Yuletide Abduction Read online

  “Thank you. This is just what I need this morning.”

  “Rough night?”

  “You could say that.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t have left the hospital.”

  She glanced up at him, her eyes full of determination and persistence. “I’m fine. Besides, your niece might not have time for me to lie in a hospital bed.”

  He could see she needed a day or two to recover from her injuries, but it was obvious she wasn’t going to take it, and he couldn’t deny he was glad. At least someone was taking Candace’s disappearance seriously.

  “I need to go to the police station and get a copy of their missing persons file then find somewhere to purchase a new laptop. My partner is overnighting me a copy of the files that were stolen.” She pulled on her suit coat, stumbling backward as she did. She glanced up at him, her reassuring smile as shaky as her balance. “I’m okay.”

  It was obvious to him she wasn’t, but he needed her to be and he was prepared to do whatever it took to keep her going. “There’s an office-supply store on the highway where you can buy a laptop. I’ll drive you.”

  “That’s not necessary,” she said, but after fumbling a few moments with the buttons on her jacket, she gave a weary sigh and resignation colored her tone. “On second thought, maybe that’s not such a bad idea.”

  He was pleased she’d accepted his offer. She had determination, and he admired that, but he was also glad to know that she wouldn’t try to push him out of the investigation. As long as she needed him to drive her, he was assured of being kept in the loop. He slipped his arm around her waist as he helped her outside. Had he missed yesterday how easily she fit into his arms? The top of her head met his chin and he caught the scent of her shampoo, sending his senses swirling. He couldn’t help noticing how slim and trim she was as he helped her to the Jeep. He was putting all his hope in this petite powerhouse, and that should worry him, but he’d already seen how she’d commanded respect from Daniel when she needed to. If he had to work with the FBI, maybe Elise wasn’t a bad choice.

  They drove to the police station first and Daniel wasn’t pleased to see them. He ushered them through to his office, but his tone was almost adversarial as he turned his gaze on Josh. “Is this your doing? Did you call in the FBI?”

  “No, but I’m thankful she’s here and willing to look into Candace’s case.”

  “Why are you so convinced she didn’t run away, Josh?”

  Josh had always known him to be a good cop, but he’d dug in his heels with this case, determined he was right. “Why are you so convinced she did?”

  Daniel looked exasperated. “You know why.”

  “The letter? Daniel, you’ve known Candace her whole life. Did that letter really seem like something she would write? She and Patti have a great relationship, but that letter made it sound like Patti didn’t have time for her.” His sister-in-law was a good mom and Josh knew Candace adored her. That was why the tone of that letter baffled him so.

  But Daniel pressed on. “It was her handwriting. Her mother confirmed it. She wrote that letter. I know you don’t want to accept that, but it’s the truth.”

  “Something isn’t right, Daniel. You have to see that.”

  “I am doing everything I can to find her, Josh. I’ve sent her picture out on the wire to police agencies all across the state. I entered her name into the missing persons database. I’ve even driven to New Orleans to hang flyers and search the shelters for her. But I haven’t found one clue to indicate she didn’t leave on her own.”

  Elise stepped forward and interrupted their heated discussion, probably sensing the futility of it. Josh wasn’t going to change his mind, and without more proof, neither was Daniel.

  “I’m going to need to see that letter, Chief.”

  That note had convinced Daniel that Candace had left home on her own, and Josh had to admit it was hard to dispute. He hoped Elise wouldn’t write off this case because of it, too.

  “What’s the FBI’s interest in a runaway case?”

  Josh hadn’t told Daniel her connection with Max and hoped she wouldn’t let it slip. He still worried about the reaction this police force—this community—might have if they knew the truth about who she was.

  He needn’t have worried. She was all FBI business. “Actually, I’m here as part of a larger ongoing investigation into missing teens in this part of the Southeast. I’m trying to establish a pattern that may indicate a human trafficking ring operating in this area.”

  Josh’s gut twisted at her revelation. “You think Candace was abducted by a trafficking ring?”

  Sympathy shone in her eyes and she quickly responded to the terror she must have seen on his face. “This is only a preliminary investigation. I’ve identified some characteristics that may suggest a pattern. I obtained Candace’s information through the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children database when it was entered, but I still need to see if her disappearance matches any of the criteria I’ve uncovered in other cases.”

  Daniel shook his head. “You’re barking up the wrong tree in this case, Agent. Candace ran away. I know Josh doesn’t want to believe that, but all the evidence supports that.”

  Nothing about her demeanor as she handled Daniel suggested that she had been barely able to stand on her own a half hour ago. He was impressed with the strength she’d garnered from somewhere in order to maintain her composure in front of others. No one in this office would see how the events of yesterday had affected her.

  “Regardless, I still need to see that file, including the letter.”

  Daniel sighed wearily, but conceded. “I’ll have someone make you a copy of the file. I’m sure once you examine it, you’ll concur with our findings.” He picked up the file folder and walked out.

