Weep In The Night (29 page)

“Has she mentioned anything negative about Evelyn?”

Listening to her daughter's quiet chatter, Sadie frowned. “No, but she said something a while ago about her bicycle and wanting to visit a friend down the street. I'm afraid she thinks she's going back to Evelyn's house and…” The words locked in her throat.

“Possibly. Have you ever heard of Stockholm Syndrome?”

Oh Lord, please not that.

“Classic symptoms. The victim develops an attachment to her kidnapper. It's a survival instinct. This is where therapy might help. Here's my card.” Mary pulled one from a little pocket in her beige sweater. “When you're settled, we'll schedule a series of visits. Do you want me to stay here while you tell her she's going home with you?”

Sadie hadn't thought that far ahead. Where was she going to live? No need to return to the safe house, but would IRO let her live there a while? She'd have to add that to her prayer list. “I can manage, but thank you. I will call for an appointment as soon as I can.”

“From the short time I spent with Hannah, I've determined she is emotionally stable. You can help her adjust by keeping things as normal as possible. Have the authorities collect her clothes and toys from the house. Allow the visit to her friend.”

These ideas hadn't occurred to Sadie. “Are you sure?”

“Uh-huh. If Hannah had negative experiences there, it would be different. But it doesn't seem she did. If you have no other concerns, I'll be on my way. I mainly came to introduce myself and do an initial assessment of Hannah's emotional state.”

Mary nodded to Sadie and then entered the room and said good-bye to Hannah.

Elia gathered the loose crayons and handed them to Hannah. “Go on, Mary. I'll meet you at the elevator. Sadie, come over here a minute.”

At the window, Elia whispered, “Jake Quillian's been arrested. He was on the take and supplied information to a variety of people, Lonnie Levasseur included.”

“So that's how he found me?”

“Yes. I have to go now, but we'll be in touch.”

Sadie returned to the chair. When would be a good time to tell Hannah? She seemed so content. Her hair could do with a wash, but her little cheeks glowed and her inquisitive eyes took in every detail of her surroundings. Sadie chose to tell her now.

“Sweetie pie, remember a while ago when the nurse removed your I.V. and the doctor came? He said you could go home tomorrow.”

Hannah stopped coloring and nodded.

“When we leave here we won't be going to Mama Evelyn's house.”

“Why? Did the bad man hurt her?”

Whoa. She hadn't expected that. “No. The bad man took you, but he didn't hurt Evelyn.” Anxiety clutched her throat muscles. “Did the bad man hurt you?”

The purple crayon stilled. “He…he covered my face with a yucky cloth and I went to sleep. When I woke up he gave me applesauce to eat. I slept again. He didn't hurt me, but I don't like his carpet.” She inserted the purple crayon into the box.

Anger at Kyle and Lonnie darkened Sadie's vision for a second. How dare they take her baby and force her to eat doped applesauce!

“Why can't we go back to Mama Evelyn's house? She said the bad people were after us, and we had to hide. Are we going to hide?”

With the bad people in jail, Sadie hoped she'd never have to hide again. “No, sweetie pie. No more hiding. You're going to come and live with me.”

Hannah folded her arms and pouted. The coloring book slipped off her legs to the floor. “I know you're my mommy, but I want Mama Evelyn, too.”

Maybe that was enough for now. She'd try again another time. Sadie picked up the book and set it next to Hannah. “Why don't you rest? They'll be bringing your lunch soon.”

With Hannah's head turned away, Sadie couldn't see her expression, but she sat among the pillows like a rigid doll. Sadie lowered the bed. When Hannah didn't protest, she entered the bathroom.

Whew! That was hard. Sadie had expected Hannah would want to live with her. But maybe, as Mary suggested, Hannah had no negative feelings for Evelyn. Sadie had to give Evelyn credit. This child still had the sweet disposition of the four-year-old Sadie had lost. Hannah respected adults, had good manners. All of that and so much more could have been destroyed by a terrible experience with Evelyn.

A gentle knock. When Sadie reentered the room, Erik gazed at sleeping Hannah, a soft expression playing on his face. He motioned for her to join him in the hall and carried out two chairs. They sat with the door ajar.

