Her words were a punch in Grace’s gut. “What?” she gasped. “How much blood?”
“Very little. We decided to tell you because we’re checking hospitals in the area, hoping Mara took him to one. The best-case scenario is that he had a seizure. Mara hasn’t shown signs of violence toward Johnny that we’ve been able to ascertain. I haven’t received word yet, but Agent Reid will report to the ASAC as soon as there is any information.”
“Hospitals,” Grace said. She stood to look for her phone until she remembered that she’d had to leave it downstairs. “Is there a phone I can use? I need to call Alec.”
Ryan raised his eyebrows. “Right now? Why?”
“There’s something about Mara. I need to confirm it with Alec.”
Shepherd led her to a desk in the bullpen. “There you go. Dial nine for an outside line. Be aware the call will be recorded.”
Grace called Alec’s number and drummed her fingers on the desk while she waited for her to pick up.
“You nearly gave me a heart attack, Grace. I was asleep. What’s happening? Is there news from Jason or Wes?”
“No news. I have an important question. Think hard before answering. When Mara called us on Johnny’s second birthday to tell us she was the one who kidnapped him, did she tell us she was a nurse?”
The line went quiet for about five seconds. “Yes, I think she did. She said she had such an easy time kidnapping Johnny because she was a nurse and knew her way around hospitals.”
“That’s what I remembered. Thanks, Alec.” Grace hung up and turned to Shepherd. “Mara’s a nurse. We know she’d been in Richmond for at least two months probably more. How has she been living? She’d need money for rent and food, and Johnny’s medications. She could have been working at a hospital. Nurses are fingerprinted at Virginia hospitals. If Mara were hired at one, they’d have her on file. While you’re looking for Johnny, search for Mara, too.”
Ryan hugged her. “Thank goodness for that incredible memory of yours.”
“We’ll get the techs started on that before I leave,” Shepherd said.
“I have contacts in the medical community all over Richmond. I’ll start contacting them in the morning.” Grace took Ryan’s hands. “Let’s get out of here. Alec’s interview is early tomorrow, and I want to make a list of contacts.” She turned back to Shepherd. “Call any time with news. I won’t be sleeping tonight.”
Shepherd nodded and headed for the door but stopped when Grace turned to the monitor. She kissed her fingers and pressed them to the screen.
“Goodnight, my little man. We’re going to find you. Just hang on a little longer.”
15
Grace’s phone vibrated and startled her out of a dead sleep. Her face was smashed on the dining room table in a puddle of drool. She’d expected to be awake all night but surrendered to her fatigue around two. She picked up her phone and saw it was Jason. She glanced at the time. It was five minutes to six.
As soon as Grace answered, Jason said, “I have to be quick. Jen’s water broke an hour ago. They’ve been prepping her for a C-Section. They tested the babies’ lungs. Both are developed enough for delivery. They may have to stay for a week or so, but the pediatrician is confident they’ll be fine.”
Tears of happiness, frustration and concern filled Grace’s eyes. “That’s great news, Jason. Ryan and I wish we could be there more than you’ll ever know. We love you both. We’ll be praying and waiting for pictures. Please give Jen a hug and kiss from us.”
“We understand why you can’t be here, Grace. We love you, too. Don’t worry. Jen and the babies are doing fine. We weren’t expecting them to make an entrance today, but we’re thrilled. I’ll be in touch the second the babies arrive.” Grace heard Jason talking to someone before he came back on. “Jen’s ready. I have to go. Talk to you soon.”
“Thanks for calling Jason and congratulations.”
The line went quiet. Grace wiped her face with a crumpled napkin left from dinner the night before and sighed as she stared at the screen. The anger and bitterness toward Mara that she’d struggled to suppress erupted. Once again, Mara was siphoning joy from her life.
“I hate you, Mara,” she said to the silent room. “I hate you, and I’m coming for you.”
Her phone buzzed again, and she growled at it until she saw it was Wes. “Good morning. Do I want to know the reason for this call or not?”
