And Then Came A Lion (Lions and Lambs Book 1) (3 page)

Rachel had coffee waiting when Susannah walked into the break room.

“How did you know I’d need another cup about now?”

“I just had a feeling. I can’t imagine what it would be like to be involved in something like that.”

Susannah accepted the mug. “Scary. Exciting. Terrifying.”

“Ah. Not fun, I gather. Any news about whether they caught him?”

Susannah shook her head. “No. It’s like he disappeared. Mark thinks the guy left town. I don’t think so.” She shivered. “I have this strange feeling he’s still here and still prowling the parks.”

Rachel shook her head. “I sure hope not.”

“I know.” Susannah gestured toward Aaron’s office. “Was he upset over my sudden disappearance?”

“At first, when it looked like you were just running late, but after an hour we both knew something bad had happened. I was about to call Mark when you phoned.”

“I’m sorry I worried you, but I called as soon as I could.”
“Oh, we know that, now. But, I wouldn’t make it a habit of playing heroine every afternoon.”

“I didn’t plan on being a heroine yesterday, and I’m sure I will never be in that situation again ― I hope.”

Rachel nodded and glanced at the clock. “Well, guess it’s that time.”

***

At noon, they drove to the park and chose a bench near the entrance, out of sight of the playground, but within sight of the memorial.

Rachel pointed toward the picture. “So, that’s how the old Indian in your dream looked?”

Susannah nodded.

“How odd.”

“Tell me about it.”

“You know, there are stories in the Bible where angels take on the form of men in order to deliver messages. Do you think the old Indian might be an angel?”

Susannah shrugged. “I don’t have a clue. But, if that’s the case, why that particular persona?”

It was Rachel’s turn to shrug. “I suppose God knows what’s best for each person.”

“I suppose.”

Rachel unwrapped her sandwich. “Aren’t you eating?”

Susannah looked down at her container of yogurt. “I’m not really hungry, at least not for this.”

“Would you rather go to the café?”

Susannah shook her head. “No, I just don’t have much of an appetite.” She put her yogurt back in her lunch sack.

“Wish I could help.”

“You do help, Rachel. It helps to talk. And at least you don’t look at me like I’m some sort of lunatic.”

“I’ve known you far too long for that, Susannah.”

***

At five o’clock Susannah turned off her computer.

Rachel looked up. “Thank goodness.”

Susannah turned off the interior lights and met Rachel at the door.

“Do you plan to tell Mark about the dream?”

Susannah shook her head. “I don’t think he’d like the implications.”

“You mean he might think you’re crazy?”

“Not so much crazy. Silly is the word he uses. He doesn’t believe in anything that goes bump in the night.”

“Well, this is a little different.”

“Maybe, but I don’t think it really matters. I probably won’t have another dream, so why bother. I am sure it was just a onetime deal.”

“You keep saying that, Susannah. Who are you really trying to convince?”

***

Mark shoved his plate away and leaned back in his chair. “Anything interesting happen today?”

Susannah shook her head. “Nope. All was quiet. No one needed rescuing, except Rachel with her end of the month stuff. How about you? Anything interesting?”

He shook his head. “No. All pretty boring.”

“Boring is good.”

Mark laughed. “Yes, it can, especially compared to your excitement the other day. I take it you don’t plan on being the next superhero ― heroine.”

“Nope, sure don’t plan on repeating that. I mean, I am glad that the little girl ― Megan ― is alright, but my nerves are shot.”

Susannah picked up her plate and carried it to the sink.

Mark gathered the rest of the dishes and set them on the counter. “This has really upset you, hasn’t it?”

“Why wouldn’t I be upset? We should
all
be upset that a monster is prowling our city taking kids.”

“And no word from the police yet?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“I really do believe the man’s long gone. Off in some other city terrorizing them.”
Susannah slapped the counter. “Don’t say that.”

Mark threw his hands up. “Okay, my mistake. I don’t want anyone hurt. Besides, they’ve probably sent out the man’s description to every police department from here to New York.”

Susannah relaxed. “You’re right. I’m sure they have.” She waved him away. “Go. I’ll finish.”

He nodded, hesitated, and then left the room. Seconds later, she heard the TV.

After finishing the dishes, she made coffee, and took two mugs into the den. She set one cup next to Mark and settled in her chair with the other. The TV program held no interest for her and she picked up her book, but images of predators and kids swirled around and around in her mind. Life was so unfair.

A long time ago, her dad had told her that nothing was fair in this broken world. He was so right.

***

Susannah sank down into one of the chairs in Rachel’s ultra-modern kitchen. It was the opposite of her older Victorian, but Rachel made the room warm and inviting. The coffee pot was always on, as well as the constant aroma of fresh baked cookies or bread. Susannah couldn’t figure out how Rachel managed it all between work and the kids. She had to be one of those supermoms everyone touted.

Billy raced through the kitchen and out the patio door. Molly tore after him, screaming loud enough to break all of Rachel’s crystal.

Rachel sighed. “It never ends.”

Susannah saw the twinkle in her eyes. Even through the challenges, Rachel loved it. Motherhood had to be the most beautiful calling in the world.

“You and Mark still discussing a family? Are you sure you want to do this?” She gestured to the argument heating up out on the patio.

“Yes. I want children more than anything.
I
wanted kids the moment we said our vows, but he wasn’t ready. Says he still isn’t ready. I wonder if he will
ever
be ready. We can’t wait too much longer. My biological clock is ticking.”

