Searching for Faith - A gripping psychological thriller Read online

  “Chloe, you’d better be on your best behavior and do whatever she tells you to do,” said Rachel, still looking a little uncertain.

  “I will. I promise,” said Chloe, crossing her heart.

  “Are you sure you want her all night?” Paul asked, leaning back in the chair.

  “Yes. Besides, she’s always a good girl when she’s with me,” said Maddy. “And, it’s not like I have anything else going on.”

  “Thanks, Maddy,” said Mackenzie, who’d been listening in. “I told Rachel that she needed to let loose and have some fun this weekend. Including tonight. I heard that they’re going to have karaoke in the bar area, soon.”

  “Oh no,” groaned Rachel.

  “Oh, yes,” said Mackenzie, smiling. “You’re getting up there and singing.”

  “Mommy is going to sing?” asked Chloe, looking intrigued.

  “No, Mommy is not,” said Rachel dryly.

  “Yes, she is,” replied Mackenzie. “I’ll get her up there. Have you ever heard her sing?”

  “Sometimes, but not karaoke,” said Chloe.

  “I’m not going to sing,” argued Rachel.

  Mackenzie winked at Chloe. “That’s what she thinks.”

  ***

  Fifteen minutes later, everyone was in the main bar area, including Chloe and Maddy.

  “Just one song,” begged Mackenzie. “Think of it as a wedding gift. To your very best friend in the world.”

  “Guilt trip. Thanks. Why do you want me to do this so badly?” she asked, staring at her friend.

  “Because you have a beautiful voice. You should have been a singer. Haven’t I always told you that?”

  You know how I hate this,” she said, looking around the crowded bar. There were a lot of people there, even with the bad weather. Many were family and friends of Brock and Mackenzie’s, but there were some locals, too. “I was just telling Maddy, earlier, how much I hate talking in front of large groups, and now I’ll be singing?”

  “Here,” said Brock, handing her and Mackenzie a shot of something red.

  “What’s this?” asked Rachel, looking down.

  “A raspberry Kamikaze,” she replied. “I had Brock get us both one. I know how much you used to love Kamis.”

  Rachel smiled. “They are good.”

  “I’m sorry, would you like one, too, Maddy?” asked Brock.

  “No. I’m leaving soon with Chloe. After Rachel sings,” she replied. “But, thanks.”

  “By the way, Maddy – that bartender keeps checking you out,” said Rachel.

  Maddy turned around and saw Ben, who was back at his station. Their eyes met and he winked at her.

  She smiled.

  “He’s cute. You should go and talk to him,” said Mackenzie.

  “I did. Earlier,” replied Maddy and then explained how she’d seen him by the bathrooms.

  “Bartenders are bad news,” said Paul. “They’re players. Not exactly what Maddy needs.”

  “What’s a player?” asked Chloe, her eyes wide.

  “Someone who isn’t to be trusted,” he replied.

  “Why?”

  “For many reasons. You know, I think your mommy should hurry up and sing a song so that you can leave with Maddy. It’s getting way past your bedtime,” said Paul, ruffling up her hair.

  “But, I don’t want to go to bed,” said Chloe, smoothing it back down.

  “It is getting pretty late. Rachel, you’d better drink that shot and pick a song,” said Brock.

  “Oh, fine.” Rachel chugged the sweet liquor and shuddered in delight. “Wow, I forgot how good those were.”

  “Can I have one?” asked Chloe, staring at the empty glass.

  “No. It’s a grownup drink,” said Rachel, feeling her stomach get warm. “So, what song shall I sing?”

  “Can I pick it out?” asked Chloe.

  “Of course,” said Rachel. “Let’s go and see what they have.”

  Five minutes later, Rachel was on stage and singing the words to the song, “For Your Eyes Only”.

  “She definitely has no reason to be afraid of crowds,” said Maddy. “Not with a voice like that.”

  “Without the Kamikaze, she wouldn’t have gotten out there. She really is self-conscious,” said Paul, watching his wife. “But, I have to admit - she does have an amazing voice.”

