Catch the Girl

by Melinda Woodhall

  Leo could see from the stubborn set of Barker’s jaw that he had no intention of following the old man’s advice, but there was something else bothering his friend. He could see the tension in Barker’s shoulders and hands, and he sat back and waited for Barker to tell him the rest

  “Then, when I was leaving, I almost ran into these two young guys on the side of the road. They were from some sort of commune or cult or something. Called each other Brother Eli and Brother Zac, like they were in some kind of religious order.”

  Leo frowned, confused.

  “And you think these guys know something about Taylor?”

  Barker blew out a frustrated breath and sat back in the chair.

  “Maybe. I mean, it’s a pretty isolated place. I don’t imagine there are many restaurants around there, and not many girls who look like Taylor. If she was working at the diner, these young guys were bound to have seen her.”

  Leo nodded, wanting to support Barker but wondering if the ex-detective was grasping at any random connection in his desperation to find his daughter.

  “Anyway, one of the guys acted like he had something to hide. His truck broke down, but he didn’t want any help. Then when I showed him Taylor’s picture, he got all angry.”

  Barker pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen.

  “I got their tag number. Thought Nessa could run it for me and find out who these guys really are. Unfortunately, she didn’t respond to my call. Some big case going on, I guess.”

  The sick feeling settled in Leo’s stomach again. He wondered if Nessa was working the assault case against Oscar Hernandez. Forcing his mind to turn back to Barker, he opened his laptop and rested his long fingers on the keyboard.

  “So, what’s the name of this commune? Maybe we can find some information online.”

  “Yeah, I already looked it up. They don’t have a web page or anything, but I found the Congregation of Supreme Love registered as a non-profit in Florida. Got their address and the name of the guy that runs the place.”

  Leo nodded, glad that Barker was thinking logically, feeling a little guilty for assuming the worst.

  “All right, so I assume you’ve already googled the address and have the directions?”

  It was Barker’s turn to nod.

  “Yeah, but I didn’t want to go out there on my own. You hear crazy things about some of these communes. They have names like Congregation of Supreme Love, but then they’ll stockpile a warehouse full of firearms and put up a barb-wire fence around the place.”

  Leo cocked his head and raised one eyebrow.

  “I doubt this little group is dangerous.”

  “Oh yeah? That’s probably what the cops in Waco thought before they had the shoot-out with that cult out there,” Barker said, his voice grim. “That guy was a real nut job.”

  Before Leo could respond, a loud voice boomed out from the doorway.

  “Hey, Barker, you talkin’ about me behind my back again?”

  Leo watched Frankie Dawson swagger into the room, his lanky frame hidden beneath an over-sized windbreaker. He had the jacket’s hood pulled up over a black knit beanie.

  Barker shook his head and then stood up to face Frankie.

  “How’d you guess? You’re getting good at this investigation work, Frankie. Maybe you should open your own PI firm.”

  The two men glared at each other, then their faces relaxed into grins, and Barker laughed.

  “You preparing for a snowstorm? It’s not that cold out there.”

  Frankie rubbed his bony hands together and shivered, then pushed back his hood. He left the beanie on and pulled the jacket tighter around him.

  “This is like the artic for a Florida boy,” Frankie said, turning to Leo. “And where’s Pat today? She finally get smart and quit on you?”

  “She had to take Tinkerbell to the vet, but I’m sure she’ll be upset to find out she missed this unexpected visit.”

  Frankie crossed to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup, inhaling the steam that floated up from the freshly brewed liquid.

  “Unexpected? I’m offended. I got a personal invitation from Detective Barker.”

  He noticed Leo’s raised eyebrows.

  “Yeah, man, I was surprised, too. Figured Barker must be pretty hard up to call on me.”

  “You got that right,” Barker said, sitting down and growing serious. “You both told me you’d help me find Taylor once we’d taken down Kramer. So now I’m here, asking for your help.”

  Guilt burned Leo’s cheeks as he looked into Barker’s haggard face.

