by Dana R. Lynn
At the hospital, he strode inside, his head turning as his eyes searched for a head of black curly hair.
A shriek had him whirling to the left. His heart lurched at the desperation etched across Maggie’s pale face. Little Rory screamed and arched his back, his face red and streaked with tears. Pivoting on his heel, Dan moved to them. In his peripheral vision, he could see Melanie give him a slight wave as he approached. He dipped his head in response, all his attention on the woman and child in front of him.
“Mags.”
* * *
Maggie couldn’t remember ever being as happy to hear a voice as she was when Dan called her name. Only a handful of people were in the waiting room. Rory had slept for a few minutes here and there, but for the most part he had been shrieking nonstop for the past two hours. She was at her wit’s end.
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
Had she really just blurted that out? Yeah, judging by the smirk on his face, she had. She could feel warmth climbing her face. His smile slipped out of sight as he turned his attention to her son. Concern creased his forehead and shadowed his gray eyes. He reached out and gently took the little boy from her.
“Hey, buddy,” he crooned. “I hear you’re not feeling well.”
The baby gulped and sniffed. His screams turned into whimpers for a couple seconds before resuming. Maggie half expected Dan to hand the child back to her. Instead, he cuddled the baby closer and began to walk in the waiting room, talking softly into the boy’s ear. Eyes followed his progress around the room. Maggie couldn’t help but notice the smiles aimed at him. He looked like any other father comforting his son.
Father! What an odd thought to have. She barely knew the man. True, she liked what she knew, but her discernment regarding character, especially in men, was questionable. Her lips mashed together as she thought of Malcolm. She forced herself to use his real name. Granted, he had reasons for his duplicity, but to leave her so totally in the dark? Especially when he knew the danger he’d put her in by getting involved with her? That was unforgivable.
Unforgivable?
Uneasily, she thought about the faith she had abandoned and was now tentatively trying to get in touch with again. She might have forgotten many things, but one thing she did remember was her grandmother insisting she learn the Lord’s Prayer and take it to heart. The line “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us” stood out in her mind now like a neon sign. Because she hadn’t forgiven those who had harmed her in the past. Not her late husband. Not her birth father. And certainly not her stepfather. Was she even supposed to forgive him after what he had done? Surely not. But her mind flashed to Jesus on the cross. He openly forgave those who killed Him.
Please help me, God. Please teach me to forgive.
A quiet sense of God’s presence touched her heart. No sudden fanfare or fireworks. Just a gently soothing peace washing over her. She knew she had a long way to go, and her struggle to forgive was still present. A small part of her wanted to hold on to her anger. But she felt that God had started the process of healing her soul.
“Hey, Mags. You okay?”
Startled, she lifted her face to see Dan standing over her, his eyes soft and questioning. A grin slowly spread across her face. Rory had fallen to sleep on his shoulder and was drooling on his shirt. Dan followed her gaze and rolled his eyes. A small smile slipped out, though, so she knew he wasn’t annoyed. In fact, a stillness seemed to grip him before he placed an almost-reverent kiss on the toddler’s head.
A choking sensation seized her. This beautiful, tormented man had caught her unawares. How many times had she promised herself that she would never fall in love again? Yet he had managed to slide right past her guard.
But how could she love someone who was even more broken than she? What kind of future was possible for them?
“Slade?”
Relieved, she stood quickly. Whoever said self-examination was good for the soul? She didn’t intend to examine her feelings for Dan for a long time, if ever.
They were led back to a curtained-off cubicle. Maggie kept turning to look back over her shoulder to make sure Dan was still following. Each time, he nodded. It was silly, she knew, but she felt the need to assure herself of his presence. She hated feeling so vulnerable.
Conversation was stilted as they waited for the ER doctor to arrive. After a few minutes, it dwindled to nothing. Dan seemed to understand that she was too scattered to talk. He moved from where he had been leaning against the wall and pulled the single chair in the cubicle closer to the narrow bed, where she sat with Rory. Gratefully, she gripped his hand when he reached out to her. He winced, shooting a glance to their intertwined fingers. She gasped and started to pull away. He held on tighter. When she ceased trying to pull away, he ran his free hand up and down her arm.
“It’s okay, Maggie. I’m here. Hold on to me if you want. As hard as you want. I can take it.”
Maggie thought it was both macho and sweet. So like Dan. She gave in and allowed herself the comfort of holding on to another person for a change, instead of keeping her worries to herself.
A swoosh of curtain announced the arrival of the doctor. He was young and brisk, barely making eye contact as he tapped out notes on his laptop. Dan made a sound that was very close to a growl. Maggie flashed her eyes at him, shocked. He was scowling at the doctor, who took absolutely no notice of him.
After finishing whatever it was he had been typing, the doctor lifted his head and sent a distracted smile to Maggie. A smile that froze and withered as it was turned on Dan. Suddenly, he was all business. In a remarkably short time, Rory was diagnosed with a double ear infection, a prescription was written and they were discharged with enough antibiotics to last until the pharmacy opened.