  “Wow,” said Chloe. “I didn’t know that Mommy could sing like that.”

  “Neither did I,” said Paul, folding his arms across his chest. His eyes met Rachel’s and he smiled at her.

  “Didn’t I tell you?” said Mackenzie, elbowing Brock. “She could have been a singer.”

  “She’s very good,” he agreed. “You should have asked her to sing at our wedding.”

  “I don’t think there’s enough booze in the bar to give her that kind of courage,” joked Mackenzie.

  When the song was finished, the bar erupted in applause, even the bartenders clapped.

  Rachel set the mike down and hurried off of the stage.

  “You were amazing,” said Mackenzie, putting an arm around her. She kissed her cheek. “Thanks for the present.”

  Rachel blushed.

  “Mommy, you were so awesome!” cried Chloe, throwing her arms around her mother’s waist.

  “Thank you, Sweetheart,” said Rachel, kissing the top of her head. “I’m glad you liked it.”

  “Wasn’t she great, Daddy?” Chloe said, turning to look at her father.

  “Yes. Very. I had no idea that you could sing that well,” said Paul, grinning. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her.

  “How about another song?” said Chloe.

  “Chloe, it’s getting late. We should probably get going,” said Maddy.

  “But, I want to hear her Mommy sing again,” she replied.

  “Sorry, but that was it for me,” said Rachel. She bent down and gave Chloe a kiss on the nose. “Now, you be good for Maddy, okay?”

  Chloe sighed. “I will.”

  “It’s pretty late. I’d better walk you two ladies back to the cabin so that you can grab Chloe’s overnight things,” said Paul, finishing up his drink.

  “That would be great,” said Maddy, putting on her coat.

  Rachel helped Chloe get her jacket on and then hugged and kissed her. “I love you, Sweetie.”

  “I love you too, Mommy,” she replied.

  Rachel let her go and then Chloe gave Mackenzie a hug.

  “I’ll be back,” Paul said, grabbing his jacket from the back of his chair.

  Rachel watched the three of them walk out and for a second, she wanted to leave, too.

  “She’s a great kid,” said Mackenzie, popping a green olive into her mouth.

  “Yes, she certainly is,” said Rachel, smiling. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

  ***

  He watched Maddy, Chloe, and Paul leave the bar.

  It was time.

  Chapter 12

  WHEN ALEX AND Carissa finally reached Lutsen, there were only a handful of investigators left at the crime scene, including Sheriff Jim Collins. Fortunately, Alex was friends with the man, and they were allowed to observe what was happening from a short distance away.

  “So, what made you drive all the way back here, Richardson? And, in this shitty weather?” asked the sheriff, lighting a cigarette. He was a tall man, somewhere in his fifties, with probing eyes, sharp features, and a voice that reminded Carissa a little bit of Sam Elliot.

  It took him several seconds to answer and she knew that he was worried about what the sheriff would think if he told him the truth. “I brought along a profiler, Jim. This is Carissa Jones. I think she might be able to help.”

  “No offense, but that’s what we have forensics for,” he replied, nodding toward the two men still evaluating the taped off area where the child had been found. It was hard to see much of anything, because of the snow, and it was obvious that they had their work cut out for them.

  “I realize that. She’s not
your average profiler, though, and I figured that with a case like this, you could use all the help you can get,” he replied.

  The sheriff looked at her. “Where you from?”

  “The Twin Cities,” she replied.

  “Ah. How’d you drive up here so fast?” he asked, taking another drag of his cigarette.

  “I-”

  Before she could finish her sentence, Alex cut in. “She came up here to visit me. We’re… dating. Online.”

  Jim looked surprised. “Online dating? You?”

  Alex looked embarrassed. “What can I say? A man gets lonely and bored.”

  “I get that. I’m just surprised, is all. So, this is your first date and you brought this pretty little lady here. To a crime scene.” The sheriff chuckled. “Your mother needs to knock you upside your head.”

  Carissa couldn’t help but smile. “Actually, we were going to have a lovely dinner and then I saw the news and wanted to help,” she said, feeling bad for Alex. “He tried talking me out of it, but something tells me that this killer is going to strike again. If I can help prevent that, it’s worth skipping a romantic evening.”

