Chapter 12
MISSING
FAWN
“Miss Reed.”
Looking up from the papers on my desk that I’ve been grading since school let out, I spot Tamara in the open doorway of the classroom. Glancing at the clock on the wall, I notice that it’s way past the time she normally gets picked up.
“Is everything okay, honey?”
“My . . .” Looking like she’s about to cry, Tamara takes a step into the room and pauses, dragging her backpack up higher on her shoulder. “No one has come to pick me up,” she says quietly, and I nod.
“That’s okay. Come on in and take a seat. Let me just get my stuff packed up.” I smile at her, and she walks slowly toward my desk. “We’ll just call your mom and let her know that I’ll take the train with you. Okay?” Most of my students take the bus home after school, but some, like Tamara, are picked up. On occasion their parents are late, and when that happens I call the parent and take the train with the child to make sure they get home safely.
“You can’t call my mom,” she says so quietly that I almost don’t hear her, and my body freezes as my eyes meet her worried ones.
“Why can’t we call her?” I ask, and she looks away, biting her lip. I can sense she doesn’t want to say whatever it is she’s about to say.
“My mom . . .” She drops her eyes from mine and looks at the ground. “She hasn’t been home in two days, and she’s not answering her phone.”
“Pardon?” I hope I heard her wrong, but I know I didn’t.
“My mom . . .” Tamara wrings her hands together and shakes her head, looking up at me. “She went to work two nights ago, and she hasn’t been home since then.” Oh my god. I fight the urge to close my eyes in despair.
“Has this kind of thing ever happened before?” I ask softly, and at first she shakes her head no before nodding yes and biting her lip once more.
“Once or twice she’s spent the night out of the house, but she always comes home. Always. She’s never been gone this long. I know something happened to her, I just know it,” she cries, and I breathe through my nose to fight back my own tears.
“It’s okay, honey,” I say quietly as I walk around my desk and wrap her in a tight hug. “It will be okay, but we have to go talk to Mrs. Thompson about this, then we need to talk to a friend of mine, okay?”
“I don’t want to get her in trouble,” she whispers, and I pull back to look her in the eyes.
“I know you don’t, honey, but we need to let people know what’s going on so they can look for her,” I say, wiping away the tears trekking down her cheeks.
“I’m scared.” More tears burn the back of my throat at her quiet confession. I have no doubt that she is scared, and if I’m honest with myself, I’m scared, too.
“I’ll be with you. Let’s go talk to Mrs. Thompson.” I leave her to go around the desk to pick up my bag and coat. Gathering everything in one hand, I take Tamara’s small hand with my free one and lead her down the hall to the office. As soon as we’re there, Sammy looks up from the computer, smiling.
“Miss Samantha, is Mrs. Thompson in?” I ask, and her smile slides away slowly as she looks between Tamara and me.
“Yes.”
“Good.” I nod at her, then turn to Tamara. “Honey, can you sit out here and wait for me?” She nods. Leading her over to one of the chairs next to Sammy’s desk, I watch her take a seat.
“Hey, Tamara,” Sammy says, then she opens a drawer full of candy and treats. “Go on and pick something out to eat while you wait for Miss Reed.”
“Fawn, what is it?” Mrs. Thompson asks, reading the look on my face as soon as I step inside her office and shut the door.
“Tamara’s mom hasn’t been home for two days,” I say quietly as I drop my stuff in the chair across from her desk. “She said that she’s never been gone this long.”
“Let’s try to reach her at the numbers on her contact list and go from there,” the principal says, looking concerned. For the next few minutes she tries to call Tamara’s mom, never once getting an answer. “I’m going to call Tamara’s grandmother, fill her in on what’s happening, and see if she’s available to pick Tamara up,” she says after she hangs up the phone.
“I’m going to call a friend of mine who’s a police officer. He knows Tamara’s mother’s boyfriend, so I’m hoping he will be able to track down her mom or at least file a missing person report.”
