Chapter 4

Nate couldn’t help but steal another glance at Ashley as she sat next to him in the front seat of the car. Even slightly upset, she looked beautiful. Her hair was tucked perfectly up in her hair clip. Her suit was pressed and in place. The gray of the suit matched the burgundy shirt underneath perfectly. Nate wasn’t sure how she walked in the heels she had on but she did it with much style and grace. She was impossible to ignore. Her face beautifully matched the appearance she portrayed. She could easily make the cover of any magazine.
Clearing his throat he looked away and tried to act professional. “Did you get anything from the kid?”
“The kid’s name is Kyle and no, I didn’t get anything from him. He’s not even talking yet. I told you it was going to take a while. I’m not sure you’re prepared for just how long.”
Nate didn’t reply. The thought of his investigation taking a lot more time was frustrating but the thought of Ashley staying in town longer was a nice one. They drove in silence until he pulled into the FBI home office. Ashley climbed out her side of the car and walked briskly to the building. Nate rushed to keep up.
Waving his badge he escorted her past the receptionist, through the maze of cubicles and back to the conference room. He had to introduce her to the rest of the group and explain why he had called her in. It had barely been okayed and he had worked very hard for even that okay.
“Gentlemen,” Ashley said as she stepped into the room in front of Nate. She seemed very comfortable with her position even when all eyes were on her. Nate wanted to lean over and wipe the drool off of Eric’s face but he chose not to. If they thought her looks were something, they would really be wowed when they saw her work.
“I’m Commander Herndon; I assume that you are Ms. Ashley Parks.” The Commander extended his hand and Ashley shook it. “Please take your seats; we have a lot to discuss.”
The group sat around the large conference table in their highly used and uncomfortable metal chairs. Nate traced someone’s graffiti embedded in the table with his fingernail. Herndon covered the preliminaries and the fact that they had yet to solve this very high profile case. He didn’t leave out the fact that it had just gotten more high profile with the disappearance of Michael Fleming’s daughter. Herndon nodded at Nate. It was his cue.
“Ashley, sorry, Ms. Parks met with Kyle this afternoon but they are yet unable to communicate because Kyle is still on a ventilator. Michael Fleming was there when we left…”
As though on his own cue, Michael Fleming entered the room. His harsh footsteps leaving no question as to who he believed were in charge. “Gentlemen, my son is doing better, thank you. He isn’t talking yet but he seemed to like Ms. Parks’ company,” Michael glanced at Ashley and Nate wasn’t sure he liked how he looked at her nor did he miss Ashley’s glance back. For some reason the looks made a knot in Nate’s stomach and he didn’t like the feeling at all. What was getting into him? Ashley was here for a professional visit.
“Thank you Mr. Fleming…” Commander Herndon began.
“I want to know where you are in the investigation,” Michael interrupted. “I want to know what’s being done to find my daughter and I want to know where my wife’s murderer is.” Michael’s already red face had turned a few shades darker in his anger. There was no one in the room who was not accustomed to such outbursts. In fact, many of the officers had experienced these outbursts from this DA before but never in such a personal manner. This was going to be a tough case.
“Be assured, Mr. Fleming that we are doing everything possible. You know from our previous work that we are professionals…” Commander Herndon droned on and seemed to be soothing Michael’s nerves. On the one hand, Nate felt for him. He had just lost his wife and daughter. On the other hand, Nate couldn’t help but feel the anger was a show. Michael had been planning to run for political office, maybe he was just using this tragedy as a way to advance his cause. Nate couldn’t remember the man ever being close to his family.
“Agent Zimmerman, what have you brought us?” Commander Herndon’s question brought Nate back into the conversation.
“I’m afraid we don’t know much that is new. As Mr. Fleming mentioned, this is Ms. Ashley Parks. She’s a forensic psychologist with a lot of experience in interviewing children. Our plan right now is to have her spend time with him until he recovers and when he is ready to talk she will be ready to listen.” It wasn’t what he had hoped to say. If he had been honest with himself he had wanted to swoop in with the answer to the case given him by Ashley through Kyle. He was supposed to be the hero but now he had to wait and wonder if Kyle would ever talk again and if he did would he talk to Ashley?

“Interesting meeting. Do they always go like that?” Ashley asked as they exited the conference room. Michael and Commander Herndon where still arguing behind closed doors. Nate had no idea what was left to argue but Michael had kept going. What did the man expect? They certainly couldn’t pull a suspect out of thin air.
“No, the DA is never present but for obvious reasons he has a more personal interest in this situation.” Nate stopped and looked down at Ashley, not that he had far to look down, she was only a few inches shorter than his 6 foot frame. “Come to lunch with me.”
