Look off to the right. Theres a radio tower. See those red lights? They were driving through farm and ranch land. Not much to see at night. When we listen to the radio, thats where the sound comes from.
Oh.
At least MacKenzie was talking again. When hed first gotten out of prison, he could barely get two words out of her. But more than two months later, she was starting to open up a little. The foster home shed lived in during his incarceration had been a pretty bad place, though no one knew how bad until Travis had realized the foster parents were selling MacKenzies clothes and toys on eBay.
Now look up at the sky.
He heard MacKenzie give a little gasp of surprise, and he smiled. It was a clear winter night, and they were far enough away from the city now that the sky was blanketed with stars. When Eric was a kid, hed loved the stars, even though he hadnt been able to see all that many in the city. Hed checked out book after book on astronomy and had even thought he might make that his lifes work. He remembered dragging Travis up onto the roof of their apartment building and pointing out the constellationsthe Big Dipper, Orions Belt, Cassiopeias Chair.
Theres so many stars, MacKenzie said softly, almost to herself, a tinge of awe in her voice.
Some weekend well go camping, and well get a telescope and look at the stars and the moon and the planets. Would you like that?
Uh-huh, she said almost absently, her head leaning against the window as she took in the blanket of diamonds overhead. She remained quiet for the next thirty minutes, just looking at the night sky. It warmed his heart to think maybe shed inherited his love for studying the heavens.
Are we almost there?
Almost. Suzy says ten more minutes. Suzy was the name theyd given the female voice on his cars GPS.
MacKenzie sighed.
What flavor ice cream do you want?
Pineapple, she said decisively.
They might not have pineapple ice cream. Well just have to see. Did you finish your sandwich?
She held up what was left of the half sandwich Elena had made for her. Shed eaten a few bites, at least. At her foster home, MacKenzie had developed the unfortunate habit of hoarding food. She seldom ate very much, choosing instead to save her food for later. No matter how many times Eric reassured her that she could eat as much as she wanted, she obviously was still fearful about going hungry.
Im going to have dinner at the diner before my ice cream, he said. How about you?
Do they have grilled cheese?
I imagine so. Maybe soup, too. She loved soup, and it wasnt something she could hoard.
The momentous decision of what to choose for dinner occupied her until they crossed the city limits of the great metropolis of Tuckerville.
It was a little bigger than hed expected, with a quaint main street boasting old-fashioned streetlights, a theater showing last years movies, an antiques mall and a quilt shop. Most everything except the theater was closed, the sidewalks deserted. Then he spotted the Home Cookin Café, right where Bree had said it would be, at the corner of Main and Maple.
The café was like something out of an old movie, all chrome and rounded corners and an Art Deco neon sign advertising Shakes, Malts and Sodas. He wondered if it was the real thing or someones retro fantasy.
He pulled into the small parking lot, which was nearly full. Clearly the place was doing a brisk business.
MacKenzie was more than ready to be released from the confines of her child seat.
What is this place? MacKenzie asked.
Its a diner. Or a café. Have you ever been to one?
Is it like McDonalds?
Sort of. But they serve the food on real dishes and they bring it to your table.
Oh, like Little Italy? Little Italy was a neighborhood restaurant that Travis and Elena had introduced them to. It hadnt been open when Eric had lived in the neighborhood, before Tammys death. Funny, that was how he thought of his life now, in three distinct segments: Before Tammys Murder, Prison and After Prison.
Youll see what its like.
She grabbed on to Erics hand. New situations and new people made her nervous. No, more than nervous. Really stressed.
Will there be people there?
Yes. Were going to meet a nice lady named Bree. Youll like her.
No, I wont, she said decisively.
Eric didnt challenge her. He couldnt make her like people and she certainly knew that not all adults were worthy of her esteem. Eric himself wasnt sure he liked Breealthough he was looking forward to seeing her again. She wasnt exactly all sweetness and light, and clearly she had a sharp tongue when she had a mind to use it. But he admired her passion. Passion was attractive, even if it was for a cause he didnt agree with.
Eric and MacKenzie entered the diner and stood next to a please-wait-to-be-seated sign. The place was busy, but there were still a few tables and booths available.
