“What if he’s gone?”
“We’ve had a tail on you both since the beginning. Following the parents is standard procedure in a case like this.” She stared down at her phone.
There was that saying again. Standard pro. Tracy swallowed the lump in her throat. The police followed them to Kimi’s?
“I was looking for DJ,” she said.
“Listen,” Swenson leaned on the dresser, “if it were my kid, I’d be tearing every place apart in this town. I’d also be getting a bit of revenge along the way.”
They had to know Daniel didn’t have a car. Why didn’t they drive him to pick it up?
“Might be wise to say nothing.” Swenson huffed out a laugh. “We’ll be giving the news conference at seven so it can run throughout the day.”
“What if Daniel doesn’t show up?”
“You’ll have to give the statement. I’ll get you a copy in case.” She disappeared out the door, her footsteps heavy on the stairs.
Daniel should be at the police station screaming about his missing car by now. Unless he found a way to get to DJ and has taken off.
Car doors slammed in the background. Tracy walked to the doorway and glanced out the picture window. News vans lined the road, all getting ready for her big announcement. Would they show Daniel and Kimi’s photos on their segments so he’d be caught before he got too far?
Had the police covered both the front and back of the condo? If so, Swenson would have known she and Vonnie went inside the condo. All Daniel had to do was sneak out the back to disappear.
And Daniel was especially good about turning up missing. Even in their marriage. A picture on the nightstand of the family told of a decent man. A happy family.
Amazing how pictures lied.
Swenson walked back in, a slip of paper in her hand. “This is what you’ll say. Nothing elaborate. Don’t go off-script.”
Tracy took the paper and glanced at it. Only two paragraphs. She’d never been good at getting up in front of people. As a cheerleader, she never wanted to be the star, just a member. The only time she’d ever been on TV was when Jenny fell and landed on that ledge at Ross Ridge. Tracy’s shoulders shuddered. She’d come so close to losing her sister that day. Then being forced to talk about it for some reporter on a slow news day only made things worse.
“I’m sure Daniel will be here,” Tracy said. “He wouldn’t let an opportunity pass to get his name out. That is if he hasn’t sneaked off with my son without anyone knowing.”
“He’s not answering.” Swenson ignored the jab. “We’re trying to get the manager to let us in.”
Tracy’s pulse pounded in her ears. No matter the trouble she found herself in, she had to get DJ back. “The patio door was open last night,” she whispered.
Swenson stared at her then nodded. “It’s locked now.”
“I can’t believe he did this.” Tracy jerked a pair of panties and bra from her drawer. “He doesn’t really care about DJ. Always too busy to come to baseball games and paying for this woman while allowing us to starve proves it more.” She caught sight of a frown on the detective’s face. “I’m sorry for the rant. It’s irritating that others think he’s such a good father.”
“Heck, I can do better than that.” She patted Tracy on the shoulder. “But if Daniel doesn’t have him, it’s always better for both parents to appear at the news conference.”
“Well, you’ll have to be the one to get him here. He stopped caring about what I wanted years ago.” Tracy bit her tongue to keep from adding, if he was still there, but thought better of it. Her attention returned to her closet. Her red silk shirt hung in front of her. Too fancy. Tracy caressed the soft cashmere sweater in the corner. Too bulky. Maybe the…frustration raced through her.
“What do you wear to plead for your missing child?” she muttered.
The floral dress off to the side caught her eye. It had been a gift from DJ last Mother’s Day. He’d worked pulling weeds in the neighbor’s garden to pay for it himself. The yellow color wasn’t very flattering, not to mention the belt that tightened under her breasts. Definitely not something Tracy would’ve chosen for herself. Except for that Sunday, she hadn’t worn it again. But if DJ was watching, she wanted him to know she missed him and loved him.
Anger rolled in. Little doubt Daniel would be watching, laughing about how he’d fooled them all. He’d keep laughing until they ran out of money, and he needed to return for those bonds. Then she’d get the last laugh.
