Innocence Taken (17 page)

Web glanced her way. “Whatcha thinking about over there?"

"Home. I miss Sandy."

"I never thought I'd say this, but I miss my job. It's quiet. No mass murderers, no girls missing, only little squabbles between people over fence lines, dogs crapping in yards and stupid shit like that..” He caressed her hand.

She no longer wore gloves around him. She felt his emotions as they ebbed through her. She smiled. He meant what he said about his job. It was nice to hear. Moreover, he truly loved her, but had yet to say so. To her that was okay, she had yet to say so too.

The mention of mass murderers brought the girls to the forethought of her mind. She shivered. She was glad to be away from so much pain, even if only for a little while. It would be wonderful to finally rest in a place she trusted, with people she cared for around her.

The hand in hers froze. She looked at Web. His eyes were focused on the side mirror. She glanced out hers. She groaned. Behind them was a police car. The lights on top were on. A short blast from the siren informed them to pull over. Web looked at her. He squeezed her hand. She squeezed his in return.

"Maybe it's nothing,” she said, hope in her eyes.

"Maybe."

Web pulled the camper to the side of the highway. They were about three and a half hours beyond Savannah. They were close to Atlanta. The police car pulled in behind them. The door opened and a trooper got out. He made his way to the driver door. He peeked inside before coming into full view of the occupants.

"Mrs. Kranderson? Mrs. Nature Kranderson?"

Nature leaned forward in her seat. “That's me. What can I do for you officer?"

"Please step out of the vehicle and come with me."

"What's going on?"

"Please ... just do as I ask."

"Can you at least answer her question?” Web said.

"All questions will be answered when we get to our destination. Please come with me."

The officer moved around the camper and opened her door. She glanced at Web nervously before getting out.

"What do you want me to do?” he asked the officer when the door was closed.

"Stay behind me."

"You bet I will,” he muttered as he watched Nature and the cop get into the car.

It pulled out onto I-75 with the lights still on and slowed to allow Westerly to catch up. The motor in the camper was good, but not as good as the one in the cruiser. The lights flicked off when he fell in behind it. Nature turned around and waved. He could barely make her out through the darkened windows. He waved back. He followed the car for just over an hour before the turn signal came on. They were exiting into Atlanta.

The cruiser turned right. Web turned. It went several blocks before turning left. He saw a square sign with a white H surrounded by a blue background. He wondered what was going on. They were heading for a hospital. The cruiser turned again. Web followed onto a street appropriate for the state. It was called Peachtree. When they stopped at another intersection, he could see the building. It was older but well maintained. It looked to be a small hospital, maybe 150 beds. Web was intrigued now. He wondered how Nature was holding out. She hated riding in police cars.

Web turned into the parking lot behind the cop. The car pulled into a spot marked for police. He didn't have that luxury. He had to go to the farthest corner before he found a spot. He opened the door and noticed a pair of gloves on the dash. He grabbed them. Nature would need them, especially here. He grimaced at the thought of her touching anything here.

He hurried back to the cruiser. Nature and the officer were waiting for him. Her arms were crossed in front of her. She gave him a look of gratitude when he handed her the gloves.

"I knew you'd need these."

She gave his hand a squeeze before inserting them inside the soft leather. “Thanks."

The trio started for the entrance. The nametag on the cop's shirt read North. He led the way.

"Have you found out anything?” Web asked.

"No. He was quiet during the entire ride. It was creepy.."

"Hey North, what's going on?"

The officer glanced back. “Please, just follow me. You'll understand soon enough."

The automatic doors slid open before them. They entered the air-conditioned lobby filled with seating for those waiting to register for tests. An older woman with a pink jacket sat at the information desk. She glanced up from her paper and smiled. When the trio walked past without stopping, she turned in her chair and watched them go. By the time they reached the elevators, she had returned her attention to the paper.

