Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 (23 page)

“Okay. How can I be of assist to you?”

“Sonya is missing. That’s all I can tell you right now.” Parker pressed his head against the cool glass as his hands trembled around the phone.

“When you say missing…you mean like you two got into an argument and she’d not answering her phone, do you?”

“N-oo. As in someone, someone dangerous may have her.”

“Oh, my Lord and my God.”

“What’s wrong, dear?” The First Lady’s voice came through the line. Parker assumed she had to be somewhere close to the Pastor.

If the holy man knew anything he’d better hold his wife close and tight. “I can’t give you any more details but I need you to do something for me.”

“Anything. Just tell us.”

“Pray…please. For me…or with me. I don’t know how to ask.” Parker squeezed his eyes tight forcing the emotions back. If he let it out now, he may not be able to stop.

“Absolutely, we will.” Without more than a moment of hesitation, Pastor McKinley began, “Dear Father, and protector…”

~ML~

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Over and over Sonya repeated a portion of the King James Version of the twenty-third Psalm. It was the scripture Pastor McKinley had given her in college when she felt like the walls of school and her family life were caving in on her.

She wasn’t sure how long had passed since she’d awaken. Even groggy and disoriented she was sure of two things— she was inside something dark and narrow and there were spiders crawling all over her.

She wanted to scream, jump up and run until she was free. However, she couldn’t move. She couldn’t even cry. She was too afraid if she did anything they would start biting her. Parker, her husband, had told her many times that they smelled fear. That they attacked out of defense. If they bit her, how many would it take before she died?

There were so many spiders she’d lost count after fifteen. She’d counted their movements and the places they were on her body. However, once she’d become more alert they moved faster. Darting left, right and up and down. All of them had a different pattern.

Oh, Lord, help me.
She prayed. This was not how she wanted to die. No, she wanted to have babies with Parker. Sit on the porch with him in their old age and watch their grandkids play in the yard.

I want to tell him I love him. That I never stopped loving him.

Emotions welled up inside of her. She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth, the only thing she felt safe to move. Again she did it, firmer, as two spiders, one over her right ear and the other scurried down her cheek.

Noooooo!

She didn’t know how much more she could take. The air was getting thin around her. It was becoming harder for her to breathe. Whatever she was inside of didn’t allow airflow. Her lungs were starting to ache and burn from the lack of oxygen available.

Maybe I’ll pass out. Why, whatever drug they used on her had not kept her under until she just stopped breathing all together didn’t seem right.

Why do I have to suffer such a nightmare as I’m carried into deaths open arms?

The last thing she remembered was two men had come into the bathroom as she was coming out of the stall they were dressed as attendants. She hesitated, but smiled when she saw their cleaning cart and bags. She told them to give her a second and she’d be out of their way. As she’d walked to the sink it dawned on her that she recognized one of the men. The regular museum delivery driver was a tall thin man with large hands. Stronger than he appeared. She’d always been amazed when he’d bring in a delivery just how much strength he showed in his lean frame. When she’d called his name, John, and started to turn toward him they’d grabbed her and covered her nose and mouth. She had struggled but to no avail. Everything had gone black.

Oh, Parker.
She used his name like a lullaby, trying to soothe her fared mind combining with it more versus to keep her sanity or force her rapid end.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake…

~ML~

“Are you sure this is the right address?” Parker sat in the passenger side of Williams midnight colored SUV as they pulled up before an old shabby warehouse off an exit on 485 toward Monroe. Somewhere Parker had never been since moving to North Carolina.

“Yes. But, you need to let us take the lead. You’re not authorized to even be here and you’re not armed.” Williams held his gaze. “Don’t make me regret bringing you.”

Parker gave the man a sharp nod. His main goal was to find Sonya, no matter what the situation. So, he would promise whatever he needed to if they located her in this place.

Williams had gotten a call about a cop reporting seeing a delivery truck pulling into the old abandoned warehouse. Smartly enough the cop had trailed the truck and called it in, arrests had been made, and the owner of the delivery business and two employees were being detained and questioned. The truck had been empty leading Williams and Hampton to believe whatever happened to Sonya she was in the warehouse.

