by Sara Davison
“Would they be wrong?”
He blew out his breath. “Maybe not. But they’d make all of it a little too real.”
She gave him a sad smile as she left his office. Daniel turned in his chair and started typing away at the computer, refusing to let his mind wander anywhere but to the task at hand.
It took most of the rest of the day, but by three p.m., he’d compiled a list. Grabbing the print-out from the computer, he jumped to his feet and headed across the hall.
Sharleen spun her chair around. “Any luck?”
Daniel stepped into the room and pulled the plastic chair up to her desk. “Yeah. Look at this. Boston, May to July—three kids taken. Chicago, September to October—two kids taken. New York City, April to June—four kids. Denver, September to November—two kids. Los Angeles, March to April—two kids, and Detroit, October—three kids. All taken out of their beds at night, all disappeared without a trace. Did you get anything?”
Sharleen ran a finger down the screen. “Similar stats: Seattle, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Houston. One to three months in each place, two to four kids taken each time.”
“So, all American cities until now, but they’ve obviously moved up here.” Daniel studied the monitor, doing some quick calculations. “That makes something like thirty kids gone without a trace, with no one ever caught or charged with their disappearances, few leads, fewer witnesses, pretty much nothing.” Daniel’s head felt suddenly heavy and he rested it on one hand and looked over at his partner. “Shar, I don’t think we’re dealing with a few amateurs here. This thing is starting to feel huge. I mean, both Gage and Holden have been in Toronto their whole lives, so if either of them is the one taking the kids here, that means they must use locals wherever they are. And setting up an operation like this in all those cities, operating that efficiently, and then leaving town without a trace? That can only mean one thing.”
Sharleen looked at him and they both spoke at the same time. “Big money.”
Daniel nodded. “And power. I’m guessing there are people involved here that are incredibly well-connected, possibly politically, backing an organization that is highly organized and even more highly funded.” For a few seconds he had trouble drawing a breath. “Let’s put a report together for the DS. He should be notifying the P.D.’s in every major city in Canada that these guys could be coming there next. He should also recommend they work with Children’s Aid. These are extreme cases. There can’t be too many in each city. They can at least try to predict who they might go after.”
Daniel leaned forward and studied the screen.
“What are you thinking?”
“That the Toronto situation is a bit different from those others.”
“More time here, you mean?”
“Yeah, closer to six months. And more kids taken. I wonder why they’re sticking around so long.”
“Maybe they’re not. Maybe they’re done.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Daniel clasped his hands behind his head, trying to put all the pieces together. “But if Gage is involved with this, and if his warning yesterday had more to do with our investigation than with Nicole, then maybe they’re not done yet.”
“That’s a lot of ifs and maybes.”
“I know, but if I’m right …” he grinned at Sharleen, “… then the question is why. I mean, their intel is obviously sophisticated. The only reason they failed the one time is because of an alarm in the house that no one could have known about. If they’re that good, they must know that we’re watching Holden and Gage pretty closely. And if that’s true, then there are only two reasons that they would even consider making another attempt. Either we’re so far off the mark that they’re not even worried about us, or there’s a child somewhere in this city in such an extremely abusive situation that they’re willing to risk getting caught. And although it’s not out of the question, let’s assume for the moment that we’re not that far off the mark …”
Daniel lowered his hands and stood up, grabbing his suit jacket from the hook by the door and slipping it on. “Are you okay with putting that report together?”
“Sure.” Sharleen’s eyes narrowed. “But where are you going?”
“Nowhere near Nicole, don’t worry. I’m heading to the DS’s office to demand a warrant to open up some CAS files. And I’m going to tell him I want it yesterday.”
Chapter Forty
Gage could hardly breathe. Every time he looked at Nicole, his wife, the air was sucked from his lungs. She was so beautiful. And his.