They rode up to the third floor. When the doors opened, the hall beyond glowed bright. Officer North stepped out first. He guided the other two toward the nurse's station. Another officer sat at the desk. He stood when they approached.

"Everything okay?” North asked.

"Nothing out of the ordinary. No visitors. All new staff checked out."

"Good.” He continued past the station. “This way please."

Nature followed the officer down the hall, Web right behind her. She felt a tingling in the air. It scared her. She hated hospitals. She avoided them with a passion. Too much death occurred in them. They were worse than any mode of public transportation. She kept her arms crossed in front. Even though she had the gloves on, she did not want to touch anything as she walked to their destination.

"You'll be all right. I'll see to that."

Web whispered encouragement after he watched her shoulders bunch. He knew she was frightened. He wanted to enfold her in his arms and protect her, but this was not the place. He needed to be professional here. She relaxed but only a tiny bit.

As they made their way down the hall, they noticed yet another officer sitting in front of a room. No other rooms around it were occupied. Both glanced at each other. Questions ran through their minds. It showed in their eyes, but they expressed none aloud. They knew the answers would come as soon as they walked through that door.

North stopped in front of the door. After a brief exchange with the officer guarding it, he said, “This way please.” He rapped on the wood and opened it for the pair following.

They walked into a dimly lit room. The officer inside rose to his feet. Another man in a suit moved away from the bed. He met Nature at the door. He did not extend a hand in greeting, even though he saw she had gloves on. He was aware of the woman's special abilities.

"Mrs. Kranderson, It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

She nodded her head in return. Her attention was drawn to the occupant of the bed. Darkness shrouded the person in it.. The closed drapes for the windows blocked the brightness from outside, and any prying eyes.

"Detective Franklin.” The man extended a hand to Web.

"Web Westerly, sheriff of Garfield County, Montana.” He shook the outstretched hand.

"Montana huh, long way from home. Glad to have you working with us."

"If you call not knowing a damn thing about what's going on working with you, then, I guess I'm doing a great job.” The sarcasm in his voice was thick.

Franklin arched an eyebrow at North. “You haven't told them anything?"

"I thought it best to discuss it here. No outside sources overhearing that way."

"Good thinking.” Returning his attention to the newcomers, he continued. “I'm sorry about the secrecy. Had to keep a tight lid on this one. Don't want the press getting involved and ruining any chance we have. That's why we used this smaller hospital instead of one of the bigger ones.

While the men talked, Nature ventured closer to the bed. She saw a slight form under the covers. The face was turned away from her, shrouded. When she was at the foot, she could make out the features of a girl in the darkness. Her heart raced. She felt her stomach roll. She did not want to go any closer, but knew she had to. The room went silent, all discussions stopped. They were watching her. She wasn't aware. She was focused on the person in the bed.

She inched her way forward. She grabbed the side rail to steady herself. When she reached the head, she took in a deep breath and held it, releasing it slowly. She steeled herself for what came next. Cupping the girls chin with her gloved hand, she turned the face toward her. She gasped. The face was one she never thought she'd see again, not alive at least. It was a face from a dream. More like a nightmare than a dream. She let go. She stumbled away from the bed. She whispered one word.

"Patricia."

It was the girl from Texas. The one taken from the beach. The one the man had tricked into getting inside his van. Somehow she had survived, had gotten away.

Nature looked at the detective. “How?"

"Not here. Let's go out."

Nature peered at the girl again. There had been no response when her face was touched. No movement of her arms, nothing that a person aware of their surroundings would do. She turned away and followed the men into the hallway.

When they were out of the room she asked, “What happened to her? How did she get away?"

The detective waved his hand for silence. The hallway had too many hospital staff in it going about their business of caring for the patients. They eyed the trio with keen interest, trying to find out what was going on inside the room. Only a handful was allowed to enter the room, and they were not talking. Mostly due to the fact that if they did, they would lose their job and be arrested on the spot. Because of the lack of tangible information, there was enough gossip flying around to satisfy the best of the busybody society members. He did not need to fuel the talk with anything that was discussed by the trio. He led them into an empty room located next to the occupied one, where the hospital staff could not overhear. He shut the door.

