Page 43 of Forged in Steele

“Probably. “

“I don’t have a kidnapping investigation in my past, but losing Thomas so violently left me reeling. Maybe irrevocably damaged my faith in God.” She took a long breath. “Where was He when Thomas was brutally murdered? Where is He now?”

“I honestly don’t know. My only answer for that is what my pastor told me when Wyatt died. He said sometimes going through a tough season in life often means losing everything around us. Everything we know. At that time, we have nothing but to turn to God or turn away from Him. If we choose to turn to Him despite our circumstances, to hope that He is real and in control—that He’s there fighting on your behalf, then your hope is restored.”

“Sounds simple, but it’s harder than you can know.”

“You’re probably right. I’ve had issues in life, but nothing like losing a sibling. Especially in such a horrific way.” He rested a hand on her arm. “I’m praying you can find that hope again.”

Could she? Would she? Was coming together with Jared the way to do it?

She sat back, closed her eyes, and had a long talk with God that had been missing in her life for so long. Told Him everything she was feeling. Had felt. Didn’t want to keep feeling. The car slowed, and she opened her eyes, surprised to see they’d arrived at the Wetzel’s house.

The large two-story home was located in an exclusive neighborhood in Clackamas, a suburb of Portland. Up lights lit the façade and landscape, chasing away the nightfall. The couple would need to have money if they were able to buy a child and their home fit an affluent family.

“I wonder what they paid for their son.” Bristol climbed out of the vehicle.

“We’ll likely find out if we go undercover.” Jared got out after her.

“Or we can just ask.” She strode up the stone walkway to a mahogany front door, a brisk breeze blowing over her and hinting at cooler night temps. She rang the bell and the chimes sounded into the quiet evening.

Footfalls soon thumped closer, and the door cracked open. Bristol displayed her ID and identified herself and Jared. “Are you Mrs. Wetzel?”

“Yes.”

“Can we come in and talk to you?”

“This isn’t about Ian, is it?” Mrs. Wetzel clutched her white cotton blouse with one hand then flung long blond hair over her shoulder. “Nothing’s happened to him?”

“No,” Bristol said. “We have some questions about an investigation we’re working on.”

“Okay, fine.” Mrs. Wetzel opened the door and started through a large foyer to enter the first room on the right.

Bristol followed the woman into a formal living area decorated in warm reds and oranges. Mrs. Wetzel dropped onto a gray sofa in front of a wall with orange and white patterned wallpaper. She pointed at armchairs with orange cushions.

Bristol sat, but Jared remained standing.

“What’s this about?” Mrs. Wetzel worried her hands together in her lap.

“We’re here to talk about Mr. Holloway and your son’s adoption,” Jared said.

Mrs. Wetzel gasped, and her gaze darted around the room. “I think I’d like my husband to be here for this discussion.”

“We can appreciate that,” Bristol said. “But we’re looking for a missing baby and Holloway could be involved. We don’t have time to waste for your husband to get home.”

Mrs. Wetzel’s face paled. “I’m sorry but I can’t afford to say the wrong thing and lose my son.”

“We have no interest in taking your son from you,” Jared said. “Unless his birth parents didn’t legally relinquish him.”

“They did. We have copies of the papers.”

They could’ve been forged, but Bristol wouldn’t point that out as she wanted the woman to be forthcoming. “Then you should have nothing to worry about.”

“Can I at least put my husband on a video call?”

“Go ahead,” Jared said.

She dug her phone from her jeans’ pocket and dialed. She frantically explained the situation then turned the phone to face Bristol and Jared.

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