by Roger Hayden
As she held the candy in one hand, reserved, the girl finally spoke. “I’m fine, thank you.” Her free hand hovered toward the window button, and he quickly grabbed another piece and stuck it through the crack. “It’s so good. Trust me.” He then paused with a widened smile. “What’s your name?”
The girl simply shook her head in response. For a moment, he feared he was losing her. If the window went back up, no amount of coaxing would bring her out of that car. “Come on, sweetie. Tell me your name. I bet it’s really lovely.”“Natalie…” the girl said softly.“Oh, that is lovely.”
He pushed the next candy in as far as it would go and urged the girl to eat her first piece.“It’s for a good cause,” he said. “You want to make the environment better, right?”
Natalie nodded with uncertainty. Her facial expressions seemed stilted by caution. He swiftly turned his head, keeping an eye out for the mother’s inevitable return. He could see a good area behind him from the reflection in Natalie’s window. She slowly unwrapped the first candy, much to his delight, and held out the square yellow-covered chunk.“Try it,” he said with enthusiasm. “There’s more where that came from.”
She placed the piece in her mouth and chewed. Probably just wanted him to go away, but that worked for him just fine. The girl chewed slowly, eyes in deep concentration, trying to figure out if she liked it or not.“It’s good, isn’t it?” he said, closer now to achieving his goal. What Natalie didn’t know—what no one knew that day—was that he had injected the candies with a flavorless sedative, one so powerful that it worked in a matter of seconds.
Natalie chewed and chewed, clearly enjoying the taste. She swallowed as another piece fell into her lap. “A deal’s a deal,” he said, tipping the bill of his hat. “Don’t eat it all at once.”
She tried to take the piece as it fell into her lap, but it was already too late. Her eyelids were dropping, and he knew exactly what to do. He pulled a long rod from his pocket and stuck it through the crack of the window, pushing it toward the unlock button on her armrest.
Natalie’s head bobbed as her consciousness faded with startling speed. A click of the button, and the doors were unlocked. It was everything he needed. One swift glance behind him, and he opened the passenger door. Natalie practically fell into his arms. Her tablet dropped from her seat and hit the pavement below. He held her, elated. His plan had so far worked, but he wasn’t yet out of the woods.
It was a short distance between the Cherokee and his van, but the girl still needed to be carried, and anything could happen. He took her in his arms, and his gloved hand set the envelope down in her place. Hearing nearby footsteps, he yanked Natalie from the car and held her against his chest as if she was just a sleeping child. One of her sandals fell onto the ground, but he had to get moving.
He ran across the parking aisle toward his van with one hand pressed against Natalie’s back and the other gripping his candy bucket. He opened the side doors of his van and placed her on the carpeted floor in the back. In this instance, she wouldn’t have to be zip-tied or further drugged. His new sedative lasted for up to two hours, plenty of time to transport her.
After slamming the doors shut, he hurried around the van to the driver’s side, swung the door open, and hopped in, starting the engine. He took a moment to breathe and scan the parking lot, where activity continued unabated. Like a phantom, he was about to disappear, and no one had seen a thing. He was certain of this as he backed out and then floored it out of the parking lot, emboldened by his success. He was getting better at it. There was no doubt about that.
***
Miriam sat at her desk with Detective Hayes and Detective Shelton both on the screen of her computer monitor for their private one on one, in which she heard the known details surrounding Natalie Forester’s disappearance. They showed her pictures of the letter left at the scene that had specifically called her out by name.
Find me Miriam Castillo, then maybe we can talk, the letter had ended.
Whoever had cut and glued the tiny magazine letters to the paper didn’t seem to know that Miriam had since changed her last name. The message was chilling, nonetheless. “I don’t know who this person is,” she said, looking up at the detectives. “I think the best thing I can do is not be involved with this investigation. It’s clearly a ploy for attention.”
Detective Hayes nodded sympathetically. “We read all about the Snatcher case, Ma’am. I know the hell you and your family went through, but rest assured, that isn’t going to happen this time.”
