Page 79 of Facing the Enemy

“How horrible. Do you mean one day they were at the maternity home and the next day they vanished?”

“No, ma’am. I need to explain. Over the course of nine years, I transported hundreds, maybe thousands, of women to the free clinic fordoctor’s appointments. The missing women I’m talking about are the few I dropped off while I waited in the van. But the women never came out of the clinic. When I searched inside for them, they hadn’t checked in for their appointments. I assumed they’d left through another door. That happened ten, maybe a dozen times. They were never seen again.”

“What did Ms. Wright say when you reported it?”

“She always reacted frantically. Ma’am, she loves those residents. Later she reported some of the young women went back to their boyfriends or husbands. The others who contacted her said they’d returned to family. What I never figured out was how they could have left the center without stringing me along. There aren’t any rules saying they have to stay or bars on the windows and doors.”

“Were their personal belongings picked up?”

“Yes. People would show up at the home, ask to see Ms. Wright, and together they packed up the residents’ things. It could mean nothing.” He rubbed the leg of his jeans. “But leaving me in the parking lot with no word of their plans didn’t make sense. Those women always seemed grateful for whatever they received, and the home is free to help them. Guess I shouldn’t have taken it personally.”

“I’d have been upset too,” I said. “Do you have any names and dates?”

“No, ma’am. I don’t have an online calendar like most people. I use the paper kind, and when the year’s up, I toss it.”

No help there. “I see. The other unusual occurrences bother me, like the women offered money for their babies. Do you suspect any of the workers or volunteers?”

“I wish I could give you a name, but blaming an innocent person is wrong.”

“What if your suspicions are right? The birth mothers trust everyone at the care center. Clyde, we need whatever you can give us. Your conclusions by no means pronounce guilt.”

“I don’t have firsthand information.”

“I understand. Who spends the most time with the residents?”

“I suppose the woman who handles intake. She spends hours counseling the young women about the clinic, medical needs, potentialadoption, counseling, employment for after their babies are born, and affordable housing.”

“What is her name?”

“Myra Cummings.”

“Anyone else?”

He blew out a ragged breath. “I’ve wondered about different people, but they’re all good and kind. So is Myra.”

“Like who?” I said.

“The cook, she gives cooking lessons. The nurse who comes by three days a week and teaches them prenatal care. And a woman from a church who does Bible study. She’s from a church that supports the center.” He startled. “That’s your church. My apologies.”

“No problem.” The idea of a criminal in disguise as a Christian wasn’t a new concept. I made a mental note to talk to my pastor and reexamine the backgrounds of the women employed and volunteers at the center. Jack and Gage had requested the information, but I hadn’t been diligent about studying it. I swung to Gage. “What have I missed?”

“Clyde,” Gage said. “I’m a friend of Jack’s. He’s a good man. What is your connection to him?”

“Two years ago, he and his partner arrested a doctor who was in the business of buying and selling babies. Ms. Wright helped with the case.”

Gage nodded. “I remember.”

“I don’t think Agent Bradford got the full story back then. I remember overhearing him and his partner argue about the case not being over just because they’d arrested the doctor. That’s all I heard or remember.”

“Did things calm down after the doctor’s arrest?” Gage said.

“For about six months,” Clyde said. “I mean, questionable things could have occurred, but I didn’t see or hear anything. Then it started again about six months later.”

Gage thanked him. “What went on then?”

“I heard talk again.” He worried his lip. “The residents live at the maternity home for around five or so months, so unless somethingis unusual about them, they slip my mind. After Dr. Zonner’s arrest, new birth mothers arrived. After six months, I overheard a young woman say she’d met with prospective parents and their lawyer. They offered her five thousand dollars for her baby and to pay her medical bills.”

“Who was the birth mother?”