by Laura Scott
Of course Trina and Shelby wanted to believe their father was innocent. Yet no matter how much she and Trina had protested, he just couldn’t quite believe their father was innocent. His background research had shown how Jacobson had taken the shipping business from a struggling operation to amazing success within the first five years he’d owned the place. There was no denying Jacobson clearly possessed a keen mind for business. And that was exactly why Alex simply couldn’t believe Russ Jacobson didn’t know about the drugs coming in on his ships. A man that involved in his company had to know what was going on.
There was a long moment of silence while Rafe shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
“We have a long list of suspects,” Rafe said finally. “And I’m sure there are plenty of other people we haven’t even considered.”
“Trina seemed wary of involving the local authorities, Shelby commented in a low voice. “She specifically told me not to trust anyone, even the police.”
“Exactly my point. There could be someone working on the inside,” Rafe agreed. “There were many cops who had made it quite clear they didn’t like the DEA homing in on their turf.”
Shelby lifted her chin and regarded him steadily. “I think Rafe is right. We can’t do anything from here. We need to be closer to the action. We need to head into Green Bay, the sooner the better.”
Alex clenched his jaw, biting back a protest. Because she was right. Not that he had any intention of exposing Shelby or Cody to danger. No way was he going to allow them anywhere close to the so-called action. But he and Rafe needed to be closer to the scene. And besides, if she was really going to take Cody to Trina’s funeral, then they’d need to figure out where the funeral home was located and how they were going to cover the various entrances and exits to keep everyone safe.
The idea of allowing Shelby and Cody out of his sight even for a second made him sweat. He wasn’t going to let it happen unless he was absolutely certain they’d be protected.
“Logan is picking me up in an hour,” Rafe announced. “Why don’t you let us go into the city first? That way we can find a place for you to stay that’s relatively close to where Trina’s funeral will be.”
Alex jumped on the opportunity to put off heading into Green Bay one moment earlier than they needed to. “Sounds like an excellent plan. I’ll call you in the morning before we leave.”
“Wait a minute,” Shelby protested. “Do we really need to wait until tomorrow? I want Cody to see a child psychologist as soon as possible. I’d like a professional opinion on whether or not he should attend his mother’s funeral. And to do that, we need to get to Green Bay, sooner rather than later.”
Alex raised his eyebrows in surprise. Still, maybe she was right. There was a good possibility the child psychologist would tell Shelby the funeral wasn’t a good idea.
At least he could hope.
He quickly amended their plans. “It’s better if we go in the morning, but I promise we’ll get to Green Bay early enough so you can take Cody in to see someone.”
Her expression mirrored her relief. “Thank you.”
Cody chose that moment to join them, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
“I’m hungry,” he announced.
“I’m sure you are, partner.” Shelby glanced at him. “Normally he gets a snack in the afternoon to hold him over until dinnertime.”
“Logan’s pulling up to the hotel now,” Rafe said when his cell phone went off. “I asked him to bring some things for Cody. Clothes and snacks.”
“Wonderful,” Shelby said warmly. “Thanks, Rafe.”
“You’re welcome, amiga.” Rafe flashed a bright smile. “Why don’t you and Cody come out to meet Logan?”
“Okay.” Shelby quickly gathered their coats and bundled up Cody before following Rafe outside.
Alex stood near the window, watching them. Cody scooped up some snow and threw a snowball at Rafe. There wasn’t much power in the attempt, but Shelby laughed and Alex’s gut tightened with awareness.
They didn’t seem to be in any hurry to come back inside.
He couldn’t deny he was out of his element when it came to being a father figure to Cody. He’d never spent much time around kids, until his most recent injury. His niece, Brianna, was a cutie and he’d enjoyed spending time with her over the past few months, but he didn’t know the first thing about raising a child. Much less how his sister managed to do it on her own in the two years since her husband had died.
Shelby was a lot like Kayla. She would do just fine raising Cody on her own, too.
Wait a minute. He thrust his hands through his hair and spun away from the window. Was he seriously considering giving up custody of his son to Shelby?
The very thought tightened the knots in his stomach. He wasn’t sure he knew how to be a good father, but the thought of giving Cody up didn’t sit well, either. Yet shouldn’t he worry about what was best for his son? Cody obviously considered Shelby to be his surrogate mother. And sadly, he was young enough that in a few years, his memories of Trina would likely fade away. Shelby would soon be the most important person in his life.
But didn’t a boy need a father, too?
Maybe, but Shelby was a wonderful woman. It was very likely she’d meet a man one day. Someone like Rafe, who would be a great father to Cody.
A far better father than he could ever be.
Every cell of his being rejected the idea of Shelby finding someone else. But if he proved that her father was guilty, she wasn’t going to forgive him anytime soon. And if that was the case, he knew he would give up custody of his son to Shelby.
He pulled his scattered thoughts together, when the group came back in, filling the small motel room.
“Logan,” he greeted the tall, brown-haired agent who’d been sent to replace him. Logan Quail wore cowboy boots and a Stetson cowboy hat, but his voice only held the barest hint of his Southern roots.
“McCade. How’s the arm?”
