by Barb Han
“Ms. Hughes?” The panicked look on the woman’s face said everything Rebecca needed to know as to why the lady was there. The expression was unmistakable, hope mixed with anxiety and fear. Gaunt eyes. Sallow skin.
“You want to get out of here?” Brody asked her quietly, his large frame blocking her view.
“Yes.” She turned back toward the hallway they’d come from.
“Please, don’t go.” The woman’s voice was full of terror. “It’s our son. He’s been missing since last year and we were hoping you could help. We’re from Sunnyvale.”
Hearing those words nearly ripped Rebecca’s heart out again. Whatever had happened, Rebecca feared she wouldn’t be able to help. She’d tried with her brother’s case and look how well that had turned out. “I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do.”
The woman’s brows knit in confusion. “Peter Sheffield called and told us what happened.” Brody took several steps forward, making progress toward her mother’s door, using his body as a shield. He squeezed Rebecca’s hand and she realized he was bringing her closer to her mother’s room. She understood his message. Once she got close enough, she could duck inside and lock the door. Later, she’d have a conversation with security about how the reporter brought a couple into what was supposed to be a secure facility.
“It’ll just take a minute of your time,” the man Rebecca assumed was the father said. He had that same look—dark circles under his eyes, desperation written across his features.
Rebecca glanced at the reporter. Sheffield was tall and sinewy. He had the beady eyes of a rat. Why was he here? What kind of game was he playing?
“I’m sorry that Mr. Sheffield said I could help in some way. I’m afraid he’s wrong.” Rebecca had made a fatal mistake in making eye contact with the desperate mother. No way could Rebecca slip away now. Those eyes would torment her for the rest of her life if she didn’t face the woman.
“He was seven. Just like your brother,” the mother quickly added.
Brody’s body stiffened as he folded his arms across his chest.
She touched his arm, moved around him, and whispered, “It’s okay.”
His brow went up when she passed him. He didn’t make a move to stop her.
Meeting with a mother who was facing her worst nightmare head-on sent a jolt, like a shotgun blast, through Rebecca’s chest. If there was anything she could say or do to ease this woman’s pain, Rebecca would. “What do you think I can do to help?”
Sheffield pulled a small device from his pocket, no doubt ready to record everything he heard.
Rebecca shot a look toward Brody. He immediately bumped into Sheffield, mumbling an apology, knocking the recording device out of his hand. “Oops. Didn’t mean to do that. Let me help you pick it up.”
“No. I got it,” Sheffield said, irritated.
Brody scooped up the device and took the battery out. He handed the small piece of metal over to Sheffield with a look that dared him to complain.
The woman’s gaze flashed from Rebecca to Brody. “I’m so sorry to bother you. It’s just we heard about your situation and we thought you might be able to help us.”
“I’d like to, but I’m not sure what I can do. I have my hands full caring for my mother right now and my brother’s case is fifteen years old.” She was careful not to reveal too much, or talk about what she was really working on.
“You’re the only one who knows what we’re going through.” The mother who was in her mid-to-late thirties wrung her hands together. Her light brown eyes were red rimmed and dull, the sense of helplessness and despair written all over the dark circles underneath. She was small framed and looked as if she hadn’t eaten in days. With her long brown hair and big eyes, she would be considered attractive under normal circumstances.
Her husband looked to be just under six feet with a runner’s build, light hair with blue eyes. He had that same haunted look on his face, the one so familiar to Rebecca. He stood off to the side, looking hopeless and helpless. Everything about his body language said he needed to bring his child home.
Rebecca tried to speak, to find some words of encouragement for the desperate couple, but none came.
“Why don’t you tell us your son’s name?” Brody interjected.
“Jason.” The woman took a step forward and her knees buckled. Before she hit the floor, Brody was on one side of her, her husband on the other. She looked up at him and a tender look passed between them. The gesture tugged at Rebecca’s heart.
