Chasing Shadows (10 page)

She deliberately knocked against him. “I thought you were going to take me to see Grams?”

He glanced up at her. “I am. Right now.” He turned back to Charles. “Your wife thought it would be best if Kris explained the situation to Sadie. We're going there now, and we'll return before the bodyguard arrives.”

Charles's gaze jumped between the two. More speculation entered his gaze. “Hmm. Well, as long as Meredith has agreed.”

Gabe felt Kris straighten. One glance at her face told him that she was going to let loose some retort about not needing anyone's permission. Abruptly, Gabe stood
and put his hand to the small of her back. “If you'll excuse us, Charles.”

The corner of his mouth tipped in amusement. “Of course. I know my daughter is in good hands. We'll see you both back here in a few hours.”

Guiding Kris out of the house, Gabe could feel anger simmering in Kris's blood.

“My, you two became quite cozy,” she jabbed as she slid into his vehicle.

“We have a common interest,” he replied and started the engine.

She crossed her arms over her chest and stared out the passenger window as he drove through the city.

“Look, I know you don't like this situation, but it can't be helped. Staying at your parents' is the logical and most practical solution.”

“I know,” she said and sighed. She turned to face him. “It's just they treat me as though I'm still a kid. I hate it.”

“Granted, they can be overbearing, but they do it because they love you. Besides, to them you are a kid. Their kid. That's never going to change. But you're in control of how you react. Which in turn might help change how they treat you.”

She narrowed her gaze. “How I react?”

He flipped on the windshield wipers to combat the falling snow. “Instead of getting upset, reason with them. Explain how you feel.”

Her lips curled upward. “You sound like my therapist. I know, logically, occasionally we all revert to our childhood roles when we're with our parents. But when
I get in the same room with them, all that head knowledge deserts me and I just…react.”

His lips twitched. She did that with him, as well. “So I noticed.”

She gave him a sharp glance. “Does your mother treat you like a kid?”

“No.”

“You're blessed then.”

He glanced at her. Not exactly. “When it comes to my mother, I'm the grown-up and she's the kid.”

Kris didn't know what to say. He'd never really talked about his childhood. Pretty much all she'd gotten out of him years ago was that he didn't know who his father was. “Has it always been just you and your mom?”

He made a noise deep in his throat. “No. There've been a lot of potential fathers in and out of my life. My mom has been chasing love since…well, forever. She doesn't live in reality.”

Thinking back to his comment that love didn't exist, she said, “You really don't believe in love?”

“No.”

Sadness filled her. Sadness for her and Gabe's past, which apparently had been doomed from the beginning. She could now see that. And sadness that a future together wasn't possible. “And you don't believe God exists?”

He frowned. “I never said that.”

“But you'd said you didn't believe in Him.”

With a sidelong glance, he replied, “Totally different.”

“How?”

“I know He exists. But believing that He cares about
me?
No. No way.”

Her heart ached to think Gabe felt unloved by God. “Why would you think that?”

“You don't grow up the way I did and believe some supreme being cares about you. Especially now, after years on the job. I just think God helps a select few and the rest He's turned His back on.”

His words were sharp barbs to her soul. The God she knew, the God of the Bible, wasn't like that. How had Gabe come to such a bleak outlook? She could only imagine the horrors he'd seen as a police officer, but his animosity went further back. Barely able to keep her tears of sorrow for the bitterness in his voice at bay, she managed to say, “How
did
you grow up? You've told me so little about your past.”

“Doesn't matter.”

“Does to me. You matter to me,” she confessed even as heat flushed up her neck.

The wounded, wary expression in his eyes as he studied her had her holding up a hand to ward off his words. “I know. I know. You don't believe in love and I shouldn't fall in love with you again. Believe me, I have every word dialed in already.”

He returned his gaze to the road ahead. His hands gripped and regripped the steering wheel. “Good to know.”

The tone of his voice was odd, a strange mix of resignation and yearning. Not letting her curiosity be sidetracked, she moved forward with her quest to find out exactly what made him believe God had abandoned him. Because there had to be a way to convince him otherwise. “Please, tell me about your childhood.”