“It never ceases to amaze me that I can wait for hours for a five-minute consultation,” she remarked as she carried a now-sleeping Rory out of the emergency room.
“Tonight was busier than usual.”
She remembered something. “By the way, you were sort of rude in there. Intimidating that poor young doctor.”
He snorted. “I get irritated when people forget that the people they serve are people and not just statistics. I could see that to him you were just another case. He didn’t even notice that you were worried and wanted some reassurance. Here, let me take him.” Dan lifted the child from her arms and held him securely curled against his chest as the security doors slid open. “I told Jace to transfer Rory’s car seat to my car before he took Melanie home.”
Maggie laughed. “I completely forgot about his car seat. What a great mother I am!”
“You are a great mother. Tonight you are just a very worried and sleep-deprived mom.”
She ducked her head, pleased and shy at the same time. A smile tugged at her lips. It meant a lot to hear he thought she was a great mother. It was astounding how much it meant.
Outside, the sky glowed with pink and purple hues as the sun rose. Lifting his chin, he drew in a deep breath. Maggie copied the action, letting the cool air revive her.
“I love this time of day.” Maggie sighed, a contented little sound.
He smiled. “I do, too. Although, I’m probably gonna be dragging today. I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night.”
Guilt overrode her delight with the sunrise.
“I’m sorry, Dan. It should have occurred to me that you would be exhausted,” she mourned. “Why didn’t you say something? Surely we could have found some other way to protect me so you could have rested.”
In the middle of the parking lot, Dan stopped. He dipped his head and gave her a stern glance. Her heart tripped. Seeing him there, so fierce even as he held her son so gently, she thought she had never seen anything more beautiful.
“I wanted to be here with you, Mags. Being here for you tonight wa
s worth every second of missed sleep. Even if I yawn all day, I will be happy that I was able to help you and Rory at the hospital.”
Touched, she smiled as warmth filled her chest.
“Thanks. It meant so much that you were there.”
Electricity built between them. One of these times they’d see actual sparks.
A sudden blast of music shattered the moment. Dan exclaimed and handed Rory back to Maggie. He patted his pockets until he found his cell phone. The ringtone ceased abruptly as he jabbed a button with his finger.
“Willis.”
As she watched, his face changed. He looked every inch a cop.
“Too coincidental. Is everyone all right? Keep me informed.”
Lips pursed, Dan seemed to forget she was even present. He replaced his phone, still wearing that look of concentration.
“Hey,” she called softly, reminding him of her presence. “What’s going on? What’s too coincidental?”
“That was Jace. He woke up early and realized the power was out. And the phones. That means the security system was off. He’s checking on everyone now—”
His phone rang again. This time he answered it immediately. Whatever reassurance he had been about to offer died. Dread curled up inside her. She tensed. Rory whimpered in his sleep as her grip tightened on him.
“Come on. We have to hurry.” He placed a warm hand on the small of her back to hurry her along. “Your mother’s missing.”
FIFTEEN
Dan couldn’t remember the last time he had used his siren this many times within a twenty-four-hour period. But use it he did. Every time he looked at Maggie’s tense figure sitting beside him, he could see anguish pouring from every inch of her. Nothing he said could comfort her, so he limited himself to reaching over and grabbing her hand, giving it a firm squeeze. He was about to withdraw it when she squeezed back. Hard. That woman had more strength in her hands than one would think.
The wires for the power lines had been damaged. Who knew what had been used. The damage had been enough to throw all four houses on the road into complete darkness during the night. Whoever had cut them, though, apparently hadn’t cared about the consequences. He had wanted Maggie. It had to have been Chambers, or one of his hired men. Had to have been.
“Why my mom? She had nothing to do with this.”
He slid a glance at Maggie. She was so pale. Should he tell her his opinion? But how could he keep it from her? He knew her well enough to know she wouldn’t appreciate it if she felt he were protecting her by keeping something from her, even if it was only speculation.
“My guess... My guess is it was totally dark with no electricity. Even with the moon, he wouldn’t have had a clear view. He was looking for a woman with dark curly hair and thought your mom was you.”
A minute ago she had been pale. Now she appeared bloodless.
“He thought she was me.” It was not a question. The monotone quality of her voice sent shivers of concern darting through him.
“Maggie? Mags, we’ll be to the house in five minutes. Jace and Tony are already searching. Miles—Officer Olsen—and Seth are staying with the others. I will join Jace, and we will do everything we can to get your mom back. I promise.”
He hated that he couldn’t promise to get her back safe, or even alive, but no matter what, he would never lie to Maggie. She deserved the truth.
He made it to the house in three minutes. Maggie was out of the car the second he unlocked the doors. She had Rory released from his car seat and was heading at a fast clip toward the house. He leaped from the driver’s seat and shut his door, wincing as it slammed. Oops. Hadn’t meant to shut it that hard. Not that anyone in the house would be asleep. In three jogging strides he caught up to her. She didn’t even pause but kept trotting toward the house. The sharp angle of her jaw showed it was clenched.