  Josh sank into a chair as the enormity of the situation hit him. Elise wasn’t here by accident. Something about Candace’s disappearance had caught her attention during her investigation into human trafficking.

  She touched his arm and he glanced up at her. Her lips curved into a gentle smile that said she understood better than anyone what he was feeling. Her hand on his arm was small but reassuring. “I know it looks bleak, but I promise you if something did happen to Candace, we will find out.”

  He was thankful for her words and for her presence here in town. He hadn’t even considered that something sinister must have brought her here because Daniel was right—the FBI did not normally investigate runaways.

  Her cell phone rang and she glanced at the screen then stood. “I have to take this.”

  He watched her slip from the room and realized she’d become his lifeline. He was depending on her. He’d known fear during his time with the Rangers, but nothing like the fear that gripped him now. He’d seen parts of the world no one in this town would ever see. He’d seen the incredible beauty of God’s handiwork across the world, as well as the unbelievable corruption of man. And his time with the Rangers had assured him of one ultimate truth—good and evil existed.

  They had to find Candace, and he was relying on Elise and her FBI resources to make that happen.

  * * *

  It was the hospital number calling...again. Three hours on the dot, just as Nurse Stringer had promised...all night long and into the morning. She considered letting it go to voice mail but then remembered Nurse Stringer’s warning about sending the paramedics. Maybe Bobby Danbar deserved it, but she didn’t feel like changing rooms again.

  “We’re just checking on you, Agent Richardson,” the nurse who sounded much younger than Nurse Stringer had said. “How are you feeling this morning?”

  Honestly, the blurred vision and ever-persistent headache were more of an obstacle than the pain ripping through her leg with every step. She didn’t know how she would function without Josh’s help and was glad he’d insisted
on driving her. But she couldn’t tell this to the nurse, not if she hoped to remain able to investigate Candace’s disappearance...and she couldn’t stop, not until she brought Candace home.

  “I’m fine,” she said, hoping she wouldn’t probe more.

  Fortunately, this nurse took her at her word. “Okeydokey. Talk to you in a few hours, then.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief as she put away her phone. But it was short-lived. On the wall, she spotted a memorial to fallen officers, including a photograph she recognized from her newspaper clipping. She stared at the memorial to Max Adams, his bright blue eyes clearly noticeable in the photograph. She shuddered, flashing back to that night ten years ago when she’d held him in her arms as he gasped for his last breath.

  A tear slipped from Elise’s eye and emotion threatened to overwhelm her. She glanced around at the bull pen visible from where she stood and was struck by the realization that this was where Max had spent his days. All these men and women had probably known him and had loved him...and she had killed him.

  “That’s Josh’s brother and Candace’s father,” Chief Mills said, coming up behind her. “This office lost a good man. He was one of our own, and we all consider his daughter’s disappearance a loss.”

  Elise shuddered, suddenly feeling anxious. What would these people do if they knew who she was—who she really was? Had Josh told him she was the person who’d taken their fallen brother away from them? Was that why Chief Mills was so cold toward her? She was used to seeing the local police posturing whenever the FBI arrived in town. She hoped that was all this was. She couldn’t worry about pacifying Chief Mills. Too much was at stake.

  She took a deep breath and pushed her focus away from Max and from the pounding in her head as she followed Chief Mills back into his office, where Josh was waiting for them both.

  “Here are those copies you wanted.”

  She took the folder he offered. “Have you gotten the fingerprint results back from my hotel room?”

  “We have.” He pulled up a file on his computer and Elise moved around his desk to read over his shoulder. That was a quick turnaround, which meant his department was efficient. Good.

  “Only one print raised any flags. It was pulled off the door. We matched it to a local thug named Taylor Johnson. He’s been on our radar since he was a teen, in and out of trouble. He just returned to town after serving three years in the state correctional facility for breaking and entering.”

  “I want to question him.”

  “I sent an officer to his house to bring him in, but no one was home. I’ll let you know when we pick him up.”

  “What about the car that tried to run her down?” Josh asked.

  He pulled up a grainy image on the computer. “A bank security camera caught an image of the car, but the driver’s face is obscured and the plates are unreadable. I’ve issued a Be On the Lookout for cars matching this description, and I’ll have someone run a check of stolen vehicles. I’ve also alerted the body shops in the area to watch for anyone coming in with vehicle damage matching what we know your truck did to it.”

  Elise nodded, certain they had covered all avenues available to them. “Keep me informed, Chief.”

  She really wanted to speak with Taylor Johnson to find out exactly what he’d been doing in her hotel room. Why would a B and E criminal target the FBI? Was he involved in something bigger that might get the FBI’s attention? Or was he simply curious to know what the FBI was doing in town? She might have chalked it up to a simple burglary if her case files hadn’t been taken. Taylor would have done himself a favor if he’d helped himself to other valuables in addition to the files and her laptop.

  “Where to now?” Josh asked as they walked toward the Jeep. “To the electronics store?”

