“Everyone else is working themselves to the bone to find your daughter and you’re being a defeatist,” he said. “It’s as if you’ve already resigned yourself to the fact that she’s not coming back. You can’t think that way. You have to be strong for Zoe. You’re her mother. That’s your job.”
Surprisingly, instead of falling apart further, Ally straightened a bit. “You think I’m being weak, don’t you?”
“I think you’ve taken a hard blow,” Zander clarified. “I think you’ve been through more than any one person should ever have to go through. You’ve been hit not once, but twice. The first time was when Luke turned on you and abandoned Zoe. The second time is now. You made it through the first time. That means you can make it through the second time.”
“Do you think?”
“I know you can.” Zander was firm. “Sitting around and feeling sorry for yourself isn’t going to help matters, though. You need to get up, get showered, and then join in the efforts to find Zoe. Don’t give up until there’s absolutely nothing left to fight for. We’re certainly not there yet.”
Ally stared into his eyes for a long time. Finally, she slowly got to her feet. “You’re right. I’m being an idiot. I let Shana kill the hope I was building and that was a mistake. I don’t know why I let her tell me how to feel.”
“That’s the spirit.” Zander beamed, and then sobered. “Wait ... what did Shana say to you?”
“That it’s easier to let go of hope sometimes. She said she had hope with Chloe, but each year that passed the hope was eroded until it became a little ball of fury in the pit of her stomach and that ball of fury hurt more than the wondering and hoping. Then she joined a support group – and that’s why she came to see me because support is important – and that’s how she moved on.”
Anger flared to life in Harper. “Listen, no one is saying that Shana hasn’t had it rough. What happened to Chloe was terrible. She shouldn’t be saying things like that to you, though. That’s not fair.”
“What if she’s right, though? She would know better, wouldn’t she?”
“I think they’re vastly different scenarios,” Harper said, choosing her words carefully. “Chloe was older, and probably taken by someone with a specific agenda. Zoe is younger. There’s every possibility that someone who is desperate for a child to love simply took her because of the holiday season. We simply don’t know yet.”
“I guess.” Ally ran a hand through her messy hair and exhaled heavily. “I should probably take a shower, right?”
“Definitely,” Zander answered immediately. “While you’re doing that, we’ll tackle the house. It needs a bit of a spruce.”
“Don’t throw anything away. I mean ... Zoe is going to want her stuff when she gets home.”
“We won’t throw anything away,” Harper promised. “We’re simply going to put it where it belongs. Take a shower, put yourself together, we’ll come up with a plan after that.”
“Okay. I ... okay.” She offered up a watery smile. “Thank you. I don’t want to give up hope yet.”
“Then don’t. We all have hope this is going to work out. We need to work together to ensure it.”
EDWIN DIDN’T RUN WHEN he saw a police cruiser in his driveway. Instead, he stood on his front porch, arms crossed, and stared at the interlopers.
“Can I help you, officers?”
“We need to ask you a few questions, Edwin,” Mel replied as he warily walked up the driveway. Edwin didn’t appear as if he was about to become aggressive, but Mel had been on the job long enough to recognize that things could shift quickly.
“About what?” Edwin queried. “If my neighbor is complaining about the noise again, I apologized. I didn’t realize she could hear the music that far away. I’ve been good since the initial complaint.”
“We’re not here about the music,” Mel replied. “We’re here about Zoe Mathers.”
Edwin didn’t look panicked, instead shrugging his shoulders. “I don’t know who that is. Is she a neighbor, too?”
“No, she’s the little girl who went missing in town yesterday.”
“And you’re here to talk to me about that?” Edwin’s eyes went wide. “I ... why? I didn’t have anything to do with that. If someone said otherwise, they’re lying.”
“Someone saw your van downtown yesterday,” Jared offered. “We’re trying to tie off loose ends. Can you tell us what you were doing down there?”
