The Devil Wore Sneakers (23 page)

Chapter 33

March 29

Lucy looked out at the street from her apartment. Parked cars lined both sides of the road in front of the Mad Moose for the prayer vigil. A yellow glow shone through the stained-glass windows of the church next door. They’d held Gramps’s funeral there.

Tonight, the pews would be full for Ali. Lucy ran a hand over the black dress she’d worn for Ryan’s burial and now for the missing girl.

“Ready?” Liam appeared in the open doorway.

His blue button-down shirt was visible under his unbuttoned leather jacket. The shirt was his one nod to dressing up. As usual, he had on his jeans, but the man could wear rags and look hot.

She hugged her arms to her chest. “I can’t shake the feeling we’re going to a funeral.”

“The speeches tonight should encourage people to search and not give up.” Liam stepped closer. “Chip’s waiting downstairs for us.”

He held her fleece jacket while she shrugged into it. He squeezed her shoulder, reassuring her that she wasn’t alone. From his place next to the sofa, Target gnawed on a rawhide.

“Thanks for the dog bone, and you didn’t have to buy him another collar. Though the blue and yellow are appropriate for his spring wardrobe. He’ll be the envy of all the dogs in Barley.”

“He needs to keep busy while we’re gone, and he should have a new collar for the season coming up.” Liam held the door for her as they exited the apartment.

At the bottom of the steps, Chip, dressed in black jeans, watched them descend. Gray cuffs emerged from under his jean jacket. His blond hair was side parted and smeared with a shiny product.

Outside, he stuffed his hands into his pockets and walked between them. “Most people are afraid Ali’s dead. It’s kinda weird praying she’ll come home. What do you think, Lucy?”

How could she answer without appearing as if she’d given up hope? “Each person has to follow their own beliefs, but the town coming together will support Ali’s parents.”

At the corner, they waited for the cars, trolling for parking spots, to pass by them.

“There’s Ali’s ex-boyfriend, Tate Johnson.” Chip inclined his head to the six-foot, sandy-haired teen wearing a jacket with the blue and gold colors of Barley High School. “The guy’s a big football player. He and Ali broke up a couple of weeks ago.”

Liam strained to find the end of the line of vehicles passing in front of them. “What do the kids say about him and Ali? And don’t make me regret asking you.”

Chip cocked his head to one side. “Ali dropped Tate for an older guy, who most likely was the derelict who kidnaped her.”

Lucy exchanged a knowing glance with Liam.

“C’mon.” He led them across the street.

Chip held his palms up by his sides. “I wonder if he’s here.”

“I hope not.” Lucy frowned. “The idea of a kidnaper sitting with the congregation gives me chills.”

“Long line,” Liam said as they reached the end of the queue filtering inside the church.

Lucy spotted Clarissa and another young woman at the top of the steps. Clarissa wore black high heels and a short ebony dress with a matching jacket. At the bottom of the stairs, Hank and Bella were waiting for the doors to open.

“There’s my sister ahead of us with her friends.” Chip pointed to a group of teens. “We should sit with her.”

“You join them,” Liam said. “We old folks will stay here.”

“Catch ya later.” Chip left the line and joined a group of teens.

Now she and Liam were alone in the middle of the crowd. She should say something positive, but every thought sounded like a false hope.

“Excuse me.” Chief Sullivan stepped in front of them.

What was he doing here, Lucy wondered.

“We need to speak. Step aside, please, McAllister,” he ordered and inclined his head to the curb.

“We’re attending a vigil,” Liam spoke through clenched teeth, refusing to budge.

“This is police business.”

Sullivan’s gruff voice revved up her apprehension.

“Go ahead, Liam. I’ll wait for you.” She moved to the side of the queue.

Liam’s mouth tightened, but he and Sullivan walked across the street and stood on the corner. Lucy studied the chief. The way he crowded Liam and locked his gaze on his face sent uneasy quivers through her. People began to flow inside. Some glanced at her and then at Sullivan and Liam, but kept moving in silence.

