“If you ask me, yes. But I guess you’d have to ask Eden as well to find out if she agrees.”
Barker looked out the window, his eyes scanning the sidewalks as if searching for something or someone. Leo had noticed him doing that a lot. Perhaps it was a habit he carried over from his years on the force; always on the lookout for suspicious activity.
“I just might do that,” Barker murmured, his voice suddenly distracted as he caught sight of a tall woman standing on the corner.
The woman’s back was turned to them, her long dark hair and slim-fitting jeans the only features Leo could see. Barker’s attention stayed on the woman, and he looked away only after she turned around, revealing wide set eyes over a turned-up nose.
They continued on in silence until the BMW turned into Eden’s driveway and Leo parked behind a red Mini Cooper.
“Cool little ride.”
Barker circled the tiny car before following Leo to the front step. The door opened before Leo could knock, and Eden stood silhouetted in the doorway, her hair a golden gleam in the brightly lit foyer.
Leo let his eyes linger on her face for a long beat, taking in the strained smile and the unmistakable worry in her green eyes. He recalled her often wearing the same expression in the days and weeks after she’d rescued Hope from Vinny Lorenzo. But he hadn’t seen that look of anxiety in recent weeks, and he’d allowed himself to believe she was recovering.
Eden stepped forward and Leo instinctively pulled her into an embrace. He held her against him, feeling the stiff muscles in her back relax as he whispered in her ear.
“It’s going to be fine. We’ll figure out what’s going on.”
Eden nodded against his chest, then raised her head. He saw the shine of tears in her eyes as he lifted a hand to push a strand of silky hair back from her cheek.
“It just feels like it’s starting all over again. A girl is missing, and no one seems to believe me.”
“I believe you, Eden,” Leo said, his voice firm. “And I’ve brought someone who can help.”
Leo turned to Barker, who stood on the front step wearing an awkward smile. He waved at Eden and nodded a greeting.
“Hello, Ms. Winthrop. Good to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
Eden stared at Barker as if she’d seen a ghost, her skin turning pale as the blood drained from her face.
“What is he doing here?” she asked, her voice hoarse. “What does he want?”
Leo stared at Barker, his brow furrowed in confusion.
“Do you two know each other?”
“Well, yes…sort of,” Barker stuttered. “I was one of the detectives assigned to investigate Mercy Lancaster’s homicide. I met Ms. Winthrop as part of the investigation.”
Eden lifted her hand to her mouth, as if to stop herself from saying something she would regret. She took a deep breath and then lowered her hand.
“I’m sorry, Detective Barker. I didn’t expect to see you and it just…well, shocked me. The last time we talked I believe I was giving a statement about what happened the night my sister was killed. I’m sure you can understand it was a very upsetting time.”
“God, Eden, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
“Didn’t realize what, Mr. Steele?”
Reggie Horn’s voice sounded over Eden’s shoulder, and Eden moved aside to reveal the diminutive woman. Reggie’s mouth was set in a hard line, and she had both hands on her thin hips as she glared at Leo.
“It’s not important, Reggie, let’s all just get inside.”
Eden motioned for the two men to follow her and Reggie back to the kitchen, but Leo saw that Reggie continued to watch him suspiciously. She’d already warned him off Eden once, and he had a sinking feeling she would do it again if given half a chance.
Duke blinked up at Leo when he entered the kitchen, and Leo walked over and ruffled the fur on the dog’s head, but didn’t speak, still worried about Eden’s reaction to Barker.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on?” Reggie asked.
“Detective Barker worked on Mercy’s homicide,” Eden said in a flat voice. “I was surprised to see him here. It’s been a stressful day…but it’s okay.”
“So, what exactly are you playing at, Mr. Steele?” Reggie demanded. “Are you trying to stir up trouble, or does that just come naturally to you?”
“It’s my fault,” Barker offered, stepping into the room and facing Reggie. At six feet tall and two hundred pounds, he seemed huge beside Reggie’s five-foot frame.
