Day of Atonement

by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

  “Thanks.” Natalie did not think she had on anything special. Other than the heels, which were only two inches compared to the higher ones she normally wore, she had on maternity jeans and a long-sleeved pattern top. She hadn’t felt cute throughout this entire pregnancy. She’d felt uncomfortable, like she’d swallowed a giant exercise ball. Maybe that’s why she still tried to spice up her appearance with her attire. It had to be the model in her for sure because the mother in her wanted nothing more than to match Diane’s apparel and put on sweats and tennis shoes.

  “My son really loves you, you know?”

  “And I really love him.”

  “It’s easy to see how much he cares about you and Nate. I can tell by the way he looks at y’all. It’s amazin’ to see how devoted he is as a husband and father considerin’ Reed wasn’t the best role model.”

  Natalie remained quiet, figuring to agree with Diane, despite the accuracy of her statement, would be rude.

  “Troy is protective of all the people he loves and he is not one to open his heart easily. Once in, you’re in, but once out, the door seems to be closed forever.” She turned to face Natalie. “I know you probably think I am a fool for stayin’ with Reed all of these years.”

  “Not necessarily.” Natalie hoped she’d sounded sincere. She wouldn’t call her mother-in-law a fool, but she did wonder what compelled her to put up with all the crap she had taken from Reed. Diane, a woman who did not bite her tongue, didn’t seem like she would tolerate physical abuse.

  “I don’t even know why I stayed with him. I think it was because of stubbornness more than love. I don’t think anyone in my family expected us to make it. We got married because I was knocked up. We stayed married because dysfunction became our norm. I worry about AJ and Alyssa because Al and Tracy’s marriage reminds me of how mine used to be. Seein’ how much Reed has changed does at least give me hope for the two of them.”

  “Um-hmm.”

  “I think Troy blames his father for all of our marital problems, but between you and me, I wasn’t perfect either. Reed had more whores than I can count. I know for a fact that he had a woman livin’ with him for a while after his father died because Tracy told me about it when she was a teenager. She was mad at me and planned to move in with him. She showed up over there with her bags and he sent her right back home.”

  “How’d she know another woman was living there?”

  “Reed told her he was helpin’ a friend and there wasn’t enough space for all of them. Plus, Tracy saw the lady when she first got there. I can’t remember how it all happened because it’s been so long ago, but I think the door was unlocked and Tracy walked in on the two of them in the livin’ room watchin’ a movie or somethin’ like that. She said the woman didn’t look much older than her, which didn’t surprise me. He had whores of all ages, shapes, and sizes. The young ones liked his money and I supposed the old ones did, too. Anyhow, I called and cussed him out that night. If I had gone over there, I would have left dead or in handcuffs. It wasn’t so much that he didn’t let her stay that pissed me off, it was that he told her the reason was because of this other woman like that tramp havin’ a home was more important than his daughter havin’ one.”

  “Did you want Tracy to leave?”

  “Naw, girl. I didn’t know she’d pulled that trick until after she came back home cryin’. It was seein’ her cry that set me off. Anyhow, that was so long ago. It’s not like I’ve been an angel. I have entertained a date or two myself. Honey, I let Reed know that while he was layin’ tricks on their backs, somebody could do the same to me.”

  “O-kay.” This was way more information than she cared to know about her mother-in-law. “What time does this place close?”

  “There was one guy that I was with for about a year. He wanted me to divorce Reed and marry him, but I wasn’t about to bring another man around my children.”

  Natalie’s attempt to divert the conversation did no good. Diane stared off in space, continuing to share her thoughts.

  “I think Henry would have treated them okay, but I knew no one would provide for them like Reed. Even with all his issues and other women, he took care of us. His parents were well off and Reed benefited from workin’ at his dad’s construction company. We always had a roof over our heads…food…clothes…we didn’t have to worry about anything, except whether or not he would come home drunk.”

