Eye of the Abductor (31 page)

“And if I’m not cleared?” she asked.

“Being the biological parent, you still stand a solid chance of
getting him back. Of course they'll use your prior conviction to show dubious
behavior that reflects against your character. How old was Nathan when he was
given to your in-laws?”

“Four months.” Warm tears clouded her eyes. “Old enough to smile
and chuckle.”

The attorney offered her a tissue. “They have provided him a
good, stable home. He’s spent most of his life with them. How financially
secure do you think they are?”

“They have a home that’s probably paid for. I’d imagine they have
a lot in savings,” Allison said. “They were always thrifty people.”

“This one will be hard to call. I won’t give you false hope and
tell you it’s a sure win. It’s not. They'll look at what's in the best interest
of the child and least detrimental to him. Your stability as a provider and
your character will come into question. There’s always a chance you'll only
receive visitation.”

Allison stiffened in the chair. Visitation would be better than
never seeing Nathan again. She explained about her nursery job at the church
without mentioning Plan B. "My mother-in-law has made him afraid of
me."

"PAS. Parental Alienation Syndrome. We can use that against
her. It's where the caregiver brainwashes the child against the parent."

“We want to proceed,” Brance said, squeezing her hand in his.
“We’ll take our chances. Meanwhile, we’ll keep trying to clear her name."

“Let’s get started.”

They spent the next hour discussing their lives, friends,
character witnesses, and finances. Allison had never realized that Brance had
so much money of his own.

She studied Brance while he talked with the attorney. One thing
she’d come to realize was that he was sincere about helping her regain custody
of Nathan. It showed how much he loved her.

You’re so in love with him you can’t see straight.

She shoved the thought aside. He was a means to get what she
wanted most in life-her son. Nothing more.

***

Judge Dawson stared out the window. They should've killed Paige
Wilson when they killed her husband. Loose ends had a way of twisting together
and strangling you. He'd notify his cohorts. For himself, he wished he'd never gotten
involved.

***

The call came Friday afternoon from Terry Cross, Brance’s
attorney. Allison had just returned from taking her Tennessee real estate exam.

"Allison, the new evidence in your case is being reviewed by
the court of appeals since you as the appellant were erred due to facts
withheld by the prosecution. If all goes well and you're exonerated, Mark
Nelson assures me you'll get Nathan."

"Thank you, I'm so excited." Allison couldn't wait to
tell Brance. They'd go out and celebrate.

Since Dorothy had made Nathan afraid of her, Allison wanted the
transition into his new life to be done slowly. Maybe start with afternoon
visits before trying a few nights together. Though she wasn’t sure she could
ever forgive Dorothy, she wanted Nathan to stay in touch with his grandparents.
He loved them. Anytime she found herself hopeful, she forced the thoughts away.

***

Saturday morning while practicing her solo, the phone rang.

“I’ll get it,” Brance shouted from the den. “Keep singing.”

Allison finished her song and tucked the music back in her
folder. She glanced up when Brance returned.

He stood in the doorway, his expression grim.

“What’s wrong?”

“Someone murdered Collin Reed early this morning.”

Chapter Eighteen

Brance stared at the ceiling regretting the fact that Allison
slept down the hall from him. Since learning about Collin Reed, she’d withdrawn
even more. All hope had drained from her.

He’d wanted to hold her in his arms and reassure her that somehow
they’d get Nathan back. At home, Allison stayed in her bedroom.

But Allison had taken another blow to her heart. There’d be no
retrial without Reed. If someone murdered Collin Reed to prevent him from
testifying, then someone was still out there who might harm Allison.

Christmas Eve day after going over the Wal-Mart sting with
Dreyer, Brance headed for the mall to do some last minute shopping.

At Malden Brother’s, he insisted he'd only purchase his mother
and grandmother an expensive watch each if Allison received the commission.
While she rang up the sale, her manager oversaw the transaction. Brance talked
her boss into letting her have an earlier lunch break to help him shop.

“I’d agreed to take the late lunch.”

