by Lesley Davis
“Which he has his own theories on that he wouldn’t share.”
“Which is damn annoying,” Daryl grumbled. “I hate and detest withholding information.”
Blythe could appreciate how frustrated Daryl was. The last week had been a lesson in patience waiting for a woman to give birth so they could effectively take the child away from her to finish their case. Blythe didn’t like the nasty taste in her mouth that revelation left. The threatening texts had continued to arrive daily, at all hours. They’d been traced back to numerous disposable cell phones. Blythe was exasperated that lead got them no further forward. “You’ll find the missing children, Daryl; I have no doubt of that. I know this waiting is driving you crazy. I’m getting antsy too. We know from Ashley’s daily reports that the woman on top of Lailah’s wish list is due to go into labor any time soon.”
“It seems like forever since Ashley pointed them out as the ones Lailah was grooming.”
“It’s only been a week. At least your boss and mine understand the time this is taking. I hear Rafe has to perform some fancy footwork to get her boss to let her stay here and keep my team at bay until the last minute.”
“Your guys should have been here for the takedown, shouldn’t they?”
Blythe nodded. “They should have been our backup. You know as well as I do how pissed off Lake has been over having to stand down and let another unit take the lead in what should be the New York unit’s case.”
“Actually, I believe it is my case. I was brought in on it by the original investigating team.”
“The reason why I always forget that is because, to me, you’re already a part of our team.”
“Thank you for that, and I’m sorry for sounding so territorial.” Daryl scrubbed at her face. “Maybe I’m just going stir crazy.”
Blythe began tugging Daryl out of her seat. “Then let’s go for a walk. I’m still a little nervous about taking the wheel since finding out my non-accident was in fact me being hit by a demon body. Let’s blow off our fictional workload, ignore our real caseloads that, even undercover, I’m stuck with having to complete paperwork on.” She led an unresisting Daryl out of the office and through the living room. “I’ll even treat you to one of those brightly colored smoothies you love so much.”
“You had me on the ‘ignore our caseload,’ but if there’s a smoothie in the offering, please, lead the way.”
*
Daryl loved the simple pleasure of being able to hold Blythe’s hand in public without anyone taking a second glance at them. Daryl enjoyed feeling the sun on her face and just half listening as Blythe and Mia conversed. The minute they had been heading back to their front door, Mia Connelly had descended upon them, demanding their attention and regaling them with the latest goings-on. Daryl enjoyed watching Blythe speak, whether it was as an agent to her team or as a friendly neighbor catching up on all the gossip. She was enjoying the subtle hand squeezes that were substituting for Blythe rolling her eyes at how outrageous Mia was. Daryl paid attention when Mia let out a squeal.
“Oh my goodness, Claire, you look like the Pied Piper of Hamlin.”
Daryl looked up to see what had caused Mia’s outburst. Claire Benson was leading ten very small children with the harried look of a mother hen desperate to keep all her chicks in order. The other mothers that were with her were too busy talking to other adults to notice that Claire had way too many toddlers to corral.
“You’ve got your hands full there,” Daryl said as she stepped back to let them all pass by her.
“I thought a play date meant one child. I obviously didn’t read the fine print that mentioned toddlers travel in packs!” Claire gently steered a little boy forward after he’d decided to make like a salmon and swim against the toddling tide. Claire just scooped him up and balanced him on her hip. “Hope I get yours in this group real soon.” She winked at Daryl and sent a dashing smile Blythe’s way.
Daryl was oblivious to her words. She’d felt the insistent press of Virgil as he worked his Impressor magic upon her. Her sight narrowed in on the child in Claire’s hold.
Calum Bridges, Daryl realized.
“Gee, I’ve never seen anyone so excited to deal with dirty diapers and sloppy mealtimes,” Mia teased.
Daryl couldn’t take her eyes off the little boy as a woman gingerly stepped through the tiny throng and took the child from Claire.