Detective Shelton cut in. “We can put your family under protective watch during the investigation if you’d like.”
Miriam placed both palms flat on her desk and leaned forward, her mouth a single, straight line. “Gentlemen, that’s not going to happen. My daughter is in school. I take her to counseling at least twice a week. She’s getting better, I can feel it, and I’m not going to subject her to any more trauma. Period.”
Miriam’s decision seemed final to her, though the letter had undoubtedly intrigued her. Despite her tough exterior, she felt vulnerable inside, fragile even. “I just don’t know what help I could possibly provide you. I don’t do field work anymore. I don’t even carry a weapon.”
The two detectives glanced at each in thought as Hayes cleared his throat and leaned forward. “Your captain and police chief both are both supportive of the idea. I’m not trying to twist your arm, Lieutenant, but time is of the essence.”
Miriam got the message. They were boxing her in, leaving her little choice but to leave the safety of her desk and hunt another psychotic predator. She knew it.
She rose from her desk, ID badge dangling from the neck of her dress shirt, and leaned closer to the monitor.“You need to get this madman out of hiding, right? Lure him out. That’s what you need me for, isn’t it?” She plopped back down into her chair. “I’m sorry, but I don’t wish to be a part of it.”
The detectives looked at each other again, clearly disappointed. Hayes grimaced but nodded in understanding. “I understand your concerns,” he said. “If you change your mind, please give myself or Detective Shelton a call. I’ll send you my email as well. Thank you for your time.”
Detective Shelton waved and thanked her as well, but both men couldn’t mask the dispirited tones in their voices.
Hayes looked at his screen one last time and offered some parting words. “Just remember, Lieutenant. We’re here because two girls are missing. That’s it. There aren’t any tricks up our sleeves. We have no intention of using you. Detective Shelton and I, we just think that if anyone was to catch this sicko, you’d be the one. We’re asking for your expertise, that’s all.”
Miriam considered his words and cupped a hand over her chin, thinking. She wanted to help, but she had lost too much the last time, enough to make her wish she had never gotten involved, not that she had had much of a choice. But if there was any chance that she could help the two missing girls, it was her responsibility as a decent person to do something about it. She ran her hand down her face with a sigh, considering their plea. “I believe you, Detective Hayes. I really do. Let me think about it. I know time is critical, but I need to think about it first.”
Hayes appeared satisfied and told her that it was all they were asking for. “Just think about it,” he said. “It’s all we ask.”
On the Case
Miriam arrived at home after a long day, knowing that she and Lou had plans for a special dinner. They had been dating for just over a year, and it was their anniversary. Friends on the force, they had grown close during the Snatcher case and even closer when it was all over with. Their relationship blossomed and flourished naturally to something fresh and exciting.
Following the unimaginable loss of her ex-husband, Freddy, Lou had provided unconditional care and support to her and Ana. Miriam couldn’t help but fall for him, and they wasted no time deciding to move, together with Ana, to Phoenix. They lived in a three-bedroom house in Villa da Paz, a suburba
n community known as the Valley of the Sun.
Miriam sat thinking in her Nissan Sentra under a darkening orange sky as she postponed going inside. She could sense the inevitable decision before her. She was going to agree to help with the investigation. It wasn’t just the two missing girls; Miriam couldn’t help but wonder who was looking for her and why.
It could be just a random crazy person, but her curiosity was getting the better of her. She supposed that it was in her nature to find such things out. She had to get to the bottom of things. At heart, she would always be a detective.
It was six thirty p.m. Lou’s truck was parked next to her Sentra. Ana was supposed to be in her room diligently working on her homework. If only, Miriam thought.
She gripped her steering wheel, flushed with uncertainty. She didn’t want to put her family at risk again, chasing ghosts in the dark. Lou would object immediately, that much was clear. And just what would she tell Ana?
