The Sweetest Summer(150)
Richard felt nauseous and dizzy, but he’d come too far to give up now. His daughter was just inches from his grasp. He pictured the moment of triumph in detail—a father reunited with his abducted child, posing for the cameras. That image alone would turn the polls around. Even party leadership couldn’t resist something that touching.
But where was the FBI? Why weren’t they arresting Evelyn McGuinness? Richard looked behind him to see agents standing with Chief Flynn, looking useless, weapons not even drawn. Apodaca had gone back to the helicopter and was now slowly making her way back to the police chief. He was baffled. Why wasn’t she going completely Amazon on this McGuinness woman and dragging her off in handcuffs like she deserved?
The kid started crying.
“Give her to me, you crazy bitch.”
Evelyn McGuinness stood stiffly and the girl cried louder. “She belongs with us, Wahlman. She belongs with her family.”
“Well, the court says she belongs to me!” Oh, Jesus, he wished someone would shut this kid up. She was howling now, the skin of her face and neck getting all splotchy and red and she thrashed in her aunt’s arms. She looked like a Tasmanian devil.
“It doesn’t work like that. You can’t own someone—all you can do is love them, and I don’t think you have the slightest idea how to do that.”
Richard put his hand on his chest. His heartbeat was erratic. “Shut the hell up and give her to me.”
“You cheated us in court. You stole Christina from us by bribing a court official.”
He laughed. “So what if I did? You’ll never be able to prove any of it!”
Just then, the girl beat her fists on her aunt’s chest and kicked her legs, pummeling the woman in the stomach. Richard was horrified. Was this child mentally ill? Or was she simply a product of a poor upbringing? Well, he would change all that soon enough.
He grabbed the girl. For God’s sake—she bit him! She just chomped down on the flesh between his thumb and forefinger, drawing blood. Richard lost his grip on her and she ran off.
FBI agents suddenly surrounded them.
“Chrissy!” Evelyn McGuinness was restrained by agents as the girl ran down the dock. She screamed at Richard. “What have you done?”
Richard yelled at Apodaca, his chest tightening. “Get my kid! Do your fucking job!”
That’s when everything went black.
* * *
Clancy saw Jellybean hike up her mermaid skirt, yank off her wig, and run barefoot under the lights, heading toward the marina. Evie was already removing her party shoes, itching to run after her niece.
Apodaca grabbed his arm. “We will handle this, Chief. Do you understand?”
“No.” Clancy clutched Evie’s hand and pulled her to his side. “Please let us get her. She is scared to death. Please. She’s just a terrified little girl. Once she’s safe we’ll go wherever you want us to go.”
Apodaca shook her head. “God I hate this assignment.” She sighed deeply. “All right.” She looked at her agents. “Help them out if need be, but don’t crowd the little girl.” Just then, Richard collapsed to the dock. “And somebody call the EMTs!”
Clancy and Evie were off. They rounded the corner toward the marina.
“She could be anywhere!” Evie sounded panicked.
“She can’t go far. When she sees it’s just us, she’ll show herself. Besides, I know every hiding place on this marina.”