Later that day Sam escorted Jessica home from the hospital. She’d held up well through the press conference, losing her voice only once in her touching plea for Deanne to bring Amy home. The hospital staff had rallied together to help bolster Jessica’s confidence. She looked vulnerable yet strong and determined by the time the cameras rolled. Her hair looked soft and touchable, and with a bit of makeup from the nurses, no one could tell she’d just been through surgery. The burgundy sundress she’d worn gave her a healthy glow, and flowed comfortably over her incision. She fielded questions about her surgery and the ability to get back to a normal life with unbelievable optimism.
Flowers had come in from friends and strangers once the news hit the airwaves, and Jessica had suggested that they be donated to other patients, all except for the calla lilies Sam had given her. She had tucked all of the cards into her overnight bag, hugged the vase to her chest, and said her goodbyes to the staff.
Sam had seen one of the reporters get into a black car as he went to get his pickup, and called Travis to come run interference if the need arose. It took a little extra coordination, but they managed to lose the car in the Palmer Park area where the streets were narrow and didn’t run straight through. There were benefits to knowing all the back roads.
By the time Sam drove into his parents’ garage, he’d gone thirty miles out of the way to lose the tabloid journalist.
“Will I be able to go to my apartment today?” Jessica asked.
The look in Jessica’s eyes made him wish again that he could make all of this trouble vanish into the thin Rocky Mountain air.
“I really think you should stay here for a while,” Sam answered as unselfishly and honestly as he could.
“What if Deanne calls my apartment?”
Sam paused. The medication hadn’t affected her thought process. “We’ll have your calls forwarded. Do you have a cell phone?”
She shook her head. “I don’t have call forwarding either.”
“That’s easy enough to take care of—”
His dad opened the back door and welcomed Jessica, interrupting the discussion. Sam’s mind kept a list of details to tend to as soon as Jessica was settled.
“I’m Max, Lidia’s roommate. Come on in.”
Sam groaned. “Dad retired recently. He traveled a lot, so he’s still getting used to thinking of this as his permanent residence.”
Jessica laughed. “Oh, so this is like a second honeymoon.”
Lidia rushed through the huge kitchen, catching only Jessica’s comment. “Oh, Sam, you didn’t have to tell her that!”
“I didn’t say anything, honest.” Sam laughed, knowing his parents wouldn’t believe him.
His mother was as shocked as Sam. “You two even think alike. I tell you, God has a plan for you both.”
“What did I say?” Jessica looked as bewildered as she did tired.
“Honeymoon,” Sam whispered. “I always tell them they’re as giddy as newlyweds.”
Jessica beamed. “How cute. Sam, do you know how lucky you are to have such a happy family?”
“Yeah, I’m blessed.” He didn’t need to fill her in on the entire truth right away. Not that they were unhappy, just that they were not happy in quite the way the average middle-class family used the term. One brother had been missing for three years, the other had been grieving for fourteen.
Thankfully, he and Lucia had managed to keep the upheaval in their lives to a low rumble, which, considering one worked Vice and Narcotics, and the other had forged her way into the fire department as one of the first female firefighters in the city, was a miracle in itself.
“Most kids wonder if their parents will adjust to both being in the house all day. We were worried how ours would manage living in the same town for more than a week or two at a time. Yeah, I have a lot to be thankful for.”
Jessica, still carrying the flowers, looked around for a place to set them.
“Oh, here, let me set those in the dining room.” Sam headed into the next room, still talking. “Dad, could you get Jessica a cell phone? We’re going to have calls forwarded from her house to it, just in case Deanne calls. I’ll call the phone company.”
“I’ll take care of that, too,” Max added.
Jessica reached for a purse that didn’t exist. “Sam, we have to go by my apartment. I don’t even have my purse or money…”
“Don’t worry about that.” Sam didn’t dare tell her that his dad kept several activated cell phones in the basement for emergency cases such as this.
She continued as if he hadn’t spoken. “And I’ll need a change of clothes and other things. And you needed me to see if anything else is missing. I didn’t even think of my stash of money.”
Sam lifted an eyebrow. “Where is it?”
“In an old pair of tennis shoes,” she said.
He made a face and plugged his nose. “I doubt Deanne would look there.”
She looked guilty. “Well, I suggested it at the counseling sessions at the shelter once. The discussion was about fleeing abusive relationships. I shared…what I’d heard once.”
Sam didn’t push, though he wanted to. Then again, part of him was afraid to hear her admit it. That was the past, he reminded himself. She’s obviously changed. “Your landlords said reporters have been waiting outside all day. Maybe by morning they’ll have given up, and we can run by.”
