Operation Baby Rescue
Page 19
Elise tilted the phone so Jared could put his head close to hers and listen with her.
“We had a fuzzy picture from a security camera at an ATM in Laredo, Texas, taken when our kidnappers accessed the account where the ransom had ended up after several transfers. That fuzzy photo, along with the picture of Grace you provided, was sent out far and wide, and an alert guard at the Mexican border spotted Grace in the backseat of a Ford Taurus that had been reported stolen earlier in the day.”
“Oh, thank God!” Elise pressed a hand over her heart and shivered, realizing how close the kidnappers had come to getting Grace out of the country. Had they gotten her into Mexico, the odds of ever recovering her would have been drastically reduced.
Jared apparently reached the same conclusion, because a half-relieved sigh, half moan rumbled from his chest.
Happy tears dampened her cheeks, and Elise swiped at them with the back of her hand. “Where is she now? How do we get her back?”
“She’s in protective custody at the Laredo police department. They have a child-services agent on the way to move her to a more child-friendly location until you can get there. They won’t reveal that location until one of you proves a legal claim to her, so be sure you both take a photo ID with you, and any legal documents showing your relationship with her. Oh, and there will be a bit of red tape to handle with the police and the bank, but Jared should be able to recover the ransom money in a few weeks.”
Jared stepped away from their huddle over the phone, plowed both hands through his hair as he laughed, then gave his mother a big hug. In hushed tones, he repeated what they’d learned to their family, and Elise moved to a quiet corner of the room to finish the call.
“I…I don’t suppose you have any information about a baby girl born to Greg and Kim Harrison at Crestview Memorial about six months ago? They were told their baby died under the same sort of odd circumstances as I was and…well, I was hoping…”
“Oh. Let me check the records,” MysteryMom said, and Elise held her breath as she heard papers ruffling in the background. “Yes, here they are and…their baby…hmm, is apparently still at a Second Chance foster home. The adoptive parents they’d lined up backed out when a health problem was discovered with the baby.”
Elise frowned. “What kind of health problem?”
“Deafness in one ear.”
She sighed her relief. “Nothing life-threatening then, thank God. Have they been notified about their baby?”
“Don’t know. But if they haven’t been, they’ll soon be. We’re going through the files and parent notifications slowly but surely.”
Her smile returned along with a sense of peace and deep gratitude. “How can I ever thank you enough for everything you’ve done? I’ll happily pay whatever fee you charge for your services or—”
“Oh, stop!” MysteryMom said. “There’s no fee. I do this because I want to, because it’s my calling. My reward is in the happiness and relief I hear in your voice. The best way to thank me is to cherish every day with your daugh ter and give her a safe, loving and happy home to grow up in.”
Elise looked to the celebration in her living room and smiled. “I can promise that. She will be surrounded with love and family.”
“As for you…” MysteryMom said, “don’t be afraid to open your heart to Grace’s adoptive father. Life is too short to hold grudges, and he clearly has a lot of love to give…and not just to Grace.”
Elise’s heart warmed, and she met Jared’s gaze across the room. “That I can promise, too.”
Jared stepped away from the clamor of his family and moved toward her, grinning from ear to ear.
“In that case, I’ll say goodbye, good luck and live well, Elise.”
“You, too, MysteryMom. And thank you again from the bottom of my heart.” She disconnected the call and fell into Jared’s waiting arms. She angled her head to receive a deep kiss that tasted sweet with triumph and new beginnings. When they finally came up for air, Jared rested his forehead against hers and murmured softly, “So what do you say? Shall we go pick up our daughter?”
Our daughter.
Elise smiled and nodded. “I thought you’d never ask.”
Epilogue
In her home office, MysteryMom rocked back in her desk chair and gave a satisfied sigh. Helping reunite baby Grace with her mother had been immensely gratifying work, especially since her associates had been able to bust up such a large crime ring, as well.
She rolled her computer mouse, clicking a few links to surf over to a chat room where another Grace, this one the mother of triplets, was waiting to hear from her.
Triplets! MysteryMom smiled and shook her head. Yes, as a single mom to triplets, Grace Sinclair had her hands full. What Grace needed was someone to share the job of parenting. And MysteryMom knew just where to start…
Don’t miss the next book in the
TOP SECRET DELIVERIES series,
COWBOY’S TRIPLET TROUBLE by Carla Cassidy
available November 2011 from
Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
ISBN: 978-1-4592-1450-7
OPERATION BABY RESCUE
Copyright © 2011 by Beth Cornelison
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* The Bancroft Brides
Table of Contents
Letter to Reader
Books by Beth Cornelison
About the Author
Dedication
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
Copyright