Vanished (16 page)

After a few minutes of silence, Madison knew she had to broach the subject that had brought them to this place. She wasn't going to let J.T. slip backward without a fight. Memories of what liquor had done to her father stiffened her determination.

“Why did you start drinking in the first place?”

The tightening of his hand transmitted his stress. “It started when I would go out with the guys after work to a bar and have a few to unwind, to forget the ugliness of our job.”

“There's more than ugliness in our jobs. There's nothing like the feeling I get when I've helped someone or gotten a criminal off the street so he can no longer hurt anyone.”

“I lost the ability to focus on the good, the positive. When I came to God, I was able to change my focus more to that. But—” he shook his head “—this person who wants revenge has brought all those old feelings back. All the guilt.”

“Guilt? Over the drinking?”

“More than that. I'm the reason my wife is dead. If I hadn't been drinking, she would be alive today.”

His words, uttered in the quiet of the church, rocked her. “Did you drink and drive?”

“No, but we had a big argument about my drinking one evening. She left to walk it off and was hit by a car.”

“So if you hadn't been drinking, she wouldn't have been out there walking off her anger? Is that it?”

“Something like that.”

“Has your guilt brought her back?”

He frowned. “No, but—”

“Have you confessed and asked God for forgiveness?”

“Yes, but—”

“‘If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' Do you not believe those words from the book of John?”

“It's not that simple.” J.T. stared at the cross hanging from the ceiling over the altar.

“Yes, it is. Turn your guilt over to the Lord. Let Him wash you clean of it. This is the time you need your faith more than ever.”

“I'm trying.” He looked at Madison. “You know what Ashley said to me tonight? She's worried the bad man will come get her again. So am I. He's toying with me. Has been all along.”

She maneuvered around so she faced him on the pew. “You can't let this person win.”

He smiled. “I'm glad I have you on my side. You've been my anchor through all this.”

“And God?”

“Yes, but I still don't understand why something like this happened to Ashley. She's so innocent.”

“You know more than most people that bad things happen to good people. No guarantees in this life, only the next one. But God has given you what you need to weather the storm. Your kids are blessed to have you.”

“I won't let that monster win. I won't let him harm another one of my children.”

“What if it isn't a him?”

J.T. started to say something but stopped and thought a moment, cocking his head to one side as was his habit. “Why do you say that? We ruled out all of the women I put behind bars.”

“Tonight I woke up because I figured out the scent that Ashley probably smelled was vanilla. When I think of the scent of vanilla, I think of a woman, not a man.”

“Maybe Ashley was intended to smell it. She only smelled it the last time she ate before she was released. What if the person used it to throw us off? I feel that way about most of the leads we've gotten so far.”

“That's always a possibility. But I still want to look at women. Look at this from a different angle.”

“I trust your judgment. If you think so, then do it. I still think our best bet is the list of felons.”

His compliment gave her a warm feeling in the pit of her stomach. That meant a lot to her. “What if it's a wife or girlfriend of someone you put in prison? The revenge angle still holds true.”

“That opens up a whole new list.”

“I want to work on that. That's why I came down to the station to reassess our search, expand it.”

“I can't believe I'm saying this, but tomorrow is soon enough. We both need to get some sleep. I don't know about you, but my mind is getting fuzzy.”

“Fine. First thing tomorrow morning I'll start on it.”

He lifted the hand that he held and sandwiched it between his. “Thank you.”

Their gazes connected, and the bond that had formed from the very beginning blossomed. J.T.'s eyes blazed, and his intense regard took in her features as though he were memorizing them.

He cradled her face with one hand, never taking his eyes from hers. “Thank you isn't adequate for what I feel. There were times I felt everything was coming apart and I would look at you working so hard to find Ashley. You gave me hope and what I needed to keep going.”

He pulled her into his embrace and just held her against him. His aftershave teased her senses. The feel of his arms about her sent a wave of contentment through her. What was happening to her? Surely these feelings were because their emotions were so intense concerning the case. She did not want to be hurt again. She did not want to mistake this for something it wasn't.

When he leaned away and caught her gaze, he ran his thumb over her lips. Those heightened emotions jammed her throat and made it difficult to say anything. Although his thumb was rough, his touch was so gentle it tingled.

