by Rebecca Deel
Quinn’s lips curved into a slight smile. “That age is looking younger all the time.”
“Tell me about it,” Dane muttered.
“Anything else you remember about Bennett?” Quinn asked Levi.
Heidi’s cousin started to shake his head, stopped. “He had a son. I think he was a cop, too.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Ethan cradled his son, tears trickling down his cheeks as he stared at face of his sleeping child. He was tiny and made him feel as though he would break the boy if he held on too tight. Ethan had to smile at the head full of black hair and dark eyes along with the skin tone that so closely mirrored his own, evidence of the dominance of his Native American DNA. Such a long wait to see the fulfillment of a dream. Pride, blinding love, and pure terror mixed in a bubbling brew inside Ethan. Who knew someone so small could generate such bone-deep fear? What if he couldn’t do this?
For a moment, melancholy stole into Ethan’s contemplation of the changes ahead. If he could alter one thing it would be to lay his son into the arms of Ethan’s mother. She would have loved holding her grandson. She’d been a great mother despite her hard life. More than once, she placed herself in danger to protect him. That practice continued until Ethan had been old enough and big enough to realize what she was doing. From that moment until his mother had been killed in a car accident, Ethan had refused to stand behind her. Losing her had devastated him and his father.
“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Serena gave Ethan a tired smile. “He’s going to be a mini Ethan.”
He shook his head. “Lucas Blackhawk will be his own man, not a copy of me. Unlike what my father did to me, I’ll protect and support him, encourage him to do what he’s called to do. We may not always see eye to eye, but Lucas will never question if I love him.” With his free hand, he wiped the tears from his face. “Thank you, my love.”
“For what, sweetheart?”
“Giving me the greatest gift of my life aside from your love.”
A soft knock sounded on the hospital room door. Ethan tensed, his free hand dropping to his sidearm. He relaxed when Lily Doucet peered into the room. “What is it, Lily?”
“Serena’s parents are here, sir. They’re anxious to see the baby.”
He glanced at his wife. “You ready for the Cahill mob?”
“Let the party begin.”
A minute later, Aaron and Liz Cahill came through the doorway. As soon as Liz saw Lucas, her eyes filled with tears of joy. Yeah, Ethan understood that sentiment. His son had Ethan’s heart in his two tiny fists. How was it possible to love someone this much so fast? “Come meet your grandson.” He stood and laid Lucas in her outstretched arms. “This is Lucas Aaron.”
Serena’s father cleared his throat. “Oh, Ethan. You don’t know how much that means to me.”
“You’re the father figure I always wanted and needed in my life growing up. I can’t think of a more fitting name to give him.”
Aaron wrapped him in a tight hug. “We love you, son. Thank you for that honor.” When he stepped back, Aaron crossed to Serena’s bedside and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “How do you feel, baby?”
She grinned. “Like I just had a baby. Other than tired, I’m fine, Dad.”
“You did good, kid. He’s beautiful. Looks like his father, though. You’ll have to do better with the next one.”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll do my best, but I can’t control genetics. Is Ruth here yet? She’ll be anxious to hold Lucas, too.”
Ethan turned, his eyes narrowing. He’d tried calling his aunt several times over the past few hours but as usual Ruth either hadn’t charged her cell phone or bothered to turn it on. That Ruth was out of touch for this long concerned him. Word would have gotten around town within minutes of Serena being admitted to the maternity ward. His aunt must know by now even if she hadn’t checked her land line or cell. Otter Creek’s grapevine was almost as effective at spreading the word as the Internet.
Uneasiness swelled in his gut. He’d been growing more worried in the last couple hours. But with Serena laboring to bring Lucas into the world, his focus has been on his wife and child, not his aunt. Ruth was a smart, tough woman. She’d encountered Muehller and his cohort when Ethan first arrived in Otter Creek and had come out of the skirmish victorious. There was no indication the international assassin had targeted Ethan’s aunt. But Ruth should have been at the hospital by now.
