Page 77 of Little Child Gone
“Thank you.” Nikki devoured the cookie while Penny brought one to her mom. She and Elena joined them in the living room. Penny went to her dolls and started telling them about the cookies she’d just made.
“Elena, before I leave, I have something for you.” She reached into her bag. “I found Rebecca’s necklace. Since she’s been a Jane Doe, everything was still in evidence.”
“Found” wasn’t the right word. She’d waited for Spencer Bancroft to finish his shift at the fire station. He hadn’t seemed surprised to see her.
“I trust Matt brought you up to speed on everything.”
Spencer leaned against his truck and nodded. “I had no idea Ms. Smith was running from something like that. I shouldn’t have listened to Grandpa and my mom. I should have gone to the police when he realized they were gone. It just didn’t feel right.”
“Rebecca Lincoln was the victim of a hit-and-run while she was rushing for help to save her family.”
Spencer nodded, averting his eyes.
“What happened to that souped-up Nissan GT-R?” Nikki asked him. “The one you drove when you guys snuck out to the concert?”
“Why are you asking me about that car?” Spencer laughed. “I ran the hell out of it, that’s what. Junked it years ago.”
Nikki had already done her homework. It had taken some digging, but she’d discovered the car’s title had been changed to a salvage title six days after the hit-and-run that killed Rebecca—Jane Doe at the time. “Six days later, to be exact.”
Spencer stared at her, frozen. She didn’t want to hear his comeback story. Nikki already knew he’d gone to a rehab center for alcohol and depression the next week and had come back a more reserved, less reckless version of Spencer. He’d been a model citizen since then, including saving a woman and child from an apartment fire that could have taken his life.
“Agent Hunt,” Spencer started. “I wanted… my mom… I didn’t know about the others.”
Nikki held up her hand. “I’m going to stop you right there. I believe you. And the statute of limitations has passed.”
Tears welled in Spencer’s eyes. “It was an accident. The rain… I relive that night every day of my life.”
“Sometimes the best punishment is having to go on and walk away.” Nikki pointed to the chain on his neck. “But Elena would like her niece’s things back.”
“I can’t believe it was still in evidence.” Elena held the necklace and ring close to her chest. “This means more than I can say.”
“I’m glad I was able to return it.” Nikki checked her watch. “I’d better head out. This particular judge is brutal if you’re late.”
Elena walked her to the door. “I spoke to Doctor Blanchard about the remains. It’s too cold for a service now, but I know Bianca wanted to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. I’m planning on having a service in the spring. I’d love for you and Agent Wilson to attend.”
“We’d be honored,” Nikki answered. “I’ll stay in touch, stop in and check on you guys.”
“Thank you again for giving me my family back,” Elena said. “Part of me wishes we knew exactly what happened, but it doesn’t matter. I know where they are now, and that’s all I’ve wanted for years.”
Nikki said goodbye and headed out to her Jeep. What happened to Bianca and her kids had been awful, but she was grateful to be part of Christy and her children’s new beginnings.
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