The love and concern on the couple’s faces, their tenderness toward each other, outlined just how much love they shared. Had Rebecca’s parents ever felt that way toward each other?
They’d grown up in a small town, had been high school sweethearts and married after he graduated college, as everyone had expected. They had history, had tried to be there for each other. But Rebecca wondered if they’d ever had real love like this. Her father had it now. She’d seen it with his second wife. A piece of her had been sad and it made her feel even more out of place at his house, like Christmas wrapping paper left over from the year before. Useful, but not exactly what he wanted anymore.
“Take her into my mom’s room. I’ll get a nurse,” Rebecca said to Brody, grateful her voice had returned. There had to be something she could do to help this sweet couple.
Sheffield tried to follow, but Rebecca held her hand out. “Absolutely not. Not you.”
The two men carried the woman, stopping to gently lower her into the chair near Rebecca’s mother, who had propped herself up when they entered the room, her gaze traveling over the faces.
Rebecca touched her mother’s arm. “I’ll explain in a minute and then we’ll talk about why you called.”
The woman apologized several times before Rebecca could reassure her that it was all right. Her mother looked no worse than usual and Rebecca wondered if the call was a stunt for attention.
Mother responded with a blank look.
If Mother hadn’t had the nurse call, then it had to have been Sheffield.
Brody disappeared to escort the reporter out of the building.
“Sometimes, I just walk into a room and it’s like all the air gets sucked out and the world tilts. I get dizzy. I’m so sorry,” the woman repeated.
Rebecca sat across from the woman on the edge of her mother’s bed, listening.
A nurse hurried in and examined the woman. “Everything looks fine. A doctor will be in to check on you in a minute.”
“No,” the woman said, waving away the nurse, “I’ll be okay. I just need a second to catch my breath and a glass of water.”
Brody walked in, a confused look on his face.
“I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I’m Kevin Glenn, and this is my wife, Chelsea.” He shook Brody’s extended hand and then Rebecca’s. “Our son disappeared last year. We spoke to law enforcement, FBI, and they haven’t been able to find him.”
“We know exactly how you feel,” Rebecca’s mother said, her chin out and determination in her gaze. “And we know exactly what you’re going through. Come. Sit.” She patted the bed near her, looking stronger than she had in months. “This is a lot to have thrown at you at once. Believe me, I understand.”
Rebecca scooted down so that Kevin could sit next to her mother.
“Mrs. Hughes, I’m so sorry for your loss,” he said, choking back a tear.
“Thank you,” her mother replied. “What happened to us tore our family apart. I made a lot of mistakes. There comes a time when you have to focus on what you have left.” Mother glanced from Brody to Rebecca. “And hope it’s not too late.”
Rebecca smiled at her mother.
Kevin’s shoulders rocked as he swiped away tears. “I apologize for barging in like this. It’s just when we heard about what happened to you this morning, we wondered if the kidnappings could be related. Sheffield had reached out to us to write an anniversary story on our son’s disappearance. We haven’t been speaking to the me
dia, but then he said he thought our story might be related to yours somehow and that got our attention. Then he told us you had some kind of an accident in the woods. We’ve been waiting here ever since.”
“We did and we reported it to the sheriff’s office,” Rebecca said, while holding her mother’s gaze.
“You were with Sheriff Brine in the woods?” Mother gasped and brought her hand up to cover her heart.
“It was one of his deputies, but yes.”
“What were you doing...there?”
“It’s a long story, Mother. I don’t want you to worry about me. I’m completely fine.” Rebecca tried to smooth it over, but her mother’s wild eyes said words weren’t helping.
“You shouldn’t have been there, Rebecca. You should let the sheriff’s office do its job.”
“They haven’t done it so far.”
“There’s nothing else you can do. You have to let it go.” Fear and panic raised her voice several octaves. All her mother’s protective instincts seemed to flare at once. A spark lit her eyes as she sat up as straight as she could manage.