The ceremony had been brief and simple. Their pastor had been free, even on such short notice, to marry them, and the service was held in a small room behind the sanctuary. Connie had stood up with Nicole, and Holden had been at Gage’s side. There hadn’t been time to invite anyone else, but it hadn’t mattered. There could have been three hundred people in the pews and he still would have only seen one.
Afterwards they’d all gone out for dinner. The restaurant he and Nicole had chosen was one of their favorites. They served the best Italian food in the city, and the décor was so authentic Gage always half-expected to see a gondolier waiting to take them for a ride down the canal when they stepped out the door. Tonight he barely noticed the surroundings. His empty plate was a testament to the fact that he’d eaten, although he couldn’t remember taking a bite. His eyes strayed constantly over to the woman he’d pledged to spend the rest of his life with—something he’d always thought would terrify him into paralysis. Instead, all it did was make him smile. Especially now, when his work with the organization was nearly done and he could dare to hope that his life might go on for many more years.
Gage’s chest squeezed. He hated that he’d had to keep that from Nicole, that he was entering their marriage with a secret. But it was one he could never share with her, not without putting her in danger, or forcing her into an ethical dilemma he couldn’t bear to watch her struggle with. All he could do was look forward, to their future together, and vow to never keep anything from her again.
Nicole had pulled her blonde hair up today and soft wisps fell around her face. Her green eyes shone and sparkled like the sun playing on the sea. He wanted nothing more at the moment than to pull her into his arms and kiss her. Speaking of which ... Gage looked at his watch.
When he lifted his head, Nicole was watching him, an amused glint in her eyes. Their softness told him she was thinking the same thing he was. As good as it was to be with family and friends, neither of them could wait to be alone.
It was Holden who saved them. He’d always been sensitive to his brother’s moods, and Gage had never appreciated that fact more than he did when Holden looked at his own watch and pushed back his chair. “I think I’m going to head out. I have an early morning tomorrow, and I’m pretty sure Gage and Nicole are anxious to go as well.” Laughter broke out around the table, but the party broke up fast after that. In spite of the pink tinge that appeared on her cheeks, Nicole didn’t seem to mind. She winked at him before she slipped her arms into the coat he held for her, which didn’t ease Gage’s desire to be on their way one bit.
The anxiety hit him in the car. Everything had happened so fast that he hadn’t really had time to think about the honeymoon. Nicole had never seen him without a shirt on. He was careful about that. The red welts the buckle of his dad’s belt had left across his back had barely faded over the years. Other than the doctor who had examined them the night their parents died, Holden was the only one who had ever seen them, and his back was the same so it wasn’t a big deal. Now, though ... Gage suppressed a shudder at the thought of anyone else seeing them, even Nicole. They revealed too much—pain, humiliation, fear, shame. Baring his back meant baring his soul. Not sure I’m ready to do that, even to my wife.
His hand shook slightly as he signed into the hotel and followed her to the room. Gage’s breath caught when Nicole dropped onto her back on the king-sized bed, arms splayed like a snow angel on the thick, soft duvet. Desire rose up in him, a rus
h of heat that weakened his knees and tightened his stomach muscles. He swallowed hard and sank on to the chair by the desk.
Nicole sat up. Her playful grin faded as she studied him. “Everything okay?”
“Sure. Why?” His voice sounded strained in his ears.
“You look a little ... anxious.”
He forced a smile. “Of course not. It’s been a perfect day.”
“It has, hasn’t it? The ceremony was beautiful, and it was nice to only have the people we care about the most in the world there to witness it.” She pushed herself off the bed and started toward him.
His chest constricted.
“Gage.” Lowering herself on to his lap, she pressed her lips to his neck. “We’re married.”
Everything in him wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her close, but he kept his hands at his sides.
Nicole moved her lips to his ear and whispered, “And we’re alone.”
He swallowed hard.
Her fingers found the top button on his shirt and she undid it and nuzzled the curve of his neck.
When she was halfway down his shirt, Gage gave up with a low groan. Bringing his arms around her, he pulled her close, breathing in the soft floral scent of the curls that brushed against his cheek. He reached behind her for the zipper of her dress and drew it down.
