Malice

by Anne Patrick

  Jo followed her outside. "Look, Bailey, I know you're having a hard time dealing with this and I haven't exactly been much help, but I'm doing the best I can." She reached out and placed a hand on the girl's arm. "Give me a break, okay, I never meant for this to happen. I would have been perfectly content the way things were, but it happened, and there's nothing you or I can do about it. We just have to accept it."

  The girl gave a twisted smile. "Seems Dad is the only one who's truly happy about this blessed event."

  Jo moved her hand to her belly, glancing down at the same time. "It isn't that I'm not happy about the baby. It's just… well… I guess I'm not sure how I feel. I mean I never expected to have children."

  "Including me," Bailey said softly.

  "It's different with you, Bailey."

  "Yeah, I know."

  "That isn't what I meant."

  "Yeah, well, whatever, it doesn't matter. Look I've got to go or I'll be late for school."

  "Bailey, please wait."

  Disgusted with herself for having made things worse, Jo contemplated going after the girl. Fearing that in her state of mind she'd only make things worse, Jo decided to put off their talk and instead went back inside to get ready for her doctor's appointment.

  *****

  Jo stared at the ceiling, counting the white squares that stretched the length of the room, and thought of the fight she'd had with Bailey. She'd taken enough psychology classes in college to know the teenager was threatened by the new addition to their family. She knew that with her mother’s death, and then her dad’s remarriage, the arrival of a baby threatened the only security Bailey had felt in years. Somehow, she had to find a way to reassure the girl that the baby wasn't going to change anything. In order to do that, though, she had to convince herself first.

  Her fight with Austin also haunted her. She hated the idea of leaving, knowing both Austin and Bailey were mad at her. She considered calling Isaac to put off their trip until later that night so she could smooth things over with them, and was attempting to maneuver herself from the examining table to retrieve her cellphone from her purse when the door opened.

  "Where do you think you're going?"

  Jo glanced up. Her husband stood in the doorway smiling at her. "What are you doing here?"

  "I didn't figure I'd have another chance to see you before you left." He closed the door and stepped to her side, taking her hand. "And I didn't want you leaving before I had a chance to apologize."

  "Austin…"

  "Hush, let me finish. I don't agree with what you're doing, but I understand why you're doing it."

  She grinned. "What are you apologizing for if you don't agree with what I'm doing?"

  "I'm apologizing for making you sleep on the couch last night. I've slept on that couch. I know how uncomfortable it is."

  "I wasn't planning on sleeping on it. I just wanted to give you time to cool off and I fell asleep."

  "So I've been wallowing in guilt all morning for nothing."

  "I guess so."

  He leaned over to kiss her just as the door opened and the doctor entered the room.

  "I wondered if you were ever going to make an appearance." Dr. Melissa Reinhart stepped forward, her eyes now resting on Jo. "I take it this is your husband?"

  "He's only a stand in. My husband wouldn't be caught dead in a Lamaze class much less a Gynecologists office," Jo teased, still holding his hand.

  "I see. But he was more than willing to participate in the baby's conception."

  "Okay, you two can knock it off. I can't help it if I have a queasy stomach."

  "Are you sure he's our town's sheriff."

  "And a very good one at that," Jo said, deciding he'd been teased enough.

  "So I've heard." Dr. Reinhart offered her hand. "It's an honor to meet you, Sheriff Garrett."

  "Nice to meet you, Doctor."

  "What do you say we have a look and see how we're doing," Dr. Reinhart said as she pulled down the sheet covering Jo's stomach. Lifting her gown, she rubbed a solution on her belly and ran an instrument over the surface of her stomach. When the doctor turned on the monitor above Jo's head, a heartbeat echoed in the room.

  Jo watched as her husband smiled.

  "Is that…?"

  She squeezed his hand. "Our baby's heartbeat."

  "Do you want to know if it's a boy or girl?" Dr. Reinhart asked.

