Polished Off (13 page)
Authors: Barbara Colley
Chill bumps chased down Charlotte’s arms. “Now that just breaks my heart,” she murmured. After what Daniel had told her about Ricco’s abusiveness, it was no wonder the little fellow was having nightmares. “If Ricco Martinez wasn’t already dead, I’d be tempted to kill him myself.”
“Whoa, Auntie! That’s pretty harsh, especially coming from you. But I have to admit I know exactly how you feel.”
“Well, my daddy—your grandfather—always said, there’s a special place in hell for people who abuse little children.”
For long moments, neither of them spoke, then: “My grandfather sounds like he was a really good man. I wish I could have known him.”
“Me, too,” Charlotte murmured. “I wish all of you kids could have known him and your grandmother. They were both wonderful people who always put their family first.”
“One last thing about Davy, Auntie, something that might help you out, just in case things don’t ... well, just in case. Davy does go to a day-care when Nadia works. It’s the Loving Care Day-Care Center, not far from where Nadia used to live.”
A whisper of fear ran through Charlotte. “Are you saying that there’s a chance that Daniel might not make bail?”
“No, no. Nothing like that. But with Nadia missing, even when he does make bail, he’s going to need some help.”
Early Sunday morning, while Davy was still sleeping, Charlotte debated whether to call Madeline or simply wait her out. That she hadn’t already heard from her sister didn’t surprise her in the least. Madeline was upset, which was understandable, but Charlotte figured she was also pouting ... again. Even so, Charlotte knew that Madeline was worried about Daniel’s situation and probably in need of some sisterly support.
Bracing herself, Charlotte tapped out Madeline’s home phone number. After the fourth ring, the answering machine picked up, and Charlotte grimaced. Madeline was screening her calls. When Madeline’s answering machine greeting ended and the beep sounded, Charlotte left her own message.
“Maddie, I know you’re worried about Daniel right now. I am, too. But I just wanted you to know that I’m here if you need me. I love you.” Charlotte waited a moment, in hopes that Madeline would pick up. When she didn’t, Charlotte was left with no other choice than to hang up the receiver.
The rest of Sunday passed in a blur for Charlotte. At church she and Davy sat with Hank and Carol. Before the services began, and ever aware that Davy was listening to every word she said, Charlotte quickly updated them as to what was going on as best she could. After church, Hank suggested they all go out to eat.
Carol, sensing that Charlotte needed to talk to Hank, took Davy for a short walk before their meal was served. With Davy out of earshot, Charlotte had a chance to go into more detail with Hank about Daniel’s situation.
After lunch Charlotte took Davy home. It always amazed Charlotte how adaptable kids could be. After just one night, Davy had made himself right at home. And he’d become quite the little chatterbox, talking about anything and everything and asking what seemed like dozens of questions.
“Why does Weety have to stay in a cage? Why can’t he talk? Where’s Mommy? When’s Daddy Danol coming to get me? Why can’t I go home?”
And then there was Charlotte’s favorite, the question he asked most “What’cha doing, Aunt Chardy?” No matter what she was doing and no matter how many times she explained what she was doing, he’d ask again and again.
By Sunday night, Charlotte was more than ready for a bit of quiet, alone time when she tucked Davy into bed. Just as she’d settled on the sofa with the latest novel by an author named Charlaine Harris, a noise caught her attention. It was the kind of sound that was just enough out of place to put her on guard.
Charlotte glanced up from the novel, tilted her head, and listened more intently. After a moment, she heard the noise again, the faintest of sounds coming from the bedroom where Davy was sleeping.
As quietly as she could, she hurried to the bedroom. Even in the dim glow of the night-light, she could see that the little huddled form beneath the covers was shivering. She walked quietly over to the bed.
Davy had pulled the covers completely over his head, and from beneath the bundle came gulping, sniffling sounds.
“Davy,” she called out softly, leaning over the bed as she placed her hand on the bundle. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
After several long moments, he finally answered, his voice muffled by the covers and pillow. “I-I scared. Want my mommy.”
“Oh, honey.” Charlotte’s heart was breaking for the little boy. She sat down on the bed, reached out, and began rubbing his back. “There’s nothing to be scared about.” Then she remembered what Judith had told her about the little boy’s nightmares. “Did you have a bad dream?”
“Don’t know,” he answered. “Want Mommy.”
“I know you do, sweetheart,” she whispered. “But Davy, look at Aunt Charley.” She pulled the covers down and turned him over onto his back. Then, propping herself on her elbow, she leaned down close to his face. “Your mommy would want you to be a big boy right now.” She kissed his forehead. “And I’m sure she’ll be back just as soon as she can.” Davy snuggled closer to her. “Tell you what,” she continued. “Do you and Mommy say your prayers at night?”
“I say prayers.”
“Why don’t we say them then, and we’ll ask God to bring Mommy home again real soon.”