“Yes and no. Sorry to call so early. Did I wake you?”
She told him about Jason’s call and said, “I’m furious that I can’t be there for Jen and Jason. I’m trying to stay in control, but it’s not working. I’ve been beaten, neglected and abandoned in my past, but I’ve never hated anyone like I do Mara. Is it wrong that I do?”
“I’d be worried if you didn’t. Don’t try to ignore or suppress it. Take your feelings out and look them in the eye. There will be time for forgiveness later. For now, face how you’re feeling honestly. Pretending those feelings don’t exist is unhealthy.”
“How psychological of you. You sound like Adam, but thanks for the pep talk. I needed that. Now, about why you called?”
“We found the hospital where Mara took Johnny. It’s just north of the city.”
Grace sat up straighter and her heartbeat quickened. “Is he there? Can we see him?”
“No, I’m sorry to say he’s gone. Mara told the doctor that Johnny had a seizure and hit his head on the toilet. The doc was skeptical when he saw how Johnny reacted to her explanation, but Mara said they were from Oregon so that doc didn’t suspect he was Johnny. His name was listed as Kyle Brennen on his ID.”
“What’s his condition? He must have been well enough to leave, right?”
“He has a concussion, but otherwise, he’s fine. The doctor wanted to admit him, but Mara checked him out AMA. The good news is that he was able to walk out when they left. The doc said Johnny should be fine in a few days with rest, and he hasn’t shown up in any other medical facility so far. We’ll keep checking.”
Grace was shocked but relieved that Johnny was able to walk after the seizure. That usually wasn’t the case, so his condition must not have been critical. The fact that Mara was a nurse gave Grace some comfort. Johnny should have been in a hospital, but hopefully, Mara knew what she was doing.
“Kyle was the name Mara gave him when she kidnapped him as a baby,” Grace said. “If Johnny didn’t contradict her to the doctors or nurses, he must be terrified of her.”
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Grace. The doctor said Johnny was disoriented when they got there. He might have just been confused.”
“Hope you’re right. Who was the doctor?” She was encouraged when Wes gave her the name. He was a neurologist Grace knew and respected, and she’d sat on a seminar panel with him once. “He’s a good man. I’ll go see him after Alec’s interview. Any more news for me?”
“Between evidence we gathered from the hotel, the hospital, and Mara's house and bank accounts in Portland, she won’t be able to sneeze without us knowing. We found out that she was working as a nurse in Portland, so that was an excellent call on your part. We’re contacting hospitals here to see if she’s employed at any of them. It’s no longer a matter of if we catch her but when. The noose is tightening, Grace.”
“You can’t imagine how happy I am to hear that. With the reward, the FBI on her heels and the national coverage of Alec’s interview today, she won’t have anywhere to run. I just hope Johnny can hold on until we find her.”
“He sounds like a smart, tough kid, and he has amazing parents. My money’s on him.”
“Thanks again, Wes, but I need to get going. Alec’s interview is this morning, and she has to be at the studio in time for the seven-thirty local break on the national news broadcasts.”
“Wish her luck for me. I hope it leads to the break we need.”
Grace said she would and, after extracting a promise from Wes to keep her updated, she woke Ryan and Alec to fill them in on Jen and Wes’
news. She and Ryan went to their room afterward while Alec went downstairs to get dressed.
“What do you have planned today?” she asked him.
He glanced at her and hesitated before saying, “Would you be too mad at me if I go into work? Between Alec’s interview and contacting your professional connections to see if they know anything about Mara, you have important things to do, but there’s nothing I can do here. I need a distraction from obsessing about Johnny. I need to feel useful.”
Grace wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. “I understand and won’t be mad at all. Just promise to keep your phone handy.”
“I will if you promise to call me with the slightest bit of news, or even just to tell me you love me.”
“That’s a promise. Wes said the noose is tightening on Mara. Do you believe that?”