“Seriously, there's nothing to tell. No big traumatic
incident, no abuse. No nothing. Just a single mom more interested in the fantasy of love than in her son.”

“You must have felt very alone.”

He brought the car to a halt in a parking spot outside Miller's Rest. He shifted to face her, his expression hard yet so painfully vulnerable. “Yes. It made me feel very alone. I have always been alone and will always be alone. Now, enough psychoanalyzing me. Let's go tell Sadie about the bodyguard.”

Kris's heart ached for him as she followed him from the car.
Please, Lord, help me to make him see how much You love him.

They found Sadie in her room in bed.

“Grams? Grams, are you awake?”

Sadie stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. “Oh, Krissy. I'm so tired today.”

Kris shot a worried glance at Gabe. “This isn't normal.”

“I'll find a nurse,” he said and left the room.

Kris took Sadie's hand. Her skin felt clammy and cold. Kris touched her wrist to Sadie's forehead to determine if her grandmother had a fever.

“Grams, do you feel sick? Nauseous? Pain?”

Sadie shook her head. “No, dear. Just sleepy.”

A red-haired nurse wearing green scrubs hurried in with Gabe on her heels. Kris moved aside to allow the nurse to check her grandmother's vitals with the stethoscope she removed from around her neck. Gabe stepped closer and put his hand low on Kris's back. She leaned into him, appreciating his support.

After a moment the nurse straightened, her gaze kind.
“She seems to be fine. Her temperature is a little low. Does she have another blanket?”

Kris found a thick fleece blanket in the closet and spread it over Sadie.

“It's okay for her to rest, if she feels the need,” the nurse assured her.

Kris gave the woman a wan smile. Okay, maybe she'd worried unnecessarily, but with all that had happened, who could blame her? “Thank you for checking her,” she said as the nurse left the apartment.

“Are you all right?” Gabe asked Kris, his tone reflecting concern.

She shrugged. “I guess I'm still a little shaken by what happened earlier.”

“That's understandable.” He gave her a quick hug. “I need to speak with the director. Why don't you explain what's going on to Sadie,” Gabe suggested before he, too, left the room.

Missing his arm around her, Kris sat on the edge of Sadie's bed. Her grandmother looked so fragile lying there tucked beneath her covers. Her eyes had closed again. “Grams?”

Sadie opened her eyes. “Krissy, you're still here.”

“Yes, I'm still here. I have something I need to tell you.”

“Yes, dear?”

She hesitated, unsure where to begin or how much to reveal. Her mother's request that she at least offer their home to Sadie played in Kris's mind. “Grams, with all that's been going on, would you be willing to move to Mom and Dad's house?”

A small frown appeared between Sadie's eyebrows. “Why? Your mother doesn't want me there.”

Her heart squeezed tight. “Yes, she does. Mom really does love you, Grams.”

Sadie gazed at her patiently. “I know that. But she shouldn't have to care for me. I don't want to burden her like that.”

“Oh, Grams, you're not a burden. No one thinks that. We just want you to be safe and well cared for.”

“They take good care of me here.”

Kris thought of Sadie's suspicions of the center's staff mere days ago. “We want you with us.”

“Us?”

“I'm staying at Mom and Dad's for a few days.”

“Why? I thought you liked your apartment.”

“I do.” Taking a deep breath and slowly letting it out, Kris knew she'd have to tell her the truth. “Grams, we think you might be in danger here. Someone doesn't want us to find the missing residents.” Kris stopped short of telling Sadie about the shooting. “I'm worried they'll hurt you in the process. So Mom and Dad are going to hire a bodyguard for you until you can move into their house.”

“Missing residents? Bodyguard?”

Kris's stomach squeezed tight. “Carl, Lena, Denise.”

Sadie stared blankly at her for a moment. Kris's shoulders sagged with distress. Then Sadie's eyes widened. “Right. My friends. They're missing. Krissy, we have to do something. Call the FBI or something.”

A measure of relief tingled through her. At least Sadie remembered her missing friends, if not the past
few days. Maybe with prompting her memory would come back. “Gabe is helping us. Remember? He's a police officer.”

