MISSING

MISSING   By Tessa Harvey He staggered, turning pale. "That man...." he began. "No, silly,"  she giggled, then  caught her breath on a sob. "How would I know already? Anyway, he didn't touch me, except to pull me out of the river and sometimes pat my hair. You are going to be a daddy."     Gabe was delighted, but felt a pang of pity for the unknown woman who had died with her tiny baby. Who was she?     The police helped them back to their vehicles. Lisa's detailed description of her dream had saved precious time in locating Angel. The paddock, the river, the dwelling place had been God working through a child to save his wife. Gabe believed that with all his heart. Many questions remained unanswered, as did many prayers, if he were honest. There was much evil in the world, but God's Light was greater than any darkness.     Ryan Smith was placed in a secure environment. For a while he kept looking for his "pet," but one day the nurses...

MISSING  By Tessa Harvey The man was physically fitter. He could easily wait her out. It was beginning to rain.     Angel thought back to when she had followed Ryan after her soaking in the river. She had had no idea he lived alone nor that his mental capacity was so limited. Angel had tried hard to tell him she belonged to a family, but her jailer had just shaken his head, bewildered.     He had found her. She belonged to him now. It was that simple - and to her, that terrible.     Light was fading with hope. The young woman called out in loneliness and despair and suddenly heard an answering shout, and the wavering light of bright torches.     She cried out again, this time in hope. How she had longed for light throughout her beleagured nights, that had seemed so endless. Muttering, Ryan shuffled away, afraid and annoyed.     Then Angel heard Gabe's voice. She cried out again in joy. She saw that he looked terrible, but he was cli...

MISSING   By Tessa Harvey Steve almost forgot to phone the police, then groaned, wishing he had. Finally, he called.     He was put through to the detective, expecting to be politely told "no deal." Dreams and so on were not evidence. But James was very interested. "Do you think I could talk to your daughter?" he asked, cautiously. "I won't be in uniform and the car is unmarked. A policewoman will accompany me. Of course, you will be present."     They arranged a time after school. -----------------------------------------      Angel checked around her prison one more time. This was bizarre, unreal. She shook her head. All this because she had disagreed with Gabe about what to have for tea - as if it mattered. It's the little foxes that spoil the grapes, she thought. No way out.     She had looked endlessly, minutely for three days round and around the barn. "God, help me," she cried, sinking to her knees on the dusty straw-laden floor. ...