“Did you sleep some?”

He yawned. “
Some
is the operative word.”

“How's Bowen?”

“Waiting to see if he gets full use of his arm back. Other than that, he's his usual stubborn self.”

Her bubble of relief at Hannah's progress burst. Bowen, incapacitated. “I want to see him.”

Erik settled his arm across her shoulders. “Give him time. Maybe later today.”

“OK. What about Lela and Kyle?”

“Lela is fine. The bullet grazed her thigh. Kyle is dead. He—”

“What?” Sure, she'd despised him, but she'd never wished anyone dead.

“He fired the shot at you, and he shot Bowen. His police uniform got him past our surveillance. Good thing you wore that vest.”

Goose bumps prickled down Sadie's arms as she rubbed her chest—right over her heart. Without the vest she'd be dead.

“Our official contacts relayed that Lonnie is under indictment for murder—he hired Lavonne White to kill you, and Miles Griffin got in her way.”

Gentle Griff. He died saving her.

“Of course, add kidnapping, extortion, et cetera. Nicole will also be out of the picture for a long time. The feds are investigating Brady Holdings again. Our friend, Evelyn, will be indicted for kidnapping.”

For a moment, Sadie snuggled on Erik's shoulder. “That's kinda sad. I mean I know she kept Hannah, but she saved her life and provided what appears to be a pretty normal existence for the past two and a half years.”

“Maybe so, but she knew about the accident. She could have turned Hannah over to the authorities. Hannah would have gone with you into WITSEC.”

Erik's words sat like a boulder on Sadie's heart. He was right. Although Evelyn had kept Hannah safe, she'd stolen nearly three years of their lives together.

“One more thing. Vicky has been arrested. She initiated the hiring of Lavonne and contacted Evelyn pretending to be a high school chum.”

“What about her sister, Irene?”

“They can't pin anything on her yet. She might have eavesdropped or pumped information from Cal's staff, but until they have something illegal on her, she'll probably skate. She's not even in custody.”

Sadie stretched her legs. Muscle stiffness had become a constant companion. “So that accounts for everyone.”

“Pretty much. I'm going back to Bowen.”

“I appreciate you coming. With the bad guys behind bars, I can be Sadie Malone again.”

Erik lumbered out of the chair and pointed down the hall. “Speaking of the Malones, here's your brother-in-law.”

Cal and a slim, dark-haired woman approached. She carried a small duffle bag.

Erik greeted the visitors and then continued to the elevator.

“Cal.” Sadie fell into his arms. “Thank you. Thank you for sending Bowen to find me.”

“Praise God for a successful outcome.”

They held each other for a while before he released her. “I want you to meet my fiancée, Reyna Perez.”

Sadie extended her hand, but Reyna dropped the bag and wrapped her in a hug. “So nice to meet you. How's Hannah?”

“She recognized me, which is wonderful, but she also wants to be with Evelyn.”

“It'll take time.” Cal nodded towards the door. “Can we see her?”

“She was asleep. Let me check.” Sadie peeked around the door and whispered her name. Snuggled under the covers, Hannah didn't budge.

“Don't wake her. We'll chat out here.” Cal picked up the bag and motioned for Reyna and Sadie to sit. “We have a proposition for you.”

Sadie glanced from Reyna to Cal. “What's on your mind?”

“IRO has kept me abreast of your situation. What are your plans?” Cal knelt on one knee beside Reyna. “No need to worry about finances, because I will provide whatever you need.”

Another trait Cal had in common with his brother—generosity. Her emergency stash wouldn't take her and Hannah very far. “Thank you. I'll need help until I can find a job. My immediate problem is where to live. The counselor told me to keep things as normal as possible for Hannah, but I don't know how to do that.”

Reyna blinked luscious dark eyes. “That's what we want to discuss. Cal and I have set a wedding date for August. Until then I will continue to live in Santa Clarita. I have an extra bedroom.” She touched Sadie's arm. “I'd like you and Hannah to live with me.”

The idea flew through Sadie's mind connecting the dots. A safe place to live. Hannah would be in a familiar community. It was an answer to prayer. “Are you sure we won't be an imposition?”

