Threat of Darkness(57)
“No problem. I’ve felt like having a good cry myself, more than once, particularly in the past few weeks. Just when it seems things are as bad as they can possibly be, they surprise me and get worse.”
“I know what you mean. When Ben’s personality changed so radically I didn’t know what to do. I suppose I shouldn’t have stayed with him but he’s my husband. I took holy vows and I want to honor them.” She sniffled. “What should I do? I have to protect Danny, too.”
“We’ll work that out in court,” Samantha assured her. “Remember, the judge is your friend. And because I represent Danny through CASA, I’ll be able to give the recommendation that he remain with you as long as his father stops hurting him.” Assuming Ben is even in the home after the police get through prosecuting him for hurting John, she added to herself, hoping that that violent man would get jail time for the assault at the hospital.
“Can you help that much? Really?” There was a glimmer of hope in the young woman’s quavering tone.
“We’ll see,” Sam hedged because she knew she might have jeopardized her CASA assignment by becoming too friendly with Lindy. “The ideal situation is one in which the child stays in the home and the parents get counseling. The court can actually order your husband to participate.”
“Oh, that would be wonderful.”
“Yes, it would. Are you feeling better now?”
“Much. But plans for the future won’t matter until I have my Danny back, safe and sound.”
“The police will find him for you. I know they will,” Sam said, praying she was right.
She checked her side mirror for oncoming traffic. That’s when she saw the unmarked car slowing and pulling off the road behind her. Speaking of the police. It’s about time they showed up.
Since she didn’t want Lindy to lose confidence in her by learning they had been followed by design, Sam decided to walk back and reassure the deputy that all was well. Then she could ask him to report the possibility of a hidden cabin in that area, too, so the rest of the searchers would have clues about where else to look.
She palmed her cell phone and opened the car door. While she was outside she’d be able to return John’s calls without being overheard. Hopefully, he’d listen to her explanation before he started to scold.
“Wait right here,” she told her companion, forcing a cheery smile. “I think the people behind us may be lost. I’ll go see if they need directions.”
“Are you sure…?”
Samantha was already out of the car and striding purposefully toward the vehicle idling behind her. It was a good thing that this guy was driving an unmarked car or the subterfuge would have been revealed.
She pushed the button on her phone to return John’s calls as she walked. Before one full ring he answered.
“Samantha!”
“Simmer down. I’m fine. Lindy and I are on the road near Sylamore but we’re about to turn around and head home. Have you had any word about Danny?”
“No.” His voice sounded hoarse, gruff.
“Okay. Don’t worry. The cop who’s been following us just pulled over. I’m going to go tell him our plans. Then I’ll fill you in, too.”
“Samantha!” John was shouting. “Did you say him?”
“Yes. Hold on a sec.”
Not waiting for his reply because she had reached her destination she lowered the phone, paused by the driver’s door and watched as the tinted window rolled down.
The man behind the wheel was wearing dark glasses and had a ball cap pulled low in the front so the brim shaded his face. It wasn’t a fancy disguise but it was probably all he’d need for his current assignment because it made him resemble nearly every other man in the rural area.
“We’re fine,” she began, smiling, “just getting ready to head for home. There’s nothing to worry about.”
He nodded.
“You need to radio your chief for me. Tell him that Mrs. Southerland remembered a mountain cabin where her family used to vacation. It’s around here somewhere but she can’t recall enough details to get us there.”
A wily smile lifted the corners of the man’s mouth. “Oh, really?”
Samantha was about to reply when she saw him raise a gun and point it through the open window. At her!
Hands up, she took a step backward. “Hey! What are you doing? I’m on your side.”
“I doubt that,” he said, removing his glasses and pushing up the cap brim so she could see more of his face.