For the first time, Lucy became aware of how many cruisers were on the street. Uniformed officers stood in groups as though waiting for a riot to break out. Her fear for Liam notched a degree higher. Sullivan handed Liam a paper.

Was it an arrest warrant? The chief was going to take Liam into custody. No! She broke into a run. “Liam.”

“What?” He met her as she stepped onto the walkway in front of the Moose. He searched her face. “Did you see someone?”

“Me? No.” Ahead on the sidewalk, Sullivan was walking away from them. Relief filtered through her. “What did he say?”

“Our chief gave me a search warrant.” Liam held up a folded white sheet of paper, his features hardening. “They’re going through the shed, the Dumpster, and the bar, taking my electronics, et cetera, et cetera, and searching for a .38 Special.”

As if on cue, uniformed officers moved into the Mad Moose.

“Go ahead into the church, Luce. I’ll hang here for a while.”

“I’ll stay with you.” She folded her arms. An intense dislike for the chief bit into her.

“No, go into the church. You should show support for Ali’s parents. Besides, Sullivan and his men will keep me out of their way, but I need to be near the Moose. You’re better off with everyone at the vigil.”

“Target is upstairs.”

“They won’t hurt him, and you can’t stand around in the cold waiting for me.”

She gave it one more try. “Why don’t you come with me for a few minutes to pay your respects? We’ll stay in the back, and you can slip out when you’re ready.”

“I can’t. If you don’t go soon, you won’t find a seat. Lucy, please. Go where you’re safe.”

“You make it hard to refuse.” She sighed and walked across the street to join the end of the line. Her stomach churned with nerves. As she was about to enter, she glanced toward the bar.

Liam stood in front of his sign. He raised a hand to her and disappeared into his business.

* * *

Lucy entered the prayer vigil. The pews were full. The scent of colognes and perfumes mixed with the odor of a closed building and melting wax. The overflow of men, women, and a few children leaned against the walls. They threw her curious glances as she walked in.

Father Francis stood behind a pulpit on the altar. The clunk of the doors banging shut announced they were ready to start. Someone nudged her and handed her a candle.

Random thoughts whirled through her mind. Father Francis had warned her Liam would be arrested. What evidence did Sullivan expect to gather? Did Liam still have the gun his friend had given him?

The congregation bent their heads while the priest prayed. She pushed away from the wall and shoved the oak door open. The cool air hit her.

“Lucy.” Bella, seated on the bottom step, swiveled around to her. “Are you leaving already?”

“I can’t stay. The police force is searching the Mad Moose.”

“For Ali?”

“No.” Lucy shook her head. “Ali’s not hiding at the Moose. I don’t know what they think they’ll find. Why are you outside? Didn’t you go in with Hank?”

“I went out the side door. I didn’t feel well.” Dark smudges under her eyes emphasized her pale face, and in her navy dress, her form seemed thinner than it had the day Lucy first met her.

“You should wear a jacket. You’ll freeze out here. Would you like me to walk you home?”

“I’ll wait for Hank.” She drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them.

Lucy sat down next to the young woman. “Bella, the other day when you told me about talking to Ryan, Hank interrupted us. What were you going to tell me?”

The girl rocked back and forth. “I don’t remember.” She went still. “Hank doesn’t want me to talk about my visits with Ryan. He gets angry. Father Francis wants me to attend counseling. I don’t like when Hank is mad, and I don’t like therapy. That means I can’t talk about Ryan.”

“I understand it’s hard, but—”

The door swung open and Hank appeared. He frowned when his gaze fell on them. “You okay, Bella?”

She swiveled toward him. “I’m better. Lucy doesn’t like the prayer vigil either.”

“Bella. It’s too cold to sit on the steps.” He held his hand out to her. “Come inside.”

Bella rose. “Good bye, Lucy. I will pray for Ali.”

When she reached the top step, Hank put his arm around her shoulders. “Why don’t you come, too, Lucy? You can join us.”