Rebecca moved to the side of her mother’s bed, not wanting to rile her. Too much agitation wouldn’t be good for her heart. “No. I can’t. And not just because I want to find out what happened to Shane. The man is back and he’s trying to hurt me. I can’t allow it. And if I can find out what happened before...then I owe it to you and me to do so now.”
“Don’t do it for me. You don’t owe me anything, dear. It’s not safe for you out there. I’ll talk to the doctor about making space for you here.” This was the most life Rebecca had seen from her mother in years. A piece of Rebecca wanted a reaction from her mother just to know that she was still alive in there. Usually, she stayed in bed day after day, watching TV and sleeping. Her daily exercise routine consisted of six trips to the bathroom.
“I understand why you’d panic. I didn’t mention it to upset you.” Rebecca held her mother’s hand. The iciness was gone now. Hot, angry blood ran through her veins.
“Rebecca, be reasonable. You can’t go out there while he’s around. What if he comes after you again? I can’t do anything from this bed. I can’t protect you from here.”
Her mother’s blood pressure was increasing to unhealthy levels. “I hear what you’re saying, but I have protection.”
Her mother’s gaze shifted from Rebecca to Brody and back. “No one can save you against a monster like that.”
“The best thing you can do to help me is calm down.” Her mother’s eyes were wild now and her breaths came out in short bursts. Her gaze darted around the room, landing on the Glenns and then Brody. “Not even you will be able to stop him. No one could before.”
Brody took a knee beside her bed, lowering himself to eye level. “Nothing will happen to your daughter as long as there’s air in my lungs.”
Tense, Rebecca readied herself for the fight that was sure to come.
“The best thing you can do for your daughter is trust her, trust me.” He took hold of her mother’s hand and held on to it.
Instead of responding with anger, she blew out a breath. Her shoulders slumped forward and, for the first time, she looked almost relieved. “I know you’re right. My girl is smart. She’s a lot tougher than I ever was.”
“No one blames you for your reaction. Hell, I’d be the same way,” Brody continued, his voice a calm port in the sea of tension that had been surrounding them. “And no one should have to go through what you did.”
Her mother eased back onto her pillow, keeping a tight grip on Brody’s hand. “I was worried about her. That’s the reason I called. I’m glad she has you, Brody.”
“We have a chance to find him. To know about...” Brody didn’t immediately finish his sentence. “That’s why Rebecca and I went to the woods. And, yes, we were attacked, but she fought that creep off until help arrived.”
“You were close to him?” Her mother’s eyes were now wide blue orbs.
“Yes, Mother,” Rebecca said. “I had to be. He won’t be out there much longer. The sheriff can’t ignore me anymore. He’ll get him this time. And if he doesn’t, we will.”
The excitement looked to be taking a toll on her mother. Her gaunt features paled as she suppressed a cough. She had the disposition of a deployed airbag.
“You should rest. Keep up your strength.” Rebecca might not be able to bring her brother back, but she could help find the man who had taken Shane from them. She didn’t have the heart to think Shane’s killer. The small sprig of hope that had refused to die inside her had prevented her from doing so. Hope that the young man she’d located on social media would turn out to be Shane. Hope that she hadn’t wasted more than half of her life searching for a brother she would never find.
Had she funneled all her energy into finding him in order to avoid acknowledging his death?
Kevin made a move to stand. Her mother caught his arm with her free hand. “Stay.”
“We don’t want to intrude. Your daughter’s right. You should rest,” he said. “We were foolish to show up like this. Sheffield said you could help. I’m really sorry. Your family has been through enough already.”
“Will you keep me company for a while?” Her mother’s voice, frail and tired, trailed off at the end of her question.
Kevin nodded as she closed her eyes.
“You don’t have to,” Rebecca whispered just out of her mother’s earshot.
