It is the Sweetest

By Steven M. Vance

Children are disappearing across the Portland metro. When Sam Kavanagh’s estranged daughter, Aileen, finds him and asks for his help finding the grandson he hadn’t even known about, the former P.I. takes the case. The facts aren’t adding up, though, and it isn’t long before things start turning strange. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Off the Beaten Path Press
• Release date: Dec 16, 2017
• ISBN: 9781533797483

Book preview

Chapter 1

Spring had come to the City of Roses when the children began to turn up missing. The first were street children, from alleys, homeless camps and shelters. Local government and law enforcement seemed to take little notice. I’m ashamed to say I didn’t either. Not until it became personal.

Summer followed spring. Once children started disappearing from nice neighborhoods, it was the topic on everyone’s lips. They formed a task force and increased patrols. People joined neighborhood watch programs.

I was at a swap meet on old Hwy 99. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a young woman coming toward me. The impression was of shoulder-length brown dreads and dirty clothes. I was opening my mouth to tell her to move on when she said, Daddy.

Shocked, I turned. It was Aileen. Drugs and street living were rough. She looked older than twenty-five. She was wide-eyed, jittery and kept wringing her hands. She’d been crying. She started to reach out, touch me. Her hands withdrew.

I hadn’t known what to say. Finally, I asked, What’s wrong, Aileen?

They got Aidan! They took my baby!

You have a son? Who took him? I didn’t know I was a grandfather. Thoughts and emotions clamored for my attention to fast to process.

I don’t know! Whoever is stealing the children! He’s gone! Find him, Daddy!  Help me find him. Crying, she shoved a small photo at me. Her hand was shaking.

I took the picture, and tried to catch her hand, but she pulled back too quickly. Aidan was maybe two years old in the photo. What a beautiful smile. His delicate features reminded me of Aileen’s mom, Bridget, gone these five years. Time went too fast.

I pointed to a nearby table, Let’s sit down and talk. She let me steer her to a bench.

Aileen wiped tears away, "I have a