Lost Innocence

by Jannine Gallant

  Finishing the first street, he parked at the end of his own, went to the first dark house, and knocked. When no one answered, he rapped harder. After another minute, footsteps sounded inside, and he held up his ID to the window. A dead bolt clicked, the porch light flashed on, and the door opened.

  A young woman, probably around Nina’s age, held her robe together at the neck and gave him a nervous look. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m Teague O’Dell with the Siren Cove Fire Department. I’m sorry to bother you so late, but we’re searching for a girl who may be in trouble.” He produced the photocopied image of the painting. “Do you recognize this girl or know where she lives?”

  The woman took the paper and frowned. “I’ve seen her walking in the neighborhood. With her grandmother, I think. An older woman with gray hair. I’m pretty sure she lives down toward the end of Pine, three streets over. She doesn’t play with the group of neighborhood kids, but I run regularly in the area, and I’ve noticed her a few times.” Her brow furrowed. “At least I think it’s the same girl. I could be wrong.”

  His heart beat faster, but he kept his voice even. “Do you have an address for her?”

  “I’m afraid not. I’m not even sure which house is theirs, but I’ve seen her in that general vicinity a few times.”

  “Thank you for your help.”

  She gripped her robe a little tighter. “What happened to her?”

  “Nothing that I’m aware of. We’re simply trying to resolve an ongoing investigation.”

  “Well, I hope she’s okay. If it’s the same girl, she seems quiet and well behaved.”

  “Thank you.” Teague ran down the walkway as the door closed behind him with a click. When he reached his truck, he called the contact number he’d been given.

  “Cantrell here.”

  “This is O’Dell. I have a lead.”

  “Give me the details.” The man’s gruff voice was all business.

  Teague repeated what the woman had told him. “I can be there in a couple of minutes.”

  “I’m actually headed down that street right now. I’ll start at the far end and see what I can discover. Why don’t you begin questioning in the six hundred block of Pine. Maybe we can get verification from some of the neighbors with an actual address.”

  “I’ll do that. If you need me—”

  “I’ll call Chief Stackhouse for backup. Stay clear of the scene if we do find this woman. I’ll take over from here.”

  Teague gritted his teeth. “Fine.” Irritation simmered as he started the engine, turned on the lights, and made a U-turn. It went against the grain to be assigned a back-seat role, but finding the girl safe was all that mattered. To that end, he’d do what he was told.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  She arranged the branches over the top of the pit, trying to ignore the pathetic pleading coming from beneath. With each layer she piled on, the weeping became a little more muffled.

  “I’ll be good. I promise. I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean to make you mad.” Harsh sobs filled the night, absorbed by the thick fog. “Please don’t leave me here.”

  She hardened her heart against the crying. Each time she was forced to do this seemed worse than the last. Still, she had no choice. She wasn’t an unfeeling monster, but if she wanted her own precious Lynette back, she had to get rid of the impostor first.

  Satisfied the pit was adequately camouflaged, she cautiously stepped onto the interwoven branches. They held her weight without even a hint of sag. With a sigh of relief she backed off and flashed her light around the area to make sure she hadn’t left anything. When a battered teddy was illuminated by the beam, she swore softly. She’d meant to leave it with the girl . . . for comfort. Too late now. With any luck, nothing short of a full-grown black bear would break through those branches. She wouldn’t risk disturbing her handiwork.

  Scooping up the stuffed animal, she thrust it in her bag and turned her back on the terrified cries. The girl would settle down in a few hours, and after that . . . Well, before too long, there’d be nothing left of her mistake. Shining the light on the forest floor, she headed downhill toward the house. She had a little packing to finish up and plans to finalize.

  The holdup she’d encountered getting into the home she’d rented down in Brookings was becoming a real problem. Leaving town immediately after she collected Lynette was essential. Keeping her in a car for several days before she could take possession of her new residence wasn’t a consideration. She knew from experience the first few weeks with her daughter wouldn’t be exactly pleasant . . . or quiet. But after a time, she’d stop crying and realize she’d finally come home where she belonged.

