“Wow! That’s some heavy load the sister has been carrying around. Is this a cold case you’ve reopened?”
“Yes.”
“Have you met the sister?”
“I have.”
“Okay, so you’ve found the boy and his sister?”
“The boy is in witness protection with a woman he knows as his aunt. Neither the boy nor his sister knows anything about the fact that they’re related or have been found.”
Dr. Barnett steepled her fingers together in a peak and became silent, obviously in deep thought. “Hmm,” she said, brushing a stray curl away from her mouth before continuing, “If the boy was abducted when he was three, he thinks the abductor is his real father.” She frowned. “You said the boy is in witness protection. Where’s the abductor?”
“He’s dead. He was shot and killed by a stray bullet during an ATF raid.”
“Poetic justice at its best. Do you know if the boy was molested, mistreated or beaten?”
“From all accounts, he was treated well and idolized his father. But that’s all that was seen on the surface. And from what I’ve been told by the homicide detective, he’s stable—other than witnessing his father’s death.”
“This is going to be a tricky one.” She humphed and wrote down some notes before speaking. “The sister is going to want to rush right in and get back to normal. In her mind it’ll be like picking up where she left off. It’ll be hard for the boy to understand, and for her to accept his reluctance. He’s adjusting right now to his father’s death, trying to fit in with a new life, a new environment, a new name,” she shook her head, “and then accepting that he was abducted and the man he knows as his father, wasn’t his father. Phew! Although kids are resilient, this is a lot for anyone to take in, let alone someone who’s only eleven. Unless the sister can jog his memory with something they did that was monumental at the age he was abducted, it’s going to take years of therapy, patience and understanding. The good news though is they’ll make it if they want it to work. I’m sure the sister will do cartwheels to make up for the loss.” Dr. Barnett sat back again. “These poor people. Are there any other family members involved?”
“I found the boy’s father, but he doesn’t know anything yet.”
“The man who abandoned his own daughter and left her with the drunken mother?”
“Yes,” Jessie nodded. “I know,” she said pushing air through her nose.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“HOW LONG HAS it been since you dropped off the samples to the Lab,” Zach asked.
“A week. I promised the Lieutenant I wouldn’t bug them, but I’m chomping at the bit to tell Abby what we already know. I’m going for a visit. Catch you later.” She heard Zach start to say something, but she’d already disconnected. He was probably warning her, but she didn’t care. This was another week out of Abby’s life that wasn’t being spent with her brother.
“I’m going for coffee, Bud. Can I get you something?” she inquired.
“Nah. I’m good,” he said and picked up the phone to call someone.
Lead footing it down the hall, Jessie entered the Lab. “Have the results of my samples been finalized yet?” she asked the clerk at the front desk, who immediately keyed information into the computer.
“Yes. I was going to call you today, but I’ve been so busy—”
She cut the woman off, “it’s okay. Say it.”
“It’s a positive match.”
Jessie looked skyward, “Thank you, God.” Her wide grin said it all. “Can I have a printout?” While she waited, she keyed in Zach’s number. “We have a match,” she said before he’d even finished his hello.
“Hot damn,” he said, “that Ziggy still knows his shit.”
“Yes, he does. I’m getting a printout and I’ll be heading to my Lieutenant’s office to reopen the case. I’m so excited, so relieved. I can’t wait to tell her.”
With paper in hand, she rushed back down the hall and knocked on the Lieutenant’s office door.
“Come in.” Webster jerked his head back when he saw her grin. “I take it you’ve gotten the results back?” She nodded and handed him the paper confirming the results. “Good job, Jess!” He reached for the phone and buzzed his secretary, “Will you ask Abby Cavanaugh to come to my office?”
Jessie’s heart was thundering inside her chest. She couldn’t believe seeing a photograph Zach had put in his pocket turned into the solution to this case. She could feel her nerves screaming to be released waiting for Abby to arrive and when the knock sounded on the door, she practically jumped for joy.
Abby entered the room. “You wanted to see me, Lieutenant Webster?” She hadn’t noticed Jessie yet, who was sitting behind the opened door.
“Yes. Please come in and shut the door.”
Once the door was closed, she noticed Jessie sitting there. “What’s wrong?” she said looking from one person to the other, “Oh my God,” she latched onto the back of the chair, “this is something bad, isn’t it?” She swallowed hard trying to brace herself for bad news. The Lieutenant nodded at Jessie giving her permission to tell the girl. Tears rolled down Abby’s cheeks.
“I found him, Abby. I found your brother.”
Abby remained speechless. She stared in silence making it obvious she was trying to comprehend what Jessie had told her. In a wobbly voice she asked the inevitable question. “Is he alive?”
Jessie nodded and together, the two friends wept in each other’s arms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LIEUTENANT WEBSTER, Detective Kensington and Abby Cavanaugh sat in the conference room at the US Marshal’s Service in Brooklyn and waited for the others to join them.
Deputy Marshal Frasier opened the door with another man right behind him. They both nodded a greeting. Placing his folders down on the table, he smiled. “This is my boss, Chief Inspector Goldstein.” He introduced the others sitting around the table and stopped short of Abby.
