by Sharon Sala
Daniel’s heart stopped, and when it kicked back into rhythm, pounded erratically against his chest.
“God in heaven…where was her teacher?”
“Where she always was, but Hope said she got out of line because she was sad. I don’t think Mrs. Kristy knew for a while. Hope also said that Mrs. Barnes wasn’t there when school let out. She said she doesn’t want to go to dance classes with her anymore because she’s always late.”
Daniel felt sick to his stomach, absorbing the horror of what he was hearing. At the same time, he thought of the headlines in this morning’s paper.
“Two little girls have already been abducted here in the city.”
“What?”
Daniel frowned. “Honey…you knew that. We talked about it just last week.”
Mary couldn’t wrap her thoughts around what she was hearing. The only last week she could remember was working as a sales clerk in the dress shop and going home to an empty house.
“Yes, of course,” she muttered. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“Have you talked to Mrs. Kristy?”
Mary flushed. Suddenly she felt as if she’d failed at her duty at a parent.
“No, but Hope only told me about it less than an hour ago. I wanted to talk to you first before I did anything.”
“Yes, of course,” Daniel said, and then hugged Mary close. “Maybe we’re making too much out of nothing, but in this day and age, you can’t be too careful.”
“That’s what I thought,” Mary said. “I didn’t want to panic and cause Hope to have anxiety. She was already bothered by the fact that in talking to him, she’d disobeyed a very important rule.”
“Lord,” Daniel muttered, and shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m going to shower and change. Give me five minutes and then I’ll be down to supper. We’ll call Mrs. Kristy together after Hope goes to bed, okay?”
“Okay,” Mary said, and then hugged Daniel tight. “Oh Daniel, when she started talking about that man…” Then she shuddered. “I’ve never been so scared.”
“You did the right thing, honey. Don’t worry. Chances are the incident was innocent, but we can never be too careful. She’s not even seven years old and still so trusting. Losing her innocence will be inevitable, but not now. Keeping this low-key is the best for her. We don’t want to frighten her unnecessarily.”
Mary nodded, then watched Daniel bound up the stairs before she went back into the kitchen where Hope was playing. She kept going over and over the sequence of events during the past few hours, certain there was something obvious she was missing, but for the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what it was.
She continued to set the table and dish up the food as Hope finished coloring her picture. She was putting ice in their glasses when Hope slapped the coloring book closed and announced.
“Mommy, I’m hungry.”
Mary’s stomach was in knots as she turned to face her daughter, then she heard Daniel’s footsteps as he came hurrying down the stairs.
“Daddy’s coming now,” Mary said. “Go wash your hands while I put the food on the table, okay?”
“Yea!” Hope cried, and skipped toward the bathroom off the kitchen.
Daniel entered as Hope was leaving. “Yes… Yea! I echo her sentiments,” he said. “I’m starving, too.”
“After all that shrimp scampi we had at lunch?”
Daniel grinned. “I’m a growing boy.”
Mary laughed and handed him a bowl of mashed potatoes.
“Please put these on the table while I get the meatloaf out of the warming oven.”
“Man, I love your meatloaf,” Daniel said, as he set the potatoes on the table.
“Salad is in the fridge,” Mary said. “Would you get it, too?”
Daniel went toward the refrigerator just as Hope came back in the room.
“May I have juice, please?
“And juice for the princess,” Daniel said, as he took a pitcher of apple juice from the refrigerator along with the salad.
Hope sat down at the table with all the assurance of a child who knows she is loved.
“Daddy…”
“What honey?”
“I talked to a stranger today.”
Daniel glanced at Mary and then sighed. “I know. Mommy told me.”
“I’m sorry.”
He put the salad and juice on the table and then sat down beside her.
“Want to talk about it?”
She ducked her chin. “I won’t do it again.”
Daniel laid his hand on her head, thinking as he did, that for such a small child, she had a very huge hold on his heart.
