by Sara L Foust
“You needed to call 9-1-1,” Zach said.
“Yes, I suppose that’s true. But all I could think was, ‘I must look a sight.’ Next thing I remember, I woke up here.”
“Why did you bleed so much, Celine? Were there other injuries I didn’t find?”
“I’m on blood thinners for a blood clot in my leg we found last spring.”
“And you’re okay from that too?” Concern wrinkled Annalise’s brow.
Celine nodded. “I’m lucky. No, scratch that. I’m blessed.”
Annalise smiled. “I admire your outlook on everything.”
Was she thinking about her own everything? He longed to pull her into his arms and remind her that she was strong, beautiful, and resilient. To convince her everything would be okay. Lord, reassurance like that can only come from You. Help me help her. Show me what to do and say.
Annalise said her goodbyes, and they drove to the closest Waffle House for a three a.m. meal. His idea. “All right. Spill it. What are you thinking here?”
Her gaze darted to the truck.
“Did you bring the money?”
She nodded.
“That’s evidence, Annalise. It should have been locked at the station, or we could take it to Kirk.”
“It’s our only bargaining chip, Zach.”
“It’s a good way to lose our bargaining chip and our lives, Annalise.” He pinned her with his most serious glare. “I’m calling Kirk.”
“No.” She grabbed his wrist and smiled. “Just hang on a sec. Let me tell you my thoughts, and then we can call him and get his help too. We will need as much wit as we can find.”
“We can’t march in there without a warrant, Annalise.”
She dropped her chin, some of the fight leaving her eyes. “I know.”
“We need evidence. Something to concretely tie Jimmy Vern to everything.”
“Have you heard anything about the boot print yet?”
“It’s only been a few hours, and they were leaving for the night when I dropped off the sample.”
“Oh, right.”
“I tell you what. Come crash on my couch for the rest of the short night we have left. First thing in the morning, we’ll go stare at the forensics team until they finish.”
She chuckled. “Okay. You win.”
“Good. I am a pretty persuasive fellow. Especially when you’re tired.”
“Ha. Ha. Yes, I’m stubborn. But you still love me.”
That he did. More than she knew.
Chapter Thirty-One
AS PROMISED, ZACH WOKE her at eleven and they drove to the lab. The techs weren’t ecstatic to see them waiting at the door, but Annalise hoped they understood the urgency of the situation and forgave her.
Zach whispered to one of the guys at a microscope.
They looked at her, hovering in the doorway, in unison. She raised a hand and finger-waved. What had Zach said? Was her hair a disaster? She touched a hand to the ponytail.
Zach returned to her side. “You look great. It’s not that. I was just telling Scott who you are and why this is so important.”
“And?”
“He totally understands. He is printing results now.”
She caught Scott’s eye on his next retreat from the microscope and smiled, passing I’m-sorry-to-rush-you vibes along with it. When had she ever thought about being a bother? These professionals were doing their jobs, and they fully understood why a kidnapping took priority. Dave’s criticisms had really hit home, hadn’t they? She shook her shoulders to release some of the tension. She was being ridiculous.
And Zach could read her mind. He smiled like a Cheshire cat.
She swatted his arm. “Stop it. Or I’ll have to put aluminum foil on my head.”
He burst out laughing. “I hadn’t thought about that particular nightmare in years.”
“That’s because the aliens made you forget it all when you got back to Earth.”
“Oh, right. I forgot.”
She chuckled briefly but grew serious as Scott approached.
“Here you go. Most likely a man’s boot, size thirteen. A bit of an unusual wear pattern, and if you have the boot to compare, we might be able to make a definitive match.” He handed her a thick binder labeled Brands of Shoes, Treads, and Prints. “This is the master copy. Don’t lose it or spill anything on it. Okay?”
“Thanks.”
“There is an empty conference room next door. And here is the photocopied image. I hope you find a match.”
She nodded. It was a long shot, but maybe God was already working in the details today. And she did like puzzles.