“Of course.” Mrs. Thompson nods, and I pull my cell phone out of my bag as she types something into the computer before picking the phone back up and putting it to her ear. “Hello, Mrs. Albergastey, this is Mrs. Thompson. I’m the principal of PS 189,” she says as I turn away from her with my cell to my ear.
“Hey, baby, you off work already?” Levi asks, and my eyes slide closed.
“No, one of my students—the one you met in the park with me? Her mom is missing and has been for two days. I don’t know if I should call someone el—”
“Jesus,” he cuts me off. “Are you at the school with her now?” I nod even though he can’t see me.
“Yes, I’m here. We’re both here.”
“I’m on my way. It shouldn’t take me more than twenty to get to you.”
“Okay, see you then.” I shove my cell back in my bag as Mrs. Thompson hangs up the phone on her desk.
“Tamara’s grandmother is on her way. I explained that we were having an officer come to the school to file a missing person report.”
“When was the last time she spoke to Tamara’s mom?”
“She said that she had a falling-out with her daughter and that they haven’t spoken in a couple months. She didn’t like the new man in her life and refused to talk to her until she dumped him.”
Pulling in a breath, I let it out slowly. “I don’t have a good feeling about this,” I state, and Mrs. Thompson nods.
“Me either, but there is always hope, my dear.” Yes, and for Tamara, I will hope.
“I’m going to go sit with Tamara and wait for everyone to get here.”
“Good. I’m going to put in a call to the social worker and let her know what’s going on. Thankfully, Mrs. Albergastey is on the approved pickup list, so Tamara won’t be spending any time in child protection.” Yes, thank god for that. I would never want that for her, and if it came down to it, I would find a way to get her placed with me.
Leaving Mrs. Thompson on the phone in her office, I head out and, sitting next to Tamara, take her hand in mine. “Your grandmother is on the way,” I tell her quietly. Her head turns my way, and her eyes lock with mine.
“She’s coming?” she asks, seeming surprised. I nod.
“Yes, she should be here soon, along with Levi, the guy I was with in the park. He’s a police officer, and he’s going to come talk to you.”
“Is he your boyfriend?”
“Yes, he’s my boyfriend.”
“Is he nice?” she asks, searching my face, and I smile gently, giving her fingers a squeeze.
“He’s very nice, one of the nicest people I’ve ever met.”
“You deserve to have someone nice,” she says, dropping her eyes from mine, so I squeeze her fingers again, needing her to look at me when I say what I’m about to say.
“Everyone deserves to have someone nice honey, everyone,” I state, and she swallows, looking away. I don’t understand why most women nowadays don’t think they are worthy of having someone who treats them right, someone who respects them and cares for them.
Hearing the front door of the school open, I watch through the glass as Levi comes in with Wesley. They both flash their badges at the security guard at the door. Standing, I step into the hall, and Levi’s worried eyes lock on mine.
“That didn’t take you long,” I state, since it’s only been about ten minutes since we spoke.
“We don’t have time to waste. You said her mom’s been missing for two days?”
“Yeah, that’s what she said. She’s right in here. We’re waiting for her grandmother to arrive,” I inform him as he stands close—so close that I can feel the tips of his fingers brush over mine. “Hi, Wesley.” I smile, and he dips his chin toward me.
“Fawn. I wish these were better circumstances.”
“Me, too,” I agree, noticing then that he and Levi have on almost the same uniform of dark jeans, boots, and dark shirts with their blue NYPD jackets, which are hiding the fact they are both carrying. “I’ll introduce you to Tamara, then we will go in and talk to Mrs. Thompson, the principal,” I say over my shoulder as I lead them both into the office.
As soon as we step inside, I get close to Tamara and rest my hand reassuringly on her shoulder. “Tamara, this is Levi and Wesley. Guys, this is Tamara.” I ask Sammy, “Can you do me a favor and just let Mrs. Thompson know that we are all here?” She nods, looking between the two men who seem to be taking up all the space in the office, then she gets up and heads for Mrs. Thompson’s door.