“That’s good, honey.” He hesitated, then added. “If you ever see the man again, do you know what to do?”
Hope frowned. “Run away?”
“That’s right. Run away, then find your teacher and tell her. Can you remember to do that?”
Hope nodded.
Daniel grinned, and tweaked her nose.
“Good girl.” Then he winked at Mary as she set a platter of meatloaf on the table. “Let’s eat, what do you say?”
“Yes,” Hope said. “I say eat, too.”
Mary slid into her seat and bowed her head as Daniel started to say grace, but even as her eyes were closing, she was picturing a man with yellow hair, a big mouth and funny teeth touching her daughter and telling her she was pretty. It was all she could do not to throw up.
Lena Kristy was just getting out of the shower when her phone began to ring. She grabbed for a towel, wrapping it around her as she raced for the phone.
“Hello?”
“Mrs. Kristy, it’s Daniel O’Rourke. I know this is an imposition to be calling you at this hour, but we’ve had a little situation at home today that you might be able to help us with.”
Lena sat down on the side of the bed. Something told her she knew what he was going to say before it came out of his mouth.
“I had a dentist appointment after school today and I haven’t been home very long. I was just getting out of the shower when you called. Actually, you’ve beat me to the punch, because I intended to call you.”
Daniel waved to Mary to pick up the portable phone so that they could both hear at the same time.
“My wife is on the other phone,” Daniel said.
“Hello, Mrs. O’Rourke. Is Hope okay?”
“Yes…but why do you ask?”
“I don’t know why you’re calling, but I know why I was going to call you.”
“Why is that?” Daniel asked.
“When it was time to go home today, I took the kids out to catch their rides, just like I do every day. They walk in line and know they’re not supposed to step away, but Hope did. I don’t know how long she’d been out of line when I missed her, but I saw her even as I was turning to look for her. She was sitting on that bench just to the left of the gates. You know the one I mean.”
Mary frowned. She could almost picture the school building, but not quite. It was in her memory, but faded, like looking at the world through a thin veil of fog.
“The bench under the trees?” Daniel asked.
“Yes, that’s the one,” Lena said. “Anyway, when I saw her, she wasn’t alone. There was a man talking to her that I didn’t know. I immediately called to Hope and she came running as the man walked away. I never did get a good look at his face, but I do know that he had no business on the grounds. He wasn’t a substitute teacher because I checked. We only had two today and they were both women. I told the principal immediately and she called the police, but the man was gone. I can’t say that he meant her any harm, but he had no business being there.”
Daniel sighed and rolled his eyes at Mary. They both knew how hectic it was for teachers after school, trying to get the children in the right cars and on the right buses. He could see how the incident had happened, but it didn’t make them feel any better.
“I appreciate the fact that you’ve already taken steps to increase security at school,
especially considering the children who’ve already gone missing here in Savannah.”
Lena sighed. “I’m so sorry. She’s my responsibility and I know it, but sometimes there’s not enough of me to go around.”
“I know the feeling,” Mary said.
“Oh,” Lena said. “One more thing. Hope cried today after school. The woman who takes her to dance class is often late and it makes Hope very anxious. She worries a lot. I just thought you would want to know.”
“Yes, she told me as much,” Mary said. “Daniel and I haven’t talked about it yet, but as far as I’m concerned, Mrs. Barnes will not be picking Hope up again. In fact, I’m thinking about taking her out of the dance class altogether. She’s too young to be doing so much, especially during the school week.”
Daniel watched the intensity on Mary’s face and marveled at how far she’d come from the shy, inhibited woman she’d once been.
“I agree,” Daniel said. “We’ll take care of the dance class situation and you make sure that man does not get access to the children again.”
“Consider it already done,” Lena said. “The principal assured me that there would be uniformed policemen on duty before and after school until the person responsible for the missing children is found.”
“That’s great,” Daniel said. “Thanks again for your help.”
“And thank you for your understanding,” Lena said.
