Seven Wakings Read online

  The dates are in order. “Probably because they were careful until now. It looks like they only took one or two girls a year… from all over the country. I’m sure no one thought the cases were related.” I can’t look any more, and we’ve only scanned half the box.

  “Why would she escalate to six girls, so close to home?”

  “She’s desperate. If she’s trying to get back in to her father’s will, she’d do anything.”

  “So these girls are all about money?”

  “For her. I’m sure you know better than me what they mean to Gilchrist.”

  Mac and Kate peek in.

  “Everything okay?” Kate asks.

  I shut the box. “No. But it’s about to get better.”

  “What are you going to do?” Lynette gets up.

  “I’m taking this to Archer. How much more proof would he and the Chief need to get a search warrant?” I lock the box, and stand to go.

  “What are you going to tell him?” Lynette follows me out of the room.

  I hadn’t thought about that. “What if you approached Joe after Kate ‘found’ the packet here. You could have told him that you thought Vanessa was involved in something… sordid, and suggested he look around. If Joe had any suspicions, I’m sure he would.”

  “What if Archer thinks Joe’s in on this?” Kate says, following us to the stairs.

  “We’ll just have to prove otherwise.”

  Lynette stops me. “You’re messing with a man’s life.”

  “If Joe knew about this, he would do the exact same thing.” I remember his briefcase and head toward the office. I pack up the files and floor plans.

  “What do you need those for?” Mac asks.

  “If the police are going to get the girls out safely, they’ve got to know the layout of where they’re being held.”

  We all head down the stairs, with Rico in the lead. Just then, the front door cracks open. We stop in our tracks. The door swings wide.

  Seconds feel like eons.

  A tall, grey haired woman in a blue skirt-suit appears.

  She looks at us with curiosity. “Hello Joseph and… ” She waits for me to fill in the blank.

  “Uh… this is Lynette McCollum-Hayes and her… children, Kate and Mac.” Now even I’m introducing them as her kids?

  She crosses to meet us. “Mrs. Montgomery. Nice to meet you.”

  Mac takes the lead. “Oh…cool you’re Joe’s mom, huh? The ‘Honorable Maxine Montgomery’.” He shakes her hand.

  I wonder how he knows who she is, but then remember the newspaper article he read. Thank God for his memory.

  She raises her eyebrows. “Is that the way my son is introducing me now?”

  “No ma’am. That’s how you should be addressed, being Chief Judge and all,” Mac says.

  She laughs. “Well I’m not Chief Judge in this house. Call me Maxine.” She looks to Joe. “Will they be joining us for dinner?”

  “Uh, no, actually, something’s come up— an emergency— and we, uh… have to go.”

  She glances at the box. “Is it related to the reason you asked me here?”

  I’m not sure how to respond. “No?”

  Mac, always on his toes, says, “We just need a guest speaker for career night at my school. And since my dad is dead and all…”

  “Mac!” He knows I hate it when he throws down the sympathy card.

  “Don’t scold him, Joseph. He’s been through enough.” She looks at Mac. “Poor dear.”

  Maxine’s right, he has been through enough. “And that’s exactly why I’m jumping in. Must go. I’ll just get my keys…” Where would they be?

  “I’ll follow you. Since we’re not eating, I’ll just grab a piece of fruit.”

  Okay… he must keep his keys in the kitchen. I want to get Lynette and the kids out before they’re asked too many questions. “I’ll just meet you guys at the ‘school’?”

  “That’s a good idea.” Lynette looks to the kids. “Ready?”

  The kids say their most formal goodbyes to Maxine and head out the front with Lynette and Rico.

  In the kitchen, I set down the box and briefcase and look around for car keys.

  Maxine picks up a plum, goes to the sink to rinse it. “So… where’s the red-hot whore from Baltimore?”

  I look at her like a kid who just heard Santa cuss. “Vanessa?”

  “Who else would I be talking about?”

  “I’m just surprised that…”

  “What? That I still can’t stand her. I’m sure she’s behind all this business with Gilchrist. They might be able to control us now, but given time, truth will prevail. I’m sure of it.”

