The Complete Arms of Grace Series

by Eleanor Chance

  Making himself look as threatening as he could, he said, “What’s your name? Where are we? Did you kidnap me? Why does everyone keep kidnapping me?”

  “My name is Mara Brennen. We’re at my home in Richmond. You’ll see The James if you look out the window. And I didn’t kidnap you, Johnny. I brought you home. You see, I’m your mother.”

  Johnny would have jumped up if he could. Instead, he stared at her in shock. “No, you can’t be my mother,” he stammered. “My mother’s dead. She died having me.” He lowered his voice and looked at the floor. “That’s the first time I’ve said that. I just found out yesterday.”

  “What you found out are more lies. Whatever you read in Alec’s book, whatever Grace and Ryan told you, all lies. If you’re willing to listen, I’ll tell you the story of who you truly are.”

  Grace ran for the door expecting to see her Johnny. Instead, she swung the door wide to find an attractive thirty-something woman of about five-five with her brown hair tied neatly into a ponytail. She wore a tailored black pant-suit with a fitted white blouse. Grace was surprised she wasn’t wearing dark sunglasses. She peeked around her, looking for the black SUV, but it was only a late-model silver sedan.

  The woman showed Grace her credentials. “I’m Special Agent Nichol Shepherd. Are you Grace Walker?”

  Grace nodded and moved aside to let the agent inside. “How’d you get here so fast?”

  “Didn’t have far to go, and we’re always prepared to move quickly when a missing minor is involved.”

  Before Grace could close the door, two more sedans pulled up to the house. Four people got out and retrieved various cases from the backseats and trunks. They came to the door and stared at Grace. She stepped aside to let them in as well.

  While Agent Shepherd made introductions, Steph burst in through the kitchen and wrapped Grace in a suffocating hug.

  “She’s not one of mine,” Agent Shepherd said.

  Grace unwrapped herself. “My stepdaughter, Stephanie Walker,” Grace told Agent Shepherd and turned to Steph. “What are you doing here? There’s nothing you can do.”

  Steph took Grace’s hand and pulled her along as they followed Agent Shepherd into the living room. “You’re kidding, right? My baby brother is missing. Did you think I wouldn’t come?”

  The rest of the FBI entourage followed them into the living room. They formed a half-circle behind Agent Shepherd and stared at Grace.

  “Where should we set up, boss?” a young man in a t-shirt, hoodie and ball cap asked. He looked young enough to be the older brother to one of Johnny’s friends. Grace suddenly felt old and tired. She dropped onto the couch and rubbed her temples. Agent Shepherd raised an eyebrow in question.

  “I don’t care,” Grace said. “Set up wherever you want.”

  Steph sat next to Grace and took her hand. “In here is fine,” she told Agent Shepherd.

  Agent Shepherd cocked her head at the rest of them and they jumped into motion. Within minutes, they had their equipment spread over the top of the dining room table. Agent Shepherd carried one of the dining room chairs over to the living room and sat facing Grace.

  “I’ll collect the photos Special Agent Michaels asked for before I interview you. We need to get the fliers made. Do you have those ready?”

  Grace shook her head. “I didn’t have time, but it will only take a minute.”

  As Grace got up to gather the photos of Johnny, Ryan rushed into the living room from the kitchen as Steph had done. He threw his arms around Grace and whispered into her ear. “I’m here, and Johnny’s going to be fine. He’s just furious with us and hiding at a friend’s house. That’s all this is.”

  Grace fought her tears and nodded without a word. Ryan stepped back and hugged Steph before acknowledging the other people in the room. With his arm around Grace’s shoulder, he extended his right hand to Agent Shepherd. “Ryan Walker, Johnny’s dad.”

  Agent Shepherd introduced herself. “Your wife was about to get some photos of your son for me. Would you mind answering questions while she does?”

  “I’d be happy to,” Ryan said and sat on the couch where Grace had been.

  Grace was halfway to the kitchen to grab the pictures of Johnny when the doorbell rang. What now? she thought and went to answer it. Before she could turn the knob, two agents flanked her at the door.

