The Baby Thief (25 page)

“Dr. Rubison?” An older nurse entered the small white room. “The woman who brought her in yesterday is in the visitor’s lounge.”

“Bring her in here.”

Sarah was so relieved, she almost burst into tears.
Thank you, Lord
, she prayed.
I’m sorry about lying. I didn’t know what else to do. Please don’t let Rachel get in trouble. Please get me out of here
. Sarah kept her eyes closed, waiting to hear Rachel’s voice.

“Who are you?” The doctor’s voice was no longer kindly.

“My name’s Rachel.”

Sarah rolled back over. Rachel stood in the doorway, chewing her nails, her braid a mess.

“Rachel who?”

“I don’t need a last name. The Lord is my father, and I’m married to the church.”

“Are you the one who gave Sarah a fertility hormone?”

Rachel’s face went pale. Sarah’s fear rebounded.

“Answer the question.”

“No, I didn’t.” Rachel practically stammered. Sarah felt sorry for her. Rachel wasn’t a good liar either.

“Do you know who did?” Rubison’s tone was sarcastic.

“I’d like to take her home now.”

“Do you know her mother?”

“Of course. We live together.”

“I want your full name and address before I release her.”

“I gave it to the admitting desk when I brought her in.”

“I intend to report this matter to Children’s Services.”

“It’ll be a waste of time.” Rachel straightened her shoulders. “No one has ever done anything to harm this girl. She had an allergic reaction to something she ate, and you’re making too much of it. Someone on your lab staff made a serious mistake, and you should be questioning them, not me. Sarah, get dressed. We’re leaving.”

Sarah put her feet on the floor, ready to run with Rachel before Rubison could call anyone. She still had an IV in her left arm. “Please take this out. I’m not a child. I turned eighteen in July, and you can’t make me stay here.”

Rubison seemed uncertain for the first time. He shuffled his feet, eyes darting between Sarah and Rachel. “I’m calling Children’s Services. Alice, don’t touch that IV.” Rubison bolted from the room.

Rachel stepped forward and quickly removed the short needle from Sara’s inner elbow. She bent Sara’s arm up to stop the bleeding, then turned to the nurse. “Where are her clothes?”

“I can’t help you.” The nurse looked like she wished she’d stayed home.

“Come on, Sarah. I have clothes in the truck.”

 They rushed through the hospital, down the elevator, and out the lobby, collecting stares and a few smiles. Sarah kept praying.

It was freezing outside, but she didn’t care. It was such a relief to be heading away from the hospital.

Inside the truck, Sarah pulled on the wool skirt and t-shirt, as Rachel lurched out into traffic. As she reached for the sweater, she caught her first sight of the city. More buildings than she had ever imagined. Many of them old-fashioned like she’d seen in the history books. Some were bright and beautiful. Others were gray and worn, with chairs and bicycles on the front porch.

“Are you all right?” Rachel seemed to have aged overnight.

“I think so.” Sarah quickly pulled on the rest of her clothes and continued to stare out the window. A distant memory circled the edge of her consciousness.

“I’m sorry, Sarah. I feel terrible. We’ve had a few mild reactions to the hormone shots, but never anything like this. You must be allergic.”

“Why was the doctor so worried?”

Rachel’s lips pressed together. “I don’t know.”

Sarah remembered Darcie’s letter, her warning about Carmichael. “Did the Reverend give me something he shouldn’t have?”

“Of course not.” Rachel’s expression was fierce.

The other memory came into focus. “Who was that woman in the clinic?”

Rachel snapped her head sideways to glare at Sarah. “What are you talking about?”

“The woman in the labor room. I didn’t recognize her.”

“It’s none of your business.” Rachel turned back to watch the road.

Suddenly, Sarah knew what she had to do. “I’m starving. Can we stop for food?”

“I don’t have much money, but we can stop at a store and get something.”

“Thanks, Rachel.” Sarah leaned over and kissed her cheek. She felt guilty for what she was about to do. “Thanks for getting me out of there.”

They slowed and turned left, pulling into a small parking lot in front of a convenience store. “Do you feel like coming in?” Rachel reached over and caressed her hair. “I know it’s your first time in town, and you must be curious.”

“I am, but my legs are pretty shaky. I’ll just wait here.”