“What?”
“You’ve got to be starving. It’s been a very long morning, let’s get something to eat.” Before she could answer, he placed his hand on her arm and directed her out the door. They walked in the heat down to the Einstein Brother’s Bagels on the corner. Nate loosened his tie and took off his jacket hoping the sweat on his underarms wasn’t too noticeable. He sat opposite Ashley being sure to keep the front of him towards her. He was sure the sweat on his back was worse than under his arms.
Ashley scooped her skirt under her and sat down. Nate couldn’t help but notice how thin the suit she was wearing made her look. As he looked towards her face he couldn’t help but notice her collar bones prominent at her neckline and her cheeks looking more sunken in. Maybe the bagel he presented to her would put a little more meat on her bones and put a little more color on her cheeks. Nate could see how the years had been harsh to her and wished he could do something to take it away.
“Thanks Nate,” Ashley said before taking a bite of her bagel. “I’m sorry about Kyle. What have the doctor’s said?”
“Not much. He should recover. They thought he would be off the breathing tube by now. That’s why I called you in. If I had known he couldn’t talk I would’ve waited.”
“No, I’m glad you called. Being with him while he’s in the hospital will help him trust me. Trust is important with children. With anyone…”
“Do you think you can get him to talk?”
“I’ll try.”
Nate couldn’t help but notice Ashley’s frustrated tone. Time to change the subject. “I know you’ll do your best. Now, tell me how work has been for you these past years. I’ve tried to follow some of your cases, very impressive.”
“Not really. I guess I’m doing for them what I couldn’t do for Aidan.”
“You couldn’t have saved him, Ashley. Don’t continue to beat yourself up over it.”
“I was there Nate. I should’ve died too.”
“It wasn’t your time. The Lord wanted to keep you for other things. Maybe for the work you’re doing. Maybe for the girls that are missing now.”
“I wish He had chosen someone else!”
Nate chewed on his own bagel in silence. There weren’t many topics they could talk about without Ashley getting upset. Her cold nature was frustrating. After such a long time since Donnie and Aidan’s deaths, Nate had hoped she would have a better outlook on life.
“I’m sorry, Nate. I don’t mean to be angry. I wish there was something more that I could do for you and your case. I want to find Kyle’s sister. I’ll do whatever I can to help. Kyle just reminds me a lot of Aidan and it’s hard to see him hooked up to all the tubes. You know that Aidan lived for a few hours in the hospital? He was…he was on all the tubes. It was so hard to see him like that but then when he died. I just couldn’t believe he was gone. I still can’t.”
Ashley put down her bagel and took a sip of water. Nate noticed the small tears around her eyes and also noticed the control she used to keep them from falling down her face. He was sure it wasn’t the first time in her life she had maintained such tight control.
“I understand…” Nate reached across the table and took Ashley’s hand in his. He wasn’t surprised when her hand stiffened but he was surprised that she didn’t pull it away immediately. “Ashley, I can’t know exactly what you’re going through but I can understand how you feel. You can’t keep beating yourself up over this…” Ashley pulled her hand away sharply and Nate sighed. Was he ever going to get through to her?
“What do you think is happening to these girls?” Ashley asked.
“I don’t know and to be honest I’m afraid to know. There are all kinds of evils in this world we have no idea where to even start. I hate to think about what could be happening to these girls and we can’t get to them.”
“I’m sure I’ve heard as many disturbing things as you’ve seen. I mostly just see the aftermath and it isn’t pretty.” Ashley returned to her bagel and her eyes fogged over as she looked out the window.
Nate followed her eyes and saw what she had fixed her gaze on; a young couple pushing a stroller with two small children in it. Nate knew that was where Ashley had expected to be in her life. Married to Donnie and having his children. Nate attempted to put aside his attraction to Ashley and feel her pain but it wasn’t easy. He had never lost anyone so close to him and he prayed he never had to. On the other hand, he believed the Lord was in control of all circumstances including the taking of Donnie and Aidan. There had to be a reason. Nate could hold on to that and try to help Ashley find the reason.
Nate and Ashley finished their small lunch in silence. Nate was out of words. Ashley wounds were still healing despite the long number of years since the incident. Nate’s thoughts were cut off by the ringing of his phone.
“Agent Zimmerman,” Nate answered the ring.
“Nate, its Eric. We’ve got a problem.”
“What is it?”
“We’ve found one of the girls.”
“Shouldn’t that be a good thing?” Nate turned his head away from Ashley’s listening ear but knew that she was still paying close attention.
“Not the way we found her, man. Nate, she’s dead. We’ve only found her body."