There was a lot to consider in such a short amount of time. The two girls Detective Hayes had told her about were still missing. Their names were April and Natalie, and with every minute, their chances of survival were growing slimmer.
Miriam grabbed her purse, opened the door, and stepped out of her car. The air was slightly cooler, and her cul-de-sac was quiet. She walked past her car toward the concrete walkway leading to the front door. Her yard, like many on her street, was absent of grass and filled with stones. A lone tree loomed in the middle of the front yard. Trim bushes lined the front of the house, planted below the windows.
Their garage door was always closed, still full of boxes they hadn’t unpacked yet. Time had moved so fast, and Lou, Ana, and Miriam were always so busy. She hoped that one day they could take a vacation and get away from it all. However, such a simple plan seemed further away than ever before.
The porch light was on, with the sun quickly descending below the horizon. Miriam was surprised to find it so late. Her day had been a whirlwind from the crack of dawn, and it wasn’t showing any signs of letting up. She walked inside and through the foyer into the living room, where the lights and television were on.
She heard pops and hisses from the kitchen and the aroma of ground beef and noodles in the air. Lou was cooking. She set her purse down on a lamp stand, kicked her heels off, and walked toward the kitchen, where Lou was making dinner. He was wearing a T-shirt and jeans and had his back turned toward her.“Hello,” she said and leaned against the refrigerator.
Startled, Lou jumped and turned. “Oh. Hi!”
Miriam laughed. “Did I scare you?”
Lou set the pan down on the burner and shook his head defensively. “No. Of course not.”“Sure thing,” Miriam said, approaching him.
He put his arms around her and pulled her close, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “How was your day?”“Fine,” Miriam said in an exhausted tone.
Lou backed away and returned to the stove while addressing Miriam. “I know that you’re tired, but this is going to be one meal you don’t want to miss.”“Oh, Lou,” she said. “You didn’t have to cook.”
Lou looked up, brushing back his slick dark hair. “It’s my pleasure, Miriam. We both need to take a break and celebrate.”“We could have just ordered a pizza,” Miriam said. But the delicious aroma in the air made her glad they hadn’t. She glanced at their circular table in the corner of the kitchen and saw two unlit candles in the center with a basket of bread and two of the nicest plates. The sight warmed her heart in ways she couldn’t express.“Now go relax while I get this ready,” Lou continued.
Miriam nodded, thinking. She hadn’t said anything about her plans yet. There was a lot to discuss, and in any case, she still hadn’t completely made her mind up about helping with the Texas kidnappings.“It’s been a long day. I’m going to take a shower first,” she said.“No problem,” Lou said. “This won’t be ready for another twenty minutes.”
Miriam thanked him and turned from the kitchen, looking around the living room. The house was organized and clean, just the way she liked it.“Where’s Ana?” she asked.“In her room doing homework,” Lou answered, pleasing Miriam, though she still needed to see it to believe it. Ana got good grades, but she was also growing slightly rebellious as she neared her teenage years, and Miriam was starting to notice.
She continued past the living room and down the hall—her and Lou’s bedroom on the left and Ana’s on the right, with a guest room next to it. Ana’s door was closed, but her light was showing in the space at the bottom. Miriam knocked several times before Ana called out for her to come in. Ana was sitting upright on the bed with a book in her lap and headphones hanging on her neck.“Hi, sweetie,” she said, approaching Ana’s bed.“Hey,” she replied.
Miriam noticed the textbook in Ana’s lap but wasn’t too keen with her doing homework in bed with her headphones on.“How was your day?” Miriam asked.
Ana shrugged, looking down. “Okay, I guess.”“What’s going on?” Miriam asked.
Ana avoided eye contact, furthering her mother’s suspicion. “You can tell me,” she said, patting Ana’s leg.
Her daughter closed her book and feigned a smile. “I’m fine, Mom. Really. Our teacher assigned us like four chapters to read tonight. She’s out of her mind.”
