Speed Trap (4 page)

His dark eyes, so wary and watchful, were impossible to read. At times, she felt he looked at her more deeply than
other men did. As if he wanted to see some part of her she didn't show the rest of the world. As if he knew her tough attitude was a cover for feelings she didn't care to share.

At other times, he looked past her, as if afraid of what he saw.

Shaking off her preoccupying thoughts, Mandy was relieved when the outskirts of the city finally rolled into view. Finding her way to the South Broadview Community Church proved to be easy enough, but as she pulled into a pothole-filled parking lot, she couldn't believe her eyes.

Garrett stood, shaking hands with a small, white-haired man dressed in a dark gray suit. Garrett's dog, his pink tongue hanging out, sat between them.

Mandy threw open her truck door and slammed it shut before marching up to Garrett. “Bowen, I thought I told you to stay out of my way.”

He stiffened. She sensed his defiance, but his reply was calm. “I'm here to visit with a friend of Judy about funeral arrangements. I'm not looking to get in your way.”

If he'd just get good and mad, she'd feel better about him. His icy control made her wonder what he was thinking.

He wasn't breaking the law, but the urge to slap him in cuffs was getting stronger by the minute. His dog chose that moment to yip at her and beg for attention, straining at his leash.

Garrett pulled him back. “Behave, Wiley, or the sheriff will lock you up for disturbing the peace.”

The black-and-white fur ball sat obediently, but his little body wiggled with suppressed excitement.

Mandy turned her attention to the elderly man who was watching them intently. She held out her hand. “Good afternoon, sir, I'm Sheriff Amanda Scott of Morrison County. Are you Pastor Spencer?”

He took her hand in a firm grip. “That would be me. I'm pleased to meet you, Sheriff, but I certainly wish it were
under happier circumstances. Judy was a member of my congregation and a dear friend.”

“I'm sorry for your loss, Reverend.”

“Thank you.”

“I'd like to ask you a few questions.”

“Certainly.”

She shot a sideways sour look at Garrett. “Is there somewhere we can talk in private, sir?”

Garrett tipped his hat in her direction. “Wiley and I were just leaving. Thanks for your time, Pastor Spencer.”

“Certainly. I appreciate how difficult a time this is for you. Just know that Judy is at peace with our Lord at this very moment.”

Mandy caught a glimpse of deep sadness in Garrett's eyes and saw a muscle twitch in his cheek. He didn't reply. He merely nodded and turned away.

“It's hardest on the ones who don't believe,” the reverend said softly. “Now, Officer, what questions do you have for me?”

“I understand Judy worked for you.”

“Yes. She started coming to church here about six months ago. It was her enthusiasm for our work with abused women and children more than her typing skills that prompted me to offer her a job.”

Mandy fell in step beside the reverend as he began walking toward the church. “Did you know Judy had several arrests for drug use when she lived in Timber Wells and in Kansas City?”

“She was a very troubled young woman when I first met her. She'd witnessed the murder of a friend at the hands of their drug dealer. It was her friend's death and Judy's narrow escape that finally forced her to confront and kick her habit.”

At the side of the church was a small stone bench. He sat and indicated the space beside him. “Were you aware that Judy had an inoperable brain tumor?”

Startled, Mandy shook her head as she sat down.

Pastor Spencer sighed heavily. “When she found out about her condition, she became determined to see that Colin was taken care of.”

“What about the baby's father?”

“You're asking the same question Mr. Bowen asked. Unfortunately, I have to give you the same answer. I have no idea who Colin's father is.”

“Judy never mentioned him?”

“I did ask her once when she confided in me about her illness. All she said was that she had caused him enough grief and couldn't burden him with a child. I thought perhaps he was a married man with a family of his own, but that was only my assumption. Judy planned to place Colin up for adoption.”

Mandy knew she should be saddened by the news, but she wasn't.

The reverend continued, “It was very important to Judy that Colin be raised in a family that shared the same faith she'd found such comfort in.”

“Did Judy have any other family?”

“No, she was alone.”

And now so was Colin.

The seed of an idea began to take root in Mandy's mind.
She
could care for him, raise him in a faith-filled home.

Was it possible? Maybe Garrett wasn't the father.

Adopting a child had never occurred to her before, but then, she hadn't met Colin yet.

There would be time to consider what such a move would mean later. Right now, she needed to focus on the case at hand. “Did Judy have any enemies?”

“Not that I was aware of, but the man who murdered her friend was never caught.”

Now that was some serious motive. “Do you know his name?”

“No, and neither did Judy. The Kansas City police were never able to locate him.”

That meant the case was still open. Mandy made a mental note to get the case file and review it for leads.

“Judy was terrified this man would come after her. She hitchhiked out of Kansas City and ended up here. When I met her, she was living on the streets and struggling to stay off drugs. Our women's shelter was a Godsend for her.”

“Did you ever hear her say she was afraid of her ex-husband?”

“No.”

“What about money? Is there anyone who'd benefit from Judy's death? Life insurance—anything like that?”

“Judy was as poor as a church mouse. Believe me, I know how poor that is.”

Mandy smiled. “You said that she planned to put the baby up for adoption.”

“Yes, she had an attorney. Donald Victor is the man's name. I'm sorry, I gave Mr. Bowen the card that Judy kept in her desk drawer, but I'm sure he'll be listed in the phone book.”

Bowen again. Mandy pressed her lips together to hold back a comment. She pulled her own card from her shirt pocket. “Thank you, Reverend Spencer. You've been a big help. If you think of anything else, please give me a call.