A soft smile spread over Sadie's face. “Gabe. Such a nice young man. A keeper, that one.”

A stab of longing hit Kris. Not a keeper for Kris.
I've always been alone and will always be alone.
His words ran through her mind like the teletype at the bottom of the TV news screen. Over and over again. Leaving no room for any argument.

The memory of their kiss rose to taunt her.

Surely there was hope that one day…She pushed away the thought. One kiss wasn't enough to build a dream on.

Only heartache lay in that direction. She couldn't change his mind. He'd made it clear love and God were not going to be a part of his world. Neither would she be after his job was done.

Yet she held out hope that God would one day win him over. Nothing was impossible for God.

For herself, however, there was no hope for a future with Gabe.

A
knock on the door snagged Kris's attention away from her depressing thoughts. “Come in.”

Mrs. Tipple entered the apartment. Today she wore a flowing long skirt and a soft tunic-style sweater. Her silver hair was unbound and hanging down her back. Kris hoped she'd still have a sense of style when she reached the older woman's age.

“Oh, excuse me. I didn't realize Sadie had a visitor. How are you, Kristina?”

“Well, thank you.” She glanced at Sadie; her eyes had closed again and her breathing evened out. “Grams is resting.”

“So I see.” Mrs. Tipple smiled. “In that case, would you care for a cup of tea?”

A thought occurred to Kris. Though she'd already asked the woman about Denise Jamesen, maybe Mrs. Tipple might have some information on Carl Remming and Lena Street. It couldn't hurt to ask because Mrs. Tipple seemed to socialize with all the residents. “Tea would be great.” Just in case her grandmother could hear her, she said, “I'll be back in a bit, Grams.”

Kris followed Mrs. Tipple down the hall toward the independent living wing where the older woman's apartment was located. Mrs. Tipple chatted about the various residents as they went, pointing to each door with the nameplate and apartment number posted on the wall. Outside of each apartment were small shelves that the residents used as a porch of sorts. Some had potted plants or stuffed animals as cheery decor.

Toward the end of the hall a woman stepped out of an apartment. Kris recognized Vivian Kirk. Beside her Mrs. Tipple stiffened.

“Evelyn, I just peeked in to see if you were around,” Vivian said with a broad smile as they approached.

“As you can see I'm not at home,” Mrs. Tipple stated in a voice full of censure.

Belatedly, Kris realized the nameplate next to the door read Mrs. Evelyn Tipple. The term
nosey neighbor
came to mind.

“True.” Vivian reached out to take Kris's hand in hers. “Hello, Kristina. How is your grandmother today?”

“A little under the weather.”

Vivian's mouth turned down in an exaggerated frown. “Oh, that's too bad.” She released her hand and cleared her expression. “I'll stop by to see her later.”

“I'm sure she'd appreciate that,” Kris replied. These ladies were very friendly. Maybe a bit too much?

“You were looking for me, Viv?” Evelyn reminded.

“Yes. I wanted to see if you were up for a game of tennis.”

Kris stared at the elderly ladies. “Tennis?” The
weather outside was bitterly cold, not to mention the ground was covered with snow.

Vivian's eyes twinkled. “On the Wii in the game room.”

“Ah.” Now that made more sense.

“Ruth was supposed to play but she isn't feeling well today, either. There must be a bug going around, which isn't surprising considering the recirculated air.”

“Thank you for asking, but Kristina and I were about to have a cup of tea. Care to join us?”

“You're too kind,” Vivian said and then shook her head. “But no, thank you. Though, Evelyn dear, you are looking a bit dry today.” To Kris, Vivian said, “Must keep hydrated in this forced, central-heated air.”

Evelyn made an indelicate snort. “I'll keep that in mind.”

Vivian flashed another smile. “I'll go rustle up another tennis partner. Maybe old George will take the challenge.” She ambled down the hall and disappeared around the corner.

“She's a lively one,” Kris commented.