Chastain was in the back seat and also ordered to hang back since he didn’t have a weapon either.

Drummond was the only person not present. Since all the artwork the insurance company she represented had been recovered she was off to her next case.

They had parked about a blocks distance from the warehouse and moved in on rapid feet. Parker followed the seven agents and officers before him toward the large building. Some of the individuals had DEA, Drug Enforcement Agency, on the back of their jackets while others FBI. The local drug task force where providing surveillance.

Once they were inside the place, Parker’s heart beat harder. First with anticipation that they’d find Sonya soon, but as time drug on and they went from one floor to another and one room after the other with no sign of her it thumped with fear. He’d seen enough reenactment rescue shows about abduction in the drug crime world. If people were not found in the first twenty-four hours it was a strong chance they were killed.

He could think about that. Instead, he only allowed himself to focus on Sonya being alive and well.

Soni-love, hold on. Please hold on.

“I think I got something here?” A woman in a DEA jacket called out from a room at the back of the third floor.

Parker waited until they called the room clear then followed the three people he was with in. That’s when he saw it, a coffin in the middle of the room on a long, metal slab that looked as if it would give out at any moment. All it needed was the slightest movement.

“You think it’s the drug stash?” Someone asked as they all stood around the smoke gray casket staring at it.

“Open it.” Parker started forward.

Hampton placed a firm hand on his chest. “Wait.”

He brushed it away. “What if Sonya is in there or a clue to where she maybe?”

“We know this, but we have to make sure it’s not explosive, rigged to go off when we touch it.” Williams told Parker then turned to another agent. “Go downstairs and call in a bomb squad.”

Parker leaned against a wall and stared at the coffin. Everything in him told him that Sonya was in there. He wasn’t leaving.

Hold on, baby.

~ML~

“Love…open your eyes. I dreamed of those beautiful eyes in Daintree.”

She had to be hallucinating or in heaven and angels were speaking to her. She couldn’t feel the spiders crawling on her any more. There was a coolness of air moving over her body. The person’s voice sounded like Parker’s.

Maybe in heaven you did get everything that brought you joy. Parker brought her a lot of joy. Happiness at times she felt like she didn’t deserve.

Am I floating?

“Soni-love, please look at me.”

“Is she in shock?” Another asked.

“I would be if there had been that many spiders crawling on me.” Someone else threw in.

It’s a strange conversation for celestial beings to be having.

“Sonya Watson Hayden, I love you. Do you hear me? I love you.” Strong fingers caressed her face.

Taking a deep breath her lungs filled with icy air. Trusting what she was hearing and feeling, believing that she’d either be meeting Peter at the Pearly Gates or she was rescued.

Slowly she opened her eyes and stared into the most spectacular view she’d forever be grateful to see—Parker’s light brown eyes and pearl white smile.

“Why are you crying?” her voice was hoarse to her own ears.

“Because I love you, wife.” Two tears fell from his eyes and landed on her face.

Her arm felt stiff and heavy as she reached up out of the box and stroked his face. “Did you get all your friends?”

“Yea, sweetheart, there are no more spiders.” He pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed the center of her palm.

“Then I love you too.”

He chuckled as he lifted her gently from the box into her arms. “Good because you’re stuck with me for life.”

“A spring vow renewal. Just perfect.” Karen said standing inside the tent that had been set up at the fair end of the Queen Metropolitan Museum botanical garden.

Sonya smiled at her friend, the only one still single among their college group of girlfriends. “Thanks. This place is special to Parker and I so we had to wait until all the flowers were in bloom.”

“And for someone to be able to fit into her bridesmaid’s dress. Veronica, a mother of two, was holding Paula, Charmagne’s newborn girl.

Tiffany had the twin brother, Anthony, making cooing sounds at him. The children had been named after the Pastor McKinley and his wife. The spiritual couple had played a part in all of their weddings and had been solace each of them in different ways during college. They had even honored Sonya’s request and driven down to perform their renewal ceremony.

