Out Of Focus: An Adams Grove Novel Part 36

"Yeah. She seemed surprised to see him." Scott rubbed his chin. "I had a bad feeling about him. And those b.u.t.terscotch candies he's always eating. What's that all about?"

Von laughed. "I don't know, but he's always got a pocketful. Sugar addict? Ex-smoker, maybe?"

"It might be a coincidence, but when I was at Kasey's the other day, I was looking for a spoon and there were a bunch of those candies in one of the drawers."

"Interesting." Von crossed his arms. "Could be a coincidence."

"He's got something to do with this," Scott said.

"Kasey will never believe it. She thinks that guy walks on water. You better have a rock- solid case."

Scott rolled his eyes. "I hear you."

Von snapped his fingers. "You know, the neighbor said Libby Braddock was keeping her nephew. Did you ask her about that?" Von rubbed his upper lip. "Do you think she's Jeremy's sister?"

"She could be." Scott motioned for Von to follow him, leaving Dan standing in the hallway. Scott led Von into the room next to the interrogation room.

"She has the same color hair as Jeremy," Von said, shrugging, "but then half the world has brown hair. I guess she could be his sister." He held up the sketch artist's picture. "This is not Libby Braddock, though. A different woman sent Kasey the pictures from Nashville."

"Partners?"

"Maybe," Von said.

"I'll ask her about it." Scott took the sketch from Von. "I have to tell you what she said." Scott rolled his shoulders. "She said Jake is with his dad."

Von whistled and stepped back. "That can't be what she means. Not with Nick."

"I know. I sure hope not." Scott scrubbed his hands on his face. "That was before we made this connection to Jeremy. How about observing-listening-while I go back in and see if I can get more out of her."

Von clapped Scott's shoulder.

Scott stood in front of the door of the interrogation room. He flexed and unflexed his hands, then opened the door and went inside.

"Let's try this again." He sat in the chair across from Libby Braddock. He slid the sketch artist's rendering in front of her. "Know her?"

Her eyes widened. "Yes."

"Who is she? What's she got to do with this?"

Anger flashed in her eyes. "She's my half-sister. And I have no idea what she's got to do with anything. We haven't spoken in over ten years. She's nothing but bad news, that one. She travels around like a gypsy, pretending to tell the future." Her face pinched as if she smelled something rotten.

Scott pulled the picture in front of him, and turned it over. "The police spoke to your neighbor the night you left town. She said you've been caring for your nephew."

She nodded.

"How long has he been with you?"

"Since the end of the summer." Her face had softened, and so did her tone. "He's a good boy. An angel."

The word 'angel' twisted in Scott's gut. "Why is he staying with you? Why isn't he with his mother?"

"I had to help him."

"Who? Jake?"

"No. Well, yes. Him too, but that woman...." "I told my brother that woman was out of his league. He was so smitten with her. When he told me they were married, I couldn't even believe it."

"What's your brother's name?"

"I don't know why he wanted to marry that rich girl. He was a servant to them. He slaved away for her and that wicked grandmother of hers, too. I told him it wouldn't last. I warned him."

"What happened?"

"She left him, and then she wouldn't let him see his little boy. I had to help him."

Scott pulled the photo alb.u.m out of his back pocket. "Is this your brother?"

Her lips pressed together. "Yes. That's Jeremy. Stupid fool. He still wants that woman back." She reached for the book. "That's my personal property."

He moved the book out of her reach. "Not while you're in my custody."

"So you see, I didn't kidnap anyone. I was helping my brother. He was so upset the day he brought Jake to my house. Desperate. He was crying. I'd never seen Jeremy cry. Never."

Scott let her keep talking, welcoming the flood of information.

"The little boy was filthy and had sc.r.a.pes on his arms and cheek."

Her eyes softened. "It was the first time I'd ever even met my nephew. He was scared. When I held Jake in my arms that day, he cried."

Her breathing became heavy. "That woman is a terrible mother. She'd do anything to keep Jake from Jeremy. It's not fair. I had to help him. He has rights."

"Where is Jake now?"

"I can't tell you."

"Libby, your brother lied to you."

