Читать книгу Looking for Sophie - Roz Denny Fox - Страница 6

CHAPTER TWO

JULIAN RELAXED BY a lazy river. Before the morning mist evaporated he’d caught two rainbow trout. Beauties he was sorry to release. Hungry for fish, he stopped for a burger instead at a biker bar he passed on his way back to the motel. Inside, he struck up conversation with a cold-eyed bruiser seated at the counter. “Julian Cavenaugh, North Alaska Tribune,” he said, inventing a paper. “I’m considering a follow-up on the Dale Patton story. Ever heard of him?”

“Yeah. But why would anyone want to stir that up again?”

Julian bit into his burger and licked the juice that trickled down his thumb. “I’m curious how Patton managed to slip away, even though there must’ve been posters and stuff all over the state.”

“So Dale’s slippery. End of story. Find a new one, pal.” Several tough guys in the room laughed. The bruiser took a last slug from his beer, tossed money on the counter, hitched up his pants and left. At least five others followed him out.

Hearing the roar of bike engines from out front, Julian tried asking his waitress, but she didn’t know Patton. She attempted to flirt, but Julian wasn’t interested. He left his burger, paid his bill and returned to the motel to shower and change. He decided to try his luck with Garnet Patton’s neighbors.

The first woman who answered his knock was treated to Julian’s best smile. The fact that he petted the woman’s fussy dog won him an audience with Anna Winkleman, senior citizen. “I’m writing a follow-up story on the missing Patton child,” Julian fibbed after introducing himself and showing her his false credentials.

“No doubt you’ve given accounts in the past, but I wondered if you’d mind talking about it again.”

“Mercy, I’m grateful her case hasn’t been forgotten. Poor Garnet’s exhausted herself and spent every cent she doesn’t absolutely need to live on, trying to find her precious baby. She’s so discouraged. Is it possible to find Sophie after so long?”

Still petting the pooch, Julian considered how to answer. “Anything is possible,” he finally said. “Mrs. Winkleman, how well did you know Dale Patton? Is he the type who could’ve hurt his daughter to spite his ex? She did file for the divorce, correct?”

“She did. But Garnet moved here after the kidnapping. I never met Dale. All I really know about him is hearsay. Rumor is that he got in with a bunch of no-good bikers who drank and caroused. Other people say he took Sophie on his motorcycle when she was a toddler. He bought her a helmet, but still…I say Garnet did the right thing divorcing him.”

“Was his taking their daughter for bike rides a big reason for the divorce?”

Anna looked blank. “I’m not sure. I believe it had some bearing on her seeking sole custody. But who can blame her? She said that about a month before she petitioned family court for sole custody, one of Dale’s biker friends was struck and killed by a logging truck. It was obviously not appropriate for a child to be on one of those things. Then, a few days after the judge’s ruling, before Garnet was able to get copies of the new court order to the school, Dale showed up at the preschool on his motorcycle and took off with Sophie.”

Julian jotted notes in his book. “Thanks, you’ve been very helpful. I’d like to talk to some of Ms. Patton’s other friends. Can you suggest anyone?”

“Her friends in this building, you mean? Well, there’s Hazel Webber downstairs, and John Carlyle, who lives next door to Garnet. However, I saw John leave to walk his dog. He has a rat terrier he takes up the street to the park. He’ll probably be at a picnic table playing checkers with his cronies.”

Giving Anna’s dog a last pat, Julian went downstairs to find the Webber unit. He hit a roadblock with the white-haired matron who opened the door. She gazed haughtily down her nose at him. “I don’t talk to nosy strangers, young man,” she said before slamming her door.

Julian crossed her off his list and left in search of Mr. Carlyle and his rat terrier. He found them two blocks from the complex. Julian stopped, mumbled his name and said, “I hope, sir, that you won at checkers.” He dived straight into his request for information on Garnet, hastily adding that Anna Winkleman had steered him this way.

