Suspicions: a novel of suspense

by Christine Kersey

  Amanda watched as the officers walked to their car. Williams picked up his radio and began speaking. Amanda turned to Stacey. “How do you like that? They hardly even talked to Mark and they won't let me go out looking for Kyle.”

  “Let me fix you something to eat,” Stacey said, trying to calm Amanda. “That way if you do go out, you’ll at least have some energy.” Stacey led the way into the kitchen and Amanda followed without comment.

  Amanda spoke softly, almost to herself. “I can’t believe he blames me for this.”

  Stacey glanced at Amanda. She’d been thinking the same thing. “He’s probably just upset. I’m sure he didn’t mean it that way.”

  “You don’t have to make excuses for him, Stacey. You don’t know him like I do.”

  “What do you mean?” Stacey asked.

  With pleading in her eyes, Amanda said, “Please keep this between the two of us.”

  “Of course,” Stacey said, her brows pulled together in concern.

  “We’ve had some . . . issues in our marriage. I’d thought we’d worked them out, but I can tell something’s been bothering him for a while now and he won’t tell me what it is.”

  “What makes you think that something has been bothering him?” Stacey asked, wondering what issues they’d had, but not wanting to pry.

  “For one thing, he's never home anymore. He always seems to have an excuse. It's usually a teacher's meeting or papers that need to be graded or going to that health club - you know, the one I gave you the free pass to?”

  Stacey nodded.

  “He's gone nearly every night, like he doesn't want to spend time at home anymore.”

  “I’m sure things will get better,” Stacey said, trying to draw Amanda out of her despair.

  “I hope you’re right, but I’m not as sure as you are.” Amanda stared at her wedding ring for a minute. “We were in counseling last year for a while. Maybe we need to start back.” She looked at Stacey with tears in her eyes. “But none of that is important now. Not with Kyle missing.”

  Stacey’s eyes stung with her own tears and she placed a comforting hand on Amanda’s back. “We’ll find him.”

  Stacey stayed with Amanda until Mark came home.

  “The police have been searching the neighborhood,” he said. “But they haven’t turned up anything.”

  When she headed home a short time later, Stacey glanced up and down the street, wondering where Kyle could be. She thought about Kyle and what a friendly little boy he was. Her chest tightened as she pictured Kyle’s sweet little face. She didn’t know what she would do if Robby didn’t come home from school. She remembered Robby’s odd reaction when she had asked him if he knew where Kyle was. Was it possible he knew more than he was telling?

  Chapter Four

  All was quiet when Stacey entered her house. Pleased to find that Jason had put the children to bed, Stacey walked down the hall to her bedroom and thought about all that had happened that day. Imagining what it would be like to have a missing child, Stacey felt a sharp pain in her chest as she pictured the faces of her children.

  What must Amanda be going through? It's a mother's worst fear being realized, she reflected. How would I handle it if it happened to me? Thank goodness I have Jason to lean on.

  She had always considered Jason the strong one in their marriage. Like the time her father had been seriously ill. She had been so upset but she didn't want to go visit him in that place. Jason had made her go and she had been grateful to him because her father had died soon after.

  But lately things had been different. She hadn’t said as much to Amanda, but Stacey could empathize with the comment Amanda had made about difficulties in marriage. Recently she and Jason had been having their own difficulties. He’d seemed distant at times lately and Stacey didn’t know why. She just knew they’d been fighting more.

  Even so, she felt optimistic that things would improve. Jason looked up from the book he was reading and smiled as Stacey entered their room.

  “Any news?” he asked, setting his book down.

  “No. But Mark said they were searching the neighborhood. Did they come by here?”

  “They could have come by, but I took the kids out for ice cream and then stopped by the library, so I guess we missed them.”

  “Oh.” Stacey paused. “I’m going to check on the kids.”

  As she walked down the hall, she thought about her children. Robby loved school and his third grade teacher. He was learning so much this year and having fun with his friends. And that nice Mr. Gowen, letting them build a treehouse in his orchard. Robby and Kyle loved to play there.

