One Summer Evening - One Summer Evening Part 58
Library

One Summer Evening Part 58

So when she spoke again, it was in a low, controlled voice.

"What's taking them so long?"

"I haven't a clue," Austin said harshly.

"If something doesn't break real soon, I aim to find out." "If he's hurt Tyler" Cassie said, "I'll kill him myself."

James closed the distance between them and sat beside her.

"Now, honey, please don't talk like that."

She glared at him.

"Don't placate me. Daddy. I meant every word I said."

"Leave her be, James," Austin told him in a gentle but firm way.

"Don't worry, she won't have to take him on. That will be my pleasure."

"Austin, I" -- "Don't say it, Cassie. This might not be my fight, as

you've reminded me, but I'm making it mine now. Tyler's my buddy, and he doesn't deserve to be the pawn in this game."

"You're right about that," Cassie whispered.

They exchanged intense glances for a long moment before Cassie looked away.

She was too tired, too frantic, to argue with Austin. All she wanted was

her child back.

While it was unthinkable for Tyler to be in Lester's hands or those of the men he hung around with, the rational part of Cassie's mind told her that her ex wouldn't harm Tyler. At least, not until Lester got what he wanted, which would hopefully buy them the time they needed to find her son.

If she hadn't had that to hold on to, she couldn't have stood the awesome terror that had her crippled in mind and body when she thought about Lester having fled with Tyler.

"As soon as they find your ex-husband, then we'll be off and running,

Ms.

Sullivan," Detective Conn said, helping himself to a glass of iced tea and some finger sandwiches that Joy had prepared.

Cassie turned away from the food, the sight and smell of it making her

ill.

"When a non custodial parent entices a child away from the custodial parent, it's a state matter," Conn added.

"If it's someone else, then we call in the FBI."

"Is it possible you know something you're not telling us?" Austin asked

in a harsh, frustrated tone.

Detective Conn answered, "Unfortunately, no. Sullivan's our main

concentration, along with Grant Hoople. Neither one is home or any other place we've checked."

"Then why doesn't Lester call?" Cassie cried, balling her fists so

tightly that her fingernails pierced her skin. The self-inflicted pain

proved that at least she was still alive.

"I know he wants something. He always does." Her tone was a mixture of anger and bitterness.

"Why is it that you can't locate his parents?" Austin hammered, rubbingthe growth of beard on his face, which Cassie thought gave him a demoniclook, making him seem tougher than either of the detectives.

She shivered for more reasons than one.

"They're apparently out of town," Detective Win- slow said, movingtoward Cassie. "We have a man staked out there. The second they return, we'll talk to them."

"If need be, are you up to going on television?" Conn asked.

"Do you think it'll come to that?" Cassie whispered, her heart sinking.

"If it's not your ex-husband who has the boy, then it just might. I have

to be brutally honest, ma'am."

"Shit," Austin muttered under his breath, but Cassie heard him, and sodid James, whose lips tensed with displeasure. Cassie had to turn away, thinking that she didn't like her daddy at this moment, not because she blamed him, but because of his inability to lethis guard down, to turn off the automatic preacher pilot and be human.

She needed James to climb down from his pedestal and comfort her. Maybe if she had remained the perfect daughter, then his arms might bearound her. But since she'd fallen from grace, that wasn't going tohappen.

"There's no doubt who has my son," Cassie said tersely.

"We just have to find Lester."

"I couldn't agree more," Austin added, peering at her.

She tried to read what was behind those incredible eyes, but shecouldn't, or maybe she didn't want to. Involving Austin in this mess wasalso lethal.

But for the moment, and under the circumstances, her will to fight himwas nonexistent.

"Since they can't find the Sullivans, do you think Lester and Tylercould be with them?"

"You should know the answer to that better than me," Austin said.

"I've never laid eyes on those people."

"Well, they're good people. Even though they still believe in Lester'sinnocence, I can't believe they wouldn't take part in the kidnapping oftheir grandson."

"Then we're back to Lester and his schizo group." Austin paused, thensaid, "I'm going to make a call. I know how much you resent my help,but"

"Right now, I'd take help from the devil himself." Cassie saw Austinflinch at the comparison, but she couldn't worry about that now.Feelings, including her own, weren't important. Tyler's safe return wasall that mattered.

"I'll be right back," Austin said, striding off. Cassie closed her armsaround her body and rocked back and forth, whispering a prayer.

"My baby. Lord, take care of my baby."

That broken prayer got to him. Austin had to turn away or jerk her intohis arms, which would only add to her suffering. Anyway, his toppriority at the moment was to use his cell phone away from listening ears.

"Are you leaving?" James asked.

Austin halted and turned around, his gaze quickly perusing the room.

James stood adjacent to him; the two detectives remained across the room.

One was on his walkie-talkie, and the other was staring out the windowat the drive.

Waiting.

That was what they were all doing, and not accomplishing one damn thing.He was tired of waiting. More than that, he was tired of watchingCassie's pinched face and frantic eyes.

He wouldn't pretend he knew what she was going through, the depth of hersuffering, never having held his own child. But he could imagine the horrors that were playing out in her mind. If it were his child who wasmissing under these circumstances and he got his hands on the creepresponsible, he would be hard- pressed to turn him over to the law.

Cassie felt the same way, he knew. Any parent worth his salt would feel the same way.

After James had called him and asked if he had by chance picked up Tyler from day camp, Austin had come straight over, but not before calling his private detective friend. If anyone could find the kid, it would be Hank, especially as he'd already been tracking Lester

Austin had left the Worthams' number, but so far, he hadn't heard from Hank.

He prayed the detective's voice mail hadn't screwed up.

"I'll be back," Austin said.

"I don't know what to do," James whispered in an urgent tone.

"Cassie looks like she could break at any minute. Do you think I should call our doctor?"

"I'd wait a little longer and see what happens."

"I still find it hard to believe that Lester would do something like this."

"Dammit, James, join the real world."

The reverend flushed under Austin's unvarnished criticism.

"As badly as I hate to say this," Austin said for James' ears alone, "I

hope he does have him, instead of some sexual pervert."