Alex shrugged, opening and closing the fingers of his damaged right hand. “It’s still attached, I guess. I’ve been working on shooting left-handed.”
If Logan was concerned about Alex’s ability to get back into the field, he didn’t show it. “Good. Things are heating up, big time. I think the case is about to be blown wide open.”
A surge of adrenaline flowed through his veins. Along with a healthy dose of wariness. “I’d love to put this case to rest, but it would help to know where the source of the danger is coming from.”
“Don’t I know it,” Logan agreed. He glanced at Shelby, who stood near Rafe. “How well do you know your stepmother?” he asked.
Shelby frowned. “Marilyn? Not very well. She’s not my favorite person. Trina and I always believed she married my dad for his money.”
Logan and Alex exchanged a look. “What makes you say that?”
Shelby shrugged. “She doesn’t have just one materialistic bone in her body, she has several. From the moment she married my father, she has spent his money as if it washed up on the lakeshore along with the dead fish. Why all this interest in Marilyn?”
Logan threw a questioning glance at Alex, and he gave a subtle nod, indicating Logan could speak freely around Shelby.
“I did a little digging on Marilyn Hayes Jacobson,” Logan said slowly. “She died about six years ago.”
Shelby’s jaw dropped. “What do you mean, she died?”
Logan’s expression was grim. “A woman by the name of Marilyn Hayes with your stepmother’s social security number has been dead for the past six years.”
Alex narrowed his gaze. “So whoever this woman really is, she re-created herself six years ago? That’s about the time we began hearing about the potential drug smuggling operation coming through Green Bay.”
“I know.” Logan looked at Shelby, who sank into a nearby chair as if her knees had gone weak. Shelby was strong, but Alex wondered just how many more shocks she could take before crumbling. “I’m sorry to dump this on you so abrup
tly, but I figured you needed to know, especially considering your father’s company is knee deep in this mess. We’re still trying to figure out exactly who Marilyn really is, but the fact that she’s using a fake name and social security number is enough to put her at the top of our suspect list.”
Alex couldn’t deny the timing was right. And considering how Shelby and Trina weren’t close to their stepmother, she wouldn’t hesitate to eliminate one of them if they got in her way.
“So if Marilyn is at the top of the suspect list,” he mused aloud, “that means Cody’s bad man is likely working either for her or with her as a partner in crime.”
Shelby’s mind reeled at the news regarding her stepmother. Or maybe her soon to be ex-stepmother, if Marilyn had really moved out of her father’s house.
Once Alex and Logan left, her room had seemed far too quiet. She stayed with Cody, until Alex poked his head through the connecting doorway and asked if she wanted to go down to eat in the diner.
“Yes, getting out of the hotel room for a while would be wonderful.”
The diner wasn’t very crowded, so they pretty much had the place to themselves. Once Cody had finished his chicken strips, he went over to the race car driver video game in the corner. He sat in the seat, clutching the steering wheel, making vroom, vroom, noises.
Alex stood and crossed over to put a few coins into the slot. “Push this button, here,” he directed. “This starts the game. Now you can really drive the race car.”
She couldn’t help but smile when Cody shouted with glee as he maneuvered the video game. Alex came back to take the seat across from her. “He’s having fun.”
“I know. Thanks.” She toyed with her water glass. “Alex, you said you wouldn’t mind if we raised Cody as a Christian, right?”
He slowly nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”
“But yet, you’re not a believer.” It wasn’t a question.
He hesitated. “You’re right, I wasn’t raised to be a believer. But I have to admit, that first night when Cody prayed for me, I was surprised and humbled to be included in his prayers. And then when we had to walk through the storm to find shelter, I prayed for the first time in my life.”
She sucked in a surprised breath, her heart filling with joyful hope. “Really? Then God answered both of our prayers, guiding us to shelter.”
Alex’s smile was crooked. “I have to agree, since I couldn’t see much of anything with the snow and the wind in my face and yet managed to find exactly what we needed.”
She was so happy to hear Alex wanted to have faith. “I’d love for you to join my church. We can do bible studies and meet so many great people.” The possibilities were endless.
Alex’s smile faded. “Maybe,” he said cautiously. “But if I am able to go back to work, I won’t be around much.”
Her hope collapsed like a deflated balloon. “What do you mean? You’re Cody’s father. Of course you have to be around for him.”
He sighed. “Shelby, my work with the DEA is important to me. My best friend in high school died of a drug overdose. I’ve dedicated my life to keeping drugs off the streets. If my aim with my left arm becomes good enough that I can stay in the field, I will.”
“And what about Cody?”
He dropped his gaze. “I’ll grant you sole custody of Cody.”
She stared at him, hardly able to believe what she was hearing. Surely she must have misunderstood. “You’d give him up completely?”
“Yes, I would. If that’s what was best for him.”
That night, Shelby couldn’t fall asleep. Alex wasn’t the man she’d thought him to be, if he could actually consider giving up his son.
Certainly being a DEA agent was admirable. And his reasons for dedicating his life to eradicating drugs from the streets were honorable, too. To lose someone you cared about to drugs was horrible. But surely there were other ways to help his cause? A path that didn’t push him toward giving up custody of his son.
