As time goes by, if the kids are able, she’ll capture Dillon and you will Stacie in order to Attach Olympus to help you scatter its father’s remains.

Rick Woody, now 46, consist inside the dimly lit, paneled living room, observing this new row away from photo you to range his mantel.

History springtime, Rick offered to succeed state and federal regulators to generally share Kacie’s story during the a nationwide effort entitled “Simple Photo” to rehearse cops and you may inform mothers – no matter if he’s not happy to listen to the storyline within the totality

There was his partner, Kristie, the lady hitting has actually framed by the scores of dark, tumbling curls. And there’s Kacie, which had an identical soulful sight and you will enigmatic, close-lipped look.

“You will find experienced a myriad of thinking,” Rick says, their deal with unreadable. Going Here “I’ve gone through brand new bad phase, the brand new questioning-Goodness phase, in which I’ve requested, ‘How might you take my wife then turnaround and you may simply take my daughter?'”

He recognizes the brand new paradox within this catastrophe – your guy who became a cop to simply help other people wasn’t right here when his own girl needed him really.

Within the June, the fresh new FBI presented Rick that have among a hundred commemorative patches impact Kacie’s term. The fresh bluish-and-silver patch illustrates a teddy-bear sitting near to a computer. “Kacie Woody, 1989-2002” is actually printed on the computer monitor. FBI agents and you can regional law enforcement officers that section of the newest Innocent Images task push will don new patches.

Guilt and you may what-ifs haunt Rick. Let’s say he previously named from inside the sick one to nights, including he had been tempted to manage? Let’s say he previously remaining a better vision to your Kacie’s computers affairs?

“It can’t head your everywhere but in a group,” he says. “You want to know that which you that’s happening on the children’s life and you believe you’ve got wise. ” His voice tracks out of. “We wish to cover him or her. ” Once again, a pause before Rick ends: “She did not have any worries.”

White tombstones glitter resistant to the later-mid-day shadows about grey, overcast day. Crickets chirp, and you may super easy rustles woods for the cusp out of autumnal fame.

Rick draws abreast of his bicycle, parking in direct front side off Kacie’s grave. He will take off their helmet, strolls toward grave and you can kneels. Eleven days have introduced as the what would have been Kacie’s 14th birthday. Tenderly, Rick scoops up the cards and you can notes one to Sam, Jessica or any other nearest and dearest have left.

Years ago, Rick came right here for every single Sept. 4, their loved-one’s birthday, to exit red flowers for Kristie – you to definitely for each and every 12 months they’d was indeed partnered. This season, he leftover twenty two.

However there is an additional grave in need of plants, red of these, Kacie’s favorite. Rick happens here three times weekly, always with the their motorcycle. That it looks fitted so you’re able to thunder towards the so it peaceful spot-on his bike.

Kacie appreciated so you’re able to ride having Rick

Kacie is actually thrilled whenever Rick bought a motorbike. Throughout their earliest excursion, she leaned in that way and this, glorying within the fresh new sense of freedom. Rick ultimately stopped and you can lectured this lady regarding waiting on hold so you’re able to your. The guy must understand she was still right back here. But Kacie wasn’t afraid of falling off. She was together daddy.

Rick leans up against his Kawasaki Vulcan and you will gazes at the Kacie’s gravestone. He is clothed entirely for the leather. To your his jacket, merely more than his cardiovascular system, ‘s the FBI spot one to bears Kacie’s term.

Temporarily, a rush off sunshine pierces the new clouds, home heating new arms, although not the new stone, on which a light ceramic angel slumbers. To own the majority of this lady brief lifestyle, Kacie planned to end up being an enthusiastic angel, same as this lady mommy. Inside the next grade, to possess a school assignment, she indexed one or two goals: becoming a gold-medal gymnast, and, down the road, to visit paradise observe the lady mama.