  I can’t ask her what she means. “I hope so.” I dig through some baskets on the counter. “Now where did I put my keys?”

  “I swear she’s making you lose your mind.” Maxine points up to hooks by a door.

  A Mercedes key ring dangles there. “Thanks.” I grab them. “I gotta go.” I hear whining coming from the mudroom.

  “Oh… is Damian in there?” She gets up to open the door.

  “No wait!”

  She must not have heard me, keeps going. As she opens the door, Damian looks at me and bares his teeth.

  Grabbing the box and briefcase, I lunge for the door. Damian charges me. He’s barking like a junkyard dog. I make it partway into the garage and feel him tugging on my pant leg. Throwing everything toward the car, I grab the door handle, pull it toward his snout, and yank my leg free. Damian is left with an eight-inch swath of trouser in his mouth and Maxine is last seen with a look of shock.

  My heart races as I start the car. Driving out, I see Damian raging through the front dog door, like he could chew through metal. I’m careful not to hit him on my way down the driveway.

  As I pull onto Ritchie Highway, my phone rings. It’s Lynette. “What’s the game plan?”

  She’s lucky I’m still here to answer that. “Why don’t you call Archer to see if he’s available? If he is, we should drop the kids off at Lou’s. They shouldn’t be involved in this.”

  “I agree. I’ll call him right now.” She hangs up.

  Fifteen minutes later, we pull into the parking lot of Lou’s Place, and get out of our cars.

  Mac rushes up to me. “We want to come too.”

  “This won’t take long. We’re just going to drop off the box and have a chat with Archer.”

  Kate comes up to us. “We can just wait in the car, and maybe go to eat after?”

  “Do you realize how strange it would look if Lynette and I pull up with two kids in the car?” I think about something as Lynette joins us. “In fact, it would look weird if we pulled up in the same car. We should drive separate.”

  Lynette nods. “Archer can meet us at the station in twenty minutes.” Lynette puts her arm around the kids. “Let’s go inside. I’m sure Lou will put you right to work, and before you know it we’ll be back.”

  I walk them to the entrance and see Lou walk past.

  Despite having his nose in a file, he notices us, stops in his tracks, and opens the door. He looks at me, then to Lynette. “Another younger man? I knew I should have taken better care of myself.” He ushers us in.

  Lynette elbows me.

  “Joe Montgomery.” I shake his hand. “I’m working with your wife on the kidnapping case.” It’s strange to see Lou from this vantage point. I’m usually looking up his nose.

  He sizes me up. “You look more like an actor than a police officer.”

  “Actually, I’m a lawyer.”

  He looks to Lynette. “Handsome and rich? You know I’m much more comfortable when you work with unattractive women.”

  “Next time, Honey. I promise.” She kisses him on the cheek. “Hey, will you keep the kids busy for a little while?”

  “Sure. We’ll have a great time.” He tousles Mac’s hair.

  “I’ll go and help in the kitchen.” Mac gives me a little hug. “I’ll see you soon.” He walks down the hall. />
  “That’s weird,” Kate says. “He hates kitchen duty.”

  “He used to hate broccoli too, but now it’s his favorite.” Lynette touches Kate’s shoulder. “And what will you be doing?”

  “I guess I could help with the laundry, since Mac’s doing ‘real’ chores. I don’t want to be the slacker in the family.”

  The conversation has my mind spinning: Mac likes broccoli? Which ‘family’ is Kate referring to? I shake Lou’s hand. “It was nice meeting you.”

  He squeezes my hand extra-firm. “Be sure to keep your hands to yourself.”

  I wink at him. “Don’t waste a second worrying about that.” I head to Joe’s car.

  “I’ll see you at the station.” Lynette gives me a little wave, then converses with Lou and Kate. No one looks back as I leave. I feel like they’re ready to move on to a life without me in it.

  At Joe’s Mercedes, I see that I forgot to lock the door; I must have been distracted by the kids. I get in and head to the station. Once there, I wait for Lynette and go through Joe’s phone. Nothing out of the ordinary. I turn on the radio, wonder what kind of music he likes. An Etta James CD is in the player. Good choice. Clouds are coming.