  “I sure as hell hope that we don’t have a serial killer in our midst,” said Jim, his face darkening. “But, with the luck I’ve been having, you might just be on to something. So, Ms. Jones, you have an identification? I can’t just divulge information to anyone with a pretty face. Being a profiler, I imagine you work for the FBI?”

  “Actually, I don’t,” she replied, looking at Alex helplessly and then back at the sheriff. “I pretty much just do this on the side.”

  “You’re shitting me? On the side?” he replied and then looked at Alex. “You know I can’t give out information like this to the general public. Hell, I probably shouldn’t even allow you here, Alex.”

  “The girl that you found, she had blonde hair and blue eyes.” Carissa closed her eyes, to try and be more receptive. Now more than anything, she needed to prove herself.

  “What’s she doing?” asked Jim.

  “Not sure,” admitted Alex.

  Blocking them out, she opened her mind and asked for help, this time from the spirit world. It was risky, opening herself up like that. She’d learned of other psychics getting duped by evil entities, and usually refrained from trying to go that route. But, she wanted so much to find the child’s killer.

  Show me what happened…

  She was rewarded with a vision. A horribly, violent one that made her shudder.

  “What’s wrong?” asked Alex.

  She opened her eyes and blinked back tears that she didn’t even know she had. “The man strangled her, thus the bruises around her throat. She was positioned in a lewd way and wore only… shin guards and soccer knee highs.”

  “What the hell?” said Jim, shocked. “How’d you know all of that?”

  She sighed. “I was shown. I also know that she’s from Duluth.”

  Jim looked at Alex.

  “Don’t look at me. I didn’t tell her anything. I didn’t even get to see the body,” said Alex.

  The sheriff put his cigarette out. “Ma’am, nobody knew any of this, except for the officers here tonight, and the perp. I’m going to have to bring you in for questioning.”

  “Hold up, now,” said Alex. “Carissa is not responsible for this.”

  “Then how in the hell did she know all of that shit?” he asked angrily.

  “I’m a clairvoyant,” said Carissa.

  Jim’s head whipped back to her. “What? You’ve got to be kidding me?” he muttered.

  “I realize that you don’t believe me,” said Carissa. “But, you’ve got to let me help with this case. If we don’t find him, he’ll do it again. And soon.”

  “I’m sorry, but I don’t believe in that ridiculous, psychic crap,” he replied.

  Carissa knew that she had to do something quickly, or she’d either be arrested or at the very least, made to leave. “Give me your hand. I’ll prove that I can help you.”

  “Lady, this isn’t some kind of game. I don’t have time for this. I’m sorry, but it looks like I’m going to have to arrest you,” he said, taking out his handcuffs.

  “Please. Just humor me and if I don’t change your mind, I’ll go with you peacefully,” she replied.

  Jim looked at Alex and shook his head.

  “Just give her a few seconds, Jim,” said Alex. “I think you’re going to be glad you did.”

  He swore. “Fine. For you, I will. But, that’s only because we’ve been friends for a long time and I trust you. I also know how you’re not one to believe in this psychic, mumbo jumbo stuff.” He grunted. “To be honest, I’m curious to find out what she’s going to say next.”

  Alex relaxed. “Carissa is not a killer. And… she knew things about me that she shouldn’t have,” Alex said. “Just like she knew about the little girl you found earlier.”

  The sheriff, still looking a little perturbed, allowed Carissa to take his hand.

  She closed her eyes and tried focusing on him this time. The visions came quickly.

  “You’ve been married for a very long time and… your wife is ill,” she said, frowning.

  “She has cancer,” he replied grimly.

  “Your daughter doesn’t know, does she?” said Carissa. “She’s in college. Texas University?”

  Jim stiffened up. “Yeah.”

  “Your wife doesn’t want her to know. She’s afraid she’ll drop her studies and come back, to care for her. Her name is…Jen? Or… Gwen? No, it’s…” She opened her eyes. “It’s Jacqueline. Your daughter’s name is Jacqueline.”

