by Jeri Odell
“Okay.” Courtney accepted her iced tea from the waiter.
Then he placed a glass of ice water in front of Delanie and a diet soda next to Mickie’s silverware.
Delanie glanced at Mickie. “You’re on.”
Mickie smiled at Courtney. “I’m not here to talk you out of anything. As Delanie said, she wants you to make an informed decision, so I’ll share bits and pieces of my life with you. Feel free to ask me anything. I’m going to bare my soul and be honest.”
Courtney nodded, squeezing lemon into her tea.
“Just so you understand, I’m crazy about my husband. He’s a great guy—kind, thoughtful, generous to a fault. We have two little boys, and he’s a great dad, but who will teach my little guys to be godly husbands and fathers? Who is their role model to show them what a godly man looks like?”
Mickie paused, dabbing at the corner of her eye with a napkin. “Don’t get me wrong. He teaches them many wonderful things, like work ethic and integrity, but what are the chances my boys will carry their Christianity into adulthood? The hero of their lives models the message that church is for women and kids. Real men don’t need God. It’s hard enough to raise godly kids with two parents who love the Lord. The odds decrease by at least 50 percent with only one parent, especially if it’s not a parent of the same sex.”
Courtney listened, but Delanie thought her posture was defensive. This all felt so futile.
“Courtney, I know you don’t want to hear this, but at least think about what I’m saying. It can be a lonely life. There’s this huge emptiness.”
The waiter brought their salads.
“I hear what you’re saying, but Tad does go to church. I’m sure it’s just a matter of time. . .” Courtney stirred her tea.
“I meet with a group of women in the same boat. A lot of their husbands went to church for a while and then grew tired of it. Now those women go alone.”
Delanie spoke up. “Courtney, most men will do anything in the wooing process, but when the honeymoon is over and reality settles in, people change.”
“She’s right,” Mickie said. “I’m reading a book titled Spiritually Single. Why don’t you at least read it before the wedding? The author is crazy about her husband, but she faced a long and lonely trek for many years. It will give you an idea of what you might face in the days and years ahead.”
“I’ll think about it.” Courtney studied Mickie. “Tell me something—would you marry him all over again?”
Mickie sighed. “That’s a really hard question. I love him. We have history and children. Do I relish the spiritual loneliness? No. Do I love the man? With all my heart. If I knew then what I know now, I’d never have said yes to the first date.”
“But I already said yes—to the first date, to falling in love, and to his proposal. I think I’m in too deep to turn back now.”
Now it was Courtney’s turn to dab her eyes. Delanie joined her.
“It’s not too late until you’ve signed the license.” Mickie gave Courtney’s hand a squeeze.
“Sometimes I am afraid.” Courtney’s gaze shifted from one to the other. “And I wonder if I’m making the biggest mistake of my life, but it’s too late.” Courtney paused and swallowed hard. “I’ve given too much of myself, my heart and other things that I can’t get back. I won’t change my mind now.”
A deep sorrow settled over Delanie. She’d tried and failed. For better or for worse, Courtney would yoke herself to Tad.
Mickie also seemed to sense the futility of their mission. She said nothing more. They shifted into small talk and finished their meal. Delanie prayed she could keep her promise. Her emotions were at the opposite end of the spectrum from happy and excited. Even worse, she sensed Courtney’s were, as well.
❧
“Months of hard work are coming to an end,” Eli announced in Sarge’s office the next morning.
“It feels good, doesn’t it?” Sarge glanced up from the folder of paperwork. “This is what we live for—the bust. Beating criminals at their own game and sending men who think they’re above the law up the river for a very long time.”
“You sound positively thrilled.” Delanie grinned.
“I am. I hate people who think they can do as they please with no personal cost. These men have gotten very rich preying on young girls and poor families. Nothing will make me happier than seeing them behind bars. Adding murder to the mix only increases the length of their stay.”
Delanie sighed. “If only it were that easy, that cut-and-dried. Sadly, we all know this is just the beginning.”
“Now we hope for a jury to see things our way.” Eli finished cleaning his gun and returned it to the holster under his pant leg. Then he retrieved the pistol from under his arm. His heart beat faster in anticipation. He, like Sarge, lived for this moment. The bust made the hours of boring stakeouts worth it.
He no longer feared being partnered with Delanie, not in light of her skill and ability on the job. He did, however, fear the damage she’d done to his heart. He knew she wanted another partner as much as he did, so if they made an arrest today, this could end up being their last day together.
The thought brought mixed feelings—sorrow and relief. Nevertheless, he’d see her around. She wouldn’t avoid the youth center forever, though a part of him wished she would. He was sure running into her in the future would be a mixed bag.
What he dreaded was the day he ran into her with another guy or the day he heard she was marrying someone else. Eli sighed and checked his chamber. Time heals all wounds. Eli knew from personal experience God healed better than time did. He’d made more progress in the past week than in the past two decades.
Smiling, he wondered how Delanie might react when she finally heard his testimony. Her dad promised he’d get her to the center on Saturday. For some reason it was important to Eli that she hear his story, that she know her prayers made a difference. If not for Delanie, he doubted he ever would have given God a second chance. He supposed his unrequited love was worth that.
