by Style, Linda
“What’s her name?”
“Caitlin. Caitlin Gianni.” Laura’s heart pounded with fear. “Please call the police immediately.” She lifted his phone, pressed 911 and handed him the receiver.
He shook his head. “I can’t just call the police without know—”
Laura got on the phone. “My daughter’s disappeared. I’m at her school, Highland Elementary at Sixth and Dover.”
“What’s your daughter’s name, ma’am?”
“Caitlin Gianni. Please come right away.”
“When did she go missing, Mrs. Gianni?”
“Just now. I came to pick her up and she’s not here.”
“How long has she been gone?”
“I don’t know. All I know is that she’s not here.”
“Perhaps she’s with a friend. Or her father.”
Laura couldn’t breathe. “Her father is dead and this is not helping. I need you to send someone right away. The longer you wait—”
“Ma’am, please take a breath.”
Laura threw the phone at the principal. “You talk to her. Tell them to get the hell out here right now.” She ran outside, and seeing most of the kids had left, she sprinted to the playground. Nothing, just some boys playing basketball. She sprinted to the other side of the building but didn’t see Cait anywhere. She ran to the car across the street where one of Jordan’s men held watch. “Caitlin’s not here. Did you see her?”
The man immediately clicked on a microphone inside his jacket. “No, I didn’t. I saw you here and thought everything was fine.”
He repeated the problem to whoever was on the other end and was still talking when she ran to her car. On the way, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jordan’s number. “Cait’s missing,” she said as soon as he answered. “I came to pick her up from school and she’s not here.”
“Where are you now?”
“Getting into my car to look for her.” She saw the bodyguard jump out of his car, apparently to search.
“I’ll be at your place as soon as I can. Did you tell any of the guys on watch?”
“I did.” She started the engine and took off driving down the street, searching as she went. “Apparently they weren’t doing their jobs, or if they were—”
“The important thing is to find Cait. Stay near your phone. I’ll be there soon.”
Laura turned the corner and saw Cait’s friends walking slowly, laughing and cajoling with each other and some boys ahead of them. She screeched to a stop, jumped from the van and planted herself in front of the girls. “I want the truth, you two. Or I’m taking you home to your mothers right now.”
The sweet, innocent faces didn’t look so innocent all of a sudden.
“I didn’t lie,” Jenny said. “Shannon lied.”
Shannon stuck her hands on her hips, glaring at Jenny.“You lied, too. You told me to say it and that’s the same as lying yourself.”
Laura eyed Shannon, hoping to scare the truth from her. “What did you lie about?”
Shannon looked at the ground. “When I said I didn’t know where Cait was.”
“Well, where is she?”
“She said she wanted to walk home with us, so instead of going out front, she went out the side door so you wouldn’t see her. She was supposed to meet us back there, but she didn’t come. I thought you found her and gave her a ride.”
Laura’s blood drained from her face. Her head swam and she wavered on her feet, dizzy. “Is there another way that you girls walk home?”
They both shook their heads. “Maybe she’s already home,” Jenny said.
Was that a possibility? Laura climbed back into the van and gunned the engine. A tiny glimmer of hope. If Cait was at home, she was going to strangle her…or she just might hug her to death.
***
When Laura arrived at the house, she saw a squad car parked out in front and an officer was just getting out of the vehicle. She pulled up next to it. “Are you here about Caitlin?”
“No, ma’am.” The officer started for the house.
“Excuse me. I’m the director of this shelter and my daughter is missing. I called 911 to have someone come out.”
“I’m sorry, miss. I’m here to talk to Alysa O’Connor.”
Laura stepped back. Oh, God. What now? “Can’t it wait…until after you’ve found my daughter?”
As Laura reached the door, Rose pushed it open from the inside. “What’s all the ruckus?”
“Caitlin is missing,” Laura said, rushing inside. The officer followed her in and flashed her badge.
“I’m Officer Jensen. I’m here to see Alysa O’Connor.”
“Sorry, she’s not here,” Rose said, then turned to Laura. “What happened?”
Laura fought back tears. She had to stay strong. Had to think…find a solution. “Caitlin ditched me after school and told her friends she’d meet them behind the building so she could walk home with them. But she wasn’t behind the school and she didn’t meet them. Something has happened to her. She wouldn’t just go off—” Or would she? She’d been making all kinds of protests lately about doing things on her own.
Just then, Jordan came into the house. Walking past the police officer to Laura, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
She’d rather feel his strong arms around her. But her feelings weren’t at issue here. Caitlin was gone. And they had to find her.
“Any luck?” he asked.
“I just got here.”
“Did you look in her room?”
“I didn’t see her come in,” Rose said.
Laura hurried down the hall—Jordan and Rose on her heels. They checked Cait’s room. Not a sign. Laura checked the bathroom and in her own room, as well. Nobody. Standing in the hallway, she started to tremble, her fears threatening to overwhelm her. “Where could she be? Do you think someone—”
This time Jordan did put his arm around her. “Don’t speculate,” he said. “Let’s sit down and think logically.”