  Stunned, Jim pulled his hand away. “Yes.”

  “Your wife needs to tell her. She deserves to know,” said Carissa.

  Jim looked at her and then at Alex. “Did you tell her about Jacqueline?”

  “No. Of course not,” he replied. “I didn’t even know your wife had cancer.”

  Jim looked at Carissa again. “That’s indeed some crazy shit. I don’t know what to believe.”

  “I’m not a killer,” said Carissa, staring at him hard. “If I was, do you really think I’d come back here and offer to help you solve the murder?”

  “Sometimes the perps come back to gloat,” he grumbled. “Or throw us off course.”

  It was then that it hit her. “That’s what he was doing,” she said, thinking about the dead girl again. “He wants you to think he’s a child molester but… he isn’t. He’s trying to confuse you.”

  “The only one confusing me right now is you,” said the sheriff, looking haggard. “I really do need to have you come down to the station so that we can talk more about this.”

  “There’s no time,” she said. “He’s going to strike again. He’s looking for his daughter.”

  Jim’s eyes widened. “His daughter?”

  She nodded quickly. “Yes. He’s delirious and wants her back. When he realizes that the child isn’t his little girl, he, gets rid of her.”

  “Good, God,” said Alex, looking ill.

  “So, you think this is the work of some distraught father?” asked the sheriff, not looking convinced.

  “Yes. Distraught and mentally ill, obviously,” she said.

  “Ma’am, I really do wish that I could believe what you’re telling me, and run with it. It would make my job so much easier. But, there is no way in hell that I can trust a couple of hunches, even if you do have some kind of… psychic gift.”

  “I understand and, believe me, I’m used to not being taken seriously. But, what if I’m right about everything and another girl dies?” she replied.

  Jim let out a ragged sigh. “So, what is it that you want to do?”

  “I need to see her body.” As sad as it would be, she knew that it would give her more insight and possibly save another one.

  “Fine. You can see her at the coroner’s facility,” he replied. “In fact, it looks like they are done with her and she’ll be heading there, soon.”

  Cariss
a looked over and saw that the little girl was being placed in a body bag. Seeing that made her heart bleed. She couldn’t let this happen again. Not if she could do something about it.

  “Let me see her now,” begged Carissa. “I don’t know if I’ll learn anything new, but I have to try.”

  “Come on, Jim. She just told you things that she shouldn’t have known anything about. Give her a chance,” said Alex.

  Jim ran a hand over his face. “Jesus.”

  “I just need a few seconds,” said Carissa. “That’s it.”

  “Fine,” he replied sharply. “But, I’m still bringing you in for questioning, young lady.

  She sighed in relief. “Of course and I’ll answer whatever you want.”

  “Wait here,” he said and then trudged through the snow to the forensic team.

  Shivering from the cold, Carissa looked over at Alex. He was staring at her quietly.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  He smiled grimly. “I’m starting to think that we’ll be the ones thanking you.”

  “I hope so,” she said softly.

  ***

  A few minutes later, the sheriff walked back over to them.

  “Okay. You have a couple of minutes, but that’s it,” he said. “We need to wrap this up.”

  “Thank you,” she replied.

  They followed Jim over to the girl’s body. The investigators had zipped up the bag and the sheriff knelt down to re-open it. “I’m only doing this because I don’t want anyone to ever say that I didn’t go down every avenue to find this lunatic.”

  “He’ll be caught,” she said firmly.

  He looked over his shoulder at her. “That’s one thing you and I can agree on. I will find this bastard and make him pay for what he did to this sweet, little girl.”

  She nodded.

  He unzipped the bag, exposing the little girl’s face and Carissa immediately had to blink back tears.

  Pale, porcelain-like skin, long, blonde lashes, and bow-tie lips that had smiled for most of her young life.

  “She’d been a happy little girl,” whispered Carissa, reaching out to touch her cold forehead.

  “No. You’re not allowed to tamper with the body. Nobody touches her without gloves,” said Jim.