  Sticking around Siren Cove was a risk, but one she might have to take. She slapped a branch aside and huffed a little as she pushed past a manzanita bush. She wouldn’t wait a single extra day to claim what was hers. Hurrying toward the thinning trees, she stopped cold as car doors slammed and male voices echoed through the darkness.

  What in the world . . .

  Snapping off her flashlight, she cautiously felt her way the last few yards and crouched behind a fir tree. Two police cars were parked at the end of her street. As she waited, her neighbor was escorted out of her house and into the back of one of the cars.

  “You’re making a huge mistake.” Stella’s voice rose. “I don’t care what you think you know. You’re wrong.”

  “Ma’am, if you’ll come quietly with us, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to talk once we get to the station.”

  “You can damn well bet I’ll talk. Irving Stackhouse is going to get an earful.” When the young blond girl she frequently babysat was helped into the second official vehicle, Stella let out a shout. “Don’t you dare scare that poor child! I’m responsible for her while her mom is working tonight. If you’d just give me a chance to call her—” Her voice was cut off as the patrol car door slammed shut.

  Huddled out of sight, she waited in the dark until the cars drove away and silence resumed. Something bad had happened. Whatever it was, she intended to stay clear and avoid unwanted attention. She’d prepare the safe place she’d discovered for Lynette, just in case, but hopefully she wouldn’t have to use it for long. Not more than a day or two at most. Whatever Stella had done to stir up trouble, she’d hunker down and stay away from the commotion. Nothing would stop her from getting her daughter back. Nothing.

  * * *

  “They hauled Stella in for questioning. This whole night has been one huge clusterfu—”

  “What?” Nina blinked in the dark, stared at her phone, and frowned. “Teague? What the heck are you talking about?”

  His sigh held a wealth of frustration. “The emergency I got called in for was to help the police search for the girl in your painting. Apparently those people who were at the art fair have connections to the governor, and he demanded action from the local cops.”

  “Oh, my God.” Scooting up against the pillows, she flipped on the bedside light. “You’re kidding.”

  “Dead serious. The police chief called out all the stops to put together a door-to-door search to locate her.”

  “And they arrested Stella?”

  “Not arrested. Took her in as a person of interest. I’m at the station now, waiting to see Stackhouse so I can assure him Stella isn’t guilty of kidnapping. Christ, she’s the only older woman in Siren Cove Keely would definitely recognize.”

  “Why would they think she was involved?”

  “Someone in the neighborhood said she’d seen a woman who lives near the end of Pine Street with a young blond girl, and she thought this girl might be the one in your painting. Stella babysits fairly often for a girl who’s around the same age at the missing child. So the cops jumped the gun and decided they had their perp. As I said, it was a complete cluster.”

  “That’s crazy.”

  “Yeah, it is. Hey, there’s Stackhouse. I’ve gotta go. I just wanted to let you know it may be a while before I can straighten thi
s out and come home. Or get back out on the streets to finish the door-to-door search. God only knows how this night will end.”

  “I’ll see you whenever you get here. I hope you find that girl and get her identity settled once and for all.”

  “Me, too. Good night, Nina.”

  He hung up before she could respond. Laying the phone on the nightstand, she flopped back down and snuggled into his bed. The sheets smelled like Teague. She pressed her face into his pillow and breathed deep. Not as satisfying as the real thing, but she’d take what she could get. Closing her eyes, she drifted into sleep . . .

  The repeated chime of her cell brought Nina out of a dream that included a giant bed of feathers and Teague. He pressed her deeper into the soft down while he kissed her all over, his hands sliding down—

  When her phone rang again, she jerked upright. Juggling the cell, she nearly dropped it. “Teague?”

  “No, this is Chris. I’m sorry to disturb you so late, or maybe I should say early, but we have a situation.”

