Posted by hummingbird on 11/29/2013, 9:43 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
CHAPTER NINE
Police were called and an Amber Alert was issued immediately. Police officers were posted at all entrances and exits of the mall and it’s parking lot. A nearly hysterical Destiny was questioned and she told them the full story...how she was distracted by the old man and turned around to discover Drew was missing.
Bo was called and arrived in minutes. A frightened Nora came with him to comfort and support Destiny as well as to stay informed about the situation.When Destiny saw Nora, she fell into her arms sobbing.
Bo began questioning his officers about steps that had been taken and giving orders about what should be done next.
“Do we have any evidence at all?” he asked.
Officer Peterson held out the cane. “This is the cane Miss Evans told us she retrieved for the old man.”
“Bag it and take it to the station. We’ll check it for prints.”
Peterson continued, “Miss Evans gave us a description of the old man but admitted it was pretty dark. She couldn’t see him very well. And she gave us a description of her son and the clothes he was wearing… I’m sorry, Commish, I know this must be hard for you,” Peterson offered.
“You have no idea,” said Bo. “So, you have scoured this area of the parking lot for any more evidence? Something that may have been dropped?...footprints in the snow?”
“They’re working on it, sir,” said Peterson, “but the scene was already disturbed by moving vehicles and other shoppers before we arrived. And it changes by the minute. With the temperature rising a little, the footprints are already melting. Then there is the problem of identifying which prints belonged to the old man and which were left by random shoppers. There are so many variables, sir.”
Bo’s jaw clenched. “If the evidence is melting by the minute we need to get busy instead of standing around watching it happen. Someone needs to be snapping photos of any footprints in this area NOW.”
“Yes sir.”
I also need one of the officers to take Miss Evans to the station so she can make a statement,” said Bo. “Send Mrs. Buchanan with her.”
“Yes sir. Right away, sir.”
* * * * * * *
Destiny made her statement with Nora by her side. Then the women waited in Bo’s office. Never did a night seem so long or two women feel more helpless. Destiny had cried herself into exhaustion and was slumped on Bo’s sofa staring at...nothing. Her parents had been called but hadn’t arrived yet.
“Destiny, honey. Why don’t you just lie down and try to rest…” Nora began.
“I can’t...I’m so worried about him.” She held his stuffed frog against her chest. ‘Mr. Froggy’ was the first gift Bo had given his grandson when he was just a few days old. “The fabric is wearing thin on Froggy’s head where Drew rubs his chin against him”, Destiny continued quietly. “He sleeps with him every night. He won’t be able to sleep without him…” She began weeping anew. Nora sat beside her and pulled her into her arms to comfort her as she used to comfort Rachel.
Matthew arrived. Police officers filled him in on the details of what had happened. Then he joined his mother and Destiny in Bo’s office. He paced the floor, the emotions of worry and anger were etched on his face mingled with traces of a guilt. He knew he hadn’t been the father he should have been to Drew. He knew he really hadn’t wanted Drew...that he had always treated him as an inconvenience in his life. Now here he was facing the possibility that something may have happened to his son and he would never have the opportunity to make things right. But, it was easier to place the guilt on someone else than to face his own demons; so, he began by turning his anger on Destiny.
“How could you let this happen?” he shouted. “You were in a parking lot and you just left him alone?!”
“No, I didn’t ‘just leave him alone’”, a tearful Destiny began her voice rising. “He was right beside me. When the old man fell in front of me it was a natural response to help him. Drew was right there with me! I only turned my back for a little bit and…”
“...and you let someone take our son!” Matthew exploded.
Destiny rose from the sofa and got into Matthew’s face, “Who do you think you are?” she shouted. “You never cared about him. You were never around, never had the time for him...but now you judge me for my parenting skills? How dare you!” She shoved her palms into Matthew’s chest shoving him backward. “If you…” she began again.
But Nora stepped in. “Stop! Just stop...both of you! This isn’t going to help or change anything. Just calm down...please.”
They continued glaring at each other until the door opened and Destiny’s parents entered.
