Down the road, when the kids are able, she’ll get Dillon and you will Stacie in order to Attach Olympus to spread out its father’s stays.
Rick Woody, today 46, lies within his candle lit, paneled home, watching the newest row out-of photographs one range his mantel.
Last spring season, Rick accessible to make it federal and state bodies to fairly share Kacie’s tale during the a nationwide energy called « Innocent Photos » to train police and you can educate parents – regardless if he’s not happy to pay attention to the story in its totality
Discover his spouse, Kristie, the woman striking enjoys framed because of the quite a few ebony, tumbling curls. And there’s Kacie, whom owned an identical soulful vision and you can secretive, close-lipped smile.
« I have gone through all types of thoughts, » Rick claims, his deal with unreadable. https://besthookupwebsites.org/omegle-review/ « We have experienced the fresh bad stage, brand new wanting to know-Jesus phase, where You will find requested, ‘How are you willing to take my wife then change and you will just take my daughter?' »
The guy comprehends the irony contained in this problem – that the boy who became a cop to greatly help anybody else wasn’t here whenever their own daughter called for your really.
From inside the June, the FBI demonstrated Rick that have one of one hundred commemorative spots bearing Kacie’s name. Brand new blue-and-gold area depicts a teddy-bear resting near to a pc. « Kacie Woody, 1989-2002 » are posted on the computer screen. FBI agencies and you may regional police who happen to be element of this new Innocent Photos activity force will wear brand new spots.
Shame and you may what-ifs haunt Rick. Let’s say he’d titled during the sick one to evening, such as for example he was lured to perform? Imagine if he had remaining a deeper eyes to your Kacie’s desktop circumstances?
« It cannot lead you anywhere however in a group, » according to him. « You’d like to learn everything that is taking place in your kid’s lifetime and you also consider you really have wise. » His sound tracks out of. « We want to cover him or her. » Again, a pause before Rick stops: « She did not have people concerns. »
Light tombstones sparkle from the later-mid-day shadows about this gray, overcast time. Crickets chirp, and you may quite simple rustles woods to the cusp from autumnal fame.
Rick draws up on their cycle, parking in direct front away from Kacie’s grave. He takes off their head protection, guides with the grave and kneels. 11 months has actually passed because the what would have been Kacie’s 14th birthday celebration. Tenderly, Rick scoops within the notes and you may cards you to Sam, Jessica or any other friends have remaining.
Years ago, Rick emerged right here for every single Sept. 4, their wedding anniversary, to go out of red-colored flowers getting Kristie – that per 12 months they might was indeed married. This current year, he left 22.
The good news is there is an additional grave in need of plant life, red of these, Kacie’s favorite. Rick happens here 3 x weekly, constantly into their bicycle. This looks suitable to thunder with the it peaceful spot on their bicycle.
Kacie enjoyed so you’re able to journey that have Rick
Kacie is actually excited when Rick purchased a motorbike. In their earliest excursion, she leaned like that and therefore, glorying inside the latest feeling of liberty. Rick ultimately pulled over and you may lectured the woman throughout the holding on to your. He needed seriously to know she was still right back there. However, Kacie wasn’t scared of falling off. She is along with her father.
Rick leans facing his Kawasaki Vulcan and you can gazes on Kacie’s gravestone. He is clothed entirely when you look at the fabric. Into their jacket, only over his center, is the FBI patch you to definitely carries Kacie’s identity.
Temporarily, a rush of sunrays pierces the brand new clouds, warming the newest arms, not the fresh brick, on what a light porcelain angel slumbers. For most of this lady small lifetime, Kacie wanted to become an angel, same as their mother. Into the second degrees, to have a college task, she noted one or two needs: to become a gold-medal gymnast, immediately after which, in the future, to consult with eden observe her mommy.