Ransomed Dreams (12 page)

Mrs. Byrd muttered as she continued her amble down the hall. “Americans do not speak proper Queen’s English.”

Victoria giggled.

Maria smiled. She hoped beyond logic that no harm would come to Victoria Kensington. During Secret Service protection or ever. The little girl’s family had already endured so much. One day, Maria wanted a little girl who handled life’s trials with similar spunk.

A little girl with Steven Kessler’s eyes.

Maria dismissed that crazy thought and walked hand in hand with Victoria. She’d seen the spark between Gracie and Steven. That meant hands off.

“FBI on deck, Maria.”

She wished body mic traffic could be squelched. David Adams must have sought revenge for her earlier comments by sharing inflated stories of her pleasant conversations with Steven.

Maria fingered the ivory rosary in her suit pocket while Victoria pleaded her swimming pool case to her mum. Had her
grandmother’s gift kept her safe during her past six years with the Service? Having listened to Agent Rollins, she doubted that. But like Agent Parker, she questioned the relevance of organized religion.

Victoria continued to employ every sugar-and-spice word she could muster. Maria couldn’t help but grin.

“Very well, poppet. I’ll join you for a swim.” Lady Kensington hadn’t looked old before Olivia disappeared. Now she looked more like a grandmother than a fortysomething former debutante. A week of sleepless nights had altered that forever. Her blond hair remained pulled back into a plain brown clip, and her high cheekbones hinted at the woman’s staunch refusal to eat.

“I wish Livvie could.” Victoria scratched at the wooden floor with her tan sandal.

Lady Kensington straightened her white poet’s blouse and blue skirt. Then she collected her daughter in a tear-filled embrace.

Maria felt the familiar stirring in her heart. Surely this ordeal would end soon. For Victoria’s sake. And Olivia’s. Lady Kensington’s as well. Maria wanted to see the perpetrators strung up and Olivia safely in her parents’ arms.

Movement outside caught her attention. Michael, Steven, and Clint—the Crimes Against Children superstars—slammed the doors of Steven’s Explorer and left in a rush.

That had to mean a viable lead. She hoped beyond hope it meant Olivia’s fast return. Alive. Everyone involved with the Kensington task force needed another dose of good news to go along with Jordan’s safe return.

Victoria most of all.

Steven had to see the park again. Had to find something. Anything.

No news in two days could mean their kidnapper had
returned to his games. He could demand more money. Inflict more harm.

Or they’d never hear from him or see Olivia again.

“Steven, the ERT has scoured the park already.” Clint nodded toward the backseat. “This is not a wise time expenditure.”

Michael’s key-clicking stilled. “Better than babysitting an irate diplomat.” His tapping resumed. “Besides, I’m breezing through my list of donkeywork as we go.”

“This perp isn’t worried about being caught, but he could have left a tell. Something. Every criminal makes a mistake at some point.” Steven drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, willing the stoplight from red to green.

“The fresh air will be good for us.” Michael was starting to sound like Aunt Bee from Mayberry. The rookie needed time off as badly as everyone else did.

“You’re grasping at straws, bud.”

Steven took a deep breath. “I need a lead, Clint. Now.” Sleep deprivation and adrenaline forced him into action. James stayed busy with Dad and Sue, so Steven had nothing to do but focus on Olivia’s case. Sleep escaped him when he tried to rest. Better to keep moving. Outrun the specters of guilt.

Clint looked out the window. “If we spend an hour there, will you quit and go home?”

“Maybe. Depends on what we find.”

Michael slapped his notebook computer shut. “The words are swimming. I need a break.”

“Got a date this weekend, Parker?”

Steven shot a glance at his partner. Clint smiled and shrugged.

“Nope. Thought about asking Maria Grivens out, but she’s pretty straight-laced from what I hear. I think sleep is in order tonight.”

“So Steven’s one up on you this weekend. He has a date. With Gracie Lang.”

Michael whistled long and low. “I saw the Secret Service
background check. I’d skip sleep for her too.”

Steven clenched his jaw. “Want to take my place?”

“Nothing doing, partner. You need this time away. And you’ll go if I have to hog-tie you and deliver you to Gracie’s porch myself.”

Michael snickered. “I’d pay to see that.”

“Whatever.”

