Innocence Taken (10 page)

Her knuckles were blanched from holding the cup too tight. She relaxed them. “I'm fine. I just want to get this over with, that's all."

She rose to her feet, picked up the bill that had been delivered without her realizing it, and paid it. The men followed. Westerly was not pleased with her paying, but she was certain he'd get over it. She walked to the police car and waited. Spangle fished his keys out of his pocket and opened the trunk. A brown paper bag lay tucked among the items stored in its depths.. He brought it out and handed it to Nature. She looked inside. She smiled. A Taco Bell chihuahua looked back.

"Her mother gave that to me. She said it was the one thing she loved best."

The smile vanished. Spangle shuffled his feet. Westerly watched traffic flow past the Denny's. Nature knew it was time, time to go to the house.

"Can you take me there, now? To where the girl was last seen?"

"Do you want to ride in my car?"

"No!” The word was venomous. She could not bear the thought of riding in a car where criminals rode. Seeing Spangles face, she regretted her tone. “Sorry, I didn't mean it like that."

Spangle nodded his head in understanding. “Hey, it gets to the best of us sometimes.” He shut the trunk and walked around the vehicle. He stopped next to the door and said, “Follow me,” and got in.

Nature crumpled the bag closed. She wasn't ready, not until she got to their destination. Westerly held her door open, then moved to his once she was settled in her seat.. They followed the police car north, toward Titusville.. A small airport with several small planes soaring above it was off to the left when the police car put on its turn signal.

Hidden in a group of trees was a quaint little house. It looked like it was built in the sixties. The walls were white, the trim a soft blue. Flowers bloomed in pots on either side of the porch. It looked cozy. Spangle pulled his car to the right of the dirt driveway, allowing the camper to pull straight in. All three got out and walked to the front door. Spangle knocked. No one answered. He tried the door. It opened. He knew it would be. While driving to the house, he had used his cell phone and instructed the family to leave before they arrived. He had also told them to leave the door unlocked. He stepped back, indicating for Nature to go in first.

She walked in. The smell of potpourri filled it, causing her to imagine a field of wildflowers. The house was spotless. She waited for Deputy Spangle to show her where to go.. He guided her to the back right corner of the house. The room was small. Posters of Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom covered the walls. The covers on the bed had pictures of
The Lord of the Rings
on it. It reminded her of a child's room, not a teenager's. She looked questioningly at the officer.

"She was mentally challenged. Her age may have been twenty, but her thought process was that of a seven year old."

She returned her attention to the room. She was glad the parents were gone. If the news was bad, she didn't want a repeat of Mrs.. Mosby's actions. She removed her gloves and put them in a pocket. Stepping to the bed, she sat down. Westerly had the bag. He opened it for her. She reached in and removed the toy. She held it close.

The girl washed through her. “Her mother called her Sunshine, even though her name was Alice, because her face lit up when she smiled.” Natured stretched out. She closed her eyes. She lost herself in the girl, lost herself to whatever happened the last day she was seen.

Alice was up early. She liked to get up before anyone else; it allowed her to feel like a big girl. She delighted in watching the birds through the back door during the quiet time. Today, a blue jay sat on a branch, twisting its head all around. Alice imitated it, the smile her mother loved so much covering her face. She heard a noise behind her. She saw it was her mother.

"Sunshine, I have to go to the store. Want to come?"

"Nope. I want to watch the pretty birds.” She pointed out the window to the blue jay.

"I don't really want to leave you here alone."

"But Mo-o-o-m-m-m. Please? I'm a big girl now. You said so. I can take care of myself."

"Yes, you are a big girl now. If I leave you here, will you promise to stay in the house and not open the door to strangers?"

Alice nodded her head up and down rapidly. She returned her attention to the window, nose pushed up against the glass.

The mother smiled. She picked up her keys and purse. She would not be gone long. The store was right up the road. And, it was too early for anyone to stop by. She'd be home before then. As she moved toward the front door, she said, “Remember ... don't open the door to strangers."