  And if he would beat your butt, Natalie thought. It’s a good thing that Troy did not inherit his father’s ways. She could feel herself getting worked up at the thought of him laying a hand on her. If Troy ever hit her, she would—

  “Reed provided financial security, but that’s not the reason I stayed with him.” Diane continued despite not receiving any verbal feedback from Natalie. “I could have made due on my own if I really wanted. But, like I said, dysfunction was our norm. We were a family and I didn’t know any different. At least with Reed, I knew what to expect. I wasn’t willin’ to take that chance with anyone else, no matter how good the sex was. And honey, let me tell you that Henry has been my best to date.”

  Diane looked at her blankly for a moment and then started laughing. “Girl, you should see the look on your face. I’m sorry, that was too much info, huh?”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  “I hope you don’t think I go around talkin’ about this stuff with everyone. My children don’t know about Henry or any other man I’ve been with.”

  “I won’t say anything,” Natalie said with certainty. She and Troy talked about a lot of intimate things. She could tell him when she had gas, diarrhea, if her period was heavy or light—when she used to have them before he knocked her up. One thing she would not do was tell her husband about some man named Henry that turned his mama out.

  Diane patted Natalie’s back. “Thanks for listenin’. I admire the relationship you have with Troy.”

  “It’s not perfect. Nothing ever is. Truth-be-told, I’m surprised at how well things are between us because we had a rocky start.” Realizing that she may be opening the door to questions about their relationship she preferred not to answer, she added, “All I can say is that God has been good to us. He has a way of working things out.”

  “Well, you and God are a lot closer than Him and me, for sure. I ain’t crazy enough to think that answerin’ my prayers is at the top of His list,” she spoke softly, “but I’m hopin’ He will hear the one about Reed and Troy’s relationship. Troy needs to make peace with his father. Maybe then, we’ll finally be a real family.”

  From the corner of her eye, Natalie saw Diane wipe her cheek. “You have to give it time.” She reached over and gently grabbed her mother-in-law’s hand.

  Diane gave a heavy sigh. “It took over forty years for Reed and me to live peacefully with each other. Let’s hope it doesn’t take that long for him and Troy to make amends. I doubt we have another forty to spare.”

  “It won’t.” Natalie turned her head in time to witness Nate break free from his cousin’s hand only to fall hard and start crying. “Oh my goodness!” she shrieked, heading toward the rink.

  Chapter 8: A Mental Note

  “You know what’s crazy, man? This is the first time I’ve seen my dad in about twenty years,” Elvin said to Troy as they were on their way to meet the private investigator.

  “How’d he find out?”

  “I have no clue. I don’t even care at this point. I’m sure he might have an attitude about his name not being in the obituary. Oh well, he’ll have to get over it. We didn’t know whether he was alive or not until he showed up today. I could have punched him for the way he was crying and carrying on like he really cared about us.”

  Troy had also noted Mr. Campbell’s emotions and planned to take a closer look into him. Something was off. “Do you know why Herbert wasn’t there?”

  “Nope. I doubt Mama has given him a second thought since they divorced. I don’t see why he would have been there.”

  “Humph. I figured he would at leas
t come show his respects since he was married to Lilly when everything happened. Jeff was there. I assumed Herbert coming would have been common courtesy.”

  “Elana didn’t like him anyhow, so it’s no big deal. Besides, you can’t compare Jeff and Herbert. Jeff and Mama had their issues, but in the end, he’s always been good to us. Jeff genuinely loved us. That has never been Herbert’s story. Did anyone in my family stand out to you?”

  “No major alarms went off, but there are a few people I would like to follow up on.”

  “Like who, Jerry?”

