Stolen Justice (Fractured Minds Series Book 4) Read online

  Stolen

  Justice

  fractured mind series

  book 4

  Kate Allenton

  Copyright © 2019 Kate Allenton

  All rights reserved.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement (including infringement without monetary gain) is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Please purchase only authorize electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, character, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or use fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Coastal Escape Publishing

  Discover other titles by Kate Allenton

  At

  http://www.kateallenton.com

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  Chapter 1

  They promised him that life would get easier as more time passed.

  They lied.

  Control of life was an illusion ripped from his soul the day she disappeared. Nothing had ever been the same.

  Ford Rain stood yards away from the forest tree line with his arms crossed over his chest, rubbing at the itchy stubble on his normally clean-shaven face. He wouldn’t even be in Claymore Ridge, if not for his sister’s plea to come help with their mother.

  The sound of the river and the barking dogs kept him grounded in this moment as his mind raced with his fears. Red and blue lights danced off the trees as men milled around, coming and going from within the forest that he’d played in as a kid. Hope was a fickle bitch.

  He’d been sitting with his childhood best friend, Marcus, having dinner and catching up on old times when Marcus had gotten the call.

  Marcus was never good at hiding emotions. Just like now. Pity shined in his eyes as he’d repeatedly glanced at Ford.

  Ford’s heart was in his throat, listening to the barking dogs…cadaver dogs…police radios, and officers talking as they searched the area. All of it was background noise.

  If the body they’d found happened to be Sabrina’s, he didn’t know what he’d tell his mother. Why the hell was this happening now? The discovery would kill her long before her recurring cancer did.

  Even in his mind, he knew he was wrong. This was happening. He needed answers. The entire family did. Was this clump of trees his kidnapped baby sister’s final resting place?

  His heart clenched, making it difficult to breathe.

  “Rain, I heard you were back in town helping your sister.” Gary Raffey patted Ford on his back. He was older than Ford by seven years, but their difference in age hadn’t mattered when Sabrina had been stolen. Raffey had helped the police with several searches. The whole town had.

  “It’s the anniversary. It always hits my mom hard, and Sylvia needs my help.” He didn’t have to remind him of what Ford’s mother was dealing with. Everyone in town knew. “Mom’s not handling it well while doing chemo, and my sister has her hands full,” Ford answered without removing his gaze from the trees.

  “Folks haven’t forgotten. Let me know if you or your parents need anything.”

  “Thanks, Gary.”

  “I’m going to go see how I can help. Let me know if you need anything.” He patted Ford on the back and headed toward the trees.

  Ford needed the same thing year in and year out. He needed answers. He needed a name to go on the kidnapper’s tombstone.

  “So, this is where you spend your days not answering my phone calls?”

  Dr. Lucy Bray’s voice wasn’t one Ford had been expecting. The recently reformed psych ward patient had been cleared of her charges, and was now wandering around free thanks to the supernatural team she’d been paired with. Ford had a hand in making the evidence disappear. It was the least they could do under the circumstances. What the hell was she doing here?

  “You should have taken the hint when I didn’t answer,” he said coldly, turning to face her. Lucy was like a breath of fresh air. Innocent from Ford’s demons. He didn’t deserve the reprieve. “What are you doing here, Lucy?”

  Her gaze turned toward the trees before meeting his. Her face was stone-cold sober. “I was worried about you.”

  Ford turned his gaze back to the forest, afraid if he looked away, for even a minute, he might miss something important. “I never asked you to.”

  “Okay, I wasn’t worried about you, you, like your health or anything. I knew you were fine. I was worried about the kids I’d heard in the background the last time you answered my call.”

  “I was babysitting,” he answered without further explanation.

  “They’re still alive, right?” she asked.

  Wrong question, especially today.

  “Lucy, I can’t do this right now. If you haven’t noticed, I’m in the middle of something.”

  “I can see that. I’d expected sleepy-town Mayberry, and I got…what is this? A search for someone lost in the woods?”

  Ford shoved his hands into his pockets and dropped his gaze to the grass. She wasn’t going away. She wouldn’t leave him alone. He didn’t know if it was her morbid curiosity or her unrelenting need to help; either way, it didn’t matter. His ability to observe in silence was like chocolate on Halloween—gone.

  “The police got a tip about a dead body.”

  “Dead body? That’s my department,” she said, rubbing her hands together. “Any idea of the identity?”

  His sister. He shook his head, keeping that information to himself for now. “Nothing official.”

  “But you have a suspicion?” she asked.

  “None I care to share,” he answered and met her gaze. She was a beautiful, off-limits distraction. One he couldn’t afford. “You staying at the Grayson Inn?”

  “Yep. I’m here until we talk.”

