Sisters By Choice

by Lillian Duncan

  “She might have heard the scuffle upstairs and got scared. I’ve been teaching her to hide if she thought a bad man was chasing her. Where does this lead?”

  Suzanne’s voice was grim. “About a half-mile into the woods.”

  “I’m going to crawl through here,” Chief Martin said. “Conrad, call dispatch and tell them to contact the search and rescue dog people.”

  “You can’t get in there.” Suzanne protested. “In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve put on a few pounds in the past few years. I’ll do it, chief.”

  “It’s dark.” Maria had to work to keep the tremble out of her voice. “We need to find her. She’s probably so scared.”

  “There’s no way you’re going in there.” Conrad’s voice was firm. “You’ve probably got a concussion, Zink. You’ve got no business crawling around in there. If you pass out again, that’s going to be a bigger problem. I’ll go.”

  Maria shook her head. “I’ll go.” She held up a hand to ward off their protests. “I know I’m not a policeman, but she’s my daughter, and I’m the smallest. No arguing.”

  “She’s right.” Conrad nodded.

  “Anybody have a flashlight?”

  36

  Maria crawled into the space trying not to think about spiders, bugs, or the rats that might be using the tunnel as home. Think about Layla. That was the only thing that mattered.

  In one hand she held the flashlight. The other hand she used to brush away dirt as she moved through the tunnel. As she slithered through, she couldn’t help but wonder how the escaping male slaves had managed. The tunnel was so tight.

  A bright narrow beam lit her path. Several inches ahead, she saw something. Not Layla, but a small black object. When she reached it, her fingers curled around it.

  Suzanne’s cell phone. Layla must have dropped it after the phone call. That’s why she hadn’t answered. As Maria picked up the phone a spider fell on her hand.

  Her pulse jumped and she closed her eyes. It’s only a spider. She resisted the urge to fling it. Instead, she calmly moved her hand to the side and waited as it skittered away.

  After some maneuvering, she managed to get the cell phone in her pants pocket. Then she scooted and slithered her way through the tunnel once more. The tunnel narrowed, pushing against her, suffocating her. Her heart raced.

  With God, all things are possible.

  Even crawling through this horrible place. She could do it because she had to. Just as those slaves from long ago did. They slid through the narrow opening, hoping and praying for freedom. When they’d gotten to the end of the tunnel had their dreams ended, or were they successful?

  She opened her eyes. Her gaze fell on another object. She scooted towards it. When she picked it up, her heart skipped a beat.

  A man’s watch.

  Her heart plummeted. Someone had followed Layla.

  Maria wiped a speck of dirt out of her eye and sniffed. Fresh air. Almost to the end and no Layla. Maybe Conrad and Suzanne had found Layla on the other side of the tunnel and Maria would be greeted with a hug from her precious daughter.

  She scooted faster, dirt falling in her hair and eyes. She had to find Layla before the man did.

  She yelled, “Hello.”

  “We’re here, Maria.” It was Conrad.

  “Is Layla with you? Did you find her?” There was a moment of hope, but then silence. She knew the answer to her question.

  “Not yet, but we’re looking.” Conrad again tried to sound upbeat and encouraging.

  The angle of her crawling shifted ever so slightly. She moved upwards towards the fresh air.

  And then Conrad was above. His arms reached down and lifted her out. She leaned against him for a moment. He brushed the dirt from her hair. Then she stepped back from him.

  Suzanne, Chief Martin, and three other officers were there—the entire Sunberry police force.

  But no Layla.

  Maria fought back the tears.

  She handed the items from the tunnel to Conrad. “I found Suzanne’s cell phone and a man’s watch. He must have followed her into the tunnel.” The thought of some man chasing Layla through that tunnel chilled Maria to the bone. Her gaze moved through the trees.

  Almost completely dark. Her poor baby was out there—afraid and alone.

  Ben Martin examined the watch as Conrad held a flashlight up. “It hasn’t been in the tunnel long. It’s still working.”

  “We’ve got to find her.” Maria wrung her hands together.