They hung up, then looked at each other and sighed.
“It isn’t easy being a parent, is it?” Mary asked.
Daniel opened his arms. “Come here, baby. I’m thinking I need a hug.”
Mary’s lower lip quivered as she walked into his arms. “I don’t know what I need, but I’m so thankful you’re here with me.”
“Where else would I be?” Daniel asked.
Mary hid her face against his chest and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She wanted to tell Daniel how confused she was. She needed to say aloud everything that was happening to her, but if she did, he would probably have her committed.
Howard Lee took the carton of ice cream out of the grocery sack and put it in the freezer. He’d debated for a good thirty minutes before choosing the flavor, but had finally decided on vanilla. You never went wrong with vanilla. Besides, he had several kinds of sprinkles from which his little angel could choose. Tomorrow he would order her a cake. Strawberry cream, he thought. Pink—for little girls.
He put up the other groceries and then moved to the utility room, took the clean sheets out of the dryer and hurried down the hall to the guest room. He was smiling in anticipation as he began to put the new linens on the bed. The sheets were pink with caricatures of Barbie imprinted upon the fabric. Howard Lee prided himself on being the perfect host, and nothing was too good for his little angels. Each one got their own special sheets for the sleepover, just like they got their own presents for the party. He’d had the Little Mermaid for Amy Anne, but she’d done nothing but cry and beg to go home. Unfortunately, he’d had to resort to stern measures to contain her rebellion.
When he’d adopted Justine, the theme in the guest room had been Cinderella. He’d even gotten a small, stuffed mouse for her to sleep with, reminiscent of the ones in the Disney movie. But she’d tried to crawl out the window, so he had to resort to sedatives in her food and move her down below, just as he now did Amy Anne.
But his hopes were high for his new little girl. Maybe she would be the one who would settle right in, and when she did, the others would surely follow.
He hummed beneath his breath as he worked, reveling in the sensuousness of the smooth new sheets and the colorful pillow slips on the pillows. Impulsively, he picked up one of the pillows, lifted it to his face then inhaled. Meadow fresh. His favorite scent.
“Perfect,” he said, as he laid it against the head-board, then pulled the eyelet bedspread over the sheets and tucked it in place.
His gaze swept the room as he backed out of the doorway, making sure that everything was perfect for his little angel’s arrival. His pulse kicked erratically as he gripped the doorknob and then closed the door. Only a few more days and then she’d be here. For Howard Lee, it would be none too soon.
Daniel sat on the side of the bed, watching Mary sleep. This was the second time he’d been up to check on Hope, making sure she was still safe in her bed. He couldn’t get past the gut-wrenching fear of knowing he could not protect her every minute of her day.
Mary moaned, then murmured something beneath her breath that Daniel couldn’t hear, but he didn’t have to hear the words to know the source of her discomfort. He’d seen the panic on her face. He’d heard her voice tremble and her hands shake. A threat to a child, however impotent, was enough to awaken every violent tendency a parent might have.
He sighed, then stretched out beside Mary and took her in his arms.
“Sssh,” he whispered, and spooned her against his body. “It’s okay, honey, everything’s okay. Just sleep.”
Within seconds, he felt her body relaxing, and then heard her breathing even out. Now if he could just follow his own orders, maybe they’d both get some sleep.
Detective Reese Arnaud poured himself a fresh cup of coffee and then headed back to his desk. Last night in Savannah had been a slow night for crime. One hit-and-run without a fatality and a hooker who was claiming rape and assault, along with another crash and grab and two robberies—one at an all-night service station and the other at an ATM.
But he would have willingly worked a night in hell if only they could find the two little girls who’d gone missing last month. Amy Anne Fountain and Justine Marchand were their names—ages six and seven, respectively. Their parents called him every day, and every day he had to tell them that they were still checking out leads. But the truth was, they had no new leads—nothing to lead the police as to where they’d gone or even a hint of who’d taken them.
