Out of Focus (24 page)

“I didn’t mean that,” Riley said. “I’m sorry.”

While Von updated Kasey and Riley, Phipps went back to ask Doris Moon about a few more details.

“Sorry to bother you again, Mrs. Moon—I mean, Doris. Do you have a key to Ms. Braddock’s house?”

“Why, yes, I do have a key. We have each other’s. You know, just in case.”

“Would you mind letting us in? I can get a warrant if you’re uncomfortable giving me access without one.”

She hesitated, but only for a moment. “I suppose it wouldn’t be a problem—if I went with you.”

“Thank you.”

The woman slipped her feet into a pair of bright green gardening clogs that were on the floor next to the front door, then led the way next door. Her steps were short and swift, leaving a trail in the dewy grass. She slipped the key into the door and opened it, stepping aside to let them in.

Four police officers spread out into different rooms of the tidy house. Especially tidy for a house with a four-year-old boy living in it. Doris stayed by the door as the officers opened drawers and checked trashcans for any hint as to where the woman had gone. Phipps hit the caller ID list on the telephone and wrote the last ten numbers on his notepad. The last call was from UNKNOWN CALLER. He hit *69 to see if the number would replay. No luck. No address left behind, and no notes next to the phone.

The policemen filed out of the house and it wasn’t long before Phipps cruiser was the only one left. Phipps helped Doris secure the house, and walked her home before joining the others in his car.

“I’m sorry.” Phipps put his arm on the back of the seat and turned to Kasey. “I know this has got to be hard for you. We’re on your side. We’ll follow every lead to find your son. I promise.”

“I hope you won’t mind keeping me in the loop every step of the way,” Von said.

“Not at all. I can definitely do that.” Phipps looked at his list. “I’ve already put an APB out on the car. I don’t think she knows she was made at the Walmart, so if she was naïve enough to use that credit card once, hopefully she’ll use it again.” He looked up from his notes and turned toward Kasey. “Von already updated you on what the neighbor said?”

Kasey nodded.

“We’ll find them.” Phipps radioed the dispatcher and asked her to schedule a drive-by check of the Braddock house for the next week. “Mrs. Moon said she’ll call and let me know when they come back, but we’ll keep an eye on things, too.”

Phipps started the car and took his disappointed passengers back to the Walmart.

Silence reigned during the drive from the Walmart back to the hotel. Von went to get ice and sodas from the vending machine. Kasey and Riley went back to their room.

“More waiting.” Kasey got into bed and crawled under the covers, fully clothed.

Von came back in the room and flipped on the television and his laptop. Riley closed the door between the rooms and crawled into bed next to Kasey.

“I wish there was more I could do,” Riley said. She lay there, wide-awake, wishing and praying that this nightmare would end.

After Kasey fell asleep, Riley got up and tiptoed into the other room. Von hunched over his computer, reading something on the screen. She stepped behind him and rubbed his shoulders. “What do we do now?” she asked.

He reached up and patted her hand. He lifted her palm to his lips, kissed it, then squeezed her hand closed. “Love you.”

“I love you, too.” She leaned forward, put her chin on his shoulder, and looked at the website he had displayed on the screen. “What are you doing?”

“Grasping at straws, mostly. Just trying to think a step ahead of her.”

She took several steps toward the other room, then turned back to him. “Von? We are going to find him sooner or later, right?”

He nodded. “Oh, yeah. Sooner, I hope.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The next morning, Von met the chief at the precinct for an update, and then did his own drive-by of the Braddock house. Nothing had changed. With nothing else to do in the small town but wait, they decided it was best to head back to the house on Nickel Creek. The ride back was quiet except for the chatter of the all-news station Von had on the radio. Kasey stared out the window.

Riley nudged Kasey’s arm. “Are you going to answer your phone?” Riley leaned forward in her seat.

“No,” Kasey said without turning around.

“Want me to get it?” Riley grabbed Kasey’s phone.

