by Stacy Green
I described the video in detail. “The feed is a live countdown. My friend just took a few minutes’ worth of video. She can’t tell where the source is coming from, and I’ve sent all the information to you in the hope that your techs can. But Kailey doesn’t have time, and I know who took her.”
“I’m listening.”
“His name is Steve Simon. He’s a known offender and in the system. He just got fired from Philly Fitness across from Girard Medical Center for spying on the girls’ locker room during junior swim team practice. That’s the same gym Jenna Richardson is a member of and where Kailey took swimming lessons last year. And Steve’s previous convictions involve girls Kailey’s age.” My words tumbled so fast I just hoped I made sense.
Todd let out a low whistle. “I’m looking at the email. My God.”
“No question it’s her. He’s auctioning her off like a piece of equipment.”
“I’ll get my tech people on it.” The shuffling of papers accompanied Todd’s words. “Give me the name of your computer geek who–”
“No. She stays out of it. In the email is all the information she has. If you have questions, you can go through me. I’m not exposing her.”
“Fine. I’ll look into Steve right away, see if I can verify your information and push through a warrant. Do you have his address?”
“517 North Marshall. Prairie Woods Apartments.” I braced myself for the incoming argument. “Kailey doesn’t have time for a warrant. She’s down to eighty-two minutes. If we don’t get to her at Steve’s, we may never find her.”
“I’m in the website.” Todd sounded queasy. “There are seven bids, well into the thousands. So much for the public misconception that child molestation is a class issue. And it’s eighty minutes.”
“I’m going to Steve’s apartment and getting Kailey myself.”
“You are not a police officer,” Todd snapped. “I’m sending officers right now, and I’ll be right behind them.
“I’m not losing her.”
“You’re not qualified to go barging in there,” Todd said. “You could get hurt, or worse, Kailey could get hurt. Steve could get spooked and run. Wait for my guys.”
“I know the layout of his place. Won’t let it happen.”
Todd sighed. “I don’t even want to know why you know the layout. But you do this, you’re setting yourself up for interfering with a police investigation, maybe even obstructing justice, losing your private investigator’s license. And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the Harrison brother. Are you prepared to face those consequences?”
“Yes.”
“Lucy, I’m begging you not to do this.”
I didn’t have a choice. “There’s no time. I can’t sit back and wait. You get to work and do what you can. So will I.”
39
Chris pulled into the parking lot of Steve’s complex. It consisted of four aging buildings painted light brown and trimmed in mud brown. The paint peeled in various areas, and the complex’s two dumpsters overflowed with trash. Several bicycles were chained to a rack, which was pretty brave of the owners.
“He’s in building three, apartment two.”
Steve’s building looked to be the oldest and least maintained, with scattered graffiti along its front. My heart began to thrum in my head, batting my nerves like a tennis ball. I checked my pockets, the bottle of poison giving me a sense of control. I’d found it hidden deep in a compartment in my closet before I’d taken off for Chris’s. It must have rolled back and been forgotten, as if it were destined for Steve all along.
I couldn’t use it. Todd would know everything if I did. But right now I really didn’t give a damn.
“We need to think this through.” Chris caught my arm. His grip was firm and warm. A brief sense of calm rushed over me, and then my energy started a new race.
“We can’t wait for the police.”
“I know, I know. But we need to realize what we’re getting into. Do you have any kind of weapon?”
I glanced at him, then at my pocket. He swallowed. “Besides that.”
“I don’t carry a gun. There’s a tire iron in the trunk.”
“Good thing I wore my big sweatshirt.” Chris found the button and popped the trunk. I scrambled out of the car after him.
The morning had dawned dull and rainy, and the place was quiet. I blocked him from view while he slipped the tire iron into his sweatshirt.
“What are you going to say?” He asked.
“Whatever I can think of to get into the door. Right now, we’ve got to get into the building first.”