A hostess with a mile-high beehive greeted them, fitting right in with the retro theme. Two for dinner? she asked brightly.
Actually, Im meeting someone here. Her name is Bree. About so high, black hair, blue eyes you cant miss
The hostess was nodding. Thats Dr. Bree.
And a friend of hers, too. Theyre not here yet, are they? He scanned the whole seating area and didnt see Bree, and she wasnt the sort of woman easily overlooked.
No, havent seen her, but Ill keep an eye out. Come right this way.
Eric started to follow the hostess, whose name tag identified her as Molly, but MacKenzie suddenly dug in her heels and wouldnt move.
No, Daddy, lets go home.
What? We just got here.
I dont want to meet the lady! I want to go home!
CHAPTER THREE
ERIC PRAYED MACKENZIE wasnt about to throw one of her fits. Why dont you want to stay here?
I just dont.
Well, we came a long way, and Im hungry, and were not leaving until I get some dinner. Dont you want your grilled cheese? And ice cream? He knew bribing a child with food wasnt the recommended way to get her to cooperate, but he didnt want to risk a tantrum, not now.
Im not hungry. I want to go home.
Im sorry, MacKenzie, we cant go home right now. Daddy promised to be here, and I have to keep my word.
You want a coloring book, precious? Molly asked. I have Goofy and Cinderella.
MacKenzie pressed her lips together in a mutinous frown.
Go with Cinderella, Eric said to the hostess. Then he scooped up MacKenzie and carried her to their designated booth. He would lie down and die any day of the week for this child. But the psychologist had emphasized that he had to be firm, too, and not let her walk all over him. Just because she was troubled didnt mean she couldnt also learn to be manipulative.
Once they were seated, he tried to get MacKenzie interested in the menu. She was a good enough reader that she could make out a lot of the words by herself.
It says this diner has been here for more than sixty years, Eric read, pointing to the words. That answered his question about whether it was authentic.
MacKenzie didnt seem interested. She kept looking over her shoulder, as if she expected the bogeyman to be after her.
MacKenzie, whats wrong? What are you afraid of?
I dont want a shot! she said, bursting into tears.
A shot? What makes you think... Oh. Dr. Bree. Shes not going to give you a shot. Shes just a nice lady. A nice lady who was late. If hed driven all this way for nothing, he was going to be more than irritated.
No shots?
No. Just dinner. It says here they have a soup-and-sandwich special. How about a grilled cheese and tomato soup?
After thinking about it, MacKenzie nodded.
A couple of minutes later Bree bustled through the door, looking a bit harried. Molly smiled at her and pointed toward their booth, and Bree hurried their way, waving as she caught Erics eye.
The sight of her had a stronger effect than hed anticipated. She had her hair pulled back in a ponytail now, and several unruly strands had escaped to frame her face. Shed changed clothes since this morning, opting for a simple white blouse and gray pants. Again, he could tell at a glance that the clothes were high quality. Could a woman even buy clothes like that in Tuckerville?
Didnt matter. The sight of her made his mouth go dry. He couldnt recall reacting that strongly to a woman since...well, since Tammy. Tammy, the supposed love of his life, whod turned out to be aggressively unfaithful.
You cant trust a sweet smile. Bree had already proved she had a sharp side. During their very first meeting, no less.
Im so sorry Im late, she said as she slid into the booth opposite them. I got held up at work. I hope you havent been waiting too long.
Just a couple of minutes.
Then Brees attention focused on MacKenzie, and her face was transformed with a look of such sweet maternal softness that Eric found himself struggling to breathe.
And who have we here? Bree asked.
MacKenzie ignored her.
This is my daughter, MacKenzie, Eric said. MacKenzie, this is Dr. Johnson.
Hi, MacKenzie. You can call me Bree. Her voice was soft, nonprovoking. Nice to meet you.
MacKenzie kept her eyes on her coloring book, where she was filling in Cinderellas dress with a brown crayon.
Is that Cinderella? Bree asked.
Mmm-hmm, MacKenzie replied.