“If we're gonna get any rest, we'd better leave.” J.T. rose and tugged her to her feet.

He headed toward the entrance into the sanctuary, his hand joined with hers. Out in the foyer he stopped and drew her against him, gliding his fingers through her hair. His mouth met hers in a searing kiss.

For a long moment as he held her against him, she'd felt as though she'd come home. That sensation panicked her, startling her in its intensity. When had he become so important to her?

When they parted, he rested his forehead against hers, his hands cradling her face. “I have wanted to do that since last summer.”

Then without another word he walked out of the church with his arm around her shoulders so that her body pressed along his side. They moved as one back toward the sheriff's office.

The warm breeze teased her hair. The scent of honeysuckle from along one side of the church sweetened the air. Stars glittered in the dark sky, vying with the moon for dominance. A perfect evening. But she knew that evil still lurked in Crystal Springs. She shivered.

“Cold?” He brought her even closer as if he could protect her.

“No, just thinking about what needs to be done.”

J.T. came to a stop at Madison's car in front of the station. “Come by and have breakfast with us tomorrow morning. That's the least I can do for all your help. My kids enjoy having you.”

Just your kids?
“What time?”

“Seven.”

“You cooking again?”

“I thought I would get you to help me.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

She laughed. “I'm thinking you are the better chef, but if you're game, I'll help.” She lounged back against her car. “What about the kids tomorrow?”

“I want them to go back to school, at least Neil and Kim. I think the quicker we get back into a normal routine the better for everyone. Neil graduates next Monday and there's only a few days of school left for Kim.”

“What about Ashley?”

“Colin has been counseling Kim and Neil and will continue to, but I want him to start with Ashley tomorrow. She's scared to be alone. I don't want her to feel I've abandoned her at school. I want to get her whatever kind of therapy she needs.”

“Time hopefully will help her.”

“Time and us finding the kidnapper.”

“We will.” They had to. It was so hard seeing people she cared about in so much pain.

“I think Neil and Kim will be all right at school. They know to be careful.” He rubbed his thumb along her lips. “I have something for you.”

He moved to his Jeep, unlocked it and removed the whiskey. When he came back to her, he uncapped the bottle and poured it down the sewer in the street. “This won't help me solve my problems. Thanks for reminding me of that and that God was there for me six years ago and is here for me now.”

Having lived with a father who would never have done that, she was thrilled by his actions. Madison grinned her thanks at him, then turned to open her car. “See you at seven.”

J.T. halted her movement, twisting her back toward him. He kissed her hard and quick. “Good night.”

When she slipped behind the wheel, her hands trembled as she gripped it. That kiss took her by surprise—a pleasant one. She brushed her fingers across her lips, remembering the feel of his mouth against hers. Wow!

When J.T. settled himself in his Jeep, she started her engine and backed out of the parking space, then
followed J.T. down Lakeshore Drive until she came to her motel. He honked as she turned into her temporary residence.

Tomorrow she would compile a new list with the focus on women. The possibility couldn't be ruled out and up until now they hadn't really considered the kidnapper being anything but a man. They had to look at every angle. Time was their enemy. The kidnapper could strike again. She felt something would happen soon.

Day six, 1:00 p.m.: Ashley found seventeen hours ago

J.T. paused in the open doorway to Ashley's room. Both of his daughters lay curled next to each other on the double bed, Kim's arm thrown over her younger sister as though protecting her. The picture thickened his throat.

Rachel sat in the rocking chair near the bed. When she saw him, she rose and strode toward him. “She wouldn't go to sleep until Kim and I stayed in the room.”

“Thanks, Rachel. I know you, in fact everyone, are going above and beyond your job description.” J.T. stepped into the hallway.

“My job is to keep the citizens of this county safe and that's what I'm doing. I told you to call me anytime. I know you don't want to leave them alone, yet you have things that you need to do. Did you come up with any leads?”

“Actually Madison thinks we should look at women, as well.”

“We ruled out the ones you put in jail.”

“Maybe it's someone connected with one of the men I sent to prison.”

Rachel whistled low. “That will open a new direction.”

“We'll work on it tomorrow. I'll be in after I get the kids off to school. I'm bringing Ashley to work with me. I don't think she's ready to go back to school.”

“You're probably right.”

