She figured he wasn’t real keen on setting himself up for another broken heart and she couldn’t blame him. She knew she was giving off conflicting signals, but didn’t seem to have any control over it. But if there was going to be hope for the two of them, she’d have to overcome her insecurities and fears.
His car pulled into the parking lot and she could see Felix in the passenger seat. He actually had a smile on his face, German shepherd puppies tucked under his chin. Felix and Jonas climbed out of the car and Felix juggled his armload. Jonas’s eyes met hers and he gave her a slow smile. “Thanks for this.” He blinked and she thought she saw moisture before he cleared his throat and looked back at his son.
The puppies licked and squirmed but Felix kept a firm yet gentle grip on them. His gaze met hers and his smile faltered. Then one of the puppies nipped his nose and he yelped, sounding a lot like his new friends. Brooke laughed and motioned for them to get in her vehicle. Mercy sat in the backseat in her kennel, her interest in the puppies clear yet controlled. Jonas opened the back door for Felix and he settled himself in. “Here’s their box,” Jonas said as he passed the cardboard through the door.
“I can hold them,” Felix said.
“That’s fine, just put your seat belt on, okay?”
The teen placed the puppies in the box while he fastened his seat belt. Brooke opened the kennel door and let Mercy investigate. The dog took her time sniffing and examining the squirmy canines. She gave them both a lick and settled back into her kennel, satisfied. Brooke shut the door and climbed behind the wheel. She started the car and pulled away, heading for traffic.
“Did your dad tell you what we need you to do, Felix?” she asked.
“He said you wanted me to use the puppies to get the kid to talk about what he saw the night that lawyer was killed.”
“Right.”
“But use some tact, will you?” Jonas asked. “Don’t mention that night unless Brooke motions for you to say something. She’s the one who’s going to be asking the questions, okay?” Jonas asked.
“We already went over this. I’m not stupid, Dad.”
“I know you’re not, son.” Jonas’s sigh was heavy.
“I’m going to be close by,” Brooke said, “so if I start talking, you kind of just focus on the puppies, all right?”
“I got it,” Felix huffed. But Brooke could tell his attitude wasn’t quite as hard as the first time she’d seen him. He fell silent during the short drive to the edge of town.
She pulled over to the side of the road. “Can you open the glove compartment and pull out those two blindfolds?”
Jonas did as she asked and passed one back to Felix. “Seriously?” he asked.
“Seriously,” Brooke said.
The boy shook his head but didn’t argue, just slipped it over his eyes. “So this is kind of like undercover work, isn’t it?”
He wanted to sound bored, but she caught the thread of excitement in his tone. She smiled. “Yes, it is. You’re going to go in, get Tommy’s trust and help us get information. All you have to do is work with the puppies.”
Felix sighed and she figured they were repeating themselves a bit much. She just didn’t want anything to go wrong or for the whole plan to backfire and alienate Tommy instead of getting him to talk.
“Sorry, Felix,” she said softly.
“Thanks,” he said just as soft.
Jonas reached over and curled his left hand around her right. And she let him.
Until she noticed the vehicle staying steady just behind them. She snagged her phone and dialed Gavin. “I need some backup.”
Jonas whipped off his blindfold. “What is it?”
“Behind us. No one followed me to your office, I’m sure of it.”
“Maybe it wasn’t you.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what if someone followed me from Felix’s school?”
He had a point. “I think it’s time we got you and Felix some twenty-four-hour protection.”
“What?” Felix blurted from the backseat. “No way. I don’t want someone following me around all day. It’s bad enough the school resource officer won’t let me out of his sight and now you want to make it a full-time thing? No way. Dad, tell her no.”
Brooke ignored Felix. She understood his concern, but right now, she was growing more anxious by the second as the car behind her closed the distance.
*
Jonas could see Brooke’s worry as her gaze snapped back and forth between the road and the rearview mirror. “Is help on the way?”
“Yes, but we may have to take care of things ourselves until it gets here.”
“Take care of things how?”
