Shauna glanced out Marilyn’s kitchen window into the backyard to see Alex’s legs dangling from the tree house Jack had built him. He’d be occupied for a while. The aroma of oyster stew made her mouth water, and she settled on a bar stool near the stove.
Marilyn stirred the stew, then put down the spoon. “You want to stay for dinner?”
Shauna glanced at the clock above the sink. “We can’t stay. Zach is barbecuing tonight, and I told him we’d be home by six.”
Marilyn’s lips compressed into a straight line. “I see.”
At least Shauna didn’t have to endure a tirade about Zach’s guilt, but it was probably going to take time for Marilyn to put all her anger to bed. “I wanted to talk to you about something.”
“You’ve heard something about Jack’s death?”
Shauna shook her head. “No, nothing like that.” Though she knew every waking thought should be focused on finding the murderer and getting him behind bars, she couldn’t keep her thoughts from straying to her missing siblings. “You know about my brother and sister. Through this investigation we’ve learned they are likely still alive.” She told Marilyn about her dad’s affair and how his mistress claimed he’d let the children go into foster care.
Marilyn’s hazel eyes widened as the story spilled out. “I know you want to believe all this, Shauna, but have you stopped to think this woman might be telling you this to cause you pain? Maybe she wants to punish Lewis for deserting her. There’s no proof of what she’s told you.”
Shauna hadn’t thought of any of that. “No, there’s no proof.” Could Marilyn be right and it was all lies? She didn’t want to believe that. She wanted to cling to the hope that she’d find her siblings again someday.
Marilyn tucked a lock of her short auburn hair behind an ear. “If it were me, I’d try to corroborate the story. Talk to some people in Child Protective Services. Some of those working then might still be there, and even if they aren’t, some records should exist.”
“I don’t have time right now, not until I know we’re safe, but you’re right. I should start by verifying Dorothy’s story.”
It had been a mistake to talk to Marilyn about it. All the hope Shauna had been feeling leaked out like coffee from a cracked cup. She studied Marilyn’s expression—the flattened lips, the furrowed brow, and the way she didn’t look Shauna’s way. “Do you want me to be unhappy forever, Marilyn?”
The older woman’s head came up, and her narrow shoulders stiffened. “Of course not, Shauna. Why would you say something like that? I’m simply trying to make sure you don’t have unrealistic expectations.”
“It’s not just about my siblings.” Shauna slid off the bar stool and paced the travertine floor. “When you think of my future, what do you see?”
Marilyn stared at her. “Is this about Zach?”
Shauna’s chest hurt as she recognized the wariness in Marilyn’s face. Until the last few days she would have said her mother-in-law felt unconditional love for her. Now she wasn’t so sure. “No, this is about me. Do you love me because I was married to Jack or for myself? What would it do to our relationship if I got remarried or if I found my siblings and had another piece of family to love and depend on?”
Marilyn’s eyes flashed. “You’re marrying Zach, aren’t you? Just like I thought. The next thing I know you won’t even come around with Alex anymore. You don’t need me now, do you?”
“That’s not what I’m saying at all!” Shauna crossed the room and tried to embrace Marilyn, who stood ramrod stiff with her arms crossed over her chest. “Don’t you want more out of life for me than an empty house after Alex is grown?”
Marilyn jerked away. “I’ve had an empty house for many years, and I’m perfectly happy that way.”
“But maybe I’m not. I’m still young, Marilyn.” Shauna dropped her arms to her sides. “I’m not buried with Jack. Even if I finally am able to move on to a new life, I won’t abandon you. You’re my family.” Shauna’s vision blurred with tears, and she reached toward Marilyn, who stared back without making any welcoming move.
The back door flew open, and Alex rushed into the room carrying a tattered bouquet of lavender. “Mommy, a man gave these to me for you.” He thrust them under Shauna’s nose.
Her eyes began to burn, and her sinuses swelled. She stepped away as a headache pulsed at her temples. “What man, Alex?”
“I didn’t see him, but men always give the flowers, don’t they? He left them in the driveway with this note for you.” With his other grimy hand he produced a white envelope with her name typed across the front.
Her head was pounding in earnest, and she plucked the note from his hand. “Take the flowers outside, sweetheart. I’m allergic to lavender.”
His expression fell. “I forgot. I’ll throw them away.” He retreated through the door and shut it behind him.