  Ford swallowed hard and nodded. “I can’t do this now, but I’ll come see you tomorrow at the inn.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “You aren’t telling me that just to get rid of me so you can skip town again, are you?”

  Shouting voices drew their attention back to the tree line. Marcus was headed in his direction. A frown marred his face, and dirt covered his cheek. He stopped in front of Ford.

  Fright clogged Ford’s throat. The question sat heavy on his tongue and even heavier on his heart.

  Marcus held up an evidence bag containing a blood-stained blue bear with buttons used as eyes. “Was thi
s your sister’s?”

  Chapter 2

  Ford rubbed his hands over his eyes to try and stem the flow of tears. His chest caved in, as if his heart shattered, and. All these years, deep down, he’d known she was dead, but having proof…

  Ford nodded; his voice broke as he answered. “That was hers. She slept with Mr. Lumpkin and took him everywhere.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ford.” Marcus’s gaze softened. “We have her DNA on file. After the examiner makes a positive ID, I’ll inform your parents.”

  “It’s going to kill them,” Ford whispered, more to himself than anyone else. He cleared his throat and lifted his gaze. The questions flew out of his mouth like vomit, getting louder with each syllable. “Are you sure it’s her little body? Was she still in her blue-flowered nightgown? How did she die?”

  Lucy took Ford’s hand and squeezed. Her silence and support was comforting.

  Marcus leaned in and lowered his voice. “There’s no easy way for me to tell you this.” Hesitation and determination masked Marcus’s expression until it settled into the one of someone trained to be impartial. “If these remains turn out to be Sabrina’s, she’s not the seven-year-old girl you remember.”

  “I don’t understand.” He slowly shook his head.

  “She was taken about twenty years ago, right?” he asked.

  “Twenty-one,” Ford corrected. “Just tell me what you found, Marcus.” He tried unsuccessfully to keep the anger out of his voice. Anger that had been building for twenty-one years.

  “The bones we found weren’t of a little girl. They’re those of a teenager.”

  Ford grabbed his friend by the shirt. “Are you telling me that this asshole kept her alive for years?” His jaw popped painfully.

  Two cops turned in their direction. One had his hand resting on his gun.

  “If it’s her, then yes,” Marcus answered.

  Lucy pried Marcus’s shirt form Ford’s grasp. She held out her hand to Marcus. “Thank you, Detective.”

  Marcus nodded. “Ford, if you need a lift back to your car or to your parents’, I can get one of the uniforms to drive you home.”

  “I can take him,” Lucy offered.

  Ford turned without answering any of them. All those years and she’d been alive? What type of brother did that make him, that he hadn’t been searching every freakin’ day to find her? All those wasted years when he should have been doing more. His stomach turned.

  Lucy quickened her step to stay in line with Ford as he headed toward where all the cars were parked. It didn’t matter if Lucy drove him home. He wasn’t inviting her in. Not today.

  She gestured to her sports car, where the top was down. Ford climbed into the passenger seat. She slid behind the wheel and cranked the ignition. After pulling out, she maneuvered through the throngs of patrol cars and unmarked units.

  “You don’t have to say anything. Just point the way home,” she said.

  And that was exactly what Ford did. Not a single word was muttered between them other than directions; turn right, turn left, just over the hill. He couldn’t form any other words while his mind raced with how he was going to break this to his mother.

  He’d had twenty-one years to prepare for this moment. Twenty-one years to figure out the right words to say, and still nothing would soothe her devastated heart.

  Ford pointed toward the iron gates, and Lucy turned. If she’d been confused or surprised about the mansion on the hill, she didn’t say.

  Ford gave her the code, and gears squeaked as the metal gate slid open.

  She continued down the path to the circular driveway and stopped in front of the door. She didn’t make a move to get out, and neither did he.

  “Ford, I’m here for you if you need me.” She rested her hand over his and gently squeezed.

  In her own weird way, she had formed a bond with him. He wasn’t a stranger to comforting her, but it was strange to have her offering solace to him.

  Ford licked his lips, trying to find the right words to say when the door to the mansion opened. His mother stepped out, a smile stretched on her pale face.

  “Ford, why are you sitting out in the car? Be polite and bring your company inside.”

  Lucy stared at Ford and lowered her voice. “Tell me what you want. You want me to go? You want me to stay? Do you want me to be the one to break the news? Whatever you need, just tell me.”

  “Ford.” His mother called out his name again.

  Ford shoved open the door and climbed out. “I appreciate the offer, and thanks for the lift, but I need to do this alone.”

  Lucy’s brows knitted, even as pity flashed her eyes. “Ford…”

  “I’ll see you tomorrow, Lucy. I need to be here,” Ford said before turning toward his mother and heading for the stairs.

  His sister, Sylvia, stepped out onto the porch with George and Grace. The twins’ faces were covered in chocolate.