“Not at all. I wouldn't have offered otherwise. Hannah and Francesca are already friends and will attend the same school. Although it will be a different school for Hannah, she'll know some of the kids from soccer.” Reyna nudged Sadie with her elbow. “You can help me plan my wedding.”

The mention of a wedding date hadn't registered before. “Congratulations to you both. This is exciting news.” Family. How she'd missed a family. “Thank you, Reyna. I accept your wonderful offer.”

Cal slapped his thigh. “Great. When will Hannah be discharged?”

“Tomorrow. The counselor advised us to get her belongings from Evelyn's house. I guess I'll ask Elia Valdez to take care of that. Maybe Erik or Smitty can bring my things from the safe house.”

“Then it's settled. You can use my SUV. I kinda like driving the old sports car again.”

Reyna pointed to the bag. “Since we didn't know how long you'd be here, I brought you a change of clothes and a few toiletries, along with an outfit for Hannah.”

Holding back tears, Sadie squeezed Reyna's hand. “Thank you so much.”

“Erik says Bowen's doing well.” Cal stood and offered his hand to Reyna. “Have you seen him yet?”

“No.”

“We can stay with Hannah if you'd like to visit him now.”

Sadie fingered the zipper pull on the bag. “I don't want to leave Hannah while she's asleep.”

“I understand. When you do see Bowen, tell him I said he really earned his money last night. But he doesn't get paid extra for getting shot.” His quick grin softened his words. “We'll be on our way. Let you get some rest.” Cal slipped his arm across Reyna's shoulders. “Call when Hannah is ready to be discharged and we'll come get you.”

“How can I ever thank you enough for uniting Hannah and me?”

“My reward is seeing you together and happy. We're family.”

“Answer one question. How did you know I was in Texas?”

Cal harrumphed. “Remember Chuck and Trisha Coleman?”

“Sure.” The couple served in her wedding party.

“A year or so ago, they vacationed in Texas and saw someone who looked like you. They'd been told you passed away but mentioned it to me over dinner one evening. Trisha recalled overhearing the woman give her address to a clerk at the mall. She remembered Monterey Oaks Boulevard because her mother lives on a street with that name in Sacramento.”

Sadie nodded. “Must have been when I first moved there, before I cut and dyed my hair.”

“You know how scatterbrained Trisha is. She couldn't remember the city. I guess that's why it took Bowen a month to find you.”

“I will always be grateful to you. And Trisha.” She squeezed Cal's hand and tilted her head towards Reyna. “You've landed a good guy.”

“I know.”

Sadie waved as they headed to the elevators.

Her mind still reeling from the perfect solution to her problems, she entered the room and tiptoed to the window. She stood there a long time.

Before returning to the bed, she glanced down at the crowded parking lot and spied a familiar woman exit a taxi. Squinting against the setting sun's glare, Sadie studied the figure. Surely her eyes deceived her. Could it be Irene?

 

 

 

 

40

 

Liquids. What a meal! Bowen discarded half of it on the tray and turned on the TV. Several stories were about violence around the country. A shudder rippled through his body as he relived the rush of anger that surged in his chest when he'd aimed his weapon at Lonnie.

He turned off the TV and slid off the bed. Enough. He'd call Ginger and resign. He would never carry a gun again.

But he didn't have to call.

Ginger entered his room carrying a bouquet of balloons. “Good evening, Mr. Boudine. How are you?” Dressed in jeans and a fluffy pink sweater, she still exuded authority.

“I'm doing pretty good.” He settled in the chair, glad Erik had brought him a pair of sweat pants. “You're just the person I need to talk to. I'm going to resign—”

“Before you do anything rash, listen to my proposal.” Ginger draped herself in the other chair, crossed her legs, and set the balloons on the table. “I know all about your situation. Erik has kept me informed. James Greene is retiring. How would you like to take over his slot as head of the San Diego office?”

Bowen's jaw gaped, but he closed it with a snap. “San Diego?”

“Yes. I know you need rehab, et cetera. It's a desk job, directing the agents in the area. Take time to think about my offer.” Ginger uncrossed her legs and stood in one fluid motion. “I'll be in touch. I have one more visit to make, which may result in a nice surprise for you.”