Steven turned right into Memorial Hill Park. Little kids filled the play area and runners took advantage of paved sidewalks and less intense morning temperatures. Parking at the head of a familiar-looking trail, he faced Clint. “I’ll go out on this date tonight on one condition.”

“I’m all ears.” Clint’s grin creased his eyes.

“You don’t breathe a word about guilt, God, or forgiving myself for being too late.” No way could his best friend manage that demand.

“Deal.”

Michael and Clint exited the Explorer.

Steven followed. “Just like that?” He joined Michael and Clint in swapping dress shoes for hiking boots, waiting in the charged silence for an answer.

“I accepted your proposition. Wanna spit shake on it?”

Steven shook his head. “You’re just going to use other words, aren’t you?”

Michael started down the hill, shaking his head.

“You’re a man of your word, Steven. So am I.” Clint pointed to the woods. “Time’s a-wastin’. You’ve got a hot date to prep for.”

A sweat-filled hour later, Steven kicked a dilapidated table near a clearing on the northwest side of the park. The HRT report confirmed that this was the drop site. Always one step behind. That had to change. He moved toward the road forming part of the park’s west border and hopped over the stream.

Clint joined him and looked up the steep hill. “Looks like your hunch is on the money No way he could have managed this himself. Had to have a car drop him off and meet him in a
prearranged scheme.” Clint pointed into the thick greenery of ancient trees and full bushes. “He hiked in a good ways. Hard to believe that coming from a busy road with two bound teenagers no one noticed.”

“Too few people pay attention to what’s happening beyond their noses.”

Clint grabbed his shoulder. “Let it go, Steven. Even Maxwell said you did everything by the book and did it well. Jordan’s home.”

“Ryan’s not. Neither is Olivia.”

His partner exhaled a deep breath. “Compartmentalizing isn’t effective for everything. At some point you have to deal with the emotions or you’ll explode.”

“It didn’t used to affect me like this. Maybe I should think about retirement.” Steven kicked a rock at his feet.

“Not you. Not now.” Clint turned toward their entry route. “Go back to the basics, partner. Talk to your dad. He’ll say what I promised I wouldn’t. Maybe you’ll listen.”

“Maybe.”

“You know my deal ends tomorrow.” Clint slapped him on the shoulder and then ventured back into the dense forest.

Steven would deal with his best friend and his father another day. Another month, if he could hold them off that long.

He followed Clint and stepped over logs as they made their way back to his SUV in silence. He could talk to a trauma counselor again like his unit chief had mentioned yesterday.

Not yet. For now, he only needed to bring Olivia home. Once that happened, life might return to “normal.”

And he could go back to pushing papers like a good coordinator.

S
teven doubted his sanity for agreeing to follow through on this date.

But a hot shower, a quick nap, and a game of checkers with James had helped ease the transition into the normal world. Where normal people went on dates all the time.

Michael did almost every week. His little sister, Hanna, dated some. Even Clint and Sara. And James had wiggled with excitement all afternoon at the thought of Steven going out with his new teacher. The teacher that his son talked about nonstop, day after day.

Steven reknotted his tie while he went over the evening routine with his dad and stepmom, pacing his hardwood foyer as he flipped the yellow silk. “Okay. The fridge is stocked, James’s bath things are laid out, and his pajamas are on his bed.”

The oriental vase Sue had given him, filled with vibrant pink roses from her garden, shook as he walked past.

Steven startled as Dad draped an arm over his shoulders and held him still. He was a younger clone of his dad, who had always been his hero. Steven envied the joy and peace his father wore like a comfortable baseball cap.

“Everything will be fine, son. You need this break, and we’ve packed our bags to stay overnight. That way James can stay in his own bed and you can stay out late.”

“We’ll see. Dad.”

“Clint’s a good man to push you out of your self-imposed monastic lifestyle.”

Dad’s intense gaze said he Wanted to say more. Most likely that he would be praying.

Steven turned away to retrieve his coat from the coatrack by the stairs.

Sue came over and placed both hands on his chest. A good six inches shorter than he and his father, she held her own in the Kessler family, ruling the roost with her Southern charm. “Hanna said to tease you for her. And I know your mom would have made you laugh with a story of your high school antics. I missed that fun, but I know you’re a catch if there ever was one. Relax, honey. Gracie will be blessed just getting to know you; I’m sure of it.”