We hurried up to the door, slipping on the wet pavement. My hair was wet again, but I was grateful for the cool water and brisk air. Kept my head clear. I ran my hand down the list of names. All of them were laminated except for apartment two. I hit the buzzer and crossed my fingers.
“Hello?” A groggy, male voice answered.
“Um, hi. This is your third floor neighbor. I’m just getting back from my shift, and I left my stupid key at the hospital. Is there any way you could buzz me in?”
“Sure.” The buzzer sounded, and I pulled the door open. We stepped into a small entryway, with threadbare carpet and the lingering smell of vomit and fruit-scented cleaner.
“What if he’d asked you how you planned to get into your actual apartment without the key?” Chris asked.
“My boyfriend never hears the buzzer, but he’ll hear me knocking.”
“Your ability to lie is pretty impressive.”
“It’s an acquired skill.” I headed up the stairs, and he caught me by the arm again.
“Let me go first. And don’t even think about using that stuff in your pocket.”
“Why the hell not? If anyone deserves it, it’s this pig.”
“You’ll go to prison.”
Killing Steve might be worth prison.
Chris stepped ahead of me, taking two stairs at a time, his broad shoulders tight and tense. His right hand tucked into the bottom of his sweatshirt, clutching the tire iron.
“I need to do the talking,” I said as we reached the fifth floor. “He’s not going to let you in.”
“I’ve got the weapon.”
“Then be ready to strike. But I need to get us inside.”
Steve’s door loomed ahead. “You need to stay off to the side, where he can’t see you.”
Savage, feral anger stung my insides, making me feel like I was breathing fire, and pounded against my temples. I clenched the vial in my pocket so tightly I could have broken it. With a deep, burning breath, I let the bottle go and knocked on the door.
Chris stood just to the left of the door, his blue eyes lit up like bright crystal, focused solely on me. A tiny bit of my tension eased, enough for me to think clearly.
“Who is it?” Steve barked through the door.
I smiled sweetly, knowing he was looking through the peephole. My fingernails dug into the tender flesh of my hands. “Hi. I’m your new neighbor, and I’m just off a shift at the hospital. I forgot my key. May I use your phone?”
“You don’t have a cellphone?”
I bit my lower lip and shrugged my shoulders. “I forgot to charge it. Please, I won’t stay long. I’ve just got to get hold of the super. I need to shower and change before I pick up my daughter. It’s my day with her, and I don’t want to be late.”
“You don’t have your daughter full time?” Steve’s voice dropped a fraction.
“Not yet,” I said. “Since I work nights, it’s tough to find a decent babysitter who will stay over, so she stays at her dad’s. It sucks, but it’s really hard finding someone to trust, and my daughter’s at the age, you know? Eight years old and already developing in ways that make me feel really old.”
Chris’s face twisted in disgust at what I was doing.
“Yeah,” Steve said. “You say you’re new to the building?”
“Yep. I moved in last week. Single mom and all. Work so much I haven’t had the chance to int
roduce myself. So can I please use your phone to call the super?”
“Yeah, just…let me get some clothes on.”
I glanced at Chris. He unzipped the sweatshirt, gripping the tire iron with both hands. A single nod told me he was ready.
“Come in behind me,” I whispered.
The lock clicked, and the door opened enough for Steve to wedge himself between it and the frame. He was unshaven, wearing another tight shirt and track pants. He handed me his phone. I made a calculated decision and dialed Todd’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hi, it’s Lucy Kendall, your new tenant.” Todd knew where Steve lived. He’d get here soon enough. “I’m here at the apartments, and I forgot my key. Is there any way you could come help me out?”
“Lucy,” Todd growled. “Walk away.”
“Please,” I said. “I don’t have much time. I’m lucky my new neighbor is nice enough to let me use his phone. I’ll see you soon.” I ended the call and handed it back to Steve. “Thanks so much.”
“No problem,” he started to shut the door, but I casually leaned against it, making sure to block his view of Chris.
