Not by Sight (30 page)

“I ain’t lookin’ to make excuses. I took the girl ’cause she needed a pa. Anything else you read into it is your own doin’.”

“What did you do with Micah Cummings’s body?” Virgil said. “The kids told us you threatened to kill them and feed them to your pigs. Is that what you did with Micah?”

Isaiah stroked his beard. “Why does it matter? I took care o’ the body, like I promised the boy.”

Kevin lunged across the table and grabbed Isaiah’s arm. “It matters to the man’s wife and kids! You robbed them of two people they loved.”

“I ain’t talkin’ about it no more. Jay killed that Cummings fella. He’s the one you should hang it on. Not me!”

“All right. Let’s move on.” Virgil pulled the back of Kevin’s shirt until he sat down. “Talk about today. Did you threaten Jay? Let me remind you that four other people heard the conversation.”

“It could’ve sounded that way, I reckon.”

“You reckon?” Virgil said. “Didn’t you point a rifle at him and tell him that he should’ve left well enough alone and it was the last time he was going to give you grief?”

“Look, he run off with my daughter. I just wanted her back. The law says she ain’t mine, but my heart don’t agree. I raised her. I got feelin’s for her.”

“Oh, I see,” Kevin said sarcastically. “
Now
you care about Ella? Even though you threw her down a hole, threatened to kill her, and walked away?”

“I did no such thing!” Isaiah pushed back his chair and started to stand up.

“Sit down,” Virgil said. “Ella, Abby, and Jay all told us the same story.”

“They got their heads together and made it up.”

“When?” Virgil folded his hands on the table. “According to
you
, they grabbed Ella and took off, and you pursued them. When did they have time to concoct a story so perfect that every detail lines up? We’re talking two scared teens and a seven-year-old.”

“They’re smarter ’n you think. They ain’t tellin’ the truth.”

“Really?” Virgil said. “Because Ella’s bruises are consistent with the kind of fall she had
and
a hard slap in the face. Jay’s nose is broken, and his cuts and bruises are consistent with a heavy object—like a child’s body—falling on him and knocking him to the ground. The gash on Abby’s head required stitches and is totally consistent with her having been hit from behind—as she claims she was. Not only that, all three kids were severely dehydrated. There’s no way that happened in the time frame you claim. Your story doesn’t hold up.”

“Your doctors’ll say anything to take your side o’ this.”

“Okay. Explain the two phone calls you made to Abby. Jay heard you threaten her if she didn’t back off looking for Ella.”

Isaiah grinned. “I don’t own no telephone.”

“It was a prepaid cell phone, but it doesn’t matter. Jay recognized your voice.”

“The kid heard me talk one time—five years ago. You really think he could be sure of it?”

“
Otha
told us you planned to kill Abby, Jay,
and
Ella—and that’s why she waited until you were sloppin’ hogs, then let them go free.”

“The woman was gonna leave me and take my boys. She’ll say anything you want to git me put in jail.”

“Isaiah,” Virgil said, trying not to sound exasperated, “we can play this game all night if you want. Or you can ask for a lawyer. I really don’t care. We’re going to sift through every inch of your property until we have enough to nail you for the murder of Micah Cummings. But we’ve already got enough to put you away for kidnapping, child abuse and endangerment, and attempted murder. The testimony of Abby and Hawk Cummings, Jay Rogers, Ella, and Otha is enough to put you behind bars until you’re an old man. The best thing you can do for yourself is to plead guilty and explain yourself to the judge. He might give you less time in jail if you cooperate.”

“I ain’t admittin’ to what ain’t true!”

Virgil stood, never taking his eyes off Isaiah. “I have a feeling you’re going to change your mind.”

Chapter 32

Early Friday evening, Kate was on hold with the Division of Children and Family Services in Bentonville, waiting to speak to Riley Jo’s caseworker.

“DCFS. Who are you waiting for?”

“Stella Rhodes. This is Kate Cummings. I was told she’s handling my daughter’s case. I’ve been on hold for several minutes. Please don’t cut me off. I don’t want to start over.”