  She glanced at the clock’s glowing face. Two thirty-seven. “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know if you’re aware, but we’re searching for that missing girl—”

  “Teague filled me in when I volunteered to stay with his daughter.”

  “Great.” Chris sounded tired. “Anyway, last night we had a bit of confusion with a woman who fit the description of the one we’re trying to locate. So when I got a call to bring in a second person of interest for questioning—” He broke off and said something too muffled for Nina to hear. “Do you know a woman named Lola Copeland? You were one of the people she listed as a character reference. Despite the fact I didn’t ask for any. She’s pretty indignant and threatening to sue everyone in sight. I want to question her, but—”

  “I know Miss Lola. If there’s a young girl with her, she’s probably her granddaughter. Lola talks about her all the time.”

  “That’s what she claims.”

  “Keely met Lola once when she was at my house. She would have recognized Lola if she was the woman who spoke to her at the park and outside her home, the one who said she’s the mother of the girl in the painting.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Nina frowned. “I think so. Does the child there with Lola look like the one in the painting?”

  “They’re both blond and probably similar in age, but since we don’t have a photograph . . .”

  “The painting I did was damn accurate. You’d recognize her, I assure you.” She slid out of bed. “But if it’ll clear this up sooner, I’ll go ask Keely.”

  “That would be helpful.”

  Nina pulled her shirt and capris pants on over her underwear and headed down the hall to Keely’s room. A princess night-light cast a soft glow across the bed. At the foot, Coco sat up and thumped her tail on the spread. Sitting on the edge of the mattress, she shook Keely’s shoulder. When the girl slowly opened her eyes, Nina smiled at her.

  “How come you’re here? It’s still dark.”

  “I know, but I need to ask you a question. Do you remember Miss Lola?”

  “The lady who took home the robin painting?”

  “That’s the one. Is she the woman who asked you about a playdate with her daughter?”

  Keely yawned so wide her jaw cracked. “No.”

  “You’re positive?”

  She nodded her head against the pillow. “The other lady’s hair was curlier, and she was taller.”

  “That’s what I needed to know.” She stroked the hair off her cheek. “You can go back to sleep now.”

  “Okay.” Keely’s eyelids drooped closed.

  Quietly leaving the room, Nina spoke into her phone once she reached the hallway. “Did you hear all that?”

  “I did. Thanks for clarifying the situation for me.”

  “You’re welcome. Will you continue the search?”

  “Not until morning. The chief called it off once this lead came in,” Chris answered. “People aren’t terribly cooperative when you wake them up in the middle of the night.”

  “Get some sleep. I’m sure you’ll find the girl tomorrow.”

  “I hope so. Good night, Nina.”

  Outside, an engine rumbled then cut off. With a smile, she entered Teague’s bedroom as footsteps sounded on the front porch and the door squeaked open. After peeling off her clothes, she dropped them in a heap on the floor and slid into bed. Moments later, Teague quietly entered the room.

  “I’m awake.”

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” He dropped his clothes on the floor, then pulled back the covers and slid into bed.

  She turned and snuggled close. “You didn’t wake me. Chris Long called a few minutes ago.”

  He stiffened before gathering her tighter against his chest. “What the hell did he want?”

  “Keely confirmed their latest suspect wasn’t the woman they’re looking for. Do you remember me mentioning my client, Lola Copeland?”

  “The one with money problems?”

  “Yeah. I guess her granddaughter was with her last night. Since she’s the right age, and Lola is in her sixties with gray hair . . .”

  “Jesus.”

  “Keely met her once, so she was able to confirm Lola isn’t the woman they’re looking for.”

  “That’s good, but I’m sorry all our leads tonight were a bust. Chief Stackhouse is bringing in reinforcements in the morning from nearby towns, so our services won’t be needed.”

  Nina pressed her cheek against his warm neck. “I wonder if that girl I painted really was kidnapped. I feel sick knowing I was so close to her more than once and simply walked away.”