“I picked up a few things I thought you might need, Jessica,” said Lidia. “They’re in the guest room. Sam, would you show her where that is? If you’d like to nap before dinner, you’ll have plenty of time.”
“Lidia, you’re so sweet to share your home with me. You shouldn’t have gone to the extra trouble to get me something, too. Thank you.” Jessica looked at Sam. “Everything is catching up with me. I didn’t think I’d be able to sleep another minute, but it sounds pretty nice right now. Any word on…Amy?”
“No, but I’ll call Becky. I’ll let you know if anything has changed.”
Jessica glanced at him, her gray eyes dull, as if she’d lost hope in finding Amy.
Sam led the way, showing her around the first floor of the house.
“This is a really pretty house, Sam.” Jessica seemed overwhelmed with the spaciousness.
“And this is your room,” he said finally.
Jessica stepped up to the door, then turned and looked into the bedroom across the hall. “And whose room was this? I take it he liked basketball.”
Sam smiled. Jessica was beginning to relax and Sam liked that. “He still does.” Sam found himself resisting the urge to kiss her.
Jessica’s smile looked sleepy, especially from close up. “It was yours, wasn’t it.”
Sam couldn’t imagine how she’d come to that conclusion. He and Travis both loved basketball. All three boys were in law enforcement somehow, and when they’d all lived here their rooms had never been clean enough to tell one from the other. Of course, now that they were in their own homes, his mother kept the house spotless. He looked into the room and back to Jessica.
“Why do you think it’s mine?”
Jessica laughed. “Your mother told me.”
“Ha ha.” Sam’s gaze lingered on her lips, which were beautiful when she smiled. “Why don’t you get some rest?”
Jessica raised to her tiptoes and brushed a kiss across his lips. “Thank you, Sam.”
She closed the door, and Sam went into his old room and dropped onto the bed. Using his cell, he checked in with Becky and gave her his parents’ number to call if anything came up. She had delivered Deanne’s computer to FBI computer expert and old friend Jake Montgomery for inspection and was waiting to get reports back from the investigation on her fire.
Sam closed his eyes, said a short prayer, and dreamed of bringing Amy home to her mother—and a father.
Two hours later, Max woke them for dinner, with the surprise news that Sam’s sister and brother, Lucia and Travis, had also come to eat with them. Except for the disturbing reason for their gathering, it would have been a monumental way to let Jessica get acquainted with his family. As it was, everyone seemed to walk on eggshells, which wasn’t anything new. Anytime Travis was in their parents’ home the same chilly atmosphere prevailed.
Jessica’s eyes were puffy again. She’d obviously not slept as well as Sam had.
Travis held the chair out for his sister and mother, while Sam doted on Jessica. “Nice to see you again, Jessica.”
“Hi, Travis. I was able to make the arrangements you wanted for your auction date.”
Travis rolled his eyes as Lucia razzed him. “Hot date, huh, Travis? Who do you think the lucky lady will be? You are going to get a haircut, aren’t you?”
Travis ignored the baby of the family. “I’m really sorry to hear about Amy. If I can do anything, Sam has my number. I don’t like to step on official toes, but then again, I don’t care much about red tape anymore either.”
“Thanks, Travis. I’m sorry to learn about your daughter, too.”
Sam felt the room spin as everyone seemed to gasp at the same time. No one in the family mentioned Natalie or Allison unless Travis initiated the subject.
Travis held himself together. With his usual gruffness, he said, “I hope you don’t ever have to find out what it’s like. We’ll find Amy.”
Jessica forced a smile and the tears threatened again. Sam offered his hand, and she accepted, blinking the tears away with determination.
Max blessed the dinner and added a prayer for Amy’s safety and Jessica’s quick healing, then helped Lidia bring the meal to the dining room. For the next hour, dinner was the main topic of conversation, along with Lucia’s latest jokes from the fire station.
The phone rang, and everyone froze. Lidia answered, then handed the phone to Sam.
He wasn’t surprised to hear Becky’s voice. “What do you have?”
“Nothing more,” she said regretfully. “But I’d like to come by and talk to Jessica for a bit.”
“Anything specific?” He took the empty water pitcher into the kitchen, using the excuse to get away from listening ears.
Becky hesitated. “I want to discuss some theories.”
“Theories? Such as?”
“Why don’t I just talk to Jessica about this?”
Sam shook his head. “You tell me what this is about first.”