“What is your daughter’s name?”

“Riley Jo Cummings. Well, she may be listed as Ella Tutt. I’m not sure yet how she’s being referred to. She was kidnapped five years ago and was just rescued today. I want to speak with her caseworker.”

“Okay, I know the case. Please hold.”

Kate tapped her fingers on the kitchen table, resisting the urge to verbalize her irritation. She moved her gaze around the table, where her family had gathered. Why should she have to jump through hoops to find out about her own daughter?

“Hello, this is Stella Rhodes.”

“This is Kate Cummings. Did you get my message?”

“I did, Mrs. Cummings. Ella is fine. She’s been temporarily placed in foster care, pending the DNA results. As of this moment, we don’t have legal proof that she’s your daughter. Until then, I can’t really discuss the case.”

“When do you anticipate the results being in?” Kate said.

“Sheriff Granger pulled some strings, but we’re dealing with a weekend. I hope to know something by Tuesday afternoon. That probably feels slow to you, but it’s actually fast-tracking it.”

“I assume you’ve talked with Ella?”

“I have. She’s been through the mill. But all things considered, she seems quite resilient.”

“Does she know her biological mother wants to see her?”

Stella paused for several seconds. “To be honest, we’re avoiding the subject for now. We prefer not to add another layer to her already confusing circumstances until we have the DNA results. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“Is there any way I can see her? She wouldn’t have to know I could be her mother. I just want a glimpse of her.”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Cummings. But no. It’s best for Ella if we let the dust settle and do the DNA testing. If you are indeed her biological mother, I feel certain the judge will want to move as quickly as possible to release her to you.”

“Assuming the DNA test proves she’s my daughter, when can I see her?”

“I’ll need to talk with Ella and see how ready she is for such an encounter. She speaks fondly of your daughter Abby. They seem to have developed a bond through their ordeal. The judge will take that into careful consideration. It could certainly make Ella’s release happen faster.”

“Assuming it’s the best-case scenario, what kind of time frame would we be talking?”

“At best, two weeks,” Stella said. “But don’t count on it. We have a long way to go before that can happen. Ella will need to be examined by a pediatrician and a child psychologist. A lot of things can happen to slow down the system. You’ll need to have patience.”

“I’ve waited five years,” Kate said.

“I can only imagine the pain you’ve been through.” Stella spoke softly. “I remember when your husband and daughter disappeared. But we need to do this right. And my number-one concern has to be the child’s well-being.”

Kate sighed. “Of course. You’re right.”

“You’ll be notified as soon as we have the DNA results. And if she’s your daughter, I will make sure you’re apprised of her medical and psych evaluations.”

“I’m learning to hate the word
if
,” Kate said.

“I know this is difficult. But it won’t take long to know for sure whether this child is indeed Riley Jo. Personally, I’m hoping she is. I would much rather see her go home to her flesh-and-blood family, especially one that will love on her, than to have her spend years in the system while we try to find out who she is. Just keep in mind there’s more to making this work than merely establishing blood ties. Ella Tutt’s world just crumbled. We have to be sure she’s ready for a complete transition.”

Abby sat with Grandpa Buck on Angel View Pier, after watching the sun set on the most harrowing day she had ever spent. Neither of them had said two words for the past thirty minutes, but she felt very close to him in the silence.

Finally Grandpa said, “You know, honey, I owe you an apology.”

“Not really. I don’t blame you and Mama and Hawk for not believing me, Grandpa. It’s not like I haven’t been wrong before.”

“But you were right.”

Abby wanted to smile, but she didn’t have the strength. “Now we can stop wondering about the past and let it go.”

“I expect it’ll take a while.”

“I guess.” Abby splashed the water with her bare toes. “Mama seems so sad. I thought she’d be happy about Riley Jo.”

“She
is
,” Grandpa said. “But she just lost your daddy. And she hasn’t gotten over bein’ scared to death that she’d never see
you
again. I don’t think she’s really even processed that Riley Jo’s alive. She hasn’t seen her yet, like you have. Once she does, I expect some of the sadness she feels about your daddy’ll ease up.”

