Suspicion of Guilt (19 page)

“They couldn’t adopt her?”

Denni hesitated. “Let’s just say they chose not to.”

“What do you mean by ‘over the edge’?”

“She started seeing and talking to her mother. One night, she attempted suicide, but her foster parents found her in time. There was an empty pill bottle on the bed next to her, and a suicide note that said her mother had told her to do it. Fortunately, they got her to the hospital in time. She’s been taking medicine for years to sup
press psychotic hallucinations. I watch her take them daily, but she must have been just pretending. I don’t know why.

“There’s Shelley’s car. Hurry up and pull over, Reece.”

“Wait for me, Denni.”

But he spoke into an empty seat as Denni sprang from the car and ran toward the entrance of the abandoned building. Muttering an oath, then a quick repentance as he remembered his new faith and his conscience pricked him, he slammed the car into Park and followed.

D
enni gathered a slow breath and prayed harder than she’d ever prayed in her life. The now-abandoned building had no outside door, so she went in through the gaping space, trying to remember the layout as it had been when Shelley was little. She’d been the social worker on the scene, new to her job and ready to make a difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Shelley’s soulful eyes and the signs of more maturity than a little girl should have to possess had drawn Denni from day one. She’d watched over her as much as possible and probably beyond what any other social worker would have done.

Led by memories that spanned fifteen years, Denni headed for the stairs at the end of the hall and ascended toward the apartment where Shelley had spent those few terrifying days and nights alone with her mother’s lifeless body.

Oh, Lord why didn’t I know she was only pretending to take that medicine?
Had she been so wrapped up in the need for finances and wanting to build that she’d neglected the needy ones right in front of her eyes? She
continued to climb, and her thoughts went to Leigh. Once again, she felt a prick of remorse. How could she have been so consumed by her own needs that she’d lost sight of her real purpose in the first place? What good would she have done if she’d built a dozen houses, but lost the first precious girls God had entrusted to her care?

She heard talking as she approached the second-floor hallway. Did Shelley have an accomplice?

“Mommy, why are you so mad at me? I did as you asked. Why won’t you even look at the baby?”

A silent pause.

“But she’s beautiful too. Much prettier than I ever was. M-maybe you’ll love her better. You could hold her and tell her stories and brush her hair.”

Another pause.

Denni heard boots scrape against the concrete steps. She turned to find Reece scowling at her. She put her finger to her lips. She glanced inside and relief flowed through her that Shelley hadn’t noticed the noise.

They listened to the one-sided conversation. Mewling noises came from the baby.

“Mommy,” Shelley said, her voice trembling. “I—I can’t do that. It would hurt her.”

Denni’s eyes widened as she turned to Reece. He scowled and motioned her to get out of the way. His hand was ready on his gun. Denni grabbed his wrist. “Don’t hurt her,” she whispered.

“I’ll do my best.”

“Of course I love you, Mommy, and I know you love me, but why do you want me to throw the baby away? Can’t I just take her back to Cate?”

Tears pooled in Denni’s eyes at the state the girl was in.

“Shelley,” Reece’s voice was calm. “It’s Detective Corrigan. I’m coming in.”

“N-no. M-mommy says you mustn’t bother me.” Her eyes were wide with fear. Denni stepped into the room after Reece. Shelley’s face contorted in rage. “You have to leave. You can’t take the baby away from our mommy.”

“Shelley, honey. The baby belongs to Cate, remember? She misses her terribly.”

“Liar! Cate doesn’t want her. She’s giving her away. My mommy would never give away her baby.”

“Your mommy is dead, Shelley. Remember?”

Confusion flashed across Shelley’s face. She cocked her head as though listening.

“Why, Denni? Why do you want to take me away from Mommy again?”

The words hit Denni like a blow to the gut. “Shelley,” she breathed. “Honey, I didn’t take you from your mommy. Your mother died from an overdose. Remember? Think. That woman talking to you isn’t your mom. She’s only in your head.”

Shelley, babe in her arms, began to back away toward the glassless window. She glanced out to the street. Her eyes were filled with tears when she looked back at the empty space she’d been talking to. “I don’t want to, Mommy.”

Denni saw what Shelley intended to do. Panic seized her.
Oh, God, protect that baby, please.

Throughout the conversation, Reece had slowly inched his way toward Shelley, but he was still too far away to do any good. A muscle twitched in his jaw as he focused on the job ahead.

Denni took a step closer to keep Shelley’s attention diverted. “Shelley, honey. Please don’t hurt the baby.”