After she dressed, she walked downstairs. Jenny and Dad were seated in the living room.
“Anything on Daniel?” A light hint of perfume came from her sister. Sweet, subtle.
“No.” Dad shook his head.
Gary came up behind her. “I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to talk with you yesterday.” He kissed Tracy on the side of the head.
Jenny gave them a sideways glance.
“So no Daniel yet?” Gary glanced around the room.
“Probably sleeping it off.” Jenny scoffed. She informed Tracy that Vonnie had headed home wanting to be there to sit with the kids while they watched. She thought it’d be easier to discuss things without a bunch of reporters around.
Tracy agreed.
Jenny looked Tracy up and down. “That dress isn’t very flattering,” she said.
“I know, but it was a gift from DJ.”
Jenny smiled. “He’ll love that you’re wearing it.” The forced smile on her sister’s face didn’t give much encouragement, but Tracy needed for DJ to see her in it. Besides, she wasn’t trying out for a dating show. “Listen,” she lowered her voice, hoping the change of the subject would help her confidence. “I discovered Daniel has a secret bank account with a lot of money in it.”
“How’d you find that out?”
“Don’t ask, because you’d never believe me if I told you.” Tracy scooted closer. “I’m worried the reason he isn’t here is he’s taken off with DJ and that tramp of his.”
“If sho, the newsh could be one way to catch him.” Dad took hold of Tracy’s hand. “He won’t get away.”
Swenson stood in the open front doorway. “We need to get moving. Daniel still hasn’t arrived, so we’ll have to do this without him.” She led Tracy onto the neatly trimmed green lawn now covered with reporters crowded into a small circle. Each station had a camera pointing in her direction. They all hoped for a tidbit that would make their news the one to watch. They only cared about ratings, not her son.
Jenny and Dad on each side of her, Detective Swenson stood off to Dad’s right, while Gary had his arm around Jenny’s waist. Dad slipped his hand over Tracy’s. She glanced around for Agent Nicholson but saw no sign of him. Maybe he was out looking for DJ instead of standing in front of a bunch of reporters.
Tracy did her best to ignore everyone staring at her, forcing her attention to the large microphone protruding from the podium in front of her face.
“Hello, my name is Tracy Allen. I am the mother of DJ Allen.” Her voice cracked. She glanced at the paper and cleared her throat. She had to do this. For DJ. “If you’ve seen my son, please call and let us know. Or if you have him, please, please, let DJ come home.” She sniffled and brushed a tear that had escaped. “We miss him so much. He’s a wonderful boy, and we need him back here with us. We want —”
A man walked up and whispered something in Swenson’s ear, a sense of urgency in his eyes.
Tracy did her best to focus. “We want DJ back home with us. Please, look at his picture and if you see him, call the number on your screen. Let my little boy come home. Pl—”
Before she could continue, Swenson rushed to her car with several reporters taking off after her.
Chapter 44
Tommy rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He’d spent the night in his truck a block down from Tracy Allen’s house. He’d gone home and grabbed some clothes and items of value before anyone came after him. Everything else was left behind.
His hands shook.
>
He clicked through the radio stations. No news yet. He had to find Kimi, see if she had a way to Daniel Allen’s money. If not, that kid she had would be his ticket to freedom. She had to have him.
Tommy ran his hand over his chin. If not, he was toast.
His stomach rumbled. He put the car in drive and headed to a nearby McDonald’s. A news bulletin broke into the station as he pulled into the lot. He took the second parking spot and turned up the volume.
“This is Beth Jenson with the Channel 4 Newstream. We are going out to Randy Nedsfield in front of the Skyglaze Condominiums where a body has been discovered by the police. Randy.”
Tommy sat up straight.
“Thanks, Beth,” the man said. “As you stated, a body was found at the Skyglaze Condominiums. This particular condo is owned by Daniel Allen, though the police have yet to say whether the body found is that of an adult or child. We’re hoping for a briefing soon.” The man talked about police cars and everything and anything because he really didn’t know what was going on. After about a minute, he sent it back to the woman.