  She was about to agree when her strength gave out, her knees buckled and she stumbled. Josh’s arms went protectively around her, steadying her. Elise stared up into his blue eyes and saw concern and compassion in them, causing her heart to skip a beat as they locked gazes. She’d already been in this man’s arms more often than she had in any other man’s in a long time.

  “Maybe I should take you back to the hotel so you can rest.”

  She shook her head and started to protest. “I’m—”

  “Don’t tell me you’re fine again, Elise. I can see that you’re not.” His tone was firm but caring. “You’re pushing yourself too hard.”

  She hated that he could see through her so easily. She thought she’d held up quite well in the chief’s office. But she wasn’t going back to the hotel. “Fine, but let’s go to the café instead. I think I’ll be okay if I just sit down for a few minutes.”

  Josh helped her into the Jeep then drove them to a café and walked around to open her door. Elise grabbed the file Chief Mills had given her.

  He didn’t mask his surprise. “Really? I thought you were resting, not working.”

  “No reason I can’t do both.”

  He kept his hand on her back as they walked inside, and Elise was grateful. She did feel better knowing he was there to keep her from stumbling and was strong enough to catch her if she fell. It was comforting to have someone looking out for her...even if it was only so that she could investigate his niece’s disappearance.

  He led her toward a booth in the back and Elise slid into one side.

  “Do you feel like something to eat now?” Josh asked.

  She still blanched at the idea of food. She probably needed something, but she wasn’t sure her stomach would agree. “Just coffee, please.”

  While Josh walked to the counter to place their orders, Elise pulled out the runaway note and examined it.

  Dear Mom,

  By the time you receive this, I will be gone. I can’t take it at home anymore. There is no room in your life for me. The tension is unbearable and I just want out. I need some time away to clear my head and you need to be able to move on with your life without me. Please don’t try to find me. You won’t. And don’t involve the police. That will only make things worse for both of us. Please know that I still love you. I just think this is the best option for me right now.

  Love,

  Candace

  She noticed patterns of words and phrases similar to the ones she’d seen in the other letters written by girls believed to be runaways. It was almost as though someone was dictating the letter for each girl. She’d suspected as much before. A letter written by the missing girl in her own hand stating that she was running away from home was often the key detail that ruled out abduction in these cases, but this letter seemed proof enough to Elise that Candace Adams was caught up in a net that stretched through several states.

  Even though her mother had stated it looked like her writing, Elise still wanted to get a handwriting sample of Candace’s for confirmation. She suspected that like the others, the sample would confirm Candace’s penmanship wasn’t as sloppy and haphazard as the writing on this note. Other officials had chalked the scratchy scribble up to haste or the girls being upset, but Elise suspected it was more than simple discomfort. She suspected something far worse—someone was standing over these girls dictating to them what to write. They’d all been written under duress and it showed in their penmanship.

  She couldn’t wait to get her files and compare this letter to the others. She was certain she would find similarities. The part about involving the police was suspiciously similar as was the focus of the letter, which was primarily to blame the parent. Elise had found that parental guilt was a wonderful way to paralyze otherwise caring, grieving parents.

  “Does seeing that letter make you change your mind about Candace?” Josh asked as he returned to their table with two cups of coffee. He handed one over to Elise and she took it.

  “Not at all. In fact, it makes me believe more than ever that Candace might be in troubl
e.” She saw relief in his face. Josh was the only one who seemed adamant that Candace hadn’t run away, despite this letter. “It didn’t convince you either, did it? Why?”

  “It just didn’t seem like something Candace would write. That part about Patti not having room in her life for her? That’s crazy. Patti is a terrific mom.”

  “Surely that’s not the only reason.”

  “I’ve shared this with the police and the school board, but none of them seemed too interested in my concerns. There’s a man, a teacher at Candace’s school, whose behavior worries me. I don’t like the way he looks at the female students, and he seems to give too much attention to them. I think he might have had something to do with Candace’s disappearance.”

  So he’d already suspected something sinister had happened to his niece before he even saw this letter. “I thought you said you worked security. How do you know what goes on at the school?”

  “My sister-in-law, Candace’s mother, is the principal. I volunteer with after-school programs when I can.”

  “Did Candace have any regular contact with this man you suspect?”

  “He’s her biology teacher. And I know he’s kept her after school on several occasions. She said it was for tutoring.”

  “Did the police question him?”

  “Of course. I shared my suspicions with them.” He raked a hand over his face, obviously weary of the lack of attention his niece’s case had received. “I know what Daniel thinks. And I know what this note suggests. But I also know my niece. She wouldn’t have been gone this long without a word. She’s in trouble.”

  Elise already suspected she was a victim of the trafficking ring, but she couldn’t rule out other possibilities, like this teacher Josh mentioned. Was it possible he was part of the ring she was investigating? She had to consider all avenues if she hoped to find Candace. “I would like to interview this teacher, as well as some of Candace’s friends from school.”