“Everything’s in order.” Sarge fanned through the stack of forms one last time. “The warrants are secured.” He stood the pile on end and tapped it against his desk, aligning the edges just so. “Months of tailing pregnant girls, attempting interviews with possible adoptive couples, and staking out law firm after law firm ends in this.” Sarge waved the folder filled with the evidence, case notes, and legal documents they’d collected. “Soon this will all be passed to the DA, and whether he wins or loses has a lot to do with how well we did our job and the written substantiation we provide. Once we tie them to the baby-selling ring, we’re hoping their own files will tie them to the murder victims.”
Eli admired Sarge’s work ethic; he wanted everything done right and well. He didn’t just want the arrest; he went after the conviction.
“The sad thing about that file folder—it’s only paper.” Delanie’s gloomy gaze connected with Eli’s. “We’ve met the people and seen how their lives were affected. Brandi wasn’t just a death certificate, a picture, or an autopsy report; she was a flesh-and-blood person who mattered to somebody. And her baby mattered. My hope is that the doctor and the lawyer who run this baby-selling ring are both prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
“We’re all on the same page,” Sarge assured her. “You’re preaching to the choir.”
Eli glanced at his watch. “It’s about time to roll.” He and Delanie both had their wires on, and with her fake belly, they looked very much the part of young expectant parents. A part he’d never play in real life. . .
Sarge stationed a couple of men across the hall, just in case, though nobody expected more than a routine arrest. “You two be careful. Play it cool, but play it safe.”
They both gave Sarge a nod and headed for the car. Eli drove the few blocks to downtown, pulling into the parking garage. Before leaving the car, they double-checked all of their equipment, including their guns. This time there would be no tender scene, no cr
azy unreturned proclamations—just two cops doing their jobs.
Delanie was quiet and kept clasping and unclasping her hands. Eli figured their nervousness would work to their advantage, which wouldn’t be the case in a drug deal. He assumed a young couple considering selling their baby might be a little uneasy.
He held open the door, and Delanie waddled through. She always walked funny with the big belly strapped to her. He’d bet she sure would be cute pregnant. The second he caught the direction of his thoughts, he refocused on the case.
The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. Delanie closed her eyes, and he assumed she was praying. He shot up a quick prayer himself. He’d been in much more dangerous situations than this. No one in their right mind would resist arrest in an office complex, filled with people, in broad daylight. Old Georgie’s chances would be much greater if he hired a good attorney rather than put up a fight.
They left the elevator and strolled down the hall to the correct office. At least he knew he could count on Delanie—that felt good.
He opened the office door, and she entered first. She approached Mildred’s desk. “We’re here for our appointment. Lanie Lucas and Ethan—”
“Yes, your paperwork was faxed over this morning.” No one would ever guess Mildred knew them or they her. There were no conspiratorial glances or words exchanged with hidden meaning.
Delanie picked up a magazine and took the chair next to Eli’s. “I’m not sure this is the right choice,” she whispered.
Eli caught a glimpse of a man at the edge of the doorway. They’d put on a good show for him. “Lanie, I don’t know what else to do. I have no job. Your parents kicked you out. My old lady isn’t going to let us live with her forever.”
“But this is our baby.” She laid her hand over her padded protrusion. “This is you and me—a consummation of our love. How can you just give our child to a stranger?”
“Love is doing the selfless thing. We have the opportunity to give this baby more—so much more—by letting a wealthy family adopt it and raise it.”
“He’s not an it!” Delanie raised her voice. “He’s a baby. I hate when you do that.”
The shoes Eli had seen on the man in the hall stepped around the corner. “Lanie Lucas and Ethan Farnsworth?”
“Yes,” they answered in unison.
The man in the expensive suit held out his hand. “I’m George Benavides.” Eli shook the guy’s hand. “Would you please follow me back to my private office?”
Not as private as you think, buddy. We’ve got people listening.
Georgie led them and once inside waved his hand toward two leather chairs facing his desk. The desk was fashioned from dark wood, a beautiful piece of furniture—large and masculine.
“Dr. Barnes said you’d like to hear the options. Of course, please understand you’re under no obligation. I’m only here to present to you other alternatives than raising your own child. Why might adoption appeal to you?” He raised his brows, his gaze bouncing back and forth from him to Delanie.
Eli knew the guy had already heard the list of reasons he’d verbalized to Delanie while they waited in the reception area. He’d been eavesdropping, but to appease the man, Eli recited them again.
“You make some good points. A few other considerations”—his gaze focused on Delanie—“the child’s education. People who spend thousands of dollars on a baby aren’t likely to settle for public school. These are highly intelligent individuals, and for any offspring of theirs to receive less than a college degree is unheard of. You get to choose the parents you want for your little one.” He laid out several résumés of couples waiting for a baby. “These are all wealthy professionals, and your infant would have the best of everything.”
“But would a stranger love our newborn the way we would?” Delanie understood a mother’s heart.
Georgie put on his most compassionate face and patted her hand. “Sometimes more, dear, sometimes more. Think of their heartbreak. Many have struggled to produce an heir for over a decade. Sometimes the longer a person waits and the more they want something, the more likely they are to appreciate the culmination of their dreams.”