  Austin shrugged, glancing down at Jo at the same time. "What do you think?"

  "It's up to you," she said, letting him decide the outcome.

  "Yes… no… I don't know. You decide."

  "I tell you what, judging from the baby's position, you should easily be able to tell yourselves, so I'll print out a copy and put it in an envelope and you can take it home and look if you want."

  "Okay," they said in unison.

  Austin glanced up at the doctor. "The heartbeat sounds strong."

  "It's the heartbeat of a perfectly healthy baby."

  He squeezed Jo's hand and then leaned over and kissed her.

  "I want to see you back here in three weeks," Dr. Reinhart informed. She handed Austin a 5X7 envelope. "Here you go, Daddy. Take good care of her."

  *****

  Austin still grinned when he pulled in their driveway behind Jo. He picked up the envelope from the passenger seat and stared at it, tempted to take a peek. Whether it was a boy or girl, the most important thing was for it to be healthy. Deciding to wait, he climbed from his Jeep Cherokee. His grin disappeared when he spotted Agent Washington's rental car pulling in the driveway behind him. He laid the envelope on the roof and walked back to the agent's car.

  "How'd Jo's appointment go?" Isaac asked, stepping from his car.

  "Good," he replied coolly. "They're both getting along fine, and they better stay that way, or you'll have me to answer to."

  "Jo is my friend. I wouldn't let anything happen to her."

  "If you were really her friend you wouldn't be here right now."

  "Let me tell you something, Austin. I've always been there for Jo. When she was in the hospital, I was with her every moment of every day I wasn't working. I was the one who walked her through the darkest hours of her life. I didn't do that just because she was an agent in my charge. Jo is very dear to me, both as a friend and a colleague. I wouldn't be here right now if I had any other choice. There are three missing teenagers out there somewhere, most likely being tortured to death as we speak, and Jo is the only one who can help me catch the monster who took them."

  "I understand that, but Jo isn't the only one I'm concerned about here. She's carrying our baby. Though it's a normal pregnancy, she's thirty-nine years old. The chance for complications grows with each week that passes, and any undue stress, well, I'm sure you realize what effect that can have on her."

  "I promise I won't let anything happen to her or the baby."

  "Excuse me. Do either one of you Neanderthals want to give me a hand here?"

  Austin glanced up to see Jo set a large suitcase down next to a smaller carry on. He hustled to the porch. "What are you doing? You shouldn't be lifting these."

  "I know that, but I got tired of waiting on you. I do have a plane to catch you know."

  Austin watched as she stepped back inside, slamming the door behind her. He started to go after her then hesitated, reaching for the largest piece of luggage.

  Before he had the chance to pick it up, Isaac grabbed it. "I got it, you go ahead."

  "Thanks."

  Austin found Jo in the kitchen finishing off a glass of milk. "Sorry. I was just visiting with Isaac, you know, catching up."

  "Yeah, right." She then turned to him, "Forget it. Right now there's something else we need to talk about," she said in a softer tone. "This morning, Bailey and I, well, we sort of had an argument."

  "What about?"

  "It doesn't matter. All I'm saying is, well, I think maybe we should show her a little extra attention, try to get her more involved with this pregnancy thing."<
br />
  "You think she's feeling left out?"

  She nodded. "I suggested she help you with the nursery while I'm gone, so maybe you could let her sort of takeover. You know choose the color of the wallpaper and trim and stuff. It might help."

  "Have you checked out her taste in clothes lately, the wild outfits she's been wearing? I don't know if it's such a good idea to turn her loose on the nursery."

  Jo laughed. "Okay, so maybe not complete control. Also, she's in Driver's Ed now and will be getting her permit soon, maybe you can take her out driving."

  "You said you'd do that. I don't think my nerves can take it, especially if she drives anything like you do," he teased, hoping to put her in a better mood.

  "Work with me here, Austin. Surely you've noticed her behavior lately?"