Kasey shrugged and looked outside.

“Hello, Kasey Phillips’s phone,” Riley said. “Hey...No. We’re on our way back to the house...I know.” Riley prodded Kasey and mouthed, “It’s Scott.”

Kasey shook her head, and waved off the call. She didn’t have anything to say to anyone right now.

Riley let Scott know what had transpired since Kasey had last spoken to him and promised to keep him up to date.

“He’s a nice guy,” Riley said, tucking Kasey’s phone back in her handbag.

Kasey nodded vaguely distracted by the thought that one woman stood between her and her son. She was relieved when the Nickel Creek Road street sign came into view an hour later. They pulled into the driveway and went into the house.

“Y’all don’t have to stay,” Kasey said. “I’ll be fine. I’m just going to go to bed and wait for news.”

“I’m not leaving you here alone,” Riley said. “You need your friends right now.”

“I
need
my son.” Kasey took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. I appreciate everything y’all are doing for me. I just feel...sad...
and
mad today.”

“It’s okay.”

Kasey dropped her purse on the end table. “The guest room is made up. Make yourselves at home. I’m going to bed.”

“Don’t worry about us,” Riley said.

Later that afternoon, Von sat in a rocking chair on the porch, drinking a beer, when Scott drove up. Scott pushed his sunglasses on top of his head as he walked up to the porch.

“Kasey’s inside,” Von said with a nod.

Scott didn’t go to the door. Instead, he sat in the other rocker. “Mind talking through all the updates with me?”

“Not at all.” Von put his empty bottle on the ground next to the chair and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. He went through the whole scenario, step-by-step.

“Libby Braddock was tipped off,” Scott said.

“She had to be.”

Scott’s jaw tensed. “Do you think it was someone from the store who knew her?”

Von rubbed his morning stubble. “I really don’t think so, although that seems most likely”

Scott rocked back in the chair. “Who else knew?”

“No one. Well, that’s not true. Kasey talked to you, Cody Tuggle, and to her grandmother. That’s it. Riley and I came here as soon as we heard, and that leaves just the local folks in Leighsboro. It’s a small town. I’m sure half the population is related. News could’ve gotten around pretty fast.” Von paused, remembering Scott was a small-town guy. “No offense, man.”

“None taken.” Scott shook his head. “No mother should have to go through this.”

“Especially Kasey. She’s a terrific mom.” Von lowered his head and picked at his fingernail. “It’s been hard for her. Losing Nick, then not knowing if Jake was even alive. At least now we know he’s alive.”

“I’d like to work on this with you. Let me know what I can do. I’ve got resources.”

“Good deal. Maybe between the two of us we can figure this out.”

“I’m going to call in a favor over in Southampton County,” Scott said. “I want to go back through the evidence from the crash site. Maybe they overlooked something.”

“Good idea. Will they cooperate?”

“Oh, yeah. I went to school with most of those guys.”

“Let’s stay connected,” said Von.

Scott stood and extended his hand. “We will.”

They shook hands, then Scott went inside.

“I didn’t hear you drive up,” Kasey said when Scott walked into the kitchen.

“You look beat,” Scott said. He gave her a hug and nodded to Riley.

“Want a cup?” Riley lifted her porcelain teacup to her lips.

“I’m
not
a tea kind of guy.” Scott held up his pinky. “Not me.”

Kasey couldn’t help but snicker.

Riley went to the fridge. “How about one of these?” She grabbed a beer and held it out.

“I
am
off duty.” He smiled, accepted the beer, then turned to Kasey. “You hanging in there?”

“It’s torture to sit here waiting. What am I supposed to do?” She chewed the inside of her cheek, holding back tears.

“You could pray,” Scott said in a soft comforting tone. “I added Jake to the prayer list at church. Hope you don’t mind.”

Kasey looked into his eyes. “That was really nice.”