“Sure. As soon as you tell me why you would possibly consider me a suspect in the kidnapping of a kid I’ve never met.”
“Like I said, we’re trying to tie off loose ends.”
“Uh-huh.” Edwin didn’t look convinced. “I deliver furniture for the Thompsons out on the highway.”
“The ones who make the Amish furniture?” Mel asked.
Edwin nodded. “They’re not technically Amish, but they prefer someone else make the deliveries. It works out well for all concerned because I can’t make furniture.”
Jared slid his eyes to the van in question. “And the reason for the dogs on the van?”
“What? You don’t like dogs?”
Jared waited, his eyes never leaving the man’s face. He was waiting for him to bolt, although Edwin’s relaxed body language pointed toward the opposite.
“I also help with the mobile vet,” Edwin said after a beat. “I help with animal rescues and adoptions. The van is merely an advertising tool.”
“There’s no website on it, though,” Mel pointed out. “How is it advertising if people don’t know who you represent?”
“The lettering for the mobile rescue was wrong so they had to re-order it. It’s due to arrive Tuesday. If you don’t believe me, Darcy at the clinic can vouch for me. Is that all?”
“Just one more thing.” Jared took a determined step forward. “You’re a level-one sex offender. Can you offer us any insight into the charges levied against you?”
Understanding dawned on Edwin’s face, and instead of being upset, he barked out a laugh. “Oh, that’s why you’re here. I couldn’t figure it out. That charge is from when I was a teenager. I had to register as a sex offender, even though there was nothing sexual about what happened.”
“We’d still like to hear it,” Mel pressed.
“I urinated on the library wall while drunk with friends during my senior year of high school. The mayor happened to see me, and instead of apologizing, I was a moron and mouthed off. The mayor decided to make an example of me ... and here we are.”
“Why not get that expunged?” Jared asked.
“Because getting a sex offense expunged is virtually impossible,” Mel answered. “That’s why the record was sealed. That’s the best the court can do in the current climate.”
“Pretty much,” Edwin agreed. “You might not like me — and I don’t blame you if you don’t — but I’m not a kidnapper. I can promise you that.”
“You were downtown, though,” Jared noted. “Did you see anyone out of place while you were down there? The little girl was in front of the coffee shop. She had on a pink coat and hat.”
“I don’t think I saw anything out of the ordinary, but I wasn’t really looking,” Edwin said. “I’m sorry. I can’t imagine what that poor mother is going through. There were people on the streets when I was stopped at the intersection, people shopping. I think you were down there shopping.” He inclined his chin in Jared’s direction. “I only remember because you were with that really loud guy who is always in the gym.”
“Zander,” Jared supplied helpfully for Mel. “I was with Zander ... and he’s right. I was down there.”
“I didn’t see a little girl,” Edwin said. “If I did, I would’ve told you. I might not be a perfect man, but I wouldn’t stand by and let a kid be kidnapped and not do anything about it. That’s not who I am.”
“Okay, well ... I don’t suppose you’d let us search your house just to mark you off the list, would you?” Mel asked. “It would be helpful.”
�
��Knock yourself out. I have nothing to hide.”
Nine
Harper dressed warmly for the Christmas festival, opting for her blue parka and a matching hat. Even though electric warmers were moved to Main Street, it was Michigan, and winter in the Great Lakes state meant cold weather.
Jared texted that he would meet her there, so she rode with Shawn and Zander. This was Shawn’s first Christmas festival in Whisper Cove, so he had no idea what to expect.
“Is there outside square dancing?”
Zander was insulted by the question. “Do I look like I square dance?”
Shawn took a moment to study Zander’s bright red coat and matching boots. “I’m not going to lie. You look like you could do some square dancing if you put your mind to it.”
Zander scowled. “I can’t believe we’re dating.”
“That makes three of us,” Harper offered as she walked next to Zander. “I thought for sure you would find something to dislike about him by now. Too bad he doesn’t have overgrown toenails or nose hairs that you could braid, huh, Zander?”