Delanie bit her bottom lip and picked up one of the résumés.
“Dr. Barnes said all our expenses would be covered.” She raised her gaze from the paperwork.
He nodded. “That’s true. Though it’s illegal to sell a child, it is acceptable to cover the medical expenses accrued.”
What game did Georgie-boy play? Maybe he kept the proceeds for himself. Eli decided to push. Without an offer of money, they had nothing.
“A guy down at the bar—”
“What bar?” Not a trusting soul, this Georgie-boy.
Eli rattled off the name of a corner joint not far from his place. “Anyway, he said his sister and brother-in-law made twenty thousand dollars for their baby. Said he could hook me up.”
“As I said, that is illegal.”
Eli nodded and looked the guy over. “I promised Lanie here that if we gave up the baby, we’d have some dough to start fresh, buy her some nice things.” He rose. “I think I’ll see if Jose can hook us up with the guy his sister used.”
George studied them. Delanie rose, glancing from him to Eli. He reached for her hand, and they took their first step toward the door.
“Wait.”
They paused.
“Twenty thousand?”
Eli nodded but didn’t return to his chair.
Delanie whispered, “This isn’t working out. I think it’s a sign we should keep the baby.”
“Please take your seats for another moment.” George motioned them back. They complied.
“Are you willing to sign a contract today if I can get you twenty thousand dollars?”
Eli was quick to agree. Delanie held out.
George pulled a contract from his drawer. “I’ll get you the twenty thousand if you agree to silence. Baby selling is a class B felony—enough to get you a lengthy stay in the pen.”
How clever of him to manipulate the parents into shouldering the blame. No wonder they couldn’t find a single person to rat him out. He had them convinced that they did the crime and they’d do the time. Somehow he managed to come off seeming like the hero.
Delanie looked at Eli. “That’s a lot of money.”
“It is, baby; it is. We could get a place to live, a decent set of wheels. . .”
Delanie pulled her lips together in a tight line and cradled her belly. A tiny tear escaped the corner of her eye.
“How about twenty-five thousand?” George dangled a bigger carrot.
Her mouth dropped open. She glanced at Eli, and he gave her a nod. She stared down at her stomach. Sucking in a big breath, she said, “Okay.” She turned her attention to George. “We’ll do it.”
The attorney filled in the blanks with an ink pen on a premade form. Interesting that a guy who didn’t regularly pay people for babies had a contract all drawn up and ready to sign.
While Eli examined the contract, he noticed George scrutinizing Delanie for about the tenth time.
“You look very familiar to me.” George drew his brows together. “I never forget a face. Are you friends with one of my kids?”
Delanie shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Where do you go to high school?” he demanded.
Delanie froze, and Eli knew she’d forgotten the name of the school they’d discussed. His heart beat faster. Say something, Delanie; say anything. Though only seconds ticked by, for Eli it felt like days.
She named the high school she’d graduated from.
Eli watched the attorney’s demeanor and expression change. Somehow he knew. He knew!
He grabbed the signed contract with Eli’s still damp signature. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll have Mildred make copies.”
Eli grabbed Delanie’s hand and squeezed. When she made eye contact, he mouthed the words “He knows.”
Chapter 14
&nbs
p; Mildred shouted from the hall. “He left! He left the office!”
Eli and Delanie were on their feet and at a dead run. They paused in the hall. He looked left. She took off full speed to the right. Eli followed, and the two officers in the faux office across the hall were dead on his heels.
Delanie tugged open the stairwell door. She was fast; he’d only now caught up to her.
“Did you see him take the stairs?” Eli shouted.
“Yes.”
He paused. “You guys go up. We’ll go down.”
Delanie was already at the bottom of the first half of the flight of stairs. She rounded a corner, and he lost sight of her. Panic spurred him to move even faster. God, keep her safe. When he got to the second floor she was still about a quarter of a flight ahead of him.
When she disappeared around the next bend, he heard her yell, “Freeze!” And his heart did just that. Fear for her safety fell over him like a blanket, nearly suffocating him. Circling the next turn, he almost collided with Delanie. He was thankful he didn’t. He’d have knocked her gun out of her hand, and they’d have been at George’s mercy. As it was now, all three of them held weapons. He and Delanie had the advantage because there were two of them.
Eli decided to stall until their backup arrived. It could take them awhile to follow the stairwell to the roof and back down again once they discovered their assailant went the other direction. “What tipped you off, George?” Eli was surprised by how calm his voice sounded, because inside him was turbulence.
“Her.” He took a step backward and moved down one stair.
Eli followed suit, feeling better with Delanie behind him.
“Don’t come any closer.” George raised his gun.
“George, you’re fighting a lost cause. Other patrolmen are on their way. You don’t stand a chance.” The man had a wild look in his eyes, one Eli had seen before. George wasn’t in a surrendering mood. Eli took another step, and Delanie did the same. She stood one step higher and to his right. Her gun was level with his ear.
“Don’t move again.” George was panicked. He had that fight-or-flight expression. “I’ll shoot her if either of you moves again.”