She hated that she’d had to disappoint him. Who would have left these flowers? With one finger under the flap, she ripped open the envelope and pulled out the single sheet of paper inside. Her breath caught at the message.
There’s nowhere to hide. Give me what I want or the kid might get something a little more deadly. Like peanut butter.
She felt faint and grabbed the edge of the countertop. Who knew about her allergy, and more importantly, who knew peanut butter could kill her son?
He watched the kid from the shadows of the tree line. Through the window he could see Shauna in the kitchen with her mother-in-law, and they seemed to be in a heated discussion from their tense postures. Maybe he could grab the kid and get away before they even noticed. He had to make sure the boy didn’t cry out and alert them, and that might be difficult with him in a tree.
Alex was sitting in the doorway of the tree house, and his sneakered feet swung back and forth. He was dressed in jeans and a Seahawks sweatshirt. The weathered boards indicated it had been there for a while, probably built by his dad.
He’d come prepared to make sure the kid couldn’t identify him if it all went wrong. He glanced toward his vehicle parked on the narrow fire road and nearly hidden by the bushes. Careful to stay hidden in the shadows, he walked back to his car and hit the button on his fob to unlock the trunk. He quickly donned the Halloween costume he’d bought two hours ago, then went back to his lookout spot. He rustled the trees to make noise.
Alex turned toward the sound. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open. “Spider-Man?”
“That’s right. I’ve been watching you because I really need a new sidekick. Fighting crime by myself has gotten pretty hard.”
Alex scrambled down, the rope ladder swaying with the speed of his descent. A smile stretched from ear to ear as he jumped from the final rung and ran toward the trees. “What’s my name going to be?”
“Alex the Smart, because I know how bright you are. You can help me figure out the best way to trick the bad guys.”
Alex’s smile vanished, and his turquoise eyes went somber. “Daddy always told me to think about what I’m going to do. That way I won’t get in trouble.” He looked back toward Marilyn’s house. “And I should always talk to Mommy first.”
An idea arced through his head. Maybe he could talk the kid into fetching the key. “I have your first assignment, but you can’t tell your mother. She might accidentally say something and then the Joker will get word of it.”
Alex’s brows drew together. “The Joker is Batman’s enemy. Is he around here? Is Batman with you?”
He cursed his inadequate knowledge of superheroes. “That’s right. Batman and I are teaming up against the Joker. That’s why I need your help. Will you help me? If so, let’s shake on it.”
Alex grasped his outstretched hand and shook it. “I wish Daddy was here. He loved Spider-Man! I have all his old comics. I can’t read them yet, but Mommy says she’s keeping them for me until I’m older.” He looked back toward the house. “What do I need to do? And when do I get my costume?”
“I’ll have your costume when you prove yourself. Only it’s just like in the movies. It’s a secret.” He knelt and told the boy what he was supposed to look for and where it might be once he was back at Zach’s house.
Alex’s brow furrowed. “Are you sure I can’t tell Mommy? She might see me looking for it.”
“You can tell her after the Joker is in jail. You’ll hear about it on TV. And I’m sure she won’t mind once she realizes how it was used for good. She’ll be so proud of you.”
Alex puffed out his chest. “She says we should always look for ways to do good and help others.”
“I need you to get it tonight. After your mom goes to sleep, I’ll wait in the backyard, and you can bring it out to me.”
Alex’s lip trembled. “But I might fall asleep. I always go to sleep before Mommy.”
The kid had a point. Most five-year-olds were in bed by eight. He’d watched Zach’s house most nights, and the lights were rarely out before eleven. “How about if you hide it in the backyard tomorrow morning before you go to school?”
“Where?”
The kid was beginning to get on his nerves. “You know the yard better than I do. You tell me.”
Alex took a step back at his sharp tone, and tears flooded his eyes. “I don’t think I want to be your sidekick. Not if you yell at me.”
His fingers curled into fists at his side, and it was all he could do to keep from grabbing Alex by the throat. He forced a smile. “Sorry, this is very important. People could die if we don’t help them. What you’re doing will save them.”
Alex fiddled with the cord on the neck of his sweatshirt. “Okay, I could hide it in the flower bed by the mums. I take Zach’s dogs out before breakfast, and I can put it there.”
“I knew you were the smart one.” He ruffled Alex’s hair. “You’re a good sidekick. I’ll bring you your special costume on Saturday night.”
But he had every intention of being on an island with a mai tai in his hand then.