Chasing Shadows

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“Hey, that’s the van that passed me on the way here,” Kris whispered.

“I’ll bet they put the dead body in there,” Sadie said. “I wish the detective would hurry up.”

“He’s probably out front. Come on,” Kris urged Sadie away from the window.

One of the men shut the doors before rounding the vehicle and getting in on the passenger side. The other man climbed into the driver’s seat. Ms. Faust waved curtly and disappeared inside the center as the van drove away.

“We better get you out of here before she sets the alarm.”

Sadie’s urgent whisper galvanized Kris into panic mode. “Let’s get you to your room first.”

“I can take care of myself,” Sadie groused. “You need to leave before we’re caught.” She shuffled back toward the side entrance.

With a rueful shake of her head, Kris followed. Just as Sadie reached for the handle, Kris noticed the black box on the wall next to the door. The green light hadn’t been flashing when they came in. Now the light seemed as bright as a camera flash.

“Grams, no!”

Sadie pushed the door open and a loud screeching siren filled the air. Kris’s warning came a second too late.

Sadie groaned. “Rats!”

“Busted,” Kris said and sagged against the wall.

For the next several minutes chaos reined as the security guard, the night nurses, Ms. Faust and several blurry-eyed residents flooded the hallway. Ms. Faust turned off the siren. The ensuing peace was welcome.

“What is the meaning of this?” Ms. Faust bellowed, looking decidedly uptight. Her gray eyes flashed behind square-framed glasses. Her brown wool dress hung on her broad shoulders. Her stiff posture revealed her distress.

Before Kris could explain, police sirens and flashing lights brought more chaos. Perfect. Gabe rushing to her aid. How embarrassing.

Her glower deepening, Ms. Faust instructed the staff to take the residents back to their rooms. With the security guard standing watch over Kris and Sadie, Ms. Faust motioned for them to follow her to the foyer.

Two cars came to a screeching halt. One a police cruiser and the other, Gabe’s SUV.

Gabe stalked forward. The thunderous expression on his face let Kris know she was in deep trouble.

FOUR

“Detective Burke, whaddya doing here?” asked the older of the two officers who’d responded to the alarm.

Gabe held up his hands, palms out. “Just observing.”

Kris flashed him a frown. Great, he was going to stand by and watch her humiliation. He raised an eyebrow in return.

Ms. Faust introduced herself to the officers and then turned to Kris. “Please explain what you are doing here in the middle of the night.”

Sadie spoke up. “There was a—”

“Grams was having trouble sleeping and wanted some company,” Kris interjected, hoping to save them from having to explain everything. She avoided making eye contact with Gabe.

Ms. Faust’s hairline rose along with her dark eyebrows. “You know the rules. No guests after visiting hours.”

“I apologize,” Kris said in as contrite a tone as she could muster. Needing to change the subject, she took a more direct approach to the question burning in her mind. “What was that van doing here?”

Ms. Faust hesitated for a fraction of a second. “Delivering food. Now I suggest you leave, Miss Worthington, and let Sadie get her rest.”

Before Kris could stop her, Sadie sidled up to the officers and explained to the two men about Carl and Lena disappearing.

Ms. Faust huffed. “I’ve already explained to Detective Burke—” she gestured toward Gabe, who stood off to the side “—that the residents in question have gone on vacation.”

“What about the body I saw you wheel into the infirmary tonight?” Sadie pressed.

Kris cringed, wishing Grams hadn’t mentioned that. But since she had…Kris watched Ms. Faust closely. A little tick started over her right eye. Was she angry, nervous or guilty?

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” Ms. Faust stated.

The older officer hitched up his utility belt, glanced over at Gabe before saying, “We’ll just take a look around. Won’t take but a moment.”

Throwing Sadie and Kris a nasty glare, Ms. Faust preceded the policemen down the hallway.

Gabe stepped forward and took Kris by the elbow. “I told you to wait for me,” he said in a harsh whisper.

“I’m sorry, but Grams was so agitated. I couldn’t wait,” she whispered back.

He released his hold on her and ran a hand through his hair. “Are you trying to make things more difficult for Sadie?”

Guilt and concern gripped Kris by the throat. “Of course not. Help me get Grams to her room, would you?”

Gabe nodded, though his expression said he wanted to be anywhere but there. They flanked Sadie and led her to her studio.

“Grams, promise me you won’t do any more wandering about at night,” Kris said as she helped Sadie on the bed.

“Only if you promise to come back tomorrow.”

Tucking the bedcovers over Sadie, Kris said, “I’ll be here after breakfast.”

“You do believe me, don’t you, Krissy?” Sadie’s gaze sought Gabe. “I know I didn’t imagine that body.”

The unreadable expression on Gabe’s face didn’t fool Kris. He didn’t believe Sadie.

She hesitated. How did the Bible describe faith? The verse in Hebrews rushed to the forefront of her mind. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Kris stroked back a lock of Sadie’s hair. Love filled her heart for this woman who’d taught her about the love of Jesus, who taught her to have faith in God. Shouldn’t she put some faith in Sadie?

“I believe you, Grams.” She kissed her papery-thin cheek, then she and Gabe quietly slipped out of the room.

Gabe stopped her in the hall. “You really believe her?”

“Yes, I do. If she saw a body, then she saw a body.”

Gabe frowned. “You said she had a nightmare.”

“She said she wasn’t asleep.”

“You’re both nuts.” He shook his head, clearly exasperated with her and Grams. Capturing her hand, he said, “Come on, let’s get out of here.” Gabe led the way toward the front of the center.