“Come on, Sam. I called as a courtesy. It’s not like I don’t know where you two are.”
“And you know enough to know you’re not coming in to ask anything without telling me what you’ve found. She’s already distraught, and I don’t want anyone telling her how slim the chances get of finding Amy alive every day she’s gone. It’s bad enough that I know the facts.” Sam waited for some lame argument. “What theories?”
Becky let out a huge sigh, as if knowing he wouldn’t give up. She knew him well. “You should know me better than that. I think replacement is clearly her motive.”
“We came up with that the first search. Is that all you’ve found after two days?”
Becky never was one to beat around the bush and that she was doing so now scared him. “Fine, here it is. Could Jessica have said something—” It sounded like they’d been cut off.
“Becky, what’d you say? You cut out.”
“Could she have given Deanne permission to take Amy? We found comments logged into a journal at the shelter.”
“No, she wouldn’t have given up her child. Absolutely not.” Sam closed his eyes. He couldn’t believe anyone could think that of Jessica. Couldn’t believe he’d ever questioned her parenting.
“Sam, we need to talk to Jessica.”
“Did anyone else in the shelter back up that theory? Did anyone else ever hear Jessica say any such thing?”
“No, but…”
Sam didn’t like the way this investigation was going. “Get over here. And bring the journal.”
They managed to finish eating before Becky arrived. Sam answered the door, and the rest of the family sat down in the living room and waited for Becky to take the first step in the wrong direction. Sam knew that if any one of the Vances had any doubt about how the investigation was being handled, they’d take it into their own hands.
Becky was aware Travis had retired from the force, and had a general idea what his father had done for a living. When she finally asked Jessica about the journal, there was less innuendo than in her phone conversation with Sam.
Jessica’s face still turned white. “No, I never…” She swallowed again, trying to gain control. “I would never give my daughter up to anyone. I struggled with having to leave her at a child-care center at all. Having her in the same location was the only way I could deal with it.”
“Could you ever have made any comments to give Deanne the impression that you didn’t want to be a mother anymore?”
Jessica lost it and the tears wouldn’t stop. With her permission, Sam told Becky about Jessica’s comments to Deanne. Jessica asked to read the entries, and pointed out that Deanne had outright lied about the day she’d gone home from work and left Amy at the center. “Sam and Susan both can tell you I had no choice. Susan brought Amy to my house after work, not Deanne.” Jessica took a deep breath and started shaking. “I can’t believe I trusted her with my precious little girl. What are the odds of finding her?”
Sam couldn’t believe Jessica had actually asked the question. Thought it, yes, but it was totally different to say it aloud. He looked at Becky.
“If we were looking at a revenge motive, it would look grim, but we’re ninety-nine percent positive that Deanne loves Amy and wants another daughter. I don’t think Amy’s life is in any danger.” Becky smiled, then subtly straightened her shoulders. “We have some very good leads with the moving company and the bank. The fact that she didn’t close her checking account helped immensely. She’ll have to come back to town for more money. I was able to convince the president of the bank to freeze her accounts.”
Sam couldn’t believe Becky had accomplished that so soon. “Good job.”
She didn’t acknowledge his compliment, which he didn’t exactly blame her for. He hadn’t been very supportive during their phone conversation.
“Jessica, if you think of anything else that may have anything to do with the case, please call me anytime.” She closed the journal. “For the record, we’ll get statements from other co-workers regarding Deanne’s journal entries. I doubt that we’ll need them, but it’s better to get them now while these events are fresh in their minds.”
“Thank you, Becky.” Jessica stayed seated while Becky stood to leave.
As Max showed Becky to the door, Sam stayed with Jessica.
“I think I’m going to bed now,” she said.
Jessica’s announcement shocked him. “Let me help you off the sofa.” He took her hands and pulled her to her feet. “Are you okay?”
“I take it that’s a rhetorical question and you don’t really want me to answer it,” she said in a melancholy tone.
His mother saved him. “Jessica, could I heat you some chamomile tea to relax you?”
“No thanks, Lidia. I think I’ll call my parents to let them know where I am and what’s happened, then take my pain medicine. That should put me to sleep. Travis, Lucia, it was nice of you to come tonight.”
Lucia hugged Jessica. “You need anything, Jessica, we’re here for you.” Travis and his dog, Cody, left right after Becky did.
Max returned, and she thanked him for his hospitality, then said, “Good night, Sam.”
He crossed his arms over his chest, suppressing the urge to follow her. “’Night.”