  I’ve let him down. After everything he did to find my mother’s killer, and after he helped save Eden, I’ve done nothing.

  Coffee sloshed over the rim of Frankie’s cup as he set it on Leo’s desk and plopped into the chair next to Barker.

  “I’m sorry, man. I shoulda’ checked in with you sooner.” Frankie put a hand on Barker’s arm. “I guess I suck at being a friend.”

  “Me, too,” Leo added, wondering why he’d allowed himself to get pulled back into work instead of following up on his promise to Barker.

  “Thanks, but it’s not your fault, either of you. I tried to play lone wolf, but it’s not really working out. I need some help if I’m going to find Taylor, and something’s telling me I don’t have much time.”

  Frankie frowned and stuck his hand into his pocket, searching for a cigarette.

  “What do you mean? What have you found out?”

  Leo was glad to see the hand come back out empty. Apparently Frankie was sticking to his vow to quit.

  Barker began to explain what he’d learned at the Little Gator Diner, and how he’d met the two men on the road.

  “I just have a bad feeling that they all know more than what they’re saying. Besides, I can’t find a trace of Taylor after she quit the diner. It’s like she just disappeared.”

  Leo’s fingers flew across the keyboard, searching the city records while Barker spoke. He searched the property deed database as well, beginning to make connections.

  “It looks like a man named Jedidiah Albright registered the Congregation of Supreme Love as a non-profit back in 1999. He and someone named Verity Albright were listed as directors.”

  Both Barker and Frankie listened intently as Leo talked and continued to tap on the keyboard.

  “The latest filing was just this past year, only now someone named Jacob Albright is the registered agent. He and Verity Albright are listed as directors. The address is the same…a rural road off Highway 42. No phone listed.”

  Barker nodded, adding, “Yeah, it’s out there near the Cottonmouth Wetlands Preserve…”

  “I see in the county death notices that Jedidiah Albright died last year, but no additional personal information was provided. Doesn’t look like the family put an obituary in the newspaper-”

  The buzzing of Barker’s phone interrupted Leo.

  “Hey, Nessa. Thanks for calling me back.”

  Leo watched Barker’s face as he spoke to the woman who had been his last partner before retirement. The softening around the older man’s eyes revealed just how close the two detectives had gotten. They still watched out for each other even though they were no longer partners.

  “You get a chance to run the plates off that truck?”

  After a few more questions and pauses to listen, Barker grunted his thanks and disconnected the call. He stared over at Leo and Frankie, a stricken look on his face.

  “Nessa ran the plates. The truck belongs to Jacob Albright, so no surprise there. But-”

  Leo could see Barkers hands tremble as he fidgeted with his phone and cleared his throat.

  “-but she ran his name through the system and got a hit. He’s got a criminal record. Apparently he served time at in Pensacola for felony assault before being paroled back in 2017.”

  A thick silence hovered in the room as each man thought what none of them wanted to say: Jacob Albright had been paroled around the same time Taylor Barker
disappeared.

  “I know a dude that lives out that way,” Frankie said at last, breaking the silence. “You remember my friend Little Ray? Well, his cousin owns one of them airboats that takes people out into the preserve to see gators and shit.”

  Barker stared at Frankie.

  “And what the hell does that have to do with finding Taylor?”

  “Well, his cousin must know all the people around there. He could take me to ask around. Maybe I can find out if anyone knows this Jacob dude, and if anyone’s seen Taylor.”

  Barker gave a grudging nod.

  “I guess it’s worth a try.”

  Trying not to look at the Oscar Hernandez file or think about all the work that needed to be done on the case, Leo smiled at Barker.

  “And I’ll drive out to the commune with you tomorrow. We’ll find out if anyone there has seen Taylor, and we’ll talk to Jacob Albright.”

  Barker stood and stuck his phone back into his pocket.

  “Okay, and I’ll ask Nessa to send me all the details she can get on Albright’s record.”