Reggie stared up at Barker, seemingly unperturbed by his heft, and raised her eyebrows as he explained.
“I should have told Leo about the investigation. I wasn’t thinking that an unexpected reminder of such a painful past event would be upsetting for Ms. Winthrop.”
“It isn’t in the past for Eden, Detective,” Reggie said, her tone softening at the look of remorse Barker wore. “She lives with her sister’s death every day. She tucks her sister’s children into bed every night because Mercy isn’t here to do it.”
Leo’s heart clenched as Reggie’s words hit home. The dead were never really in the past for those they left behind. He knew, because he lived with his mother and father’s death every day, too, and they had led him to the quest that now dominated his life.
“Very wise words,” Barker murmured, his eyes lingering on Reggie’s solemn face. “I’m sure everyone here can understand.”
Reggie nodded and stuck out a small hand.
“Since Mr. Steele didn’t see fit to introduce us, I guess I’ll have to do the honors. I’m Eden’s friend, Reggie Horn. And I’m also the director of Mercy Harbor and Hope House.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Horn. I’m Pete Barker, but most people just call me Barker.”
“Well, I think I prefer Pete. And please, call me Reggie.”
If Leo didn’t know better he would think Reggie and Barker were flirting. Tucking the idea away, he turned to Eden.
“I’m sure you’re anxious to talk about Kara. Tell us what you know. Barker is here to help.”
✽ ✽ ✽
Leo listened to Eden’s recap of the events leading up to Kara’s disappearance. She’d gotten to the part about seeing a gold chain in Dr. Bellows’ van when Barker interrupted.
“So, what do you know about this Dr. Bellows? You have any background information on the guy?”
Reggie stood and stretched her back, then paced over to stand by the window. The last vestiges of daylight lent a warm glow to her ebony skin, and Leo noted that Barker watched her with fascinated eyes as she spoke.
“I checked him out when he offered to volunteer at Hope House. We always run a background check, and I performed a reference check myself.”
Reggie kept her voice calm and measured, as if giving testimony in a court case.
“He’s a well-regarded doctor in the community, a volunteer for many local charities, and a devoted husband to a woman that is paraplegic and uses a wheel-chair. Everyone I spoke with gave him glowing references.”
“And no reported incidents at anywhere he volunteered?”
“Not that I know of,” Reggie said, then conceded, “but the old community health center was closed down years ago, so I wasn’t able to talk to anyone there for a reference.”
Leo’s pulse began to beat faster at her words.
“You mean Dr. Bellows volunteered at the community health center downtown?” Leo’s voice was hard. “When did he work there?”
Reggie shrugged and bit her lip as she tried to think.
“I believe he said he volunteered there several times. Both before his medical residency and then after he moved back to Willow Bay to open his practice. I think the last time was in 2006 or there about.”
Leo met Barker’s eyes, knowing the retired detective was thinking the same thing that he was.
Dr. Bellows may have worked with my mother. He may have met Natalie Lorenzo, a drug-addicted woman like Kara. A woman that had gone m
issing before turning up dead.
But could he share his suspicions with Eden and Reggie before knowing for sure there was a link? He didn’t want Eden to worry about something that may prove to be unfounded. He needed to do some digging first.
Leo looked at Eden’s anxious face, saw the nervous way she fidgeted with a napkin on the table, and knew he couldn’t wait to talk to Dr. Bellows. If there was even a remote chance that the man was involved with the murder of Natalie Lorenzo or his mother, he couldn’t sit by and let another young woman fall victim to the same fate.
“I think Barker and I should have a chat with the good doctor.”
He stood and turned to Reggie.
“Do you know where we can find him? Do you have his home address?”
“He might still be at Hope House,” Reggie said, her voice betraying her reluctance in sharing the information. “We agreed to start hosting NA meetings on Saturday nights for the community. Dr. Bellows should be there until eight.”
