Vanishing Girls (Detective Josie Quinn #1)(92)

Shortly after Luke was discharged from the hospital, Dirk Spencer’s condition took a turn for the better and, eventually, he was released to home where his sister, Lara joined him, caring for him as he recovered from his injuries. Josie checked in on them every couple of weeks. June had been committed to a psychiatric institute for inpatient treatment and evaluation while she awaited trial for the murder of Sherri Gosnell. The new interim District Attorney was hopeful that a plea bargain could be made so that June could get the psychiatric treatment she so desperately needed. Six months after Josie rescued her from Denton’s holding area, she had finally started saying words again.

Isabelle Coleman’s recovery moved much more quickly. The girl took on her return to normal life with an enthusiasm that, to Josie, sometimes smacked of desperation. She even decided she would attend college that fall as planned. But Josie knew that everyone dealt with trauma differently. Isabelle’s parents assured Josie that the girl would receive regular counseling, even when she went away to college.

Two months after the Gosnell case broke wide open, the woman who had accused Josie of excessive force when Josie was still a detective died of a drug overdose. The Mayor allowed Josie to continue as interim chief. At Special Agent Holcomb’s suggestion, the DA reviewed her statement about Nick Gosnell’s death, together with his autopsy report. After talks with the Mayor, the DA’s office decided not to press charges. Morale in Denton was at an all-time low, and Josie was being hailed as a hero for exposing Gosnell’s horrific crimes and putting a stop to them. The families of the victims being unearthed on the mountain were effusive in the press with their praise of Josie. Because of her, they said, they could finally lay their long-lost relatives to rest. It was decided that prosecuting Josie for the murder of the most hated man in Denton history after she had been held captive by him for two days—during which she had witnessed her husband’s death and nearly been raped—was public relations suicide. For this, Josie was grateful, but she was not sorry for killing Nick Gosnell.

Eight months and thirteen days after his death, little Ramona’s body was unearthed by an FBI team. Alton had buried her only steps from the Gosnells’ back door, which was why it had taken so long to find her. DNA taken from her remains confirmed that she was Lisette’s daughter. Josie spared no expense to give her the funeral she deserved. It seemed to give Lisette some peace to choose a coffin and headstone, to choose flowers and plan the service. The attendance was larger than Josie thought it would be, and this seemed to please Lisette as well. Finally, after more than sixty years, she could give voice to her howling grief and claim the daughter who had been denied to her both in life and in death. Many of Lisette’s friends from Rockview were there, as well as some members of the staff she had grown close to over the years. The Mayor, medical examiner and the new DA attended, as did Noah and a few other members of Denton PD. Luke stood steadfastly beside Josie as she watched the aunt she would never know being lowered into a grave that had been decades coming.



* * *



He slung her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. The girl hung as though lifeless down his back, her small hands swaying as the man moved. He carried her outside. Each step sent a lightning bolt of pain through her body. Blinking rapidly, she willed her eyes to adjust to the light. Finally, the ground came into focus: grass, leaves, and twigs. She couldn’t tell where he was taking her. She tried to lift her head to look around but she was too weak.



* * *



Luke had recovered, albeit slowly. He wasn’t ready to go back to work, but he filled his days fishing and texting Josie endlessly. They had lunch together every day, and the nights were spent relearning each other’s broken bodies. He hadn’t been able to make love again until recently. He was scarred, and dealt with a great deal of residual pain, but he was alive. Luke’s shooter was still in jail awaiting his trial. The DA was confident about getting a conviction. Denise Poole had tried getting in touch with Luke several times, but he had put her off, reluctantly admitting to Josie that Denise had always had stalker-like tendencies. He had promised her a painting they bought while they were engaged if she gave Josie the information on the Blackwell file. He genuinely felt badly that she had gotten caught up in the Gosnell mess but he insisted on keeping her at arm’s length—which was just fine with Josie.



* * *



The boy’s feet came into view. He wore white sneakers turned brown by dirt as he trudged behind his father. His eyes stayed on the ground. The girl knew it was useless, but she tried to choke out a “help me” that only came out sounding like a wet cough. The man jostled her and made a hushing sound. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.



* * *



As the pastor said his final words, each of them stepped forward to place a single red rose on Ramona’s grave. Lisette went first, abandoning her walker in favor of Luke’s arm. He guided her to the coffin, and everyone seemed to hold their breath as Lisette reverently placed the first rose. Then she placed her fingers to her lips, transferring a kiss to her long-lost daughter. Josie couldn’t stop the tears from pouring out of her. Not just for the aunt she would never know, but for all the loss they had experienced. Josie’s father. Ray. The chief. Josie’s naive belief that her city was a great place to live.

Noah offered his arm. Together, they followed Lisette and Luke, each placing a rose and then walking off, away from the graveside. Lisette leaned against Luke and watched the mourners disperse.