“Let’s just say, it’s a competitive business, getting into good schools, these days.” I gave Damon a knowing look and moved on before he could think about it too much. “Please do have a good look at the form.”
He glanced back at the paperwork.
“My daughter didn’t tell me about this,” he said with a touch of suspicion. “Can Chase do that? Just enroll a child in a new school without the mother’s permission?”
“I assure you, we need both parents to sign the paperwork for enrollment,” Casey calmed his nerves as she shut the door behind us. “We don’t want to be a part of any family conflict,” she added with a little laugh.
“However, we are not at the enrollment stage just yet,” Casey continued, serious again. “Our Lady of St. Mary’s is a small school providing the best education money can buy, and I’m sure you can appreciate we have a large number of applications each year. So this is just an informal meeting to ensure we are the right school for Millie.”
“Our Lady of St. Mary’s, you say?” He rubbed his brow. “I’ve never heard of that school and I’ve been around this area for many, many years.”
“We’re still new, two years old, but we’re growing in both numbers and reputation. We want to make sure that we have only the best children at our school, so that Millie can be assured that she will learn and socialize not just with high achievers but also those with strong Catholic values.”
Damon still looked doubtful.
“And Chase put me down as a reference on the form?”
“He did,” I responded, looking around. “We can already see you are an active member of your community. Now, do you mind if we ask you some questions?”
Damon nodded.
The room was small—kitchen to one side, a fridge in the corner, and a table with five mismatched chairs. We sat down, and Casey opened a file with Millie’s photo attached. She was doing a very good job of presenting herself as a member of a Catholic school recruitment team. Even I was convinced as she provided Damon a run-down about the school.
“So now, can you tell us a little about your background first?” Casey asked.
“I’m a war vet. Served in Iraq back in the early nineties, retired after two tours, and went into my father’s trade, which was a mechanic. Did that for most of my life. I retired from work ten years ago, just after the death of my wife, and I’ve spent the last decade doing a lot of volunteering. I work in the kitchen here, mow lawns for elderly people who can’t do it themselves, and feed the homeless with the soup van that runs around here. Lots of different things, mostly organized through my church, St. Michael’s, but just trying to help people.”
Casey nodded approvingly.
“Sounds like a very colorful life.”
“Well, I worked hard, slaved away for decades, although I don’t have much else to show for it. Chase is the one with money. I suppose I should be glad of that, for Millie’s sake. She will have opportunities I could never have given Tanya, her mother. I risked my life for this country, and did five decades of honest work, and I’m not left with much. Don’t even own my house. Lost it when my business went under. But people like Chase know how to make money. That’s what he’s good at.”
Damon was getting off track, if this was a real interview, I wouldn’t like Millie’s chances of getting in, but it was providing a useful insight for us. Still, we didn’t want to lose our plausibility, so I shot Casey a look to get the interview back on course.
“And what can you tell us about Millie? Is she calm, energetic, or very expressive? What are her interests and talents?” Casey sat with a pen ready to take notes. “Anything you can tell us about her will be helpful.”
“Millie is the sweetest, cutest, nicest girl you’ll ever meet. Her smile radiates around the room, her blue eyes are so innocent, and her laugh, well, her laugh makes me laugh.” Damon stopped to think for a moment. “She loves to sing,” he continued. “Got that talent from her Grandma Ruth, God rest her soul,” Damon made the sign of the cross. “Ruth would be proud of her, though she never met her. Millie is sweet natured, just like Ruth used to be. She’s an angel, I’m sure of that. They both are, one in heaven and one on earth.” He shook his head. “I’m just sad that I won’t be around to see the woman that she becomes.”
Neither Casey nor I responded. How could we? What do you say to a man who’s just admitted that his days are numbered?
“I have cancer, you see.” After a long pause, he continued. “I don’t have long left, and I’ve done just about all I can for Millie here on earth. I’ll be up in heaven soon, but at least I know that Millie is provided for, I’ve made sure of that.”
If Damon was our kidnapper, he was on the verge of saying too much, but was too caught up in his plan to realize. One gentle nudge and he might just spill the information we needed.
“Yes, it must be reassuring to know her father has the means to provide for her.”
I was banking on him not wanting Chase to get the credit.
Damon frowned at me for a moment, slightly confused. “No, not Chase.” He looked down at his hands with a nod, “I’m going to leave something special behind for her when I go.”
“Ah,” I nodded approvingly, “a legacy trust fund.” I was pushing for a more specific answer.
“I’m sorry.” He looked up from the table and took a deep breath. “I shouldn’t be so depressed about these things.