“She said to go on in,” Sammy says, and I take Tamara’s hand in mine. The guys follow us into the office.
“Gentlemen.” Mrs. Thompson stands and introduces herself to both Wesley and Levi, then she looks at Tamara. “Your grandmother is on the way. Would you like to wait for her to arrive before telling the officers what you know?” she asks, and Tamara looks at me.
“It’s okay, honey, if you want to wait, we can wait,” I say gently, and she shakes her head no.
“I . . . I can tell them what I know now,” she says, and I nod at her, then lead her over to the couch in the corner of the office and take a seat next to her.
“Whenever you’re ready, sweetheart,” Levi says after grabbing a chair from in front of Mrs. Thompson’s desk and pulling it over to take a seat. Wesley does the same, only he pulls out a pad of paper and a pen.
“My mom didn’t come home from work two days ago,” she says, and I watch her hands ball into fists. “She’s normally home when I get up for school, but she wasn’t on Tuesday.”
“Has she ever done that before?” Wesley asks, and her jaw tightens.
“Yes, but only once or twice.” She swallows, then adds, “But she always tells our neighbor if she’s going to be out, and she will come over and check on me and make sure I’m up to go to school.” Wesley nods.
“When was the last time you saw her?” Levi asks gently.
“Monday night at around eleven, when she was getting ready to leave for work.”
“Where does she work?” Wesley asks, and Tamara drops her eyes to her lap.
“Mr. D’s in Queens,” she whispers, and I wrap my arm around her shoulders.
“Did someone pick her up for work?” Levi asks. Tamara nods, keeping her eyes cast down.
“Yes, her boyfriend, Juan, picked her up from the apartment.”
“Have you seen or spoken to him since then?” Levi asks. Tamara lifts her eyes, and her chin wobbles.
“I . . . I called him today when no one was here to pick me up, but he said him and my mom weren’t together anymore and not to bother him again.” Oh my god. My eyes meet Levi’s rage-filled ones for a brief second, right before a knock on the office door drags my attention from him.
“Tamara, honey,” a woman says as she comes into the room. She looks so much like Tamara that I know immediately she must be her grandmother.
“Grandma.” Tamara rushes toward the older woman, burying her face against her chest while wrapping her arms around her. “I didn’t think you would really come.”
“Of course I’d come, you know that, honey. All you have to do is call, and I will always be there for you,” she says, and Tamara pulls back to look at her.
“Mom’s missing,” she says, beginning to cry.
“I know, I wish you would have called me sooner,” Tamara’s grandmother scolds her softly, holding her tighter.
“You and Mom were fighting, I . . . I didn’t think you would care,” Tamara says, pulling back to look at her.
“Of course I care, child.” She shakes her head at her, then pulls her back in for another hug, and I see the tears in her eyes as she does.
“Mrs. Albergastey, this is Officer Levi Fremont and Officer Wesley Jameson. They are with the NYPD. Tamara has been filling them in on what’s happened,” Mrs. Thompson says, and Mrs. Albergastey looks at both men, who are now standing.
“Please tell me you will find my daughter.”
“We will try,” Levi says looking at her, then Tamara. “I think we have all we need from you for right now, Tamara, but I’m going to give my number to your grandmother. If you think of anything else at all, call my cell, and Mrs. Albergastey, if you think of anything, you can do the same.”
“It’s that man . . . ,” she huffs, shaking her head at Levi. “That man Juan that she’s been seeing, I told her that he’s no good, but my daughter is stubborn and refused to listen to reason. He did something to her, I know he did.”
I feel my heart lodge in my throat. I hope she’s wrong. I hope—as bad as it is—that she just needed to get away and took off for a couple of days. I hope that nothing happened to her.
