Day of Atonement

by Yolonda Tonette Sanders

  Dinner was awkward with only Troy and his parents. His mom was elated that he and his dad had spent time together. “Did you guys get a lot done?”

  “Yeah. There are only two more bedrooms left to paint. I do appreciate your help, son.” He smiled and Troy forced the return gesture.

  His mom began talking nonstop about so many other things that Troy started to tune her out. He saw her lips moving, but he only heard B.K.’s voice. “[Y]our dad was supposed to pick you up from Elvin’s that morning…” Then there were the patches of red carpet. Could those be a match to the red fibers that had been found on Elana’s body? What about the red-haired doll he’d discovered last week in the trash can outside of his grandparents’ house. Was that the Strawberry Shortcake doll that Elana had carried out with her? And what about the inscription on the wooden table? Is it possible that his father was a member of M.A.G.G.I.E.?

  There was a sickening feeling in the pit of Troy’s stomach. A numbing that kept him from eating much, especially the black-eyed peas his mom swore would bring good luck if only he would take a bite. “I’m not hungry.”

  “Seems like you would have worked up an appetite. You guys were gone a long time.”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve painted. I think the fumes may have gotten to me a bit. I need some fresh air and water. You want to go for a walk?”

  Troy hoped to get his mom out of the house. If what he was thinking was true, his father was a very dangerous man and Troy wanted to make sure his mom was safe.

  “Yes. I think it would be fun if we all go for a walk. What do you think, Reed?”

  Troy cut in before his father could answer. “Uh, I was actually hoping that you and I could go. I need some female advice about a situation with Natalie. No offense, Dad, but I doubt you know how to think like a woman.”

  “You’re right about that. They are too emotional for me. Y’all go ahead. I’m tired anyhow. I’m going to sit back and see if I can catch a game.”

  “All right. Let me put on some tennis shoes and I’ll meet you out front. If you and Natalie got into an argument again about you stayin’ here, I’m tellin’ you up front that I’m on her side.”

  Silence fell over the room when his mom left. Troy stared at his father trying to wrap his mind around the possibility that he could be a member of M.A.G.G.I.E.

  “Is everything okay, Troy? You’ve been real quiet since we’ve left the other house.”

  “Where are all the guns you used to have?’

  “I got rid of them years ago except for three. They are locked up in our room.”

  Instead of asking what kinds, Troy chose another angle. “Why didn’t you come pick me up the day Elana went missing?”

  He shifted uncomfortably. “I…um, I don’t remember.”

  “But you knew you were supposed to get me, right, because you got Mama’s message?”

  “I, uh, it was so long ago. Why the sudden interest?”

  “There’s been a break in the case.” Troy watched as his father’s look changed from discomfort to fear.

  “I’m ready.” Troy’s mom came bouncing back into the living room, oblivious of the tense atmosphere.

  Troy hurried himself and her out the front door. “Get in,” he ordered after using the key chain to unlock the doors and deactivate the car alarm.

  “I thought you wanted to go for a walk.”

  “Get in the car!” he yelled.

  Chapter 30: Many Layers

  “What in the world is goin’ on with you? And slow down before you get into a wreck!”

  “Call Tracy and tell her we’re on our way to pick her up. There’s something I need to share with you both. Mama, don’t look at me like that, just do it!”

  She obeyed, mumbling under her breath that he was acting like a lunatic. When they got to Tracy’s, Troy laid on the horn until she came outside. Like he did with their mom, Troy ordered her to get in the car. Tracy did so with little to no resistance, but only after going back inside her home to let Al know she was leaving.

  “What’s going on, Troy?” He ignored her, driving to a nearby residential area to park.

  “Is this yours?” He tossed the Duran Duran cassette to her.

  “Nuh-o.”

  “I didn’t think so. I found this and a bunch of other girl things in a box at Dad’s other house. He said they were yours and he was going to donate them because you said you didn’t want them.”

  “He lied.”

  “Troy, what is this all about?” his mother pleaded.