Ethan pulled out his cell phone and walked to the doorway. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, love.” He stepped into the hall. Remy and Lily were standing on either side of the door, weapons evident. Under the circumstances, he’d cleared the Fortress operatives’ armed presence with the head of hospital security. No one would question the extreme measures when there was a threat to the safety of his wife and child.
“I need to make a few calls,” he murmured to the Fortress operatives.
Lily grinned and rubbed her hands together. “I get first dibs on baby duty.”
Remy chuckled. “Fine. I’ll stay on the door. Don’t worry, Ethan. We’ll look after them.”
“I’m counting on it. Anything happens, put it down hard.” As he walked down the hall, he passed Madison and Megan, Serena’s sisters. Both of them were carrying gift bags and almost running in their excitement.
“How are Serena and the baby?” Madison asked.
“Great. Your mom and dad are with them.” He smiled. “Liz needs to decide what name she wants the baby to call her when he starts to talk.”
Megan laughed. “It’s a little early for that, but I have a list of suggestions for her. She asked me to research popular nicknames for grandmothers last week.”
Bet that list was an interesting one. As editor of the Otter Creek Gazette, his sister-in-law was quite a wordsmith. “Can’t wait to hear the results. I need to track down Ruth. Have you seen her?”
She frowned. “She left the newspaper office four hours ago. One of her murder book club cronies was meeting her at Ruth’s place to brainstorm a sticky plot point in her latest manuscript. After that, Ruth planned to come here.”
Ethan’s gut tightened. Maybe his aunt and her friend had lost track of time. He doubted it, though. Ruth had been looking forward to holding Lucas as much as the rest of Serena’s family. No, something wasn’t right. “Thanks, Meg. I’ll try her at home.”
“Do you want one of us to find her?” Madison laid her small hand on his arm. “You shouldn’t have to worry about that right now. You have a new baby to enjoy.”
“I appreciate the offer, Madison, but I know you’re anxious to get your hands on your nephew. I’ll have the rest of my life to enjoy my son.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Go on.” He smiled. “Serena’s expecting you.” Ethan waited until both women had been admitted to the room before heading further down the hall. Once he was away from foot traffic, he called his aunt’s home. Nothing. He tried her cell phone. The call went straight to voice mail where he left another terse message for her to call him. His next call went to Rod Kelter.
“Yeah, Kelter.”
“I need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“Go by Ruth’s house. She’s not answering her land line or cell phone. According to Meg, Ruth was to meet one of her book club buddies at the house, then come here.”
“I’ll call you as soon as I know anything.”
“Rod.” Command rang in his tone.
“Yes, sir?”
“Watch your back. If Nick’s available, take him with you. If he’s not, grab someone else.”
Silence for a couple heartbeats. “Muehller?”
“I don’t have anything to go on but my gut and it’s not happy.”
Rod gave a low whistle. “I’ll be careful.”
Ethan returned the phone to his pocket, debating whether or not to leave the hospital and meet his brother-in-law. Gaze shifting to the room where his wife and son were waiting for him, he knew for the moment his prio
rity was them. He prayed Ruth had just gotten sidetracked and would be here soon, embarrassed by all the concern. Rod was smart and experienced. His chief of detectives knew how to handle himself. He trusted Meg’s husband or he wouldn’t have Rod working for him, related by marriage or not. The police chief retraced his steps, pausing in front of Remy.
“Problem?” the other man murmured, his gaze scanning the corridor, assessing each person as they walked past the room.
“My aunt has been out of touch for several hours. A couple of my people are headed to Ruth’s place to check on her. Stay alert.”
“Yes, sir.” A small smile from Remy. “Go enjoy your family, Ethan.”