“We will do our best to find your daughter, Mrs. Albergastey,” Wesley says, then his eyes move to Mrs. Thompson. “Where can I get a list of addresses and phone numbers for Tamara’s mother?” he asks, and Mrs. Thompson looks at me.
“I’ll be back in a moment. I’m going to have Samantha print the information out.”
“Sure,” I agree, watching her leave the room with Wesley.
“Will you find my mom?” Tamara asks, and I look at Levi. I can tell he’s torn between lying to her to give her what she needs and telling the truth.
“We will do our best,” he states, and she nods, moving her eyes to me.
“How will I get my schoolwork and stuff?”
“I . . .”
“I will stay with you in the city until this is sorted, honey. That way you won’t have to miss class,” Mrs. Albergastey tells her, and her body relaxes right before she comes over to give me a hug.
“Thank you, Miss Reed.”
“Any time, and if you need me, you can call Levi’s number, okay?” I whisper, and she nods against my chest. Catching her grandmother watching us, I let her go, then stick my hand out toward her. “I’m sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Miss Reed, Tamara’s teacher.”
“I’ve heard about you. Tamara said you are the first person she’s met who may love books more than she does,” she says, and I find myself smiling as she pulls me in for a hug. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Now, we really should get going. We need to go to my place and pick some stuff up,” she says, ushering Tamara toward the door. “And please, the second you know anything, anything at all, you call and tell me,” she says to Levi. He nods as I wrap my arms around my waist, watching them leave huddled together.
“You okay?” Levi asks as soon as they’re gone, and I shake my head no.
“I’m worried. Do you think her mom’s okay?”
“I don’t know, baby. But I’ll find out.”
“Okay,” I whisper, and his eyes soften as he takes a step toward me.
“Got the stuff we need, you ready?” Wesley asks, breaking into the moment, but Levi doesn’t take his eyes off mine. I can tell that he wants to touch me—I can almost feel the energy flare between us.
“I’ll be okay, I’ll see you tonight,” I say, and his jaw ticks.
“See you tonight. Call me when you get home.”
“I will.” He nods, then looks to Mrs. Thompson, who’s looking between the two of us with curiosity. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You, too.” She gives him a smile, then he and Wesley leave through the open door.
“I hope they find her,” Mrs. Thompson says, and I pull my eyes from Levi’s retreating back to look at her.
“I hope so, too.”
She shakes her head, then pulls in a breath. “Go on home and try to enjoy your evening.”
I won’t be enjoying my evening. In fact, I will most likely spend the rest of the night until Levi gets home pacing the apartment, but I don’t want to stay around the school any longer than I have to.
“Have a good night, Mrs. Thompson,” I say as I head to the door with my stuff, saying a silent prayer as I put on my coat that Levi is able to find Tamara’s mother alive and well.
Hearing my cell phone ring, I drop the book I’ve been reading to my lap and pick the phone up quickly. “Levi?”
“Yeah, baby.”
“Is everything okay?” I ask, glancing at the clock, seeing that it is already after two in the morning.
“Yeah, just wanted to tell you to go to sleep.”
“How did you know I wasn’t asleep when you called?” I smile, rubbing the top of Muffin’s head when she drops onto my lap on top of the book resting there.
“Were you?”
“Well, no.” I sigh. I hate when he’s working late at night, and after today it’s even worse.
“You need to sleep, baby.”
“I know,” I agree, but it’s hard to find sleep when he’s not in bed with me. “Have you found anything out?”
“Nothing yet. What are you wearing?”
“Your shirt.”
I can hear the smile in his voice when he mutters, “My girl misses me.”
“Yes, I do, so please be safe and come home soon.”
“I will, baby. I’ve got one more stop, then I’ll be home. We sleeping at mine?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll be there soon. Go to sleep, gorgeous.”
“Night, Levi,” I murmur, then drop my cell to the bedside table and put my book away before flipping off my light. I lie there awake for another hour until he finally gets home and crawls into bed with me.