“That busybody. Why can’t you get what you need from your paper’s archives? Ah, because you’re no reporter. Sonny, I’d say you look more like a cop.” Squinting, the old fellow studied Julian carefully. “Yes or no?”

Embarrassed at being found by the perceptive old man, Julian winced. Quickly, he showed him his badge, careful to explain that his role was strictly unofficial. “I’m just a cop who hates cold cases,” he said, feeling guilty nevertheless. “Sometimes a fresh take on old information can lead to apprehensions,” he added. That was true, and so was his next comment. “Some people feel intimidated by cops and are more comfortable talking to reporters.”

“Huh, well, some cops lack basic people skills. Not saying that applies to you, young fella. Now, I never met Dale Patton, Garnet moved in next to me after the kidnapping. But my checkers partner knew him. He swears Dale loved that baby, too. Swede, that’s my checkers buddy, lives on the other side of the park where the Pattons used to live. According to him, Dale felt shut out by Garnet’s friends. They didn’t think he was good enough for her. Swede said Dale dropped out of high school and came here from Washington State to work on the pipeline. A lot of young men did. When the jobs petered out, most went home. That’s not easy for a married man, especially if his wife has a good job. Mind you, Swede’s never said Garnet and Dale fought over who brought in the bread. But I figure it’d be a sore subject, particularly if you add it to criticism by a wife’s friends.”

As they meandered back to the apartments, Julian drew some conclusions of his own. He thanked John, then left him with his terrier at the entrance. Once in his Jeep, Julian studied the new data on Patton. It fit his observations of Lee Hackett.

Julian’s stomach tightened. Was his dad right this time? One stepson had said that Hackett once owned a motorcycle. Evidence pointed to Patton hanging with a biker crowd. The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, was that the school secretary’s physical description of Dale Patton in no way matched Lee Hackett.

Even so, Julian wasn’t ready to pack it in and go home. Instead, he made a second trip to the high school. This time he managed to bump into a pair of teachers who exited the building with Ms. Patton. He approached the two women after they left Garnet at her car, and they were plainly curious about him. The younger teacher, who introduced herself as Jenny Hoffman, immediately acted coy with Julian. The second woman gave her name as Molly Eberhart, but neither seemed eager to talk to him about Garnet other than to defend her.

“Any man who’d steal a child from her mother is a creep. I never liked him,” Jenny said scraping back her long hair. “Garnet’s so far out of his league. The mystery is why she married him in the first place. Tracy Williams and I were right to voice our objections to him at the custody hearing. Look what he did.”

“He had more decency than you and Tracy gave him credit for,” Molly ventured.

“So he phoned the preschool and told the secretary Sophie was okay. He still waited two days and notice he phoned before the police tapped the line.”

Molly tsked. “Jenny, that call kept Garnet from falling apart. I think she wishes she’d never asked for sole custody.”

“You haven’t seen Garnet cry her eyes out. She’ll never be her old self until Sophie’s back safe and Dale’s behind bars.”

Julian listened to the women sparring. He finally excused himself. “Ladies, I appreciate your insight. I guess I need to go read all the old articles,” he said, carefully keeping the reporter persona intact.

Jenny caught up with him as he approached his Jeep. “You can verify everything I said with Garnet. Sorry I didn’t think to mention it earlier, but a small group of us are going to the Silver Springs lounge to celebrate the end of school. I’ll introduce you two. Just remember, I saw you first.”

“All I’m after are some unbiased opinions.”

“Huh, you won’t find any friend of Garnet’s with an unbiased opinion.”

Julian offered a smile as he climbed into in his Jeep. He had, in fact, found two unbiased opinions. One belonged to Molly Eberhart, the other to John Carlyle. Tossing off a wave, Julian pulled out of his parking space. He spent the next hour at the library poring over old records. The story had been front-page news for months, then, as was typical, it tapered to nothing when leads fell off.

Julian shut down his laptop and thanked the archive specialist. He dropped his stuff at the motel. Then, because Larry Adams had left a message to meet him at a nearby pub, Julian dashed out again.