“You work at Philly Fitness?” I motioned to his tight shirt.
“Uh, yeah.”
“That’s right across from the hospital where I work. I’m a respiratory therapist. Do you know if Philly fitness has kids’ sports?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, my daughter’s a gymnast. She’s got the perfect build for it, I swear, long and lean. I’d love to get her into a more structured training, and I know some of the city gyms offer it.”
A very fine sheen of sweat appeared on Steve’s forehead. “Um, not sure. I know they’ve got swimming.”
“She loves to swim too. I might have to check that out.” I gave him a coy smile. “Don’t suppose you could get us a discount? Since we’re neighbors and all?”
“Probably not.”
“That’s okay.” I leaned toward him, trying not to grimace at the smell of his sweat and bad breath. “If you could, I’d be really grateful.” I licked my bottom lip.
He looked increasingly uncomfortable. Shifting from foot to foot, he ran a finger through his cropped hair. “I’m not … I don’t…”
“Oh, I’m sorry, are you gay?”
“What? No! I just,” he glanced behind him, and I moved closer. We were now toe-to-toe, my chest pushing up against his. Steve stared at me. I braced myself against the doorframe, and motioned to Chris behind my back.
“What are you doing?” Steve stammered.
In one move, I jammed my fist into his windpipe. His knees buckled, and he staggered back in surprise. “I’m here for Kailey, you bastard.”
40
Chris swung around behind me, and Steve fumbled around, gasping for breath and trying to run. Chris dipped a shoulder into him, knocking him inside the apartment, and I quietly shut the door behind me.
Recovering, Steve swung at Chris, who deflected with the tire iron. I heard the smack of Steve’s wrist and hoped it was broken. Their scuffle was brief. Men like Steve are neither brave nor buff. When faced with real opposition, they are likely to fold and beg for mercy.
Pinned beneath Chris’s knee, with the tire iron at his chest, Steve already looked close to begging. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“I’m here for Kailey,” I repeated. “And I’m not paying a fucking penny for her.”
“Who’s Kailey?” His left eye twitched, his entire face now soaked with sweat.
“The little girl you’re hiding in a closet, filming for your sick auction.” I looked at my watch. “Which ends in fifty-seven minutes, right?”
He shook his head. “You’re crazy.”
“No. You’re the one who’s screwed up. But your little business ends today.”
My phone rang. I knew who it was. Never taking my eyes off Steve, I answered.
“Hi, Todd.”
“Damnit, Lucy.” He sounded like he’d been running. “You’re something else.
“I was right.”
“We’re en route,” Todd said. “Please, for the love of God, don’t do anything else.”
“What else would I do?” I listened to the sound of Todd breathing and stared at Slimy Steve, still pinned by Chris and the crowbar.
“We’ll discuss it later, but I think you have an idea. Right now, I’ve got you for interfering with an investigation,” Todd said. “Don’t make it any worse.”
“We’ll be waiting for you.” I hit end. Todd likely knew about Brian Harrison. I’d deal with that death sentence later.
“The police are on their way.”
Steve began to struggle, but Chris sank the tire iron deeper into his throat. “I will strangle you.”
“It’s over, Steve,” I said. “Get ready to be a prison bitch. Tell me where she is.”
He refused to speak, but his eyes flickered to the closed door off the kitchen. The room was surprisingly clean, although stacked high with various boxes and plastic crates. I stopped at the sink, slipped the vial of cyanide out of my jacket, and emptied it down the drain, making sure to rinse all the residue. I slipped the bag and vial into my tall boot, and then headed into the bedroom. In the far corner was a large walk-in closet with a bungee cord securing the knobs together.
I yanked off the cords and opened the door.
Kailey still sat in the middle of the makeshift bed, in a very similar position as earlier. She blinked at the intrusive light and then skittered back against the wall. The wide-eyed, trusting innocence of youth was long gone from her face, replaced by sour-smelling terror. She’d wet her pants. Poor baby girl.