She closed her eyes on a wave of regret. Her dream of becoming a family with Cody and Alex was nothing more than foolish fantasy.
But this wasn’t about her. It was about Cody. And Alex. Even without the family she’d always wanted, they needed each other.
Lifting her heart and her mind to God, she prayed. Dear Lord, help me understand Your will. I love Cody so much and I’ve begun to care for Alex, too. Guide me toward Your path, Amen.
When her troubled soul was soothed by prayer, she drifted off to sleep hoping Alex was praying for guidance, too.
The next morning, Alex agreed to drive into Green Bay. She was relieved to know Cody would soon get the help he needed, but she couldn’t deny a flicker of fear.
Trina had been murdered only three days ago. And since that time, someone had not only followed them, but had tried to kill them. She wasn’t sure what awaited them in Green Bay.
Heavenly Father, keep us safe in Your care.
When they’d finished breakfast in the diner, they packed up Kayla’s SUV and headed into Green Bay.
“You’re awfully quiet this morning,” Alex said, casting a glance in her direction.
She tried to smile. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what you said last night.”
He gave a slight frown. “I thought you’d be happy to know you’ll have custody.”
“I love Cody and would gladly take custody of him. But I also believe a child should have two actively involved parents.” She paused before asking, “What if you can’t go back to the DEA? What then?”
Alex didn’t answer for a long moment, his gaze glued to the road. The sun was shining brightly and the temperature had warmed up enough that much of the snow from the storm was already melting. “I don’t know.”
His response wasn’t reassuring. “But you would stay part of Cody’s life?” she persisted.
“I’d try,” he finally answered.
“Praying for guidance may help,” she said slowly. “I’m certain God would show you the right path to take, much like He did during the snowstorm.”
He shot a surprised glance in her direction, as if the thought had never occurred to him. After several long seconds, he gave a slow nod. “Maybe I will.”
Satisfied that she’d done the best she could, Shelby turned her attention to Cody. Earlier that morning she’d used the hotel phone to call Debbi, her day care center assistant, to find out the extent of the damage from the firebomb. Debbi had confirmed they would have to be closed for a few days until the front window glass was replaced. So far, only one parent had taken their child out of the program. Shelby could only hope it wasn’t the first of many.
Debbi had also given her the name of her brother-in-law, Dr. Kade Zander who happened to be a child psychologist.
“He’s generally pretty booked,” Debbi had told her, “but as a favor to me, Kade said he’d make room for Cody whenever you need him to come in.”
Shelby had been thrilled and had requested Kade’s phone number. When she’d talked to him, he’d agreed to see Cody at noon that day, over his lunch hour. Shelby had been grateful for the favor. She really wanted a professional’s opinion on what was best for Cody.
After a few hours of driving, Alex pulled up to a large, well-known hotel, located not far from the church where Trina’s funeral services were to be held.
“I hope you’re not upset, but I reserved a two-bedroom suite for us,” he said. “There’s a living room and small kitchen area in the center and I thought it would be good for Cody. And then the two bedrooms are on opposite ends of the suite.”
She was glad he’d thought about Cody’s needs and her privacy. “A suite should be fine, if we can afford it.”
He gave her an odd look. “We can afford it. Logan booked the room under his name, so we don’t have to worry about anyone finding us here.”
She hoped he was right. The room wasn’t ready yet, so Alex drove them to Dr. Zander’s office.
“I’ll pick you up in an hour,” he said. “In the
meantime I’m meeting with Rafe and Logan. We’ll pick up some groceries after lunch.”
“All right.” She took Cody’s hand as they went inside. The waiting area was full of toys and he didn’t need any urging to find something to play with.
Dr. Kade Zander met with her for a few minutes first, and she immediately liked the gentle, soft-spoken doctor. She’d explained what Cody had been through and her dilemma about taking him to the funeral, especially her fears related to his mental health balanced against the need to keep him safe.
“Closure is very important for young children,” he admitted. “My first instinct is to agree he should go, if you think it’s safe enough. Let me meet with him first, to see how traumatized he’s been.”
“I understand,” she agreed. Would the funeral be safe? She found it hard to imagine that someone would try to harm Cody in the middle of a public funeral. Surely there were precautions they could take.
Dr. Zander took Cody back into another playroom, and Shelby settled in to wait. She leafed through various parenting magazines, even though she was dying to know what was going on in the other room.
The forty-five minutes seemed to drag by slowly, but when Cody came back out, he appeared to be his usual happy self. The doctor gestured for her to come over.
“Cody is adjusting fairly well, but I do think going to the funeral will be good for him,” he told her. “He misses his mother, but I get the sense she wasn’t always the most dominant person in his life. He talks about you a lot.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “I spend a lot of time with him. Between the hours he’s at the day care center and the times he spends at my apartment, we’ve become very close.”
Dr. Zander nodded. “It’s apparent he loves you very much. Death is a difficult concept for children to understand. Telling him that his mother is in heaven certainly helps, but he sometimes makes comments about his mother coming back, so I do believe attending the funeral will give some closure, if precautions can be taken to make sure he’s safe. I’d be happy to see him on a weekly or biweekly basis if you think it would help going forward.”