“I do. With the media coverage and Wes on her heels, it won’t be long before they rat her out, and I keep hoping Johnny will find a way to escape. Even if he doesn’t come here, just getting away from her will be a victory.”
She pulled him tighter and rested her head on his chest. “Be careful today. I’ll check in as often as I can. I hope you know I love you and couldn’t survive this without you.”
Ryan kissed the top of her head. “I do. I feel the same. Call as soon as the interview ends. I love you.”
Grace nodded and watched him go, hoping she’d have good news the next time they spoke.
Grace was quiet as Alec drove them to the local network studio for her interview. Returning to the studio dredged up unwelcome feelings of interviews she’d done during Johnny’s ordeal as a baby. Nothing but Alec’s request that she come along for moral support could have enticed her to set foot in that building. She was just glad she’d be behind the camera instead of in front of it.
“I’m nervous,” Alec said, startling Grace out of her thoughts. “I’m usually excited about these interviews.”
“This isn’t a typical interview,” Grace said quietly. “There’s much more riding on it than book sales.”
Alec squeezed her hand. “Book sales mean nothing to me now. I’m doing it for the national exposure to bring results in finding Johnny. I hope you believe that. I’m glad Wes called this morning. It’s a relief knowing Johnny is alive and still in Richmond.”
“I believe you, and I hope it stays that way long enough for Wes to catch Mara. She could get spooked and take off to Portland or wherever.”
“Something is keeping her here. That gives us the advantage.”
Grace nodded and looked out the window wondering how long it would be before they discovered where Mara was hiding.
Grace sat by herself, facing the set where they would film Alec’s segment, while she waited for taping to start. When she and Alec arrived at the studio, the producer offered her hopes that the broadcast would lead to the speedy capture of Mara and the recovery of Johnny. After Grace thanked her, the producer explained that the first broadcast would play live on the local affiliates and would be followed by typed replays each half hour. She was confident that the national broadcast and cable networks would pick it up and replay it during their morning shows.
Grace’s heart raced as Alec and the anchor doing the interview took their seats facing each other. As the makeup artist touched up Alec’s face, Grace could see her friend’s hands shaking. She flashed Alec a smile and mouthed that she would do just fine. Grace shouldn’t have worried. The instant the camera’s rolled, Alec became her poised and confident self.
The interviewer was a young man named Ethan James. He’d interviewed Alec before, so she felt comfortable with him. He was trying to get name recognition in a cut-throat business so he could be aggressive, but fair. He introduced Alec and welcomed her.
Ethan: “Tell us about your book which releases tomorrow. This is a drastic departure from your children’s books isn’t it?”
Alec: “Before we get to that, I want to thank you for agreeing to have me here on such short notice.”
Ethan: “We’re privileged to have you.”
Alec: “Thank you. To answer your question, Baby John Doe is a very different project for me, and one I’ve worked on for years. Having personal involvement with the subject matter makes it all that much more important to me, especially now.”
Ethan: “Can you please tell us about it?”
Alec: “Of course.”
Alec gave the summery of “Baby John Doe” that the copywriter had given her. It felt strange for Grace to hear Alec discussing her life right in front of her as if she was just some character from a novel.
Ethan: “Many of us remember this story playing out in the news, although I was still in high school at the time. Why have you waited so long to publish the book?”
Alec: “Partly because I didn’t become a writer for several years after these events, and also to have time to do the research and gather all the facts. Some of the criminal trials went on for years.”
Ethan: “Are those the only reasons?”
Alec froze, and Grace could see her figuring out how to answer.
Alec: “Yes, those are the only reasons, other than the fact that I was recovering from a rock-climbing accident.”
Ethan: “Yes, most of us are familiar with your accident, but for those who aren’t, can you tell us what happened?
Alec: “Of course, Ethan. My husband and I were on a rock-climbing trip in Alaska for our tenth anniversary. My equipment malfunctioned and I fell nearly thirty feet.” She paused for dramatic effect. “I fractured my spine along with other serious injuries. I was fortunate to have survived, let alone be able to walk. That might not have happened without Grace’s support and encouragement. Learning to walk again was painful and challenging, and I gave up. It was Johnny who convinced me I could do it, and Grace who gave me the courage to see it through. Johnny was also the one who encouraged me to become a writer.”