  Then she thought of her precious daughter, Nikki, who loved first grade and had taken to reading so quickly. What a horrible thing to have your children missing, she thought. School is supposed to be a safe place where we send our children and not worry if they're going to come home to us. A little shiver of fear shot up her spine.

  I think I'll walk Robby and Nikki to school and back until Kyle comes home.

  When Stacey tiptoed into Robby's room, she was surprised to see he was still awake.

  “What's wrong, Robby? You should be asleep by now.” She sat on the edge of his bed, automatically laying the back of her hand against his forehead to check for warmth.

  “Why were the police at Kyle's house?” His eyes were enormous and his brow puckered with worry.

  She stroked his cheek. “They just had to ask his Mom and Dad some questions.”

  Robby's brow relaxed, although he still looked anxious. “Can I play with Kyle tomorrow?”

  Afraid of scaring him, she was hesitant to give him all the details. “Are you sure you don't know where Kyle went after school today?”

  Tears formed in his eyes. “I told you, Mom. I don't know where he went.”

  “Okay. I'm sorry. I believe you.” She smiled gently. “Now go to sleep. You have school in the morning.”

  “I don't want to go to school tomorrow.”

  His comment surprised Stacey. He usually loved to go to school. “Why not? Isn't tomorrow the assembly you've been looking forward to? The one with the magician?”

  “Yeah, I guess.” He looked at Stacey with hope. “But will you walk to school with me?”

  “I'd love to,” Stacey told him, glad he asked but not understanding why. It was usually a point of pride for him to walk to school without mom tagging along.

  “Okay, Mom. Goodnight.” He turned his head on the pillow and closed his eyes.

  Stacey stayed a few minutes longer, until she heard the telltale sound of his even breathing. What would it be like, she pondered, to not have a care in the world?

  She wondered how long it would take her to fall asleep this night.

  Chapter Five

  Day 2 – Tuesday

  Soft music woke Stacey from her fitful sleep. Forcing her eyes open, she looked at the clock and saw it was six-thirty. Reaching over to turn off her radio alarm, she glanced back at her husband and recognized the peaceful expression on his face. Coupled with the sound of his quiet snoring, she realized he was a long way from consciousness. Typical, she thought. He could sleep through an earthquake.

  Morning sunlight worked its way through the closed blinds and she knew it was time to get up. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pushed herself out of bed. Once she was fully awake, the events of the previous day crashed into her mind. Was Kyle back? Had they found him? Though desperate to know, Stacey didn't want to call Amanda at this early hour.

  I'll go over to her house as soon as the children are off to school, she decided.

  After she showered and dressed, she went into the kitchen to prepare breakfast and wait for the rest of the household to come to life. While pouring the pancake batter onto the hot griddle, Jason strolled in looking wide-awake. The aroma of bacon mingled with the smell of warm pancakes as Jason wandered around to Stacey's side of the counter.

  “What are your plans today?” he asked, leaning against the counter.r />
  “As soon as I get the kids to school, I’m going to Amanda’s to see what’s happened with Kyle.” She scooped up the golden pancakes and put them on a plate.

  As Jason sat down to eat, Robby wandered in rubbing his eyes. He was still in his Superman pajamas and his brown hair stuck up in places.

  “Good morning, sweetheart,” Stacey said. “Come and have some pancakes and then go get dressed for school. Remember I get to walk to school with you today.”

  “Can Kyle walk to school with us?” he asked as he poured syrup on his pancakes.

  “Not today, honey. I don't think he's going to school.”

  Robby looked from one parent to the other. “Why not? Isn't he home yet?”

  “I don't know, honey. I haven't talked to his mother. I was going to check with her after I took you and Nikki to school.” She paused, wanting to change the subject. “In fact, I need to wake Nikki.”

  Curled up on her bed and clutching her special pink blanket, Nikki slept soundly. Stacey woke her and helped her pick out her clothes.