  “Why didn’t you ever tell me that Dad was supposed to pick me up from Elvin’s that day?”

  “I see either the detective or Natalie don’t know how to keep their big mouth shut! I didn’t think it was necessary to tell you, seein’ that you already hated your dad.”

  Troy would try to forget that this was yet another thing his wife had withheld from him. He had a secret of his own named Cheryl. “I think Dad is the one who kidnapped Elana.”

  His mom snickered. “That’s ludicrous. Your father is many things, but he’s not a kidnapper or a killer.”

  “I think Troy’s right.” Tracy’s voice was soft, but certain as she began laying out the details that led her to the same conclusion. “You guys kept talking about how distinct her birth mark was and when I saw pictures of it in Elana’s obituary, I remembered seeing it before on the lady I told you was at dad’s house that time when I ran away. I asked him about her and he tried convincing me that I was mistaken. Everything happened so quickly, he said that I could not have gotten a clear look at her.”

  “Is that why you were calling me the other day?”

  “Yeah, but I started second-guessing myself after talking to him. Then, when you came by the house and said there were suspects, I figured maybe I was wrong.”

  “Y’all are crazy! Your father would not do this.”

  “Don’t you see, Mama? It all makes sense.” Troy shared his entire theory, sparing them the details that he had learned about M.A.G.G.I.E. Troy’s grandfather passed away when he was in high school and his grandmother way before that and yet his father had kept the house all this time. “What other reason did he have to keep the house if it weren’t to have somewhere for Elana to stay? He specifically told me those things were Tracy’s. Why would he lie?”

  Troy checked his incoming text message. He shook his head at the contents of the message as his mother continued to defend her husband.

  “He didn’t have the house for Elana; he had it for his whores. I’ve told you that plenty of times. I don’t know why he lied and I don’t care. I know in my heart that your father would not do anything to harm a child.”

  “If that’s true, why did I just get a text message from B.K. saying that Dad is at the police station right now making a statement?”

  • • •

  Troy took Tracy back home and dropped his mom off at the station. She was insistent on being by his father’s side and getting to the bottom of what was going on. Troy was more concerned about the impact this would have on Elvin and Lilly and planned to meet B.K. there in order to break the news. On his way, he called Natalie to update her on the situation. Again, he left out the details about M.A.G.G.I.E.

  “I’m so sorry, honey. If I thought the information Diane shared about Reed was important, I would have told you.” He did not have the strength to be upset with her. “I know you’re concerned about everyone else, but I’m concerned about you. How do you feel?”

  “Numb.” Troy didn’t feel devastation or rage; he felt nothing. “And foolish.” B.K. had warned him that he was too close to the situation and would miss something.

  “You’re not foolish. No one could have known that Reed was responsible. This is not your fault.” Natalie continued giving him a pep talk all the way to Lilly’s house. Troy didn’t comprehend everything she was saying as his mind was preoccupied. He simply wanted to hear her voice. He would have loved to talk to Nate as well except lil’ man was still with his
big sister.

  “Babe, I’m here. I have to go.”

  “Okay. I love you, honey.”

  “I love you, too.” Despite not seeing B.K.’s vehicle, Troy got out of the car. Of all the victims’ families that he’d delivered bad news to, this was by far the most dreadful. How would he look in the eye of his best friend and someone who was like a mother to him during childhood and admit that his father had been the cause of all their misery these last thirty years? The anger toward his father finally began to surface with each step Troy made to the door. He was equally upset, if not more, with his mother. She’d held the key to Elana’s mystery. She’d protected that monster then and chose to do so now because, instead of coming to be with the Campbell family, she chose to be with him. Troy said a prayer asking God for strength, then knocked twice and walked in as was his custom.

  Lilly and Jeff weren’t quick enough in separating when the door swung open and Troy witnessed the tail end of their kiss. “I’m sorry, I—”

  “Don’t be. You know you’re welcome any time.” She blushed from embarrassment and Troy’s heart pounded even faster after seeing the happiness in her eyes. He hated to take that away from her. “You okay, sweetheart?”