“Hold on tight,” she muttered. The car sped up. “He’s going to try to run us off the road.”
Jonas’s adrenaline shot to maximum levels as he turned in the seat to catch Felix’s frightened gaze. “Hang on, son.” Felix nodded and held his precious cargo.
Jonas tried to get a glimpse of the driver, but the man had a mask on. The car crept closer. Closer. Jonas held his breath and gripped the door. He wanted to throw himself into the back and cover Felix with his body, but there wasn’t room—or time.
And then the car following them tapped the rear bumper. The only reason they didn’t spin out was because Brooke surged ahead.
“Grab something and hold on tight,” Brooke shouted. She slammed the brake and spun the wheel. The car’s back end swung out. Felix yelled and puppies yelped. The vehicle on their bumper flew past. Jonas caught a glimpse of it, then spinning trees.
Then they were stopped. An abrupt halt that jerked him against the seat belt. “Felix? You all right?”
The boy didn’t answer. Jonas whipped his head around to see his son hovering over the two puppies. Mercy had been knocked around, but stood and shook herself. “Felix?”
Felix looked up and Jonas flinched at the blazing anger in the teen’s eyes. “I’m fine. Who is doing this? And why?”
“Hold that thought,” Brooke said. “They’re coming back.”
“What?”
Sirens sounded and the black sedan slammed on brakes before reaching their vehicle, backed up and did a one-eighty turn. It sped off and Brooke sucked in a deep breath.
Nicholas pulled up beside her. Two other police cars swept past them and gave chase. She rolled her window down. “Pretty fancy driving there,” he said.
“Maybe. I’m glad you showed up when you did.”
“Did you get a plate?” Nicholas asked.
“No. I tried, but couldn’t catch it.”
“I think I caught the letter X and maybe the number 3,” Jonas said.
Brooke looked at him, admiration glinting in her eyes. “Nice job.”
He shrugged and glanced back at Felix. He’d released the puppies back into their box and sat with his arms crossed, the glare in his eyes not having lessened. “What is it, son?”
“They can’t get away with this.”
“They’re not,” Brooke said, her tone grim. “That’s why we’re doing everything we can to stop them.” She sighed and rubbed her forehead. “All right, let me call Cassie and tell her we’re going to have to do this another day—”
“What? Why?” Felix demanded.
Jonas frowned at the boy’s tone, but Brooke lifted a brow. “You don’t want to go home and chill out a little? You got knocked around a bit.”
“I’m not hurt and in case you forgot, my home is a veterinarian’s office right now, thanks to these people. And no, I’m not interested in chilling out. I want to find the dude that ran us off the road and tried to shoot us at the restaurant. If we don’t find him fast, these things are just going to keep happening. We need to help so those kids can go back to living in their home and feel safe.”
Jonas couldn’t help his sagging jaw. This was his son? His surly, attitudinal teen who only thought about himself most of the time? He shot a look at Brooke, who looked more amused than anything. S
he gave a slow nod. “All right then. You’re on. Let’s get going.” She looked at Nicholas. “Will you make sure we’re not followed?”
“Absolutely. Officers are in pursuit as we speak.”
“Good. Call me if you need anything else.”
He nodded. “I talked to Jeffries and rescheduled our meeting. We’re on for tomorrow morning first thing. At his house again.”
She lifted a brow. “Is he going to be there this time?”
“He says he is.”
Jonas watched the two converse and wondered if there was anything between them besides work. At first, jealousy flared, but then faded. He didn’t get that from them. He got a sense of deep respect and friendship, but nothing more. He wanted to disregard the relief flowing through him, but couldn’t. He also couldn’t ignore the fact that Brooke was important to him. And the more he was around her, the more that grew. He wanted to find out if they had a chance this time around but was leery about getting his heart trampled on again.
She looked at him. “Blindfold, please.”
“Seriously?” Felix asked from the back even as he did as asked without hesitation.
“Seriously.”
TEN
Brooke glanced at Felix in the back and noted he still wore his half angry, half determined expression. Below the blindfold, his jaw jutted. As he grew, he would look more and more like Jonas. Not a bad thing in her opinion.