“Oh, you’re so funny.” Zander poked her side as Shawn laughed. His reputation with men before Shawn was the stuff of legends and involved freaking out over back hair and climbing out a window to avoid having to explain exactly why the relationship wasn’t going to work. Shawn appeared at the exact right time — when Harper and Jared were making plans for the future — and Harper couldn’t help wondering if it was destiny, that perhaps Zander stayed single for as long as he did because he knew she needed him.
“I think I am funny,” Harper said, slowing her pace so she could study the festival as it popped into view. “It looks fairly normal.”
“Were you expecting it to change after thirty years of the same thing?” Zander queried. “I can’t ever remember it being different.”
“No, but with Zoe missing ... .” She trailed off, not wanting to throw a wet blanket over the festivities.
“They’re having a candlelight vigil for her,” Shawn volunteered. “I heard people talking about it in the gym today. I think people were upset over what happened to the point where they were considering not attending, but I think that would be a shame.”
“Why is that?” Harper was legitimately curious.
“Because this community is coming together to find that girl. The festival is just another way for them to come together. When we find her, Zoe is going to be able to look back on this and realize exactly how many people worked as a group to find her.”
“Oh, that’s a nice way of looking at it,” Harper enthused. “You have a good heart, Shawn. That’s only one of the things I love about you.”
“I’m guessing you also love me because I regularly take Zander off your hands.”
“That, too.” Harper giggled when Zander swiped at her, easily sidestepping him and almost crashing into an approaching figure. She had an apology on her lips — she hadn’t even imbibed any of the peppermint hot chocolate yet, so there was no reason to be unsure on her feet — but it died when she realized Jared was the one invading her personal space. “Hello, handsome.”
Jared grinned as he slipped his arm around her waist and gave her a quick kiss. “Hello, beautiful. You’re in a good mood this evening.”
“It’s Christmas,” she said simply. “Halloween is my favorite holiday, but there’s still something magical about Christmas.”
“You’re just looking forward to the spiked hot chocolate,” Zander countered.
“That, too. You definitely have to try to the hot chocolate, Shawn. You’ll dream about it for the rest of the year. You, too, Jared.”
“As lovely as that sounds, I believe I’m going to pass this evening,” Jared said. “We need to watch the crowd fairly closely, and I don’t think being drunk is going to help that endeavor.”
Harper sobered. “Do you think whoever took Zoe is going to be here?”
Jared held his hands palms out and shrugged. “I have no idea. It’s a possibility, though. They’re having a candlelight vigil. If you don’t want to be considered a suspect, the smart thing to do is attend.”
“Except you’re going to be watching the attendees,” Harper pointed out.
“I am, but it’s human nature to pretend to be innocent.”
“What does that mean for Zoe?” Shawn asked. “If her kidnapper is here, where will she be?”
“I don’t know the answer to that either.” Jared turned rueful. “We don’t know the kidnapper will be here. We have to watch, though. It’s all we have.”
“I’m guessing the van turned out to be nothing, huh?” Harper asked.
“It did. He let us in his house and there’s a legitimate reason for the dogs. He is a sex offender, but it’s one of those things that should’ve never made it on the list.”
“Like what?” Zander asked curiously. “Are you talking about whacking off in public or something? Because, if so, I totally agree that’s not a crime. It’s gauche, but not a crime.”
Harper scowled as Shawn choked on a laugh. “That is so gross.”
“It’s definitely gross,” Jared agreed, slinging an arm over Harper’s shoulders. “That’s not what he was nailed for. It was public urination.”
“Oh.” Harper made a face. “That’s ... weird. I didn’t know that was a thing you could get arrested for.”
“It’s been known to happen a time or two.” Jared pressed his lips to her temple, enjoying the way she snuggled in at his side. “So, I was thinking we would get some dinner together and look around before the vigil. We have a little time before that happens, though. Let’s spend it together.”