Lingering in the doorway of the smoky, noisy bar, Julian let his eyes adjust while trying to pinpoint the cop he’d met only twice before.

Larry recognized him, came over and slapped him on the shoulder.

“Wow, I’d never have known you if I’d bumped into you on the street,” Julian said.

“That’s the point of an undercover disguise,” Larry said, leading Julian to a booth at the back of the pub where two beers sat in sweaty mugs. He slid in first, and Julian took the opposite bench. “What’s up in Atlanta? Are they fresh out of crime? With your workaholic reputation, I never expected you to make it to my neck of the woods.”

Taking a swig of cold beer, Julian shrugged. “It’s my reward for finally nailing a sleazebag who terrorized women in one of our burbs for over four months.” He went on to describe the case in more detail.

Larry spun his mug, staring at the wet rings it left on the tabletop. “I’m glad I work Narc now. I had to get out of Violent Crimes. How’d you keep from plugging a guy like that and claiming he tried to escape? We had one recently who walked on a technicality.”

“It happens. My partner’s a twenty-year man who lost his oldest daughter to a repeat offender. He and I go the extra mile to make sure our collars are by-the-book so our evidence holds up.”

“That’s good. Alaska courts have been known to accept that our citizens are entitled to a wild and woolly lifestyle. Or maybe we attract more than our share of renegades and malcontents.” The topic trailed off as Larry perused a worn menu.

As Julian picked up his own, he considered asking Larry if he knew anything about the Patton kidnapping. It’d help to get a professional opinion on whether Dale Patton was one of the malcontents or renegades. But he’d already risked too much nosing into a case that wasn’t his. And unless his father’s hunch was correct, the case would never be under his jurisdiction. Taking another slug of beer, Julian decided against involving a casual friend.

ALTHOUGH SHE’D NEVER stopped grieving the loss of her missing child, Garnet Patton didn’t live in a fog. She’d seen the good-looking, dark-haired stranger hanging around outside her school. Strangers on campus often meant drug deals. Yesterday, when she saw him speak to some of her better students, her antennae had shot up. She hadn’t seen anything change hands and he hadn’t stuck around, so she felt all right about driving away. In class today she’d asked the students. They said the guy was a reporter.

She was surprised to hear from neighbors that a similar man had questioned them about her. Anna Winkleman from across the hall also said he was a reporter. He’d gotten nowhere with Hazel Webber.

So, who was he and what was really going on? It was definitely strange, but at least no one found him threatening. Which was why she didn’t totally freak out when her best friend, Jenny Hoffman, phoned and announced that very same guy had returned to campus and questioned her and Molly Eberhart. “I think it’s funny he hasn’t talked to you, Garnet. He said he’s a reporter, but Molly thinks he’s a cop or maybe FBI. That’s pure speculation, though.”

A ripple of hope ran through Garnet, which she quickly reined in. “Why do you suppose he didn’t come to me instead of poking about? If someone new has been assigned to Sophie’s case I would’ve expected Sergeant Savage to tell me.”

“Gary Savage is an arrogant SOB, Garnet. It would kill him to share a case.”

Garnet was used to Jenny’s dismissing the sergeant. “Hmm. And why would the department let a new man go over old ground?”

“The new guy is so hot, whoever he is. Very yummy! By the way, I invited him to come by the Silver Springs tomorrow after school.”

Garnet’s heart sped up. “He’s coming?”

“He didn’t say yes, but he didn’t say no, either. I’m giving fair warning. If he shows up I have dibs on him.”

“Jenny! If he’s reopening my case, don’t distract him. Oh, but…I’m getting way ahead of myself. Could they have a lead on Dale? Gary told me months ago that all the tips had dried up. I wonder…”

“Don’t. Guessing doesn’t get you anywhere. Isn’t that what we tell our students? I’d hate to see you get your hopes up, Garnet. What if he really is a reporter?”