  “I, uh, I need to talk to you and Elvin. There’s been a break in Elana’s case.”

  “Elvin!” Lilly yelled, grabbing hold of Jeff’s hand. “Come here!”

  Within seconds, Elvin ran down the stairs. “Hey, man, what’s up? I didn’t know you were coming by. I’m upstairs playing the game with the boys. You want to get on?”

  Troy repeated the statement he’d spoken to Lilly. Elvin slowly backed up and took a seat on the other side of his mom. “There’s no easy way to tell you this…um, my father was the one who kidnapped Elana and held her captive all these years.” Troy explained to them how he had come to that conclusion. “He turned himself in tonight.” His throat tightened as he fought back tears, standing frozen while watching Lilly cry into Jeff’s arms. “I thought you guys deserved to hear it from me. I’m sorry. I didn’t know until tonight.”

  “Don’t blame yourself.” Elvin was the first to speak. “It’s not your fault, man. We were prepared for the possibility that someone in our family did this and after what we learned about Bill, it could have easily been him. Don’t think this changes anything between us. You’re still my brother.”

  Lilly was too emotional to talk, but she motioned for Troy to come over to her. When he did, she gave him a long hug and a kiss. “Thank you,” she eventually said. “We finally have answers.”

  “Not so fast.” They all turned around to see B.K. standing at the door. “Troy, according to your father’s statement, he did not kidnap Elana. He admits to giving her a ride that day, but said that she eventually got in a car with someone else. I don’t have all the details yet, but a buddy of mine said your dad has given the police permission to search your grandparents’ house and that someone else has claimed ownership of the items you discovered. He’s also voluntarily agreed to submit a DNA sample.”

  “I don’t understand. He lied and said they were my sister’s.”

  “There are many layers to this story and I think your father needs to be the one to explain them. He’s still at the station, but I doubt he will be charged. Like I said, I don’t have all the details, but my friend said your father is adamant that Elana got in a car with someone else.”

  “Does he know who?” asked Jeff.

  “I’m not sure. Last I heard, he wanted to talk to his attorney before revealing any more details.”

  “This is so crazy. Lilly’s emotions have been up and down with all these new revelations. I think she needs a break from all of this.” Jeff turned to Lilly. “How about I take you away for a few days to clear your mind?”

  “I don’t know.” She looked at Elvin. “You think that’s a good idea? I don’t want to leave you alone.”

  “Don’t you worry about me; I’ll be fine. I think it might do you some good to get away and rest. I’ll call if we get any concrete information.”

  Lilly’s sigh of relief was proof that she really wanted, perhaps needed, the reprieve. “I guess I better get packing. Does this mean I’ll finally get to see your place?”

  “Possibly,” he answered coyly. “Or, maybe we’ll drive until we run out of gas and see where we end up.”

  Lilly smiled and went upstairs.

  “Thanks for everything you’re doing for my mom. Actually, thank all of you. This has been a trying time and we would not be able to get through it without your support.” Elvin was clearly overcome with emotion. It could be heard in his voice even if not seen by his eyes.

  They men continued talking until Lilly came down. She kissed and hugged everyone goodbye. When she and Jeff left, B.K. stayed and talked with Troy and Elvin. Troy had a lot of questions about what happened with his father that either B.K. truly didn’t know or didn’t want to answer. Troy was baffled. He was sure that all the evidence pointed to his dad. “What do we do now?”

  B.K. looked directly at Troy with a smirk as he repeated the words he was now becoming infamous for. “We wait…”

  Chapter 31: Dire Circumstances

  Natalie got off the phone with Troy and did the only thing she knew how to do for her husband at that moment. She prayed. Lately, Philippians 4:7 seemed to be a go to scripture for her during times of trouble. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” It was what she prayed over her husband, mother-in-law, and the entire Campbell family. This was a crazy situation if she’d ever seen one and everyone involved needed peace in the midst of this storm.

