Page 41 of Deadly Past

Wynona’s attention shot to Declan. “She’s talking about my parents.”

“Tammy was devastated,” Belinda was saying. “She wanted her babies back. She said Harvey got sick of her moping around. It was messing with his activities.”

Will frowned. “Activities? What do you mean?”

“Harvey robbed banks, and he forced Tammy to help him. He promised Tammy he’d find the girls and bring her back though it took four years. He eventually tracked the couple down, and snatched Lacey at night—” Belinda buried her head in her hands and wept for a long time.

Will handed her a box of tissues.

After she’d collected herself, she continued with her story. “Only Lacey was sick. She was diabetic. Harvey went back to try and find her insulin, but he wasn’t able to get it.” Belinda pressed the tissue to each eye. “Tammy said Harvey called the man who had taken her and told him if he wanted to see the child again, he’d bring the insulin and come alone and not tell anyone. Not even his wife.”

“And did he?”

“Oh, yes. He loved Lacey. The poor man never saw it coming. He gave the insulin to Harvey and then. . .Harvey killed him. Shot him and buried him in the woods some distance from the place of the murder, according to Tammy.”

“Oh, no,” the words slipped from Wynona’s trembling lips. “My father’s dead. He didn’t run away at all. He was murdered.”

Declan gathered her close. “Do you want to leave?”

She shook her head. “I want the truth.”

“Why didn’t you come forward before now?” Will was asking.

Belinda sighed deeply. “Because Tammy asked me not to. She was terrified of Harvey. He made her do terrible things. She was worried about going to prison, and she was afraid for Lacey. Harvey hated having Lacey around because she was sick. When she was old enough, he sent her out to work and he kept her paycheck—and Tammy’s for that matter.”

“Poor Lacey.” Wynona whispered. “My poor sister.”

Will stopped taking notes. “When was the last time you spoke to Tammy?”

“Several years back,” Belinda told him. “I urged her to leave Harvey and go to the police and she said she would but then she and Harvey and Lacey disappeared again. Tammy called me a few months afterward. I told her she needed to go to the police. She promised she would, but I think her fear of Harvey kept her from it. I finally had to break off all contact with her. I just wish I’d had the courage to report what happened.”

Soon, the interview came to an end with so many unanswered questions remaining.

“Your parents were trying to help you and Lacey. They did the right thing,” Declan told her.

She wiped her eyes and looked up at him. “You’re right. I wish Mom and I had known the sacrifice Dad made for Lacey.” She pulled in a shaky breath. “I just want to see my sister, Declan. I can’t change the awful things that were done to her, but I can do whatever I can to save her life and maybe make her life better.”

“I’ll help you.” He brushed back her hair. “I love you, Wynona. I always have. And I’m sorry that I hurt you, but I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please say it’s not too late for us.”

Her wide eyes searched his face before she slowly smiled and touched his cheek. “It’s not too late. I love you, too. I want you in my life, Declan. I need you. I love you.”

He leaned down and kissed her and felt her trembling response. She loved him. Whatever the future held, no matter how dark things became, they’d figure it out together. He’d focus on the second chance he’d been given and help Wynona save her sister.

Chapter Nine

Christmas Day. . .

“Are you ready to meet your sister?” Declan asked while holding Wynona’s hand securely in his.

They stood outside Lacey’s hospital room.

Wynona readily nodded. “So ready.”

With Belinda telling her story, Tammy had realized if she wanted to help herself, she’d better talk. She’d told Will that she and Harvey had tried to find a match for Lacey to get a kidney transplant, but it hadn’t worked out. Tammy figured Lacey’s sister would be a match, so they’d gone after Wynona. They’d even found a doctor who had agreed to do the transplant without asking any questions. Tammy had added that Harvey wanted Lacey back up and working so that Tammy could assist him in planning his next robbery.

Wynona and Declan had listened to the interview. Tammy was her birth mother and yet Wynona wasn’t convinced Tammy was as innocent as she’d tried to paint herself, but she’d leave that up to a jury to decide.

Declan had asked her if she wanted to have a relationship with Tammy. Wynona had no idea. Right now, she wasn’t ready. Maybe in the future. Only time would tell.

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