L.A.P.D. Special Investigations Series, Boxed Set: The Deceived, The Taken & The Silent (70 page)

The paper with a date on it flashed in his mind. Like the birthday card from Rita Valdez, there’d been no follow-up. What was the date? Did it have any significance? Had the paper been tested for fingerprints? Was it Kolnikov’s handwriting or someone else’s? He flipped through the file and found a smudged copy of the note. He read the date. December 24, 1980. Damn. He shoved papers aside to find the report on Stanton and compared. December 24, 1980, was Nick Stanton’s birth date.

Why would Kolnikov have written that specific date on a piece of paper? If it was her writing. Was she trying to find out if Stanton actually did come from her hometown?

“Good stuff?” Howie Ralston’s voice came out of nowhere.

Jordan turned to find the guy standing directly over him, obviously reading the file. “No. Nothing new.”

“I thought you stopped working on the case.”

He didn’t have to explain anything to Ralston. But if he didn’t… Hell, at this point he was suspecting everyone. He swallowed his irritation. “I did. Just wanted to make a final note in the file.”

His answer seemed good enough for Ralston and he walked away. After packaging up the note with the date and a sample of Kolnikov’s handwriting for comparison, Jordan handed it to Mary Beth to send to the science guys in SID. It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

Then he headed for the evidence room. On his way downstairs, he pulled out his phone and called Laura. Phoebe answered.

“Hi, Phoebe. Is Laura around?”

Seconds later Laura came on. “Hello.”

“Just checking. Everything okay?”

“We’re fine. Cait’s at school and everything is back to normal. Well, except for the bodyguards you have surrounding the house and Cait’s school.”

“They’re not supposed to be seen.”

“They’re discreet, but I know they’re there. I doubt anyone else does.”

He wanted to say more, but felt the distance between them ever widening.

“Thank you for doing this,” she finally said. “I’m grateful, and I know the police department isn’t paying for it. When this is all over, I’ll pay you back…only it’ll have to be in installments.”

“Forget it.” He wanted to say he’d do it for anyone, but it wasn’t true. He was doing it because he cared about her and Cait. He loved her. “Repayment isn’t necessary.”

So, if he loved her, why couldn’t he put what she’d told him out of his mind? The thought of Laura willing to give up her child, the thought of her selling her body made his stomach churn. How could he love someone and yet hate what she’d been?

“I’ll call later,” he said. He disconnected and kept walking, his anger growing. The pain of her deception hurt like nothing he’d ever felt before. He was a fool. He’d fallen in love with one woman and then found out she was another. Some judge of character he was.

The smell of stale tobacco hit him about ten yards before he reached the storage room. He went to the desk and signed in with a request for the evidence collected in the Kolnikov case.

George Federovski, a uniform on his last year with the force, stubbed out his cigarette and shoved the ashtray under the counter. Smoking had been banned from the department years ago, but some diehards ignored the rules. Which was probably why George was in the basement.

The man studied the registration book, then scratched his balding head. “I think it’s gone. Yeah, someone checked it out earlier.”

“Someone? You got a name?”

His sausage fingers ran down the pages. “Here it is. But I don’t recognize it. Walker Davis.”

Jordan didn’t recognize the name, either.

“And there’s no date or department listed. I don’t know how it happened.” George shrugged.

Unfortunately, Jordan did. George was counting the days until retirement and only did as much work as he had to. Back at his desk, Jordan pulled up the computer file of officers on the LAPD. Twice he scanned the list, but found no one with the name Walker Davis. He got up and walked over to Luke.

“Yo,” Jordan said as he sat on the corner of his buddy’s desk. “You know an LEO named Walker Davis?”

“Nope. Someone new?”

“I don’t know. Never heard the name and he’s not listed with the LAPD. He checked out the Kolnikov evidence.”

“You need it?”

“Yeah, but it’s gone…with no record…like it disappeared into thin air.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

LAURA WAITED IN the lineup of vans and SUVs along the street outside Cait’s school. It had been a week since they returned from Luke’s and every day Cait complained bitterly over not being able to walk home by herself anymore. But Laura simply wasn’t going to take chances—no matter how many people Jordan had on watch.

She’d explained to Cait about looking at some pictures Jordan was going to bring over sometime, and the child hadn’t flinched. And then she’d scampered off as if none of it had any significance to her. Had Laura known it would be so easy…

But she couldn’t go back and do an instant replay.

At three o’clock the children started spilling out the door, running to their parents’ cars, some to the playground and some walking home. Laura saw Jenny and Shannon and expected Caitlin to be with them. But she wasn’t.

She bolted from the car and caught the girls before they got away. “Hi, there. Either of you know where Cait is?”

They looked at each other, then back to her and shook their heads.

“She’s usually with the two of you.”

“I think she might’ve had to stay after school,” Shannon piped up.

Kids didn’t stay after school in Caitlin’s grade, and if they had problems of any kind, a parent was always notified. “Are you sure?” Laura crossed her arms.