“Yes, that she is. She's only fifty-seven, you know.” Evelyn sighed. “To be that young again…”

Evelyn opened her apartment door and led the way inside. The small one-bedroom unit was decorated in soft pastels with watercolor prints on the walls, lace doilies adorning the antique-looking furniture and fresh flowers on every available surface.

“Your place is beautiful,” Kris commented as she took a seat at the small, round dining table by the window that overlooked the courtyard.

“Thank you. I like it,” Evelyn replied while setting
the teakettle to boil. Since Mrs. Tipple wasn't in the assisted living section of the center, her apartment was equipped with a functioning kitchen.

From a cupboard she brought down one of several glass jars full of loose tea leaves. She made a little tsking noise.

“Something wrong?” Kris asked.

“No. Just my memory. I keep leaving a filled tea ball in the jar.” She dangled the filled mesh ball from the crook of her finger for a moment before setting the ball in a porcelain teapot. “I hope you don't mind lemongrass. I find it soothing.”

Clueless about teas, Kris smiled. “Anything you choose will be fine.” Though she'd have preferred some coffee for a little pick-me-up.

The kettle whistled. Evelyn filled the teapot with the steaming liquid. “We'll need to let it steep for a few moments,” she said and sat down across from Kris.

Deciding to dive in with her questions, Kris asked, “Do you remember Carl Remming ever mentioning his vacation plans?”

Mrs. Tipple's eyebrows twitched. “No, can't say that I do. I know he's been gone for a while. He must like wherever he went.” She smiled sweetly.

“What about Lena Street? She's supposedly on vacation, as well.”

“Really?” Evelyn busied herself pouring tea into the small, delicate china cup in front of Kris. “I didn't know either of them well.”

Something niggled at the back of Kris's memory. Something Sadie had said. Maybe the stress had more impact on memory than age. Great. Kris picked up her
cup and sipped the hot liquid. The earthy flavor was pleasant and soothing as it went down.

Evelyn rose. “I think I have some scones left from yesterday. I use a diabetic recipe, hope you won't mind. I'll warm us up a couple.”

“I didn't realize you were diabetic,” Kris commented as she watched the fluid way the older woman bustled about her kitchen.

“You know as we age…” Evelyn let the sentiment hang in the air.

Kris nodded in understanding. So much changed as one grew older. Bodies failing, minds going. One day she'd be the elderly one. She could only pray that she'd have grandchildren to visit with. To believe her if she said people were disappearing. But first she'd have to find a husband.

Gabe's face popped into her mind. And she willed the image away. No point in fantasizing about something that wasn't going to happen.

While Evelyn reheated the scones, Kris sipped her tea and turned her thoughts to what her grandmother had said about the missing people. They had been there one day and gone the next. No goodbye, no nothing. Gabe had looked at their rooms and found nothing to suggest foul play, which had to indicate they had left of their own accord. But Kris couldn't remember if he'd said their suitcases were missing. She'd have to remember to ask him.

“Here we go,” Evelyn announced as she settled a plate of two fluffy blueberry scones on the table.

“Thank you,” Kris said and reached for a scone. She took a bite, expecting the scone to be dry and flavorless because of the dietary restrictions associated with
diabetes, but the pastry was actually very tasty. Halfway through, though, her appetite deserted her as her stomache cramped. She put a hand over her abdomen.

“Are you all right? You're suddenly so pale,” Evelyn observed.

Kris smiled even though her nausea surged and her chest tightened, causing her breathing to become a bit labored. “I don't feel so good. I think I should get back to Sadie.” She stood, holding on to the back of the chair as the room tilted. A wave of heat swept over her and her body began to tingle. When the world righted, she moved toward the door. “Thank you for the tea and scone.”

“Would you like to take the rest of your scone with you?”

Not really, but she didn't want to be impolite.

“That would be great.”

Evelyn wrapped the pastry in a napkin and handed it to Kris. “I sure hope you don't have the bug that's going around.”

“Me, too. I'm sorry to leave so abruptly.”

Evelyn opened the door. “Not a problem. I've been fighting a queasy stomach myself lately. I hope you feel better soon.”

