There wasn’t any word about Heather, yet.
Madison grabbed her bag, and Ashlie. Madison couldn’t process Powell herself, not being close friends with her, but she was going to be there. For her friend.
No matter what.
She was still at the hospital when someone shouted. She looked up. Nikkie Jean—the woman who owned the hospital now, and a good friend of Madison’s; she was Zoey’s sister-in-law, too—was running toward the door. Powell’s oldest brother Mac was visible through the pneumatic doors.
HoldingHeatherin his arms.
Mac had Heather. She was in his arms and she wasalive.
Madison called out.
And then everyone wasmoving.
14
Sergeant Melvin Stillman,Internal Affairs division, stood outside the hospital waiting room on the fourth floor. He was waiting on an update about Heather Coleson and the Barratt girl. He had known of the Barratt girl for almost twenty years now. Since he had moved to Hughes Heights when his Skylar had been only five or so. The Barratt girl had been a teenager then. He’d known her family enough to wave now and then when he had crossed paths with her family.
He knew her uncle Adrian’s family better. He had met the mayor—Adrian’s son, the Barratt girl’s cousin, many times before as well. Adrian was a friend.
Unlike the men standing at his left and right, Melvin was glad the girl had been found alive. He was glad Heather had been able to escape.
Melvin didn’t wish death on anyone. And he did not view Heather as an enemy. Even after the last few years. Hehurtfor her and what she had suffered. That woman…she…had strength. Like Proverbs 31:25 said. That woman…she was clothed in strength and dignity. He just hoped the future would be better for that young woman than the recent past had been.
And he had asked God repeatedly for forgiveness for his part in Heather’s suffering.
No one was talking to anyone from the TSP now. Only a select handful knew what had happened.
Melvin tried to get Dan McKellen’s boy to tell him what they knew so far. The younger man gave him a very polished brush off. The Finley Creek Major Crimes was closing ranks.
Not that it mattered. Everything would be available to Wichita Falls soon enough. Melvin was the head of the Internal Affairs division. He was used to uncovering secrets. Some good, some bad.
He had been doing it for years.
For now…regardless of what others thought—he was just glad that young woman had found her way back to her children.
Some prayers had most certainly been answered tonight.
But…this would bring problems in the morning. Melvin had to be prepared for that. No matter the consequences. The nightmares.
15
She was still having nightmares.Madison was afraid she always would. She still dreamed about the choir hall shooting. She still dreamed of Steve Wilson and Joey Costovia. She wanted to go justonenight without remembering what those men had done to her.
Things were getting back to normal.IfMadison could say anything around the TSP was normal now. Heather had been released from the hospital and was home with her family. Madison had called Hope to check on her older sister earlier that morning. Hope had sounded rough. No surprise—Madison seriously doubted Hope had gotten much rest while Heather had been missing. Rumor had it Heather had escaped the hospital against medical advice—but she had a sister and a niece who were both doctors. And several nurses in the family. That helped a little. Heather washome.Back with her little girls. Maybe…now…things could get better.
They had names for the people involved now, too. They were finally making progress, right?
It sure didn’t feel like they’d gotten ahead in any meaningful way.
“Hey, boss,” a female voice said behind her. “You doing good?”
“I have been far, far better.”
“I’m with you. Someone called my phone at three a.m. and just said ‘wrong number’. Did it again at four a.m. I never did get back to real sleep. I am exhausted.”
“Any idea who it was?” Miriam really did look exhausted. Poor kid—she was driving back and forth to Wichita Falls, too. Sometimes working double shifts.
