Mindfield (Sideways Eight Book 1) (10 page)

Chapter 10

Big Yellow Twinkie

Great Falls, VA – Heritage Hall Estates – Legacy Drive

Wednesday – April 13 - 5:13 PM

The heat from the late afternoon sun radiated through Charley’s windshield as she entered the crime scene. The usual mass of law enforcement vehicles sprinkled the landscape. Several yards away, she spotted Murphy’s truck. She eased the Volkswagen behind it, parked, and left the vehicle.

She scanned the area buzzing with police and emergency vehicles lining both sides of the treeless street. Built during the mid-1980s, most of the modest homes were single-story, with brick or stone facades. Front porches and double car garages upped the prices enough to consider it middle class.

Murphy approached her. “Doobie’s over there.”

Her eyes followed his finger to where Doobie stood, jotting in a small flip-top notepad. “Let’s head over, find out what’s happening.”

As they trotted across the street, Doobie turned and waved. “Over here.”

Charley noted the bus stop sign next to him. “Hey, Doobie.”

“Evidence is sparse. We found her bracelet in the front yard of the corner house where Olivia turned to walk home. So far that’s it.”

“Who verified the bracelet belongs to Olivia?” Murphy said.

“Fleming. He spoke with her mother, Celeste Ingram,” Doobie said. “She confirmed it’s her daughter’s. She’s a mess.”

“Who saw the child last?” Charley said.

“Erin Stokes, a friend of hers. She and Olivia are the only children who use this stop.”

“Did you talk to her?” Murphy said.

“Yes, but, she’s twelve. We couldn’t pry much out of her. I want you to talk to the little girl.” Doobie slid his hand over his salt and pepper hair. “You two did well with Justin.”

“We’ll interview her.”

“How far away from Olivia’s house was the bracelet found?” Charley said.

“About two hundred yards.”

“Any idea at what point she vanished?” Murphy said.

“Kinda, we used the dogs. They lost her scent in the grass next to the sidewalk where a forensic tech found the bracelet.”

“Perhaps she lost it due to a scuffle?” Charley said. “No one heard her scream, nothing?”

“Charley, you don’t understand kids and their behavior leaving the bus. The hellions scream all the way home. It’s normal. Doubtful anyone would be alarmed by a child yelling after leaving the bus.”

“You’re right. I did the same as a kid. Walk me through the scenario.”

“Olivia left the bus with Erin. They walked north on the sidewalk toward the Ingram home.” Doobie indicated west. “Erin lives in the two-story house with the stone front and tan siding. She said Olivia turned left at the end of the street toward her home. No one saw her afterwards. Heritage Hall Circle is a cul-de-sac. Olivia is the only child who lives in the circle. A handful of residents were home.”

“Others verified Olivia was on the bus?” Charley said.

“We spoke with the bus driver. He told us all buses are equipped with cams. Olivia is on the video sitting with Erin Stokes two rows behind him.”

Charley glanced at Murphy. “I want to talk with Mrs. Ingram first and afterwards Erin Stokes.”

“Okay,” Murphy said. “Let’s take the same route as Erin and Olivia.”

“Sounds good. We’ll talk later, Doobie.”

Charley and Murphy strode north on the sidewalk, stopping in front of Erin’s home.

She viewed the perimeter. “The two girls stopped and talked here, then said their goodbyes. The rest of the students were already home.”

“It’s warm for April. Cooped up all day at school, most kids eat their snack, grab a drink, and go play.” Murphy directed his hand toward the intersection. “Many will head to the playground.”

“Heritage Park.”

Fleming and other forensic techs were busy searching for physical evidence. Residents stood on their front lawns or peeked out the windows. Curiosity, fear, and concern marked their faces. Law enforcement controlled the entrance into the community, patrolling on foot and in vehicles.

They reached the intersection of Heritage Hall Circle and Legacy Drive, Olivia’s last known whereabouts. They turned left and continued to the cul-de-sac.