She shook her head. "No. He wouldn't do that. You're the one lying. You're trying to take him away from Jeremy."

"No, Libby, listen to me. Kasey wasn't married to your brother. She was married to Nick Rolly. You said it yourself: your half-sister is trouble. She's involved here, too."

"I have the picture. You saw it." She blinked. "You're trying to confuse me."

"Nick Rolly died in a car accident in August. We found Jake's car seat at the scene, but not Jake. I think it's because Jeremy took him that day. I think Jeremy was desperate, and he took Jake to you looking for help. Think about it."

"I don't understand how..."

"I'm telling you the truth. He lied to you, and that little boy is not his child."

"That can't be true," her voice wobbled and her face paled. "You're confusing me."

"Is Jake alive, Libby?"

"Yes. He's fine. I love Jake. I'd never hurt him." She clutched the side of the table, steadying herself.

"Where is he?"

She started breathing heavily, then she mumbled.

"What did you say?" Scott asked.

"I'm dizzy." She shook her head. "Something's wrong." Her hand trembled like that of a junkie needing a fix.

"Libby. Stay with me." Scott left his seat and crouched in front of her. "You hear me? Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth."

She followed Scott's instructions.

Once her breathing slowed, he returned to the chair across from her. The color came back to her face.

"Do you need medical a.s.sistance?"

"Can I have some water?"

"Sure." Scott left the room.

Von met him in the hall. "Thank G.o.d. He's alive. Now we just need to find out where he is. What the h.e.l.l is Jeremy up to? I don't really know the guy, but he's always been there for Kasey."

Scott pulled a paper cup from the side of the water cooler and filled it. "Wish me luck," he said, then went back in.

Scott handed Libby the cup. The water rippled as she lifted the cup to her lips, her hand trembling.

"Thank you." She set the cup on the table in front of her.

Scott rubbed the back of his neck, then straightened. "Let's start over. How do you know Kasey Phillips? She's never heard of you."

"Of course not. She doesn't care about our family, just her own."

"Even if that's the case, you can't take a child from his mother and get away with it. It's illegal."

"Jeremy has rights."

"Even if they were married, matters of custody are for a court to decide. Not you."

She rested her head on the table.

"I know this is exhausting, but if you're a Christian, I know you want to do the right thing."

"Of course."

"I want to show you something. I'll be right back." Scott walked out of the room, went to his desk, and got the case files from the accident and Jake's disappearance. He walked back in and started reading facts to Libby.

Logic outweighed the story she'd been told by Jeremy. Scott saw the expression on her face change with each fact. He licked a finger and turned to another page, chronicling the last several months of the investigation.

Thirty minutes later, Libby had the whole string of events laid out for her.

Her jaw went slack. She kept muttering, "I can't believe it." Her gaze darted, unsettled, as if she was looking for a way out.

Control was finally shifting.

Only one thing could save her now-the truth.

Scott spoke slowly, careful to choose the right words. "Libby, Kasey is a wonderful mother. She lost her husband. She loves Jake. Please help us reunite them."

"What about Jeremy?"

"Libby, you better worry about yourself right now and doing the right thing."

She zoned out for a long moment, then turned to Scott. "The address is written inside the cover of a paperback book I was reading. It's in my car."

"Who is he with now?" Scott asked. "Is he safe?"

"Oh yes. I'd never have taken him there if I didn't think so. They've been friends of our family for years-they have four kids of their own. I was supposed to go pick him up next weekend. Jeremy was going to visit Jake there."

"Thank you, Libby."

"I am so sorry." She lowered her head. "I had no idea. You've got to believe me."

"I do." Scott walked out and locked the door behind him. Von shadowed him down the hall while Scott gave orders to move Libby to a holding cell. He and Von located the keys to Libby Braddock's vehicle, and ran to the cruiser to go back to the hotel and search the car.

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

Kasey rushed to the processing desk at the station. "Is Scott around?" she asked one of the officers.

"He just left."

Her shoulders drooped. "How long ago?"

"Ten minutes, maybe?"

She dropped her hands to her side. "Did he leave a message for me? Kasey Phillips."

The officer shuffled some papers and checked a rack of cubbyholes. "No. I don't see anything up here for you."