9

“Hey, Chief.” Diane, one of his co-workers, stopped at his desk.

“What’s up, Diane?” Nate looked up from the form he was filling out, one of many.

“Just wanted to let you know I happened to drive past The Matthews estate earlier. I couldn’t believe it.”

“Believe what?”

“It looks bad. The grass looks as if it hasn’t been mown in weeks.”

“That’s not against the law.”

“I know that. It looks as if it’s been abandoned. That got me thinking.”

“About what?”

“How she is—if she’s OK.” Diane leaned against his door. “I’m just worried about her, you know. She went through a lot. I know she doesn’t have much family.”

Diane didn’t have to say who the she was. Ange—Angelina Matthews. Her kidnapping and rescue had made the national news, and it had been fodder for local gossip for the past four months.

“She was OK the last time I saw her, but that’s been months ago. She was still in the hospital then.” After all the trauma she’d suffered, she probably wasn’t OK.

“I actually hung around with her some when we were kids. My mom worked for them so we’d play together sometimes. She was nice. A little spoiled, but still nice. Just thought maybe you’d want to check on her.”

“Why me?”

“Why not? You’re her hero. That’s what she told all the papers.” Diane grinned.

“I don’t know about all that. But still it might be a good idea. Thanks for the update.”

“No problem, Chief. Or should I call you Mr. Hero?”

“Nate will do just fine.” He tossed a paper clip at her as she walked away.

Nate stared at his ever-growing mountain of paperwork. He hadn’t become a policeman so he could spend his days behind a desk. But with Leslie’s departure, he’d become chief, and all his time seemed to be spent doing exactly that. He was sure his part in the rescue of Angelina Matthews was the deciding factor in his new job. He tapped the desk with a pen. He had to deal with this, but not right now. He should get out from behind this desk. Of course, checking on Angelina Matthews wasn’t exactly police work. But he could make sure she was all right—if she needed anything.

She’d been through so much trauma. It was difficult to get back to a normal life after such an ordeal. He probably should have checked on her sooner. Within seconds, he had his hat and keys to one of the cruisers in his hand. He’d just take a drive around town, and head out that way.

Going down the long driveway to the Matthews’ home, he was appalled.

Diane had been polite when she’d said the lawn needed mowed. It needed harvesting, probably with some type of heavy farm equipment. The average lawn mower couldn’t deal with this brush. Angelina must be in a bad place for her not to notice the unkempt aura of neglect. She could pay for the best of services.

But then, he knew personally how hard it could be to trust anyone she might hire.

Nate parked in front of the mansion. The red brick circular drive led to a matching thirty-foot red brick walk. On both sides stood huge cement pillars so no one would drive on the walk. The house was brick as well, the same shade as the sidewalk leading up to it. There were stripes of decorative white bricks at both ends that broke up the red. The white bricks also surrounded the windows, making it seem as if there were shutters. To the right of the house was a matching building, but smaller, although it was still huge. A garage? It was more elaborate than any garage or storage unit he’d been in. It looked to be two stories. He glanced back at the house. The main house had three stories.

He stepped out of his car and walked up to the door. Shoots of green were popping up between the bricks. Another sign that the house and lawn weren’t being cared for. The entire place had an empty feeling as if it had been abandoned. He rang the buzzer several times. No sounds came from inside, except the intricate chimes of the doorbell. He glanced around at the desolation again.

Angelina wasn’t here.

Where was she? Why wasn’t she taking care of her home?

It wasn’t his business. But he sighed, knowing he didn’t really believe that. One of his life verses was Second Corinthians, verse one. “And the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

Nate took the Bible very seriously. Scripture was part of the reason he’d become a police officer. God had helped him through several traumatic events. His calling was to return the favor for others.

And from the looks of this place, Angelina Matthews might be in need of God’s comfort.

~*~

Two hours later, Nate pulled up in front of a tiny house in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland. Its lawn was well-maintained, unlike the Matthews’ home.

He’d gone back to the station and looked up Keren’s address on the missing person’s form she’d filled out. If Angelina wasn’t staying at her own house, she might be with her cousin.

He walked up the steps and rang the doorbell. When he heard nothing inside, he knocked. Maybe the buzzer was broken. He probably should have called but something prodded him to act, so he did.

“Who is it?” A woman called from the other side, reminding him of when Luther Marks had done the same.

“It’s Nate Goodman. From Mt. Pleasant.”

The door opened and Keren smiled at him. “Well, yes, it is. What are you doing here, Officer Goodman?”

He didn’t tell her he was the chief now. “I came to check on Angelina. See how she’s doing.”

Her eyes widened.

Maybe he should have called first.