“Is it a crime to want to spend a little time with my wife? I
rarely see you between your schedule and mine,” he said as they strolled
through the mall. Traditional Christmas music played.

“So what are you shopping for?”

“I thought I’d pick up gift cards for my brothers. For the kids,
I’ll buy McDonald’s gift cards after I leave here.”

“Why do you need me?” she asked, looking a bit flustered.

“To talk to me while I wait in line.”

He’d expected her to hightail it back to the store, but instead
she joined him in the long line that wound around the Christmas village located
in the center of the mall.

“If you’re hungry, you can grab a burger and eat while we wait,”
Brance offered.

She shook her head. “I rarely eat lunch.”

While telling him something about an obnoxious customer, her
voice faded. She stared at Santa. Nathan sat on Santa’s knee.

“Wait here,” he told her.

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure. Just don’t lose my place in line.”

Brance walked over to the counter where people purchased pictures
of their children with Santa and spoke with the guy. “See the little boy
getting his picture made.”

“Yeah. What about it?”

“I’m divorced from his mom. His grandparents hate me. If you can
make me a copy of his picture, I’ll give you a hundred along with whatever the
picture cost.”

“Cool, man. Sure, no problem.”

Brance waited patiently. A few minutes later, the guy handed
Brance a bag containing the decorative card with Nathan’s picture. After
paying, he slipped the kid a hundred.

***

Allison held her breath as the Wilsons approached the counter
just as Brance left. What was he up too? She wished she could hold Nathan in
her arms and give him a big hug. She still had the dinosaur set she’d
purchased. Her gaze stayed glued to her son until the Wilsons disappeared into
the crowd of shoppers.

“I’ve seen turtles move faster,” Brance said as he joined her.
“Has this line moved any?”

“A little.” Instead of making her happier, seeing Nathan had
depressed her even more. Now that there wouldn’t be a new trial, everything
rode on the custody case.

“Got you a little something for Christmas,” Brance whispered as
he offered her the bag.

When she pulled the picture out, she gasped. “Oh, Brance.”

“Merry Christmas, sweetheart.”

Allison’s throat burned as she looked at Nathan’s happy little
face. “This is the best Christmas present ever. Thanks.”

They inched closer to the counter. “You nervous about your solo
tonight?” Brance asked.

“A little. If they start throwing things at me, I’m depending on
you to rescue me.”

He chuckled. “I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”

“You will be there?”

“You bet. Our little party doesn’t commence until eleven
tonight.”

She didn’t want Brance participating in the takedown. What if he
were hurt? She’d never forgive herself for treating him so badly. “You will be
careful?”

“You can count on it.”

***

Poinsettias lined the church altar, and tall, glowing Advent
candles sat on an altar table. On each side of the sanctuary, Christmas trees stood
decorated in all white religious symbols. The smell of burnt wax scented the
air.

Brance's family sat on the left side, taking up one entire pew.
His mother's gaze landed on him, and he recognized the sadness in her eyes. His
brothers and dad chose to ignore him.

Brance selected a seat in the middle section and used Allison's
coat to save her a seat. He set a bag of gifts on the floor.

Right now, he could identify with a lost puzzle piece, feeling
very much like he should be part of a whole. Would he remain in this hellish
limbo forever?

He glanced back at his mother and smiled. He didn't miss the
scowl on Mike's face. Brance couldn’t deny how much it hurt to learn the man
who'd pretended to be his dad had obviously hated him his entire life and still
did.

Unable to resist, he glanced at his brothers and their wives.
Dillon appeared preoccupied while Carla looked on edge and terribly unhappy.

At one time he would’ve loved to have seen Dillon and Carla’s
marriage suffer, but not now.

As the service started, Allison entered the pulpit area through
the back door of the choir loft and sat to the side with other soloists.

She smiled at him from her seat. It warmed him all over. If only,
she’d love him as much as he loved her.

Finally, Allison stood and walked to the microphone and waited
for a moment, then nodded for the pianist to begin.

The pianist played the intro of
Jeanette Isabella
. Brance
held his breath as Allison sang the first words.

He feared having his family present might distract her, but it
didn’t.