  Jerry, Lilly’s youngest brother, had been in and out of jail ever since Troy could remember. Elvin did not care too much for him and naturally would point the finger his way. Jerry was a hustler in every sense of the word. He lived in Galveston and happened to be in town when Elana’s body was discovered. Yet, Troy wasn’t deeply disturbed by this, especially considering Jerry’s physical limitations. He walked with a heavy limp. Whoever dumped Elana’s body had to have strength. It seemed physically impossible for Jerry to have done this. “I need more information before I can point a finger at anyone specific.”

  “Fair enough,” Elvin said as they pulled into the parking lot. The two men finished off the sandwiches they’d picked up on the way before walking into the office of B.K. Ashburn, the private investigator Elvin and his mother had hired to look into Elana’s death. It was bigger and much more sophisticated than Troy had imagined. Nothing like the rustic bedroom-sized buildings often seen in the movies. It was structured more like a law office, including a receptionist who called to notify the detective of their arrival.

  Moments later, the mystery man whom Troy had seen earlier walked out to greet them. “Elvin, how are you?”

  “I’m okay. This is my friend, Troy, the one who was with me that day.”

  “Ah, you’re the fellow who was checking me out at the funeral home. I’m B.K. Ashburn.” He extended his hand. The building may have been dressed up, but B.K. wasn’t. He still had on the same outfit Troy had seen him in earlier.

  “I didn’t know it was that obvious. Nice to meet you, Mr. Ashburn.”

  “The pleasure is mine. Please, call me B.K. I think it was a simple case of cop recognizing cop. Rather, former cop, in my case. I didn’t want to introduce myself to you there. Elvin, where’s your mom? I thought she was coming.”

  “She was, but she had a bit of a breakdown at the funeral home after you left and I didn’t think she was emotionally stable enough to join us. She is going to call you later to see if she can meet with you next week if that’s okay.”

  “Of course it is. I know this has to be a rough time for her. Please follow me.”

  As they walked down the corridor, Troy observed B.K.’s demeanor. Even if B.K. hadn’t told him that he was a former cop, Troy would have likely guessed after having a clear view of B.K.’s strides. They were assertive and commanding; a manner in which Troy himself had been told he walked.

  “Have a seat.” B.K. motioned to the dark-brown leather sofa adjacent to his desk. “Troy, Elvin tells me that you are a homicide detective back in Ohio, is it?”

  “Yes.” The office was structured more like a studio apartment. There was a small sink, electric stove and two other doors. Troy assumed one was a closet and the other maybe a bathroom. “I’ve been on the force for a little over nineteen years.”

  “I spent thirty-five years as a detective,” he announced, perhaps a bit too presumptuously. “After retirement, I tried to lay low, but it’s not in my blood. From what Elvin tells me about you and from what I witnessed at the funeral home, I don’t think it’s in yours either. Hopefully, we can work together and stay out of each other’s way.”

  “Finding out what happened to Elana is my only priority. As long as you stay on top of things, I won’t have any reason to get in your way.”

  B.K. smiled. “Spoken like a true cop.” Troy sensed admiration from his elder comrade. “Now, let’s get down to business. Elvin, how much have you shared with Troy?”

  “Everything you told me this morning.”

  “Good. I won’t bother to repeat myself. Troy, Elvin says you will be here until next Saturday, correct?”

  “That was the original plan, but I’m prepared to stay as long as needed until we close Elana’s case.” As he said the words, Troy realized that it was something he still needed to speak with Natalie about. He made a mental note to do it this evening.

  B.K. smirked. “We may definitely need longer than a week, but I’ll do my best to glean whatever I can from you in that time frame. Why don’t you start by telling me everything you remember about that day?”

  Troy repeated aloud to B.K. the scene that had replayed itself in his mind for the last thirty years. It was so real to him. When he closed his eyes, he could smell the grits and bacon that Lilly had cooked that morning. The heat from the summer sun warmed his body as he recalled how he and Elvin raced back to the house thinking Elana had returned. “His mom told us to eat and clean up then she went to look for her.” This was the first time Troy had actually recanted the entire events of that day aloud since initially speaking with the police back then. It drained him, mentally and emotionally, but he did not cry. He didn’t even tear up, as some might have expected. It was his upbringing and police training that brought forth his stoic nature, but it was the eleven-year-old boy inside who carefully recalled all the details.

