Deadly Image (9 page)

He had seen it. But, unlike Sheriff Dawson, he hadn’t been one hundred percent positive it was Lexi on the clip. Yes, it had
looked
like Lexi, but something about the video didn’t feel right. “I don’t have an answer for that.”

“Do you think someone tampered with the time stamp? And if so, then why? What could they possibly have to gain?”

Ace shoved his hand through his hair. “I don’t know. All I do know is there is one frightened little girl out there somewhere and she’s depending on us to bring her home safely.” Ace gave Sheriff Dawson a pointed look. “I don’t plan to let her down. Do you?”

Sheriff Dawson shook his head. “Of course not. If there is a chance this little girl is still alive somewhere, then, of course, we must find her.”

Lexi’s voice trembled. “Then you think she might still be alive. That you might really bring her home?”

Ace reached for Lexi’s hand and gave it a hard squeeze. Time was running short, and so far no one had come forward with a ransom note. In all honesty the situation was grim at best, but there was one factor not to be overlooked. “I told you. Never give up hope. Remember, even in our bleakest hour, God is still in control.”

Lexi bit her lip, then nodded. “I suppose He is.”

Ace turned to James. “Is Bertha at the store now?”

“Yes. She’ll be there until six. I’ll give her a ring to let her know you’re coming.” James fished inside his pocket for his cell phone.

“Good. We’re on the way.” Ace offered Lexi an encouraging smile. “Hang in there. We are going to do our level best to find your baby and bring her home, but it wouldn’t hurt to pray about it either. God is always there to listen.”

Surprise flickered across her features before Lexi muttered a not quite convincing, “I will.” A beat, then, “Are you still going to take me in for questioning?”

Ace glanced at Sheriff Dawson who for once had the decency to look contrite. Then he gave Lexi’s hand one more squeeze. “Not right now. We’ll hold off on that and see how this lead pans out.” Reluctantly, he let go of her hand and headed toward the front door. Pausing in the doorway, he added, “You do realize you can’t leave town right now, don’t you? You’re still considered a person of interest.”

“I’m not a flight risk if that’s what you mean.” Lexi jutted out her chin. “I’m not going anywhere until I find Anna.”

“Good.” Ace followed Sheriff Dawson out the door. He hadn’t really thought she would try to leave, but as a professional he followed protocol to a “T.” And protocol called for informing the suspect she wasn’t allowed to leave town.

CHAPTER SIX

Lexi waited until Ace and Sheriff Dawson left before heading to the lanai. She peeked into the den where the other CARD agent sat monitoring data and manning the phones in case a ransom call came in.

No one seemed to need her at the moment, so she slipped past the den and pushed open the glass French doors leading to the small patio on the side of her house.

Deputy Owens stood by the rail, his gaze focused on the thicket of woods near her house.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize anyone was out here.” Lexi turned to leave.

“I was just going back inside myself. It’s all yours.” Deputy Owens gestured toward the patio as he moved to brush past her. He stopped and looked at her.” Lexi started at the obvious disdain in his eyes.

Super. Another law enforcement officer sure she was guilty of something.

Deputy Owens softly whispered, “I wouldn’t wander off by myself if I were you. We wouldn’t want another kidnapping on our hands. Or worse. Like a homicide.”

Lexi shivered as he went back inside. The deputy’s warning seemed almost like a veiled threat.

Lexi gave herself a mental shake.
Get it together, girl. You’re starting to fall apart. It was a legitimate concern. Not a threat.

Lexi settled into the cushions of the chaise lounge, reclined and listened to the afternoon serenade of Grey Kingbirds chirping in the distance as the late afternoon sun beamed through the live oaks lining the edge of her yard.

She needed a few minutes alone to regroup. The events from the past few days were catching up with her and exhaustion had started to set in. Sleeping at night proved impossible, but a few minutes of peace and quiet in the lounger might recharge her system. Just a few minutes to give her body time to unwind and her mind time to focus on the facts. Maybe then she would remember something – anything – that might shed some light on why Anna was missing and who could have possibly taken her.

It wouldn’t hurt to pray about it either.

Ace’s words tumbled through her mind. Lexi swallowed hard. No. It wouldn’t. Except she’d drifted away from God and she hadn’t really prayed in almost three years. Not since Carl’s death. So why should she expect Him to listen to her now? Why should He?

Still, it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try, would it?

Lexi closed her eyes.
God, I know it has been a while, and you probably can’t even hear me anymore, but if you are still listening, I really need you right now. Please help us find Anna. Show me what I need to do to bring my baby home. I don’t know where she is and we are running out of time.

There was no answering voice booming from the sky. No messenger angel suddenly appearing at her side. No physical evidence whatsoever letting her know God had even heard her plea, but for the first time in years Lexi felt peace wrap around her like a warm blanket. It gave her a tiny sliver of hope, which she held on to with all her might as her body gave in to sheer exhaustion.

* * *

The flames stretched high inside the small bedroom, snuffing out any trace of oxygen as the little girl’s blood-curdling screams pierced the air. Lexi choked back a sob and felt her way across the floor, crawling on her hands and knees. The heat so intense, she could feel her skin singeing beneath the onslaught of the fire. She dragged in a breath, struggling to find even a minute trace of oxygen. Her lungs felt as if they were going to burst, but she pressed on. She ignored the pain and the stench of burning flesh and reached for the little girl in the crib. Her fingertips touched the child’s soft upper arms. Lexi groped through the black smoke to get a better hold so she could pull the child to safety. She couldn’t seem to grasp her.