Zach held the door for her to the conference room. “I’ll be right back. Gonna go check with Kirk and see if he’s heard anything from anyone at TBI.”
“Okay. I’ll be here. With this.” She held up the thick binder and sighed. Lord, a little luck, please?
She flipped through pages and pages of different boots, each labeled by the manufacturer and referencing an index with local sellers. Many of the prints looked the same except for very subtle changes in the angle of a tread. It could take all day to compare each and every one.
Maybe she needed to start backward. Jimmy Vern lived between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. She did a quick Google search on her phone for shoe stores nearby and moaned when it returned over fifty results.
She pressed her eyes closed and leaned back into the office chair. All right, Annalise. If you were Jimmy Vern, where would you shop? Wal-Mart. Where most Southern Americans bought most of their items. She flipped to the index at the back and found the Wal-Mart heading. Upon quick perusal, it seemed most of the locations sold pretty much the same stock. Most likely, he’d go to the one closest to home, the Pigeon Forge location.
With the photo in one hand, she compared it carefully to each of the dozen or so known prints from Wal-Mart’s Brahma, Ozark Trail, and Herman boot lines. There! Though she only had about half a print, there was no doubt she’d found the match. She whipped out her phone and texted Zach. “I’ve got it. Come back!”
He burst into the room with a big grin a minute later. “You found it?”
“Yep. Come on. We’re going to Wal-Mart.”
“Okay...”
“Brahma boots. Wal-Mart.” She grinned. “I’ll buy you a snack.”
“Deal.”
She returned the album to the lab and hugged Scott.
His jaw dropped, and he didn’t raise his arms to hug her back.
It wasn’t like her at all to be so impulsive. But oh, well. Her excitement had spilled over. It was the first potential chance of pinning this on Jimmy Vern, and getting him to disclose Cody’s location, they’d had in days.
“SO, HOW ABOUT THAT snack you promised me?” Zach nudged Annalise and smiled.
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. Give me a few more minutes.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the tall shelving behind him. It was good to see her spirits higher and a smile tugging at her lips when he teased.
“Ah. Got it.” She pulled a box from the shelf and opened it. “Look.” She compared the bottom of the boot to the printout Scott had given them.
“Looks identical. Good job.”
“Thanks.” She put the lid on the box and headed for the checkout. “Let’s get back.”
“Um, snacks are that way.” He pointed toward the grocery section of the store.
“Meet you at the checkout. Twenty-dollar limit. Okay, bottomless pit?”
“Twenty bucks!” He shouted at her disappearing-between-the-clothes-racks-back.
She raised a hand and half-waved.
He chuckled. This was the woman he knew. Playful yet intelligent. Focused and smart. She would be okay. Eventually. Once they found Cody and she had time to process Dave’s infidelity, she would bounce back and be stronger than ever. Right, Lord?
Zach grabbed chips and cheese dip, beef jerky, and sodas. At the last minute, he threw in some grapes for Annalise and wound his
way to the front of the store. He caught sight of Annalise at checkout one and stopped in his tracks.
This was his Annalise. His best friend for more than two decades. But something seemed so different. He’d never looked at her in any way other than through the lens of friendship. Why, then, did her gorgeous blonde hair, the self-confident tilt of her chin, and her hazel eyes flashing his direction make his heart skip right now? He shook his head. She was a damsel in distress. That was it. His hero complex kicking in and making him feel things that weren’t real or appropriate.
After all, she was a married woman, and he would never, ever dream of interfering in someone’s vows. Lord, forgive me for these thoughts. Make them go away and let me be the friend—strictly platonic friend—that she needs right now.
Annalise paid for his snacks, with one more eye roll and grin for good measure, and the boots. Back in the truck, she turned to him. “Can you call Kirk? I have a question.”
“Sure.” He pressed speed dial number three and waited. “Hey, man. I’m going to put you on speaker phone with Annalise.”