Leo looked at his watch, his heart pumping at the thought that Penelope Yates was no longer the only lead on their radar. But they only had fifteen minutes to get to Hope House if they wanted to catch the doctor before he went home.
“I’m going to go now,” Leo said, crossing to Eden and taking her hands in his. “But I’d like to come back after I talk to Dr. Bellows. I want us to spend some time together.”
Eden nodded up at him, managing a smile as she walked with him to the door.
“That would be great. Leo. I’d rather not be alone tonight.”
“Okay, then it’s settled. Once I speak to Dr. Bellows I’ll be back. Maybe I’ll even pick up a bottle of wine. I think we both need to relax after the day we’ve had.”
Leo waited until he and Barker were in the car, speeding toward Hope House before speaking again. As the lights of downtown Willow Bay approached, Leo spoke into the car’s silent interior.
“I hope I’m wrong, Barker. But I have a bad feeling about the saintly Dr. Bellows.”
Chapter Fifteen
Doc stood at the back of the meeting room, listening to a young man share the story of his addiction and recovery with the other addicts in the room. The man, sporting long sideburns and a New York Yankees sweatshirt, had identified himself only as Tom, and he had been rambling on for almost five minutes.
As the wall clock behind Tom ticked toward eight o’clock, Doc lifted his hand to cover a wide yawn, trying to hide his boredom and disgust at the weak, whining people that attended the NA meetings.
“Thank you, Tom, for sharing your journey with the rest of the group,” Doc called out as Tom finally took a seat. “It’s now time to close out the meeting. Would anyone like to volunteer to lead tonight’s closing prayer?”
A slim woman in stretch pants and a faded tank top raised her hand. She looked at Doc with puffy, wet eyes, and he saw that she was clutching a tissue in her hand, shredding it into little pieces that she let fall to the floor.
Doc nodded at the woman, barely able to hide his contempt. While most of the people at the NA meetings he hosted were numb, exhibiting little emotion, sometimes he’d get someone, usually a woman, that would be overcome with self-pity and subject everyone to a crying jag.
“What’s your name?” Doc asked as the woman stood.
“I’m Laura, and I’m an addict.”
Doc wanted to roll his eyes at the silly woman. Of course, she was an addict. Every loser in the room was an addict.
That’s what made these meetings such perfect hunting grounds.
“Thank you for sharing, Laura,” Doc said, offering up a warm smile. “Please lead us in the closing prayer.”
Laura closed her eyes and clasped her hands in front of her chest. Her voice trembled as she recited the one prayer everyone in the room knew by heart.
“Dear God, please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.”
Doc ushered everyone out of the meeting room before locking the doors behind him. He stopped in the administration office to collect his backpack, then headed out to the parking lot.
As he neared his van, Doc saw two men standing by the driver’s door. His gut told him immediately that the heavier man was a cop. He knew the type too well, could tell by the way he carried himself. But the younger man was too well-dressed to be law enforcement. He looked at Doc with hungry eyes.
Whoever he was, he would be dangerous.
“Dr. Adrian Bellows?”
The man who looked like a cop squared his shoulders and positioned himself in front of the door to the van.
“Hello, gentlemen, how can I help you?”
Doc decided he’d play the helpful volunteer role with these two men. They didn’t seem the types to be intimidated by the arrogant doctor routine he’d used with Kara Stanislaus and Eden Winthrop. Better to try to ingratiate himself, at least until he could find out who they were and what they wanted.
“We’d like to ask you a few questions.”
“Sure, but since you obviously already know who I am, can I ask who you are?”
“I’m Leo Steele. I’m a lawyer and I represent Eden Winthrop, the founder of this facility.”
Doc didn’t allow himself to react to the words, but his pulse quickened at the man’s last name. He tried to keep his expression neutral, wondering what they wanted, and what he was going to say.
