“I don’t believe you,” Reece growled.
“It’s the truth. I’ve never done anything wrong in my life. Honestly, I don’t know why I believed Jay.”
“Her story checks out, Reece. She’s got no priors,” Banes said.
Rowena sobbed for a moment then hiccupped. “The plan was for me to befriend Aria’s family and find out where she lived. Once I found out, I had to let him know. Then he’d give me further instructions.”
“You brought him to Wyoming?” Annoyed, Reece crossed his arms over his chest.
She nodded. “You have to believe me. I’d no idea the abuse was real until Jay asked me to spin an abuse story to Aria. Funny enough, it was easy talking to her about my cruel husband. Jay knew nothing about him. When we chatted, Aria came across as evasive. I realized then the man had mistreated her. By then, he already knew her whereabouts and arrived in Shadow Valley. I couldn’t come clean even if I wanted to.”
“Why not?” Banes asked.
She gulped. “The man is sick. I had no idea of his intentions until he raved one afternoon about how he’d make her pay. He said she’d get what was coming and he became aggressive. His behavior reminded me of my sick husband. I finally saw the vile creature beneath his charming smile. I figured if I told Aria, he’d seek revenge if he found out. Scared, I went along with his plan.”
“What was his plan? Reece asked impatiently.
“To kidnap Aria and take her back home.”
“Aria’s in South Africa, now?” He tensed.
Rowena nodded. “Yes. The only thing I know for sure is Jay took her back to Durban. He always contacted me, so I never had his mobile number. I can’t call him directly.”
“Are you expecting him to call soon?” Banes asked.
She shook her head. “I don’t think so. Now that Jay has Aria, he doesn’t need me anymore. That was part of the plan. Once I helped him get Aria, I needed to disappear.”
“And what about Prisha?” Cody asked.
The woman turned pale. “She wasn’t part of Jay’s plan.”
“I don’t understand.” Surprised, Reece cocked a brow. “If she wasn’t, why take her?” Rowena glanced up and he read the fear in her gaze. Then he understood. “You wanted her for yourself?” Both Cody and Banes looked at him in confusion. “Jay had no intention of taking Prisha, just Aria. Rowena decided she’d kill two birds with one stone. Help Jay with Aria and take Prisha for herself. Everyone would think Jay planned the whole damn thing. Am I right?” He glared at her.
She nodded. “I meant her no harm. I promise,” Rowena whispered.
“Harm or not, Rowena, kidnapping is a felony,” Banes said.
She began to cry. “I only wanted a daughter of my own.”
Reece snorted. “Yeah, but kidnapping someone’s child ain’t the way to go. Haven’t you heard of adoption?”
“I’m sorry, Reece.” Despite her part in Aria’s abduction, he believed Rowena’s apology was genuine. “And when you find Aria, please let her know I’d never harm Prisha.”
Banes stood. “I’ll make contact with the Police Department in Durban. See if they have any leads and maybe help put the word out.”
“Right now, anythin’ helps,” Reece muttered as Cody stood. “What about her?” He glanced over his shoulder at Rowena.
“I think some prison time will make her rethink her future as a criminal,” Banes said as he walked out the office with Reece and Cody. “I’m sorry there wasn’t more information about Aria.”
Reece’s nostrils flared in irritation. He exhaled sharply. “Just gonna stay positive.” He shook the Sheriff’s hand and left the building with Cody.