“I can’t help myself. Sophie should start first grade in September. From the day she was born I imagined how we’d mark each milestone in her life. Like starting school, going on her first date, graduating and…” Garnet’s voice broke.

“Don’t torture yourself, Garnet. Anyway, I have to go—I’ve got a date in fifteen minutes with Steve the Stud.”

“On a school night?” Garnet dragged her thoughts back to her friend. “Are you and Steve getting serious?”

“Are you kidding? I can’t get serious about a man whose ego is bigger than his IQ. And before you say Jenny in that shocked tone, let me say Steve knows the score. I love having a man around. That’s why I hit on the new guy. Would you believe it, Garnet? Neither Molly nor I got his name. Mr. Yummy has that lean, hungry look that appeals to my baser instincts. I suppose it’s too much to hope he’s more intelligent than most of the men we meet.”

“Jenny, you are so bad. Steve’s no dummy. If you’re going to date him, you should give him a little respect. It takes skill to be a good plumber.”

“Mama and Daddy wouldn’t let him past their front door.” Jenny sighed.

“If you’d wanted to live by their standards, you’d still be in Chicago. You can’t please them and yourself, Jenny. I came to Alaska for the same reasons. Isn’t it time you stopped spinning at the end of their rope?”

“Oh, right, like I’d want the heartache marrying Dale Patton brought you. I’ll romp with bad boys, but when I marry someone, he’ll have read something other than the Sunday comics, and he’ll know which fork to pick up first at a banquet.”

The hum of the dial tone told Garnet Jenny had hung up in a huff. They’d met in college. Garnet’s dad was a self-absorbed astronomer, Jenny’s father, the president of an elite private school. Both sets of parents were livid when their daughters went off to Alaska, a state many Easterners still thought was uncivilized.

Garnet’s family hadn’t spoken to her since she’d announced her intent to marry Dale, who’d worked on the pipeline then. They’d had a couple of good years, but Garnet had to admit that the man she’d fallen in love with had changed drastically after he lost his job. Her friends believed their arguments were all about Dale’s newfound biker buds. But Garnet didn’t object to his motorcycle. There was a time she’d loved riding on his bike. She’d thought Dale’s pirate looks added to his charm. Under the tough veneer was a soft-spoken gentleman, until suddenly he seemed to do a one-eighty turn. Certainly he’d been upset over losing his job; he hated not being the family provider. Add that to her friends’ attitude. Looking back, she accepted that the divorce had been partly her fault. Still, the last thing Garnet expected from the man she’d loved, shared her innermost feelings—and a child—with, was that he’d deal her the most hurtful blow a mother could ever experience.

She realized she was still clutching the phone. She dialed Sergeant Savage from memory. A dispatcher answered. “This is Garnet Patton. Could I speak to Gary Savage please?”

There was a brief pause before Sergeant Savage came on.

Garnet plunged straight into the reason for her call. When she’d finished, the silence went on so long she thought the connection had broken. As she was about to hang up and redial, Savage cleared his throat. “Sorry, Garnet, you took me by surprise. We haven’t hired any new officers, nor have we had any new tips on Dale. I know school’s nearly out. May I suggest using your break to get out of Anchorage? Leave a number where I can reach you and I’ll be in touch if anything comes up. I’ll reiterate what I said before. I have the necessary controls in place. I believe we’ll find Sophie. Dale will get careless, or he’ll be arrested for something else and his prints will crop up in a database. Just be patient, my dear.”

Garnet impatiently waited for Sergeant Savage to finish his spiel. “If this guy isn’t from your department, who is he? My students think he’s a reporter. Other people say he has cop written all over him.”

“We’ve talked about how there’ll be people coming out of the woodwork in cases like yours. Some have a mean streak, and some believe they’ll be able to do what cops haven’t. Then there are psychics who set out to either test their so-called powers or wait in the wings until the victims get desperate enough to hire them. Tell you what, Garnet, I’ll put out feelers around town. But I’m betting this joker falls into one of those categories. Can you give me a description?”