“Hi,” I said. “My name is Lucy. I know your mom, Jenna. I’m going to help you get home to her.”
Kailey shook her head. “He told me that too.”
“He lied. He’s a very bad man, but he’s not going to hurt you anymore. The police will be here any minute.”
I took out my phone and handed it to her. “Why don’t you call your mommy and tell her you’ll be seeing her soon.”
She stared, obviously trying to ascertain if I was tricking her. I laid the phone on the pile of blankets and stepped back from the doorway, giving her room to come out if she wanted to. Finally, slowly, like a cat trying to sneak up on a mouse, her spindly, little arm reached out and snatched the phone. Gaze darting between the numbers and me, she punched in her mother’s number.
I will never forget the sound of her frightened, broken little voice saying, “Mommy!”
41
Todd arrived a few minutes later, and I was shunted aside as paramedics closed in on Kailey.
“Don’t crowd her,” I said. “She’s been through enough.”
A heavy grip on my arm pulled me out of the bedroom. “Let them work, Lucy.”
Todd’s tone was surprisingly gentle, his words sounding choked. I imagined he was feeling the same mix of relief and bitter heartache at finding Kailey. She would never be the same. But her mother was a survivor. Kailey would be too.
I allowed him to guide me into the living room, where Chris sat on the couch. Steve was handcuffed, still pinned face down to the floor. He sounded like he was crying, and if it weren’t for Todd’s hold on my arm, I would have stomped his face into the dirty carpet.
“How is she?” Chris asked.
“She’s alive,” I said. “As for the rest, only time will tell.” I turned to Todd. “I let her call her mother.”
“Jenna’s meeting us at the hospital across the street,” Todd said. “But I’ve got to deal with you two first.”
“You could always just let us go and deal with the real criminal.” Chris came to stand beside me. I leaned against him, suddenly exhausted.
Todd bristled. “At the very least, I have you both for interfering in a police investigation. I told you specifically not to come here, and yet you did it anyway.”
“How close were you to getting the warrant?” I asked. “You may have been on the
way, but you didn’t have the right to enter, did you? Would it have come through in time to get her before the auction ended?”
“Beside the point.” His mustache twitched.
“No,” I said. “That’s exactly the point. Your hands were tied, ours weren’t. And he let us in.”
“Here’s what’s going to happen,” Todd said. “You two are riding with a uniform to the station, where you will once again be separated while I deal with this. Only then will I talk to you and decide what to do with you.”
“We can drive,” I said. “I promise we’ll go straight there. We’ll wait as long as you want.”
“Your car will be impounded. I’m not giving you any more time to match up your stories.” He motioned to a young uniformed officer standing in the doorway. I realized it was the same one I’d charmed the first day I spoke with Jenna. I smiled, and he looked away, blushing red.
“Can I ride up front?” I asked.
I spent the better part of the day waiting in a windowless interrogation room while Chris sat in the other. I didn’t care. As long as I kept from getting arrested, I’d avoid a pat down. And I was pretty sure Todd would call my hours on hold enough penance since I’d saved the girl’s life. Most of the time, I dozed, caught up in living dreams. You know, the kind you could swear are actually happening. They sped by on fast forward, with bright colors and bone-chilling fear I could never completely seize. Several times I jerked awake, unsure of why I was terrified, but wanting to hide under the table.
At 6:07 that evening, Todd finally entered. He’d taken the time to shower and shave, leaving only his unsightly mustache. I smiled. He was a good cop.
“How is she?”
“Physically, she’ll be all right. Eventually. Sexually assaulted more than once. But nothing that won’t heal.” He spoke in a monotone, keeping the necessary detachment. The horror of child sex abuse will eat a person alive without it. “Mentally? She’s not great.”
“Is she speaking?”
“To her mother, thank God. She’s the only person she’ll allow near her. The examination was a struggle.”