  Barker was quiet as he followed Frankie to the door, agreeing to meet Leo early the next morning. Leo returned to his office and surveyed his desk. Instead of picking up the case file, he took out his phone and dialed Eden.

  “Leo, I was hoping you’d call.”

  Eden’s soft voice acted like a balm on his frazzled nerves.

  “And I was hoping you’d answer,” Leo replied, wishing he didn’t have to cancel their plans for the evening.

  “I need to stay with an unexpected arrival at one of the shelters tonight, so I won’t be able to meet you for dinner.”

  Leo stared at the phone, surprised to hear the words he was about to say coming from Eden.

  “Oh, well, okay.”

  “You aren’t mad, are you?” she asked.

  Leo pictured the delicate frown line that appeared between Eden’s green eyes when she was worried, and he rushed to reassure her.

  “No problem. I promised Barker I’d help him look for Taylor tomorrow, so I need an early night. And I have a case file to keep me busy until then.”

  There was a pause, and when Eden spoke her voice had stiffened, the warmth gone.

  “So, you’ve accepted the Oscar Hernandez case?”

  Leo blinked, looked down at the phone in surprise, and pushed back a flash of irritation.

  “Yes, I have accepted the case. Is that a problem?”

  He regretted the coldness of his words as soon as they’d left his mouth, but he couldn’t deny that her judgmental tone irked him.

  “Well, I’m here trying to save a woman that has been battered and abused, and you’re there defending a man that’s accused of a horrific assault. I guess it’s hard for me to accept.”

  Closing his eyes against visions of the injuries depicted in the case file, Leo drew in a deep breath and then exhaled slowly.

  “If I thought Oscar Hernandez had committed the assault I would have a hard time accepting it, too,” Leo said, keeping his voice low and calm. “But I’m convinced he didn’t do it. And it’s up to me to prove it before another innocent man’s life is ruined.”

  After another pause, Eden’s voice had lost its edge.

  “I’m sorry. Leo. It’s not my place to judge. I should know you’d never defend a man you believed could do those things. I’ll leave you to your work. I hope you and Barker have luck tomorrow.”

  She’d said all the right words, but after they’d hung up, Leo wasn’t convinced her heart was in them. And he was starting to think she may never be able to fully understand or accept his responsibilities as a defense attorney.

  He picked up the case file and opened it again.

  First I’ve got to find a way to get Oscar out on bail. He’s got a job, a wife, and a son to take care of. He’s counting on me.

  But Leo’s mind refused to concentrate on the information in front of him. He had to find a way to manage the Hernandez case and help Barker without letting anyone down, and without losing Eden in the process.

  Chapter Seven

  The streetlights flickered on just as Eden Winthrop looked out the shelter’s front window onto Waterside Drive. Streams of office workers had already made their way past the nondescript building, disappearing into bars offering two-for-one happy hour specials or trudging toward parking garages that quickly emptied out once the clock struck five.

  A few stragglers hurried past the Mercy Harbor shelter with their jacket collars up and their heads down, unused to the frigid wind that was blowing in off the water. Eden watched as two women waited to cross the street, their mingled breath a delicate mist in the cold air around them.

  “I’m glad we’re inside, Duke. It’s getting colder by the minute.”

  Duke stood beside her, his big brown eyes trained on the sidewalk outside, his tail wagging hopefully.

  “Don’t tell me you want to go out again?”

  An amused laugh sounded behind Eden and she turned to see Reggie Horn, the director of the Mercy Harbor Foundation.

  “The cold air must agree with Duke. He’s got that lovely fur coat to keep him warm.”

  “Well I’m not quite as lucky,” Eden replied, rubbing her arms over the thin silk of her blouse. “I gave Ruth my sweater and don’t have a backup.”

  Reggie knelt next to Duke to rub his soft golden fur.

  “Maybe you just need someone to keep you warm,” Reggie teased. “You could call on Leo. I’m sure he’d be happy to oblige, although I haven’t seen him hanging around in a while. Everything okay between you two?”

  “He’s been busy with a case, and he’s helping a friend look for his missing daughter. It’s been hard to find time.”

