CHAPTER 20

“Please, sit down over here,” Sally told Dakota Allen, indicating a couch along the wall. She’d had them take Dakota here to this private waiting room instead of an interrogation room, but Sally still planned to get as much out of her as possible. “There are some important matters we need to discuss.”

“What?” Dakota’s eyes narrowed, and she held her arms stiffly to her sides as she sat.

“Well, to begin with, you should know that psychologists have counseled in kidnapping cases like this that it’s probably best to play down the whole experience, and especially not to verbally attack the parent responsible.”

That seemed to outrage her. “But Parker kidnapped my daughter!”

“I know that, and you have every right to be upset. But in Madison’s eyes, she just went for a visit with her daddy, and she doesn’t understand why you’re so upset with him. When you voice your anger at Parker, Madison feels she has to choose, and that’s simply not a good place for a child of that age.” Sally knew she was overstepping her bounds by talking this way to Dakota, but she felt she owed it to both Parker and Madison.

“So I just ignore what happened?”

“I’m not saying that. I’m saying Madison’s going to feel a lot of guilt and resentment if she has to choose.”

Dakota nodded. “I guess I see that.” She shook her head. “I’m never letting him come near her again. How do I know he won’t take her away?”

“You don’t. That will all have to be worked out in family court. Do you have a lawyer?”

“No. But I definitely want to press charges. I want him punished.”

“If you’re willing to compromise, a plea bargain might be better. Faster. Less stressful for your daughter.”

“I don’t want him to get off. I want him to pay. He took my little girl who I love more than life!” Tears watered Dakota’s eyes. “And that reminds me—I really want to thank you for finding her. Thank you so much.”

Sally inclined her head, trying to reconcile this sudden graciousness with the harsh woman who wanted Parker to rot in jail. “You’re welcome. You should know that Parker voluntarily led us to her. As for charges, I’m sure the DA’s office will be in touch, and Family Services will likely want to talk with you as well.” This last would be about the drug accusations Sally planned to tell them about, but Dakota would find that out soon enough.

“Family Services? Why? I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Well, they like to cover all the bases, especially when the child involved is as young as Madison.”

“Oh.” Dakota’s gaze wandered to the door. “Is that all?”

“Well, as part of the case, we have to do a little background research on you and Madison. You’ve been at your house for only three months. Where were you before that?”

“At a friend’s.”

Sally didn’t speak but nodded as though expecting more. This tactic often worked with suspects. Dakota wasn’t an exception.

“Parker and I’d broken up sometime before that, and I didn’t know where to go. I couldn’t really afford an apartment, so I moved in with a friend.”

“A man?”

Dakota bristled. “He was just a friend.”

Sally knew he’d been more than that. She saw it in the way Dakota held her body, in the way her eyes slid past hers. She knew it because of the lifestyle Dakota lived. Yes, occasionally friends were just friends, but that usually wasn’t the case when people of the opposite sex lived together.

“And what was his name?”

“Ron Hill.”

“He lives in South Salt Lake?”

“South Jordan. But he doesn’t live there anymore.”

“And where is he now?”

Dakota shook her head. “I don’t know. And I don’t see what this has to do with anything.” She stood, rubbing her hands together. “I’d better go find Madison.”

Sally knew that was as far as she’d get, and legally she couldn’t detain Dakota or force her to answer. She’d have to leave the questioning for Caitlin in court, if the case went that far. At least the social worker would be able to make a few check-up visits to see Madison.

Madison’s voice floated into the room from the open doorway, and seconds later Caitlin and Madison came into sight, each eating a donut. Sally had forgotten all about her promised treat, but Caitlin must have found someone to find them for her.

“That looks yummy!” Dakota cooed. “Are you ready to go?”

Madison shrugged. “I guess. Want a bite?”

“No, thanks. I’m just anxious to get you home. Your brother has missed you so much.”

“Where is Ricky?” Madison scanned the room, as though expecting to see him under a chair or perhaps sleeping on the couch.

“He’s with his daddy.”

“Oh.” Madison’s smile had vanished again, and Sally felt her heart go out to the child.

Dakota took a step toward Caitlin. “Thank you so very much for everything. I’m very indebted to you. Thank you for your help in bringing back my girl.”

“You’re welcome.” Caitlin appeared as surprised as Sally felt—not so much at the thanks but the graciousness of it.

Madison tugged on Caitlin’s hand. “You forgot to ask.”

“Ask?” Caitlin lifted a brow.

“If I can play at your house with your sister. The one that’s five.”

Ah, Sally thought. Like most young children, Madison had a good memory when it came to having fun.

Dakota blinked her surprise. “Well, uh, I’m sure this lady has a lot to do, Maddy. Maybe we can work something out another day.”

Sally recognized that cop-out. She’d used it enough with Randi. Given enough time, even children with good memories forgot.

Madison stamped her foot. “I want to play with her today.”

“We’ll see. Right now we have to pick up your brother. And I’m sure this lady is working.”

Caitlin nodded, and the excuses seemed to mollify Madison for the moment.

“She’s helping Daddy,” Madison stated. “I don’t remember what.”

Dakota hesitated, her eyes meeting Caitlin’s. “Don’t you work here at the police station?”

“Oh, no,” Caitlin said evenly. “I thought you knew. I’m the appointed counsel for your ex-husband.”

“You’re his lawyer?” Dakota asked, aghast, her eyes glittering darkly.

“Appointed by the court this morning,” Sally broke in. “Parker doesn’t have the means to get his own attorney right now.” Then an idea occurred to her, something that might help in the short term. “Caitlin here will try to get him out and working again as soon as possible so he can pay child support. I understand he’s also paying for your rental house. We don’t want those payments interrupted.”

Dakota’s eyes opened wide. Apparently, in her vengeful mood, she hadn’t thought about the money. “Well, I’d better go.” With a final glare at Caitlin, she grabbed Madison’s hand and marched from the room.

Silently, Sally and Caitlin watched them walk down the hall, and Sally noticed for the first time the candy bars sticking out of each of Madison’s back pockets. As if feeling their gaze, the child looked back at them and waved.

“I have a feeling she’s not going to let Madison play with Amy,” Sally mused.

Caitlin snorted. “You think? If looks could kill . . .”

“She wants him prosecuted.”

“I’d feel the same way in her shoes, but”—she shook her head—“I don’t like that woman.”

“Maybe that’s because you like a certain client just a little too much?”

Caitlin blinked, her face flushing. “That’s completely uncalled for!”

Sally grinned, but she had noticed the sparks between Caitlin and Parker, even if Caitlin wasn’t willing to admit to it. “For what it’s worth, I agree with you, and that’s why I’m going to give you copies of all my research on the case so far. The last place I want Parker Hathaway is in jail. Someone’s got to keep an eye out for that child.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it. I’m actually not too worried about jail time. It’s the visiting rights that will be problematic. Unless I find something solid on Dakota Allen, they may never let him have unsupervised visiting rights again.”