The reminder of his mom felt bittersweet. Over the last eight years, few days had passed when he hadn’t wished she’d survived her battle with cancer. But then Sue had stepped into their lives five years ago and honored his mother’s memory while pushing them all forward.

Steven reached down and engulfed his stepmom in a bear hug. “Thanks. Mom would have loved you.”

His dad’s strong hand rested on his shoulder again.

Steven checked his watch. Time to go. He turned to call up the stairs. “Hey, little man, I’m off. Can I get a good-night hug before I head out?”

Thundering through the hallway and skipping stairs, James jumped into his waiting arms, all smiles. Steven felt human again in his son’s hug. The weight of the world and his kidnapping investigation faded a little.

But only a little.

James handed him a card made out of yellow construction paper. “This is for Mrs. Lang. It’s her favorite color. Will you give it to her?” His son took a quick breath. “Are you going to be out all night. Dad? Are you going to kiss Mrs. Lang? Will she be my real mommy?”

Pain like a glass shard in his heart nailed his tongue down.

No one moved.

“I think you should kiss her.” James folded his arms across his chest. “That’s what the big kids at the park said everyone does. Maybe then Mrs. Lang will come live with us faster.”

Steven forced a smile and put James down. He’d talk to his dad later about a better choice of playmates and ask when the mom talk had started. “Well, regardless of what some people say I’m not about to kiss Mrs. Lang tonight. Gentlemen don’t kiss on the first date.” He ruffled his son’s sandy brown hair.

Not that I don’t miss it
.

But distractions like that didn’t fit into his life anymore.

“All right, James, let your dad get going. I’m sure he doesn’t want to be late.” Sue scooped up her grandson and gave him a hug. “You’ve sure taught him how to be honest, haven’t you, Steven?” She laughed while shooing him out the door.

Like it or not, the time for his date was upon him.

Gracie changed clothes for the third time.

She was back to the outfit her sister had suggested in the first place. She studied her dark blue cocktail dress in the full-length mirror and frowned. Then sighed. Giggling with Beth later would be worth a little sucked-in tummy strain.

“I can’t believe I’m doing this, Jake. But it’ll be good for me. A step into the future.”

He continued to stare at her in silence.

Gracie clasped the gold locket around her neck. Then Jake scrambled off the bed and down the stairs, barking at the door.

Steven was here.

Grabbing her matching satin clutch, she steadied herself and moseyed to the door. No use looking like an overeager teen. She took a deep breath and smiled before opening the front door.

According to Steven’s appreciative eyes, she had chosen the right dress for the evening.

“Hello, Gracie. You look stunning.”

“Thank you.” What to do next escaped her.

Jake pushed past her and jumped up on Steven’s chest.

“Oh, Jake, get down!” She grabbed his collar, pulling him away With a stern pointed finger. Gracie directed him to his dog bed in the den where he went, tail tucked. “Sorry about that. He’s not used to many visitors.”

“Not a problem.” Steven brushed off his suit coat. “He’s a great-looking golden. Lots of fun too, I imagine.”

As she ushered Steven inside, he extended a small bouquet of roses—one yellow and one red nestled in greenery and tied with a lace bow. And a yellow card. “These are for you.”

The flowers’ sweet smell made her sigh.

Steven followed her down the front hall. “The yellow flower and card are from James. He said they looked like sunshine and you would like that.”

“Thank you. He’s right.” Gracie motioned for Steven to have a seat in the den. “I’ll go find a vase and leave myself a note to send James a thank-you card.”

Gracie flipped open a few kitchen cabinets looking for a crystal vase and then fiddled with the flowers, watching Steven the entire time. Jake crept over to the couch and nuzzled his offered hand. In turn, Steven rubbed the dog’s soft honey coat and glanced around the room.

The den, with its periwinkle walls, lace curtains, and rich oak furniture, was her favorite place to curl up and read. Strange that the approving look from a relative stranger caused the tap dance in her belly to intensify.

Steven stood and scanned the built-in bookshelves by the fireplace packed with a menagerie of eclectic books. She followed his gaze to the adjoining wall where he studied a Ron DiCianni painting of an angel watching over a child in a dark forest. The brass plate below read, “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.”