After Rachel left, J.T. entered his daughter's bedroom again and eased into the rocking chair. He'd come close to losing it tonight. He'd made the decision before Madison had arrived not to take a drink, but her presence had reinforced his need to stay sober, not to slide back into that old life that nearly destroyed him and his family.

As he watched his daughters sleep, his heart swelled with love. Before he'd gone to the station, he'd been weary, frantic and desperate because it looked as if there was no end to the nightmarish threat hanging over his family. He didn't feel that way anymore. Yes, he was still weary, but the desperation was gone. Calmness flowed through him. Madison had reminded him of what was the most important thing in his life: God.

J.T. knelt next to Ashley's bed, closed his eyes and opened his heart. He had been tested and survived. He hadn't taken that drink. “Thank You, Lord, for being there for me. Thank You for bringing my daughter home and thank You for Your love and guidance. Your power has strengthened me even beyond what I had thought I was capable of. Six years ago I wouldn't have been able to deal with this crisis. I would have lost myself in a bot
tle. Not this evening. You were there with me as You always have been. For a moment I forgot. Thank You.”

He rested his head on the mattress. Through his exhaustion hope shone. He would find the person responsible for Ashley's kidnapping. He wouldn't let anyone hold his family hostage, physically or emotionally.

“Daddy, you're home.” Ashley touched his hair.

He looked up. “Hi, honey.”

Her eyelids fluttered closed. “Good. You'll stay with me?”

He came to his feet and kissed her on the cheek. “Yes. I'm going to stretch out on the floor next to your bed.”

His daughter didn't answer him as she drifted back into sleep. Although he would be getting her counseling, J.T. knew that she would be all right with time. God was with her.

Day six, 9:00 a.m.: Ashley found twenty-five hours ago

S
eated at her usual table at the station the next morning after sharing breakfast with J.T. and his family, Madison finished reading a report and shuffled it to the bottom of her huge stack. She was reviewing all the evidence, keeping in mind a woman could be the kidnapper. Her gaze lit upon the next one from Kirk about the metallic blue car. Since the vehicle's discovery was old news, she started to ignore it when the deputy's description of the Chevy caught her attention. No tinted windows.

She thought back a few days to her interview with Mrs. Goldsmith. Something was wrong. Madison dug through her reports until she found Ruth's the day after Ashley's kidnapping. J.T.'s neighbor had said the reason she hadn't seen the person driving the metallic blue car was because the windows had been tinted dark, but they weren't. A mistake on Ruth's part or a lie?

Madison leaned against the table, her palm supporting her chin. Something else nagged her. What? Closing
her eyes, she tried to go back over the interview in her mind, picturing the whole scene. She was on the couple's porch, waiting for someone to open the door. She turned to scan the street. She saw the reporters, the people hurrying toward the staging area of the search, the white car in the Goldsmiths' driveway.

A white car! That was it! Coupled with the discrepancy in the description of the metallic blue vehicle and even the time frame of the kidnapping, it was enough to prompt Madison to write Ruth's name on her list of people to check out.

Then another memory flashed into her mind. The scent of vanilla had permeated the Goldsmiths' house when she had gone inside that morning. The woman had been baking sugar cookies. Madison put a star by J.T.'s neighbor's name.

A movement out of the corner of her eye caught Madison's attention. She looked toward J.T. approaching. The tension in his face had eased some after getting a good night's sleep. Madison was glad at least one of them had rested well because throughout the night before all she could think about was his kisses.

He slipped into the chair across from her and smiled. His look melted her insides. It took all her willpower to keep herself sitting upright. Again the sensations his kisses had generated the evening before swamped her.

“Did you discover something?”

J.T.'s question forced her to concentrate on the case, not her attraction to the man. She blinked, pushing herself back against the hard slats of her chair. “How long have the Goldsmiths lived in Crystal Springs?”

A frown chased away the lively gleam in his eyes. “I think they moved here about two-and-a-half years ago. Why?”

“It's probably nothing but Ruth said the windows on the metallic blue car were tinted. They weren't. She also said she saw it pull away at five-forty. The teen driving said he fled the area at six o'clock because the news had come on his radio station.” She clasped the arms of the chair. “And the Goldsmiths' own a white car.”

“Along with thousands of others. They have been good to my family. I can't see either one of them involved in kidnapping Ashley.”

