"I'm telling you, this is not my mother. Nor is that my little brother! My mom has light brown hair, this lady has blonde hair, officer!"
Samantha struggled to keep her voice down as she rubbed her head and closed her eyes.
Officer Jackson sighed, and shook his head. "But I thought for sure this was her. A witness came up and identified both of them as Marge and Jared Johnson. I just don't get it."
"Who identified them?" Samantha asked, her interest piqued.
"I'm sorry, the witness asked to remain unknown."
Samantha frowned at him, confused. "Why would they do that? I mean, there's nothing to be afraid of." The big man shook his head. "Seems a bit suspicious to me. Everyone knows everyone in Belleville."
"That's true, everyone does. So it shouldn't matter. Please tell me, officer!" Samantha begged, curious to find out.
"For the last time, no. Now, we have police searching for your mother and little brother, and we need to get you home. I'll have Officer Valdez drive you home. Wait here." With that, he left, and Samantha stood alone in the small office. She was at the police station, and it was 12:15. She looked out of the window, into the darkness, and thanked the Lord that it was not her mother and brother lying on the ground out there. The police hadn't been able to contact anyone yet, no relatives, or anyone for the woman and child. Where were her mom and brother? Had they been kidnapped? It didn't seem likely. But her uneasiness grew as she thought of the possibilities. A rough voice slightly accented Italian voice broke into her thoughts. "Miss Johnson, I'm Officer Tony Valdez. I'm going to be giving you a ride home. You all ready?" She turned to the speaker. One smiling brown eye greeted her. The other was hidden behind a black patch. Tony Valdez was definitely Italian. He had black wavy hair cut short to his head, and his face showed he had been in plenty a fight. A crooked nose, a busted eye, and a long white scar that ran on the left side of his head. She tried not to stare and she smile, and shook his hand. "Yes, I'm all ready." He was almost as short as she was, but he wasn't small, he was very broad-shouldered. He ushered her to the squad car, and he slowly pulled out of the accident scene. "I appreciate the ride." Sam said quietly.
"No problem. Wow, it must have been someth'n to pull back that sheet and it's not your mom, huh?"
"Yeah. I really thought they were dead." She swallowed. Tony noticed, and was about to make a change in the subject, when Sam said, "I think somebody kidnapped them, I really do."
Tony mulled that over for a moment before replying. "Could be." He seemed reluctant to say anything, and Samantha sighed. "Not you too. Officer Jackson wouldn't say anything either. Please, Mr. Valdez, it is possible, isn't it? I mean, I think it's weird that a witness identified them wrong. The witness it probably someone I know!"
"Probably is." He turned a corner, focused on Samantha. "Just call me Tony. I hate all that Mr. Stuff. Listen, Samantha, I really don't know what to say. Yes, she could have been kidnapped, and a lot of other things could have happened too, but we don't want to jump to conclusions. they'll turn up, don't worry." Sam looked at him uncertainly. "I know, but I can't help it. She's been gone it seems like forever, and I don't know what to do." Tony looked at her for a minute, then shrugged his big shoulders. "Samantha, I have a good Friend. Whenever I'm feeling down, or alone, I always go to him for help." Samantha smiled. "I know, I do too. I guess I just need to trust in Him." Tony gave her a warm smile. "I'm glad you know Him. Most people aren't very friendly when I bring Him up. But you need something, or Someone to believe in when your a policeman, just the things you see, and do, it's just really hard. But every night, I get to lay everything at His feet, and get ready for a new day. It's just great, I'm glad He's in my life."
"Me too. Thank you for being understanding. It seems like Officer Jackson, and Officer Mcgrady weren't very understanding." Tony snorted, then made a good effort in looking ashamed. "Sorry about that. I've had some trouble with them in the past." "I can understand that." Sam said, smiling.