She offered one to the best of her memory, and heard the scratch of Gary’s pen.

“Be careful, Garnet. A few of these jerks are pure nuts. Rest assured, if anything new turns up I’ll let you know. If you set eyes on this imposter again, phone dispatch. I’ll leave a standing order to bring him in.”

Garnet hung up, more discouraged than ever. She knew there were people who preyed on the misfortunes of others. The fact remained—there’d been nothing alarming about the man she’d glimpsed at school. Anna Winkleman used the word charming to describe him. And Jenny…but Jenny had different criteria.

It might be a mistake, but Garnet decided if she saw the stranger again she’d have a word with him before phoning dispatch.

Her nerves had frayed and she found it difficult to concentrate on doing the math necessary to average final grades. Maybe a walk would clear her head. She shrugged into a sweater coat to block the chill in the air, and left her apartment.

John Carlyle stepped into the hallway as Garnet pocketed her key. “Hello, Garnet. Going out? I’m taking Hoover for his nightly walk.”

The rotund little terrier was so named because he inhaled any scrap of food that landed on the floor. Hoover loved people and had a particular fondness for Garnet, who gave him nutritious doggie treats. She felt in her pocket and came up with a couple of small lint-covered dog biscuits. “Mind if I tag along?” she asked.

“We’d be pleased. Mr. Hoover thanks you for his treats. Is something wrong with your car? You don’t usually go walking.”

After rubbing the wriggling animal’s backside, Garnet straightened and led the way to the stairs. “Sophie used to love going on walks, John. I tend to avoid the activities we did together.”

“Understandable.”

She heaved a sigh. “Not everyone agrees. I just spoke with the officer heading up my case. He’s adamant about me getting on with my life.” She stepped aside at the main door and let the courtly old gentleman open the door for her.

“Oh. So that bright young fellow I met today—the new cop on your case—he didn’t find anything new?”

Garnet stopped. “You saw him? I thought Anna Winkleman and Hazel Webber were the only ones home when he came by. Anna said you’d taken Hoover to the park. John, what did that man say? Did he give his name? You see, Sergeant Savage said there was no new cop on my case.”

“Really?” Tugging back on Hoover’s leash, Mr. Carlyle stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I’m sure he told me his name. His badge certainly looked legit.” The old man’s face fell. “My hearing’s not what it used to be, Garnet. I’m sorry, I didn’t catch everything he said. His name was…Irish, maybe? Should I not have talked to him?”

She walked on, shortening her stride to match his. “Truthfully, John, I suppose he’s a curiosity seeker at best and at worst, who knows? A con man, probably. In the morning I’ll give you a number you can call if he comes around again. Savage said they’d take him in and find out what he’s up to.” She paused while Hoover sniffed a hydrant.

“I’ve always had a good radar for crooks. This fellow, whatever he is, he’s pretty convincing. I s’pose you’re teaching summer school again? I know you need the money and want to keep busy, but I hate seeing you so thin. You’re practically skin and bones.”

Her low chuckle had a catch at the end. “Actually, I’m not teaching this summer. I don’t know what I’ll do, John. I do need to fill every hour of the day but I’m burning out emotionally. I won’t be any good to next year’s students unless I back off for awhile. I hear pulling fishnets is a physically demanding job. It might be the distraction I need. Maybe I’ll drive down to Ketchikan and see if I can sign on with a salmon vessel.”

“Huh, I’d think twice about that. I spent a couple of summers during my college days on a crab boat. A stinkier, dirtier job only exists if you get stuck in one of the canneries. Darlene’s Café has a sign in the window for a waitress. I’m there at least once a week. Never been in the place that every seat isn’t taken. Wouldn’t pay what teaching does, or fishing, but it’d be a change of pace and safer than going to sea with a rough-and-tumble fishing crew.”

“Thanks for the tip. I’ll consider it. Maybe I’ll go by this weekend and talk to Darlene. Teaching ends this week. The kids are out tomorrow, but we have three days to clean up.”

