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CHAPTER TEN
It was Thursday, two days after Drew went missing. Nothing had changed in the investigation. There were no new leads. Looking at the little evidence they had, it became obvious that the “injured old man” was a ploy to distract Destiny so that Drew could be taken. The strange thing was that Destiny said Drew hadn’t cried out. Why wouldn’t a small child being snatched by a stranger not cry out for his mother? Was he stifled in some way, perhaps by an inhalant that rendered him unconscious? Bo pondered all of these questions as he sorted through the files before him. Mr. Froggy, perched on the corner of his desk, stared blankly.
The door opened, and Bo looked up to see Nora come in. Without a word she walked behind his chair and rubbed the back of his neck and shoulders. He glanced over his shoulder at her. His eyes were red from lack of sleep. He looked and was exhausted but refused to go home. He wanted to be at the station if there were any new leads.
“How are you doing, Red?” he asked her.
She walked around him and sat leaning against the edge of his desk. After a moment she said, “How am I doing? I’m worried. I’m worried not only about Drew, but about you. Bo...you really need to come home and get some sleep.”
“I can’t,” he said shaking his head. “I can’t leave here…not until we hear something…I…”
“Sweetheart, you’re wearing yourself down. Sooner or later you’re going to crash. Please, trust your men to do their jobs...come home and get a few hours rest.” She ran her hand gently through his hair.
“Are you honestly able to sleep?” he asked. “You look tired too.”
“I’m doing okay. I can’t say I’ve slept well, but I have gotten a few naps. Don’t worry about me.”
“Why not? You’re worrying about me...and about all of us...Drew, Destiny, Matthew…”
“I’m the mom...that’s my job,” she told him with a half smile. Then looking back at him, “I’d sleep better with you beside me though. The bed is big and empty and...just knowing you were home and getting some rest would help me to rest better…please, Bo. You can’t go on like this.”
Bo stood, stretched, and went to the coffee pot for another cup. “I can’t sleep, Red. I tried to catch a nap on that sofa for a little bit last night, but my mind won’t let me sleep. I just keep thinking about things…that’s one of the negatives of being in law enforcement. Every terrible, heart-wrenching case you’ve ever worked on comes back to haunt you.”
“I know...I’ve been going through the same thing. Honestly, I wouldn’t share this with anyone else, but... I’m scared to death.”
He looked at her. “I know, honey. Come here.”
He put the mug down and she went into his arms resting her head on his shoulder. He stroked her hair. “I’m sorry, Red. I know I haven’t been there for you. We should be dealing with this together. I’m not trying to shut you out...just trying to solve this and get Drew back to us.”
“I know...and that’s what I want you to do...what you need to do. I just want you to realize that you won’t be of help to Drew or to any of us if you collapse from exhaustion. Promise me you’ll come home to get some sleep tonight.” She looked into his eyes, “please?”
He hesitated, then kissed her gently. “I promise.”
* * * * * * *
Bo kept his word and was home by 8:30. He and Nora ate dinner, showered, and collapsed into bed by 10:00. They crawled into each other’s arms for comfort, not passion; and, after just a short time, Nora felt Bo’s body relax and heard his even breathing.She kissed his neck and snuggled closer to his warm and familiar body. She needed this. They both needed this. The chance to lie in each other’s arms and find the peace that comes from a secure and familiar place.
* * * * * * *
Nora looked at the clock. 3:28 am. She rolled over and reached for Bo, but his side of the bed was empty. She saw his silhouette in the moonlight by the window and went to him. Coming up behind him, she wrapped her arms about his waist and rested her chin on his shoulder. “Hey…”
“Hey,” he said softly, “did I wake you?”
“No. I just woke up and reached for you, but you weren’t there...you ok?”
“Can’t turn my mind off...wondering if Drew is asleep.” He pulled Nora to the front of him and wrapped his arms around her. “Look at that moon tonight, honey...and all those stars.”
“It’s beautiful,” she replied quietly, her head resting just under his chin.
“It is. The ‘lesser light to rule the night’ Miss Maggie used to call it.” Bo often referred to Miss Maggie, the housekeeper, cook, mother-figure who had influenced his life so much during his growing up years in Texas. “You know...she used to tell me she loved me ‘to the moon and back’. I was in awe. I knew that was a lot of love. I need to remember to tell Drew that when we have him back with us.”
He held Nora closer and rubbed her back. Then he continued quietly, “On the way home I was listening to the radio...one of those stations that plays all holiday music this time of year...and they played that song about the wise men following the star. You know which one I’m talking about?”
“Not really,” she said softly.
“Well...basically it’s about how God put this brilliant star in the sky and the wise men followed it until they found the Christ Child...I couldn’t help wishing God would work a miracle like that for us so we could find Drew.”
Nora held Bo tight holding back tears and swallowing the lump in her throat. She wanted to be strong for him.
After a few quiet moments Bo began again, “Do you believe in miracles, Red?” he asked still looking out at the night sky.
“I do,” she answered looking up at him her head still resting on his chest. “My miracle is holding me in his arms right now.”
“We are a miracle, aren’t we?” he said looking at her. He pushed a stray tendril of hair off her cheek and kissed her gently. He looked back out the window. “Miss Maggie used to tell us to go ‘boldly to the throne’. She was a firm believer in prayer. What faith I have came from Miss Maggie.”
Nora smiled. “I kind of figured you didn’t get that from Asa.”
Bo shook his head and chuckled softly at the thought. Then he became serious again.
“Bo?” began Nora. “You’re a praying man...I’ve seen it. Are you praying for Drew?”
“Yes...and I’m trying not to worry...knowing that God’s hands are bigger than mine...and that He doesn’t need this puny police commissioner to help Him…”
“But…?”
“But...I’m really scared, Red. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to that little boy. I just feel...so helpless. He thinks his grandpa can do anything...” His voice cracked as he stopped. “And here I am doing nothing. I just can’t stand it,” he said angrily through clenched teeth.
She held him closer...and in her arms he quietly released tears of helplessness and frustration. All she could do was cry with him.
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