“She’s doing just fine. You could have saved yourself a trip and just called me to ask.”

“I don’t mean to be rude, but actually, I came to see her. To see how she’s doing with my own eyes.”

“Oh…I see. In that case, you definitely wasted a trip to Cleveland. She’s not seeing anyone quite yet.” She maintained a smile.

Quite yet. It had been four months. That wasn’t a lot of time, but she should be recuperated enough to be seeing people.

“You don’t think she’ll see me? She did call me her hero.” He reminded.

Keren smiled, but her voice was firm. “She says she doesn’t want to see people right now. I’m trying to respect what she wants. To give her the time and space she needs. But I’ll tell her you stopped by.”

“Ask her if she wants to see me while I’m still here.”

She sighed. “I suppose I can do that, but I don’t think it will do any good. She refuses to see anyone. Even Zarlengo, when he came.”

“Thanks.”

She opened the door wider. “You might as well come in while you wait.”

The living room was tiny and obviously not used. Just an uncomfortable looking sofa and a matching chair with a fake fireplace. And neat as a pin.

Keren went up the stairs. Her body language clearly showed she wasn’t happy about his insistence. She looked back at him with a worried expression.

He wanted to see Angelina with his own eyes, and that sudden importance to do so surprised him.

Muted voices sounded from upstairs.

Keren appeared on the landing. “She said to come on up.”

He went up and knocked on the door that Keren pointed at.

“Come on in.”

He opened the door. “Hey.”

“Hey back.” She sat on the bed cross-legged. “Sorry I’m in my pajamas. I wasn’t expecting any company.”

“Not a problem. I guess I should have called before I came, but I sort of just decided up on a whim.” He spied a chair in the corner of the room. “Mind if I sit down for a bit so we can visit?”

She nodded.

She didn’t look well. Her hair was stringy, and undyed roots had grown out a several inches. The dark circles under her eyes indicated she probably wasn’t sleeping either.

“Angelina, I know we don’t really know each other but…” He paused trying to decide how to bring up a difficult topic.

“You can say anything you want to me. You earned that right when you saved my life. So just say what you want to say.”

“You don’t look as if you’re doing well. I can understand that. You went through a lot while you were trapped in that house. But you’re not trapped there anymore.”

“I know that. Thanks to you.”

“But it looks as if you might still be imprisoned.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” She played with the edge of the quilt.

“Luther Marks stole a few weeks of your life. He’s gone now. He can’t hurt you again. Don’t let him steal anything else from you. Like your future. Don’t give him that power.”

“But there are others out there like him.” Her voice was so soft he strained to hear her words. “He wasn’t the only bad person in the world, you know.”

“That’s true, but you can’t let that stop you from living your life. You can’t get stuck in all the bad things that could happen. Don’t let yourself get trapped in another prison.” He motioned around the room. “Don’t let this room become your prison.”

She looked up, tears glistening. “It’s not my prison. It’s my sanctuary.”

“Get dressed.” He understood her feelings, but the cycle of imprisonment had to stop.

“Why?”

“Because I drove all the way up here to see you, and I’m really hungry. And you probably don’t want to go out in your PJs, do you? What would people think if you did such a shocking thing?” He grinned, hoping to lighten her mood.

She smiled but shook her head. “I…I’m just not ready to go out in public. To face people. My face was all over the news. Now when people look at me, they’ll know.”

“They know you’re a survivor. That you were brave enough not to give up. Brave enough to not run when you had the chance. Instead, you stayed and helped me after I was shot. If you hadn’t hit him with that frying pan, I probably would be dead now. That’s what people remember.”

She wiped away tears. “I wish that was true.”

“It is true.”

“Luther Marks was right when he said I was worthless. That my life was worthless.”

“God doesn’t create worthless.”

“What have I done then?” Her voice held a challenge. “Other than to be born to wealthy parents? I’ve spent my whole life spending their money. I’ve done nothing to be proud of.”

“You survived a serial killer. And stopped him from killing any more women.”

“That was because of you. Not me.”

“It was both of us. And maybe you’re right when you say you haven’t done a whole lot. Yet. But you’re still breathing. The Bible says a righteous man gets back up seven times. And it’s time for you to get up.”

“There’s nothing righteous about me, so I guess I don’t have to get back up.” She patted the bed. “I’ll stay here. It’s comfortable and safe. Nobody can get me here.”

“You’re not a Christian?”

“I guess I am. I trusted Him a long time ago. I’ve…I’ve done so many…” She hung her head, her words lost in her sobs. “Bad things. God probably hates me.”

“God loves you. And a long time ago or not, that means you’re righteous in God’s eyes. And you know what that means?”