“I didn’t know if you were a church-goer, but most of us go to the same church around here. I take my mom every Sunday. Wish I could say I thought of the idea of putting Jake on the prayer list, but it was her idea.”

“Thank you.” His thoughtfulness surprised her over and over again.

“If you ever care to join us, just let me know. That’s not why I came, though. I was wondering, what’s on your calendar for the next couple of days?” Scott twisted off the cap of the beer bottle and took a sip.

“Waiting. Lots of it, if I have to guess.” Kasey clapped her hands over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to complain. I’m just a mixed bag of emotions today. Ignore me.”

“It’s okay,” Scott said. “We all understand, but it does take time to vet this stuff out.”

“You and Von both already gave me that lecture.”

“Managing expectations,” he corrected her.

“Whatever. I should be relieved that we’re getting so close and we have proof that Jake’s alive—and I am. But I never gave up hope that he was alive. I’ve known that all along. The other part of me is so mad I want hunt down that woman myself, kick her ass, and take my child back. Then I’d ask questions, or maybe not. I just want Jake back.”

Scott flipped the beer cap in the air and caught it with one hand. “Kasey, you can drive yourself crazy like that.”

“Short trip,” she said.

“Or get arrested for real,” Riley added.

“I’d get off on temporary insanity, that’s for sure.”

“Don’t talk like that,” Riley said. “We’re going to find him, and things are going to be back to normal before you know it.”

“I’m not sure I even know what normal is anymore,” Kasey said. “Don’t take this the wrong way, Riley, but I wish you and Von would go home. Y’all don’t have to babysit me. I’m sad. I’m mad. I’m downright pissed-off about all of this, but I’m fine. I’m not fragile.”

“I’m always just a phone call away, too. You know that, right?” Scott said, glancing from Kasey to Riley.

“I know. You’re great. Thanks,” Kasey said.

Scott nodded.
“Don’t let the anger eat you up. The woman has no record, and the neighbor said Libby adores Jake. Be thankful for that. Cling to it.”

Kasey bowed her head into her hands and groaned. “I know it’s good news. It could be so much worse.” She lifted her head. “It’s
been
worse. All these months, waiting, worrying. How am I ever going to get through this?”

“I have an idea about that,” Scott said. “I was thinking we could do a little investigative work together. I was talking to Von about it a minute ago.”

“What kind of investigative work?” Kasey asked.

“We can go back through the evidence collected at the scene of the crash,” Scott said.

“They searched all that stuff,” Riley said. “They didn’t get any leads from it.”

“I know. Maybe Kasey and I will see something they missed. It might trigger an idea or connection, now that we know a little more. It couldn’t hurt.” Scott shrugged. “It might be a long shot, but any shot is better than no shot at all.”

“Can we do that?” asked Kasey.

Scott nodded. “I can arrange it.”

Kasey smiled. “How did I get so lucky to meet you, and have such great friends?” She grabbed Riley’s hand, and then Scott’s. “Y’all are the best.”

“I don’t know how you got so lucky to find Riley and Von, but be thankful you drive a finicky foreign car with electrical problems.” He laughed. “Or you can thank Deputy Dan.”

“Funny.” She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t forgiven him yet.”

Riley put her teacup in the dishwasher. “Well, if y’all are going to be working on that angle, and you’re sure you’re okay, Von and I will get out of your hair—but just until the next lead.”

“I’m fine. I’ll call if anything changes,” Kasey promised.

Riley hugged her. “I’ll go talk to the boss.”

 
“It’ll take a day or two to get access to the evidence. Can I call in that rain check for tomorrow morning?”

“Rain check?”

“Our fishing date,” he said.

She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t think so. I’m not very good company right now.”

“Come on. We’ll do some fishing, relax, pass the day away. You need to be well and strong for Jake. The fresh air will be good for you.”

Kasey wasn’t interested.

“Tell you what. If you feel up to it in the morning, just show up. The invitation is open.”