Page 32

CHAPTER 32

A short time later

“David? Where are you hiding, little dude?” T.J. stared at the empty den. It was neat and tidy except for the table where he and David would eat. Milk from an overturned glass stained the table and carpet and bits of toast littered the floor.

Shit. Someone’s snatched him. Oh shit. If there’s a webcam, where would it be? Frantically, T.J. began lifting pictures from the walls, opening the video cabinet to toss out DVD’s and opening what-not-boxes on the bookcase. Nothing. Think, dude think! What did Mrs. Johnson say about a garden gnome? Haul ass upstairs, man and–

“Hands in the air!” A voice behind him barked. “Hands in the air and keep them there!” T.J. froze and started to turn but another voice shouted, “Stop! Get on your knees very slowly and keep your hands up!”

“Okay!” T.J. shouted back. “Give me a minute, will ya?”

“Shut up, kid and do it!” the second voice shouted again. “Someone from the neighborhood was watching and saw you break in here, so don’t even try to deny it. On your knees!”

Slowly, T.J. knelt, and a pair of icy cold hands ran over him, patting his back and butt. “You should wear gloves when you do that, man,” he snarled and then let loose a string of profanity as the hands yanked his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. “Ouch! That’s police brutality, man!”

“Save it for the judge, kid,” the first voice told him. “You’re under arrest for breaking and entering.”

“Listen, man, there might be a webcam hidden somewhere,” T.J. pleaded. “You gotta look for it because it may have taped the murder that happened here last week.”

“Look who’s been watching too much CSI Cyber ,” the second voice jeered. “Shut up kid. There’s too much New Year’s Eve crap going on to stand here and listen to you make up stuff. Let’s get going.”

“Wait a minute, Briggs.” A hand turned T.J. around and he found himself facing the two officers who asked him about David days ago. The older man and the one with a bad haircut.

“What are saying, kid?” the older one asked. “That’s there a tape hidden somewhere?”

“My mom said Mrs. Phillips was gonna buy a camera and hide it somewhere to be sure she and David would be safe.” T.J. explained. “Like in a garden gnome or something. At least look for it! Someone’s snatched David so maybe it’s on the freakin’ tape.”

“You mean that David Phillips has been here all this time?” Briggs shouted. “And you knew? Callahan, I’m gonna beat–”

“Briggs, I’ll take care of this,” Officer Callahan ordered. “Go up to the deck and see what you can find,” the older one said. When Briggs had gone, he said, “I’m Officer Callahan. You are not bullshitting us, are you?”

“No, sir.” T.J would have added, “Scout’s honor,” but he wasn’t a Scout.

“Callahan! I found something!” Briggs called as he pounded down the stairs. In his outstretched hand was a miniscule camera.

“It was in the gnome,” Briggs panted. “Damn thing was facing the office windows”

“Let’s get out of here,” Briggs said. “I think we may have just broken the case. Uncuff the kid. What’s your name son?”

“T.J. Fielding, sir.”

“OK. T.J. Officer Briggs took him by the arm, but his touch was gentle. “Let’s go downtown and look at what you’ve found.”

Late afternoon. Families United

“Henry Tate, from Tennessee Cares?” Elaine said, stretching her arms overhead. “That scumbag. What else did Kristopher tell you?”

“That he’s going to the Bradford with Grant Miller to get things in place for tonight,” Suzanne said. “That’s where everything is going to happen. But there’s more good news. KPD have found the Clark and Campbell sisters and they were taken to Children’s Hospital to be checked out and were found to be in physically good shape. And if that isn’t enough, Lucinda called that the therapeutic foster home where Mercy was placing the Campbells, and they’ve agreed to take both the Campbell as well as the Clark sisters. The foster care couple there have years of experience in taking care of fragile kids and they will know just what to do to get these girls over this ordeal.”

“That is wonderful,” Elaine exclaimed.

“I know,” Suzanne agreed. “Lucinda is even going to drive the Campbell girls to Vanderbilt hospital tomorrow to see their mother for a long overdue Christmas visit. And last, but not least, Brotherhood Protectors is flying Mercy’s parents home from Liechtenstein on a private jet. They should be here tomorrow.”

“You’re kidding?” Elaine said in disbelief. “Did Lucinda tell them everything that’s happened? Including that we’ve still not found David?”

“Yes,” Suzanne said sadly. “But from the way Kristopher was talking, it’s just a matter of time before we know. He’s that hopeful. I just wish I had his faith right now. It’s been days and knowing everything that has happened, I’m beginning to lose hope.”

“Don’t talk that way. We’re going to find him soon,” Elaine declared. “I just know it. Once Grant Miller really starts hammering away at Henry Tate, the truth will come out and the whole thing will come down like a house of cards.”

“Not soon enough for me,” Suzanne said. Her arms ached to hug David good and tight and listen to every one of his silly, corny jokes. Twice if it made him happy. “Are you and Griff going to that event Charles Tattersall mentioned?”

“Griff and I have other plans,” Elaine announced sotto voce . “Besides, the invitation said black-tie. Griff looks great in a tux, but he absolutely refuses to wear one unless he absolutely must. What about you? Do you and Kristopher have plans for tonight?”

“He said to text him when we’re finished,” Suzanne said. “He hinted at a surprise he had but wouldn’t even give me a hint.”

“Aren’t our BP guys just amazing?” Elaine dabbed her eyes with her fingertips.

“Pretty impressive, I must say,” Suzanne agreed. “I kinda like Kristopher with a K.”

“Oh, come on, Suzanne,” Elaine teased. “You’re halfway to being in love with Kristopher. It’s all over you. Admit it.”

“I plead the fifth,” Suzanne insisted.

“Well I’m ready for some tea,” Elaine said. “I just wish we had a slice or two of one of those great cakes from Daisy’s but they’re closed, aren’t they?”

“I think they’re open until five, to take some special dessert orders and it’s almost that now,” Suzanne said. Let’s see if they can help our sweet tooth’s.

She placed the call and was surprised when Barry answered on the first ring. “Hey Barry,” she greeted. “Happy New Year! Is Daisy’s open?”

“You must be psychic,” Barry said. “I was just going to call you. What do need, Suzanne?”

“Elaine is craving cake and so am I,” Suzanne said. “Do you have anything?”

“Chocolate mocha cheesecake and Daisy’s triple layer lemon cake,” Barry said.

“There goes my diet,” Elaine moaned. “But after everything that’s happened, we deserve a treat. We’ll have both, one slice of both for the two of us.”

“I’ll be right there, Barry,” Suzanne said with a laugh. “Do I come in the front or the back?”

“Definitely the back,” Barry said. “And Suze? Could you hurry? I gotta get to a special service at my church.”

“See you in five minutes or less,” Suzanne promised and ended the call. She stood, grabbed her purse from the floor and said, “I’ll be right back.”

“Don’t you think we need to go together?” Elaine asked, pulling on her jacket. “And it is starting to get dark.”

“Don’t be silly,” Suzanne scolded. “Daisy’s is two doors down and the streets are full of New Year’s Eve shoppers. I’ll be back in ten minutes or less. Go put on a pot of coffee. Tea won’t hold up against the amount of sugar we’re about to ingest.”

She took the stairs down to the first floor in order to burn up some calories before ingesting the ones in Barry’s wicked desserts and exited through the back door into the alley that ran behind the buildings. Kristopher might be annoyed she’d left Families United without someone to go with her, but she in a matter of seconds she was already banging on the back door of Daisy’s. She could almost taste the cake and coffee when everything went black.