  “The dogs won’t be here for another hour or so,” Ben explained.

  “We can’t wait that long.” Conrad took charge. “Everyone, separate and start searching. Maria, you stay with me.”

  “Why?” It made more sense for everyone to be hunting in different areas. The quicker they searched the area, the quicker they would find Layla.

  “Because you aren’t armed.” His words knocked the argument out of her.

  She nodded.

  Chief Martin motioned for them to go. “I’ll be looking in a minute. I’m calling the State Police. It won’t take long to get reinforcements here. Everyone get moving and keep your radios on.”

  “Come on, let’s go find Layla.” Conrad touched her arm, leading her away.

  They moved through the darkened woods. Each shadow, each noise felt like a threat. Tears blurred her vision but didn’t stop her from moving, from searching.

  Conrad was close beside her. His presence calmed her.

  “Should I call her?” Maria asked.

  “Sounds like a good idea to me.”

  Her voice grew hoarse as she yelled out her daughter’s name again and again.

  Layla didn’t answer.

  “Oh, my gosh. I’m so stupid.” Maria couldn’t believe she’d forgotten.

  “This isn’t your fault.”

  “No, no, no. It’s not that. The tracker. In my panic, I forgot all about it. There’s a tracking device in Layla’s purse.”

  “That’s great news. If she has it on her, we can find her.” Laughing, he hugged her. “What do you use to track it?”

  “My cell phone.”

  “Where’s your cell phone?”

  “In your car, I guess. That’s the last time I remember having it.”

  “Let’s go.” He grabbed her hand and they jogged through the trees towards Suzanne’s house.

  Ben Martin stood near the exit of the tunnel. ”What’s going on?”

  “Maria has a tracking app on her cell phone for Layla.”

  “Where’s the tracking device on Layla?”

  “In her purse.” Maria answered. “She carries it everywhere with her.”

  “So, if she still has it, we can find her.” Chief Martin nodded.

  “Exactly,” Conrad said.

  “She never goes anywhere without her little pink purse.”

  “OK, I’ll be here, coordinating the search. Keep me informed.”

  Maria clung to Conrad’s hand, her heart bursting with hope.

  God was with them, as always. She just needed to remember that.

  37

  Maria’s purse lay on the floor of the cruiser. She rummaged through it until she found the cell phone. Her finger quickly pressed on the app icon.

  The signal finally flashed.

  She pressed some buttons. “It looks like she’s behind the house. In the woods. All we have to do is follow the red line.” She held the phone up to Conrad.

  “Is she moving?”

  “No. Do you…think there’s…why isn’t she moving. She might be hurt.”

  “It doesn’t mean anything. All it means is she’s hiding somewhere, and that’s a good thing.”

  His words were meant to reassure her, but even as she nodded, other possibilities crowded in.

  “May I?” Conrad put a hand out for her phone. As he moved towards the woods, he handed her his cell phone. “Hit number one. It’s the chief’s number. Tell him what we’re doing.”

  By the time she hung
up, they were at the edge of the woods once again. She turned on the flashlight to light the way.

  A moment later they were joined by Chief Martin and Suzanne.

  No one spoke as they followed Conrad. They passed the tunnel exit and walked farther into the towering trees.

  “Almost there,” Conrad announced.

  Please let her be there. Maria walked faster as she attempted to keep pace with Conrad.

  He stopped.

  Her stomach lurched.

  Nothing but trees and bushes. No Layla.

  “Call her,” Conrad said.

  “Layla. Mommy’s here. You can come out now. It’s safe.”

  Nobody even breathed as they waited for a response. The seconds ticked by. Nothing.

  Maria called again—louder.

  Still no Layla.

  Suzanne dropped to her knees. “The signal says she’s here. She’s got to be here.” She started crawling. The flashlight lit her way.

  Maria dropped to her knees and did the same.

  In moments, beacons of lights lit up the ground as each of them crawled through the leaves searching for Layla.

  38

  “Found it,” Ben Martin yelled out from a bush he’d crawled into.