He took his coffee with him as he headed for the morning meeting where the task force was assembled. Being lead detective on the case made him ultimately responsible for the success or failure of the investigation. It also made him sick to his stomach.
As he walked into the room, his gaze went immediately to the pictures of the two missing victims. The sight of their innocent faces was the stuff of his recent nightmares. What kind of maniac does it take to mess with babies? Tiny little girls whose lives should still be far removed from the ugliness of what the adult world had become. He had nightmares, imagining them crying for their mothers, begging to go home. And that was a best-case scenario. In the real hell that had become his dreams, they were no longer able to cry about anything.
“What do we have?” he asked, “and for God’s sake give me some good news.”
“Sorry, Arnaud, no can do.”
“Then what can you tell me?”
“Well…we’re not sure how this connects, or even if it does, but the principal at Robert E. Lee elementary school reported a strange man on the grounds yesterday afternoon.”
Arnaud’s heart skipped a beat. “Did anybody get a good look at him?”
“Just the kid he was talking to.”
“By any chance was it a little girl?”
“Yeah, I think so. Let me check my notes…yeah, here it is. Hope O’Rourke, age six. Her parents are Daniel and Mary O’Rourke.”
Arnaud’s belly turned. Ah God…not that Hope. Pretty, dark-haired, impish little fairy of a female who just happened to be his daughter’s best friend.
“God Almighty,” Arnaud murmured. Suddenly this was too close to home.
The detective looked up, surprised by Arnaud’s reaction.
“You know her?”
“She’s Molly’s best friend. She’s spent the night at my house more than once.” Then he managed a small smile. “Hell, once she even threw up on my shoe.”
“Man…that’s cold,” the detective said. “What do you want us to do?”
“I’ll do the follow-up,” Arnaud said. “She knows me, so chances are if
there’s anything to tell, I’ll get more out of her than anyone else. As for the rest of you, I want unmarked cars at every elementary school this afternoon. Tate…you’re point man to coordinate with the schools. Make sure the administration knows you’re there and why, but keep it low-key. I don’t want anyone blowing your covers.”
“You got it,” Tate said.
Arnaud nodded at the others, glanced one last time at Amy Anne Fountain and Justine Marchand’s pictures, then walked out of the room. Whatever it took, he would make sure that Hope O’Rourke’s picture did not wind up on there, too.
Daniel’s secretary knocked on his door and then stepped inside.
“I know you didn’t want to be disturbed, but there’s a policeman on the phone who says he needs to talk to you. Line two.”
Daniel grabbed the receiver.
“This is Daniel O’Rourke.”
“Dan…Reese Arnaud. We need to talk.”
Daniel frowned. “What about?”
“We got a report that your daughter was approached yesterday by a stranger on the grounds of her school.”
“Since when do homicide detectives investigate those kinds of reports?”
“Since two little girls about her age have gone missing,” Arnaud answered.
For a moment, Daniel felt like throwing up, and then he took a deep breath and made himself concentrate.
“Do you think the man Hope saw is the same one who snatched the two girls?”
“I don’t know, but at this point, I can’t afford to ignore any lead, no matter how small.”
Daniel closed his eyes and wearily pinched the bridge of his nose. “What do you want to know?”
“I need to talk to Hope. I want to know what the guy looked like…if she’d ever seen him before. You know…stuff that might give us a lead toward finding the missing children.” He paused, then added. “I don’t sleep anymore. I find myself getting up at night and going into Molly’s room just to make sure she’s all right. When they told me about the incident at the school, my first thought was, hell yes…a new lead. And then they told me the child’s name and I felt sick to my stomach. Damn it, Daniel, she’s Molly’s best friend. I’ve read bedtime stories to her, put Band-Aids on her boo-boos and given up the last of the chocolate chip cookies to her endearing pleas. She’s as close to my child as she could be and not be of my blood. I guess what I’m saying is…this hit too close to home.”