Charley identified the evidence marker for the bracelet nestled in the grass about twelve inches from the curb. “Let’s figure out on which wrist she wore the bracelet. Let’s say she wore it on the left, unaware the clasp broke. I’ve lost several that way.”

“My mom complains about that too, even with necklaces, regardless of how expensive they are.”

She stood, staring at the evidence marker. “No kidding. I buy chains long enough to slip over my head, I glue the clasp.”

“Necklace.” He pointed at her chest. “You wear it every day.”

Charley shrugged. “So.”

“It’s unusual, a crescent moon with two kids sitting on the edge, holding hands.”

“You’re observant.” She clasped the charm between her fingers. “Let’s continue. If she wore the bracelet on the left wrist, and the assailant was on her right, he wouldn’t reach in front of her to grab her left hand. If behind her, he would be left-handed.”

“How do you figure?”

Charley scooted behind him to demonstrate. “This is assuming Olivia wore the bracelet on her left wrist and he was behind her. The abductor would extend his dominant hand. If left-handed, he would grab her left hand. If right-handed he would grab her right hand.”

Murphy turned to face her using his hands to exhibit. “If he was in front of her, his left, Olivia’s right, his right, her left. If he’s left-handed that could eliminate right-handed suspects.”

“It’s a minor detail. I’m left-handed, but I eat and shoot with my right, so it’s not exact, but it gives us something when we interview and interrogate.”

“Ten percent of the world’s population is left-handed.”

“And thirty percent of us are mixed.”

“You mean ambidextrous.”

“Nope, a misconception.” Charley held out her hands as if balancing something. “A person who is ambidextrous uses the right and left hand equally for any task. Mixed handedness is cross-dominance, where one hand is more efficient than the other with certain motor skills.”

Murphy tilted his head. “Humph, I learned something new. Thanks, so, if he didn’t wear gloves, and he touched the bracelet his DNA will be present.”

“Let’s hope. Fleming will run the DNA results through the databases.”

They approached the Ingram home, one of the few two-story homes in the neighborhood. Narrow and tall, the house had tan vinyl siding and a multi-colored brick face. The porch extended the length of the house with white railing. They trotted up the driveway and turned right onto the concrete sidewalk leading to the steps. At the desert tan front door, she tapped his arm with the back of her hand. “You know the drill.”

IDs out, she rang the doorbell.

The door opened. A tall, thin woman stood before them. Her umber eyes were teary, red, and swollen. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “May I help you?”

“Are you Mrs. Ingram, Olivia’s mother?” Charley said.

Mrs. Ingram dotted her eyes with a tissue. “Yes. Who are you?”

Charley showed her ID. “We’re Agents Faraday and Murphy with the FBI. We understand this a difficult time for you. Would you give us permission to examine Olivia’s room? A child’s room is their sanctuary. It could give us clues and help with the investigation.”

Mrs. Ingram opened the door, waving them into her home. “Her room is upstairs, first door on the left.”

“You’re welcome to join us.” Charley’s eyes sped around the modest home, noticing the sparse furnishings.

“If I need to join you, I will.”

“May we talk first?” Murphy said.

Mrs. Ingram wrung her hands. “Yes. Let’s sit in the living room.”

They followed Mrs. Ingram. She sat on the sofa, while Charley and Murphy remained standing.

Charley removed her voice recorder from her pocket. “Do you mind if I record our conversation?”

“It’s fine with me. Have a seat.” She tossed the spent tissue in a small wastebasket next to the sofa.

“We’ll wait for Mr. Ingram,” Murphy said. “We need to speak to him, too.”

Mrs. Ingram lowered her head. “He isn’t here.”

“Where is he?”

She sniffed and choked. “It’s not any of your business where he is.”

Charley glanced at Murphy, then at Mrs. Ingram. Her voice softened, “Mrs. Ingram, where is he?”

She lowered her head and tears wet her cheeks. “He’s divorcing me.”

“His daughter is missing. He should be here.” Murphy sat next to her. “I would be.”

