21

 

The drive back to the office was quiet, a product of the emotional exhaustion Ellie felt. Jesse tried occasionally to make small talk then eventually gave up and accepted the silence. He pulled into the parking lot, sat there a moment, then finally cut off the car. “You OK?” he asked, looking over at Ellie.

She nodded. “Just a little drained.”

“Yeah. It was a pretty eventful day. Scenes like that in the playroom, that’s what makes the job worthwhile.”

Ellie stared out the windshield, watching the snow flutter in the lights. It had tapered off to scattered flurries, but not before leaving about two feet accumulated on the ground.

“I’m glad we were able to reunite them,” Ellie said, her voice faint, like an echo. “But it makes me mad that we had to. What made Jerome Kenton grab that little boy out of his own car, raise him as his own? I’m sorry the Kenton’s lost their son, but it didn’t give them the right to take someone else’s. If they had never hit that deer…”

“But they did. And because of it, Landon is back with his mother.”

Ellie shook her head. “More Divine intervention, huh?”

Jesse grinned. “I hate to think that poor deer was sacrificed, but yeah. Divine intervention.”

Ellie sat there a moment, too tired to argue. She wasn’t so sure she could argue with him about it anymore. All these miracles did give her pause.

“You want me to drive you home?”

She considered it then shook her head. “No. The roads aren’t bad. I just hate it’s so late. I told Aunt Sissy I wouldn’t be long.”

“I’m sure your dad will understand. I know he’ll be happy about Landon.”

Ellie knew Jesse was right. Despite her father’s current heartbreak, he’d be overjoyed to hear about Landon and his mother. That’s just how he was. So sacrificing. So godly.

 

****

 

Ellie sat in her driveway and brushed the tears from her face before going in. Her heart had been tugged in so many directions in the last few hours she wasn’t sure who or what she was crying for anymore. From the car she could see the soft yellow glow of a light on in her living room, but at this hour wasn’t sure her father would still be up.

She sucked up her tears and headed inside, trudging through the snow still packed along the walkway. Aunt Sissy was curled on the sofa reading one of her romance novels, and her father was in the kitchen fixing himself a cup of hot tea.

Sissy glanced up from the book and glared at Ellie over the rims of her reading glasses. “You look like crap.”

“Thanks. You look wonderful, too,” Ellie said as she tossed her coat in the chair. She went into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around her father. He embraced her tightly, surprising her at his strength. “I’m so sorry, Daddy. I’m sorry I wasn’t there.” She choked back another onslaught of tears.

Her father gently stroked her hair as he shushed her. “Hey, it’s all right. I know you had work to do…and Peggy knew it, too.”

“But I should have been there for you.”

He pulled away from her and cupped her face in his hands. “Sweetheart, you’re forgiven. It’s time you forgive yourself.”

She wished she had an ounce of his strength. And faith. He gently wiped away her tears and smiled tenderly at her. “She went very peacefully. If I were to mourn her death, it would be selfish of me. She’s rejoicing in the arms of the Lord, and as much as I’m going to miss her, I wouldn’t ever wish it any different.”

He took another cup from the cabinet and fixed Ellie a cup of tea. “Come. Tell me about the case. I assume there’s been a new development?” He led her into the living room. Sissy sat up to make room on the sofa.

Ellie sat between them and reveled in the closeness. She told them about Ashley Garrett and her husband Andy, and about Jerome Kenton. “I’m going back up to Avery County tomorrow. Jerome Kenton has some serious questions to answer.”

“Did the little boy recognize his mother?” her father asked.

Ellie nodded. “He knew who she was immediately. And…remember you told Jesse the child probably had a message for someone…apparently, the message was for his mother.” There. She had said it. She had finally acknowledged God had been involved in this case from the beginning.

“What was the message?” Sissy asked.

Ellie told them about the guilt Ashley had carried and how in one simple sentence, she had received the release she needed.

Her father slowly nodded and smiled. “Amazing how liberating forgiveness can be. You should ask Jesse about that sometime. He’s forgiven.” He gave her a teasing wink.

Sissy craned her neck to look out the window. “Speaking of Jesse, he didn’t drive you home tonight?”

Ellie couldn’t help but grin. “There wasn’t any reason for him to. The roads are pretty clear.”

“Shucks. I was wanting to see him again before we left.” She winked at Ellie.

“Oh, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of Mr. Alvarez,” her father said, patting Ellie’s knee. “And if you’ll excuse me, I believe I’m going to turn in now.” He gave Ellie a peck on the cheek then rose and padded into the kitchen.

“I love you, Daddy,” Ellie called after him.

He turned and smiled at her. “Love you, too, sweetheart,” he said then disappeared down the short hallway.

“I wish I had his strength,” Ellie said in a soft voice.

Sissy smiled at her. “You do. You just don’t know it yet.”

Ellie doubted it but was too tired to argue the point. “What kind of arrangements have been made?”

“The visitation’s tomorrow night, and the funeral’s the day after. Sam Pearson and your daddy’s going to preach.”

“Daddy?” Her father hadn’t preached since he left Valley View Baptist Church.

Sissy smiled and nodded.

Ellie curled up on the couch and laid her head in Sissy’s lap. “Aunt Sissy, do you think my mom’s in heaven?”

