Here it is. The long awaited sequel to Missing. As the story develops, Mac will become the main character, as opposed to Mitch being the main character in Missing. Hope you all enjoy this as much as you enjoyed Missing. And for those who haven't read Missing, might want to link to my profile and go read it. Please, please review. Thanks.
SINS OF THE INNOCENT
Chapter 1
Chief of Police Mitch Foster sighed as he walked towards the Cold Valley Police Station. Cold Valley was nestled deep in a remote part of Minnesota. Cold Valley was named after the valley that bore its' name. Five towns were nestled in the valley and those towns made up Cooper County. Mitch's good friend and former deputy, Jim Strickland, served as the sheriff of Cooper County. Recently the two of them, along with Detective Megan Cole and ace criminal profiler David "Mac" Parrish, had led an investigation into the shocking and sinister kidnapping of eleven-year-old Jake Baker. The kidnapping had supposedly been masterminded by the boy's uncle, Harry, and Mitch's deputy, Bill "Red" Redding. Both men were dead and the only two suspects in custody were a skate park manager named Walter Parke and a quiet, timid man from Minneapolis named Alan Muller. Parke was going away for a long time. For kidnapping and for attempted sexual assault on a minor. Jake's best friend, Ricky Morris, had been assaulted by Parke when Parke forced himself into Ricky's father's home. Parke had seemingly had a strong obsession with the boy.
The town was already in shock with the discovery that Deputy Redding, a beloved figure in Cooper County, was responsible for the heinous act. Some people were outraged that he had been killed. Red had been a hero to a lot of people. He had spent eight years as sheriff and three as Mitch's deputy. It was tragic that Red had not only been involved but that he had been killed. The DA would have no doubt cut a deal with him.
Mitch made his way through the crowd of reporters outside the station. The brutal -25 degree cold hadn't stopped them from coming out to try to get a sound bite. Mitch ignored them and entered the warm interior of the station. Dale Olsen, a hard working officer who had joined the force two years earlier, walked up to him.
"Yes, Dale," said Mitch.
"Mac just got in. Says he needs to talk to you. And Jim called. Seems Parke may have some information for us," explained Dale.
"What kind of information?" asked Mitch. Dale shrugged.
"I don't know. Just asked me to tell you when you got in. Anyway, I've got patrol. I'll see you later, Chief," said Dale. He walked off. Mitch headed towards Mac's office. Mac had been given the office of an officer who had been fired for drinking on the job too many times. Barry Poe now frequented the drunk tank. But he still was respected by a few officers. Barry's name had been scraped off the door. It now said:
MAC PARRISH
CRIMINAL PROFILER
Mac was putting a certificate on the wall as Mitch walked in.
"Make yourself at home," said Mitch. Mac smiled and went back to his desk.
"Get any sleep?" asked Mitch.
"Two hours. I got woken up by a hyper nine-year-old," replied Mac. "You?"
"Just a little more then two. I've got to take Amy to the hospital today so I'm leaving Megan in charge. Jim called and said that Parke has some new information. I doubt it but we need to look into it." Mac sighed.
"What?" asked Mitch.
"Mitch, I don't think Harry or Red were the masterminds," said Mac gruffly.
"Why not? Harry has the motive and Red is seemingly insane."
"I found a notebook in Red's desk. It outlines the entire kidnapping and is full of the masterminds thoughts. This guy knew what he was doing. He knew how to beat us. Red fucked up."
"So Harry wrote it. Red killed him, we know that." Mac shook his head.
"This guy knew there was tension between Red and Harry. Mitch, it looks like the big bad guy is still out there." Mitch rubbed his head.
"I don't want to think about that today. Jake is home. We should be happy. My daughter is getting a new liver. Don't darken my day." Mac shrugged.
"I'll look into it some more." Mitch nodded and stood up.
"See you later. Welcome to the force." Mac smiled as Jim left. He went back to setting up his office. He smiled as he looked at a studio photo taken of his sons, Ryan and Josh. He put it in a place of honor on his desk, right next to a picture of his wife, Dana.
……….
Jake Baker opened his mouth to take another bite of the oatmeal. His mother, Kate, hadn't left his side since he came out of a minor surgery to stop some bleeding in his stomach. Jake was feeling much better. Jake laid back as he finished his latest bite of oatmeal. Kate set the bowl down.
"Tired?" asked Kate, brushing some strands of hair out of Jake's face. Jake nodded. Jake had been beaten up pretty bad by Red. Luckily the only real damage was a bruised rib and some bleeding in his stomach that had been fixed after two hours in surgery. Jake was weak and still a little freaked out but he would recover.
"How's Alan?" asked Jake. Alan had been the one who had ultimately saved Jake's life.
"Fine. His son is going to get his heart operation. Alan might get off with no charges. He's a hero to a lot of people," said Kate. Jake smiled and closed his eyes. He was out in a second. Jake had only been gone for a little more then a day. But that time had felt like an eternity to Kate. She still couldn't really think about the fact that unmerciful and ruthless criminals had kidnapped her son. Kate watched lovingly as her son slept.
………..
"How can the evidence not be admissible? We found it in the guy's house and van." Mitch felt his blood pressure rising as he argued with Jim Strickland over the phone.
"Parke's lawyer is claiming that Parke's fingerprints weren't on any of the photos. Forensic evidence supports that. The prosecutor can't do shit unless Ricky Morris testifies."
"I can't make that boy testify. Besides which he's having a major operation today."
"Then Parke walks. I don't know what to tell you, Mitch. He got himself a good attorney."
"Who?"
"Dennis Gorman. He's really going for the throat in this one."
"Immoral son of a bitch. OK, I'll go talk to Ricky Morris. Maybe Jake Baker remembers seeing Parke."
"That's worth a try too. Give Amy my love. Hope she does well today."
"Thanks." Mitch hung up. Damnit. Just when it looked like Parke would be nailed for the kidnapping and for assaulting Ricky Morris. It made Mitch sick to think that there was a lawyer willing to defend that guy.
………..
"It disgusts me to think this is happening." Nora Baker angrily switched off the radio.
"What are you talking about, Nora?" asked her brother, mark from the backside. Nora had been stuck with taking Mark, Sarah, Mike, Kim, and Jessica to school.
"That sicko who was involved in Jake's kidnapping might go free. Some of the charges are being dropped," exclaimed Nora. Sarah, who was sitting in the front seat of the mini-van, spoke up.
"They can't do that. The guy kidnapped Jake and tried to hurt Jake's friend. He deserves to go to jail," protested Sarah.
"I know. But his lawyer is really making some waves. Immoral jerk," groaned Nora.
"Forensic science has come a long way," said Kim from the way back of the van.
"That's right. Eventually they'll find some bit of evidence that proves he's guilty beyond a shadow of a doubt," added Jessica.
"Can we not talk about this? Jake's safe. He's coming home soon. We should be happy," said Mike.
"You're right, Mikey. And right after school we'll go visit him," said Nora with a smile. She had to come down. Jake had been found. He was afe in the hospital with Kate right there with him. It was over. Little did Nora, or anyone else know, that the game was only just beginning.