  “Mommy? Robby said something bad happened to Kyle. What was it?” Nikki looked at her mother with wide, innocent eyes.

  Stacey suspected he had told her that because he had seen the police car parked across the street the previous evening. “Nothing's happened to Kyle, sweetheart. He's probably home right now.” At least Stacey hoped that was true.

  “Okay. Can I have lots of syrup on my pancakes?”

  * * *

  Robby dragged his feet as the trio walked to school. Several times Stacey had to tell him to hurry up or they would be late. When they neared some low bushes near the school, Robby stopped dead in his tracks and stared at a spot about a hundred yards away.

  “Robby, come on. You don't want to be late do you?” She gave him a gentle shove. He didn't seem to hear her at first and just continued staring. Finally he moved forward, dragging his feet even more than before.

  When they reached his classroom door, Stacey bent down to give him a kiss. He hugged her tightly and didn't let go for several seconds.

  What is going on with him? She thought. She didn’t think he’d heard anything about Kyle yet, but wondered how long that would last. “I'll meet you here after school. Don't leave until I get here, okay?”

  He nodded and went in. Stacey watched him go and saw the bright green clovers hanging on the wall and remembered that just the day before Kyle had helped Mrs. Hershfield hang them there.

  After taking Nikki to her first grade class, Stacey quickly walked toward home. She headed directly to Amanda’s house, but before she was able to cross the street, her next-door neighbor, Margie, ran out the front door and grabbed her arm.

  Margie Thompson was a short woman. Her thin hair was tightly curled and she wore no makeup. Wearing sweats and a T-shirt, she still had slippers on her feet as she rushed toward Stacey. “Do you know why the police were at the Stone’s house yesterday?” she gasped.

  Anxious to know whether Kyle had been found, Stacey didn't want to stop and speak with her neighbor. Not only that, she’d had problems with Margie in the past and didn't want to tell her anything more than necessary. Besides, Stacey reasoned, Kyle could be home right now.

  “Were the police there?” Stacey asked, deciding to play dumb.

  “Oh yeah,” Margie said, as if she had the big news of the day. “They were there last evening.” She looked over her shoulder at her house. “It was right after I got home from the store. I saw them pull up in front of the Stone's house. They were there for about twenty minutes. And then I saw them talking to some of the neighbors.” She looked disappointed. “I had to leave before they got to my house.” She looked at Stacey with open curiosity. “Did they get to your house?”

  She shook her head. “Not while I was home.”

  “Oh.” She paused. “What do you think’s going on?”

  Stacey gave Margie a small smile. “Have you spoken to Amanda?”

  “No.”

  “I've got to go now.” Stacey began backing up.

  Margie wasn't willing to release her from questioning yet. “Where are you going?”

  “Over to Amanda's house.”

  “Oh! Tell me what happened. Okay?”

  “I’ll see you later,” Stacey said before turning and crossing the street to Amanda’s house. Hesitating before knocking, she wondered what news would be waiting inside. She had to knock several times before Amanda answered the door. There were dark circles under her eyes and she confirmed Stacey’s guess that she hadn’t slept much the night before.

  Amanda opened the door wider and allowed Stacey to enter. All the curtains were drawn and the lights were turned down low.

  “I'm so glad you came over, Stacey.” Tears filled her eyes. “The police haven't found him yet. They've been looking all night and haven't found a trace. They even called the FBI.”

  “Oh, Amanda. I'm so sorry,” Stacey said as she felt her eyes sting with tears. “What happens now?”

  “They told me to stay here in case there's some sort of contact.” Tears spilled down Amanda's cheeks. “I can't believe this is happening to me. This is only supposed to happen to other people or on television, not to my family.”

  They walked into the living room and sat on the pristine couch, looking at the phone expectantly.

  “Do they really think someone kidnapped him?” Stacey asked, finally saying the word out loud.

  “What else could it be?” Amanda asked with sorrow. “I just hope they did it for the money. I'll give them all I own if I can just have Kyle back. I don't care what it takes. I just want my son back.”