Sissy softly stroked Ellie’s hair. “Child, what makes you ask that?”

“I remember Daddy preaching and saying suicide was a sin.” Ellie couldn’t believe she had said it. It was the first time she had verbally admitted to anyone her mother had taken her own life. She was surprised at how easy it was to say. Surprised that the world hadn’t stopped with a crier shouting her shame from the rooftops.

“The way I understand it, and I may be wrong because Lord knows I’m not as up on all that stuff as your daddy, but God gave us life, so it’s not up to us to dictate when that life ends.”

“So what about my mom?”

Sissy sighed heavily. “Sweetie, your mom was not a well woman. She had a sickness that we didn’t really understand at the time.”

“Why didn’t Daddy ever get her help?”

“It’s hard to get someone help when they don’t think they need it. Sweetie, truth is, your mama had these frequent episodes. She’d be fine and happy, then she’d fall into fits of depression so deep there was no reasoning with her. An idea would take root, and she’d be like a dog with a bone. Wouldn’t let go until she saw it through or came to a moment of clarity.” Aunt Sissy shook her head. “She took her own life, that’s true, but who of us is to even say whether she knew what she was doing? Who of us knows if she found a moment of clarity right before she died and begged His forgiveness? Only God knows, sweetie, and I have no doubt He judges justly—and mercifully.” Sissy patted Ellie’s leg. “Is she in heaven? I don’t know, sweetie, but one day, I’m sure we’re going to find out.”

Ellie batted her eyes, fighting back the sleep that threatened to overtake her at any minute. “Do you think the rumors were true about Daddy and Peggy?”

Sissy lightly chuckled. “Peggy was an easy target. She was an attractive, single lady who was hungry for God. She loved talking theology with your father, and since she was the church secretary, they saw each other nearly every day.”

Ellie pulled herself up and turned to face Sissy. “You didn’t answer my question.”

Sissy stared back at her. “Do I think they were having an affair? No. Your father loved your mother very much, despite all she put him through.”

“But the rumors—”

“Ellie, your mom started the rumors herself.” Sissy let out a deep breath then continued, “She started the same rumor at the first church they were at, too. Back before you were born. Your dad just quietly resigned, and a couple of months later, took the position at Valley View. Back then, it was an older congregation, and I guess your mom didn’t feel as threatened by little gray-haired ladies in their sixties. Your dad worked hard at building the church and bringing in more young people, and I guess, that was the beginning of the end.”

Ellie pushed her hands through her hair and took a deep breath. Somewhere deep inside, she had known the truth all along. But it had been easier to blame it on Peggy than to accept her mother wasn’t well.

“Peggy was a good woman, Ellie. And despite all the troubles y’all had, she loved you very much.”

It wasn’t the first time she had heard it, but for the first time, Ellie believed it. And now it was too late to do anything about all the pain and hurt she’d caused her father’s wife...her stepmother. She wondered if she ever would be able to forgive herself.

 

****

 

The next morning at the office, Ellie sipped her third cup of coffee while talking to Brady Mitchell on the phone. She told him about Ashley Garrett and the delivery driver Ashley identified as Kenton. “She doesn’t remember seeing him at the grocery store the day Landon was kidnapped, but she said she wasn’t paying much attention, either.”

“Did they get fingerprints off the car?” Mitchell asked.

“Yeah, but they were never able to find a match.”

“All that means is he wasn’t in the system at the time. Maybe it’s time we bring Mr. Kenton in for a formal interview. I’ll head back out there. Maybe he’ll come willingly.” Mitchell said, his voice not very hopeful sounding.

“Mind if I ride along?”

“Not at all. Can you make it up here around eleven?”

“I’ll be there.” As she told him goodbye and hung up, Jesse plopped down in the guest chair. The look on his face was dire.

Ellie’s heart leaped into her throat. “What’s the matter?”

“Jack wants an update.”

“Oh.” This wasn’t good.

“My sentiments exactly,” Jesse said.

Ellie stared at him, wondering how he…she didn’t have time right now to wonder about his mindreading abilities. “Let me do the talking,” she said, rising slowly from her chair.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. I’ll even give you the rope to hang yourself.”

Ellie glared at him then squared her shoulders and headed into Jack’s office with Jesse tagging along behind. Jack was elbow-deep in paperwork, glanced up then motioned the both of them to come in. He motioned toward the chair but Ellie continued to stand. She didn’t plan on being in there long enough to get comfortable.

“Sara Jeffries called the chief’s office complaining about the lack of information coming from this department on the Johnny Doe case. What happened to the interview you were supposed to schedule with her?”

“We were chasing a good lead, and I wanted to see how it panned out,” said Ellie.

“And?”

Ellie took a deep breath then forced a smile. If she told Jack the whole story, he’d pull the plug on the investigation. He’d consider it over. Ellie wouldn’t consider it over until Jerome Kenton was behind bars whether in Burkesboro, Avery County, or Mecklenburg County. “We were able to locate his mother.”

Jack raised his brows. “Really?”

Ellie quickly nodded. “We’re bringing the suspect in this afternoon for a formal interview.”

“You have enough to charge him?”

“He’ll be charged.” She didn’t lie. Someone would charge him.

Jack nodded his approval, indicating the conversation was over. Ellie turned and hurried out of the office with Jesse on her heels.