  Maria’s heart leapt for joy, but it was short-lived. “Let me see.”

  His hand came out of the bush holding a pink purse.

  “Noooo,” Maria moaned.

  The tracking device hadn’t kept Layla safe. Maria had failed.

  Conrad put an arm around her shoulders, his strength holding her upright.

  Her own strength was gone. “She would never leave without it. Not willingly. She knew it was important to keep with her at all times.”

  “Don’t jump to conclusions.” Conrad squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t panic. We’re going to find her. I promised you that, and I always keep my promises.”

  “I need some light here.” Chief Martin was still in the bush.

  All the flashlights turned in his direction.

  Ben crawled out and stood up. He brushed the dirt off his pants. “It looks as if she might have been hiding in there. But it doesn’t look like a struggle. She must have gone with him willingly.”

  Maria closed her eyes. The ground swayed and she couldn’t breathe.

  Layla wouldn’t go with a stranger willingly. That meant only one thing.

  Raymond.

  Her faith wavered. She would never see her daughter again.

  The monster would make sure of that. Embers of hatred sparked in her heart.

  Conrad’s arms went around her. “God’s in control, Maria. Not Raymond.”

  She leaned against him. In a whisper, she said, “Pray for Layla.”

  Softly, Conrad’s words flowed from his mouth to Maria’s ears and to God. The red embers flickered and then cooled. She would not let Raymond destroy her relationship with God.

  Conrad’s arms remained firmly around her, supporting her. It was the only thing that kept her from collapsing. His voice was strong—commanding—keeping her grounded. “Maria, you can’t fall apart now. Layla needs you. Take some deep breaths.”

  Layla needs you. The words sank in, and she knew Conrad was right. She leaned over and sucked in deep breaths. “You’re right. I can’t fall apart now.” She stood up, grim determination in her mind.

  They would find Layla.

  39

  The black night sky turned a smoky gray as morning broke. Maria sat in a chair that some nameless person provided. She’d lost track of time as she waited.

  Layla was gone.

  She stared off into the foggy horizon. Her mind was numb and her spirit deflated. Without Layla, her life had no meaning. Why would God let her baby be taken from her—again? She trembled.

  Conrad’s hand touched her shoulder. “Are you cold, Maria?”

  She shook her head.

  A moment later, he draped a blanket from the cruiser around her shoulders. He leaned down close to her. “We’re going to find her, Maria. You’ve got to have faith.”

  “She’s gone. I know it.”

  Suzanne stood on the other side. “Don’t stop believing, Maria. If you stop hoping, then you stop living. This is only the beginning of the search, not the end.”

  Tears filled Maria’s eyes, grateful for these people who were willing to help her find Layla.

  Suzanne looked at Conrad. “I’ve got an idea.”

  ****

  “All done.” Conrad hit the send button on the computer.

  The three of them were back at the Sunberry Police Department. The search for the news reporter’s murderer continued, but it did so without them.

  “Do you think this will work?” Maria asked.

  He didn’t have high hopes.

  Zink nodded. “I think it will. It’s the only lead we have. David Hamm must be involved. And weren’t we blessed to have the license plate number on his rental along with his picture?”

  Of course, he might not be driving the same car any longer, but Conrad didn’t tell them that.

  Zink continued. “And it’s being sent out to every police department in the state right now.”

  “So what happens with it?” Maria asked.

  “It works a little different than an Amber Alert, and we don’t have as much red tape to go through. Along with TV and radio stations, it gets emailed out to anyone who’s signed up to be notified.”

  “Like who?”

  “Bus and taxi companies, gas stations and other stores subscribe to it. Of course, this is only statewide so…” Suzanne shrugged. “But it’s been very effective in the six months it’s been in place.”

  “Good.”

  “Now, it’s just a matter of waiting.” Conrad looked at Maria.

  She seemed almost zombie-like.

  “You must be exhausted. Would you like to lie down for a while?”

  “While Layla’s with that…that monster? Not likely.”