Alice ignored her. Her whole attention was on the feathery creatures outside. Opening the door, mom locked it and shut it tight behind her. Almost immediately, the sound of the car was lost with the rest of the morning traffic. Sunshine stayed where she was. A matter of minutes later, a loud knock on the door caused her to look away. She walked toward the front and peeked out one of the side windows. A man stood there. She smiled. She opened the door. The man wasn't a stranger.

"Hi Alice, is your mom here?"

"Nope. She went to the store."

"Whatcha doing?"

"Looking at the birds, wanna see?” She grabbed the big hand and pulled the man to the back window. When she looked out, the birds were gone. “Ahhh, no more birds."

The man wasn't looking out the window, he was looking at Alice. “I know where they went. Want me to take you there?” He licked his lips.

"Yeah!"

This time, the man took Alice's hand and led her to his car. He drove to a wildlife park a few miles away. It wasn't visited much. He knew this. It was perfect. He drove down the winding dirt road to a secluded site. He got out. He opened the girl's door and led her deeper into the woods. She followed willingly. She wasn't afraid, this wasn't a stranger.

Alice's attention was focused upward. She was trying to see the birds she heard behind the many leaves. She didn't pay attention to where they were going. He stopped and looked up with her. He moved next to her. He reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"This is a great spot, isn't it?"

"I don't see any birds.” She turned her body in all directions, trying to see everywhere at the same time.

"Maybe we should sit down. Maybe that will bring them out.” He sat down on a log. He patted his thigh, showing her where to sit.

She glanced up one more time before she sat down, pouting. “Stupid birds."

I have a worm we can show them. Want to see it?"

"Yeah. They like to eat worms.” She smiled.

The man got up and unbuckled his pants. He pulled them down. A large ugly thing that looked like a worm popped out. She gawked at it; it was huge. She had never seen a worm that big before. She thought it was strange that it was attached to his skin. It looked like it was growing out of his body.

"Wow."

The man smiled. “Have you ever tasted a worm Alice?"

She shook her head no, never taking her eyes off it.

"You can. You can make sure it is clean for the birds."

He guided her in front of him, making her kneel. He pulled her mouth to the worm. He grabbed her hair, tugging her head close to his body, then back. She gagged on the worm. It was too big. It went down her throat. It tasted nasty. She tried to pull away. He prevented it. He forced the nasty thing down her throat again and again. She started to cry.

Suddenly, he stopped and knelt in front of her. He hugged her close, soothing her. He kissed her face all over. His hands moved to her breasts. He squeezed them. She didn't understand. Why was he doing this? All she wanted to do was watch birds, not play with worms. He laid her on the ground. She felt her skirt hike up. She felt him reach into her underwear. She felt his fingers rub her. She grabbed his hand to make him stop. He continued. He no longer smiled.

She whimpered. He slapped her. She cried out. He slapped her again. He ripped her underwear off and threw them into the trees. He lay on top of her. He spread her legs. He moved the worm close to her pee-pee. He shoved it inside. She cried out in pain. He covered her mouth with his hand.

She had never felt pain like this. Tears ran from her eyes. She wished he would take his worm out. All he did was ram it in over and over. He grunted with each push. She hurt with each push. She wanted her mommy. She wanted the see the birds in her backyard. She did not want to see another worm again for the rest of her life.

In an instant, her world flipped over. She found herself face-first on the ground. The man put all his weight on her. She couldn't breathe. Every time she tried, dirt filled her mouth and nose. She felt her legs separate and his worm enter her pee-pee spot again. It hurt worse than before. She struggled. He was too heavy. He pressed on her head, keeping her toward the ground, preventing her from screaming. The grunting resumed. Breathing grew impossible to do. He didn't notice. He was lost in his thrusts. Her last thoughts were of her mother ... and the birds.

When the man finished, he realized Alice was dead. He didn't mean to kill her, it just happened. Scared, he dug a shallow pit and placed her body in it. He covered it with some leaves and twigs. He returned to his car and drove away. He never told the mother he had visited. He pretended to be shocked when told of the girl's disappearance. He convinced them. They never suspected him. He thought he was scot-free.