  Bored, I poke through the black box. I wonder what happened to all of the girls; what he did with them once they matured. Looking through Vanessa’s passport, I see she has visited Singapore every year for the last twenty years; sometimes twice. She must leave the girls there. I can only imagine what they would have to do to get by if she left them with no money.

  Lynette pulls in beside me. She has to get that headlight fixed. I close the box, grab the handle, and get out of the car. Looks like it might rain, so I grab a trench coat from the passenger’s seat. This time, I’m sure to lock the car. “Ready?”

  Lynette mutes her phone. “I’ll follow your lead.”

  As we enter and approach the front desk, I see Kim. She immediately stands and walks toward me. “What are you doing here?!”

  Lynette looks at me, and then the box.

  I face Kim and slip the box back to Lynette, who then checks in with a different secretary. I have no idea how Kim knows Joe. “I…uh… the dog ran off and I wanted to report him missing.”

  Lynette is escorted to Archer’s office.

  “Oh.” She smiles and relaxes her shoulders. “I’ll get you in touch with animal control.”

  As she dials, Archer approaches the front desk. “May I have a word with you, Mr. Montgomery?”

  Kim watches us as we make our way back to Archer’s office.

  I take a seat next to Lynette and drape my coat over the arm of the chair.

  Archer closes the door.

  Lynette addresses me. “I was just telling Archer… Officer Carter, about how I approached you regarding your wife’s possible involvement in the disappearance of some children recently.”

  Archer stops her. “Mr. Montgomery. I’d like to apologize if Ms. McCollum-Hayes over-stepped a boundary here. I can assure you, it was not a directive from the police department.”

  I try to summon a response that would be true to Joe’s character. “I’ll admit I was shocked at first, even defensive. But my wife has been known to act in ways that sometimes warrant explanation.” I look at the box. “Knowing she’d be gone this weekend, I took it upon myself to look around. I found this.” I place the box and key on his desk. “You’re welcome to open it.”

  Archer stands, puts the key in the lock, and looks at Lynette. “How bad is it?”

  “Bad,” she says. “Really bad.”

  He opens the box slowly. “Oh my God.” He races through the pictures.

  I notice a video recorder on the table behind him. The red “record” light is blinking. He’ll have Joe on tape. “Let it be on record that I’m grateful to Ms. McCollum-Hayes for approaching me, and you’ll have my full cooperation with the law.”

  Lynette leans forward. “There’s something else you should know.” I wonder where she’s headed. “I believe that Kim and Mike are somehow involved with the disappearances. It may be best to keep them in the dark.”

  “Why do you think they’re involved?” Archer flips through the passport.

  Lynette scoots her chair closer to the table. “Clearly they’re… close. And when the Police Chief was out, it was Kim who assigned all of the questionable cases to Mike. If he hasn’t made any progress, perhaps you should get someone higher up involved.”

  Mindlessly, I say, “Like Internal Affairs.”

  Lynette scowls at me. “I was thinking Chief Lewis.”

  Archer looks to me and offers his hand. “Thank you for coming down today. I’ll let you know if we need anything else.”

  I stand and shake his hand. “Guard that box with your life. Without it, you don’t have anything.”

  He looks to Lynette. “Have you been sharing confidential information?”

  She picks up the fumble. “No. No. I just said it was crucial that he help us. For the kids’ sake.” Lynette starts to stand.

  “Why don’t you hang back for a minute, Ms. Hayes. We’ve got some things to go over.”

  By the inflection in his voice, he means rules.

  “I’ll just show myself out.” I grab Joe’s coat and make my way to the entrance. No sign of Kim. It’s raining outside. I put on his coat and pull it up over my hair. Women’s habits die hard. I rush to the car. Once inside, I see the brief case on the back seat. Damn it! I’ll have to go back in; give Archer the plans. Wait, didn’t I leave it on the floor?

  Just then something else catches my eye; Kim and Mike are rushing to his car. As soon as they get in, impulse takes over; I’m going to follow them. Easier said than done. The controls in this car were designed for a pilot. Fumbling for the windshield wipers, I open the moon-roof. Aiming for the headlights, I turn on the radio. Vying for the defroster, I turn on the hazards.