“Are there any suspects?” Beth asked.
Tommy pressed the volume button higher.
“The police aren’t saying. However, they have been collecting evidence inside and out, including behind the condominium. Crime scene technicians dusted for prints earlier on the back patio door. We can only guess that that is where the perpetrator entered. We spoke to a few neighbors,” the male reporter continued. “One told us that there were two women knocking at the door the night before. They were seen walking around the back of the building. We passed that information on to the police. No word on whether they are involved in any way.”
Tommy flicked off the news. He grinned. The police would accuse those women first. Even if his prints were found inside, being Kimi’s boyfriend gave him an excuse.
Exhilaration and anxiety filled him as he recalled the night before. Walking from the bathroom and the insurance man coming through the door. Daniel Allen went from stunned to angry in seconds. He shoved Tommy and, threatened to call the police. He even accused Tommy of having his missing kid. Tommy was okay with it, about to tell him to pay up when Allen raised his fist and caught Tommy on the chin. They fought. Tommy ended up against the kitchen counter where he grabbed a knife…
He inhaled a deep breath to calm his nerves.
The cops had nothing on him. He’d burned his bloody clothing before heading over here to stand watch over Tracy Allen. He needed to be patient. She’d pay just as much as anyone to get her kid back.
And if Kimi had that kid, she’d call as soon as she discovered her sugar daddy had been killed.
PART II
Chapter 45
Tracy glanced at the clock on the mantle. Almost 8:30. Tick. Tick. Had it always been so loud? Jenny had made coffee, and the aroma now filled the house. After Swenson raced off, the reporters started lobbing questions her way. Thankfully Gary took over while Jenny got her back inside the house.
“I can’t stand this.” Tracy wrung her hands.
“I know.” Dad, seated next to her, patted her on the back of her hand. “You were never one for patience.”
“I don’t know how you’re staying so calm.” She spoke to her sister in the large chair across from her. “I know you love DJ almost as much as I do.”
“Trust me,” Jenny said, “my insides are twitching too. I’m just tamping the concern down.”
“I can’t. Where can Swenson be?”
“It might have nothing to do with DJ,” Dad said. “I’m sure she’sh dealing with more cashesh than jusht hish. If it’sh important, it should be on the newsh.”
Jenny grabbed the remote and turned on the television. She flipped through channels until she came to a report with a man standing in the middle of the street. In the background were vehicles from the Pinebrook Sherriff’s Department.
The male reporter looked like a bulldog with his long hanging jowls. “Again,” he said, “a body has been found at the Skyglaze Condominiums. We are unsure if this has anything to do with the missing DJ Allen. There will be a news conference in twenty minutes which we will bring to you live.”
Tracy glanced at Jenny, whose eyes were wide. A quiver of fear raced up Tracy’s back.
Not able to stand it, she jerked up her phone and dialed Swenson’s number. The detective’s voicemail came on. “Detective, this is Tracy Allen. Please call and let me know what’s going on. I know Kimi Frazier lives at the Skyglaze Condominiums. The news is all over this thing. I need to know if DJ’s all right.” Her voice cracked.
She hung up, waited a few beats then jumped up. “I need to get over there.”
“Hold on.” Jenny was on her feet before Tracy reached the keys to her car. “You’re in no condition to drive.” She glanced at her watch. “Dad has a meeting at the center, why don’t we drop him off, and we’ll go together.”
“I’m going with you.” Dad’s voice held firm.
“No, you aren’t,” Jenny said. “All I’ve heard from you this past month was how important this meeting is. You’ll not miss it. Besides, it’ll be better if it’s me and Tracy shoving through that crowd.”
Dad stared up at her, sadness gathered in his eyes. He knew what she was saying—he’d only slow them down.
“I can wait in the car while you check it out.” He forced himself to his feet, a determined look on his face. “Thish is more important than any meeting.”