“I can’t believe what Isaiah did to him,” Abby said. “Poor daddy must’ve been so afraid for Riley Jo.”

“Micah was a hero. He died tryin’ to save his baby girl.” Grandpa took her hand. “Better not to dwell on it. You’ve been through quite an ordeal. How’re you feelin’?”

“Lost,” Abby said without thinking. “And found. It’s a weird feeling I can’t really explain. I mean, it was sad finding out that Daddy was murdered. But it’s a relief to be home and to realize Riley Jo will actually be with us soon.” She sighed. “I was so sure God would bring Daddy home. But we don’t even know where his remains are.”

“We know where his spirit is, honey. God did bring him home.”

Abby nodded. “I hadn’t thought of it that way. Mama sure won’t.”

“She might could come around. She loved the Lord before your daddy and Riley Jo disappeared.”

“Now she thinks everything spiritual is a crutch.”

“Aw, I don’t believe that,” Grandpa said. “She’s hurtin’, that’s all. Her life took a hard blow, but her pain’s been worse because she won’t let God comfort her. She has to let Him in on her own. No amount of pushin’ by other folks’ll get the job done.”

“Elliot’s tried.” Abby turned her head and looked up at her grandfather. “I can tell he likes Mama.”

“He’s been a good friend.”

“Do you think Mama likes
him
?”

“I don’t know. Up to now, your mother thought she was still married. Elliot certainly has respected that.”

“I kind of hope she
does
like Elliot,” Abby said. “He’s really nice. Maybe he can help Mama love God again. I want her to know that God was with me. He answered my prayers. Well … except for bringing Daddy home to Angel View. But like you said, Grandpa, He did bring Daddy home—to heaven.”

“Micah’s just fine. But it’s still mighty hard on those of us who miss him.”

Abby nodded. “It was so mean of Isaiah to let Jay think he killed a man and scare him into silence.”

“We’re gonna need to help Jay deal with it.” Grandpa took off his glasses and wiped them with his T-shirt. “I expect he’s got some powerful feelin’s he’s not sure what to do with.”

Abby nodded. “He was devastated when he realized the man he thought he killed was my father.”

“Jay showed real character when he owned up to it, not knowin’ how you’d react. I suppose if he’d gone to Virgil, things might be different. One thing’s for sure, God brought you home, safe and sound. And soon, Riley Jo will be with us.”

“You know what’s weird,” Abby said. “If her DNA doesn’t match, I’ll still feel the same way about her.”

A shrill whistle sliced through the stillness.

“That’s Mama’s referee whistle! Something’s wrong!” Abby jumped to her feet and pulled her grandfather up. “I don’t think I can handle anything else awful today.”

Grandpa didn’t let go of Abby’s hand and began to pray aloud. “Father, give us strength, whatever it is. Go before us. We pray in Jesus’s name.”

Abby slipped her sandals on, then she and Grandpa Buck hurried up the path to Angel View Lodge, passing several guests as they made their way up the incline. In five years, Mama had not used the whistle except for family drills. What could possibly be happening?

Chapter 33

Virgil sat on the porch glider, wearing a pair of denim cutoffs, his shirt unbuttoned, his mind unloading the weighty burdens of the day. He took a sip of ice-cold sweet tea, his gaze on the neighbor kids across the street, who were catching lightning bugs and putting them in jars. Their innocence was refreshing after a day of dealing with kids whose childhoods had been marred by tragedy.

After hours of Otha being questioned by Julie and Roberta, Virgil let her go home, convinced she was telling the truth and had acted as lawfully as she knew how—and at great personal risk. Virgil told her not to leave town, that it might be necessary to question her again.

Isaiah stubbornly denied that he was guilty of kidnapping, child abuse and endangerment,
or
attempted murder. But he was starting to back himself into a corner with inconsistencies. Abby, Jay, Otha, and Ella were totally consistent in their statements. It shouldn’t be hard to get a conviction on those charges. But nailing Isaiah for the murder of Micah Cummings would be dicey, especially without a body.