Youre good at coloring. You really know how to stay inside the lines. Me, when I color, Im really messy. I bet you get gold stars in your art class.
I get all As, MacKenzie said matter-of-factly.
Wheres Philomene? Eric asked. Id like to move this along so I dont keep MacKenzie out too late.
Of course. Bree looked around. Ill go ask if shes here. If the waitress comes, order me a meat loaf special and a coffee.
Caffeine doesnt bother you this late at night?
Unfortunately, no. If it did, maybe I wouldnt drink so much of the stuff. She slid out of the booth and headed for Molly. Eric studied her retreating form at leisure, especially those gently swaying hips.
MacKenzie was staring, too.
See, shes not so scary, Eric said.
MacKenzie shrugged and turned her attention to the menu. I dont see ice cream on here.
Eric flipped the pages until he found desserts. Right here. Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.
She put her finger on the menu where Eric had pointed and attempted to sound out the words. The waitress stopped back, and Eric dutifully ordered Brees meat loaf special. Ill have the same thing, he added. And a grilled cheese and tomato soup for the little one.
You want a soda with that? the perky waitress asked.
MacKenzie nodded, but Eric shook his head. Milk. Bree might not be bothered by caffeine, but it made MacKenzie spin like a top.
As soon as the waitress left, Bree returned, a worried frown on her face. Philomenes not here. She should have gotten off work at six.
Maybe she got held up.
Maybe. But wouldnt she call?
Youre asking me? Ive never met this woman.
She should have called, Bree said decisively.
Eric stifled a groan. He should have known this was a fools errand. Sounds like maybe she had a change of heart.
When I talked to her yesterday, she sounded really eager to unburden herself. The guilt has been eating her alive.
You said she was nervous about changing her story. She probably just got cold feet.
I hope thats all it is. Bree already had her phone in her hand. Ill call her and see whats what.
The waitress brought MacKenzies milk and Brees coffee. Bree took a healthy gulp of the stuff, black, while waiting for Philomene to pick up.
Hi, Philomene, its me, Bree, she said after a few moments. Im at the diner with Eric Riggs from Project Justice. Please call me when you get a chance. She was still frowning as she hung up.
Look, Daddy, I finished. MacKenzie displayed her coloring work. Although the colors were a little drab, shed kept within the lines in her usual meticulous fashion.
Very nice, sweetheart.
Cautiously, she turned the page around and slid it toward Bree.
Bree smiled, and again her face was transformed.
She ought to smile more often, Eric thought.
Very good work, MacKenzie. I think I might have something here... She dug into her purse. I do. Would you like a glitter heart or a gold star?
Heart, heart heart heart!
Eric was touched. Had Bree put those stickers in her purse just for MacKenzie? Or... You must have kids.
A stark sadness flashed across Brees face before she masked it. No, no kids. But I keep a few things on hand for children who come through the E.R.
So emergency medicine is your specialty? Shed said earlier today that shed met Philomene in the E.R., but he wanted to keep her talking about herself.
Yes. I work at the county hospital.
He wondered how many men faked serious illness in the hopes that lovely Bree would minister to them. Images flashed through his mind of Brees soft, pale hands touching himin the most innocent, doctorly ways, of course.
God, what was he doing? He clenched his eyes shut until the images dissipated. He couldnt afford to think of her like that. He needed to get her and her misguided agenda out of his life.
Oh, no, Bree said under her breath, her gaze fixed on the door.
Eric turned to look. A big, beefy guy with dark close-cropped hair in a well-tailored dress shirt and pants had just entered, accompanied by a shorter, more slender man with thinning curly hair and thick glasses. The shorter ones clothes were rumpled, and as Molly showed them to a table, he walked with a slightly lurching gait, as if he had an issue with his hip or knee.
Darn it, theyre headed this way. Bree lowered her head and took another sip of coffee, playing with a strand of her hair to shield her face.
Well, if it isnt the crusading lady doctor. The larger of the two men, clearly the alpha in this pack of two, had paused by their booth, proving Brees attempt to be inconspicuous hadnt worked.
Hello, Mr. Needles, she said wearily, offering him a tight, almost hostile smile.
Arent you going to introduce us?