“You don’t understand.” She wiped her nose with the end of her blue chambray shirt.

“Help us understand. How long ago did you two separate?”

“Two months.” She folded her trembling hands in her lap.

“Does Olivia know?”

“She didn’t until last week.” Mrs. Ingram wiped her eyes. “I told her Roger was away on business. Olivia’s no dummy. She confronted me a few days later.”

“She sensed your stress.” Charley took a step closer.

“Olivia is a sensitive child. She has a knack for reading others.”

“We need to talk to him. Any idea where he is?” Murphy said.

Mrs. Ingram’s expression hardened into a hateful scowl. “Fucking the girlfriend in his new apartment.”

Murphy’s shoulders stiffened as his eyebrows rose. He searched for Charley, standing to their right.

“Oh, snap,” Charley mumbled. “Is it possible he took Olivia?”

Mrs. Ingram shook her head. “No, I called his cell to tell him Olivia was missing. He told me to keep him informed. I guess I should tell you, Olivia isn’t his natural daughter.”

Charley glanced at the chair across from them. She sat on the edge of the cushion. With her elbows on her knees, she rubbed her face before crossing her arms over her thighs. “Mrs. Ingram, you’re calm. In such a dreadful situation I don’t believe I’d be able to keep my composure.”

“I’m not an excitable person, introverted. I hold everything inside.”

“Since Olivia isn’t Mr. Ingram’s daughter is this your second marriage?”

“No, teenage pregnancy. I had Olivia at seventeen. Roger and I met in college, married after graduation.”

“He adopted Olivia?” Murphy said.

“Yes, but he told me it was out of obligation.”

“You’re saying he doesn’t love Olivia?” Charley said.

Mrs. Ingram gazed over the room. “Looking back he never loved her.”

Charley tilted her head. “Was Olivia afraid of Mr. Ingram?”

“Afraid? No. Why?”

“Is it possible Olivia ran away?”

“No, she wouldn’t. She’s a scaredy cat.”

“Is it possible Olivia left with her birth father?”

“No, he’s never seen her. After I told him I was pregnant I never saw him again.”

“He’s local?” Murphy said.

“No, I’m not from here. None of us are.”

“You’re from where?”

“Jacksonville, Florida. Olivia’s biological father was in the Navy. I don’t know where he is. I haven’t seen him since I told him.”

“How old was he?” Charley said.

“He was…” Mrs. Ingram massaged the bridge of her nose. “Twenty-two?”

Charley glanced at Murphy with disapproval. “What’s his name?”

“Matthew Gunderson, he was a lieutenant. It’s been thirteen years.”

“He walked away from you and Olivia?” Charley said.

“Yes.” Ms. Ingram lowered her head. “He had little choice… he was married.”

Charley and Murphy’s eyes met.

“Is it possible Gunderson took her?” Charley said.

Mrs. Ingram shook her head.

“This complicates the situation,” Murphy said. “We’ll investigate the possibility one of them did.”

“I understand.”

“Did Olivia know about her birth father?”

“I told her last week. It’s time she knew the truth.”

“How did she respond?”

“Better than I thought. Olivia isn’t excitable. She’s the calmest kid on Earth.”

“She wasn’t angry, or blaming you, or anything?” Charley said.

“No, she rarely puts herself first.” Without warning tears reappeared on her cheeks. Mrs. Ingram grabbed Murphy’s hand with both of hers. In an emotional outburst, she threw her arms around his shoulders. “Are you married? Do you have children?”

Wide-eyed, peering over her shoulder, he searched for Charley. His hands didn’t touch the distraught woman. As she clung to him, Charley signaled to Murphy, showing how he should comfort Mrs. Ingram by patting her shoulder.

Murphy tapped Mrs. Ingram’s back. His eyes focused on Charley as if to ask for help or forgiveness, Charley wasn’t sure which. She gave him an accepting nod.

“No, ma’am, to both questions,” he said.