“I’ll drive and wait with him,” Gary said. “But I think we both should be there in case you need us.”
Three sharp raps sounded at the front door. All of them looked in that direction.
“I’ll get it.” Jenny walked over and glanced through the door viewer. “It’s Swenson.” She opened the door. “We’ve been trying to reach you.”
“I’m here to see Ms. Allen.”
Jenny used her hand to point at Tracy behind her.
“Ms. Allen, I need you to come with me.”
“Why?” Tracy’s lip wobbled. “What’s going on? Did you find DJ?” She could barely contain her anxiety. “Please tell me what’s happened.”
“I’ll explain at the station.”
“Can they come with me?” Tracy used her head to point toward her family. Fear settled over her. “Please, if it’s bad news, I don’t want to be alone.”
The detective walked over and took hold of Tracy’s arm. When she tried to pull away, the detective’s grip tightened.
“Right now, it’s unofficial,” Swenson said. “But if you don’t agree, I’ll arrest you for breaking and entering at Kimi Frazier’s last night.”
Chapter 46
Tommy slid down in the seat as he watched Tracy Allen being led to a police car. A redheaded woman followed behind. There was something familiar about her, but he couldn’t quite place it.
Reporters snapped pictures and shouted questions everyone ignored. Idiots. An older man with a cane stood in the doorway to the Allen house. A thin man walked up and placed his hand on the shoulder of the redhead.
He didn’t realize the Allens were related to Gary Carlisle, a senator or state representative or something. He was always in the paper.
How much would he pay to get the kid back?
The police officer put Tracy Allen in the car’s backseat. Never a good sign. Little doubt they were taking her to the station to talk to her about Daniel Allen and didn’t want her to feel like a suspect.
“Fool.”
Going into that condo made her the number one suspect for her husband’s murder. And she definitely had a motive.
Tommy smiled. Might have just bought him a get-out-of-jail-free card. No jury would convict him with the ex in the house moments before her husband’s murder.
He rubbed the day’s growth of whiskers. A woman like that, connected with that politician, would have a high-powered attorney and be out in no time. She’d at least get bail, unlike a poor sap like him. Tommy started the truck. No point in waiti
ng around to get spotted.
As he started up the truck, his phone rang in the console. He jerked it out. Filmore. Tommy swallowed hard. He’d eventually send Charlie out looking for him.
Tommy put the truck into gear and headed to the police station to wait for Tracy Allen. If she was arrested and didn’t make bail, then finding Kimi and that kid might be next to impossible.
Chapter 47
Jenny bit her thumbnail. Gary had driven her and Dad downtown.
Something big had to be going on for the police to bring Tracy to the station and threaten to arrest her. Dad’s jaw was tight, his brow furrowed. Gary stood in a corner on the telephone trying to get some answers. All the while, she paced in a small circle.
Gary finally finished with his call and walked over. “That was Leon, my contact with the DOJ. The body found was Daniel’s.”
Jenny’s breath left her. Dad gave a curt nod.
“So why did they bring Tracy in for?” Jenny asked. “No way would she be responsible.”
“She was seen in the area last night.” Gary glanced around. “They’ve brought Vonnie in as well.”
“Vonnie? Not surprised.” Jenny smacked her hands down at her side. “What can we do now?”
“All we can do is wait.”
Jenny stared at her red shoes which matched the flowers on her shirt. Daniel being dead changed everything. Had DJ seen him killed? If so, was he still alive? A sob escaped her. Gary wrapped her in a hug. She had to get DJ back before it was too late.
Her hands shook, and pain in her head blew in like a hurricane. She had enough stress without having to deal with a migraine on top of it. Dizziness hit her. Gary released her next to Dad. She placed her palm against her head. He took hold of her other hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Everything will be fine,” he said.
She gave a slight nod and forced a smile. “I need to use the restroom,” Jenny looked around.
Fade to the Edge Page 12