  It was nearly one o’clock in the morning now and hours had passed since she’d last heard from Troy. She wanted to text him simply to let him know she was thinking of him, but she also wanted to give him the space to process things. She knew he’d contact her when he was ready. As much as she missed him, she would not give him any grief about coming home. Between Corrine and Aneetra, she’d have help dealing with Nate if single-parenting became too overwhelming. Diane would need Troy more than she would for the time-being.

  Natalie awoke the next morning to a call from her mother-in-law. “Hey, Di.”

  “Have you spoken with Troy?”

  “Yes. He called me last night and filled me in on things. Are you okay?”

  Diane blew out a deep breath. “I can’t necessarily say I’m okay, but I’m doin’. Troy didn’t come back to the house last night and I’m tryin’ to get in touch with him. Contrary to what he told you, Reed did not kidnap or kill Elana.”

  Natalie remained quiet. Troy had already informed her about how Diane was refusing to come to grips with the facts. On one hand, Natalie thought Diane was being foolish. Similar to the likes of Dottie Sandusky who refused to believe her husband, former Penn State coach, Jerry Sandusky, was guilty of child molestation despite the clear and convincing evidence, Diane seemed blinded to truth. On the other hand, Natalie could not fault any wife for standing by her man. She would do the same for Troy no matter what so-called facts others had against him. Then again, there were no suspicious circumstances to cause Natalie to question Troy’s character. He never hit her like Reed had done to Diane and he never showered with young boys as Jerry Sandusky had admitted to doing. Natalie wasn’t going to argue with Diane about Reed’s guilt or innocence. To her mother-in-law’s statement, she said nothing.

  “There’s a lot more to the story than Troy knows. Reed and his attorney are here and Tracy’s on her way. There are some things Troy needs to hear.” When Di’s voice cracked, Natalie knew the situation was serious. Without any additional prompting, Diane gave Natalie a run down of the secret Reed had been keeping from her all these years and his encounter with Elana.

  Natalie was relieved that he was not having an affair as she had suspected and that his relationship with Jesus had not been a front. Reed was sincere about his love for Christ and being a better person from here
on out. “I’ll call Troy and see if I can convince him to come over there.”

  “I think it would be better for him to hear everything from Reed.”

  “I agree. Is there anything else I can do?”

  “Yes…pray.”

  • • •

  Troy did not get any sleep last night despite being mentally and physically exhausted. He’d spent the morning ignoring phone calls from his mother and text messages from Cheryl to see how things were going. The only reason he did not turn his phone off was because he was waiting to hear from B.K. They’d compared notes last night and Troy learned, as expected, that B.K. had already known about M.A.G.G.I.E.

  “I was hesitant to tell you too much because I wasn’t sure about your dad’s involvement. I needed to investigate some things on my own,” B.K. admitted. Troy didn’t harbor any hard feelings. He understood. Initially, Elvin wasn’t as forgiving when B.K. finally told him about Elana having given birth. El had asked Troy if he’d known. Before Troy could answer, B.K. interjected, taking all the blame.

  Eventually, Elvin came around and, for the same reasons B.K. did not tell him, Elvin would not tell Lilly. “I don’t think she can handle another bombshell at the moment.” The three of them talked well into the night until there were no words left to be said, only determination from all three to get down to the bottom of what had happened to Elana from August 1982 until the day her body was discovered.

  Today was the day B.K. was supposed to meet with Bill and his attorney. After the fallout with Bill on New Year’s Eve, neither B.K nor Troy was certain that Bill would still show. Even if he did, Troy did not want to sit in on the meeting. If the only thing Bill was going to do was ease his conscience about molesting Elana, he would be another dead end in terms of providing clues about the day she disappeared. Besides, Troy was still convinced that his father was guilty and that the only reason his dad allowed a search of the property was because he knew no further evidence could be found. He’d completely gutted the place, removing all traces of Elana’s existence.