  His warm breath brushed her forehead. “Did she look like she was abused?”

  “Not physically, but there was a sadness in her eyes I tried to capture in my painting.”

  “I’m sure they’ll find her. Siren Cove isn’t that big. Tomorrow the cops will get a lead that’ll pan out.”

  She nodded, her hair sliding against his skin. “You must be exhausted.”

  “I am. As much as I’d like to make love to you right now, I’m not sure I have the energy.”

  “There’s always morning sex.”

  “Good point . . .” His voice drifted off into even breathing.

  Nina lay awake for some time, enjoying a state of contentment she couldn’t ever remember feeling. She loved this man more than she’d thought it was possible to love anyone. Cocooned in happiness, she let herself relax into sleep . . .

  Something tickled her nose. She brushed at it with her fingers and encountered the rasp of stubble. Smiling, she wound her arms around Teague’s neck as his lips claimed hers.

  “Morning, beautiful.”

  She blinked a few times as dim light streamed beneath the blinds she hadn’t remembered to shut the night before. “Is it morning? I feel like I haven’t slept.”

  “It was one hell of a night, but I have to get up for work. My real job this time.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  “I agree. I wish I could stay, but—”

  “Go. I’ll be here when you get home.” She laughed softly. “Well, maybe not right here in bed, but close enough.”

  “God, I love you.” He pushed up onto his elbows. “Uh, I hate to ask, but when I spoke to Stella at the station last night, she said there’s no way in hell she’d be here by seven thirty. Not after what the cops put her through.”

  “A blinding light and waterboarding to get the information they wanted?”

  He sputtered with laughter. “Not exactly. I think everyone involved wished they hadn’t been so quick to take her down to the station by the time the night was over. At any rate, can you—”

  “Of course. Keely and I’ll make pancakes, then maybe we’ll take Coco for a walk. I could use some exercise. We’ll have fun.”

  “Stella promised to be here by ten.”

  “Not a problem.”

  He pushed off the bed. “You’re the
best.”

  Plumping the pillows behind her, she eyed his extremely fine ass as he headed toward the bathroom. “In bed or in general?”

  He glanced over his shoulder and grinned. “Both. I’m going to take a quick shower. Suddenly, I feel invigorated and ready to face the day.”

  While he was getting ready for work, Nina put on the same clothes she’d worn the day before and headed toward the stairs. When Coco squeezed through Keely’s partially opened bedroom door and followed her down, she let the dog out and ran across the street. After disarming the security system, she hurried up to her room to grab shorts and a T-shirt along with clean underwear. After resetting the alarm, she headed back to Teague’s house.

  Coco stood on the front lawn, staring toward the woods. When she growled low in her throat, Nina frowned.

  “What is it, girl? Did something spook you?” Picking up the dog, she climbed the steps to the porch and met Teague on his way out. “That was certainly quick. Don’t you want some breakfast?”

  “No time.” He bent to drop a kiss on her lips. “I’ll eat when I get to the firehouse. What’s wrong with Coco? Her fur’s standing up.”

  “She was staring toward the woods a minute ago. I didn’t see anything.”

  “Probably ravens. When I opened the bathroom window to let out the steam, I heard them cawing. Coco doesn’t like them.”

  “Well, I’ll bring her inside with me. I plan to take a shower before Keely wakes up.”

  “Thanks again for helping me out.”

  Clutching the clothes and the dog in one arm, she reached up to brush a thumb across his cheek. “You don’t have to thank me. I like spending time with Keely. Have a good day.”

  He smiled, his eyes bright with appreciation . . . and love. “You, too. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  Nina didn’t move until he climbed into his truck and drove away. Then, with Coco squirming to get down, she entered the house, set the dog on the floor, and shut and locked the door. “Geez, scratch me with your nails, why don’t you?” Shaking her head as the spoiled mutt pranced toward her food bowl in the laundry room, Nina ran upstairs.