“I smelled vanilla when I interviewed Ruth. She's known for her sugar cookies. Remember Ashley's reaction to them last night?”

J.T.'s frown deepened. “It just can't be her.”

“I didn't say it was, but I'm going to check them out thoroughly. Where they came from. Do they have a connection to one of the criminals you put away?”

J.T. raked his hand through his hair. “I hate this. I have to suspect my friends and neighbors.”

“While you and your staff work on the list of felons and any females connected with them, Paul and I will look into some of the people in Crystal Springs, not just the ones who have only been here for a short time. If I discover anything, I'll tell you. Otherwise you don't have to be involved.”

“Who are you starting with?”

“The people you work with.”

J.T.'s eyebrows slashed downward. “My deputies? They were subjected to an in-depth background check
before coming to work here. I can't see how there could be anything in their pasts.”

“But people like Susan and Elizabeth aren't subjected to a thorough background search. We'll recheck your deputies to rule them out, but I agree with you.”

J.T. glanced toward his office with the blinds up and the door open. Inside, Ashley sat at his desk drawing. “Colin will be here shortly to talk with her. I hate thinking someone my daughter knows wanted to hurt her.”

“But the person didn't hurt her. Why?”

J.T. swung his gaze back to Madison. “You think that's important?”

“Could be. The felons you described to me wouldn't have thought twice about hurting Ashley. But she was released unharmed and you were told where to find her.”

“Some mental game he's playing with me?”

“Maybe. And another thing. The deputy you depend on the most happens to be gone for a two-week vacation at the time of the kidnapping. A coincidence? I don't think so.” More and more Madison felt there was a personal association between the kidnapper and J.T.

“You go in your direction while we go in ours. I'm also looking into Max Dillard and any connection to the criminals on my list.”

“The FBI agents in New Jersey are still checking into the hotel where Eric Carlton stayed.”

He folded his arms on the table and bent forward. “Neil wanted me to see if you would come to his last game tomorrow.”

“He's pitching?”

J.T. nodded. “I'd like you to come. As crucial as solving
this case is, I also recognize how important it is to have some time away from it. Kim and Ashley are coming. They wanted me to talk you into it, too. My children have made it clear they like having you around. So do I.”

She rarely blushed but her cheeks burned. “A family outing. I'd like that. Did you say Neil graduates next Monday evening?”

“Yes.”

“I'd like to see that, too.”

“You've got yourself a date then.”

Date! The word flew through her mind, setting off fireworks. Since Brent, she hadn't dated more than a few times. She realized J.T. didn't mean it as a real date, but the thought warmed her. What would a real date be like with J. T. Logan?

Day eight, 4:00 p.m.: Ashley found eighty hours ago

Dressed in jeans, a short-sleeved light blue shirt and sandals, Madison lifted her face to the sun. A perfect day at the ballpark. Not a cloud in the sky. A light breeze kept the temperature cool enough to be pleasant and the best part of the day was that she sat next to J.T. with Ashley on his other side next to Kim.

Neil came out onto the field, heading for the pitcher's mound. He had a no-hitter going in the eighth inning. Thanks to J.T.'s explanation she knew how rare a no-hitter was, and with each strike Neil pitched, she was on her feet cheering as loud as J.T. Even Ashley and Kim were excited as they devoured hot dogs, sodas and potato chips.

Neil tossed a few pitches as the first batter came out
of the dugout and walked to the plate. Madison tensed. There were still two more innings and the odds weren't in Neil's favor, but it was about time the Logan family had something good happen.

“Strike one,” the umpire shouted.

The next pitch flew over the home plate. The batter swung and missed.

“Strike two.”

Madison held her breath as Neil eyed the batter. J.T. covered her hand that lay between them on the bleachers. Neil wound up and threw the ball. It sailed toward the batter who stepped into it. The crack of the bat against the ball sounded in the sudden quiet of the park. The ball popped up. Neil backpedaled while the batter ran toward first. J.T.'s grip tightened.

When his son caught the fly, Madison leaped to her feet at the same time as J.T., yelling and pumping their linked hands into the air.

J.T. swung around, scooped Ashley into his arms and hugged her. “Neil's gonna get a no-hitter. I can just feel it.”

