Mattie's Call by Stacy Campbell Read Free Book Online Page B

upped and walked away and no one saw anything?”
    â€œSir, we’re trying to get to the bottom of this matter. She must have left after the pageant.”
    Gabrielle moved closer, touched Joshua’s shoulder. A slight bit of relief covered his face when he saw her.
    â€œGigi, this woman is saying she doesn’t know how Mama walked away!”
    â€œJosh, calm down. We won’t solve anything with you screaming.”
    He turned his venom on her. “Maybe if you had been screaming, or caring, or at least been here for the pageant like she asked you and Alice, she wouldn’t be missing. Would she?”
    â€œDoesn’t look like you were here either!”
    â€œI texted her. She knew I was running late.”
    The scent of sex with Colton rose in her nostrils and she averted her brother’s cold gaze. She was laid up with someone’s husband, and all her mother wanted was a little bit of her time. She looked around. “Where is Alice anyway?”
    â€œProbably in bed asleep next to that monster she calls a husband. I called three times and nobody answered.”
    â€œLet’s take this into Mrs. Ross’s office,” the officer suggested.
    They followed her into the office with Agatha in tow. The men allowed the ladies to have a seat. Marci Ross kept a fresh pot of coffee brewing in her office, and she offered everyone a cup. Joshua breathed heavy and directed his questions to Agatha.
    â€œTell me what happened again.”
    â€œWe were at the Christmas pageant at the rec room. Your mother had walked down with Kauthon Spence, then he left. The band from the church was the last group to perform. After they packed up everything, I saw your mother walk out with the band. I figured she was going back to her room.”
    â€œWhat about the security system?” he asked.
    Marci fidgeted. “Mr. Benson, your mother’s Wander Guard bracelet malfunctioned two days ago. It worked better on her left arm, but she insisted her left arm was for the watch your father gave her, so she wore it on the right. It was being serviced and should have been returned yesterday. The repair was delayed, so that’s how she was able to walk out undetected. If she’d worn the bracelet, the alarm would have triggered the door sensor. We are so sorry. It was a huge mistake on our part.”
    â€œNo one was at the front desk monitoring anything?” Gabrielle asked.
    â€œNot to my knowledge. The receptionist said she stepped away for a moment to use the bathroom. The other staff were busy helping residents back to their rooms.”
    â€œWhat about Karen, the CNA who’s always with Mama?”
    â€œShe worked half-day today.”
    Quelling the growing tension, Officer Jimmerson said, “Rest assured, we will find your mother. The Mattie’s Call is being announced throughout the area, so she’ll turn up. She couldn’t have gotten too far.”
    â€œShe’s lonely and missing Emma. That’s all it is. She’ll be back,” said Agatha. “I told you all what I know. May I please go back to my room now?”
    â€œOf course, Agatha. Thank you,” said Marci.
    Marci opened her drawer and pulled out a stack of business cards. She jotted her personal cell number on back of two and slid them to Gabrielle and Joshua. “I’m available around the clock. We will do everything we have to do for your mother.”
    Officer Jimmerson offered his card as well. “I’ll be in touch. You have my word.”
    Marci broke the silence. “There is nothing more we can do right now. Did you two want to go to her room?”
    Gabrielle nodded, then held Joshua’s hand. “She asked me for jewelry two weeks ago. I want to make sure nothing valuable is taken from her. Josh and I can take some of her things tonight and come back tomorrow.”
    They walked out of Marci’s office and met the pitiful gazes of the residents. A few of