Part 10

Wardell turned slowly to face Risa. Risa and Charlene came stomping down from the front door, bypassing the walkway and crossing straight through the yard. Risa thought she saw a hint of amusement on Wardell's face which infuriated her even more. Wardell calmly waited beside his car for the two girls to approach.

After crossing the yard Risa stopped at the sidewalk and squared her shoulders to face Wardell. Charlene came up to her right and placed both hands onto her hips striking a pose of righteous indignation - she was quite adept with that look.

"May I help you Sonrisa?" His formality and calm irked Risa .

"What do you want from my family?" Wardell cocked his head slightly but did not answer so Risa continued more specifically, "What do you want from my mom."

"Sonrisa, I'm confused by what you mean?"

Charlene let out a sarcastic laugh and Risa rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. Why are you still working on this case when we can't even pay you?"

"As I explained months ago, each year I like to take on a special case pro-bono."

"Yeah right, pro-bono" Charlene said disbelieving, "I'm sure you're hoping for a different kind of payment". Risa turned to look at her friend, while Risa was mad, she probably wouldn't have phrased the statement that way. "Why are you trying to take advantage of a mother in pain?"

"You know that pro-bono means "free" right? I don't want any kind of payment". Wardell said evenly.

"I know what it means!" Charlene yelled, "and no one works for free!"

"Well, then why us? Why Caleb's case?" Risa put a hand on Charlene's arm. Risa did not want to argue with Wardell but wanted answers. "You've been looking for months and haven't had anything! Nothing! Even the police stopped trying long ago."

Wardell shrugged, "Maybe I find the facts and circumstances of this case interesting. I like taking on the challenges of difficult cases. Your brother's disappearance," Risa again noted that Wardell still never said her brother's name in front of her, "is unique".

"Unique? He was kidnapped!" Charlene wasn't backing down. Risa loved her for her passion and that she staunching sided with her family that Caleb had been abducted and had not run away on his own.

"Well, I also happen to believe that your brother was taken as opposed to running away," Wardell said nodding. "I want to find your brother."

Risa looked into Wardell's eyes and could sense that he spoke the truth. She never saw anything in his face that tugged at her instincts to show that he was lying. Ever since her father left Risa's instincts were sharpened and her disposition towards men worsened. She already held a very low threshold of trust towards men yet she felt a strange sensation that she could trust Wardell.

She had never taken much time to speak with him. During Wardell's visits she would often be ushered out of the room so that the "grown-ups" could discuss elements of the detective's search. She never felt that Wardell or her mother was hiding anything from her but they did not volunteer any new information readily. Risa continued to look into Wardell's eyes and her demeanor softened. There was a long awkward silence so she was finally compelled to ask.

"Detective Wardell, why do you choose to do this? Look for lost children I mean."

Wardell squinted his eyes slightly as if gauging Risa's question. He seemed to be reasoning if Risa was asking a serious question or if she was still in her interrogation mode. Seemly pleased with his conclussion about Risa's motive, Wardell answered her slowly.

"Many years ago my wife and I tried very hard to have a child. We underwent test after test, but the results were inconclusive. The doctors were unsure if either of us was barren so we continued to try. After some time, we were blessed with the news that my wife had conceived and we were expecting a baby." Wardell was looking directly into Risa's eyes but Risa felt that he was not actually seeing her. It was as if Wardell was watching the story of his life through a viewing lens in Risa's eyes.

"It was a difficult pregnancy. My wife suffered through severe bouts of sickness and there were several times where we thought we would lose the baby." As he continued the tone of Wardell's voice and the gravity of his story seemed to placate Charlene as well. Charlene's arms had dropped to her sides and she stood captive to the tale. "Thankfully, even after that tumultuous period my wife gave birth to a beautiful and healthy boy."

Wardell finally broke his eye contact with Risa and looked to the ground. Risa felt a sense of foreboding creep up her spine. She knew this story would not end well, men like Wardell were pushed and motivated by grief and suffering.

"Not even a year after the birth of our son, my wife disappeared. She took my child with her and left without reason or explanation." He paused before looking up at Risa again, "I searched for them for years but could not find a trace."

Wardell had stopped abruptly and neither Risa nor Charlene knew what to say next. The three stood there motionless on the side walk in front of Risa's home for what seemed like an eternity. Risa's anger had evaporated and Charlene was also stunned into silence - which did not happen often. Wardell broke the silence.

"I will visit again soon. Let us hope that I will have more auspicious news."

With that Wardell turned on his heels and walked around his car to the driver's side door. He opened the door, climbed in and started the car. The sound of car's engine seemed to rattle the quiet street.

"Oh man," Charlene's high pitched voice seemed a little softer and less strained, "That was deep. He doesn't seem like such a bad guy". Risa could only offer a slight nod of agreement as she watched Wardell's black sedan pull away from the curb and wheel around the cul-de-sac then out towards the exit of her neighborhood.