. Don’t beat yourself up.”
A flash of light startled them, then another. John’s head wrenched around. Sharee raised hers. The flash went off a third time. A man with a camera grinned at them and moved away. She noticed other cars arriving, people milling around behind him. Wherever they had gone, the media was back.
Amber Alert: Christian Contemporary Romance with Suspense (Dangerous Series Book 1) Page 23