  “Who’s the girl?” Sylvia questioned.

  “Is that her?” his mother asked.

  “Mom, where’s dad?” Ford asked.

  “He’s in the study, dear. That is Lucy, right? Why aren’t you inviting her in?” his mother asked again.

  “Sylvia, get Dad and meet us in the living room.”

  Color had drained from his mom’s face and tears shined in her eyes. The pain and the hole his sister had left was unspoken between them. It was the only thing they never talked about. It hurt too much to remember.

  Sylvia ran off, shouting for their dad, as Ford ushered his mom back inside. He glanced over his shoulder at Lucy, who gave a slight nod before driving off.

  Ford guided his mother into the living room. His gaze landed on the large decorative antique trunk across the room. Sabrina had gotten stuck inside while playing hide and seek. The memories flooded his mind. He saw her in every corner of the house. That was one of the reasons he’d left long ago.

  Sylvia returned with his father in tow, and Ford gestured toward the couches. Thankfully the twins didn’t follow Sylvia into the living room. She took a seat on one side of their mother while Ford’s dad sat on the other side and clutched her hand.

  “Okay, what is going on?” his mother asked.

  Ford dropped to his knees in front of his mom, took her other hand, and held firm.

  His mother’s gaze clouded. She inhaled a sharp breath. “Ford…”

  “I don’t want you to hear this from anyone else.” Ford swallowed hard.

  “Are you sick? Please don’t tell me your sick,” his mother said as anguish riddled her face, creating more lines.

  “I’m not sick, Mom.” Ford had a hard time finding the words. He exhaled. “They think they found her, Mom,” Ford said. “They think they found Sabrina.”

  Dropping their hands, his mother covered her mouth with her palms. Her eyes glazed with tears. A sob tore free, and she turned into his father’s embrace. Her shoulders shook as she clutched his dad’s shirt tight.

  “You sure?” his dad asked.

  “They haven’t confirmed it with DNA yet, but they found Mr. Lumpkin,” Ford answered, dropped his head.

  “We knew this day might come,” Sylvia said as tears clung to her lower lashes. It seemed none of them would escape this pain. “It’s been twenty-one years. It’s time we lay her to rest.”

  Ford rose and crossed the room to the liquor cart. The crystal decanter with the expensive scotch was reserved for Dad’s hoity-toity country club friends, but today Ford didn’t care how much it cost as long as it helped chase the painful memories away.

  He poured himself a glass and tossed it back, hoping the burn down his throat would prevent him from telling the rest. “I’m afraid there’s more.”

  “More?” Sylvia asked.

  “The body they found isn’t a seven-year-old girl. They found a teenager.”

  His mother’s sobs turned hysterical, and his father groaned and buried his face in his hands. How he was keeping it together this well was beyond Ford when all he want
ed to do was wake up from this bad dream.

  Ford didn’t know how long they all stayed in the room. Between himself and his father, the liquor had vanished, and Ford’s mother’s sobs slowed. Her face was red and blotchy when Ford’s father carried her out of the room.

  Sylvia stood by Ford’s side, staring out the window into the backyard. “Is there any chance it’s not her?”

  “Maybe, but I’m positive it was Mr. Lumpkin and we both know how much that stupid stuffed animal meant to her.”

  Lucy

  Chapter 3

  I had no idea that was coming. Hell, I didn’t even know Ford was missing a sister. To say I was shocked was like getting a home run when expecting a bunt.

  I dialed Sam’s number. The IT guy in our supernatural division answered on the third ring.

  “You miss me already, Lucy?” he teased.

  I pulled out onto the major road, heading back toward the inn. “How come no one told me that Ford Rain’s sister was kidnapped at the age of seven? Why haven’t we worked this case? He’s one of our own.”

  “Uh…” Sam hesitated. “He had a sister?”

  That answered my question. Sam was just as much in the dark as I was.

  “Apparently Ford’s got a lot more secrets that we knew.”

  “I’m sure Noah knows all about it. Do you want me to ask? He’s here.”

  I worried my lip between my teeth. The last thing Ford needed was the rest of the team showing up and us working the case. “No, not yet. I’ll do some digging in town and online first. If you have a minute, can you do your thing?”

  “You don’t even have to ask,” Sam said. “I’ve already started. I’ll have you some details soon.”

  “Thanks, Sam,” I said.

  “Anytime, Dr. Red.”

  I pulled into the diner. I hadn’t had anything to eat since stopping at the greasy truck stop several hours ago, and even then, it was only a bag of chips and some peanuts.

  I parked, got out of the car, and headed inside. The bell above the door dinged my arrival. This was the Mayberry I’d expected. A couple of men that looked like truck drivers sat on bar stools. A few couples sat in booths on one side of the room. The tables on the other side were empty.