“Thanks, Claire, you’ll hurt yourself carrying Eddie here. He’s deceptively heavy. I swear Julie feeds him rocks when I’m not looking.”
Julie was obviously the bored looking first-grader that was staying as far away from the noisy rabble as she could. “I do not, Mom!” she said, giving her mother a dark frown. “He eats them all on his own!”
Daryl finished watching the procession going by with some amusement. She turned her attention to Mia once the mothers were out of earshot. “Who’s the cute kid that eats rocks?”
Mia was eager to impart her knowledge. “That’s Caroline Jenkins’s son, Eddie. She was in your shoes. She adopted Julie first in another state and then went through it again here to get Eddie.” She gave Blythe a considering look. “I believe she went through Miller’s Agency this last time so if you two are looking to expand your brood I’d say you went to the right place.”
Recalling how Eddie looked just like his adoptive mother, having the same green eyes and smattering of freckles, Daryl had to silently agree. When it comes to getting the perfect child to suit all needs, I’d say we are exactly with the right people.
Chapter Twenty-eight
The euphoria of having found another of the missing children was still buzzing through Daryl’s brain later that evening.
“Well, that explains why Virgil couldn’t sense Calum. He’s been out of the country since we’ve been here. Little Eddie Jenkins, otherwise known as Calum Bridges, was visiting his adoptive grandparents in England.”
“You’re getting closer, baby, to finding all the children you need to. The DNA results proved it; you found Matthew and Heather just like you said you had.”
“But meanwhile more children are being taken. My job is never ending.”
“But you have help, so you’re not entirely alone in your search.”
Daryl nodded. “I wonder how many of my previous cases were linked to demons and I just never had any clue. Do you realize we’d have no idea what was happening with Lailah and her part in this case if it wasn’t for Ashley’s unique investigative skills?”
“I’m more than aware there’s no way the DDU team would have infiltrated the Baby Aid groups like Ashley has been able to. Although, my team was to have joined us here once we’d established who the kidnappers were.”
“How do you explain to Lake that he and his team have been usurped by two angels, a shape shifter, and a detective from Chicago who can see demons?” Daryl shook her head. “I fear I’m going to have to have a quiet word with him. He’s always been aware I’m a little different. Maybe I can distract his anger toward Chicago’s DDU for straying on his turf.”
“Would you tell him the truth?”
“Can you honestly say you’re glad to know the truth about…” She gestured expansively, “Everything?”
“I don’t honestly know. I’m seesawing between the excitement of knowing something so secret and awesome and then I’m terrified because demons are real and I’ll never be able to spot them in a crowd.”
“Maybe there are some things we’re not meant to see.”
“What? Follow by faith and not by sight alone? I don’t buy that line of reasoning.” Blythe’s look of displeasure made Daryl smile.
“My mother would have loved you,” she said.
“Your mother would have seen how much I love you and hopefully have approved of me.”
“What’s to disapprove? You’re a top-notch FBI agent, top of her field in the DDU. You’re beautiful, compassionate, and passionate.” Daryl paused. “But I probably wouldn’t have brought that up with my mother right away.
”
“You flatter me.”
“You are amazing and soon to be the mother of my child if Ashley’s calculations are on target.” Daryl started as her cell phone rang. “Jesus!” She snatched it up and read the number on the screen. Speak of the devil. “It’s Ashley.” She quickly answered the call.
“Better start gathering your money together. A baby has been born and Lailah is circling around it like a vulture over her next meal.” Ashley sounded as if she were beginning to run. “I’ve got to go; she’s on the move.”
Daryl looked at Blythe when the call ended abruptly. “Start preparing the nursery. It looks like we’re going to be mommies.”
*
Two nights later, the unexpected sight of Rafe waiting at the top of the parking garage opposite Miller’s Agency made Ashley want to weep.
“Oh, lover, are you a sight for sore eyes.” She walked straight into open arms and burrowed into Rafe’s chest.