"What do you know of this girl?"

"Only that her name is Patricia and that she disappeared from Florida.. She was taken by a man driving a brown van."

"What can you tell me about this man?"

"Nothing. He stays shrouded. I can't see him.” Her shoulder fell.

Web moved closer, his presence a comfort. She smiled at him.

"We have the van."

Nature and Web jerked their heads toward the man speaking. They stared at him as if he had just threatened to strip naked and run down the hall. Both started talking at the same time.

"How did you..."

"What about..."

Web held up a hand, silencing Nature. “Is that where the girl was found?"

"It was. That van was full of things,” Franklin hesitated. He shuddered. “Things used to torture that girl. I have two daughters. The oldest is only ten.” He stopped, unable to continue, the pictures going through his head unnerving.

"Is that why she doesn't respond?” Nature asked.

"That's what the doctors say. They say she escaped the cruelty by disappearing into a safe world. A world where the man who took her doesn't exist. Now we have to find a way to let her know she can come back.” He looked at Nature, “I don't suppose you can do that?"

"I'm sorry. I can only see what happened by touching something."

"Damn, I was hoping she would come around with your help and identify her attacker.” Franklin brightened. “Maybe you can see the guy who did this. Maybe by touching the girl, she can be a better conduit, allowing you to see a better picture. Are you willing to try?"

It was Natures turn to shudder. She folded her arms across her chest, rubbing her upper arms as if she was trying to warm them. She looked at the detective. She looked at Web. She wanted to say no, to run out of the room, to not have to endure the feeling of the man as it went through her every fiber, but knew deep inside, she couldn't. She had to see if she could help Patricia ... and any other girl for that matter, by catching the killer. With a voice edged with dread, she said, “I'll try."

The three of them moved back to the girl's room. Franklin told the officer outside to allow no one in under any circumstances. He told the officer in the room to take a coffee break. When only the three remained, he turned to Nature.

"Anything you find out will be useful. Anything."

She nodded at the detective, then moved to the side of the bed. Web placed a chair next to it. He had already lowered the side rail. He stood back a pace, refusing to move too far away. She gave him a slight smile of thanks before sitting down.

The girl had not moved. Her eyes remained void. A hand rested on the blanket, placed there by one of the staff when they repositioned her. Nature stared at it. She dreaded what would follow with her touch. Taking in a deep breath to steel herself, she removed her glove and cupped the cold lifeless hand.

At first, she felt the girl's love for her family. She saw them in Texas. She saw them on camping trips. She saw Patricia smile. The scenes moved from the family to the boyfriend. She and Randy wanted to marry. They would have, but the move slowed things down. They were planning to elope when she turned 18. Nature smiled.

Web watched the expressions roll across Natures face. He saw her smile. She was unaware of anything in the room. He glanced at Franklin. The detective leaned a shoulder against the wall. He watched the seated woman, his gaze intent. It was hard enough to watch a session. It was that much worse for those doing so for the first time. He felt sorry for Franklin.. Web heard a sudden intake of breath. Franklin straightened. He started for the bed. Web held up a hand.

"Not yet. Wait."

Franklin stayed where he was. Web had to give the man credit. He knew how to listen. He knew how to wait; it was a part of the job. Web returned his gaze to Nature.

Nature saw how the man had lured the girl into the van. She saw the girl go unconscious when her head hit the drum. The next vision she saw was the girl naked, her extremities restrained, hanging apart for easy access. She saw the curtain separate and the man appear. He remained shrouded. Nature grew frustrated at the lack of sight for the one causing so much pain.

Nature's body flopped back in the chair. Her hand held onto the girls like a vise grip. Her legs separated, her mouth hung open. She started to gag. Web waited. It wasn't time to intervene yet. When it was, he'd know.