John looked pleased that he could help. Then, as darkness fell and a misty drizzle started, they turned back, picking up their pace.

Garnet studied the cars that passed, and she took a longer look at those parked near the apartment complex.

John noticed. “You expecting a visitor tonight?”

“No. It’s nothing. I’m sure this stranger doesn’t know anything. Yet it’s been ages since our law enforcement has received a tip no matter how slim, I guess I held out hope. Silly, I know.”

Mr. Carlyle picked up his dog and opened the front door. “Not silly at all. So, for the next few days at least, if you want to walk after dark, call me. Not to scare you or anything.”

She gave an involuntary shudder. “The teachers have planned an after-school happy hour tomorrow at the Silver Springs Lounge. I didn’t commit, but Jenny Hoffman—you know her—told me she met the stranger and invited him to join us for drinks.”

John caught Garnet’s elbow. “Maybe you shouldn’t go. Whatever you do, don’t let him separate you from your friends. The lounge has a doorman. If you feel threatened, ask him to escort you to your car.”

“This is dumb.” She tossed her head, as though shaking off her anxiety. “I’ll be fine. I really doubt anyone wanting to hurt me would show his face in such a public venue. Frankly, the guy probably got his kicks and is long gone. Good night, John. Thanks for caring. I’ll be fine.”

ALL THE NEXT DAY, Garnet periodically glanced out her classroom window. At lunch, she sat on the front steps, all but daring the man in the Jeep to appear. No rust-red Jeep materialized any time that afternoon, either.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the school day—and the year. Students streamed into Garnet’s room to say their final goodbyes. At four o’clock, Jenny stuck her head in the room.

“What did you decide about happy hour? I’m riding with Wendy and Susan. You want to hitch? Wendy can drop you off back here to pick up your car.”

“No, thanks. I’ll drive on my own. I have a couple of things to tidy up here. Order me a Cosmopolitan, will you?”

“Oooh, you’re going whole hog. I think I’ll get one, too.”

Twenty minutes later, Garnet scanned the street between the school and her car. Still no Jeep. Nor was one parked near the lounge. She got lucky and found a parking place right outside the front door.

The last to arrive, Garnet slipped onto a stool Jenny had saved. The friends laughed, joked, toasted each other, and helped themselves to a variety of hors d’ oeuvres. A few teachers left, but Garnet had ordered a second drink when Jenny slid off her stool to leave with Wendy. “I’m seriously bummed,” she said. “The hottie’s a no-show. Come on, Garnet, we’ll walk you to your car.”

Garnet waved them away. “I’m parked right next to the door. I’ll be fine, Jenny. Considering what I paid for this drink I’m not wasting a drop. I think I’ll find a booth and order some dinner. I’ll see you Monday. We need to talk about what we’re going to do over the summer break.” Standing, Garnet hugged all three friends. The trio walked out and Garnet signaled a waiter to request a booth. He carried her drink, put it down and said, “I’ll bring you a menu.”

“No need. I’ll just have a chicken Caesar salad.”

The waiter turned away. Garnet started to sit, but felt as if she were being watched. Not uncommon. The lounge was a popular hangout.

A quick glance around the room, though, and she froze. A man who must’ve just entered was indeed staring at her. It was the stranger who’d been asking questions at school and her apartment complex. Garnet’s cheeks heated as he blatantly slid a sleepy-lidded gaze from her head to her toes and back again.

SOMEHOW, once Julian saw Jenny and the other women leave, he didn’t expect to find Garnet Patton inside. When he did spot her, he didn’t think she’d recognize him. But the instant their eyes met and he watched her square her slim shoulders and narrow her eyes, Julian knew he’d been made. He considered ducking out, although perhaps it was time to discover if her ex-husband might have a reason to be setting up housekeeping in Georgia.

Besides, from the set of her jaw as she marched toward him, she plainly had questions of her own, and she intended to get answers.