“You don’t care! You don’t care!”

“Of course I do. I never want to see a child harmed. If you throw the baby down, she’s going to die. Do you understand that?”

Shelley jerked her head toward the empty space, confusion clouding her eyes.

Reece took the moment to inch closer to the girl. He motioned to Denni to keep talking.

“Your mother was a good woman,” Denni said. “Would she ask you to hurt yourself or the baby? Think, Shelley. That’s not your mother talking to you. She loved you.”

Shelley paused.

“No,” she said to the air. “Y-you’re not my mother.” She paused again. Then looked back at Denni. Her brow furrowed as she seemed to be looking between two women, trying to decide who was lying.

“Mommy? D-don’t leave me again. No, I don’t love her more. I’ll do it. See?”

She rushed toward the window, just as Reece wrapped his arms around her and the baby, pulling her back.

Shelley screamed, kicking at Reece. “Mommy, don’t go! Don’t leave me again! I tried to be a good girl. I tried.” Sobs racked her as she wilted in Reece’s arms.

Denni stepped forward and took the wailing baby. “Shhh, sweetie. It’s okay. We’ll get you back where you belong soon.” She nuzzled the baby until she quieted.

Reece kept his arms around Shelley. The girl didn’t struggle as he led her to his car. Denni could see he didn’t want to handcuff her, but he had no choice. He called the station and let them know the baby had been found and that he needed an ambulance for the kidnapper.

Less than thirty minutes later, Denni placed the baby in Cate’s arms.

One week later

Denni had felt Reece’s tension during their earlier phone conversation. She’d been dreading their expected date this evening, anticipating the it’s-not-you-it’s-me brush-off. Still, she couldn’t stop her heart from racing when his truck pulled into the drive. She opened the door before he made it to the porch. Better just to confront the issue and get it over with.

In the early-summer evening, just a hint of rain plumped the clouds, mingling its fragrance with the roses planted at the bottom of the steps on either side of the walkway.

She stopped short when she saw the bouquet of wildflowers he carried.

“Are those for me?”

A knee-weakening smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “Who else?”

Denni’s neck muscles relaxed, and she stepped aside to allow him into the house. Her pulse quickened as he bent down and pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

“Flowers, Corrigan?” Leigh’s voice acted like a water hose, dousing the moment before the kiss could get any better. “Who are you trying to impress?”

“I thought you had a date with Sean,” Reece said, a scowl marring his handsome features.

“I do. Later.” She flopped down on the sofa and picked up the TV remote.

With a frustrated growl, Reece grabbed Denni’s hand. “Come with me.” He pulled her outside to the front porch and stopped in front of the swing.

Bewildered, Denni sat on the swing and looked up at him expectantly. “What’s wrong with you?”

He gathered a long, slow breath and shoved his hand into his pocket. Denni’s eyes widened and the world took on a new look when he pulled out a black velvet box.

His eyes never faltered from hers, but his expression softened as he dropped down on one knee.

“Reece.”

“I’ve never done this before, Denni. And I’m not a very sensitive guy. You know that. So if I do it all wrong, it’ll serve me right if you say no.”

Denni couldn’t stop her itching fingers from reaching out and lightly touching his face. Emotion flickered in his eyes and he covered her hand with his, bringing it to his lips as he pressed a warm kiss to her palm.

“Will you marry me?”

A wave of joy swept over Denni. She laughed and cupped his face with her hands. “You know I will.” Leaning forward she pressed her lips to his. He gathered her close and deepened their kiss, sealing their promise of forever.

When he pulled away and slipped the ring on her finger, the clouds released gentle drops.

And as Reece’s mouth took hers in another warm tender kiss, Denni knew she would always love a summer rain.

Denni folded the letter, licked the envelope and set it in her outgoing mail slot. She leaned back in her chair
and looked out at the yard next door. Buffy yelped as she tried and failed to jump the fence.

A smile curved Denni’s lips as Reece walked up to the fence to speak to Mrs. James.

Denni’s heart swelled with love. She watched him politely smile and defer to the elderly woman. God had certainly brought him a long way in a very short time.

He turned, as if sensing her attention. When his eyes found hers, the love reflected there increased her pulse. He spoke something to Mrs. James and turned, heading toward the back door. Denni rose and met him halfway. They met in the kitchen. “Hi,” Denni said, her breath caught in her throat.

Reece’s arms encircled her, drawing her close. “I missed you.”

“Me too,” she murmured as he dipped his head and claimed her lips.