“You read my mind.”
“There’s no reason you can’t have the hot chocolate either, just because I can’t.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m totally having the hot chocolate. I can’t miss that.”
“I would say she’s exaggerating about the hot chocolate, but she’s really not,” Zander said. “It is the best thing ever made.”
“Then let’s get my girl giddy,” Jared suggested. “It will be fun since you’re going to have to be the one babysitting her during the vigil.”
“Oh, I see how your mind works.” Zander’s expression darkened. “I’m going to pay you back for that when you’re least expecting it.”
“Bring it on.”
THE FESTIVAL WAS AS FUN as Harper and Zander remembered, although they had nostalgia fueling them. Jared and Shawn were amused more than anything else, especially when two high school students walked by with shovels. They were complaining loudly to anyone who would listen, and Jared couldn’t stop grinning at their backs.
“What’s their deal?”
“Someone has to pick up the reindeer droppings,” Harper explained, snickering as the boys headed toward the end of the street. “Santa is down there to meet with the kids, and you can’t have Santa without reindeer.”
“Santa, huh? Do you want to sit on his lap and tell him what you want for Christmas?”
“I think I’ll stick to sitting on your lap.”
“Good choice.”
They got plates of food from one of the open restaurants and sat at a picnic table close to the warmers. Jared couldn’t remember ever seeing the town bustling with so much activity.
“This must be a big deal, huh?” He sawed into his kielbasa as he watched the happy people greeting one another. “I think everyone in town is here.”
“Pretty much,” Harper agreed, shoveling kielbasa and sauerkraut into her mouth. “Oh, this is marvelous. I only eat this once a year and it’s as amazing as it always is. I love it.”
“It’s pretty good,” Jared agreed, his eyes busy as they bounced between faces. He was making a big show of being interested in the conversation, but it was obvious that his mind was on other things.
“Why don’t you tell us what you’re thinking?” Harper suggested, opting to tackle the elephant in the room. “You can’t shut it off. Maybe we’ll be able to help.”
&
nbsp; “I’m thinking that people would notice if someone missed the festival,” Jared replied honestly. “I mean ... I don’t think everyone would obviously notice, but if someone from your particular peer group was absent, you’d probably question that, right?”
“I would think so,” Zander confirmed. “My entire family is here. They’re down that way.” He jerked his head to point. “Even though I came with Harper and Shawn, if I don’t stop to see them, I’ll be in big trouble. It’s a community event, but it’s the one time of the year when everyone treats each other like family.”
“So, I wonder who is missing,” Jared mused.
“I thought you said that the kidnapper is probably here,” Harper argued. “Are you changing your mind?”
“Maybe.” He stroked his chin, intent. “There are a lot of people here, more than I imagined. Maybe our culprit wouldn’t feel comfortable with this many people around at one time. Or maybe I’m just making this more difficult than I have to.”
Harper patted his hand, sympathetic. “I get it. The longer we go without finding Zoe, the more worried you get. You’re doing everything you can do.”
“Yeah, it’s not enough, though. Most missing children are found in the first twenty-four hours. The odds grow staggeringly lower after that. With each passing hour now, it becomes more and more difficult.”
“You can’t give up.”
Jared forced a smile as he turned back to her. “I’m not giving up. If I’ve learned anything from falling in love with you, it’s that miracles are possible.”
Harper went gooey all over as Zander mimed gagging.
“That was the schmaltziest thing I’ve ever heard,” Zander complained.
“Get used to it,” Jared ordered, leaning closer to Harper and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I’m going to keep it up for a very long time.”
JARED LEFT HARPER WITH Zander and Shawn so he could join Mel at the fringe of the crowd. The older police detective sipped coffee as Jared sidled up, and almost looked amused when he leaned forward to sniff the cup.
Ghostly Visions: A Harper Harlow Mystery Books 10-12 Page 28