Kris rushed out of the apartment and fled to Sadie's studio, feeling sicker by the second. Once inside, she deposited the scone on the table and hurried to the bathroom, where she promptly threw up. Once her stomach was empty and the dry heaves subsided, she rinsed her mouth and brushed some of Sadie's mint toothpaste across her teeth. Her lungs still hurt but her breath
ing had eased up. Had her breakfast turned bad? Or was her stomach upset due to the residual panic from earlier?

She said a quick prayer of healing before exiting the bathroom.

She found Gabe standing beside a still-sleeping Sadie. He turned and his expression grew concerned. “Whoa. You okay?”

Great, she must look as bad as she felt. “I just got sick,” she explained and moved to sit in the rocker by the window. Her legs felt shaky and her mouth dry. “Would you get me a glass of water?”

“Of course,” he said and went to the small sink. “Cups?”

“Cupboard to the right of the sink.”

A second later, Gabe handed her a short glassful of cool water, which she gratefully drank. The liquid soothed her parched throat.

Gabe squatted down beside her, concern alight in the emerald depths of his eyes. “Should I get the nurse?”

She shook her head. “I don't think that's necessary. One of the residents mentioned a bug going around.”

Looking unconvinced, he brushed back a strand of hair.

“Besides, it could just be stress. It's not like I was shot at or anything,” she joked with a pointed look toward the bulky bandage beneath the sleeve of his suit jacket.

He rolled his eyes. “I just had a conference call with your father, Ms. Faust and Trent Associates. They are sending one of their people over right now, a woman by the name of Gina Tomes. I had Angie run her credentials. They checked out.” He glanced at his wristwatch. “She should be here anytime now. She'll be posing as
a full-time nurse for Sadie. Ms. Faust wasn't too pleased, but she really has no choice.”

Relieved, Kris said, “That's good they can send someone so soon. Can we stay until she gets here?”

“Of course.”

Her gaze strayed from his gorgeous eyes to her grandmother's sleeping form on the bed. “I know the nurse said Grams is okay but this is so unlike her to be sleeping during the day like this.”

“But you did say Sadie wasn't sleeping well at night. Maybe the lack of sleep finally caught up with her? And she could have the crud that's going around.”

Definitely a reasonable explanation, one she'd have to accept. For now.

To distract herself from Sadie, Kris asked, “Did you search the missing residents' rooms?”

“Angie did. She didn't find anything to suggest foul play. Lack of suitcases and empty hangers gave credence to Ms. Faust's vacation story.”

“Did she ever give you their itineraries?”

He snorted. “As Ms. Faust repeated several times, this isn't a prison. Other than each resident making arrangements for their bills to be paid, not one left a number where they could be reached.”

“So Ms. Faust really doesn't know what happened to the residents?”

With a shrug, he said, “Appears so.”

A soft knock sounded at the door.

Gabe moved to open the door and admitted a stunning African-American woman, wearing a green nurse's smock over her dark pants and black turtleneck. Slung
over her shoulder was a big, leather bag with balls of yarn and knitting needles poking out the top. Her long dark hair was swept back and held at the nape of her neck by a gold clip. Beneath her smock Kris detected a bulge that she guessed meant the woman was carrying a weapon.

“You must be Gina,” Gabe said and stuck out his hand. “I'm Detective Burke.”

“Glad to meet you,” Gina said in a smooth voice.

Kris stood and met the woman's gaze. Gina's sharp, intelligent eyes assessed her. Kris held out her hand. “I'm Kris.”

Gina took her hand, her touch warm and steady. “Hello, Kris. You won't have to worry while I'm here. I'll take good care of your grandmother.”

Kris believed her. “Thank you.”

Gina released Kris's hand. “I've been brought up to speed on the case,” she told Gabe. “Another operative should be at the Worthington home by now.”

“Good. Thank you.” He handed her a business card. “If you need anything.”

She pocketed the card. “Will do.”

Gabe turned to Kris and held out his hand. “You ready?”

Her gaze bounced to Sadie even as her mind told her to trust that all would be well. God had Sadie in His care. “I suppose.”