“He might swing around now that his job is doing so well. Tight finances are a deterrent to adding any more expenses. And, children are expensive.”

“I don’t think money has ever been the issue. I don’t think he wants the responsibility.”

“Ah.”

Susannah shrugged. “But, I love him, so I guess I’ll do what Mom suggests.”

“And what’s that?”

“Pray and be patient.”

Rachel nodded. “Yeah. Look at what we’ll do for love.”

Susannah laughed and then said. “That sounds like a soap opera.”

“Well, isn’t life just one long, unending soap opera?”

“For some. Recently mine has heated up to a horror movie.”

“Still can’t shake the dream?”

Susannah shook her head.

Rachel took a sip of her coffee and set the mug down. “That might go away once the man is arrested.”

“Maybe. I sure hope so.”

Susannah stood and carried her cup to the sink. “Well, I’d better head back home. Chores await.” She shook her head. “Why do we cram so much into the weekend?”

Rachel laughed. “Silly isn’t it? The world won’t come to an end if we don’t finish our to-do lists, but we think it will.”

“True, but we will probably still try. Talk to you later, Rachel.” Susannah waved and stepped out onto the porch.

Beautiful morning for walk, not too warm, birds singing, and not too much to worry about at the moment. What was that scripture? Today’s troubles are enough, so don’t go borrowing tomorrow’s. Sounded like a very good plan.

She crossed the yard to the trail. Both Rachel and Susannah were ecstatic when Frank agreed to put in an offer on the newer home so close to Mark and Susannah. The two childhood friends could once again be within only a few minutes’ walk of each other. Granted it was along a trail skirting the undeveloped area the city named Lincoln Park, which wasn’t really a park, but a nature reserve in the middle of several subdivisions.

Susannah paused before entering the timber. This part always made her nervous, even in the daytime. Anything could be lurking in the thick brush crowding the path and she wouldn’t know it was there until it reached out and grabbed her. Instead of a morning stroll, she opted for a power walk.

***

Brian sat on the lumpy bed and stared at the wall. If he had any sense he’d be somewhere else, but the urge for payback negated his better instincts. No one had ever interfered before and it rankled. Someway, somehow, he’d find out who she was and he’d ensure she never interrupted him again.

He flexed his hands, rolled his shoulders, and rotated his neck. A little tension was good, kept him focused. Besides, patience always had its reward.

***

Susannah set her book down and uncurled from the chair. It was time to stop procrastinating and get to the store. She didn’t even have the stuff to make pancakes.

“Come on, Buddy. Let’s go for a ride.”

She eyed the dark clouds as she backed out of the garage. Looked like a storm. With luck, it wouldn’t hit until she was back home. Thunderstorms were best viewed from
inside
.

Susannah parked in front of the market and hurried through the glass door. She cut down the cereal aisle toward the coolers along the back wall, heading toward the dairy section. A young boy and his father blocked her way.

“Excuse me.”

The boy moved over. Susannah squeezed past. A casual glance suggested father and son shopping for a few groceries. A closer look at the boy told a different story. Telltale marks lay under his high-collared shirt and under the cuffs.

She paused, reached for a box of cereal directly in front of the child, and touched his arm.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

The man looked over, took the boy’s hand, and pulled him away. The child looked back. A silent communication passed between her and the boy. The boy’s face did not changed, but his eyes did. For a brief moment, they flashed with hope.

Susannah walked to the end of the aisle, grabbed a half gallon of milk from the cooler, and went up to the checkout. The man stood ahead of her in line. She watched the pair pay for their purchases and exit the store.

She handed the checker a bill, impatiently waited for her change, and then rushed outside. The man and the boy were on foot, just crossing the street.

Susannah pulled out of the parking lot and headed in the same direction.

She probably shouldn’t do this, but she had read that witnesses reporting abuse was the most common ways of rescuing kids from abusive situations. What was that agencies website that monitored the Amber Alerts? She’d read about a recent rescue in the paper…

The pair entered a house at the next intersection. Susannah drove a half block further and pulled into an alley. She parked and ran back toward the street.

After taking note of the address, she pulled out her cell phone. A few words typed in her browser pulled up the National Amber Alert Coalition’s website. She selected missing children for Washington State. Of course, the boy could be from anywhere, but her intuition indicated otherwise. Eighty-one names popped up. Half way down the list, she found the boy’s picture. Robbie Viens was last seen in Malden, Washington, playing in his front yard ― three months ago.

The NAAC allowed online reporting. Susannah followed the links and filled out the form. She clicked off the website and dropped her phone back into her pocket.

Wait or go home? It could be hours before police responded, except the website said response time was quick. She looked at her watch. She still had a little time before she’d have to rush home – if she grabbed some takeout for dinner.

She went back to her car, pulling forward until she could see the house. She reached over and ruffled Buddy’s ears.

“Well, Buddy. What do you think of us being on a stakeout?”

He winked. It was one of the breed’s traits, but it always seemed to occur at the appropriate moment, as if he really understood.

Minutes passed. She looked at her watch. She should just go home. She did all she could, except barge in and drag the boy out. That, she couldn’t do, unless...

She could stand on the porch and pound on the door, using some kind of pretense to keep the man talking until the police arrived. Susannah put her hand on the car door and paused. Several police cruisers glided to a stop in both the front and the side of the house. She let out a long sigh and took her hand off the door handle. She watched officers fan out, and with precise coordination, surround the house. Officers entered through the front door and she presumed the back as well.