Blinking back the tears burning her eyes, Kristen sat beside Maddy, releasing a pent-up breath.
The little girl edged closer, her body warm and compact against Kristens side. She took the Dr. Seuss book from Kristens nerveless fingers and flipped to the first page, where Horton the elephant sat in a bright blue pool, happily splashing himself with water.
As Maddy began to recite the familiar story in her childish lisp, Kristen closed her eyes and relaxed, not fighting the flood of sweet memories washing over her.
Julie had been an adorable baby, the youngest of the five Tandy kids and the one Kristen had reared almost single-handedly as her mothers break with reality had widened those last few years. Kristen hadnt shared a father with her two youngest siblings, but she hadnt cared. Her own father was long gone, and neither of the men whod fathered baby Julie and six-year-old Kevin had stuck around long enough to see them born. It was just Kristen, the younger kids and their mother, and for most of Kristens memory, her mother had been undependable.
Realizing Maddy had fallen silent, Kristen opened her eyes and found the little girl gazing up at her with solemn green eyes. Dont cry, Miss Kristen. She patted Kristens arm. Horton will find the clover. Youll see.
Kristen dashed away the tears, forcing a smile, even as she struggled to hold back a stream of darker memories. She hadnt had a sweet thought about her brothers and sisters in a long time. She didnt want to lose it now.
Before Kristen found words to let Maddy know that she was okay, the bedroom door opened and Sam entered. His gaze went first to Maddy, a quick appraisal as if to reassure himself that she was still there and still okay.
When he shifted his gaze to Kristen, his eyes widened a little, no doubt with surprise at finding his daughters bodyguard weeping like a baby. She looked down, mortified, wiping away the rest of the moisture clinging to her cheeks and eyelashes in a couple of brisk swipes.
Sam crossed to the bed. Horton Hears a Who, he read aloud. Excellent choice, ladies.
As Maddy giggled up at her father, Kristen scrambled off the bed, waving for him to take her place. Maddy was reading to me. We left poor Horton in a precarious place. She was pleased by the light tone of her voice. Maybe hed buy that shed been crying tears of laughter.
But its okay, Maddy insisted, her tone filled with childish urgency, apparently afraid Kristen was still worried about Horton and his tiny friends. Kristen felt an unexpected rush of affection for the little girl, touched by her concern.
Im sure Miss Kristen knows that, Sam assured Maddy, but Kristen heard a hint of puzzlement in his voice. She guessed he hadnt fallen for the tears of laughter attempt.
Did your call go okay? she asked.
He caught her meaning and gave a nod. Let me finish reading this with Maddy and then well talk.
She settled against the door frame, watching Maddy cuddle close to Sam as he finished the story. By the time the jungle animals pledged to protect the imperiled Whovillians, Maddys eyes had drooped closed. Sam bent and kissed her pink cheek, lingering a moment. Kristen had to look away, a dozen different emotions roiling through her. Shed never shared those kinds of moments with her father, whod left the family when she was just six years old, and whod been distant long before then.
Sam finally eased himself away from Maddy and joined her at the door. Outside, he whispered, opening the door for her.
He guided her away from the door, stopping in the middle of the living room. I dont want Maddy to overhear.
Overhear what? Kristen asked.
That her mothers booked a flight to Alabama, arriving tomorrow, he answered grimly.
Chapter Five
Were going to play a game, Maddy. Is that okay?
Maddy looked up at Kristen, her expression curious. But Im coloring right now.
I know. This is a coloring game. Kristen sat on the low stool beside Maddys play table and pulled a blank piece of paper in front of her.
A coloring game? Instantly intrigued, Maddy scooted closer.
Im going to draw something, and youre going to help me color it in. Does that sound like fun?
Maddy nodded, reaching for the crayons.
I bet you have a good memory, Kristen continued, trying not to let Maddys little girl smell distract her. Shed agreed to take this assignment to help Maddy remember more about the night of the attack. This might be one of the few moments she had alone with Maddy for a while, since her mothers impending arrival promised to be a major distraction over the next couple of days.
She took a black crayon and drew an oval. I know this might be a little scary, but I also know youre a brave girl. Arent you a brave girl, Maddy?
Maddy looked up at her, a hint of worry in her bright green eyes. Yes, maam.
I want you to think about the man who came to your house the other night. The one who scared you and made Cissy cry.
Maddys eyes welled up with tears. I wanna see Cissy.
The sight of Maddys tears nearly derailed Kristens plan, but she steeled herself against the little girls emotions. The best way to help Maddy was to find the man who had tried to hurt her. Cissys with the doctor, whos taking the very best care of her. I know your daddy told you that.
Maddy nodded. Shes sick.