“I’ll be right back.” Rachel smiled, and Sarah was so charged with guilt she almost chickened out. She couldn’t go back to the compound just yet. She didn’t feel strong enough. She had to see Darcie and discover the truth. She wasn’t going back until she could resist the pressure to have another hormone injection.
Shat about the woman in the clinic?
a voice in her head whispered.
What if she needs help?
Sarah scoffed at the silly thought. Why would anyone in the church need help?

As Rachel moved toward the back of the store, Sarah slipped out of the vehicle. She felt wobbly at first, then started to jog up the sidewalk. It wouldn’t take Rachel long to buy an apple.

Dozens of cars rushed past. Sarah remembered Darcie talking about hitchhiking. Could she do it? She had to get away from the store before Rachel came looking for her. Sarah’s heart felt like it would explode. She was in Eugene. On her own! About to see her best friend in the whole world!

In a few minutes, she was offered a ride from a sweet boy named Isaac. Sarah wanted to ask a million questions about everything she saw, but she didn’t want him to think she was an idiot. Darcie would take her everywhere and explain everything. The movies, the mall, roller-skating. It would be the greatest adventure. Sarah was almost glad for the illness that had brought her to the hospital. A blessing in disguise, as her mother would say.

Guilt brought her spirits down for a moment. Tamara would be worried, and Delilah would miss her terribly. She would write them a letter, first thing, Sarah decided. Once they knew she was all right, they would be happy for her.

She gave Isaac Darcie’s address, and he took her to a big brown building with different colored doors. The apartments were surrounded by small old houses that seemed uncared for. Sarah remembered Darcie’s room was number six, so she climbed the stairs. The door was bright orange. Sarah considered that a good sign, since orange was her favorite color. She knocked loudly.

“Who is it?” Darcie sounded grumpy and far away.

“You’ll never guess.” Sarah was so excited, she laughed out loud.

“Sarah?” Darcie opened the door and they stared at each other. Darcie’s belly was enormous!

“You said you were pregnant, but–” Sarah stared, not knowing what to say.

“God, it’s good to see you.” Darcie threw her arms around Sarah as best she could. In a moment they were both fighting back tears and grinning wildly.

“Come in, come in. It’s freezing out there.” Darcie tugged on her arm. “How did you get here?”

“I hitchhiked.”

“No!”

Sarah burst out laughing as Darcie’s mouth fell open. “It’s true, but only from Franklin Street. Before that, it’s a long story.”

“Sit down and tell me, girl. I can tell by the look on your face that this is gonna be good.”

Chapter 25

Saturday, Nov. 4, 10:22 a.m.

Eric snatched up the phone as it was ringing. “Yes?”

“It’s Jackson. They’re expecting you this afternoon.”

“This afternoon?” It was too good to be true.

“That’s what I said.”

“You’re the best, Jackson. I owe you. You can name the favor. Anything.”

His friend laughed. “This will be fun. I’ll let you know.”

“Thanks, pal. I’m on my way.”

Eric looked around for his keys. He was ready even though he hadn’t expected to get the visitation approved until Monday at the earliest. Apparently Jackson had more clout with the women’s correctional director than Eric realized. He’d have to ask him about that later.

The prison visitor’s room was pale green, cold, and quiet. Eric felt slightly queasy, as he had since he’d heard the doors lock behind him. The hour drive north had been unpleasant, hard rain the whole way and plenty of traffic. Twice he’d almost turned around with the sure knowledge that this trip would be a waste of time. Sitting and waiting for Buster’s ex-girlfriend to be brought in hadn’t relieved his doubt. What would he be doing if not this? Pacing his living room, thinking about Jenna. Worrying about all the possible things that could have happened to her. Wondering if she would care about him if he did find her. She hadn’t done or said one single thing to indicate she had any real feelings for him. Other than that first night together, which could have been only a moment of neediness.

“Who the hell are you?”

The woman who suddenly appeared on the other side of the Plexiglas window twisted her thin sand-colored hair around her middle finger. The finger was a random choice, Eric decided. Ellen/Rose, even at first glance, didn’t seem capable of subtlety. She was gaunt, with acne scars and jumpy eyes. Eric suspected she still had a drug problem, but even cleaned up, her brain would never be the same. The whole trip had been a gamble, and now his flicker of hope died.

“Hello, Rose. I’m Eric. I’m a friend of Buster’s.”

