Dave’s ashes are still from inside the Sally’s cupboard

As time goes by, when the children are able, she will just take Dillon and Stacie in order to Attach Olympus so you’re able to spread out its dad’s remains.

Rick Woody, now 46, is within his candlight, paneled living room, watching the brand new row away from photographs one to line his mantel.

Past springtime, Rick wanted to enable it to be federal and state authorities to talk about Kacie’s facts in a national work named “Innocent Photos” to practice cops and teach moms and dads – although he’s not happy to hear the story within its totality

There’s his partner, Kristie, their hitting keeps presented from the scores of black, tumbling curls. As there are Kacie, just who owned an identical soulful attention and you can enigmatic, close-lipped smile.

“I’ve gone through all kinds of thoughts,” Rick says, their face unreadable. “I have gone through this new sour phase, the new thinking-Goodness older women dating desktop stage, in which I have expected, ‘How can you bring my spouse after which turnaround and you may simply take my personal young girl?'”

He knows the brand new irony within catastrophe – your guy exactly who turned into a cop to simply help anybody else wasn’t right here whenever his or her own daughter required him most.

From inside the June, the newest FBI shown Rick that have one of a hundred commemorative spots influence Kacie’s title. The brand new blue-and-gold area portrays a teddy bear resting near to a computer. “Kacie Woody, 1989-2002” try posted on the pc screen. FBI agents and you will local police officers that happen to be element of the new Innocent Photo activity force often wear brand new spots.

Guilt and you will what-ifs haunt Rick. Can you imagine he’d named from inside the sick one to night, such as he had been lured to create? Let’s say he previously left a closer attention on the Kacie’s desktop products?

“It can’t direct you anyplace however in a circle,” he says. “You’d like to learn everything you which is taking place on the children’s existence and also you thought you have smart. ” His sound trails out-of. “We need to manage her or him. ” Once more, a stop just before Rick finishes: “She did not have any anxieties.”

Light tombstones sparkle from the late-day shadows on this subject gray, cloudy time. Crickets chirp, and you may super easy rustles trees into cusp regarding autumnal magnificence.

Rick draws up on his bike, parking in direct top out of Kacie’s grave. He will take off their head protection, treks towards grave and you will kneels. 11 weeks possess enacted once the what would were Kacie’s 14th birthday. Tenderly, Rick scoops within the cards and you may notes you to definitely Sam, Jessica or any other loved ones have gone.

In years past, Rick arrived right here for each Sept. cuatro, their wedding anniversary, to depart yellow roses for Kristie – that for each year they would was in fact partnered. This season, the guy left twenty two.

However now there was the second grave looking for flowers, reddish of those, Kacie’s favourite. Rick arrives here 3 x each week, constantly to your their bike. It looks suitable so you’re able to thunder to the that it silent spot-on his bicycle.

Kacie treasured to experience having Rick

Kacie was delighted when Rick purchased a motorcycle. During their first travels, she leaned this way and therefore, glorying within this the fresh feeling of versatility. Rick in the end stopped and you will lectured the lady on the securing to him. He needed to understand she had been straight back truth be told there. But Kacie was not afraid of falling-off. She try along with her daddy.

Rick leans up against their Kawasaki Vulcan and you can gazes in the Kacie’s gravestone. They are clothed totally in leather. With the their coat, only more than his cardio, is the FBI patch you to contains Kacie’s identity.

Briefly, a burst from sunlight pierces the new clouds, warming the brand new arms, although not this new stone, about what a light ceramic angel slumbers. To possess a lot of the woman short lifestyle, Kacie wished to become an angel, just like the woman mommy. Inside the second grade, having a school task, she detailed a couple requires: becoming a gold-medal gymnast, immediately after which, as time goes on, to check out eden to see this lady mother.