“Trust me. I wanted to fit into the dress as well.” Charmagne glided her hand over the blush, knee-length, and sleeveless chiffon dress with a charmeuse sash.

“Your father’s outside when you’re ready, Sonya,” said Josephine, who married her long-time boyfriend, Ruben, over New Years.

“Tell him I will be right out.” Sonya received her tiara from Charmagne and placed it on her head accentuated by the waves that were held high and tight on top of her head.

Standing, she held her arms out to her friends. Her dress was an ivory long version of Charmagne’s. “How do I look?”

“Like a woman in lo-ve.” Karen’s voice wavered.

Shocked, everyone turned to look at their friend that was tough as nails when it came to love, romance and long-term commitment.

“What? I have a right to get a little emotional every now and then.” Karen sniffed then stuck her tongue out at them.

They all filed out. Charmagne was the last to leave after she handed her bouquet of red roses.

Taking a deep breath, she allowed herself to bask in all the joy and love of the day before stepping out of the tent.

“Daughter, you take my breath away.” Her father stood leaning on a cane three inches taller than her. It had been so long since he stood by her, she’d forgotten he was almost Parkers height. His pale face had a healthy flush to it and his eyes were clear of substance’s haze and held brightness in them.

“You make a striking figure yourself, Dad.” Over the last five months, her dad had not only gone through treatment but committed himself to physical therapy as well. Before her was a new man, one she hadn’t seen since the year after her mother left. There was no sorrow in her heart at her mother’s absence. Her dad, friends, and her in-laws, and especially Parker gave her enough love to live on for the rest of her life.

“I believe there is a man in this garden waiting on his bride.” Her father held his elbow out to her.

Slipping her fingers around his forearms, she meandered through the garden at his pace—slow and steady.

When they arrived at the white satin runner that led to the white rose decorated trellis where the Pastor McKinley stood with the groom and Charles his best man, Sonya began to tremble. She was marrying Parker, again.  Love had found them and this time she would hold on tight to it.

On Christmas day Parker had presented her with a large box. It had taken her almost ten minutes to get the gift open, because every time she opened one, there was a smaller wrapped on inside of it. Until she’d finally got to the last palm-sized box. When she opened it and saw the gorgeous rings. They were two matching African
sapele
wood rings that were inlayed in black ceramic. When she had glanced over at him by the tree he was on his knees.

“Marry me, again, Soni-love. I never want to be a part from you again.” He began to tell her how she’d been his rescuer when he was sick and delirious in his rattan in Daintree and how he’d envisioned her. He’d said that when he finally came out of the fever and illness he knew he was meant to find her and be with her again. When he returned to the states he’d found out about the grant for the museum department and had reached out to every connection he had to get the position so he could get the position where he knew his love was. Just for a hope of a chance.

She’d been so overwhelmed with emotions, she couldn’t answer him. Getting up from the couch she’d gone to the tree and removed the gift she had finally figured out for him.

“Open it, please.” She’d chocked out.

When he opened it, he stood up quickly and pulled her into his arms for a long, deep kiss as the shredded papers from their divorce petition fluttered from the box and cascaded around them.

Months later, the feeling of completeness had not left her heart.

Once she arrived at the altar and her dad handed her over to Parker she turned and kissed her father on the cheek and whispered, “I’m so proud you’re my dad.”

Erwin Watson’s eyes were filled with tears as he nodded and backed away to take a seat among the fifty guests gathered. Parker’s parents, his sister Jessie, her husband and children sat on the front row of the opposite side all smiles.  There were each of her girlfriends and their families, as well as other friends and staff members from both her and Parkers departments.

“Hello, beautiful.” Parker whispered.

“Hi, handsome.” This man before her was her life in so many ways. He hadn’t given up on them. Even his odd love for creepy crawly things had saved her life.

Pastor McKinley started the ceremony talking about hope and renewed love. After they exchanged their vows before family and friends Parker pulled her close and kissed her sealing their union for the second and final time.

“I love you, Sonya Watson.” He confessed once the kiss ended.

“Don’t you mean Sonya Watson-Hayden?”