“You always talk about God as if He’s in the room. As if He’s your best friend.”

“I guess that’s a good way to describe my relationship with God. He is with me all the time. But He’s with you, too.

“No, He’s not.”

“You told me you prayed to God that day. The same day Keren came to the station to tell me you were missing. That’s not just a coincidence. That was God working on your behalf.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I know so, and what’s more, He’s right here waiting for you still. And you know what that means, right?

She didn’t answer but looked at him as if waiting for the answer.

“That means it’s time to get back—”

“You need to leave her alone.” Keren charged through the open door. She glared at him as she rushed to Angelina’s side. “Stop badgering her. She doesn’t want to go anywhere with you. She’s fine here. With me.”

“I’m not badgering. I’m—”

“Why are you even here? I’m taking care of her. She doesn’t need you. And you sure aren’t helping.”

Angelina pulled away from her cousin. “Actually, he is. I think he’s right. I can’t just lay in this bed forever. Hiding out in your house.”

“Of course not forever. But until you’re ready.” Keren’s voice was soothing, but the look she gave Nate wasn’t. “When you’re ready, you’ll get back in the swing of things. You just need a little more time. And he doesn’t need to bother you.”

“He’s not bothering me.” Angelina stood. “Guess I’m ready. And I’m hungry.”

Keren glared at him as she took a step away from Angelina. “If that’s what you want to do, Angelina, that’s fine with me. I’m not trying to stop you from doing anything. I just didn’t want him badgering you.”

Angelina genuinely smiled at him. “If you’ll excuse me while I get dressed. Pajamas may be comfortable but they definitely aren’t dinner clothes.”

“Sure.” He grinned and followed Keren out of the room.

“I really don’t think this is a good idea,” Keren whispered outside the door. “You haven’t been around her. You just don’t understand.”

“Maybe not but hiding out in your house isn’t a good idea either.”

She went down the stairs, her back stiff with disapproval.

He sat down on the steps.

A few minutes later, Angelina walked out. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She had on jeans and a T-shirt, nothing fancy. The jeans were loose. She’d lost weight since the last time he’d seen her.

She took a deep breath. “Is this…OK?”

“You look beautiful.”

She grinned. “If you say so.” She stared down at the first step, her expression pensive.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing. Nothing. I’m fine.”

He wasn’t so sure about that. He looped his arm through hers as they moved down the steps. “Great. So, what are you in the mood for?”

“In the mood for?”

“To eat.”

“Oh.” She seemed surprised, as if she’d forgotten what they were doing.

Keren sat in one of the uncomfortable looking easy chairs. Her expression was worried. “Anything’s fine with me,” Angelina said. “There’s a Mexican restaurant down the street that’s good.” Her voice squeaked. Her face was splotched with red and her breathing was uneven.

“Are you sure you’re OK?”

Angelina nodded, but her gaze was on the door.

“Nice to see you again,” he said to Keren. “I’ll have her home early.”

Keren‘s gaze was glued on Angelina.

He opened the door.

Angelina froze. Her breathing turned ragged. “I…uh…I…I…”

“Angelina.” He gently tapped her chin to bring her face up so he could meet her gaze. “How long has it been since you left the house?”

“Since I got here,” her voice was a mere whisper.

“You mean you haven’t gone anywhere since then? At all?”

She nodded, but her gaze stayed focused on the door. “Didn’t seem to be a reason to.”

This was worse than he’d imagined. “OK. No problem. I can understand that you’re a little anxious, but you’re with me. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

“I know. I know that.”

“OK, then. We can do this. Just one step at a time. Baby steps.”

“Right. Baby steps.” She moved toward the door.

He walked around her and held open the screen. “Take your time. You’re doing great.”

She scrunched her forehead in hard concentration, her face bright red. Her foot touched the last piece of carpet before the door, and she stopped.

No one spoke.

Keren’s expression was triumphant. She met his gaze as if to say, ‘I knew this was going to happen.’ She shrugged.

“Angelina, if you can’t—”

She wasn’t listening. An internal battle was being waged. She was wringing her hands as she took a step backward. “I can’t. I can’t. I can’t. I’m sorry but I just can’t do it.”

“It’s OK. You’re allowed to change your mind. It’s not a problem at all. I’ll go get us some takeout. We can eat here. It’s fine.”

She focused on the floor. “It’s not fine. I…I…I’m such a mess. Such a failure.” She wiped at the tears coursing down her cheeks.

“You are no such thing. We can do this another time. It’s not a big deal.” He reached out to her. “You made it this far, and that’s a giant step forward.”

Angelina fell to her knees, her head on the floor as she sobbed. After a few moments, she looked up at him. She reached out. “Help me.”