Help me! Somebody help me!

Boom!
The room exploded into a fiery furnace knocking Lexi back against a wall. The little girl slipped from her fingers and disappeared into a veil of orange flames and black smoke as sirens wailed in the distance. Lexi struggled to stay awake. She was suddenly so sleepy. She tried to reach for the child again, but her body wouldn’t function. She couldn’t move her arms and legs.

Within seconds the child’s screams faded into sobs before turning deathly silent.

Suddenly, hands lifted Lexi into the air and carried her from the burning building. Lexi tried to struggle free. She had to save the little girl, but everything was so fuzzy. She couldn’t even form a sentence.

The firemen laid her on the cold, wet ground outside while hushed soothing voices tried to calm her. Lexi fought to sit up. The hands gently pushed her back down.

“Shh … It’s okay. You’re going to be alright,” a soft voice murmured beside her. “Help is on the way. Stay with us.”

Lexi tried to tell them about the little girl, but her voice wouldn’t work. She’d inhaled too much smoke and no words would come out, only muted grunts. Then everything turned dark. She could feel the inky blackness seeping into her brain.

As the darkness closed in, she heard someone say, “It doesn’t look good. The little girl might not make it.”

No! No! Help her! Do something!

* * *

“Lexi. Lexi, wake up.” Someone was shaking her. Lexi blinked as worried brown eyes came into view. “Mom?”

“It’s okay, hon. You were moaning in your sleep.” Victoria, leaning over the chaise lounge, patted her daughter’s hand. “You must have dozed off. I would have let you sleep – Lord knows you certainly need it – but, you were moaning so, it worried me.”

Lexi sat up and stifled a yawn. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“Hon, don’t apologize. You need to rest.” Victoria sat down on the edge of the lounger. “You were having that dream again, weren’t you?”

Lexi nodded. “I haven’t had it in months, but when I do it’s almost always the same. I’m in a burning building and can’t get out until someone rescues me. This time I think it was Anna in the fire too and I couldn’t save her. You don’t think it means anything do you? Like I might not be able to save my baby, after all?” Her voice caught on the last sentence.

Victoria shifted uncomfortably. “I’m sure it was triggered by stress, hon. It doesn’t mean a thing.”

“I don’t understand why I keep having this nightmare.” Lexi shook her head. “I’ve had it all my life. Even when I was little. I remember waking up screaming for you or Dad on so many nights.”

“Kids have nightmares. It’s not unheard of.”

“The same one over and over again? There must be a reason.”

Something flickered in Victoria’s eyes, then it was gone. “It’s just a nightmare, Lexi. Some people dream of tornados or monsters or even falling. You dream of fires. I wouldn’t put much stock into it.”

“I suppose.” Lexi shrugged. “Maybe it’s just my pyrophobia manifesting itself in my dreams. Gives me the heebie jeebies though.”

“Everyone is afraid of something. It’s nothing to worry about.”

“Mom? What are you afraid of?”

Victoria hesitated a moment, then patted Lexi on the knee. “Losing you and losing Anna.”

The fact they may have both already lost Anna draped in the air between them. The momentary silence magnified the reality of the situation before Lexi finally managed a small, “You’re not going to lose me.”

“I certainly hope not.” Victoria gave her a tight smile. “Speaking of which, you are still taking your meds, aren’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Good girl.” Victoria stood. “It’s getting late. Let’s go see about fixing these boys something to eat. They’ve been here all day and I don’t think that sandwich they had at lunch will suffice much longer. Besides, I probably need to make amends for snapping at them earlier this week. I know they were only doing their job, but I didn’t care for the way they were grilling you.”

“I suppose they have to rule me out before they can find Anna’s abductor.”

“Well, I could have saved them the trouble. You would never hurt a hair on that baby’s head.” Victoria harrumphed indignantly. “And the sooner they realize it, the better.”

* * *

Ace pulled into Lexi’s drive at a quarter to seven and killed the engine.

Finally. Some good news for a change, or at least some bittersweet news.

Bertha had corroborated James’ story about Lexi being at the hardware store the day Anna disappeared. Now, at least, they had another eyewitness that could put Lexi somewhere besides the burger joint with Anna. Not that it explained how she was also caught on Bill’s surveillance video at nearly the same time, but it did make him feel better about Lexi’s possible innocence.

However, it seemed there were only two plausible explanations about Lexi’s involvement and neither one thrilled Ace. Either Bertha was lying to cover for Lexi – and he really hoped she wasn’t – or else someone was setting Lexi up. If the latter, then Anna could be in grave danger – if she weren’t already dead.

Ace opened the car door only a moment before his heart slammed to a halt in his chest as a third chilling possibility hit him. What if Lexi
was
guilty and she wasn’t working alone? What if someone had used a disguise in Bill’s Best Burgers to throw them off while Lexi was at the hardware store with an airtight alibi? Ace gripped the door handle. This would explain why the surveillance video seemed a bit odd. Maybe it wasn’t Lexi with Anna after all, but Lexi’s accomplice in disguise instead. An accomplice who had a limp.

The theory, though a bit of a stretch,
was
possible. It was an angle they hadn’t worked yet and one he hoped didn’t pan out.