  “From now on, use the peephole before opening the door,” the agent Shepherd had introduced as Crawford said. “Just in case.”

  Just in case what? Grace wondered. She stood on her tiptoes and saw two police officers on the stoop. She stepped back and gestured for Agent Crawford to open the door. “Be my guest. He probably wants to talk to you,” she said.

  Agent Crawford introduced himself and Grace to the officers and ushered them to Agent Shepherd. Grace didn’t go after them. She peeked at the cars lining the curb just as a car marked Sheriff pulled in behind the police car. She waited for the sheriff and what must have been a deputy at the door. After more introductions, she pointed them to the rest of the group and escaped to the kitchen.

  She leaned on the table and tried to ignore her pounding heart. Scott Michaels hadn’t been kidding when he’d said they’d pull out all the stops to find Johnny. Grace was more than grateful and would do anything to help find her son, but the mushrooming crowd in her living room was suffocating her.

  Less than twenty-four hours earlier, she’d been going about an ordinary day. Now, her world had been thrown off its axis. Alec had once told her that she’d had enough trauma in her life for ten people. That number had bumped up to fifteen.

  She didn’t have time to stand there pitying herself, so she shook her head to clear it and grabbed a stack of random photos from the drawer where she kept them. She didn’t dare look at them as she turned to rejoin the others. Before she made it to the living room, the kitchen door swung open and Alec burst through it. She pulled Grace into a hug and held her for a long minute before moving away. She laid her hand on Grace’s shoulders and studied her face

  “How can this be happening? Where is our boy? What do you need from me?”

  Grace shrugged free of Alec’s hands and turned her back. “I told you not to come. The living room is full to bursting as it is. There’s nothing you can do, and having you here only adds to my stress.”

  “Stop it, Grace. I’m not leaving your side until Johnny is under this roof. I’m not just here for you. Johnny is family. I’ve known him as long as you have, and I love him almost as much as you do. Now, sit down and tell me what they’re saying. What’s the plan?”

  Grace sank onto a chair and reached for Alec’s hand as she took the chair facing her. “I’m still mad at you. I’m trying not to blame you even though it’s your fault.”

  “Don’t act like you’re squeaky clean in this, but there will be time to assign blame later.”

  “Don’t interrupt,” Grace snapped. “Having said that, I’m glad you ignored me and came. I hate to admit that I can’t function without my Alec.”

  Alec covered Grace’s hand with hers. Images of times they’d huddled together during their multitude of traumas flooded Grace’s mind. Instead of weakening her already fragile mental state, they gave her strength. They’d conquered those obstacles. They’d survive this together.

  “Thank you, friend, for understanding me better than anyone in the world.”

  “That’s better. Now, let’s get to work.”

  Grace stood and scooped the pictures from the table. She grasped Alec’s hand and led her to the base of operations, which only minutes before had been an ordinary room and an ordinary house. The chaos reminded Grace that being ordinary had been an illusion, but with Alec and Ryan at her side, she could face what the world threw at her.

  “I’ve recorded Ryan’s account of what happened. Now I’d like yours,” Agent Shepherd said.

  Every eye turned on Grace. She hadn’t expected to perform for an audience, and her courage wavered, but Ryan and Alec each squeezed a
hand, and she felt their strength flow into her.

  “Things have been rocky between Johnny and me lately, but we had called a truce on Sunday. Everything was fine. Then, he came home from school yesterday and found Alec’s book.”

  Agent Shepherd held up their copy and Grace cringed.

  “Your husband told me Johnny’s history. I’ve read his original file.”

  “You understand why he was so upset?”

  Agent Shepherd nodded.

  “He learned the devastating secrets we kept from him with no one there to explain. We had a terrible argument and he stormed out. I wanted to go after him, but Ryan said to let him go blow off steam. I should have gone with my gut and stopped him. How could I let my baby go?”

  “Stop blaming yourself,” Agent Shepherd said. “That’s just a useless waste of the energy you’ll need to get you through this. Tell me what happened next.”