Webster spoke up. “This is Abigail Cavanaugh, sister of the boy known as Jake Thomas.”
“Detective Kensington,” Frasier said, “I understand you solved two cases.” She smiled. “Do you realize how rare that is?”
“I was only doing my job, sir,” she said.
“She’s being modest,” Webster said gesturing toward her. “She hasn’t even been in our department a year yet and already she’s solved a cold case with a current case. I’d say the department’s pretty lucky to have her.”
“I should say so. I wouldn’t mind having someone like her on my team,” Inspector Goldstein added.
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you, but it was actually a picture of a teddy bear shown to me by homicide Detective Zach Gerard, my ex-partner, and the conversations I’ve had with Abby that solved this case.”
“Oh yes,” Frasier piped up, “I remember him well.” He released a low snicker. “He’d developed quite a soft spot for the boy. And speaking of that teddy bear, he’s still carrying it around. I believe he has it in the room with him now.”
Jessie turned to Abby and noticed her eyes were watering. She patted her hand.
Inspector Goldstein flipped the file folder open and did a quick scan of its contents before addressing everyone. “Okay,” Goldstein said, “so we’re all on the same page, let’s go over a few things before you meet with the psychologist.” He turned to Frasier. “I’ll let you take over from here.”
Frasier nodded, “I can tell you the boy’s doing fairly well in terms of maintaining his new identity. Of course, now he has another new name but knows it’s his real name. He says he understands why, but I think he’s still in a state of confusion. This is a lot for a eleven-year old to absorb. We’ve played games suggesting he has an acting role and that might be why he’s not having trouble with it. He was enrolled in a public school system where he was living. At first I wasn’t sure it was a good idea since he was previously home-schooled, but the psychologist advised it was probably the best thing we could do
to take his mind off his troubles. He’s made great progress, made a few friends, but this is something new to him, so he was a little standoffish. And quite honestly, that’s probably a good thing since he’ll be moving back to New York.” He looked at Abby for confirmation. “Is that where you’re going to take him?”
“I hadn’t figured we’d go back to New York. But what about witness protection?” Abby asked. “Doesn’t he need that anymore?”
“Actually, Miss Cavanaugh, based on the report we’ve received from ATF, those smugglers didn’t even know about him. ATF was afraid they had seen Jake looking out the window, but when they were questioned, they never mentioned a kid. They don’t know him as Jake Thomas, never saw him outside, so we’re certain they won’t know him as Justin Cavanaugh.” His head tilted to the side, “we’ve even released the woman who was staying with him and sent her home.” He inhaled. “It’s really nice to have a happy ending to a sad story.” He nodded. “It was touch and go there for a while,” Frasier added, “but for the most part, it was a good decision because he’s rolling with the punches.”
“What name did you give him wherever he was before today?” Abby asked.
“Gary Rush. Without having any friends in City Island, moving wasn’t so bad for him, but he’s had some depression issues over the loss of his father. The counselor is here and she’ll talk to you before you meet him. As the departmental psychologist has informed you, he’s going to need a lot more counseling, especially in light of this latest development.”
“Did this Mr. Thomas abuse him?” Abby reluctantly asked. Jessie reached for her hand under the table and squeezed it.
“We don’t get involved with any of that, so you’ll have to ask the psychologist when you meet with her in a few minutes. Justin’s been informed that he was abducted when he was three by Harold Thomas, and that you’ve been searching for him ever since.”
“How did he take it?” she asked.
“Not well in the beginning, but he seemed happy to know he had a sister.” He raised his brows. “Right now, I’d like to call in Mrs. Staler, the counselor the boy has been seeing and let her talk to you.”
They left the room. Lieutenant Webster was keeping an eye on Abby. Tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Are you okay?” Jessie asked.
“I’ll let you two talk,” Webster cleared his throat and left the room.
“I’m happy he’s alive, but I’m so scared.”
“Scared of what?”
“Scared he isn’t going to like me.”
“Oh, sweetie,” she said. “You take it one day at a time. Blood is thicker than water, but that feeling of kinship will come right back. I don’t know how it happens, but trust me, it will.”
“What if he doesn’t want to be with me?”
“Don’t jump to conclusions. You’ve all been through so much. You’ll work it out together.”
“I swear I’ll do whatever I have to make this right.”
“I know you will.” When the door opened, and a pretty young blonde with long hair walked inside, they stopped talking.
“Hi,” she said approaching them, “I’m Mrs. Staler, Justin’s counselor. I’d like to talk to you a little before you meet him for the first time since he was taken from you.” She gave her a sympathetic smile. “Understand, this is not going to be easy for either of you. Harold Thomas is the only father he’s ever known and it’s going to take time and patience. I’d like to go over a few things with you about what to say, what not to say. I’m sure you’re anxious to hold him in your arms, but I want to tell you to take baby steps.” She picked up her pad and read from it. “We’ve spoken about this new development and needless to say, he was in shock. He cried a lot, wanted to know why this happened, and of course, we couldn’t answer his questions. We have him here with us now in another room.”
“He’s here?” Abby pointed. “Here in this building?” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“Yes. You get to take him home with you today.”