Her pure soprano voice rang out clear with warm undertones and
perfect pitch. No doubt, Allison could’ve sung professionally. His chest
swelled with pride.

He glanced at his mother again, and she nodded and smiled in
approval. The rest of his family appeared in shock. He turned around and
concentrated on her solo.

Allison finished, then walked down the steps leading to the floor
and joined him. People around her offered their praises. He kissed her cheek
and whispered his own compliments. As usual, she blushed.

She whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry your family disowned you.”

He laced his fingers between hers. “I’m fine. You’re what makes
me happy.”

Once the congregation lit white candles and the lights were
turned off, they sang,
Silent Night
. After the dismissal, they stood,
and he helped her into her coat. His father’s glare burned into Allison. Brance
stepped between them, blocking his dad's view.

“He’ll never accept me.”

“Probably not, since he lived with me my entire life and never
accepted me. Don’t sweat it.”

Brance’s mother walked over and hugged her. “That was enchanting.
The most beautiful solo I’ve heard in a long time. Your voice is lovely.”

“Thank you,” Allison replied.

It angered Brance that the others had left without so much as a
merry Christmas, even Colby.

“Merry Christmas, Mom.” He handed her a bag with gifts inside.
“Pass these out for me tomorrow, will you?”

His mother’s eyes clouded with tears. “I wish things were
different. I wish you could be there. Both of you.”

“I know, Mom. I love you.”

***

That evening at home, Allison stood by the fireplace, thinking
about Nathan. By now he’d be in bed, but far too excited about Santa to sleep.
She longed to be with him tonight, longed to be the one tucking him in bed. She
wanted to see his face when he saw what Santa had left under the tree.

Brance joined her by the fireplace. “Cold?”

“Not really. It just feels good standing by the heat.” She
paused. “I picked up some wine. Care for a glass?”

“Sure. Any special occasion?”

She shrugged. “Sort of.” She walked into the kitchen and returned
with two glasses of white wine. She handed one to him, then sipped hers slowly.

Brance held his out for a toast. She clanked hers against his,
trying not to spill any. “Here’s looking at you, sweetheart," he said,
trying to sound like Bogart. After a few sips, he set his on the table. “Better
stay sober.” He walked over and pulled out a nicely wrapped gift from behind a
chair.

“We agreed not to get anything for one another. Remember?”

“It’s not much. Just a little something.” He handed it to her.
“Open it.”

Allison ripped through the Christmas paper and removed the lid.
“Boots. Italian ones. I love them.”

“And they don’t have five inch soles.”

“They’re stunning, Brance. Thank you. I don’t have you anything.”

“I like making you happy. Besides you’re listed on my car
insurance now, and those damn Frankenstein boots that you’re so fond of are a
safety hazard.”

She wrapped her arms around him, and he took advantage of the
moment and kissed her lightly. “I want you, Allison.”

“And I want you. I don't want to wait any longer.”

He appeared confused. “Do you mean...”

She placed her palm directly on his erection and smiled. “Yes, I
want you. Merry Christmas, Brance.”

He pulled her up from the sofa. “If it’ll make it any easier,
pretend I’m Santa and you’re a naughty elf.”

“Santa’s a married man, and I don’t sleep with married men.”

He took her into his arms and kissed her deeply with passion and
urgency. “This is the best present ever. Let’s try out our new bed.”

Stop this.

No. I won’t. Not this time.

What if it's is a mistake?

Then add it to my list of mistakes. I want to make Brance
happy. He deserves my love.

His eyes held a degree of sexual hunger that had her entire body
aching for his touch. She wanted his body on hers, wanted them to become one.
She just wanted him.

Standing beside the bed, he reached behind her and unzipped her
dress, letting it fall and puddle around her feet. He cupped her face in his
hands and gazed at her in a way that made her feel loved and treasured.

His lips lowered to hers, parting them with his tongue, exploring
her, tasting her. While kissing, he lowered one hand to her bottom.
Electrifying impulses rippled through her. He kissed her shoulder, scorching
her skin with heat.