Had Debra Walters been as lovely in life as the powdered, waxed and beautifully coiffed body in the casket? Seeing her now, Lily realized she did look a bit familiar. Maybe Mrs. Walters had been at a parent-teacher event earlier in the year. Or maybe it was just the resemblance between mother and daughter that struck a chord.
Theres Mr. Walters. Carmen moved toward a well-dressed man surrounded by a handful of fellow mourners. His newspaper photo didnt do justice to his lean good looks, Lily thought.
She should join Carmen, take advantage of the opening to meet Abbys father and see if hed be receptive to her unusual method of finding his daughter. But a combination of guilt and fear held her back. There was something unseemly about using these particular circumstances to approach him with her offer of help.
They did a good job, didnt they? a mans voice asked.
Lily jerked her attention toward the questioner, a familiar-looking man of medium height with dark hair and mournful brown eyes. He met her gaze briefly before looking back at the body.
But they didnt capture who she really was. Sadness tinged his voice. She was the most alive person I ever knew.
This was the man in the picture McBride had showed her, Lily realized. The one whod come to the school looking for Debra. The hair on her arms prickled.
Paul Leonardi. Debra and I dated a few months ago. He held out his hand. You look familiar. Do I know you?
No. She made herself shake his hand. It was damp and hot, his handshake limp. She quelled the urge to wipe her palm on her skirt. Im Lily. I teach at Abbys school.
His expression darkened. Horrible about the little girl.
Interesting, she thought. Hed said the little girl as if Abby were an afterthought.
Pauls eyes shifted away from her, his brow creasing. Great. The cops are here.
Lily followed his gaze and met the narrowed eyes of Lieutenant McBride. She looked away quickly, her heart clenching. Of course he was here. She should have anticipated it. Hed be hoping for the killer to show up.
Paul gritted his teeth. Cant I have one night to mourn her without the Gestapo breathing down my neck?
He has a job to do, Lily responded, surprised to be defending McBride. Dont you want him to catch Debras killer?
Of course. Paul directed his glare her way.
Unless youre the killer, she thought, her heart leaping into her throat. Obviously, hed had feelings for Debra, and from the way hed phrased things earlier Lily gathered the relationship had ended, probably before he was ready.
Not a bad motive for murder.
To her relief, Carmen Herrera approached, Andrew Walters a step behind her. She put her hand on Lilys shoulder. Lily, this is Mr. Walters, Abbys father. Mr. Walters, Lily Browning.
To Lilys left, Paul Leonardi stepped away before she was forced to make an introduction. He blended back into the rest of the crowd.
It was kind of you and Mrs. Herrera to come. Abbys teacher was here earlier to pay her respects, but it means a lot that you both came as well. Andrew Walters took Lilys hand, his expression eager. Do you know my daughter well, Ms. Browning?
Lily glanced at Carmen before she answered Walterss question. I dont know her, really, but from all accounts shes a delightful child.
She is. Andrew Walterss gaze softened.
Carmen put her hand on Lilys shoulder. Ill be back in a sec. I see someone I should say hello to. She drifted away, leaving Lily alone with Andrew Walters.
I hope you find Abby soon, she told him.
His expression hardened with determination. Ill do whatever it takes to get her back.
She almost told him what she knew then and there. But the sight of McBride bearing down on them held her in check.
Mr. Walters? McBrides voice rose over the soft murmurs of conversation surrounding them. He stepped forward, taking Andrew Walters by the elbow and drawing him away. I need to speak to you.
Carmen crossed to Lilys side. Ready to go?
Yes.
Is that Lieutenant McBride talking to Mr. Walters? Carmen asked as they headed for the exit.
Maybe, Lily replied, keeping to herself the fact that Lieutenant McBrides rough-hewn features and hard hazel eyes were indelibly imprinted in her memory.
STILL NOTHING FROM the task force? His voice laced with desperation, Andrew Walters shifted from one foot to the other.
McBride forced himself to look away from Lily Brownings retreating figure. Were still following leads.
Is Ms. Browning one of those leads? Walters asked. When McBride remained silent, he added, You seemed eager to get me away from her just now.