  B.K. looked stunned. “As an officer, I’m sure you know that eye-witness accounts are often unreliable because each person sees something different. The truth is often a matter of perception, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  “What amazes me about the both of you is that your stories are nearly identical. Yeah, there’s been a little variation here and there about minor details, but that’s to be expected.”

  Troy and Elvin looked at each other. There was an unspoken understanding. Both had relived that day for over three decades. Neither had been able to forget it.

  “I still think it will be good for you both to undergo forensic memory recall.”

  “Hypnosis?” Troy blurted. “Is that really necessary? You said yourself that our stories are similar.”

  “So, you actually did not share everything about our conversation this morning,” B.K. said to Elvin who looked apologetically at Troy.

  “My bad, man. I don’t like the idea either, but it’s worth a shot.”

  “I remember Elana’s case. I didn’t work it,” he quickly added before Troy had a chance to ask, “but I remember it and the way I felt when it wasn’t getting the media attention it deserved. I don’t have to tell you about racial tensions down here, especially back then. I have a few theories about what could have happened to her, but in order to validate or disprove any of them, we need cold, hard facts. Every detail is important. As good as your memories are about that day, you both were young. There may be things you’ve seen that can help us out that you may not recall without probing.”

  Probing? The word itself made Troy feel uncomfortable. He did not want anyone messing around in his head. “I don’t see what else I can tell you.”

  “Okay. Let me ask you a few questions. What color shoes did Elana have on that day?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Did she wear barrettes?”

  “Probably.”

  “What about Lilly? Describe her earrings?”

  “Okay! I get the point you are making. I’ll do it.” Troy agreed warily. You owe it to Elana, he told himself

  “Good. The first available time my friend can meet with you guys is the day after Christmas, so Wednesday it is.” B.K. handed them each a business card.

  Troy studied it. Shauna McCray, Forensic Hypnosis Therapist. Meeting Investigative Needs One Mind at a Time.

  “I took the liberty of telling her you could be there at noon, but please give her a call and confirm. You’ll have to leave a message. She’s on vacation this week, but she’s in the area. I explained to her the nature of th
e case and that you,” he looked at Troy, “won’t be in town long and she promised me that she can meet with you anytime next week. The sooner the better.”

  “Should my mom do this, too?”

  “If she’s feeling up to it that would be great. Even though she wasn’t there when your sister went missing, there could still be details she’s suppressing like a strange car lingering about that morning. I was hoping to ask her about it today, but I can wait until she calls me. Though I will be at the service Monday, I want to keep as much distance as possible from y’all. If anyone asks, you don’t know me. If your suspicions are true, that someone in your family could have kidnapped Elana, then we have to be sure no one finds out you hired me. Whoever did this thinks he has gotten away with it. He needs to believe that you think so as well. Did you bring the photographs?”

  “Yes.” Elvin handed over the manila folder with pictures and names of his family members. “We found the most current ones possible. Some I got off of Facebook, but as you see, some of them are still pretty old. I drew a diagram to help you keep track of our family tree. It gets pretty wild because my grandfather had children outside of his marriage with my grandmother and she had others before and after him.”

  “I’ve seen worse.” B.K. quickly scanned the material. “Looks like I’ll have some homework tonight.”

  “What about Herbert Greenfield?” asked Troy. “I thought it was strange for him not to be there.”

  “That’s the stepfather, right? Oh, don’t worry. I’m checking up on him. As a matter of fact, I’m going to Hitchcock to meet with him next week.”

  “Hitchcock…” Troy thought aloud, searching his mind for its location. Then it finally registered. “That’s a small city between here and Galveston off of I-Forty-five, right?” The same interstate where Elana’s body was found!