“Mom…” Destiny began crying again at the sight of her parents who both wrapped her in their arms. Destiny relayed the events of the night to them. They tearfully consoled her and assured her that Drew would be found...it was only a matter of time.
* * * * * * * *
It was 11:38 p.m. when a very tired Bo arrived at his office to find Nora, Matthew, Destiny and her parents awaiting him. As soon as he entered, questions darted at him from all sides. Without saying a word, he hung up his coat and walked behind his desk.
“In answer to your questions, I know nothing more than I did when this happened. My men are searching the area for any clues they can find. We’re doing the best we can, but it’s going to be a waiting game. I wish I had more news and better news, but I don’t. No one is more sorry about that than I am right now.” He ran his hand over his face. He glanced at Matthew and Nora as if to assure himself that they were doing alright. Then he crossed the room to where Destiny stood with her parents. He spoke to the Evans’ first. “I’m sorry we have to see you again under these circumstances, but I am glad you’re here. I want you to take Destiny home where she can rest…”
Destiny interrupted, “No, I can’t leave here. I have to be here in case you find anything. I have to be here…”
Bo spoke to her calmly, “Destiny, there is nothing you can do here. I promise you that if we hear anything or if anything changes, we will contact you. But, it would be best for you to go home, try to rest. You know I’ll be doing everything possible to bring Drew back to us.”
She shook her head. “I know that…”
“Then go home, leave it in our hands. I’ll update you in the morning.”
After some hesitation, Destiny agreed. “Okay...but, you’ll call me with any news, right?”
“Yes, I promise.” Bo assured her.
Destiny looked again at Mr. Froggy. “Here,” she said holding it out to Bo. “I want you to hang onto this. When Drew is found, you will see him before I do; and I want him to have Froggy as soon as possible.”
Bo took the frog and nodded. Then he walked back behind his desk facing the other direction.
Nora brought Destiny her coat and held it while she slipped it on. Then she pulled her into her arms for a long embrace. “Be strong,” Nora whispered, “and get some sleep. You’ll need it when Drew comes home. He’s a little firecracker, that one.”
“Yes, he is,” Destiny agreed tearfully.
Then with a final squeeze, Nora let go and Destiny went home with her parents.
Nora approached Matthew. She put an arm around his shoulder. “Are you alright?” she asked. “I guess so,” was his noncommittal response. “I know no one believes me because of my track record as a father, but I am worried about Drew. When I was taken by Troy MacGyver as a kid I was older than Drew and was familiar with Troy, but I was still scared... I can’t imagine the fear Drew is feeling right now…” His voice trailed off.
He walked across the office before he continued, “I still can’t believe Destiny wasn’t watching him any better than that. He’s a 3-year-old boy and they were in a busy parking lot…what was she thinking?” he fumed.
Bo turned to face his son, anger flashing in his eyes. “What was she thinking?”, he shouted. “What was she thinking?! She finished a long day at work before taking her son to see Santa... she spent some time trying to alleviate her holiday stress by getting some shopping done...then she played good samaritan to what she thought was an injured old man in a parking lot! Where were you? What were you doing? Maybe if you were the father you’re supposed to be you could have alleviated some of her burden by taking care of your son!”
“Bo...” Nora interrupted quietly.
“No, honey. He needs to hear the truth! We have coddled him on this issue long enough. If we had spoken out long ago, perhaps some good sense would have set in by now and we wouldn’t be dealing with this. His son, our grandson, is missing! And it was preventable! If only…”
He stopped abruptly and sighed. He gave Matthew a long stare, then in a calm voice he continued, “Son...two of the saddest words ever thought or uttered are ‘if only’. I have been burdened by those two words many times in my life. There have been times God was merciful and changed my “if only” back to something good...I can only hope He will be merciful this time and do the same for you...or you are going to live with a huge regret for the rest of your life.”
Well...I had a feeling something was going to happen!! And from some odd reason...I have this feeling that Michelle is involved in this. I don't know why....she just acted too kind and sweet to Drew and too stand offish to Nora.
We'll see!
Great update!! I'm glad Bo let Matthew have it. I wished he did that in OL take two.