She shook her head. “The police are searching the Moose. I’m going to watch.” And maybe find Liam. “I’ll be fine. The cop on the sidewalk has his sights on me.” She pointed at the bar and grill.

The officer waved back.

“Good luck.” Hank guided Bella into the church.

The uneasy feeling Bella always stirred in Lucy mixed with her fear for Liam. Lucy jumped up and trudged toward the Moose. Two cruisers were parked in front, and two blocked Liam’s truck.

The upstairs blinds were drawn and revealed nothing. As she arrived at the main entry, an officer exited and told her to stop.

“Officer Gary? Last time we met was near Squawking Geese when we found Ali’s phone. You’re everywhere.”

“I’m doing my job, Miss Watson. Sorry, you can’t enter. Police business.”

“Lucy!” Gage stood in the doorway of his office and motioned for her to join him.

She ran across the road and ducked inside.

“This way.” Gage wove around tables and shelves of secondhand collectibles. His sneakers slapped against the concrete floor until he reached the window.

He gave her a folded chair. “I thought you’d be at the vigil.” He eased into a seat by his desk.

“I left.” She sat facing the street. “Thank you for the ticket. You didn’t need to give me anything.”

“You saved my business, and that’s the same as saving my life. Liam understands. He feels the same about the Moose.” He pointed outdoors. “Is that a computer the cop is carrying?”

She watched the officer carry the desktop computer to the crime scene truck. “I’m afraid it is.”

Gage dug a piece of cloth out of his pocket, wiped his hands, and gave her a weak grin. “Sorry, habit. I like to make sure I didn’t miss a spot of grease. How’s the praying going at the church? I wanted to go, but couldn’t leave the garage.”

“Father Francis hadn’t begun yet.” She leaned closer to the glass. “Have they taken much out?”

“So far, the computer is all I’ve seen. What will they do with that? Take it apart to look for drugs, like on TV?”

“I’m not sure. Maybe go through Liam’s emails.” If she had to guess, they’d confiscate anything that supported the belief that he’d killed her brother.

“While you’re here…” He sorted through a table of knickknacks and then handed her a key chain with something dangling from the ring. A mini flashlight?

“It’s for you.”

“Thanks, Gage. I can take the Moose key off the cord, and I appreciate the light.”

“It’s a mini stun gun and runs on batteries. It’s charged and ready.”

“Oh.” She’d never expected such a gift. “I’m sure it could be useful.” If she was attacked by ants, but he meant well.

“Don’t let the size fool you. You can slow down any attacker, big or small, with that sucker.”

“Slow might be good.”

The man settled in his chair. “I’ve never seen a police search.” He took out his cloth and wiped his hands twice more before turning to Lucy. “Liam’s in a lot of trouble. He’s going to need help.”

In the front window, Sullivan and Liam were arguing. “Yes, he is. A lot.”

Chapter 34

The police left, and the afternoon slid into evening. Liam tried to be patient and answered all the questions about the search from his patrons and employees, but he finally excused himself to work in his office. He settled at his desk to go through the weekly paperwork. The folders from the former owner, as well as his own, were piled in front of him. His ordering for the month was on his confiscated computer, but somewhere he must have receipts. He searched the drawer and slammed it shut. Sullivan had refused to let him print his forms before absconding with his electronics.

A knock interrupted his musings. The door opened, and Target ran inside with Lucy behind him. Liam’s spirits lifted an inch.

“Sadie’s fixing you a burger for supper.”

“Tell her thanks, but I’m not hungry.” He yanked open another drawer. He had hard copies of orders, didn’t he?

“Liam.” She braced a hand on the edge of the desktop. The kitchen odors of turkey and coffee clung to her. “People want to help you.” She bit her lip and frowned. “I mean, you’re not alone.”

The distress in her voice was clear. He would have taken her hands and pulled her closer if he weren’t experiencing this desperate sensation of drowning. Taking her down with him was the last thing he’d ever do. He ran a palm over his face. If only he could just wish away this day. Today his world had nosedived into paper hell.