Mrs. Bonneville soothed her husband while Jake and Ryder shared glances. When she looked up, she turned to Ryder. “Officer Quinn, it hasn’t been lost on us the similarity between our daughters. Do you think that had something to do with their abduction?”
“You mean children that looked similar being more susceptible? No, from my experience the children are taken to a certain brief, like dark hair, brown eyes to match the people that are looking to buy into a personal adoption.”
“I see. I wondered when I saw you in town with your little girl one day. She looks so much like Paris and they went to the same day care.”
“I understand what you mean, but I must insist that is not the case. And neither is the day care centre or Mrs. Stubbens in any way to blame for this. Her uncle will be convicted for the abductions, of that I can assure you.” Ryder softened her gaze. “I’ve sent Ebony back to Amy to look after because I believe her to be blameless in this whole thing.”
“But—”
Jake butted in. “Mrs Bonneville, I wouldn’t lie to you. Amy had no idea those live camera feeds were going anywhere. It’d all been set up before she brought the business. She’s as gutted over it as we all are.” He smiled, placing his hands on the table. “Jim has brought in a new security crowd from Sydney and I have to say that they’ve ramped up the security to such a level, even I couldn’t get in the place if I wanted too. Now I understand you may not want to send Paris back to day care, but if you could see your way clear to not say anything against Amy and her business, I’d appreciate it.”
“Of course we don’t blame her. If Paris had been taken from there as Ebony was, but she was in my care.” The distraught mother cleared her throat. “If anyone is to blame it’s me for not watching her carefully enough.”
Ryder looked at Jake. “I have an idea for everyone involved to help move on with their lives.”
Chapter 23
“It’s lovely of you to open your house like this, Mrs. Roberts.” Ryder couldn’t believe Jake’s mother had stepped in to help with her plan to reunite the community.
“Call me Alice, Ryder. When Jake told me about your idea I thought it was perfect and looking around at how many people have come today, you’re on a winner.” Alice beamed as she glanced at the people milling in her back yard.
“It’s the least I could do. Amy was the first person to reach out to me when I arrived in town. I hated to see her so upset.” Ryder smiled at the memory and knew she’d done the right thing with todays gathering.
“Your mother seems to be enjoying herself too.”
Ryder turned to watch her mother and grandfather talking with Amy. “Yes. She never did understand why we left town so fast. Now she’s having a hard time trying to come to terms with what my father kept from her.”
Alice put a comforting arm around Ryder’s waist. “How are you coping with it all?”
“Not too bad. There are moments when I wonder what would have happened if he’d gotten away with it. Where I would have ended up if it hadn’t been for Grandad keeping an eye on me like he did.” She caught her grandfather’s eye and smiled at him. The talks they’d had since Eric was arrested had given her a new appreciation for the old man. He’d lost a lot over the years because of his youngest son and the behaviour he’d started to show as a young adult.
Sadly, it had been put down to losing his mother at a young age and nobody had been any the wiser as he grew up. The secrets he’d been keeping and the lifestyle he’d become involved in had destroyed many families. Luckily, Ryder’s hadn’t been one of them.
With Eric locked up for the next thirty-five years, with the distinct possibility of more cases being added to his file, they wouldn’t see him back in Mudgee again.
“Well, look who walked in.” Alice stood with her mouth open and watched the Bonneville family come into her yard. Mrs. Bonneville held a cake carrier and stood looking just a little bit nervous. Mr Bonneville gripped his daughter’s hand as if he was afraid to let her go. Her elder sister hovered behind them. “Brie, James, how wonderful you could make it.” Alice hurried over and greeted the latest guests. “Girls, it’s great to see you again.” From her position by the house, Ryder watched Amy’s reaction to the family’s arrival as well as the other guests. Her emotions would be all over the place and she couldn’t blame her for that. This party was putting her in the spotlight and it had the potential to go either way.
A few people seemed surprised, but most seemed to take it for granted that they would be there at the barbeque for Amy and Jim’s wedding anniversary. Brie handed over the cake and then stood looking at Amy as if unsure what the next step would be. Her husband came to the rescue though and guided her over to where Amy and Jim stood.
It was Paris who held Ryder’s attention the most though. For what that poor child had been through, she seemed quite relaxed. Jake had told her Paris was having sessions with a counsellor but they hoped there would be no ongoing problems. Only time would tell. To know she had a hand in bringing Paris back to her parents made all of the problems she’d suffered seem insignificant somehow.
A wave of emotion rolled over her and Ryder blinked to clear the tears that rose in her eyes.