They went back to the living room. The other officer now had a pad and pen in her hand. “A team is on the way,” she said, glancing out front again. “But I’ll call them off if the child coming up the walk is your daughter.”
Laura ran to the front door and saw Cait dawdling on the sidewalk. A torrent of emotions coursed through Laura. Anger. Relief. Her heart hammered erratically. “Caitlin Elizabeth,” she ground out. “Get over here this minute.”
The child looked up, as guilty as a thief. “I’m sorry. I forgot.”
Laura tapped her foot, her stomach churning. Not if what the other girls said was true, she didn’t forget. Which also meant she was lying. Cait had never lied to her before. Laura said evenly, “I was very worried, and I’m hugely upset. Go to your room and I’ll be there to talk to you in a few minutes.”
Cait’s mouth pursed, but apparently she knew she’d better do as asked and stomped down the hall to her room without a word.
“I’m so sorry,” Laura said to Jordan and the other officer. She was going to tell the uniformed officer it wasn’t necessary for anyone else to come out, but the woman was already on the phone taking care of it.
When the officer left, Rose said, “Well, I’ll leave now. I’ve got to take the girls to the store.”
Alone with Laura, Jordan felt as if they were two statues staring at each another, neither able to speak. Jordan wanted to comfort Laura and could only imagine what she’d gone through today thinking something had happened to Cait. “Don’t be sorry. Under the circumstances you did the right thing. The next time it could be real.”
He hated to be so blunt, but if it made her realize how dangerous it was to stay here, he didn’t care. He hadn’t been around for the past week, but he’d received reports several times a day. How Cait had managed to get off by herself with so much cover boggled his mind.
“What can we do?”
“You can go talk to Cait before she thinks the worst.”
“She should be thinking about what she did…the wor
ry she caused.”
“But she doesn’t know the danger. Maybe it’s time she knew the truth.”
Her mouth fell open. “You can’t mean that.”
“I do. Wouldn’t it be easier if she knew?”
“Easier for whom?” She turned, eyes wide. She shoved her hair back from her face and stared at him. “I—I can’t tell her the real reasons,” she said incredulously.
“Why not?”
“Because she’s only seven.”
“She’s almost eight, and from what I’ve seen, she’s more mature than most twelve-year-olds.”
“But what would it prove?”
“It would keep her from finding out about it somewhere else. It would prove that telling the truth is important. It would prove that you trust her enough to tell her. And then, she probably wouldn’t be taking any jogs off by herself if she knew.”
“It’s a lot for a child to comprehend.”
He shrugged. “Make it simple.” He hesitated, wondering how far he should go with this. Finally, he decided he couldn’t put it off. “Do you ever plan to tell her about her father?”
She gazed down the hallway. Moistened her lips. “When she’s old enough to understand.”
“And when might that be?”
She didn’t answer. “If Cait knew your concerns, she might be able to explain what she saw at her father’s. She might have seen more than she told you.”
Laura’s eyes flared with anger. “Is that why you think I should tell her, so you can get more information?”
He flinched at the accusation. “That isn’t why,” he said, fighting the urge to shake her, to tell her this wasn’t about the case. It was about telling the truth. It was about Cait.
He stepped closer, looked into her eyes and said softly, “I’m sorry you think that. I was concerned about Cait. She could be suppressing what she saw…and that can’t be a good thing.”
She stared blankly, then gave a terse nod. “I’m a counselor. Don’t you think I’ve thought of that?” She raised a hand to her forehead as if she might be fighting a headache.
“It’s such a big step.” Her voice was a whisper.
He reached out, held her by her arms. “I know.”
Abruptly, she pulled away. “There’s no way I want her to testify at any trial.”
“That’s your choice.”
“Eventually, it’s going to come up.”
He nodded. “It would help if she could identify the person she saw in a lineup. It might mean the difference in taking a killer off the streets.”
The furtive look in her eyes said she was scared. “But you don’t know if he’s Eddie’s killer. Just being in the house doesn’t mean anything.”
“True.” Fact was, they had no solid evidence DeMatta had been involved in any of the murders. Which was why the guy was still on the streets. “But Cait’s identification would give us reason to get a warrant and search his home. It might be all we need to find our killer.”
“Eddie’s and not Anna’s?”
“Both, maybe.”
Her green eyes darkened. He could tell she was considering it. “Think about it. That’s all I ask. Think about how much better your life will be when all this ends.”
Fatigue dulled her eyes, circled underneath by dark smudges, and she seemed thinner than the last time he’d seen her only a week ago. He hated this. He wanted to comfort her. But he’d only be asking for more trouble.
Finally, shoulders sagging, she said, “I’ll think about it.”
“Time is of the essence.”
“I know.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LAURA COULDN’T BELIEVE she was considering Jordan’s advice. All this time she’d done what she thought best for her daughter. And now he’d made her question it all. Their lives were falling apart and Cait was in the middle. Maybe Jordan was right.
Rubbing the tops of her arms, she shivered at the thought. Was her reluctance because of Cait or because she’d have to admit to Cait that she’d lied…and the reason they’d had to flee was because of her lie?