“Hey, Kirk. Do you know if Jimmy Vern’s financial records are still being watched?”
Zach’s smile spread. Annalise was back in investigator mode. And she was so good at it, her mind thinking of details to cover all bases and bring the bad guys to justice.
“I don’t believe so. He is on probation from the moonshine charges, but as far as I know, no open or active investigation is running against him.”
Annalise put the truck in drive as she spoke. “We need a way to link these boots to his purchases. If we can positively identify him purchasing this same type, I have no doubt we could get a warrant.”
“You’re absolutely right, Baker.” Kirk paused. “Meet me at Cracker Barrel in twenty minutes. Someone owes me a favor, and it may be time to call it in.”
“Great. Thanks. We are so close, guys, I can feel it.”
Zach sure hoped so. He wanted this win for Annalise. She desperately needed one right now.
ZACH HELD THE DOOR for her. She smiled as she entered the lobby and glanced over the knick-knacks for sale. “Is this your guys’ new office?”
“Hardy har. Very funny.”
“What? It’s perfect for you. A steady supply of delicious food. A country theme that should make you country boys feel right at home. Plus no clean up.”
Zach scratched his chin. “You have a point.”
Annalise chuckled. “Is Kirk here yet?”
“You know, I may just talk to him about this brilliant observation of yours. They haven’t finished adding the new headquarters wing for SMIF onto City Hall yet. This could be the perfect solution.”
“Focus, Zach. Do you see Kirk?”
“What? Oh, yeah. He’s at our table, in the corner near the fireplace.” He pointed. “It is the best seat in the house, with the sound, smell, and warmth of the fire. Plus the waitress working that section is cute.”
Oh, brother. She punched him in the shoulder. “You’re a mess.”
“Hot mess. You forgot the word hot.”
It felt so good to laugh. Zach had always been able to do that. Make her laugh when she felt like crying. Make her smile when she felt like screaming. He was a good balance for her. She thought Dave was too, but that was before...She didn’t want to finish the thought. It was the first time in the last two hours worries about Dave had crept in. Ugh. Not now, heart. Not yet. We are not ready to process it all yet.
They joined Kirk at the table. Zach pulled out a menu, but Annalise couldn’t think about eating. “What did you find out?”
Kirk slid her a stack of papers. “Bank statements for the last year.”
“How did you—”
He held up one finger and shook his head. “Ah, ah, ah. I can’t talk about it.”
“Thank you.”
“We’re all on the same team.”
Not technically. She hadn’t accepted the job offer. She could now, though, couldn’t she? Dave wouldn’t have a say in it. Unless they decided to go to marriage counseling and try to save...Could she even forgive him for having an affair, if he would agree to go see a therapist? The waitress interrupted her musing.
“What can I get you folks?”
The guys ordered big meals.
“Grilled chicken salad for me and some highlighters.”
The waitress stopped writing. “Excuse me?”
“Highlighters. Do you have any we could borrow?”
“Um, yeah, maybe. Let me check in the kitchen.”
“Working lunch, eh?” Zach lifted his eyebrow.
“We don’t have any time to waste.” She split the large stack of papers into thirds and handed Kirk and Zach each a part. “We are looking for Wal-Mart purchases.”
The waitress returned with their drinks, a basket of cornbread and biscuits, and three yellow markers. “These work?”
“Yes, thank you.” Annalise took them. “Okay, guys, highlight any lines of sales at Wal-Mart, and just to be safe, any shoe stores you see as well.”
Kirk took a marker. “You should know, these records will probably be inadmissible in court.”
She figured as much. Called-in favors usually didn’t play by the rules. Annalise shrugged. “It’s okay. When we find Cody, Jimmy Vern will drive the nails into his own coffin. We will have enough to take him down, without these bank records.”
At first, whenever one of them found a Wal-Mart purchase, they called out to the others, but as their meals were consumed and their highlighters drained on more than fifty different transactions, the table grew quiet.
Zach patted her hand. “How do you eat an elephant?”