He clapped the operative on the shoulder and walked past him into the room. His heart skipped a beat to see Madison sitting in a chair, holding Lucas. A huge smile was on her face even as slow tears slid down her cheeks. Man, this had to be so hard for her. Due to injuries sustained in a car accident, Madison wasn’t able to have children. When Serena had found out she was pregnant with Lucas, Nick had taken Madison out of town for a couple of days to romance the love of his life and remind her how much he loved her. Watching her now made Ethan wonder if Nick had another outing in mind for Madison. Maybe not, though. While she appeared delicate, Madison Santana had faced the loss of her first husband, her own son, and nearly been killed herself. No, this amazing woman wasn’t weak. If anyone could handle the emotional storm, it was his gentle sister-in-law.
While the others laughed and talked, Ethan crossed the room and crouched beside Madison. “Aaron says Serena will have to do better next time.”
Her jaw dropped. “What? He’s perfect! Why would Dad say that?”
“Because he looks like a small replica of me.”
A soft laugh from Madison. “That dark hair and brown eyes do seem to be dominant in the gene pool for this one. At least Serena only had one baby.”
“Tell me about it,” he murmured. “I was afraid the multiple births prediction might become reality. Don’t think my heart could take more than one at a time.”
“There’s always next time.” She gave him a wicked grin. “Sorry, but there’s not enough of Lucas to go around. I’m putting in a request for at least twins.”
He winced. “Thanks a lot.” Might revise his opinion about Madison’s sweetness.
“Would you like to hold your son?”
Yeah, he did, but Madison looked content now that the tears had stopped. “Lucas looks pretty relaxed. I’d say you’re well on your way to favorite aunt status.”
Meg tossed a grin over her shoulder. “Ha! He hasn’t been bribed by his Aunt Megan yet. Just wait until I hold him.”
When she turned her attention to answer a question from Liz, Ethan leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to the top of the baby’s head.
“You’re going to be a great father, Ethan.”
Startled, he glanced at Madison. “I didn’t have the best example, Maddie.” His father had been an abusive alcoholic. Ethan still had the scars to prove it. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“No one knows what to do. Babies don’t come with instruction manuals. You’ll figure it out along the way. I know a couple of important things already.”
His eyebrows rose.
“You are nothing like your father, Ethan Blackhawk. You are a good, honorable man who adores his wife and son. They are blessed to have you in their lives.” She smiled. “We all are.”
His phone signaled an incoming call. Ethan rose. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.” With the volume of conversations rising in the room, he returned to the hallway. “Blackhawk.”
“It’s Rod.”
His detective’s grim voice sent Ethan’s heart rate soaring. “Talk to me.”
“You need to come to Ruth’s house. She’s missing and her friend has been murdered.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Ethan raced across the lawn to his aunt’s home. A rookie with green-tinged skin stepped aside to let him enter. He should have his sergeant talk to him. After he found Ruth. Everything else would wait until she returned, safe and sound.
His chief of detectives turned, fury burning in his gaze. Rod inclined his head toward Ruth’s maroon recliner.
Ethan shifted his attention to the body slumped in the chair. Regret and anger mixed in a toxic brew at the sight of one of his own citizens. The elderly woman was named Alice Prescott and was Ruth’s best friend. His aunt would be heartbroken by her loss as would the town. Alice was quite a character, always sharing a smile, known for a spunky attitude no matter what life threw at her. She happily volunteered for committees, especially ones involving planning parties or festivals with the infamous events committee. To the puzzlement of many, Alice actually liked the work. As a former high school English teacher, the sweet lady knew many of the town’s citizens and she had the ability to sweet talk folks into volunteering. She not only talked them into helping, she pitched in herself and made the work fun.
Her death was senseless. No reason to kill the English teacher except she’d seen the killer’s face. He tugged on the rubber gloves Rod handed him and moved closer to the recliner. “One shot to the forehead,” he murmured. “Close range.”
“Muehller?” Rod asked.
“That’s his signature. Looks like a .40 caliber, a favorite of his. Have you called the coroner?”
“He’ll be here in two hours. Caught him out of town eating dinner with his in-laws.”
With a nod, he turned away from Alice for the moment. The living took precedence over the dead. If Alice were alive, she would tell him as much. “Ruth?”