Jonas reached over and grasped her fingers once again and she let him. She needed the human contact, the reassurance that they’d survived yet another attempt on their lives.
He held her hand until she turned onto the mile-long drive that would lead to the safe house. Guard dogs patrolled the area and she had to show her ID at three different stops along the way. Finally, they reached the gate. A tall fence surrounded the property and she hoped the kids didn’t have to stay there too much longer. They needed to be back in their original location near the Jeffries mansion in Flag Heights. For some of them, it was the only home they’d ever known. “You can take your blindfold off now.”
“Wow, what is this place?” Felix had his blindfold off and his eyes bounced from one end of the complex to the other.
“The children’s home,” she said. “Are you ready to meet some people?”
“Yes.” He still had determination stamped on his face, but now there was excitement present. He glanced at her. “Is the boy you told me about here?”
“The one that lost his mom?”
“Yes.”
She shook her head. “No. He was for a little while, but then his aunt Lana was granted custody of him.”
Felix pressed his lips together and took another look around as she parked. “Oh. I’m glad he has a mom again.”
“Yeah, me, too,” she said, wondering what was going through his young mind.
“My mom took off.”
Jonas inhaled, but didn’t say anything.
“I know,” Brooke said. “I’m sure that hurts.”
“Sometimes.” He shrugged then nodded. “But I’m over her. It was her choice and if that’s the kind of person she is, I’m probably better off without her. I’m ready.” He stepped out of the car and grabbed the box with the puppies, balancing it against his stomach. Brooke told Mercy to stay. She didn’t need her companion for this trip.
Together the three of them approached the front door. She saw the conflict in Jonas’s eyes even though she thought he might be trying to hide it. He was processing his son’s words and might need a minute. She moved slowly, taking in the area.
The home now sported a large play area with a swing set and other items necessary for a child to cut loose and have fun. Brooke raised her hand to knock, but before she connected with the wood, the door swung open. Cassie smiled her greeting. Brooke decided she was probably the only one who noticed the stress in the smile. “Hi, glad you could make it,” Cassie said.
Brooke made the introductions. Felix ducked his head and studied the puppies until Jonas nudged him. He glanced up. “Hi.”
“Welcome. Come on in and I’ll introduce you to the troops.” She led the way through the lobby and into a large area that had been converted into a den. Several children sat at a picnic table playing checkers. Four others who looked between the ages of eight and fourteen stood on a mat in front of the large-screen television and jumped up and down as a cart raced over a rail track. “That’s good exercise,” Brooke said.
“Fun, too,” Jonas agreed. He rubbed his right shoulder and Brooke frowned.
“Are you all right?”
“Caught my sore shoulder against the door during your fancy driving.” He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
The puppies scrambled to get a foothold on the side of the box only to slide back to the bottom. Cassie peered over the edge and hooked one under his chubby belly. “Children, look who’s come to visit.”
Felix set the box on a side table and picked up the other pup.
The children gathered, their oohs and ahhs filling the room. Brooke scanned the room looking for the little boy she’d seen a couple of months ago. Her gaze landed on a brown-haired boy about seven years old. He stood back from the group, his face pale, eyes haunted. He blinked and started to leave. Brooke made her way to Felix and whispered in his ear. “There by the door.”
Felix nodded and slipped through the children. Brooke wandered behind him. Jonas helped with the other puppy and children, but she could feel his gaze on her back. Felix held out the puppy to little Tommy. “Wanna hold him?”
Tommy’s eyes went wide. “Me?”
“Sure. You looked like you wanted to.”
“Why don’t you sit on the couch?” Brooke asked. “Then you can hold him in your lap.”
Tommy scooted to the sofa and climbed up. His little legs stuck off the end, the laces of one tennis shoe dangling toward the floor. He held up his hands. Through the side window, Brooke noted that Cassie and Jonas had managed to lure the other children outside. They all sat in a circle, legs spread to allow the puppy to run from one child to the other. Laughter floated through the screen door in the kitchen.