Seth was seated on the porch swing. He stood slowly and watched them approach with an expression of crushing guilt on his face. Oh, yeah. He had stayed to protect the women and children. If the situation hadn’t been so serious, Dan might have tossed a sarcastic comment about how well that had worked out. But Jace had been there, too. And Anna still had been taken. The situation couldn’t have been prevented, not without prior warning as to Chambers’s plans.
As soon as Maggie was in reach, Seth hugged her and Rory tight. He bent his head, laying it on top of his sister’s. The morning sun highlighted a large bruise forming on the side of his forehead. Dan narrowed his eyes. Took a step closer. That hadn’t been there earlier, had it?
“What happened to your head?”
Seth sighed, stepping back from Maggie.
“I woke up hungry and decided to get myself a snack. That’s when I noticed the power was out. I grabbed my phone because it has a flashlight app. I was on my way to the kitchen when I heard a noise. I went to investigate... I know,” he said, holding up a hand when Dan opened his mouth, “I should have notified Jace instead of going myself. Hindsight and all that. Anyway, someone hit me on the head. Not sure with what. Knocked me out.”
“Why aren’t you at the hospital?” His voice was sharp. He regretted that when Maggie flinched. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped. But the question stands.”
“I’m a paramedic. I know I have a concussion. It’ll still be there later. But I couldn’t leave without seeing my sister. And telling her I’m sorry that I failed.”
Maggie’s blue eyes widened. It seemed she hadn’t reached the same conclusion.
A voice came from the doorway. “If you failed, Travis, then so did I.”
When was the last time he had seen Jace that tired? Probably months ago when the psychos who had framed Melanie kidnapped her. He jerked his head back toward the inside of the house.
“Tony and Miles are processing the scene.”
Where was everyone else? They were supposed to evacuate the scene before they processed it.
“No offense, Seth, but why are you still here? The scene should have been evacuated.”
“I was part of the scene, right? I’ve got a crime scene right on my head.” A cocky grin slid across Seth’s face. It was halfhearted, but it was still a grin. “Besides, I couldn’t move without getting dizzy. And anyways, I wasn’t inside. I came outside as soon as I was able to.”
“Siobhan?” Her hand went to her throat. “Seth, where’s my baby?”
“She, Mel and Irene were all taken to the police station,” Jace answered for him. “Both for their protection and so that Mel and Irene could give statements. They only left a little bit ago.”
She whirled to face Dan. He already knew what she wanted. Had his keys in his hands.
“Come on. I’ll take you to the station.” Jace had to stay and oversee the guys processing the scene. As the officer in charge, he couldn’t leave until the job was done.
She nodded. Turned to her brother. “Seth?”
“You go. I need to clean up and get to work.”
Without another word, she hurried back to the car. Dan found himself in the rare predicament of working to keep up with her. Rory was safely back in his car seat and Maggie had already buckled herself in when he sat down in the driver’s seat. He offered up a quick prayer that he would be able to remain alert. Right now, adrenaline was keeping him going. Sooner or later, though, he would crash.
Putting the car in Reverse, he rotated the wheel to spin the car around in the yard. Stopped. Peered closer. He jammed the car into Park and threw open the door.
“Stay in the car,” he ordered. He didn’t wait to see if she would listen. There was no time.
“Jace!”
The other officer bolted out of the house at his bellow.
“You need to see this.”
Together the two men squatted down and examined the substance darkening the gravel
on the driveway. Dan pointed. There. Another spot. Smaller. Slowly, they moved from spot to spot. There were nine in all. Nine that could be tracked from the driveway to the back kitchen door. Opening the screen door, there was a smear on the lower white panel. A red smear. Blood.
It would be tested, but he had a sinking feeling it would be Anna’s. She was injured. Or worse.
* * *
Maggie stuck her head out the car window in the hope she would be able to see better. Nothing. She looked at the clock on the dashboard. Fifteen minutes. They had been gone for fifteen minutes.
Where had they gone? And why? She had strained to watch as the men examined something on the driveway, then moved slowly back toward the house. She felt like a pop bottle that had been shaken. Pressure was building up inside her. Soon she would be ready to burst.
She itched to go after Dan. To see what he had spotted that had caused him to react so sharply. Whatever it was, instinct told her it was bad. Her hand had reached for the door handle several times, only to pull back. She couldn’t leave Rory alone. Someone might still be watching, and he was defenseless.
And Dan had told her to stay. Normally, her stubborn streak might have resisted being told what to do. But he had used the tough voice she thought of as his cop voice. The one that said the situation was serious. She had learned in the past few days to trust that voice and do what it said.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement as Jace and Dan rounded the corner. They stopped short of the car. It seemed like forever before Dan nodded and headed toward her. Jace headed back to where Dan had first stopped. He took a few pictures of something on the ground, then tapped something on his phone.
That was it. Dan had told her to stay, but he was back now. And she needed to know why they weren’t getting a move on. Her mother was missing. And her daughter was at the police station.
She had had enough.
After pushing the door open and getting out, she stalked over to Dan. Hands on her hips, she waited for him to acknowledge her. He met her eyes reluctantly.