Just stay calm and play along. Find out why they’re here.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Steele.” Doc flashed a warm smile. “Eden Winthrop’s an inspiring woman. I’ve been honored to volunteer here. The community needs more people like Ms. Winthrop, and more facilities like Hope House.”
Doc looked over at the older man and raised his eyebrows.
“And you are?”
“You can call me Barker, and let’s just say I’m an interested citizen,” the big man said, his voice flat. “Interested in finding out what you know about a young woman who’s gone missing.”
“Oh dear, someone is missing? How awful.”
Leo Steele stepped closer, staring into Doc’s eyes.
“Do you know where Kara Stanislaus is, doctor? From what I understand, you may be the last person to have seen her this morning at the hospital.
“No, actually, Mr. Steele, I didn’t see Kara this morning. The last time I saw her was yesterday afternoon, when I saved her life.”
“So, you weren’t at the hospital earlier today?”
Doc felt panic rising in his chest, constricting his throat.
They already know I was there. That bitch, Eden Winthrop, surely told them she’d seen me. The old cop is trying to trick me.
“Yes, I was there, but I didn’t see Kara.”
Doc managed to keep his voice even.
“I was much too busy looking after my wife to notice anyone else. But now that I hear she’s missing, I wish I’d thought to check in on her. Perhaps I could’ve prevented her from running off.”
“So, you have no idea where Kara Stanislaus may be?” Leo Steele asked, still staring directly into Doc’s eyes. “You didn’t see her at all this morning, and she was never in your van?”
“In my van? Why would she be in my van?”
Doc clenched his teeth as he felt a wet trickle slide down his back.
Never let them see you sweat, Doc.
Leo glanced over at Barker and gave a slight shake of his head, as if a silent question had been asked, and answered.
What do they know? What are they holding back?”
“Let me ask you something else.”
Leo cocked his head, leaning in even closer.
“Do you remember a woman named Natalie Lorenzo? She attended an addiction treatment program at the community health center. You volunteered there as well, didn’t you?”
“What? That…that old place closed down years ago,” Doc stammered, stalling for time. “I couldn’t possibly recollect every drug addict I’
ve treated.”
“I’m not asking you to remember every addict, Dr. Bellows, only Natalie Lorenzo. Do you remember treating her back in 2006?”
“No, I’m sorry, but I do not.” Doc couldn’t resist wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.
“Do you remember Helena Steele, a social worker who worked at the health center around the same time?”
Doc saw Leo’s jaw tighten around the words, and he instinctively took a step back.
“No, I don’t remember her, either. Is she related to you, Mr. Steele? I’m confused…what is this all about?”
Barker cleared his throat and put a big hand on Leo’s arm, as if holding him back.
“It’s about two homicides, Dr. Bellows,” Barker said. “It seems you are one of the only people we can identify that worked with both Natalie Lorenzo and Helena Steele.”
Doc stared at Barker with narrowed eyes; his good doctor routine wasn’t going to work.
If he kept talking he may end up making a mistake, and he couldn’t afford to give the men any more information. They already seemed to know too much.
“I told you, I don’t remember them. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get home to my wife.”
Doc stepped forward but Barker didn’t budge.
“Was your wife with you at the hospital this morning, Dr. Bellows? Perhaps she saw Kara while she was there? Could we speak with her?”
“No, you may not.” Doc’s face contorted with rage. “My wife is a paraplegic who needs around the clock care. She doesn’t need to be bothered by the likes of you.”
“Okay, I can understand that. That must be difficult.” Barker’s face was impassive. “But I do have a few more questions.”
“Get out of my way, Mr. Barker. I’m leaving.”
Barker didn’t move for a long second, then stepped aside. Doc pushed passed him and opened the car door, but Barker put a hand out, grasping Doc’s arm before he could get in.
“You know a woman named Penelope Yates, Dr. Bellows? She worked at the community health center, too, and we’d like to speak with her. Do you know where we can find her?”
Girl Eight: A Mercy Harbor Thriller Page 9