  A gleam came into Reggie’s eyes. She looked up at Eden with sudden intensity.

  “A friend? Is it that detective? You know, the big one. What was his name?”

  Eden raised both eyebrows and grinned.

  “You mean Peter Barker? Are you trying to act like you don’t remember his name?”

  “And why should I remember his name?”

  They both laughed and Reggie sighed.

  “Okay, I have to admit he seemed…interesting. And I haven’t been interested in anyone since Wayne died.”

  The frank admission took Eden by surprise. She stared at Reggie with wide, green eyes, before recovering her composure enough to respond.

  “That’s…great. I guess. I mean, you should ask him out.”

  As soon as the words slipped out, worrying thoughts began to circle inside Eden’s mind.

  Didn’t Leo ask Reggie to counsel Barker? Isn’t he still in mourning for his late wife? Would a date constitute some type of ethics violation?

  Reggie gave Duke a hug, then stood up.

  “Well, your boyfriend asked me to meet with Peter. He thinks he needs grief counselling.” Reggie cleared her throat. “But I’m sure you can understand that my personal interest in the man disqualifies me to provide him with any type of counselling.”

  Eden nodded, relieved that Reggie was one step ahead of her as usual.

  “But I’m not sure how I can explain the situation to Leo without making myself look like a fool. I mean, Peter Barker probably doesn’t know I’m alive. He’ll think I’m deranged if I say I can’t counsel him because I have the hots for him.”

  A nervous giggle escaped before Eden could hold it in. She’d never talked about Reggie’s love life before, and the thought of the older woman having the hots for anyone had never crossed her mind.

  “Don’t worry, Reggie. I’ll tell Leo. He’ll understand.”

  Reggie rolled her eyes and sighed.

  “I’m not sure why he would understand, since I don’t, but thanks. I’d appreciate avoiding that particular conversation.”

  A man jogged past the window, a chocolate Labrador trotting lightly by his side, and Duke’s tail began to wag furiously as he stared after them.

  “Why don’t I take Duke over to the Riverwa
lk? Let him stretch his legs and enjoy this fresh air. It’ll give you a chance to check in on our new resident.”

  “That would be great, Reggie. Hopefully Ruth’s feeling better. And maybe she’ll be ready to talk about what happened to her.”

  Reggie’s small hand reached out to grasp Eden’s arm.

  “Don’t rush her, dear. You know as well as anyone that it takes time. Be patient.”

  Eden nodded, then waited as Reggie retrieved a cherry-red trench coat and matching knit cap. She watched through the window as Duke dragged the petite director down the sidewalk and around the corner toward the river.

  Walking past the muffled conversation and clattering of coffee cups that drifted out of the main dining room, Eden made her way to the north wing of the building, stopping in front of the last door on the left. She knocked softly before waving her card key in front of the automated lock.

  The door clicked open and Eden stepped into the room.

  A light had been left on in the tiny kitchenette, and the television in the sitting area was on and tuned to Channel Ten News at Six, giving off a cozy glow.

  Eden regarded the room with satisfaction; it seemed to have been designed specifically to accommodate the women and children that turned to the foundation, desperate to find a safe haven.

  The building had originally been a boutique hotel catering to cost-conscious business travelers. Unfortunately, Willow Bay’s modest business community hadn’t attracted enough visitors to keep the little hotel running, and the newly vacated space went on the market just as Reggie and Eden had started looking for a new location for their main shelter. The proximity of the building to the Mercy Harbor administration offices had sealed the deal.

  Eden saw that the door to the bedroom was ajar.

  “Ruth? Are you awake?”

  As she entered the bedroom a chill surrounded Eden; the room was freezing. She stared across to the window. The blinds had been raised, and the window was open. A bitter wind swirled into the room, carrying the scent of the river with it.

  Eden ran to the open window, staring out into the receding light. The evening was still and silent. Across an expanse of manicured lawn lay the Riverwalk Promenade, which bordered the dark water beyond.