“We don’t mind. It’s just the two of us now. If it’s okay with you, we’d like to stay here. I know it’s going to sound weird, but it’s nice, for a change, to be with people who understand. Who don’t look at us like we’re about to freak out or break.”
“Believe me, I do get that.” Rebecca reached out and patted Chelsea’s hand.
Mother smiled softly. “It’s nice to have company.”
Brody’s cell buzzed. He excused himself and disappeared into the hall.
When he returned, the look on his face said the others had arrived.
“We’ll check in on you guys later,” Rebecca said.
As she walked toward the door, Chelsea touched her arm. “Good luck with your search. Will you let us know if you find anything?”
“Absolutely.” Rebecca was grateful they were with her mother. The slight rattle to her breathing made her fear her mother didn’t have much time.
* * *
“WHEN YOU CAME back into Mother’s room earlier, you looked confused. What happened?” Rebecca asked.
She didn’t miss a trick. Or did she just read Brody that well? Probably both. He’d work toward being less transparent next time.
“I went out to see to if our friend found the front door all right. He was too easy to escort out.”
“So he got frustrated and left.”
“I’m not so sure. Think about it. First, he brings that couple to you. Why?”
“Because he’s been dying to get an interview with me.”
“Exactly. And he had you right there. But then he left? Have you ever seen a reporter give up on a story so easily?”
“Good point. He went to all the trouble to make sure the Glenns came to see me. He wouldn’t leave like that, would he?”
“And that’s another thing that bugs me. How did he know where you’d be?”
“I need to ask my mother if he spoke to her before. I’m thinking he tricked the nurse and prompted her call.”
“That’s true. And he also told the Glenns about the attack in the woods. How did he know about that?”
Rebecca shrugged. “Who knows how reporters figure things out? Sources, I guess.”
“And that could be anybody.”
“He might have a contact at the sheriff’s office. When we called it in they could’ve let him know.”
“I just wonder what else he thinks he knows. He wouldn’t have left here if he didn’t think there was a hotter story or lead somewhere else.” Brody didn’t like the way the reporter had tried to bully Rebecca. He made a menta
l note to keep an eye on the guy.
The fact that Sheffield seemed to be watching their movements didn’t sit well. Then again, maybe he was trying to make a name for himself. Solving the case the sheriff couldn’t would be a huge boost to the guy’s career.
* * *
THE RIDE TO MERVIN’S EATS was quiet. Dawson’s black sport utility was parked in the lot.
“The place is busy. I wonder if any of Randy’s friends will be here.” Rebecca’s expression was easy to read. Her wide gaze was more desperate than hopeful.
“There’s a slim chance we’ll get a hit on the first try, right? Let’s get a feel for the place. See if we think it’s a good idea to ask around. Someone might know something.”
“They wouldn’t likely tell strangers, would they?”
“We’ll make something up.” Brody scratched the scruff on his chin. It was long past dinnertime and had been a full day. He could use a hot shower and a warm bed. Thoughts of the kiss he’d shared with Rebecca edged into his mind. He pushed them away. “Ready?”
Rebecca took in a deep breath and grabbed the door handle. “Let’s go.”
Ryan hopped out of Dawson’s SUV first, followed by Dylan and Dawson.
After hugs and greetings were exchanged, the five of them moved inside.
The place was a decent size and had a nice hometown feel to it. Lots of autographed snapshots of a man who Brody assumed was the owner with professional athletes and musicians lined the walls.
A surprising number of people filled the place given dinnertime had come and gone a good three hours ago. There was still plenty of seating for more. Brody stopped at a sign that read Please Wait to Be Seated.
Music played in the background, but it wasn’t loud enough to drown out the buzz of lively conversation. The place was about half-full.
A hostess wearing form-hugging jeans and a Mervin’s Eats T-shirt greeted them. She checked them out and smiled. “Just five tonight or are you expecting more?”
Rebecca looked to Brody for a response.
“We’re all here,” he said.