  “We went to bed and watched a movie. I thought Johnny would come home after a few hours, or at least by morning to get ready for school, but he didn’t. Ryan let me sleep late. I got up around nine-thirty, which is rare for me, especially after what happened the night before. If I hadn’t slept so long, I would have figured out that Johnny was missing much sooner.

  "The school called shortly after I woke up to find out why he was absent. We’re supposed to call if he’s going to be absent. After that, we started calling his friends and family.” She mentioned Johnny calling Ty and not being there when Ty’s brother showed up to get him.

  “This gives us a solid timeframe. I’ve asked Ryan to make a list of anyone he’s contacted. I’d like you to do the same. We also need a list of anyone you can think of that Johnny has frequent contact with. While you’re doing that, I’m going to interview Mrs. Emerson and Ms. Walker. When I’m finished, we’re going to get the word out on all social media platforms, get posters made and posted, and start canvassing your neighborhood. If you think of anything else that will aid in the search, please tell one of us immediately.”

  When Grace gave Ryan a worried glance, Agent Shepherd said, “I feel confident that Johnny is hiding out somewhere you wouldn’t think to look. We’ll do our best to have him home for dinner.”

  Grace wasn’t so sure. She was afraid that Johnny got impatient waiting for Ty to come, decided to walk instead, and had a seizure. He could be lying passed out in some freezing-cold ditch.

  When Grace told Agent Shepherd that, Sheriff Granderson said, “My deputy is searching the streets in the immediate area,” the sheriff said. “If he were on the street, he would have been spotted by now.”

  That comforted Grace some, but not enough to convince her she was wrong.

  “I’m glad you brought up Johnny’s health concerns,” Agent Shepherd said. “We’ll need a list of all his doctors, therapists, medications, and medical conditions. Does Johnny have any regularly scheduled appointments?”

  “Just physical therapy. We’ve spoken with Johnny’s long-time physical therapist. He hasn’t heard from him,” Grace said.

  “He wants to help in the search,” Ryan added.

  Agent Shepherd turned to face Alec. “Mrs. Emerson, has your book been released to the public? If not, when does it come out?”

  “Next Tuesday, but why does that matter? And please, call me Alec.”

  “Has there been pre-release publicity?”

  “Yes, the usual.”

  “In the unlikely event that this case continues into next week, the tie with your book might heighten national awareness. This is one of those rare times where sensationalism can have a positive outcome.”

  “The book is available for pre-order. I’ll talk to my publicist. Maybe we can step things up a few days early.”

  “Give me her name. I’ll contact her directly,” Agent Shepherd said.

  “You're going to use your book to help find Johnny?” Grace asked. “That’s what caused this.”

  “We might as well use my evil book for good, then,” Alec said. “You never know if someone might see his picture and recognize him.”

  “My thoughts also,” Agent Shepherd said. She faced the agents and officers waiting for her signal to get started. “I have everything I need. You know your assignments. Let’s get rolling. I don’t want to lose any more time.”

  The group sprang into action as one. When Agent Shepherd’s phone buzzed, she answered it and crossed to the opposite side of the room to speak privately.

  Ryan put his hand on Grace’s shoulder. “As much as you don’t like it, using Alec’s book release is a good idea. We need to exploit every resource available. I’ve been involved in missing person searches at the park. The slightest scrap of information can make a difference.”

  “If Johnny finds out, it might make him dig in deeper. We need to draw him out, not chase him off.”

  “Forget about Alec’s book,” Steph said. “Johnny will be home before dark. Trust me, he can’t survive for long without his game controllers.”

  8

  Johnny did his best to make himself fierce and stare Mara down. “Why should I believe you any more than Grace? My whole life is a lie. How do I know you’ll tell me the truth?”

  “I’ll be right back,” Mara said and rushed out of the room before he could ask any more questions.