Sam gave his parents strict orders to call if Jessica woke, then made a quick trip to the precinct to pick up messages and check in on the Valenti case. He’d lost a couple of days’ work, and couldn’t take a chance of losing more time on that investigation. He stayed about an hour there, then made the ten-minute drive to his house. After picking up a few clean clothes, he would return to watch out for Jessica himself. He pulled into the drive, surprised to find Travis and Cody there.
Travis shot the basket, then moved out of Sam’s way. “What’s up?” Sam asked as he closed the truck door.
“She’s one strong lady,” Travis commented. “But she’s on the verge of fighting back.”
Sam nodded. “Yeah, that’s why I’m going to stay at Mom and Dad’s. She needs someone on her side to keep her out of harm’s way. Nothing hurts more than to watch a woman cry and not be able to help. I wish I could be out there looking for Amy myself, but I think Jessica needs me here with her. I hope she does, anyway.”
“Sounds like Becky’s doing a good job,” Travis said with a grin. “Must be a little awkward.”
Sam unlocked the house and went inside. “Not really. I was never really sure it was over, until both Jessica and Becky were in the same room. Becky never really stood a chance.”
Travis laughed. “It’s about time you realized that.”
Sam couldn’t believe Travis had never voiced his questions about the relationship before. “Well, since you’re in an analytical mood tonight, what’s your feeling about Jessica?”
“Don’t get defensive,” Travis said.
“I’m not, yet. You offered an opinion, I’d like to hear all of it.”
“Jessica’s strong, but not as aggressive as Becky, if you want a comparison.”
“I don’t,” he said, trying to argue that he’d never made his own comparisons. “A simple approve or disapprove will do, thanks anyway.”
Travis laughed. “You don’t need my approval.”
“Didn’t say I did, but you seemed to want to talk.”
Travis tossed him the basketball. “It’s nice to be needed once in a while.”
Sam wasn’t sure who his brother was referring to—himself, or Jessica. “No argument…”
“She needs someone who has confidence in her. Someone who can overlook her past and, at the same time, help her find the happiness she deserves. Would you like me to look into Deanne’s moving plans in the morning?”
Sam was still back on Travis’s idea of the kind of man Jessica deserved. “What?”
“The kidnapper. Thought I’d look into it, if you want. Check with her doctors, see if this could have been avoided.” Travis made his way to the kitchen and looked for a snack. “If you have any suggestions, let me know.”
“I’d like you to stay out of it for a while, Travis. It’s not easy to ask that, but I’m afraid that Deanne might get spooked if she sees the walls closing in around her.”
Travis frowned. “I know what you mean. You never know if the woman is a loose cannon ready to go off. She’s desperate enough to take it this far, who knows what else she’s capable of?”
“I know what you mean. I hate asking you not to do anything, but I’ll let Becky know you’re ready to step in if she needs help. I’d better get going,” Sam said, unable to stop thinking about Jessica. “Why don’t we both get some sleep tonight and talk tomorrow?”
“G’night, Sammy.” Travis popped his basketball out from under Sam’s arm and turned toward the door. Then he grabbed his daughter’s baby ring from the shelf where it’d been since their last basketball match and slipped it over his head.
Sam checked on Jessica when he returned to his parents’ house and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, only to be woken a few hours later by the sound of water running. He listened for a few minutes before realizing it was Jessica. Jumping from the bed, Sam looked around for his shirt.
Jessica’s door squeaked open, and Sam gave up the search. At least he’d thought to bring his sweats to sleep in. He stubbed his toe as he opened the door and stepped into her path. He hobbled into the hallway and glanced at her sundress and sandals. She stared at him with her guilty gaze.
“I’m guessing you’re not headed to the kitchen for a drink of water,” he said.
“No, I need to go to my place.” She hugged her bag to her chest and looked away, trying to hide her red eyes.
“It’s the middle of the night.” He yawned and looked at her bedside clock. “You can’t just sneak out of here, Jessica. Number one, we have an alarm system. Two, you don’t have a car. And three, I’m not about to let you walk there at this hour.”
She sniffed and wiped her nose with a tissue, and Sam wrapped his arms around her, relieved when she didn’t fight him. She let go of her bag with one hand, hugging him close. “I need to go, Sam. I just need to.” Her sweet-smelling hair tickled his bare skin. Her fears wove themselves into his heart and squeezed.
He realized her need didn’t come from logic or selfishness, but from a deep desire to connect in some way with her missing daughter. “Let me find my shirt and shoes and I’ll take you.”