  They’re pulling out.

  I follow them onto Pulaski Hwy/US 40 East for five-and-a-half miles. There are signs for Gunpowder Falls State Park and the Aberdeen Proving Ground. Both are Government owned.

  They exit onto Martin Boulevard, then turn on Eastern Boulevard, Carroll Island Road, Bowleys Quarters, and ultimately South Seneca. A single lane leads deep into the woods. It’s marked “Private.” Lightening cracks the sky; dark clouds force rain down in sheets.

  My phone rings. It’s Lynette. “Where are you? I came out and…”

  “I followed Mike and Kim to a road off South Seneca in Bowleys Quarters.”

  She pauses. “Hang on. Let me write that down.”

  Things shuffle in the background. I can almost see the mess in her purse. “I thought you were going to get more organized.”

  “Really?! You’re going to get on my case about that… now?” Paper crumples. “Bowleys Quarter, South Seneca, private road. Got it. That’s got to be right on the water.”

  “Everything’s right on the water out here.”

  Thunder roars in the distance. I turn off my lights and creep down the road; only able to see it when lightening strikes. A quarter mile down a mansion appears Mike’s car is out front. I grab the briefcase and review the floor plans. “Looks like they’re at the Gilchrist’s vacation home. I’m going to try and get a look inside.”

  “Are you out of your mind? Archer has enough evidence to tie Vanessa to this. Just let him do his job.”

  “But not to indict Mike or Kim.”

  She goes quiet. “What are you going to do?”

  “Just take a few pictures. It’s dark enough out here that they won’t be able to see me.”

  “And if they do?”

  “Joe’s a part of the Gilchrist family. I have a right to be here.” I open the car door, pull my coat over my head, and dart to the edge of the trees.

  “Stay on the line with me; I want to know you’re alright.”

  I walk behind a row of Black Cherry trees covered in Kudzu. They look like an army of fifty-foot sea monsters. Lynette’s phone clicks.

&
nbsp; “Kate’s calling. This’ll just take a minute.” Lynette clicks off.

  I hear something behind me. “Mom?!”

  My stomach drops; it’s Mac.

  Lynette’s phone clicks over. “Mac’s missing.”

  I turn around. It’s completely black. “He must have snuck into my car. He’s here… somewhere.” Lightening strikes. I see Mac in the middle of the road; someone has him by the arm. The night goes black again. I shout, “It’s going to be okay Mac. Just stay calm. I’m sure everything will be okay.”

  “What the hell’s going on?” Lynette’s voice is tight.

  “Somebody has Mac.” Lightening shatters the sky, illuminating his captor. My mind bends in half. I never could have predicted this…“Chief Lewis?!”

  “Mom! Look out!”

  Something zaps my neck. I’m filled with electricity. Paralyzed I crumple to the ground. Was that lightening? Last thing I hear: “Emma? Emma? Shit!”

  Somebody takes my phone, just before I pass out.

  Chapter Ten- Stumbling Perfection

  Coughing awake, I find myself curled on my right side. I try to take a deep breath, but my lungs protest. They’re small, tight balloons. Cold, no…clammy and dizzy, I try to focus. The attempt is futile. My body is sweating, but my mouth is dry. The room is made up of blotches of light, patches of dark. I don’t know who I am, who I was. Fuzzy images shrink into detail. I roll onto my back. Cough more. The ceiling steadies me. Focusing on a single light bulb, I start to remember who I am. “Mother” is the first word that comes to mind, but it doesn’t go with my body. I’m a knobby-kneed girl.

  I’m shaking, convulsing, start to pass out.

  “She needs another hit,” someone says.

  I reach out for help; my wrist is caught. I turn back on my side and see that I’m handcuffed to a cot. “No,” I mutter. “No more.” I still don’t understand who I am, but know I don’t need to be drugged.

  “Let’s keep her awake,” a second voice says. “The boss wants to start taking pictures. Let’s see if she can stand.”

  “Keep her fucked up. She’s a pain in the ass,” the first man says. He’s bald, and has the body of a pro-wrestler. “She deserves what she’s going to get.”