Nature found herself lying on the floor when she came around. She did not know how or when she got there. She was curled into a tight ball. Tears streamed down her cheeks. The floor was wet with them. She had been crying for some time. She was hugging the chihuahua toy close to her body. She heard movement in the room. She opened her eyes.

Westerly was getting to his feet. He squatted beside her when he realized she was awake. “It's not good, is it?"

Nature sat up, wiping the moisture off with the back of her hand. Westerly reached out to help her, she shrugged him off. She did not want anyone to lay hands on her, not right now. The session was too fresh. She was too raw. He stood up, his face resuming a professional appearance instead of the concerned one it had a moment ago. Spangle remained by the door. His arms were crossed in front of him. He did not look happy.

"She's dead,” she said.

"Did you see who did it?” Spangles hands moved to his gun belt. He gripped either side of the buckle firmly, his knuckles turning white.

She bowed her head. She wished he had been a stranger. Someone the girl had not known. Someone she would not have opened the door for. Instead, the man was a family member. He wasn't the one they sought, the one who had killed Rew.

"It was her uncle."

The faces of both men darkened. One because of who it was, the other because of who it wasn't.

"You're sure?” Westerly asked.

"I saw him. I saw what he did to her. He took her to a nearby wildlife park. He tricked her and used her horribly. He didn't mean to kill her.” She paused to take in a deep breath. She exhaled it between pursed lips. “He buried her in the park."

"Can you take me to it?” Deputy Spangle straightened.

"Yes ... it's not far."

This time, the camper led the way. Westerly followed her directions to the dirt road. He drove to where she saw the uncle stop. Spangle stopped behind them. She got out but refused to enter the woods. She pointed to where the men needed to go.

"Down that trail. You'll see her underwear close to a pile of fresh leaves. She's there.” Nature moved to the back of the camper. She opened the door. Unable to look at the men, she added, “I'll be here when you return.” She closed the door behind her.

Hours later, after the forensic people had gone, after the news people interviewed whoever would talk to them, after Spangle had departed, Westerly opened the camper and got in. Nature was lying on the bench, curled under a blanket.

"We found her where you said. She's been taken to the morgue.” He sat on the edge of the bench. “Spangle told me they arrested the uncle. He confessed. He may not have been the man we were after, but at least he won't be able to hurt another girl again.

Nature listened. She heard his words, yet they did not help. What she needed was a scalding hot shower. She missed her home. She missed Sandy.. She missed Brad. She felt her resolve give. The tears flooded from her. She reached up, causing the blanket to fall away. She pressed her clenched fists into her eyes. Westerly glanced over his shoulder. He saw her tears. He felt his heart rend. Ignoring caution, he scooped her up into his arms and hugged her close.

He didn't try to kiss her, he only held her tight. She didn't resist. She clutched his shirt, pinching the skin underneath. He said nothing. She sobbed like she hadn't done in a long time, not since Brad's death. Finally, after she had no more tears to shed, she calmed.

"Can we go home now?"

"Yes. If Spangle needs more information, he knows how to get hold of us."

"Can we stop at a music store?"

"Of course, anything you want.” He brushed her hair away from her face. “We have to go by the motel before we hit the road. We left our stuff there."

Pulling away, she rose to her feet. She stepped into the open air, its gentle breeze caressing her skin.. Stretching her arms wide, she began to spin. Westerly leaned against the camper, arms folded, and watched. He saw her face relax. She had returned to herself once the spinning was complete. He opened her door and shut it after she sat. He got in and drove the camper toward the motel. He looked forward to going home. He missed Montana with its wide-open spaces. He missed his quiet life.

When they pulled into the Best Western, they were surprised to see a police car. Spangle got out after they parked. He came up to the driver's side. He leaned onto the window frame. They could tell by the look on his face, he was not in a good mood. They never expected what he said.

"The police from Cocoa Beach just reported a missing person. A family was at a real estate agency, looking for a house. Their eighteen-year-old daughter became bored so she went to the beach. Several eyewitnesses remembered seeing her a short while later with a man. They don't remember seeing her after that.