To Save Her Child

She took it and stood. “Thanks for all your help.” When Michael was taken to the first-aid tent, Ella motioned to Robbie to join her.

Her son skidded to a stop. “Let’s go. I could eat a bear.” Suddenly he swung his head from side to side. “No one has seen a bear, have they?”

“No.”

“Good. I really can’t eat a bear, but I’m so hungry.”

“Then let’s go.” Josiah indicated where his truck was parked. “Would you like to take Buddy, Robbie?”

“Sure!”

“I need to talk to the camp director first,” Ella said, approaching the man.

Josiah watched Ella talk with the guy. From her body language, he could guess what she was saying to the director. It was clear she wasn’t happy with what happened today, and Josiah couldn’t blame her. She was more restrained than he would have been if Robbie were his son. At one time he’d envisioned having a family, but not after his fiancée, Lori’s, betrayal. The thought of her had been what kept him going while he’d been a prisoner of war, but when he’d escaped his three-month captivity, she’d already moved on with her life with another man.

When Ella returned, her expression was blank except for a glint in her brown eyes. “Okay, I’m ready.”

“I need to see Thomas for a second.” He gave Ella his truck keys. “Go on. I’ll be there shortly.”

Josiah jogged toward the tent and waited in the entrance while Thomas finished interviewing Michael. He caught the detective’s attention, and Thomas walked to him. “I know you’re going to let Ella know your progress in finding the man who scared the boys, but I’d appreciate it if you’d call me first.”

Thomas’s eyebrows shot up. “I didn’t realize you two were so close.”

“We aren’t. Not exactly. But she’s a single mother. I don’t want her to feel she’s all alone in this.”

“She isn’t. David and Bree asked me to do the same thing.” He tried to maintain a tough expression, but his mouth twisted in a slight smile.

Exasperated at Thomas, who he’d known since childhood, Josiah asked, “Does that mean you’ll call me first?”

“Yes. Count this as me informing you before Ella. One of my officers at the station just called me. He found a match in the database from the description Travis and Robbie gave me, and I showed Michael the guy’s photo. He positively ID’d the guy, so I sent some patrol cars to the last known address of Casey Foster to bring him in for questioning.”

“It’s probably too much to ask that he’ll be home.”

“Many criminals do dumb things and get caught.” Thomas looked toward Josiah’s truck. “I see Ella and Robbie waiting for you.”

“Yeah, we’re going to grab dinner.” Josiah looked up at the clouds as drops of rain began to fall.

“Go on. I’ll show Travis the guy’s photo. I won’t show Robbie until later. I know what a long day you and Ella had, with the earlier search for Mr. Otterman.”

“See you later.” Josiah turned to leave and nearly collided with his twin sister. They had similar coloring—black hair, blue eyes—but that was as close as they got to being alike. He and Alex were polar opposites in many respects. They were close, though. She was all the family he had left.

“Just got back from helping to search for Michael. I saw Ella and her son in your truck. Is Robbie okay?”

“Shook up but not hurt.”

“Travis, too. But I understand Michael sprained his ankle.”

“He hurt it while running, I hear.”

“At least this one ended well. It’s been a good day for us. Will you be home for dinner?”

Alex lived in their large family house with a housekeeper and caretaker while he stayed in a small cabin behind his childhood home. He would sometimes eat dinner with his sister and discuss business. The place was really too big even for the both of them, but they hadn’t wanted to sell the house they’d grown up in after their parents died, which was one of the reasons he’d wanted to be involved in search and rescue. It had been the cold, not the plane crash, that had killed them before they could be found. “No, I’m taking Ella and Robbie for a hamburger at Stella’s Café.”

“I love Stella’s. I’d join you, but I’m half-asleep right now.”

“See you later, sis.” His stomach rumbling, he quickened his pace.

The sight of Ella looking out his windshield—as if she belonged there—spurred his pulse rate. He’d avoided getting too close to others since he’d come home, except for a few he’d known all his life like Thomas, Jesse and his sister. But even with them, he couldn’t reveal the horrors he’d endured. His body had healed, but his heart still felt ripped in two. He’d closed part of himself off in order to survive for those three months as a captive.

He climbed into his cab and twisted around to look at Robbie. “You okay back there with Buddy?”

The boy smiled from ear to ear. “Yup.”

Josiah started his truck just as the forecasted rain finally started falling. Twenty minutes later, when he pulled into the parking lot of Stella’s Café, the small storm was already clearing up. When he switched off his engine, he looked at Ella, her head leaning against the window, her eyes closed. Then he peered in the backseat. Robbie, curled against Buddy, slept, too. He hated to wake them up. But before he could do anything, his dog lifted his head and barked a couple of times.