  He had, but he figured it was just a phase she was going through, like the average teenager whose only motivation waking up in the morning was to drive their parents crazy. What had bothered him, though, was the fact she withdrew from Jo, who had tried desperately to become a substitute mother to her. "I'll talk to her," he finally promised, hoping to put her mind at ease.

  "Good, because I tried, but I'm afraid I may have just made matters worse."

  "Don't worry about it. I'll keep a closer eye on her."

  Jo gave a heavy sigh. "Now that only leaves us."

  "What do you mean?"

  "Are we okay?"

  He smiled and took her into his arms. Didn't she know by now, he could never stay mad at her for very long, that he was absolute putty in her hands. He lifted her chin and gazed at her beautiful face. "I know this is something you feel you have to do. Just be careful, okay?"

  She finally smiled. "I promise."

  Taking her into his arms again, he captured her lips, seeking complete possession of her mouth. He felt her hands slip underneath the back of his shirt, her velvet touch prompting a moan from him. He wished now he hadn't been so spiteful last night when he came downstairs and found her asleep on the couch. His stupid pride had kept him from apologizing to her and instead he had spent the night tossing and turning. Now with her about to board a plane, there was no telling how long it'd be until he could hold her in his arms again.

  A movement behind them prompted him to end the passionate kiss, and when he glanced up and saw Isaac exiting the room, all his earlier animosity returned.

  "Don't blame the messenger, Austin, Isaac isn't the enemy here. Briggs is."

  He knew she was right, but Isaac was more convenient. Besides, he hated the man's arrogance. It was as if he knew Jo would always be a part of his life because he had been there for her in her darkest moments. For that alone, he knew he should be grateful to the man, but egotistically that was improbable.

  When they stepped outside, Isaac already sat behind the wheel. Austin walked her to the car, helped her inside, and carefully fastened the seat belt around her, securing the strap underneath the baby. He thought of the sonogram. "We never looked to see what it is," he reminded and glanced back to the envelope that still lay on the roof of his Jeep.

  She gave a tender smile. "Look if you want, but I'd rather it was a surprise."

  "Okay," he said, only a little disappointed. Though she hadn't expressed it directly, he knew she wasn't as happy about the baby as he was, and suspected she feared it would mean the end of her career.

  The thought of Jo never having to track down one of these monsters again was a welcomed one, but knowing what her job meant to her and how dedicated she was to it, he knew he could never ask her to give it up. Ironically, dedication to her job was what he first found so attractive.

  As if sensing his apprehension, Jo took his hand. "We're going to be fine, Austin. Please don't worry."

  "I know you will." He snatched one last kiss. "Call me tonight once you get settled in."

  "I will," she promised.

  His heart sank as he watched them back out of the drive. Please watch over her and the baby, Lord. Keep them safe and out of harm's way.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Isaac smiled as he watched Jo waddle ahead of him through the airport, still finding it difficult to believe his longtime friend was about to give birth in a few short months. It wasn't so much he didn't think she would make a good mother. He knew better than most that under her rough exterior was one of the most compassionate and caring persons he'd ever known. She was also one of the most dedicated and mule headed.

  He'd lost count years ago at how many times they'd butted heads on assignments, but out of those often tense situations had grown mutual respect and a friendship based on trust and understanding. That being the main reason his coming to Oregon had been the most difficult decision of his life. But as he told her husband, he'd had no choice; he needed Jo now more than he ever had. He could only pray he wouldn't live to regret it. That the case that had haunted them both wouldn't destroy her like it almost had three years ago.

  "Would you mind picking up the pace a bit back there?"

  Her prodding caused him to glance at his watch. "We still have half an hour before they'll start boarding."

  "I want to get something to drink and a pretzel before we board."

  He knew better than to argue with a pregnant woman so he picked up his pace and began searching for the nearest pretzel vendor. Afterwards, they found their gate and checked in.

  "Did you think to pack the case files in your carryon?" Jo asked as they made their way to some empty seats. "It'll give me something to read during the flight."