Brooke parked herself on the edge of the other couch and let Felix and Tommy talk. Felix chatted, keeping up a running monologue about all kinds of different things. The one Tommy seemed to respond to the most was football. The minutes passed. She didn’t want to rush them, but when the puppy fell asleep in Tommy’s lap, she nodded to Felix. Felix cleared his throat. “Hey, Tommy, I hear you’re having some trouble sleeping at night.”
Tommy froze. Brooke flipped through a magazine and pretended not to pay attention.
“Yeah.” Tommy’s soft whisper reached her ears.
“When my mom left, I couldn’t sleep at night either.”
“She left?”
“Uh-huh. She left when I was about three so I don’t remember much about her but I keep thinking she’s coming back.” He glanced away. “I don’t think she is, though.”
“I’m sorry,” Tommy said.
“Me, too.” Silence hung between the two boys. She wanted to jump in, but held herself still. She could see Tommy struggling with something, trying to make up his mind about whether or not he wanted to let the words out.
“My mom and dad died in a car wreck and I didn’t have anyone else who wanted me to come live with them.”
“That’s tough.”
Brooke thought her heart might simply shatter at the pain being shared by the two boys. She blinked away the tears and drew in a steadying breath. She had to keep it together.
Felix scratched the puppy’s head and he wiggled awake, yawning. “Is that why you’re having trouble sleeping?”
Tommy swallowed and lifted the puppy to his face. He spoke to the animal. “No, it’s cuz of my dreams. I see him in my dreams.”
“See who?” Felix asked. He scratched the puppy’s back.
Brooke trembled. Finally. Felix met her gaze, his eyes wide. Brooke gave him a thumbs-up and he straightened his
shoulders a bit before leaning closer and settling a hand on Tommy’s shoulder. “You can tell me, Tommy. Who do you see?”
Tommy drew in a deep breath. “What’s the puppy’s name?”
Felix wilted a fraction, but Brooke gave him an encouraging nod.
“He doesn’t have one,” Felix said. “You want to name him?”
“I’d name him Buster if he was mine,” Tommy said.
“His name is Buster then.”
Tommy finally looked at Felix. “In my dreams, I see the man with the white hair. He’s big and scary and I don’t like him. He had a gun and I’m afraid he’s going to come get me and shoot me.”
White hair? She couldn’t take it anymore. “It’s okay, Tommy, you don’t have to be afraid of him,” Brooke soothed as she moved over to sit beside the boy. The puppy stretched to lick Tommy’s nose then scrunched back down to nibble on his fingers.
Tommy gave a low giggle that faded as fast as it appeared. He looked up at Brooke. “I don’t?”
“No way.” She pulled out her badge. “See this?”
“Yes.”
“You know what it means?”
“It means you’re a police officer?”
“That’s right. Do you remember we talked once before?”
“Uh-huh.”
“We’re here and we’re going to protect you so you don’t have to be afraid. Can you tell me a little more about the man with the white hair?”
Tommy clamped his lips together and shook his head.
“Okay then, if I get someone to come, could you help that person draw a picture of the man you saw?”
Tommy shrugged. “Maybe. I mostly saw his back. In my dream, I mean.”
“Right. In your dreams.” Brooke pulled up a picture of Congressman Jeffries on her phone and showed it to the child. “Was this the man with the white hair?”
He studied the picture, his forehead creased. Then lifted his shoulder again. “I don’t know.” He looked away and swallowed hard.
Brooke slipped to her knees to look the little boy straight in the eye. She cupped his cheeks. “I want you to know that I’m very proud of you for telling Felix about the man with the white hair. You can go to sleep without worrying about him. He can’t hurt you, okay? Even if you see him in your dreams, you can tell yourself that he can’t hurt you.” Tears filled his eyes, and he blinked until they ran down his cheeks. Brooke swiped them away and he leaned into her arms, the puppy squirming between them. “Okay?” she pressed.
Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 - Box Set 1 of 2: Trail of EvidenceGone MissingLethal Exposure Page 8