  ****

  Maria sat staring at the wall. She should never have come back to Sunberry. The mistake had cost Layla dearly.

  “Maria.” Conrad put a comforting arm on her back. “There’s nothing more to do here. Where would you like to go?” Conrad must be exhausted.

  “You’re giving up?”

  “Of course not. But she’s not here, so there’s no reason to stay. You are worn out. Time for you to get some rest.”

  Tears fell down her cheeks. “This is my fault.”

  “It is not your fault. And we’re going to find Layla. I’m not giving up until I bring her home to you. And I don’t want you to give up, either.” He picked up her hand. “We’ll get through this together. I promise.”

  “I believe you.” She took a deep breath and gazed at him. He was a strong man. And she had God on her side, too.

  His hand brushed her cheek. “Good. Now where would you like to go? Back to your apartment? To a hotel?”

  “She’s not going anywhere.” Suzanne walked up to them. “Except to my house. You can stay with me. There’s no reason for you to be alone right now.”

  “I can’t impose.”

  “You’re not. I want you there. You can’t go back your apartment. It would only drive you crazy. Believe me, I know. I’ll take your keys and get you some fresh clothes and anything else you want. OK?”

  Maria nodded, not really caring where she was or what she did.

  40

  Three days passed without a break in the case.

  Layla had simply vanished.

  Maria was sure she would lose her mind those first few days.

  The FBI and the U.S. Marshals assured her Raymond was dead, but she refused to believe them.

  Raymond had managed to get her daughter out of the country.

  She would never see Layla again. It was time to do something. Maria sat up in bed. She was still staying with Suzanne, but she couldn’t stay there forever. She didn’t know what to do or where to go. Without Layla she had no reason to be any specific place.

/>   But Layla was alive—somewhere.

  “Knock, knock.” Suzanne opened the door. She held a cup of coffee in her hand. “Rise and shine. Time to get up and get on with living, Maria.”

  “I can’t.”

  “I know it’s hard.”

  “You don’t know anything.” Bitterness tinged her voice.

  “Yes, I do know.” Suzanne sat on the bed beside her. “You have to get up and keep living. You can’t lie in bed forever.”

  “You don’t understand.”

  “Oh, believe me, I do.” Her eyes met Maria’s. “I have a son.”

  “What do you mean you have a son? Where is he?”

  “His father kidnapped him two years ago. I haven’t seen him since. We’re looking for him, but so far nothing.”

  Her mind flashed to the child’s room. “Oh, Suzanne. I…I…didn’t know. And then two missing children. It must have been a nightmare for you.”

  “It has been. There are days I think I can’t make it through, but I do. And so will you.”

  “But how? Why? What’s the point?”

  “The point is that someday I’m going to find my son, and when I do, I want to have a life for him to come back to. And besides, God gives each of us the gift of life. We dishonor him if we waste it.”

  Dishonor God. That wasn’t what she intended to do, but… “God certainly doesn’t expect me to go on as if nothing happened.”

  “He doesn’t, but He does expect you to have faith. And to get out of that bed.”

  “I don’t know how to live without Layla.”

  Tears glistened in Suzanne’s eyes. “One step at a time. One breath at a time. One minute at a time. That’s all you can do.”

  “How old is he?”

  “He’s four now. He was two when his father took him.”

  “Why did he do that?”

  “Because he was about to be arrested for embezzlement. Instead, he took the money and Andrew and disappeared.”

  “I am so sorry, Suzanne.”

  “I fell apart at first. But I knew if I gave up and gave in to the grief, the terror, the emptiness, then I would have nothing left to give Andrew when he comes back. So, as hard as it is, I get up every day and live my life.”

  Maria looked at Suzanne through new eyes. She’d liked her before. Now she admired the woman a lot more, knowing the circumstances in which Suzanne worked every day.

  “Andrew and Michael are being looked for by the FBI, and one of these days we’re going to find them and I’ll have my son back.” She patted Maria’s hand. “Just the way you’ll get Layla back. In the meantime, you can’t give up.”