Stranger in the Night by Catherine Palmer Page A

couldn’tfind her and started freaking out. Hawke called the cops. They were preparing for a sweep of the neighborhood when she showed up. Any idea where she might have gone?”
    “Shopping?”
    Liz knew she should move her hand from his arm. The warmth of Joshua’s skin and the mound of solid muscle beneath her fingertips made her uncomfortable. Yet a sense of peace had paralyzed her. It was the same certainty of power and protection she had known the other night, and she liked it too much to step away.
    “Mary was gone ten minutes—tops,” Joshua said. “No time to shop. She doesn’t have money, anyway. Pastor S. told me they made it to St. Louis with seventy-three dollars. Hawke put most of that in the office safe.”
    “Maybe she went for a walk—to get some air.”
    “She’d have told him. No, something happened. She was outside with us. We had just started work on the new rec project in the empty lot. The Hypes walked by on the other side of the street, and Hawke sent everyone back into the building. Somewhere in there Mary vanished. Pastor Stephen hit the panic button, and Hawke summoned the heat. And now here she comes.”
    “I saw those three men outside.” Liz looked into his eyes. “The ones from the other night.”
    His body went rigid. “They’re out there? How far?”
    “Down the street.”
    “Was she with them? Had they gotten to her?”
    “Mary? No, they were standing at a distance watching me. She was rushing back to Haven like she’d been out on a mission and wanted to get home.”
    “A mission?”
    “An errand. Maybe one of the kids needed medicine? Or a toy or special snack? Maybe Mary had seen something in astore window and wanted a closer look. She’s not a prisoner here, is she?”
    He regarded her in silence.
    “Maybe she is,” Liz said. “At least she will be until you set the family free. How is that going, by the way?”
    “I can’t find the brother. The address in their letter is bogus. No such street. His name isn’t turning up in any phone book or Web directory. Maybe they’ll hear from him one of these days, but until then, they’re all mine. I took Pastor S. and the missus out to apply for jobs yesterday. The best he’s going to do is minimum wage—dishwashing or janitorial. Too bad, because he’s educated and smart. His English isn’t bad, either, once you get used to the accent.”
    “Is he willing to work an entry-level position?”
    “He’ll have to. And the guy keeps right on talking about starting a church here. Like that’s going to pay anything. He won’t give it up, especially after he learned about the family breakdown and the gang situation. Thinks he can save the world.”
    Liz bristled, recalling Molly’s teasing.
    “What’s wrong with wanting to make a difference?” she asked. “I admire him. We need more people willing to get involved. And we certainly need someone who can minister to the people in this neighborhood. Cut him some slack.”
    “Keeping that dream alive, are you?” He turned his back on the cluster of people gathered around Mary Rudi. Facing Liz, his navy eyes went deep. “Still headed to Africa?”
    She looked away. “As fast as you’re headed to Texas.” Before he could speak again, she stepped aside. “Listen, I’ve got to get going. Mary’s safe now, and it looks like you’re taking good care of the family. I doubted Shauntay would show for the hair appointment. Better run.”
    He caught her arm and swung her close again. “When am I going to see you?”
    Her heartbeat faltered. “Don’t do this, Joshua. We both have plans. And nothing in common. Really, I need to go.”
    “Tonight? Let’s do dinner and a movie. Or ice cream, if that’s too much.”
    “Thanks, but it’s not a good idea. You know that.”
    “I’m not asking for a lifetime commitment.”
    For a moment, she couldn’t make herself speak. Everything written on his face belied those words. Joshua Duff was looking for a commitment. He