Ethan: “We’re grateful he did. It’s a heart-warming story. So, this is what prompted you to write the book?”
Alec: “In part, but I had many reasons. One of the biggest is to help women see that they don’t have to have superpowers to overcome their challenges. It’s my deep conviction that ordinary women, which I consider myself to be, have the capacity to overcome seemingly insurmountable trials. Grace’s story is proof of that conviction.”
Ethan: “Admirable. I have another question that might be more difficult to answer. Isn’t it a bit of a coincidence that your book hits the shelves tomorrow, a week after Johnny’s abduction?”
Alec: “I’m not sure what you mean, but yes, it is a terrible coincidence. I would have preferred the book to come out under much more favorable circumstances.”
Ethan: “What I mean, Mrs. Emerson, is that many find it curious that your book goes on sale exactly when the subjects of the story are all over the news.”
Alec: “What are you implying. Ethan?”
Ethan: “I’m not implying anything. I’m stating it outright. Did you manufacture this news story to coincide with the release of your book? I’ve been in this business long enough to know that coincidences are rare. This feels more like an expertly manufactured publicity stunt.”
Alec’s poise and composure disappeared as she sat forward and stared at Ethan with her mouth hanging open.
Ethan: “I take your reaction as confirmation.”
Alec: “My reaction is shock that you’d have the audacity to suggest such a thing. Are you assuming that I paid off the FBI and local law enforcement to put on a show for the country? You’re accusing me of a federal crime.”
Ethan: “I’m saying law enforcement has nothing to do with this because they know it’s a publicity stunt.”
Grace jumped out of her chair and was about to run on to the set when someone grabbed her arms from behind and stopped her. She turned to find the producer grinning at her. Grace tried to break free, but she held her tighter. Alec slowly stood and balled her fists.
Alec: “How dare you acc
use me of such a thing. Johnny and Grace are family. I would never exploit their tragedy. Not for money, fame or any reason. You think I’m some heartless PR mastermind?”
Alec turned to the camera and pointed at Ethan, who sat grinning like the cat who caught the rat.
Alec: “Ignore this self-absorbed weasel. Johnathan Walker’s abduction is real. He’s been kidnapped by the woman named Mara who also kidnapped him on the day he was born. I’m not here to sell books. I’m here to plead with all of you to please help us find Johnny and bring Mara to justice. The number and web address for the tip-line is scrolling across the screen. Please, help us.”
Alec tore off her microphone and stomped off the set. She pushed the producer aside and took Grace’s hand. They heard the crew applauding as they left the studio.
When they reached the parking lot, Grace tugged on Alec’s hand to get her to stop and swung her around to face her.
“That’s it? You’re just going to leave? You need to go back in there and stand up to that little prick,” Grace said.
Alec put her hands on her hips and locked her eyes on Grace. “That would be playing into his hands. He was baiting me and trying to manufacture a scandal. The point of this interview was to get the public to help fund Johnny, not pump up the latest news cycle or Ethan’s career. I said what I came to say.”
“But what if people believe him? This could destroy all our efforts.”
“Reasonable people will believe the truth. Going back in there would only backfire,” Alec said, before marching to the car.
Grace watched her go and knew she should follow, but she was tempted to go defend her friend and salvage the situation. They needed any help they could get to rescue her boy, but the interview had been a catastrophe. When Alec waved her to the car, Grace decided to trust her and hope the aftermath wouldn’t be as big of a disaster as she feared.
“Oh, my God,” Wes whispered when the news segment ended. He and his team had watched Alec’s interview in the conference room with the Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Jamal Wilson. “That was a train wreck. Could anyone possibly believe Johnny’s abduction is a hoax?”
The Complete Arms of Grace Series Page 49