  After several minutes Stacey asked, “Where’s Mark? Is he still upstairs?”

  “No. He said he was going to look for Kyle some more. He said he would go door to door asking people if they've seen him. I told him the police are already doing that, but he wouldn't listen.”

  “I guess he feels he needs to do something,” Stacey said.

  “Whose side are you on anyway?”

  Stacey was taken aback. “What do you mean? Aren't you and Mark on the same side?”

  Sighing heavily, Amanda was apologetic. “I don't know what I mean anymore. I feel so helpless just staying here, crying all the time. But the police told me I need to stay here.”

  “Is there something I can do? Anything at all?”

  Amanda shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know. My mind's in such turmoil.”

  “What about the media? Do they know yet?”

  “Didn't you watch the news last night?” Amanda asked in astonishment.

  “No. After I left here I went straight to bed.”

  “The police issued an Amber alert, so his picture was on all the television news stations.”

  “What about the newspapers?” Stacey asked.

  Amanda shook her head. “You haven't looked at the paper either?”

  Stacey was beginning to feel flustered by her apparent ignorance. “I didn't think to look in the paper this morning. I was helping Robby and Nikki get ready for school.” She wished she could suck the words back in as soon as she heard herself speak.

  Amanda looked stricken.

  Stacey moved closer to her on the couch. “I'm so sorry. That was completely thoughtless of me.” She tried to smooth it over. “What was in the paper?”

  Amanda recovered her composure. “Kyle's picture was on the front page.”

  Before they said another word, the phone rang. Stacey's heart pounded as Amanda raced to pick up the phone.

  Amanda listened for a minute then said, “Okay, I'll see you then.” Her shoulders slumped as she replaced the receiver. “That was one of the Special Agents from the FBI. Agent Morrison. He's coming over. He said they're having the phone company set up something to trace our calls. Hopefully someone will call about . . . about Kyle,” Amanda struggled to control her voice.

  Stacey felt helpless as she watched Amanda work through her emotions. “Do they expect someone to call?” Thi
nking about the abductions she’d read about, it seemed most were committed by pedophiles.

  Amanda bit her lip before speaking. “They really don’t know, but they said because of the money I inherited, it is possible and they want to be prepared.”

  “That makes sense,” Stacey said, hoping it was because of money Kyle had disappeared, rather than because of a pedophile. Then, trying to distract Amanda a bit, Stacey said, “Have any reporters called?”

  Amanda shook her head. “Our number's not listed and I guess they haven't gotten it yet.”

  “That’s good.” Stacey paused. “What about fliers? Have you thought about making those?”

  “No. But that's a great idea.” Amanda stood. “We can print hundreds of them and then get people to help put them up around town.”

  Amanda’s enthusiasm pleased Stacey. Obviously having something concrete to do was perking her up.

  The women went down the hall to the office.

  Stacey hadn't been in Mark's office before but she could see it belonged to a man. The desk was large and dark and had plenty of room to spare even with the computer on it. The walls had walnut paneling with a couple of pictures of Mark and Kyle fishing. Stacey noticed that there were no pictures of Amanda.

  A file cabinet sat in one corner adjacent to the closet. Through the open closet door Stacey could see several boxes stacked on top of each other. Everything in the room was neat and tidy, not a stray piece of paper anywhere.

  Amanda got right to work making the flier. The photo scanner made the job simple and she soon held a completed flier in her hand.

  The doorbell rang and Amanda got up to answer it. It was Agent Morrison along with another agent.

  “Mrs. Stone, this is Special Agent Trent Randolph.” He paused as Randolph nodded in Amanda’s direction. “The trap’s in place,” he went on. “ It works like Caller ID, except we get the address as well as the phone number. We’ll be staying here for a while, if that’s okay with you.”

  “Of course.”

  A short time later Amanda headed toward the front door. “I’m going to see if the mail’s come yet.”