The guilty look in Shannon’s eyes told her the child was lying. “Tell me the truth,” she ordered, while casting about for Cait. “You two stay right here. I’m going in to check with Cait’s teacher. And if I find out—” She rushed off before finishing the sentence.

Lunging up the stairs, she saw Cait’s teacher standing just inside the door directing the children out in single file. But Cait wasn’t among them.

“Mrs. Gianni.” The teacher smiled. “How nice to see you.”

“Where’s Caitlin?” Laura blurted. “She’s not where she’s supposed to be.”

“Really?” The woman glanced around, her attention caught by children trying to run instead of walking or joining in line. “She was here just a while ago, talking to Shannon.” Her gaze darted from right to left. “I thought she was right here.”

“Did she have any problems today?”

The woman drew back in surprise. “Of course not. Caitlin’s one of my best students. And I would always call a parent if there’s a problem.”

“But you don’t know where she is?”

“I’ll call someone to look in the bathroom. She may have gone there without permission, though that doesn’t seem like her.”

“Please do,” Laura said, then dashed out the door, scanning for Cait’s curly hair and pink jacket. She didn’t see Cait, and the other two girls weren’t there, either. “Oh, God.” She ran back into the school to the principal’s office and barged through the door. “My daughter is missing. Please call the police.”

The man behind the desk stared at her for a moment, as if not comprehending. Then he stood. “I’m Mr. Clancy,” he said, and held out a hand.

“I know who you are! Didn’t you hear me? I said my daughter is missing.”

“What’s her name?”

“Caitlin. Caitlin Gianni.” Laura’s heart pounded with fear. “Please call the police immediately.” She lifted his phone, pressed 911 and handed him the receiver.

He shook his head. “I can’t just call the police without know—”

Laura got on the phone. “My daughter’s disappeared. I’m at her school, Highland Elementary at Sixth and Dover.”

“What’s your daughter’s name, ma’am?”

“Caitlin Gianni. Please come right away.”

“When did she go missing, Mrs. Gianni?”

“Just now. I came to pick her up and she’s not here.”

“How long has she been gone?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that she’s not here.”

“Perhaps she’s with a friend. Or her father.”

Laura couldn’t breathe. “Her father is dead and this is not helping. I need you to send someone right away. The longer you wait—”

“Ma’am, please take a breath.”

Laura threw the phone at the principal. “You talk to her. Tell them to get the hell out here right now.” She ran outside, and seeing most of the kids had left, she sprinted to the playground. Nothing, just some boys playing basketball. She sprinted to the other side of the building but didn’t see Cait anywhere. She ran to the car across the street where one of Jordan’s men held watch. “Caitlin’s not here. Did you see her?”

The man immediately clicked on a microphone inside his jacket. “No, I didn’t. I saw you here and thought everything was fine.”

He repeated the problem to whoever was on the other end and was still talking when she ran to her car. On the way, she pulled out her cell phone and dialed Jordan’s number. “Cait’s missing,” she said as soon as he answered. “I came to pick her up from school and she’s not here.”

“Where are you now?”

“Getting into my car to look for her.” She saw the bodyguard jump out of his car, apparently to search.

“I’ll be at your place as soon as I can. Did you tell any of the guys on watch?”

“I did.” She started the engine and took off driving down the street, searching as she went. “Apparently they weren’t doing their jobs, or if they were—”

“The important thing is to find Cait. Stay near your phone. I’ll be there soon.”

Laura turned the corner and saw Cait’s friends walking slowly, laughing and cajoling with each other and some boys ahead of them. She screeched to a stop, jumped from the van and planted herself in front of the girls. “I want the truth, you two. Or I’m taking you home to your mothers right now.”

The sweet, innocent faces didn’t look so innocent all of a sudden.

“I didn’t lie,” Jenny said. “Shannon lied.”

Shannon stuck her hands on her hips, glaring at Jenny.“You lied, too. You told me to say it and that’s the same as lying yourself.”

Laura eyed Shannon, hoping to scare the truth from her. “What did you lie about?”

Shannon looked at the ground. “When I said I didn’t know where Cait was.”

“Well, where is she?”

“She said she wanted to walk home with us, so instead of going out front, she went out the side door so you wouldn’t see her. She was supposed to meet us back there, but she didn’t come. I thought you found her and gave her a ride.”

Laura’s blood drained from her face. Her head swam and she wavered on her feet, dizzy. “Is there another way that you girls walk home?”

They both shook their heads. “Maybe she’s already home,” Jenny said.

Was that a possibility? Laura climbed back into the van and gunned the engine. A tiny glimmer of hope. If Cait was at home, she was going to strangle her…or she just might hug her to death.

***

When Laura arrived at the house, she saw a squad car parked out in front and an officer was just getting out of the vehicle. She pulled up next to it. “Are you here about Caitlin?”

“No, ma’am.” The officer started for the house.

“Excuse me. I’m the director of this shelter and my daughter is missing. I called 911 to have someone come out.”

“I’m sorry, miss. I’m here to talk to Alysa O’Connor.”