McBride took a deep breath through his nose. He should have known a politician would be perceptive. And since Lily Browning proved by coming to this wake that she wasnt going to back off, it was a good idea to inoculate Walters with the truth before she made her next attempt to contact him. I wanted you away from her because Ms. Browning believes shes having visions of Abby.
Walters cocked his head to one side. Visions?
Obviously shes a crank.
But what if
The hopeful gleam in Walterss eyes made McBride cringe. Dont do this, Mr. Walters. You want to believe she can help you. I get that. I do. You need somebody to tell you Abbys okay and shes coming back to you any day now. Ms. Browning will tell you she can lead you to her. Acid spewed into McBrides stomach. But she cant. She doesnt know anything.
And you do? Walterss cold voice seemed to grate on McBrides spine. You think Abbys dead, dont you?
McBride couldnt deny it, so he said nothing.
I dont believe that, Lieutenant. Walters lifted his chin. And if Lily Browning thinks she can help me find my daughter, I want to hear what she has to say.
There have to be better leads to follow. What about a political angle? Is that possible?
Walterss look of resolve faltered. Maybe. I have a very powerful opponent with powerful backers. I dont know what theyre capable of.
Were looking at Blackledge, I assure you. The savvy old senator was barely leading Walters in the latest polls. Probably because of his divorced status, Walters had made his relationship with his daughter the focal point of his campaign ads, stressing family values in an attempt to assure the conservative local voters he was a solid citizen they could trust in Washington.
Maybe Blackledge or one of his people had figured taking the daughter would ensure Walters dropped out of the race. After all, the doting father could hardly keep up the campaign while his kid was missing. A thin motive, but not out of the realm of possibility, especially where politics were involved.
Of course, the same could be said of Andrew Walters.
However, Walters had an alibi. And McBride couldnt see a motive for killing his ex-wife and getting rid of his daughter. Everyone McBride had talked to agreed that Walters and his ex had remained friends after the divorce. Walters never missed a child support payment, supplying more than the court-agreed amount.
He might have means, but he lacked motive and opportunity. And Walters couldnt possibly be faking the panic underlying every word he spoke.
Mr. Walters, I know what youre feeling
The state senator narrowed his eyes. I doubt it. Now, if youll excuse me, I have other people to talk to.
Torn between sympathy and anger, McBride watched Walters leave. He hadnt been feeding him a line. He knew exactly what the man was going through.
Every excruciating moment of it.
McBride gravitated to the open casket and gazed down at Debra Walters. She was lovely in death, her pretty features composed and calm, as if she were merely asleep. Thick makeup designed to make the dead look better than the living covered the bruise on her temple.
McBrides stomach roiled. Lauras casket had been closed.
How can you be working on a case like this? Theo Baker joined McBride at the casket, his dark eyes full of concern.
McBrides stomach burned. Abbys father has to know what happened to her. Even if she was dead. It was not knowing that killed you.
An inch at a time.
DEBRA WALTERSS FUNERAL was a brief, solemn affair, held at graveside. A smattering of people sat in metal folding chairs under a white tent that shielded the casket from the bright October sunlight. Several more filled out the circle of mourners around the site, including dozens of cameramen from local stations and national networks. Another clump of people gathered around a tall, silver-haired man Lily recognized as Senator Gerald Blackledge.
Strange, his being here. Or maybe notthe senators opponent had just lost his ex-wife to foul play. Maybe Blackledge thought if he didnt appear for the funeral, hed look as if he had something to hide.
And a public show of compassion couldnt hurt, she supposed.
Andrew Walters gave a brief, eloquent eulogy, captured for posterity by the news cameras. Ever the politician, he managed to come across both sad and commanding, an achievement Lily couldnt help but admire, though she found his self-control almost as discomfiting as Gerald Blackledges decision to attend the funeral and turn it into a media circus.
But maybe politicians had no choice but to be on all the time, with so many cameras around, waiting for them to stumble.
A cadre of reporters hovered about, talking into microphones in hushed tones that might have been unobtrusive if there werent a dozen other newspeople doing the same thing at the same time. Across from Lily, on the other side of the circle of mourners, stood Lieutenant McBride, his eyes hidden by mirrored sunglasses.
But she felt the full weight of his disapproval.