  He stared after her in shock. What a lunatic, he thought. I’ve got to get out of here. He was trying to get up to search for his phone when Mara came in and held out a bag of takeout food to Johnny. “Eat while I explain. You need your meds, too.” She held up her hand and the baggie of meds Johnny had packed for the weekend dangled from her fingers. “Is this everything you need, or did you leave some of your medications at home?”

  It was the second time she’d shocked him. Johnny didn’t like how unpredictable she was. It threw him off kilter. He grabbed the bag from her. “Where’d you get these? Did you go through my pack? You had no right.”

  Mara sat down and smiled. “Relax. I wasn’t trying to violate your privacy, but I know you’re on various medications and had to see what you had on hand. Why are you so worked up? I didn’t find anything interesting in your backpack.”

  His head pounded harder when the memory of his departure from Grace’s house flashed in his mind. All he had was what he’d needed for school. He wasn’t planning on leaving forever. He must have forgotten to take the bag of meds out of his pack when he got home Sunday night, but Mara was right. He needed to take his meds. He had no idea how long it had been since his last dose.

  “That’s all I have with me. It’s only four days’ worth.”

  She scrunched up her face. “Four days? That’s it?”

  “I wasn’t packing for a kidnapping,” he snapped.

  He had to eat before he could take his medicine, so he opened the bag of food. It was his usual order from his favorite burrito place. She’d even gotten the salsa he liked. The thought that Mara knew that gave him goosebumps. And how had she known he’s on medications?

  I have a stalker, he thought and smiled as he took the items out of the bag and placed them on the nightstand. He wasn’t sure why that struck him as funny. He should have been terrified but was only a little creeped out, but when Mara watched him with laser focus as he ate, the goosebumps returned.

  “Not kidnapping,” she said. “You’re my son. You belong to me. I’ll have to figure out your prescription situation, though,” she said, just loud enough for him to hear.

  “Take me to my house when Ryan and Grace are at work.” He took a huge bite of burrito. “That way I won’t have to talk to those people,” he said through his mouthful of food.

  She jumped up and ran at him, stopping inches from his feet. “No!”

  He backed away and instinctively threw his arm across his face. “Chill out. What’s your problem?”

  Mara took a few breaths and visibly relaxed. “I’m sorry. You upset me with the idea of going to that house. Your life there is gone. We’re starting a new one together. We’ve got to find another wa
y to stretch your meds. Maybe we can cut your doses in half.”

  Johnny’s hands shook as he set his burrito on the wrapper. “I can’t do that. I’ll get sick, and are you saying I can’t even go get my stuff? I can’t see my friends? I want to call and let them know I’m okay. Where’s my phone?”

  “I destroyed it so they can’t track you.”

  “You did what?” Johnny wanted to punch her. His phone was his lifeline. Mara had cut him off from everyone and everything he’d ever known. “I’m not doing anything you say unless you tell me what’s going on, or I’m out of here. I may be slower than you, but I’m stronger.”

  Mara went back to her chair without a word.

  “You say you’re my mother. How is that possible? Alec’s book said that the DNA tests done when I was a baby showed this Craig Stuart is my biological father. He was in New Mexico. Is he your husband? Where is he? Are you taking me to him? The book said his wife died when I was born.”

  The questions that had been swimming in his brain spilled out of him. He’d been trying to make sense of what he’d read in Alec’s book for the past twenty-four hours. Then, this Mara showed up and threw him into a completely different world. He was desperate for a thread of truth to grab onto and pull himself to safety.

  Mara gripped the armrests on her chair as she watched him. Johnny could tell she was high strung, and for all his bravado, he was afraid to set her off. If she was capable of kidnapping, what else might she do? Even if she was his mother, he wasn’t sure he wanted to stay with her. He thought of Adam’s friend, Paul, who was a lawyer. He didn’t know his number, but he could Google it.

  “I said I’m going to tell you the truth of who you are and I will,” Mara said, interrupting his thoughts, “but first, we need a few ground rules. You’re not allowed to contact anyone for the next few days. Your friends might be worried about you, but if you call them, you could be traced. We can’t have that.”

  “How can I contact anyone? You destroyed my phone.”