Ella shot up straight in her seat while Robbie groaned, laid his hand on Buddy and petted him. The sight of both of them shifted something deep inside Josiah.

“That wasn’t exactly how I planned to wake you up, but it was effective.”

Ella laughed. “That it was.”

Robbie stretched and pushed himself up to a sitting position, rubbing his eyes. “We’re here?”

“Yes, but if you two want, I can get it to go.”

Ella shook her head. “No, burgers are best eaten right away, especially the fries.”

Within five minutes, Robbie sat across from Josiah while Ella was in the seat next to him.

Robbie glanced around, his eyes lighting up when he saw a couple of video games lining one wall. “Can I play?”

“Just until our food arrives.” Ella dug into her purse and gave her son some quarters.

When he left, Josiah knew this might be the only time Robbie wasn’t around to hear the news Thomas had told him about Casey Foster. Dread twisted his gut just thinking Foster had been in the park near the boys. “Thomas has a lead on a man he suspects scared the children.”

She clasped her hands tightly together on the table. “Someone with a record?”

“Yes. His name is Casey Foster. The police have been sent to pick him up. Michael identified a photo Thomas showed him.”

“Good. I don’t want him frightening any other children at the camp.”

“Speaking of the camp, how did it go with the director?” The second the question was out of his mouth, he wanted to snatch it back. He didn’t usually pry into other people’s lives, especially someone who was an acquaintance—well, a little more than an acquaintance, especially after today. Search and rescue operations tended to bring people closer. But when that happened, he felt too vulnerable and often needed to step away.

“I’m pulling Robbie out of the camp. It’s no longer a safe environment. Mr. Waters assured me the counselor who failed to watch the boys would be fired, but I can’t take that chance again. Of course, I’m going to have to find other arrangements for Robbie until school starts. I’ll talk with David tomorrow. I might have to take a few days off while I look.”

“That camp has a good reputation.”

“I know. I wanted Robbie to learn about Alaska, some survival tips and how to take care of himself. It was a bonus that a couple of his friends were going to the camp, too. I’ll call Michael’s and Travis’s parents to see what they’re going to do. Child care is a big issue, especially when I don’t have any family here.”

“Where are you from?”

Ella averted her gaze for a few seconds before answering, “Back east.”

A shutter fell over her expression, and her eyes darkened. He could tell when someone didn’t want to continue a thread of conversation, and he was definitely getting vibes on that score. What was she hiding? The question aroused his curiosity, which wasn’t a good thing. He needed to step away before she became more than a casual friend, someone he worked with from time to time.

Ella stood. “I see the waitress coming. I’m going to get Robbie.”

The older lady placed their burgers and fries on the table as Robbie hurried back to his seat.

“This smells great.” The young boy popped a fry into his mouth.

“Where’s your mom?”

“She went to the restroom.”

As though she needed to step back. Interesting. More and more Ella reminded him of himself. He knew why he was reluctant to become emotionally close to a person. What was her reason?

“How long have you had Buddy?” Robbie asked before taking a big bite of his burger.

“Eighteen months, since I left the Marines.” Buddy had entered his life as a service dog because he’d been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Out of the corner of his eye, Josiah caught sight of Ella returning to the table.

“How long has Buddy been a search and rescue dog?”

“I started training Buddy a year ago.” Buddy had helped him so much, Josiah wanted to help others with his German shepherd.

Ella slipped into her chair, her expression closed. “Is the burger good?” she asked her son.

“Great. Mr. Witherspoon did good choosing this place. We need to come back here.”

“Call me Josiah. Mr. Witherspoon makes me sound old.”

Finally she looked at him. Again he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

“Is that okay with you?” Josiah drenched his fries with ketchup.

She nodded, then began eating. If it hadn’t been for Robbie, the tension at the table could have been cut with a hunting knife. More questions filled Josiah’s mind. Did this have to do with the reason she was a single parent? A bad marriage? Did her husband die?

Stop! Don’t go there.

“Who was the first person you rescued?” Robbie asked, pulling Josiah away from his thoughts about Ella.

“It was a couple who got lost in Denali National Park.” Josiah went on to tell the boy about how Buddy had located them.

By the time the meal was over, Ella’s stiff posture had finally relaxed. “I know David appreciates all the time you and your sister give to the organization.”

“Alex and I have some freedom in our work because we own the business. We can often leave at a moment’s notice. I know others like Jesse can’t because he works as a K-9 officer for the Anchorage Police.”

His plate empty, Robbie sat back, yawning.

