Page 33 of Delivering David

Barry bowed his head and his fingers curled into fists. “Thanks, Alex,” he said at last. “Did Stan tell you to do anything else?”

“No, but the day after Christmas, I saw him give some of the discs to some guy,” Alex admitted. “He’d put them in a little bag, but when I asked Stan, he said the guy was helping to buy the presents, so I thought it was okay.”

“Did you recognize the man?” Fear laced with suspicion layered over Suzanne’s skin. “Had you ever seen him in here before?”

“Yeah, because he eats in here all the time and always orders the same thing,” Alex said. “Turkey and Swiss cheese on toast, hold the mayo, extra pickles and a diet-soda.”

“Shouldn’t be hard to find,” Kristopher commented. “Barry, maybe you can go through the receipts or something?”

“Alex, this is great,” Suzanne praised. “Thanks for your honesty and your help.”

“Do you think this may have something to do with your visit to the shelter?” Sofia asked, her anger returning. “And that Mr. Turkey-and-Swiss is involved?”

“Very likely,” Kristopher said. “Officer Randolph, how long will it take to retrieve the data from those discs?”

“I’m on my way right now.” Randolph stood, tucked his notepad in his pocket and nodded at the Langleys. “Thank you, both. I’ll give my report to an officer when I get back to the precinct.”

He left and Sofia stared at them. “Does that mean something?”

“Maybe,” Kristopher said cautiously. “Why don’t you and Alex head for home. Do you mind if our friend Bailey follows you? Just in case? You’re staying with your sister, right?” and Sofia nodded.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Alex demanded. “Am I in trouble?”

“No,” Kristopher said quickly. “Sofia, I think you should tell Alex everything and why him meeting with us is going to help crack the case.”

Sofia nodded again and left with Alex while Kristopher texted Bailey about following them home. “He’ll do it,” he said. “Then come back for us.” Putting down his phone he said, “I’ll bet that’s how the bastards learned that Mercy told you of her suspicions about the Campbell sisters. They’d bugged your table, but I’ll bet that disc is long gone.”

“Who bugged them?” Barry’s raised voice was a near shout. “And why?”

“Bugged by a very dangerous organization that helps traffic children,” Kristopher told him.

“And becauseDaisy’sis walking distance from half a dozen social welfare agencies,” Suzanne added. “Most of them deal with kids and families, especially Family Services of Tennessee. Families United is just two doors down.”

“Are you saying someone buggedDaisy’sto help them find children? To hurt and exploit them?” Barry’s anger rivaled Sofia’s.

“Yes,” Kristopher said. “We don’t know yet which group it is, but KPD has a pretty good idea. You were right to call the police about the bugs. This just adds to their case.”

Tears filling his eyes, Barry looked at Suzanne. “This is why Mercy Phillips was killed, wasn’t it?” he choked. “She figured something out and they killed her for it.”

Suzanne had to swallow hard before she spoke. “Yes,” she said. “We’re hoping that David somehow got away, but we’re still looking for him. Us and the police.”

“Are they trying to hurt you, Suzanne?” The beginnings of rage replaced Barry’s tears.

“I’ve got Kristopher here to be sure that doesn’t happen,” Suzanne said proudly. “Brotherhood Protectors, the best protection agency there is.”

“Well, when you find David, the two of you can eat here every Friday for free,” Barry promised. “For the rest of your lives. You too, Kristopher.”

“Hold up,” Kristopher protested. “I think I missed something. Who’s Stan?”

“Stanislaus Dembowski, a Polish refugee I placed here,” Suzanne explained. “Let’s go to my office and I’ll find his file and show you. I can’t believe he had anything to do with this!”

“Suzanne, please don’t take this the wrong way,” Barry chided. “But you always see the good in everyone. You wouldn’t know mean and ugly if it slapped you in the face or bit you on your nose.”

“Thanks,” Suzanne said ruefully, trying to ignore Kristopher’s low-pitched laughter. “Stop that,” she told him.

“Yes ma’am,” he gasped, still laughing.

A furious pounding sounded on the kitchen’s back door, prevented her retort and with a worried look, Barry dashed in its direction.

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