Thats right, but the doctor is going to help her get better. But right now, I need you to help me find the bad man so we can make sure he doesnt make anyone else sick. Okay?
Maddy blinked away the tears and nodded.
Kristen pointed her crayon at the oval shed drawn. I want you to pretend this is the bad mans face. Can you pick a crayon color that matches the color of his face?
Maddy picked through the nubby crayons and picked out a pale peach color. Caucasian, Kristen noted mentally. Theyd been pretty sure that was so, but confirmation was good.
She took her black crayon and drew eyes inside the oval. Can you tell me what color to make his eyes?
Maddys face crinkled with concentration. No eyes.
You mean you couldnt see his eyes?
Maddy nodded.
Was it because of his cap?
Maddy nodded again.
Kristen drew a cap shape on top of the oval. Can you tell me what color the cap was?
Maddys tongue slipped out between her lips as she studied the pile of crayons on the table in front of her. After a few moments, she picked up a dark blue crayon.
Great, Maddy! Thats very helpful. Can you color in the cap for me?
Maddy pulled the paper in front of her and got to work, coloring in the blue cap. But she left part of the front of the cap blank, Kristen noticed.
Maddy pulled the paper in front of her and got to work, coloring in the blue cap. But she left part of the front of the cap blank, Kristen noticed.
Why arent you coloring that part? she asked Maddy.
It had ABCs on it. She beamed up at Kristen. I know my ABCs. Wanna hear? Maddy started singing the alphabet in an off-key warble.
Kristen steeled herself against a flood of memories. Shed taught the ABCs song to the littlest ones, Kevin and Julie, herself. By then, her mother hadnt cared much about her kids, except for sporadic bouts of manic mothering that left her younger siblings scared and confused.
Thats very good, she choked out when Maddy finished her song. Do you think you know your ABCs well enough to tell me what letters were on the cap?
Maddys beaming smile faded. Dont member.
Thats okay, Kristen assured her, squelching her own disappointment. Even if Maddy couldnt remember the letters, they now knew that the assailant had worn a dark blue cap with some sort of letters on the front. Possibly a sports team cap. It was, at least, corroborating evidence if they ever came up with an actual suspect.
Miss Kristen, do you know my mommy? Maddys soft query caught Kristen flat-footed. It was the first question shed asked about her mother since Sam left for the airport.
Ive told Maddy her mothers coming for a visit, Sam had told Kristen earlier that morning when she arrived to keep an eye on Maddy, but Im not sure she really understands what that means.
Hed told her that while Maddy had seen photos of her mother, and knew her name, shed never spoken to Norah before, not even on the phone. Kristen wondered how Maddy was going to handle meeting a mother who was essentially a stranger to her.
Kristen pushed aside the drawing and turned to look at Maddy, who gazed up at her with worried eyes. Sam had dressed her in a pale green sundress and clean white sandals, and tamed her unruly brown curls into a ponytail at the back of her head. She looked adorable, even to Kristens jaundiced eyes.
She wondered if Norah would be similarly impressed.
No, Maddy, I dont know your mom, she answered the little girls question.
Maddy slid down off her chair and crossed to Kristens stool, tugging lightly at the edge of Kristens denim jacket. What if she doesnt like me? she asked, her voice tiny.
Kristen felt a surge of sympathy for the child. Whats not to like? Look how pretty you look. And I saw your room this morning-its nice and neat. And didnt you eat all your cereal and drink all your milk like your daddy asked you to?
Maddy beamed at her. And I took my vitamin, too.
Well, see? There you go. Youre a superstar.
Maddy patted Kristens knee. Are you afraid she wont like you?
She grinned at the little girl. No way. I ate all my breakfast this morning, too.
Maddy giggled and happily picked up the peach crayon, her curiosity apparently appeased. She reached for the drawing of the bad man and started coloring in his face.
Kristen watched her draw, trying not to let Maddys last question nag her. It didnt matter to her whether or not Norah Cabot liked her, of course. Which was good, because the questions she had to ask Maddys mother wouldnt win the womans friendship. Norah Cabot might have an alibi for the night in question, but that didnt mean she didnt hire someone to take Maddy from Sams home.
And considering what shed learned about Norah and her fiancé the night before, she had an idea why Maddys mother might do such a thing.
Shed have a chance to challenge Norah soon enough. Sam was due back from the airport any time now.
YOURE NERVOUS. Norahs voice was tinged with amusement.
Im wary, he corrected, putting the car in Park and shutting off the engine before he turned to look at her.
She looked impeccable, even after a plane ride from New York to Alabama. Her lightweight gray suit and cream silk blouse fit her perfectly, and her short, spiky hairstyle had probably cost a fortune. He wondered who she was trying to impress. Him? Or Maddy?