The dilemma weighed heavily on Laura as she walked down the hall and knocked on Cait’s door. When she didn’t get an answer, she edged it open. “Hi.” Cait lay on the bed, looking up. Laura walked over and lay next to her, staring at the ceiling, too.
“I’m sorry,” Cait said.
“I know. But sorry doesn’t make lying and disobeying any better.”
“I won’t do it again.”
“I know, because you’ll be grounded if you do.”
“I don’t know what the big deal is, anyway. Why do you need to pick me up all the time? I’m not a baby and all the kids tease me about it.”
Laura let out a long breath, exasperated. Jordan was right, she did need to tell Cait. She hoped he was also right about Cait being mature enough to hear it. “I understand. I really do. In fact, I felt the way you do many times when I was growing up. But there are a few things you don’t know that makes this different.”
“What things?”
Laura paused, thinking of how to phrase it. “I have a story to tell you about your father and it’s important for you to listen to everything and try to understand that some things have been done for your own good.”
“Are you going to tell me my dad was murdered?”
Laura bolted upright. She stared at Cait. “Where did you hear that?”
“One of my friends. Her brother told her.”
“What did he say?” Laura’s mouth was so dry the words barely croaked out.
Cait sat up and crossed her legs. “He said my dad was a criminal and he got killed because of it. He said it was in the newspapers.”
Laura’s thoughts raced. “Why didn’t you say something to me?”
Caitlin shrugged. “’Cuz I thought it would make you sad.”
Oh, Lord. “Well…I know about your father, and what the boy said isn’t true.”
“He said it was in the newspaper.”
“The newspaper isn’t always right, either. Your father was actually going to help the police. That’s why he was…why he’s dead. He put himself in danger to help the police and the bad guys found out about it.”
“You mean the man I saw?”
Laura pinched the bridge of her nose with two fingers, her head beginning to throb. “No, I don’t mean him…not exactly.”
“But he was there the night when Dad was sick. Maybe he came back and killed him.”
She realized then that for a seven-year-old this was all some abstract concept. She was just repeating what someone had said and putting it with what she’d remembered. To her, the murder and her father being sick were two separate events. Laura had to clear up whatever misconceptions the child had.
“Just because he was there doesn’t mean he did anything bad.”
An hour later, she’d explained as best she could why they needed to be careful and why they should help Jordan. Cait didn’t seem any worse for it, but then she couldn’t be sure Cait actually understood it all.
“So, if someone wants to hurt us, why doesn’t Jordan arrest him?”
“Well, they don’t know who to arrest. But Jordan would like to talk to you about when you were at your dad’s. Do you think you could do that?”
“Uh-huh. I remember lots of stuff.”
Yes, her daughter had a mind like a steel trap for some things. She’d have to make sure she was really okay, get her counseling for sure. But for tonight, this seemed enough. “Well, then, maybe we should look at what homework you have to do and get busy.”
***
“IT’S A CRAPSHOOT,” Luke said, turning a corner on their way to Vincento’s. “Do you think a guy like DeMatta would keep stuff around to incriminate himself?”
“No, but he might inadvertently.” Jordan cracked his knuckles. “Besides, it’s all we’ve got.”
“And you want to tell him ahead of time before the kid even identifies him? That’s screwed up.”
“N
o it’s not. I want to see his reaction. And I’m not going to say anything about Cait.” Jordan’s cell phone chirped. “St. James here.”
“Hi,” a female voice said. “This is Alysa O’Connor and I really need to talk to someone. I think I’m in big trouble.”
“Can you talk now?”
“No. Can you meet me somewhere? Somewhere Laura won’t know about?”
He hauled in some air. “Sure. Where and when?”
“Right now. It’s got to be right now.”
“Are you in danger?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Where are you?”
She told him and he said, “Stay put. I’ll be there as soon as I can. I’m about a half hour away. Will you be okay for that long?”
“Uh-huh.”
Jordan hung up. “Hollywood and Vine. One of Laura’s kids is in trouble.”
Luke turned the wheel heading for the freeway, but he looked at Jordan as if he was nuts. “Are we working for the shelter now?”
“It’s the girl who was with Stanton.”
“What about DeMatta?”
“DeMatta’s been on hold for years, he can wait a little longer.”
Once on the freeway, Luke said, “Speaking of Laura, what’s happening with you two?”
“Nothing. Nothing ever will, so don’t ask.”
Luke snorted derisively. “What’s up with that? I know you’re crazy about her.”
“That was before. Before I knew more about her.”
“Ah, a dark past?”
Jordan exhaled. “Something I never imagined.”
“Like?”
He clenched his teeth. Just thinking about it made him angry. “She was a prostitute. She got pregnant and was going to give away her child. The only reason she didn’t was because she had a miscarriage. She’s just like…”
“Just like your real mother?” Luke finished for him. “But what if you’re wrong. Maybe her circumstances were different.”
Jordan eyed his partner with disdain. “She is what she is.”
Luke let out a weary sigh. “Yeah, she’s just like everyone else. We’re all plagued with some kind of history we want to forget. Laura’s nothing like Kolnikov’s women. I talked to her long enough to know that.”
“And I think I know her better than you do.”