On Monday morning Charlotte’s internal clock awakened her around six. The first thing she realized was that Davy was still snuggled close. The second thing that she realized, much to her irritation, was that she had fallen asleep still fully dressed, a sure sign of how tired she’d been, especially since she’d intended on staying with Davy only until he fell asleep again.
Charlotte rarely slept in her clothes, and she never went to bed without washing the day’s makeup and grime off her face. Now all she could think about was a shower and clean clothes.
Hoping Davy wouldn’t awaken quite yet, she eased out of the bed and placed her still warm pillow up against the little boy to give the illusion that a warm body was sleeping next to him; it was a trick she’d learned when Hank had been a little boy and had insisted on sleeping with her. Most of the time it had worked.
At the dresser, as quietly as she could, she opened a drawer and took out clean underwear. As she opened the closet door, she silently thanked Louis for having greased all the hinges. From the closet, she removed a fresh uniform. Clothes in hand, she tiptoed out of the bedroom and headed straight for the bathroom.
Still hoping that Davy would stay asleep just a little longer, she hurried through her shower and dressed in the bathroom.
In the kitchen, over her first cup of coffee, she debated whether to take Davy to his day-care so she could work, or whether to simply stay home with him. She could cancel working that day without much of a problem. Marian, her Monday client, would understand once she explained the situation. Or she could call Janet to work for her.
Ultimately, she decided that once Davy awakened, just for today, she would let him make the decision. With the two most important people in his young life absent, she felt that his sense of security took precedence over everything else. If he seemed even the least bit hesitant or apprehensive about going to day-care, she’d stay home with him.
When he did awaken a few minutes later, Charlotte broached the subject over their breakfast of oatmeal, toast, and juice.
“Well, Davy, what are we going to do today? What do you think about going to your school, so you can play with the other little boys and girls?”
Without hesitation, he nodded eagerly, and even with his grinning mouth half-full of oatmeal, she was able to understand him when he answered, “I go play with boys and girls”
After Davy finished breakfast, Charlotte kept one eye on the clock as she dressed him. With her guidance and to his delight, she let the little boy help her fill Sweety Boy’s food and water container before they left.
The short drive to Loving Care Day-Care Center only took about five minutes. Once there, she parked the van, then she escorted Davy inside. After signing him in, she spoke to the proprietor, Linda Smith, a plump middle-aged woman who had kind eyes and was the quintessence of a grandmother type.
“I’m a bit worried about Davy today,” Charlotte told her, and since she’d already decided to keep her explanation as simple as possible, all she added was that Davy was staying with her for a few days while his parents were away. “I’m just worried because he’s never been away from his mother for this long a period,” she added.
“Now, Ms. LaRue, don’t you worry about a thing.” Linda Smith reached over and patted Davy on the head. “Me and Davy are old buddies, and he’ll do just fine.”
Feeling somewhat more at ease, Charlotte left her name, address, and both of her phone numbers, along with instructions that if anything at all happened or if Davy seemed the least bit unhappy, Linda should feel free to immediately call her.
It was close to lunchtime, and Charlotte was in the middle of cleaning the bathroom that Marian’s sons used when her cell phone buzzed. She quickly rinsed and dried her hands, then pulled the phone from her pocket. “Maid-for-a-Day. Charlotte speaking.”
“Aunt Charley, it’s Judith. I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Charlotte closed the toilet lid and sank down on top of it.
Judith’s sigh was audible over the phone line and full of frustration. “Bail for Daniel has been denied.”
“What?” Charlotte cried. “How can that be possible?”
“Seems that the assistant D.A. convinced the judge that Daniel was a flight risk. He made a pitch about Daniel and Nadia conspiring to get rid of Ricco. And with Nadia missing, he claimed that if Daniel was freed on bail, he would more than likely disappear, too. And that idiotic man who calls himself a judge bought it.”
“That just can’t be right, Judith. There can’t be any evidence, and besides which, Daniel is a respected attorney from a highly respected law firm. He’s—”
“I know, I know, Auntie. If you ask me, there’s something really rotten going on here. Of course, it doesn’t help that the judge is Jonas Tipton, the assistant D.A.’s big golfing buddy.”
Charlotte frowned. “I’ve heard that name before.” But where had she heard it? Then, she remembered: something that Bitsy Duhe had told her. “Isn’t that the judge who’s as old as creation?”
“ ’Fraid so. Some even say he’s a bit senile. And I have to tell you, after watching him in court this morning, I think that old buzzard is more than just senile. I think he’s either just plain nuts or else he’s on the take.”
“Well ain’t that just grand?” Charlotte grumbled. “Surely
something
can be done.”
something
can be done.”
“Daniel’s firm is working on it, but this kind of stuff takes time.”
Time? How much time? And what about Davy?
“Have you told your mother about this yet?”
“Have you told your mother about this yet?”
“Not yet, and I’m not looking forward to it. Ah ... Aunt Charley, you wouldn’t consider—”
“No way,” Charlotte retorted immediately. “Don’t even ask. Your mother and I are barely speaking as it is.”
“Sorry. I thought it was worth a shot.”
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