“Hard day at the office, Ash?” Rafe kissed her hair softly.
“I’m just a little sick and tired of following a baby snatching demon around while she plots and plans to steal another’s child.”
“I know, love, I know.” Rafe tightened her grip. “We’re coming to the conclusion soon.”
“Not soon enough for me. You do realize that if this was my case I’d have shifted into the form of the mother she’s now stalking and the second she touched that baby I’d have banished her ass back to hell?”
“I know, but this isn’t your case and there’s not just a demon involved. She’s got a human partner and we need to stop her from continuing this practice too.”
“I could just shift and be there when she took the child. It would be that simple.”
“Yes, you could, but Daryl has got to see her side of this investigation through too. I’m not incurring the wrath of Blythe just so you and I can pack up and go home.” Rafe sighed a little. “As much as I’d really like to do that.”
“You miss Trinity.”
“I miss my own bed and my own office with my own cases. I need to go home. I’m tired of chasing demons out of my own jurisdiction.”
“Want to just banish and run? The bitch is back in her hidey-hole at the agency. We could just creep in and send her on her merry way.”
Rafe groaned. “Oh, that sounds so tempting. But no, we’re here to see this through properly. We’ve hijacked enough of this case as it is. We catch all the ones involved and then banish the demon among them. Then we catch a plane, and I buy Trinity the best damn cat toy on the way home.”
Ashley drew back in Rafe’s arms. “Why are you up here?”
“I brought you something to eat and I wanted to be with you while you demon watch in case she chooses tonight to take the baby. I got you your favorite family-sized bag of chips and a deli sub sandwich. Plus”—she lifted out a large sized drink—“enough caffeine to keep you awake tonight.”
“You are truly the love of my life,” Ashley said, reaching for the soda and sucking up the cold liquid through the straw greedily. “God, I needed that.”
Rafe was looking down at the agency. “Do you think she’ll make her move tonight?”
“She’s been in the victim’s home enough the past two days to warrant the thought it’s going to be very soon. Those watching over her say she’s been very attentive to the mother, making herself invaluable.”
Rafe grimaced. “It’s so fucking creepy. I’ll be glad to see her banished.”
“Any news from Blythe?”
“That Miller woman is a sharp cookie. She called them up to say she had a few positive ‘clients’ that she was considering for them and she hoped to be in touch very soon. Blythe said it was a very professional call. She got the impression it was a done deal but that Miller was dragging it out a little.”
“That’s because the baby hasn’t been taken yet.”
“But it was a heads up to the fact they needed to get their cash ready.”
“I wonder what her angle is to all this. Other than the money, of course.”
“Maybe that’s all it is. Some people make greed a profession. And since when do child takers have any other thought than I want it, I’ll take it?”
“When they are teamed up with a demon who has her own agenda to satisfy.” Ashley cocked her head to the building below. “I hope she tries something tonight. I’ve been trailing her all day, and she looked agitated and anxious.”
“An agitated demon isn’t something I want near a child.” Rafe shifted closer to Ashley. “But it may be what we need to have her act sooner rather than later.” She pressed a kiss to Ashley’s temple. “You’d better eat up. If you’re right, you’re going to need all your strength tonight.”
Ashley took a bite from her meal and hoped all the angelic eyes in surveillance were wide-awake.
*
The sound of her cell phone vibrating across the bedside table woke Blythe from a deep sleep. She fumbled for it, hearing Daryl murmur beside her as she woke too. Voice husky with sleep, Blythe answered the call. “Hello?”
“Lailah has taken your baby.”
Rafe’s voice brought Blythe crashing into full wakefulness. “Oh my God. When?” she blurted, shaking Daryl into action beside her. Blythe switched the phone to speaker.
“The child was taken from his nursery at three twenty this morning. Eli watched the abduction and followed her all the way back to the agency where we were watching and taking photographs so you will have your proof. I’ll inform Lake your team can surround the house now that they’re here on site and do what they can to reassure the mother that we know where her child is. The less local law enforcement knows about tonight, the better.”