  "Got ’em." He settled into the seat beside her and thought back to the conversation he'd had with her husband prior to their departure. He couldn't blame the poor guy for being upset with him. Had Isaac been in his shoes, he would have done everything in his power to keep Jo home where she was safe. With Austin being in law enforcement himself, Isaac suspected he knew better than most spouses the sacrifices one had to make in the course of a marriage.

  Isaac couldn't help but feel a little envious of their relationship, wishing his wife were as understanding and supportive as Austin was with Jo. Twenty-five years with the woman, you would think she would have gotten used to the demands of his job, but he doubted that would ever be the case.

  Just as they announced boarding, Jo decided she had to go to the bathroom again. Ignoring his pleas to wait until they were in the air, she barely made it on the plane before they shut the doors.

  "Sorry, so sorry," she made her apologies as she came down the aisle.

  "Remind me never to fly with you again," he said as she wiggled into her window seat.

  "Believe me, it was unavoidable. I doubt the other passengers would have appreciated me anymore had I risked vomiting in the aisle."

  *****

  Jo stared out at the clouds beneath them, her thoughts still resting on her husband. He looked so pathetic as they pulled away she had to struggle to keep from asking Isaac to turn around and take her back. Since she and Austin married, her work had taken her out of town on many occasions but they'd never spent more than a couple of weeks apart. This trip, she feared, would be different.

  To keep her mind occupied, Jo decided to go over the case files Isaac had given her once they were seated. Opening the first file, she stared at the photograph of a pretty teenager with long strands of blonde, spiraled hair. She had a brilliant smile that gleamed with confidence, and Jo suspected she was one of the more popular kids in high school. Flipping through the case notes she learned Kerry Rhoads was a sophomore at Johnson County High School. Voted class president two years running and an up and coming star on the varsity girls’ basketball team, she was no doubt the envy of the rest of the female population at the school.

  The oldest daughter of a local physician was reported missing at four-fifteen the afternoon of April ninth. Having received a phone call from the school inquiring about her welfare at ten-thirty that morning, the mother had spent the whole day searching for her daughter; then finally, fearing the worst, she'd gone to the police. Treati
ng her first as a runaway, the police didn't put out an Amber Alert until the following day.

  After closing the folder, she slid it underneath the others and opened the next file. She glanced at the photograph of the brunette, the girl's braces bringing back memories of her own high school pictures. Lauren Shipley was reported missing at ten o'clock on the evening of April seventeenth when she failed to show up after her nine o'clock curfew. The youngest daughter of local farmers, she too was a sophomore. A member of the debate team, as well as the school band, she held a 4.0 grade average. Described as a responsible teenager, her parents had phoned friends and learned she was last seen on the corner of Main and Fourth Street talking to someone in a late seventies model, dark blue Camaro, which the police failed to locate.

  Jo made a note of the sighting before going on to the next file.

  Roberta Mitchell failed to return home from school on April twenty-third. With the other teenagers still missing, police immediately treated the report as an abduction and issued an Amber Alert. A freshman with a 3.5 grade average and a member of the track and volleyball team, she also seemed one of the popular crowd. Picking up the photo of the missing teenager, Jo wasn't surprised to see she too was a beautiful girl, and began to sort together in her mind the common denominators which linked the girls together. She immediately came up with three. They were similar in age, very intelligent and, aside from hair color, they were similar in physical appearance.

  Closing the files, she leaned back against the seat. Jo had barely shut her eyes when the baby stirred in her belly causing a slight discomfort, prompting her to run her hand over her stomach in a soothing motion.

  "You okay?"

  Jo glanced over with a smile. "I think he shares your dislike of flying."

  "What makes you think it's a boy?"

  She shrugged. "I guess I just hope it's a boy. Every man should have a son. You know to play catch with, and to go to ballgames."

  "What about you?"

  "I've no preference. I just want it to be over. I want my figure back."