His daughter giggled. “Daddy, you're funny.”

J.T. slanted a look toward Madison. “I don't think my daughter appreciates the significance of a no-hitter.”

“Sure I do, Daddy. It makes you happy.”

J.T. smiled. “It sure does, pumpkin.”

Through the rest of Neil's successful inning with not one hit, J.T.'s presence next to Madison heightened her senses. The aromas of popcorn and hot dogs vied with the scent of the recently mowed field behind the ballpark. Everything from the green grass and trees to the
azure-blue sky seemed sharp, clear, the colors more vivid than usual. The brush of his arm against her magnified her reaction to him. Her heart beat faster. Her breathing became shallower.

“This is it. The last inning,” J.T. whispered close to her ear.

Her neck tingled from the featherlight touch of his breath as he spoke. She trembled.

“Cold?” One of his eyebrows rose.

The mischievous expression in his eyes told her he knew exactly what he was doing to her right here in front of half of Crystal Springs. Too much more and she would dissolve into a puddle of Jell-O left out on a hot summer's day.

She leaned near. “Turnabout is fair play.” She blew on his neck and grinned when a tremor passed down his body.

His laugh that followed spiced the air, prompting Madison's smile to widen. “Touché. That's one of the things I like about you.”

Those words caused Madison to float halfway through the last inning, not aware of much that was happening on the field. By the time she'd forced her concentration back to the game, Neil faced the last batter if he managed to strike him out. Vaguely she wondered if Neil still had a no-hitter. She thought he did from all the cheering going on around her.

When he pitched three straight strikes and the fans erupted into wild cheers, Madison got her answer. Neil had his no-hitter. J.T. jumped to his feet, taking her up into his arms and planting a kiss on her mouth. Then he swung around and hugged Ashley and Kim.

Stunned, Madison stared at J.T. with his daughters. The urge to touch her lips was so strong she had to clench her hands to keep from doing that.

“We are gonna celebrate tonight. We have so much to be thankful for.” J.T. shifted back toward Madison. “How about going with us on a picnic at the park along the lake?”

“I'm game.” To spend a few hours not thinking about the case sounded wonderful to Madison. She was beginning to feel she was too close to the facts to see what was missing.

The more she delved into the people in Crystal Springs the more she realized some of them had something to hide. She hadn't been able to discover what Ross Morgan had done as a teenager because his juvenile records were sealed, but she had an FBI agent interview some people who had known him while he was in high school. She found out Ross had been caught stealing from his neighbors. What else was he capable of doing to his neighbors?

There was also Howard Wright, one of Neil's baseball coaches, who'd had ties to a porn site on the Internet a few years back before coming to Crystal Springs. Charges had been filed but later dropped. Why? How far had the man gone in his interests? Had it extended to little girls? He was definitely someone to watch. Howard always wore cowboy boots to remind him of his home state. He even had them on while coaching Neil's team.

Madison scanned the fans in the bleachers. What other secrets would she uncover? These were J.T.'s friends, yet one of them could be the kidnapper. She
couldn't shake that feeling as she investigated the townspeople. The more she uncovered, the more she felt this.

“Ready?” J.T. grasped Ashley's hand. “We've got enough food back at the house to invite the whole town on a picnic.” When a frown appeared on his youngest daughter's face, he quickly continued, “But we won't. I want you all to myself.”

Ashley beamed. “Can we take our fishing poles?”

“Sure, pumpkin. We haven't done that yet this year. That sounds like a good idea.”

“Yuck. Fishing.” Kim screwed up her face. “I'm not eating anything you catch.”

Ashley made a face at her older sister. “You don't have to. Daddy will.”

Kim started toward the center aisle with Ashley right behind her. “Good. Just wanted to make that clear.”

J.T. peered back at Madison. “Now this is what I'm used to. Their bickering is music to my ears. I can't believe I'm saying that.”

“Colin's talks seem to be helping Ashley.”

“I slept in her room again on the floor last night, but she only woke up once with a bad dream. Better than the night before.”

“You know what they say about time healing all wounds.”

He turned back to her. “I hope so. It's hard watching my child in pain.”

“Dad, I'm hungry.” Kim stood at the end of the row with her hand on her hip.

“Me, too, Daddy.” Ashley mimicked her older sister.