Ella chuckled. “I think that’s our cue to go home. It has been a long day.”

Josiah laid money on the bill the waitress had left and rose. “Let’s go. I need to see if David is at the office. We still need to discuss Saturday’s training.”

“I forgot all about that.” Ella made her way to the exit. “Robbie, I guess you’ll be going to work with me tomorrow.”

Robbie perked up. “I will? Neat.”

“I think you’ll find the everyday operations of the Northern Frontier Search and Rescue are boring,” Ella said when they were back in the truck.

Robbie sat next to Buddy. The dog opened his eyes to note who was in the cab, then went back to sleep. “Buddy has the right idea.” He yawned again.

Ella looked sideways at Josiah. “He’ll probably fall asleep on the way home. I would, too, but since I’m driving, I can’t.”

“I can take you two home and even pick you up and take you to work tomorrow, if you’d like. I wouldn’t want you to fall asleep at the wheel.”

“No, I’m fine. I’m tired but not that sleepy.”

At Northern Frontier’s hangar, where the organization’s office was located, Josiah parked next to Ella’s Jeep at the side of the building. While she and Robbie climbed into her car, he headed into the open hangar since he saw David’s SUV inside it.

David emerged from the office and halted when he spied Josiah. “Thanks for the help today.”

“I’m glad both situations ended well. I just brought Ella back to pick up her car. She’s taking Robbie home right now.”

“After you all left the park, Thomas received a report that another boy went missing nearby in a residential area.”

“Taken by this Casey Foster?” Anger festered in Josiah. What if he hadn’t found Robbie?

“Don’t know yet. Thomas promised to let me know. It may turn out to be nothing.”

“Let’s hope. When he calls, make sure he keeps me informed. Is there going to be a search?”

“Maybe. I won’t know until Thomas assesses the situation. If there’s reason to believe foul play, the police may use their K-9 unit and not need any extra help.”

“I know it’s hard to think about this on top of all that’s happened, but what about the training on Saturday? That’s why I came in here, to see when you and I can meet about it.”

“I don’t know how effective I would be right now. Let’s meet tomorrow morning, say eleven?”

“Sounds good.” Weariness finally began to set in as Josiah returned to his truck to drive home.

As he left the airport, his cell rang. When he realized it was Thomas, he pulled to the side of the road to take the call. “David told me there’s another boy missing.”

“No, he was found, but he ran from a man in a vehicle, who was trying to get him into it. The car had been reported stolen earlier—guess where from? An address a few houses down from where Casey Foster lives. I’m at Foster’s house right now. He’s not here. I have a BOLO out on him and the car. We’ll stake this place out and see if he turns up.”

“Have you called Ella yet?”

“No, but I feel like she needs to know Foster hasn’t been found.”

“I’ll swing by her place and tell her. I’d hate for her to hear this over the phone.”

“Are you sure? This has been an extralong day for you.” There was a hint of curiosity in his friend’s voice.

Josiah could imagine the grin on Thomas’s face. He and Jesse were longtime friends who knew about his ex-fiancée. Thomas had even tried to fix him up on a date when he had returned to Anchorage. Josiah had declined the offer. “Yes. I want to make sure Robbie is okay.”

“Sure. See you at Saturday’s training.”

If not before hung in the air for a few seconds before Josiah said goodbye and disconnected the call.

Fifteen minutes later he arrived at Ella’s house and walked up to her porch with Buddy. If Robbie was still awake, he’d want to see his dog. Before he pushed the doorbell, he steeled himself. He hated telling Ella that the police hadn’t found Foster yet, but she needed to know.

When she appeared at the front door, he smiled at the sight of her. She was a beautiful woman who cared about people. And he wanted to know who or what had put that sadness in her eyes.

“Josiah? What brings you by?”

“I heard from Thomas.”

“Come in.” After she closed the door, she swept her arm toward the living room. “I have a feeling I need to sit down to hear what you have to say.”

What was he doing here? Why did he feel he needed to be the one to talk to her? Josiah cleared his throat and proceeded to impart the news concerning the attempt on another boy and the disappearance of Foster.

The color drained from Ella’s face. “So he’s out there looking for his next victim.”

“Everyone is searching for him.”

“Then I’ll pray the police find him soon before another child is terrorized.”

“Where’s Robbie?” Josiah sat across from Ella with Buddy at his feet.

“He went right to bed. Fell asleep on the ride home from the airport.”

“Good. He needs the rest.”

Buddy rose and began growling. Josiah bolted to his feet at the same time Ella did.

She opened her mouth to say something, but a scream reverberated from the back of the house. “It’s Robbie.”

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