Nicole stood up and slipped the gown over her shoulders, letting it drift to the floor. “Come.” Holding out both arms, she invited him to join her.
A single lamp beside the bed cast a soft glow around the room. If he could turn it off ... Gage grasped both her hands and rose to his feet on legs he wasn’t sure would support him.
A small smile turned up the corners of her mouth as she backed toward the bed and sank down on it. He sat down beside her and ran a hand over the soft, creamy skin of one shoulder before pressing his mouth to it. Beneath his lips a shiver rippled through her.
She undid the last few buttons on his shirt and began to push it off.
“Wait.” Gage reached for the switch on the lamp. Before he could press it, her hands cupped his shoulders.
“Don’t, please. I want to see you.”
The sigh escaped his lips before he could stop it. Her hands still on his shoulders, Nicole turned him to face her. “What is it?”
“Nothing. I just …” His eyes met hers. He had no words to explain to her, to make her understand how hard it was for him to even think about anyone seeing what his father had done to him. If she saw it, she would see him. And she would realize what a mistake she had made, marrying someone like him. A lump rose in his throat. He didn’t deserve—
“Is it your back?”
He looked away from the eyes penetrating far too deeply inside of him.
“Let me see.”
Gage shook his head.
“Please.” Slowly, Nicole slid her hands to the collar of his shirt. Panic rose up in him as she pushed it over his shoulders.
Fine. Let her see if she wants to so badly. He lifted his arms from the bed so she could pull off the shirt and toss it onto a chair beside the bed. Nicole kissed him on the forehead. Her lips trailed across his cheek and neck as she moved slowly around to kneel behind him.
He was shaking.
Her warm hands rested on his upper arms for a few seconds. Gage held his breath, forcing himself to stay, to not bolt from the room. God, help me.
Her fingers passed over his shoulder blades and he drew in a sharp breath. When her soft lips pressed between them, his throat tightened. He closed his eyes as she continued down his back, covering every inch with her mouth or her hands.
When she was finished, Nicole pulled him down beside her on the bed and raised herself up on one elbow. The tips of her fingers danced lightly over his chest. A soft glow lit her eyes and he was drawn into them, mesmerized by the dancing gold flecks. Her full, pink mouth curved into a smile as she leaned toward him. “You are the most courageous and beautiful man I’ve ever known.” The words were whispered, but they echoed through his whole body, pouring warmth and light into the dry, empty spaces carved out with fists and belts and angry words. Tears filled his eyes as he rose up and covered her body with his. She lay back and wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing his mouth to hers.
All the lies he’d been told in his life, about who he was and how little he was worth, were shattered by the few whispered words of truth. The fingers that caressed him, that drew him close to her, were warm and healing, like soothing oil poured over the scars on his skin and the scars on his soul.
All those years and thousands of dollars spent on therapy, as much as they had helped him, hadn’t accomplished what the last few minutes had.
All he’d ever really needed was his wife.
Chapter Forty-One
Daniel knocked lightly and pushed open the door of his dad’s room in the retirement home. “Hey, Pop.” He glanced at the television set. Hockey Night in Canada—what else?
His dad glanced up from his La-Z-Boy chair. “Hey, Son!” Reaching out, he grasped Daniel’s hand tightly in his. “Good to see you.”
Daniel tried not to wince. His dad’s heart may have weakened over the years, but his grip of steel never had. After a few seconds, his father took pity on him and let him go with a laugh. “Still got it, don’t I?”
“Yeah, Pop. You still got it.” Daniel smiled and sank down on the couch, his hand throbbing slightly. “Got any chips? Soda?”
His dad shot him a dirty look. “Smart mouth. You know they don’t let me have any of the good stuff in here.” His face turned hopeful. “Unless you smuggled in some contraband for me?”
Daniel laughed and pulled a bag of peanut M and M’s out of his jacket pocket. “For an old cop, you sure don’t have much respect for the law around here.”