Laura stepped back. Oh, God. What now? “Can’t it wait…until after you’ve found my daughter?”

As Laura reached the door, Rose pushed it open from the inside. “What’s all the ruckus?”

“Caitlin is missing,” Laura said, rushing inside. The officer followed her in and flashed her badge.

“I’m Officer Jensen. I’m here to see Alysa O’Connor.”

“Sorry, she’s not here,” Rose said, then turned to Laura. “What happened?”

Laura fought back tears. She had to stay strong. Had to think…find a solution. “Caitlin ditched me after school and told her friends she’d meet them behind the building so she could walk home with them. But she wasn’t behind the school and she didn’t meet them. Something has happened to her. She wouldn’t just go off—” Or would she? She’d been making all kinds of protests lately about doing things on her own.

Just then, Jordan came into the house. Walking past the police officer to Laura, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

She’d rather feel his strong arms around her. But her feelings weren’t at issue here. Caitlin was gone. And they had to find her.

“Any luck?” he asked.

“I just got here.”

“Did you look in her room?”

“I didn’t see her come in,” Rose said.

Laura hurried down the hall—Jordan and Rose on her heels. They checked Cait’s room. Not a sign. Laura checked the bathroom and in her own room, as well. Nobody. Standing in the hallway, she started to tremble, her fears threatening to overwhelm her. “Where could she be? Do you think someone—”

This time Jordan did put his arm around her. “Don’t speculate,” he said. “Let’s sit down and think logically.”

They went back to the living room. The other officer now had a pad and pen in her hand. “A team is on the way,” she said, glancing out front again. “But I’ll call them off if the child coming up the walk is your daughter.”

Laura ran to the front door and saw Cait dawdling on the sidewalk. A torrent of emotions coursed through Laura. Anger. Relief. Her heart hammered erratically. “Caitlin Elizabeth,” she ground out. “Get over here this minute.”

The child looked up, as guilty as a thief. “I’m sorry. I forgot.”

Laura tapped her foot, her stomach churning. Not if what the other girls said was true, she didn’t forget. Which also meant she was lying. Cait had never lied to her before. Laura said evenly, “I was very worried, and I’m hugely upset. Go to your room and I’ll be there to talk to you in a few minutes.”

Cait’s mouth pursed, but apparently she knew she’d better do as asked and stomped down the hall to her room without a word.

“I’m so sorry,” Laura said to Jordan and the other officer. She was going to tell the uniformed officer it wasn’t necessary for anyone else to come out, but the woman was already on the phone taking care of it.

When the officer left, Rose said, “Well, I’ll leave now. I’ve got to take the girls to the store.”

Alone with Laura, Jordan felt as if they were two statues staring at each another, neither able to speak. Jordan wanted to comfort Laura and could only imagine what she’d gone through today thinking something had happened to Cait. “Don’t be sorry. Under the circumstances you did the right thing. The next time it could be real.”

He hated to be so blunt, but if it made her realize how dangerous it was to stay here, he didn’t care. He hadn’t been around for the past week, but he’d received reports several times a day. How Cait had managed to get off by herself with so much cover boggled his mind.

“What can we do?”

“You can go talk to Cait before she thinks the worst.”

“She should be thinking about what she did…the worry she caused.”

“But she doesn’t know the danger. Maybe it’s time she knew the truth.”

Her mouth fell open. “You can’t mean that.”

“I do. Wouldn’t it be easier if she knew?”

“Easier for whom?” She turned, eyes wide. She shoved her hair back from her face and stared at him. “I—I can’t tell her the real reasons,” she said incredulously.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s only seven.”

“She’s almost eight, and from what I’ve seen, she’s more mature than most twelve-year-olds.”

“But what would it prove?”

“It would keep her from finding out about it somewhere else. It would prove that telling the truth is important. It would prove that you trust her enough to tell her. And then, she probably wouldn’t be taking any jogs off by herself if she knew.”

“It’s a lot for a child to comprehend.”

He shrugged. “Make it simple.” He hesitated, wondering how far he should go with this. Finally, he decided he couldn’t put it off. “Do you ever plan to tell her about her father?”

She gazed down the hallway. Moistened her lips. “When she’s old enough to understand.”

“And when might that be?”

She didn’t answer. “If Cait knew your concerns, she might be able to explain what she saw at her father’s. She might have seen more than she told you.”

Laura’s eyes flared with anger. “Is that why you think I should tell her, so you can get more information?”

He flinched at the accusation. “That isn’t why,” he said, fighting the urge to shake her, to tell her this wasn’t about the case. It was about telling the truth. It was about Cait.

He stepped closer, looked into her eyes and said softly, “I’m sorry you think that. I was concerned about Cait. She could be suppressing what she saw…and that can’t be a good thing.”

She stared blankly, then gave a terse nod. “I’m a counselor. Don’t you think I’ve thought of that?” She raised a hand to her forehead as if she might be fighting a headache.

“It’s such a big step.” Her voice was a whisper.

He reached out, held her by her arms. “I know.”