Page 46 of Rescuing Sara

“But Dad and Leo scared someone with their questions and investigations,” Danni said. “Enough to receive threats against me and my mother.My long absent mother. Is that why you left, Mom?

“I think,” Caudwell said, “that after you wrote that first article, Leo remembered The Larsen Case and started thinking about what he and your dad might have missed. Not that they didn’t work their asses off, but like I said, they were so spooked by the death threats, they transferred to other departments and let someone else handle it. But after those other kidnappings this year, I think Leo started digging just to satisfy his curiosity.”

“And then Sara vanished.” Danni drummed her fingers on the table. “World Wide Traders, she mused. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of them.”

“That’s because about that time they became La Belle Monde,” Caudwell replied. He peered at her and said, “That means something to you?”

“Maybe.” Excitement tore through Danni, her thoughts ricocheting like mad. “Anything else you can share with me?”

Caudwell squirmed in his seat, but his gaze never wavered from Danni’s face. “Haggerty told me the Larsen case file was erased?”

“Yes,” Danni said cautiously. “Why?”

“Because I have the original case notes. His and your father’s.”

“I’m glad I’m sitting down,” Danni said. “Otherwise, I’d be on the floor.Youhave them?”

“This is more than odd, Lieutenant Caudwell,” Patrick interjected. “Can you explain that?”

“When I got home last night, there was a big package waiting for me,” Caudwell said slowly. “My wife was dying of curiosity. The address was in Leo’s printing–his handwriting was always terrible. Inside was a letter along with the files to the Larsen case. Captain Haggerty told me Leo was murdered last Monday. The posting date on the package was the Wednesday before that. There were copies of both his and your dad’s notes from The Larsen file inside. I guess the originals were destroyed when the cases were digitized, but I don’t know.”

“Holy crap.” Patrick’s tone was reverent.

“He wrote me a letter too.” Caudwell reached for his jacket pocket and took out an envelope addressed in Leo’s unmistakable scrawl. “Go ahead and read it.”

With hands barely steady, Danni took the letter from the opened envelope. Patrick moved his chair closer to hers and peered over her shoulder at the typed document.

Dear Aubrey,

I hope when you get this that I’m not dead, but if I am, you need to give these to Danni Blake, Sam Blake’s daughter. I think Sara Turner’s disappearance goes back to the Larsen Case, or someone thinks it does. KDP won’t be able to do anything to me about copying the files if I’m dead. Take care of Danni and give her any help she needs.

Thanks, buddy.

Leo Anderson.

“Isthis going to help you solve Leo’s murder and find that little girl?” Caudwell asked. “Sara Turner?”

“Sergeant Miller is going to love this,” Danni told him. “Where are the copies of the records?”

“Gave them to Haggerty,” Caudwell said, and his features relaxed. “Anything else?”

“No,” Danni said, heart still thumping like crazy at what she learned about her dad and Leo. “Did my dad ever say anything to you about my mother.”

“Ah, Danni. That’s water under the bridge,” Caudwell chided. “Why bring up old stuff now?”

“Did she leave because of this case?” Danni persisted.

“Yes,” Caudwell sighed. “That and her drinking. It got really bad, and she told your dad if he didn’t stop being a cop, she’d take you and leave. Her drinking was so bad at that time, it never would have happened, and your dad told her so. So, she left anyway. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay,” Danni said, and the old sorrow racked her heart. “I just wish Dad had told me the truth about that.”

“He was always so damn proud of you,” Caudwell said.

“Well, thank you for telling me,” Danni said. “Especially on a Sunday.”

“Not a problem.” Caudwell stood. “Call me if you need me.”

Patrick led him to the door but was back in seconds. “What do you want to do now?” he asked.

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