“Oh my God. I don’t even know what he looks like. Is he tall, short? Does he have dark hair, blonde hair?”
“Well let me take you to the room where he’s staying.”
“Oh, I’m not ready yet.”
“Don’t worry, he won’t be able to see out of the glass enclosure, but you’ll be able to see in. Come with me now.”
“Jess, please come with me,” Abby said latching onto her hand.
“Is it alright if I come?” Jessie asked the counselor.
“Sure. Like I said, he won’t be able to see you looking at him.”
“I’m so nervous.”
“He’s as nervous as you are.”
Except for the clacking of their heels on the tiled floors, and the overhead hum of the air conditioning, there were no other sounds. Jessie could feel Abby’s pulse pounding as they held hands. A row of closed office doors lined each side of the hallway until they reached a clearing with glass windows.
“There he is,” Mrs. Staler pointed.
Abby peered at him and broke into an uncontrollable sob, ultimately falling to her knees. “Thank you, God. Thank you for giving me a second chance,” she prayed as though she was alone. “And I promise you, I’ll do whatever I have to do to make it up to my brother. Please let him love me.”
The two women standing by looked away as though embarrassed they were invading Abby’s privacy. Jessie tried to refrain from crying, but she couldn’t hide the fact that she’d felt the pain Abby was experiencing. But it was the doctor that surprised her the most. Despite trying to maintain composure, she had tears in her eyes too.
“Let’s head back to the room so we can talk some more.”
“I’m afraid to walk away. Afraid I won’t see him again.”
“I promise you, he’s not going anywhere.” The doctor put her arm around Abby’s waist and guided her down the hall and back into the room.
“He’s so handsome,” Abby said sitting down. The doctor handed her a box of tissues to blow her nose.
“He looks exactly like you, doesn’t he?” Jessie said.
Abby gave a satisfied nod of her head.
“I’m sure you’re concerned about whether or not he was abused,” Dr. Slater said. “From all accounts, he was well taken care of. I somehow suspect Mr. Thomas only wanted a child of his own. He never married, but he told Justin, as well as others, that his mother died when he was three.”
“Our mother did die when he was three,” Abby said, “but it was after he was abducted. Did this Mr. Thomas know our mother died? Was he watching us?”
“I can’t answer that, Abby. Justin told me he doesn’t remember her, but asked about his real father. I told him he went away after he was abducted—that I didn’t have many answers about that, but you would. We discussed dreams he’s had, dug deep to see if he had any memories before he was taken. He didn’t think so, but he admitted to having reoccurring dreams about a little girl with blonde hair who plays games and sings songs to him. Did you do that?”
She was crying again and nodding. “When I was nice I played games. But I always sang lullabies to him to shut out the sound of our parents fighting.”
“You know what? I know this is hard for you to imagine, but maybe being abducted was the best thing that could have happened to him. Given the fact that Thomas treated him well might be what saved him, because the scenario you’re telling me about with your parents doesn’t sound good.”
Abby didn’t respond, but she swallowed hard.
The doctor continued. “This is what I meant when I said this was going to be difficult for you as well. Remember, in his eyes, Thomas is his father and it might be hard for you to understand this. It’s going to take a tremendous amount of resolve on your part, but try to think about his abduction as having been saved. Obviously, under a different scenario . . . if Thomas had abused him, then of course, it would have been awful, but imagine what your life would have been like if you weren’t around for a
ll that abuse? Your mother was verbally abusive to you. At least Justin was spared that. And now, you get to make the rest of his life better. When he told me about his dreams, I suspected it was you he was dreaming about after we heard the news of the DNA samples matching. I think somewhere inside his head, he mentally blocked out bits and pieces of his past. He doesn’t remember your parents, but it’s you who comes to him in his dreams. Hopefully, in time and with continued counseling, he will remember them.”
Abby touched the doctor’s hand affectionately. “Thank you, Dr. Staler.” She smiled.
“Okay, are you ready to meet your brother?”
“Jess?” Abby said.
“Nope. This is the moment you’ve been dreaming about for seven years. Go meet your brother.”
Abby took in a deep intake of air and blew it out. “What should I call him?”
“Call him Justin. He knows his real name now.”
Abby took one last look at Jess and threw her a kiss. “Thank you.”
Abby counted every step she took as she made her way down the hall. She hadn’t expected to meet him quite so soon. Everything was so surreal, like she was floating in space, until she reached the door and she knew the time had come and she had to face him. She forced composure.
“Okay,” Dr. Slater said, turning Abby around to face her. “It’s time for you to go in there and become reacquainted with your brother. I’ll be out here if you need me, but I don’t think you will.”
“I don’t know if I can hold back the tears, Dr. Slater.”
“And you don’t have to.” She nodded toward the door. “Go in there and be your natural self.”
Abby sucked in her breath and blew it out through her mouth. Her hand rested on the doorknob ready to twist it open. She said one more prayer and finally found the courage to walk inside. Justin was pacing around the room, but stopped when the door opened and stared at her.
Elusive Justice (Kensington-Gerard Detective series Book 2) Page 17