Miriam touched Ana’s knee affectionately while providing a comforting tone. “Oh, honey. Don’t say that. Your teacher works very hard so that you can learn things.”
Ana lowered her book and sighed. “Okay. I’m sorry. I’m better now. See?” She flashed a smile, but Miriam couldn’t tell if it was sincere.“You’ll be fine. It’s just homework,” Miriam said.
A brief silence came over them as Miriam’s thoughts drifted to the more serious matter at hand, the Texas kidnappings, which she couldn’t discuss with Lou. Not yet.
He seemed to be in such a good mood, and she didn’t want to put a damper on the evening, though it would have to come at some point later on. That thought filled her with dread. For some reason, she felt more comfortable confiding in Ana.“What if I told you that I was going to be away for a few days to investigate a kidnapping?” she asked.
Ana glanced up with no clear reaction, and at that moment, her silence said enough.“Nothing about us would be exposed. No one involved in the investigation knows anything about us.”“You’re not serious,” Ana said.
Miriam thought to herself and then provided not just an answer but her own plea. “There are two girls missing. Girls your age. The detectives leading the case want my help. One girl has been missing for over a week, the other a little over twenty-four hours.”
Ana sighed. “You told me that you were done with detective work. You promised.”“I know, but this isn’t the same,” Miriam said. “I have to do something, Ana.”
She looked at Ana’s cherubic face and noticed that her eyes were watering, on the verge of tears. She then leaned closer, pulling Ana toward her in a tight hug. “I promise that I’ll be okay. Nothing will happen to you or me or Lou or anyone else. I guarantee it.”
Ana nodded and said that it was okay. “I understand. I hope you change your mind, but I know you won’t.”
Though Ana was obviously upset, Miriam felt better for having it out there while coming to the honest conclusion that it was something she had to do. Telling Lou, she feared, would be much more difficult.
***
After her shower, Miriam slipped into a nightgown and entered the kitchen, where dinner awaited. The candles were both lit under the dimmed kitchen lights. The Beef Alfredo at the table looked delicious. As she sat, Miriam couldn’t remember the last time they had eaten at the table. Lou, it seemed, was determined to make the night memorable. He got up and walked to the fridge and came back with a bottle of champagne and two glasses.“You thought of everything,” Miriam said, impressed.“Not true,” Lou replied while twisting the cork. Then came the sound of a loud pop and champagne foaming to the surface of the bottle. “The violin player got stuck in traffic.”
Miriam laugh
ed as he poured the wine, bubbling and cold, and handed her a sparkling glass. They ate slowly, enjoying the moment and being together.
She glanced at the wall clock and saw that it was ten past nine. She hadn’t mentioned a thing about going to Texas. It was the last thing she wanted to bring up. So, she continued to put it off.
Lou filled their glasses again, stood, and held his out for a toast. “To a remarkable woman. Thank you for making this past year so special.”
Miriam drank and then set her glass down as the candle flames flickered before her. She opened her mouth to speak, but Lou spoke first, beating her to it.“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to do this. What better time than now?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny velvet case.
Miriam watched as Lou went down on one knee and revealed a glittering diamond ring. Her hands sprang to her face, covering her mouth.“Miriam,” he continued. “I know we’ve only been dating a year, but I’m certain that you’re the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I hope you feel the same about me.”
In an instant, the nervousness of discussing the kidnapping investigation vanished, only to be replaced by an elation Miriam hadn’t felt in a long time.“Miriam, will you marry me?”
As he remained patiently on one knee, ring in hand, his words struck Miriam like a bolt of lightning. She felt weak-kneed and faint. There had been times when she thought she’d never marry again, times when she was content with a life consisting of Ana and no one else. Now Lou was asking her to change all that.
Miriam closed her eyes for a moment, taking it all in as tears slid down her cheeks. She imagined Lou waiting for hours on one knee, teetering back and forth, while she pondered her decision, but such stamina on his part wouldn’t be necessary. Her heart was ready to make her decision.“Yes, Lou. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