After leaving the church, Mandy used the computer in her vehicle to look up Donald Victor, attorney-at-law. The address was across town. When she arrived at the location, she wasn't surprised to see Garrett was there ahead of her. His dusty pickup, looking decidedly out of place, sat parked between a new silver Lexus and a cherry-red Corvette.

Wiley, tail wagging and tongue lolling, raced between the partially rolled-down windows, barking at anyone who came close. As a watchdog, he wasn't much of a deterrent, but then Mandy doubted a thief would pick the beat-up truck over the red beauty beside it.

At least Garrett had chosen a parking spot in the shade of a tall sycamore tree. The consideration for his pet raised her opinion of him a notch. One.

Pushing open the heavy glass doors with the firm's name painted in gold lettering, Mandy entered a spacious foyer. In the center of the room, lush green plants were artfully arranged in pots beneath a domed skylight. The faint trickle of water from a small fountain could be heard over low classical music playing softly from hidden speakers.

The thick navy carpet muffled her footsteps as she approached the receptionist seated behind a low counter.

“Good afternoon. How may I assist you?” The woman's voice was cool and cultured. Her perfectly manicured nails matched her red dress. Not a single hair dared spring free from the French twist at the nape of her neck. Mandy couldn't help wishing she were dressed in something other than her drab uniform. She quickly dismissed the vain thought.

“I'm here to see Mr. Victor.”

The woman glanced at the computer screen. “Do you have an appointment?”

Mandy smiled. “No, but this is official business. Has Mr. Bowen already gone in?”

The woman relaxed and nodded. “Just a few moments ago. He was very insistent about speaking to Mr. Victor.”

“Which way?”

“Down the hall. First door on your left.” She picked up the phone. “Shall I let them know you're here?”

“Don't bother. Mr. Bowen will be expecting me.”

 

Garrett glanced over his shoulder when the door behind him opened. The sheriff hadn't wasted any time getting here. She had a smile on her lips, but it wasn't a warm one.

He turned his attention back to Mr. Victor. The man was frowning at the woman who had just barged into his office.

Mandy came forward and extended her hand to the attorney. “Sheriff Amanda Scott of Morrison County, Mr. Victor. I'm investigating the death of Judy Bowen.”

She parked herself in the black leather chair next to Garrett. “What have I missed?”

Garrett had to admire her brashness. “Not much. Mr. Victor was just telling me that he couldn't give me any information. Maybe he'll feel more comfortable talking to the law.”

“I'm sure he will. You can go now, Mr. Bowen.”

“I believe I'll stay. This concerns me as much as it does you.” Garrett could do simple math. Judy left him a year ago. The baby was about four months old. He needed this man to confirm or deny what he suspected.

She said, “As Judy Bowen is deceased, your attorney-client privilege no longer applies. Is that right?”

Mr. Victor looked somewhat relieved. “Yes, that's true, Sheriff.”

“What can you tell me about her?”

“Not much, actually. She came to me two weeks ago, wanting information about placing her son for adoption.”

“I've always understood that private adoptions are very expensive.”

Mr. Victor sat back and laced his fingers together over his pinstriped suit. “There was no cost to Miss Bowen. All fees and expenses would be paid by the adopting parents.”

The man had the look of a college quarterback gone to
seed. A thick gold ring glittered on his right hand. The overpowering scent of his spicy cologne permeated the air. Everything about him and about his office told Garrett he enjoyed the money he made.

“And who are the adoptive parents?” Mandy asked.

“Judy had not yet selected a family. Kansas law requires that both parents of the child relinquish their parental rights. It was my understanding that she intended to inform the father in person of her decision and obtain his permission.”

“Did she give you his name?” Garrett asked quickly.

The attorney opened the file on his desk. “Yes, I assumed you knew. You are listed as the child's father.”

Garrett sank back in his chair, his mind spinning. It was true. He had a son.

Why hadn't Judy told him?

What did he do now?

His past hadn't exactly prepared him for parenthood. He had no idea how to raise a kid.

Should he let this lawyer go ahead with the adoption? Judy must have believed it was the best choice, but was it?

Old dreams, dreams he'd thought long dead, crept out of the box where they'd been hiding. To have a family of his own. What would it be like?

Mandy leaned forward. “Mr. Bowen could have blocked the adoption if he wanted, couldn't he?”

Nodding, the attorney replied, “Certainly.”

Mandy shot Garrett a sharp look. “Mr. Victor, did Judy ever tell you that she had spoken to Mr. Bowen?”

“She never got the chance to talk to me,” Garrett stated sharply. He didn't like the sheriff's new tone.

Her doubt was plain. “So you claim.”

“You think I'd rather see them both dead?”

“I've known it to happen,” she retorted.

Why wouldn't she believe him? “I never saw Judy. I didn't know about my son until this morning.”

The attorney cleared his throat, pulling Garrett's attention away from Mandy's intense eyes. “Mrs. Bowen named you as the child's father on his birth certificate which makes you his legal guardian unless your paternity is contested. I hope you will consider fulfilling Judy's wishes.”

He pushed a sheet of paper across the desk toward Garrett. “I can assure you that our clients are well-screened. He will have a wonderful life with two loving parents.”

Garrett took the paper the man was offering. “What's this?”

“Parental rights relinquishment form.”

Garrett stared down at the legal document. Now he knew why Judy had been coming to see him. She wanted his consent to let strangers raise their child.