“Has she hurt the baby?” Daryl asked.
“No. According to Eli, she’s got a cot all set up in her lair and she’s making sure he’s comfortable. She’s quite the little mother.” Rafe’s sarcasm was very clear from her tone.
“So we should expect another call today calling us in to collect,” Blythe guessed.
“And we’ll be right behind you with angels at the ready. I’ll keep you appraised all day with what’s happening here. We have an angel in the room watching Lailah’s every move and the dumb bitch can’t see him. I’ll expect a call from you the second you hear anything on your side.”
Blythe heard Rafe mutter something out of earshot of the phone. “Got to go. Ashley says we can stand down for a few hours. Thank God, because I’m shattered standing up here on the roof of the parking garage like some fucking sentry.”
Blythe was still smiling as she hung up her phone. “Rafe’s finally getting some sleep just as she wakes us up.” She noticed Daryl’s intense look. “You ready to finish this?”
“You bet I am. I want all my hard work concluded and the children safe.”
“We should hear from Miller today.” Blythe shivered. She could feel her whole body vibrating with a strange excitement and nervous energy. She cupped Daryl’s face in her hands. “You and Virgil got us here.” She leaned forward and kissed Daryl lightly. “Do you think you can go back to sleep a bit? I want to fall asleep in your arms before all I’ve grown accustomed to has to change.”
Daryl pulled them both back down into bed and cradled Blythe to her tightly as if frightened to let her go.
“Whatever happens, I want us to take this part of us back with us. I don’t want to leave it here in the Heights,” Blythe said. “Where you go, I go. Even if that means me heading to Vermont.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“I love you more than anything else. I think you’re my One.”
Daryl’s brow crinkled. “Your One?”
“Talk to Ashley about it. I’m going back to sleep before we have a baby waking us.”
“I’m too excited to sleep now.”
“Then run through police procedure, Detective, because I am not getting up this early unless Serena Miller calls us.”
The phone began vibrating again.
“You know that’s Lake,” Daryl said, propping her hands behind her head and looking disgustingly awake.
Blythe sighed and reached for the phone. She read the caller ID. “You’re right, as usual,” she told Daryl and answered the call. “Yes, sir?” When Lake began, Blythe resigned herself to no more sleep that night and dragged herself out of bed to go put a pot of coffee on.
Chapter Twenty-nine
Daryl couldn’t bring herself to move away from the land line phone in their office space. Her eyes moved from it to her cell phone, willing either one to ring. The only calls that had come in were more warning texts telling them to stay away or else. Their frequency was disturbing.
“Miller won’t call any quicker with you hovering waiting to pounce on the phones,” Blythe said. “Besides, it’s only ten a.m. She’s probably still getting through her legitimate clients before she can call the ones she’s kidnapped a baby for.”
Agonizingly, the call didn’t come through until five that evening. Daryl forced herself not to snatch the phone up on its first ring and schooled her voice to sound normal.
“Daryl? This is Serena Miller. I am very pleased to tell you I have a baby waiting to be placed in your home.”
“Oh my God, Ms. Miller, that’s fantastic news.” Daryl didn’t have to fabricate her pleasure.
“Congratulations to you and Blythe, it’s a boy,” Serena sang.
“A son.” Daryl pretended to be surprised. “When can we come get him?”
“Do you have your…donation?” Serena asked.
Daryl shook her head at her choice of wording. Ninety thousand dollars was no donation; it was a pledge to dig themselves deeper into this deception. “Yes, it’s all here waiting.”
“I need you to come after office hours for obvious reasons. You’ll need to park inside the compound too, so I’ll make sure the barrier is left raised. The cleaners leave at eleven tonight, so eleven thirty will be perfect. Can you make it?”
“For our son, we’ll be there whenever you wish,” Daryl said, hoping Serena was buying her sincerity.