“Her car is in the garage. Alice’s vehicle is parked on the street in front of the house. Ruth made a pot of tea. They never had a chance to drink it.” He stopped, glanced at Ethan.
“Talk to me, Rod.”
He sighed. “There’s blood in the kitchen. Not a lot, but enough. Ruth didn’t go voluntarily with whoever took her.”
Ethan’s jaw flexed. Go down easy? Fat chance, not with the indomitable Ruth Rollins. One thing he knew for sure. Whoever took her would pay, a payment Ethan looked forward to exacting. “Show me.”
Rod led him to the kitchen. Ethan pulled up short at the sight of the serving tray in the middle of the floor, red ceramic tea pot shattered. Light-colored tea had spread in thin streams from the remains of the pot. Probably green tea, a favorite of his aunt. Two china cups lay broken along with two saucers, a plate upside down on the linoleum, cookies scattered. On the other side of the tea tray was a trail of blood. His gut clenched. Ruth had to be all right. Muehller had no reason to hurt her. She was bait for Ethan.
Then again, there’d been no reason to kill Alice. She was harmless and Muehller knew Otter Creek PD would identify him sooner or later as Ruth’s abductor. Ethan prayed Muehller viewed Ruth’s good health as necessary to obtain revenge on him. He was the target, not his family. The problem was criminals didn’t focus only on law enforcement instead of innocents.
Ethan followed the blood trail to the back door. Once outside, he tracked the intruder through the backyard, spotting footprints in the muddy terrain leading to the fence, then followed the trail out the gate. The signs of passage disappeared. “He put her in a vehicle here.” He scanned the area, noted a few security cameras and the addresses of the homes where they were located. Maybe one of them actually worked. If not, there was the chance a traffic camera had caught the vehicle driving away from the scene. All he needed was a top-notch tech who worked fast. Time was not on their side. Muehller had at least a two hour head start. Good thing he knew of a couple outstanding cyber techs who might do him a favor.
“That’s my take on it,” Rod agreed. “This scene is similar to the one near Madison’s house.”
“How?”
“While Muehller didn’t go inside Maddie’s home, Heidi and Charlie confirmed he was at the scene and stood exactly where the shooter took the shot at Nate. Muehller scaled a fence and climbed into a vehicle parked
in the alley.”
So when he couldn’t grab Serena, Muehller went after the only other family Ethan had left. Ruth. His fist clenched. “I’ll get in touch with Quinn and have Charlie brought here to confirm Muehller took Ruth. What else do you need from me?”
“Stella and Nick if they’re free. The sooner I process this place, the better. We need to find Ruth fast, Ethan.”
“I know. I’ll call in Nick and Stella. Rod, we do need to find Ruth quickly, but, we can’t move so fast we miss something. We’ll waste more time if we have to backtrack because we weren’t careful. Once I’ve made the calls, I’ll get my crime scene kit and give you a hand.”
“You should be with Serena and your son.”
He quelled Rod’s protest with a look. “Serena and Lucas are safe. Ruth isn’t.” Ethan stepped around the tea tray mess. “Have you notified Alice’s next of kin?”
“She doesn’t have any.”
A sad thing to hear about a wonderful woman. The town would mourn her passing. He’d get justice for Alice. Wouldn’t change Alice’s death, but the next time Muehller was behind bars, he wouldn’t slip out again. Hans Muehller wouldn’t be seeing daylight for a long time.
After sending Rod into the house, Ethan called Nick. “How close are you to finishing that scene?”
“Wrapping up now. Why?”
“I need you to help Rod process Ruth’s house. She’s missing and her friend Alice Prescott has been murdered.”
“Muehller?”
“Looks like it. Call Stella. Have her come as well. Clock’s ticking.”
“Copy that. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
That done, Ethan made another call.
“Murphy.”
“Zane, it’s Ethan Blackhawk. I need a favor.”
“On the books or off?”
“Off.” He didn’t have time for a warrant. Ruth’s life was on the line. He didn’t care what obstacles he had to circumvent. Ethan owed his aunt his life.
“What do you need?”