“Good for you.” She tried to stare at him, but her eyes wouldn’t hold still.

“Will you sit down and talk to me for a minute?” Eric didn’t know why he was even trying. The female guard had not left the room. She apparently didn’t expect Rose to stay long.

“Who told you I was here?”

“Buster. By the way, he said to say Hi.”

“Tell him I said to fuck off. Tell him he owes me two hundred dollars, and just because I’m in here doesn’t mean he can stiff me for it.” She spit on the floor. “The shithead.”

Eric spoke gently. This woman had not had a good life, and she had no reason to help him. “I’ll remind him when I see him. I hope you won’t hold it against me, though.”

“Why not? Who the hell are you anyway? You don’t look like one of Buster’s friends.”

“I’m a freelance reporter. Buster has helped me out in the past by providing me with information.”

“He was your snitch, you mean.” Rose crossed her arms and continued to stand.

Eric tried a new tactic. “A friend of mine has disappeared. A woman. You might be able to help me find her.”

She rolled her eyes. “How could I possibly know anything about it?”

“Please, sit down.”

Rose plopped into the tan plastic chair. “Cut the crap and tell me what you want.”

Eric pulled his copies of the sketches out of a large envelope and held them up to the glass. “I want to know if you recognize either of these men.” The guard nodded and stepped back out of the room.

“Nope.” Rose bit what was left of her nails.

Eric continued to hold up the pictures. “Look again. Buster says you might have sold drugs to one of these guys.”

“Yeah, right.” Rose snorted. “Buster thinks he can remember some guy I sold coke to years ago, but he can’t remember that he owes me two hundred dollars.”

Eric heard the acknowledgment, but decided not to push.

“Why did Buster really send you to me?” Her voice had an edge of panic.

“He didn’t, not really.” Eric had to tread gently here. “I went looking for him, to see if–”

“He’s working for Charlie now, isn’t he? He sent you here to find out where I stashed the–” Rose clamped her hand over her mouth and jumped up. “You bastard. I almost told you.” She moved to the door and pounded. “Guard! I’m ready!”

“Hey, wait.” Eric tried not to shout. She was obviously paranoid, and yelling at her would only make her run. He could feel it slipping away, his one lead after all this time.

“Hey, Rose, come back, please. I don’t even know Charlie.” Eric hated what he was about to do. “I’ll put twenty dollars on your books if you’ll come sit back down.”

Rose stopped pounding. Eric pulled out his wallet and showed her a twenty. The door opened. Rose looked at the guard, then glanced back at the twenty.

“Let’s move.” The guard’s voice boomed through the open door and filled the tiny room.

Rose stepped back from the door. “Give me another a minute.”

When she sat down, Eric said, “Please look at the pictures again. A woman’s life is at stake.”

“Sure it is.” Rose leaned forward, pretending to scrutinize the pictures. She focused on the man with the ponytail. “This guy looks kinda like someone who used to buy cocaine from me. But maybe not.” She shook her head. “His face is too full. The hair’s wrong too.”

“What’s his name?”

“Shit.” Rose leaned back, angry again. “Like I’m supposed to remember. Guys like this never tell you their real name.”

Eric could feel his blood pressure building. Why couldn’t she just tell him? Was she holding out for more money? “Can you remember anything about this man?” he pressed.

“It’s probably not even him.” Her eyes were jumpy and Eric knew she was lying.

“I’ll put down another ten if you tell me something that’ll help me find this guy.” Eric picked up his wallet to show her he had the cash to follow through.

“Make it twenty.”

“Fine.” Eric pulled out two tens, leaving himself with six bucks. He hoped he didn’t need any cash on the way home. Rose made a funny little humming sound.

“Tell me.”

“I think he was a doctor who delivered babies.”

“What makes you think that?”

She scrunched up her face, humming a little louder. “I think he said something about it once when he saw my pregnant sister.”

“Any idea where he worked?”

She laughed and slapped her leg. “That’s a good one. I never asked for his résumé.”

“Is that it?”

Rose pushed out of her chair. “Yep.”

“Thanks very much for your help.”

She was already pounding the door and calling the guard. Rose didn’t look back. Eric didn’t blame her. He felt like running from the room himself. It had been an unpleasant half hour. He had thought he was done with this kind of thing.