She smiled weakly. “One bite at a time.”
“Right. Kirk, can you work on the paperwork? We will head over to the store now and wait for your word.”
Kirk cleared his throat. “No paperwork. I can’t submit the bank records as justification.” He cracked a large grin. “You’re going to have to use your charm, Special Agent Leebow.”
ZACH FLASHED HIS BIGGEST smile at the woman behind the help desk. “We need to speak to the manager, please.”
The clerk frowned but lifted the receiver and paged Honey Lee to the front.
A middle-aged woman with crow’s feet and a smile greeted them. “How may I help you, officers?”
“We were hoping we could ask you for a favor.”
“Oh?”
“We are looking for a missing teenager, and we believe his kidnapper shopped here. If we can get him on video purchasing a pair of boots—” Zach pointed to the ones Annalise lifted “—we can get the warrant we need to search his property.”
Honey frowned. “I’m sorry. It’s corporate’s policy not to release any video recordings without the proper paperwork.”
Zach was afraid she might say that. “We would really appreciate it. And it just might save the boy’s life.”
She sighed. “I want to help. I really do, but I could lose my job.”
Zach glanced at Annalise, who wore a disappointed scowl. “Is there anything I can do or say to change your mind?”
“I might be able to...no. No, I really can’t. I’m so sorry.”
“We understand,” Annalise said.
“Thanks anyway.” Zach flashed an “I’m sorry” half-grin to Annalise.
Honey walked away, and Annalise leaned in. “Ready to do it my way now?”
There wasn’t anything left to do but give her plan a try. At this point, what could they lose?
Chapter Thirty-Two
WHERE WAS HE? CODY’S head throbbed. His ears were full and sounds were muffled. What was happening?
“I thought you was dead, boy.”
He startled at the sound of Jimmy Vern’s voice nearby. He peeled his eyes open and blinked. Treetops? Hard to tell against the backdrop of the night sky, but the ground beneath him wasn’t the dirt floor of the cellar. He gripped handfuls of leaves. For the first time in days, his heart grew fuller. This was hi
s chance at escape!
If he could move.
Jimmy Vern had drugged him again, hadn’t he? His limbs were too heavy, like tree trunks instead of arms and legs. He struggled to reach a sitting position. Jimmy Vern’s wet boot crushed his chest and pressed him back to the earth.
“You’re too drunk to get up and run. Don’t try.”
Drunk? He’d only had one big sip out of that awful jug. “Wh—what are you doing with me?”
“Hiding your body.”
What? Hiding his...what? How could he...Cody had to have heard him wrong.
“This woulda been much easier if you just died. You didn’t have a pulse. How are you alive?”
He hadn’t had a pulse? Nothing Jimmy Vern said made any sense. Clearly he was alive, with a pulse and a somewhat intact brain.
The sound of rushing water reached him.
Jimmy Vern slid his hands under Cody’s shoulders and dragged him, muttering more to himself than to Cody. “I drugged you and gave you liquor. You should be dead.”
His mind and heart screamed, but no part of his body would cooperate. This couldn’t be happening. He flailed his arms, but it may as well have been a baby reaching for a mobile over his crib as much good as it did him. He had given up, had resigned to death. Now that it seemed inevitable, he realized with all his being that he didn’t want to die. Lord, I need You!
Pain lanced the base of his skull, and then he was falling. Down and down through empty space. He tried to scream, but nothing would come out.
He splashed into cold, black water and sank. His fingertips tingled with the sudden chill. And suddenly his heart sprang into action, pounding in his ears. He fought his way upward and gasped, his pulse pounding in his throat. The current was too strong, his head spinning too fast. There was no way to fight the downward pull.
WHEN THE FIRST RAYS of rosy dawn pierced the sky, Annalise was waiting at the end of Jimmy Vern’s driveway. Zach and Kirk hadn’t spoken much since she’d given them both full details of her ideas, but they must have agreed. They were here, after all.