His dad clapped his hands together and reached for the bag. “For a young cop, neither do you. Thank goodness.” He grinned and popped a couple of candies into his mouth.
Daniel tried to focus on the game, but his mind kept straying to thoughts of Nicole. The wedding was probably over. With such little lead time, it had to have been pretty small and informal. Which made sense, since neither she nor Gage had any family around other than Holden. So she was married to someone else now. He glanced at his watch. And it was her wedding night, so most likely she was …” Daniel slammed the door shut on that thought, not wanting to go there, even for a second. His chest ached until it hurt to take a breath.
“Everything okay, Son?”
He snapped back to the present. “Is it over?”
“Yeah. A nail-biter, as always. Sadly, the Pens held on to beat the Senators 3-2. Tied up the series.” His dad pointed the remote at the TV and clicked it off. “Where did you go?”
Daniel ran his fingers through his hair. “Nowhere. I’m tired, I guess. It’s been a long week.”
Pop tilted his head and studied him. “Don’t kid a kidder, Danny-boy. Something’s bothering you. Might as well tell me—you know I’ll get a confession out of you one way or another.”
It was true. Daniel had heard countless stories over the years from his dad’s policeman buddies about what a tough interrogator he had been, and he believed every word. Daniel blew out a long breath and rested his head against the back of the couch. “It’s this case I’m working on.”
“I doubt that.”
He lifted his head and stared at his dad. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you have heartache written all over your face. I know you’re working that big case, and I’m sure that’s part of it, but the thing that’s weighing down on you like the load on a pack mule has to do with a woman. Don’t even try to deny it.”
Defeated, Daniel laid his head back again. His dad may have been pushing eighty, but he was still as sharp as he’d ever been. He didn’t miss a thing. When he was a kid, Daniel had hated that, and he wasn’t sure he liked it any more now. Not tonight, anyway. “Shouldn’t you be getting dementia one of these days? That would make my life a
lot easier."
Pop barked out a laugh. “The only thing that will make your life easier at the moment is spilling your guts. I’ll know if you’re hiding something.”
“You always did.” Daniel blew out a long breath then sat up and faced his dad. “Okay fine, there was a woman.”
His dad raised a thick, bushy eyebrow. “Was?”
“Yeah. She got married today.”
“Ah.” A flicker of pain shot across his father’s face. “So the woman you love is in the arms of another man tonight. That hurts, Son. I know. I’ve been there myself.”
His head jerked. “Whoa. Slow down for a second,” Daniel sputtered. “First of all, I never said I loved her, and secondly, what? Are you saying Mom spent the night with another man?”
His dad chuckled. “No, no, not your mom. My first love, Eleanor Russell.” The dreamy look that came over his dad’s face was almost more than Daniel could process.
“You had a first love? Other than Mom? How come I’m only hearing about this now?”
“I don’t tell you everything, you know.”
“And yet you never let Becca and me get away with keeping one little thing from you.”
“Father’s prerogative. When you have kids of your own, you’ll understand.”
The ache in Daniel’s chest intensified.
His dad exhaled loudly. “That one hit a sore spot, didn’t it? Still sticking to your story that you don’t love this woman?”
Daniel didn’t answer.
“That’s what I thought. So, you’re facing a long, dark night of the soul, aren’t you?”
“Between that and you throwing out the fact that you loved another woman before Mom, yeah, I guess I am. Are you going to tell me about it?”
“There are a couple of blankets at the foot of the couch there, toss me one, would ya? And take one for yourself. Might as well make ourselves comfortable.”
Daniel handed his dad a blue knit blanket and pulled the other—a worn white one with big yellow sunflowers on it, his mother’s old favorite—over himself. A pang of grief shot through him. His mother always knew how to make him feel better when some girl had broken his heart. The extent to which it had been trampled this time may have been beyond the healing power even of her homemade peanut butter cookies, but he still sure would have loved to have seen her tonight and felt her comforting arms around him.