Too bad. Shed given him a chance to help Abby. Now she was handling things her own way.
She didnt have to approach Andrew Walters after the service; he sought her out almost as soon as the preacher finished his prayer and the casket was lowered into the ground.
I spoke to Lieutenant McBride this morning. He kept his voice low, taking her elbow and guiding her away from the crowd. He says you claim you had a vision of Abby. Is that true?
Unprepared for his straightforward question, she stumbled, grabbing Andrews arm to steady herself. A murmur went up among the reporters and they shifted toward them. Lily quickly let go of Andrews arm. Yes, its true, but we cant talk about it here.
Come by my hotel room tomorrow evening. Well discuss it then, Andrew murmured, before carefully stepping away.
Turning, Lily came up against a wall of black-clad men with earpieces. Bodyguards, she realized as the men parted like the Red Sea and Senator Gerald Blackledge strode through the gap, hand outstretched.
Andrew, Im so sorry to hear about your ex-wife and daughter. If I can do anything to help, you mustnt hesitate to use me. Understand? Politics has no place in this situation.
The irony of the senators words, juxtaposed against the flash of camera bulbs and the sea of camcorders and microphones, forced a bubble of nervous laughter up Lilys throat. She swallowed it, looking for her chance to slip away. But before she moved a step, Blackledge caught her elbow.
Please, dont go on my account, Miss?
Andrews mouth tightened. Lily Browning, this is Senator Gerald Blackledge. Senator, this is Lily Browning. She teaches at the school my daughter attends.
The senator enveloped her hand in a firm handshake. A delight to meet you, Ms. Browning. My mother taught English for thirty years. He looked sincerely interested, but Lily imagined a man whod been a senator for twenty years had probably honed his acting ability to perfection.
Really? Lily responded politely, catching a glimpse of McBride a few feet away. Unnerved by his scrutiny, she murmured an excuse and moved aside, trying to avoid the cameras ringing them. Shed almost made it to the parking area when someone grabbed her arm. Whirling, she came face-to-face with McBride.
Hed removed his sunglasses, exposing her to the full brunt of his fury. Dont do this, Ms. Browning.
She jerked her arm from his grasp. Did I break a law?
He didnt answer.
I didnt think so. She headed toward her car.
McBride fell into step, his long strides easily matching hers. Hes vulnerable and desperate. The last thing he needs is someone promising she can bring his baby back home to him when we both know damn well you cant.
She unlocked her car and opened the drivers door, putting its solid bulk between her and McBride. I know you dont think shes still alive.
His only visible reaction was a tightening of his lips.
But I know she is, and Im not going to wait around for you to get over your knee-jerk skepticism before I do something about it.
She started to get into the vehicle, but he grabbed the door before she could pull it shut behind her. Looking down at her over the top, he narrowed his eyes. If you really know Abbys alive, answer me thiswhy have four days passed without anyone calling with a ransom demand?
Lilys stomach knotted. She had no explanation for that.
Think about it. He let go of the door and stepped away.
HE WATCHED FROM THE gravesite, his heart pounding. Who was this woman with the knowing eyes? What could she know about what had happened to Abby?
Hed planned so carefully. Worked out all the details, figured the odds. Hed visualized just what would happen, down to the lightly traveled shortcut Debra took every weekday morning on her way to Abbys school. He knew where to stage the surprise attack, and how quickly Debbie would be scared into compliance.
It was supposed to be fast. Grab the girl and go, leaving Debra to sound the alarm and put the rest of the plan in motion.
But she had fought back.
He hadnt thought shed fight back. Shed always been such a marshmallow.
Everything had gone terribly wrong. And now there was Lily Browning, with her strange gold eyes and her knowing look, claiming shed seen a vision of Abby.
His heart twisted with growing panic.
What if she really had?
A PHOTO OF LILY, Andrew Walters and Gerald Blackledge made the front page of Wednesdays Borland Courier. The teachers lounge was abuzz when she arrived at school that morning.
At least its a good picture. And they spelled your name correctly, Carmen Herrera pointed out when Lily groaned at the sight of her face above the fold.
I didnt give anyone my name. There was no mention of her in the body text, at least. I guess Mr. Walters told them.