Finding Her Son(15)

“Think, Emily,” he said. “We know from the paint scrapes that you and Eric were run off the road. The question is why. They took your baby. Was your son the target? Had you been threatened?”

She shook her head firmly. “Nothing like that. Look at the map. Infants aren’t taken very often, not by strangers. And most of the time they’re found within two weeks. There’s not a slew of stolen babies in any one geographical area. Not anywhere in the country. And certainly not here.”

Mitch rose and turned to the map. He ran his finger from pin to pin. “I know that. I don’t necessarily think your son was taken as part of a baby ring. This was personal. About your family.” He faced her. “You and your husband took out a life-insurance policy just before he died. Why?”

Emily stilled, her entire body tense with suspicion. “Wait a minute. How do you know about the insurance? And the paint? I just asked for your help today.”

Oh, boy. His first big slip. Well, one thing SWAT had taught him was to think on his feet. “Tanner mentioned a few things, but I have to admit, after last night, I looked into your case. I didn’t think the attempted hit-and-run was an accident. I still don’t.”

How long could he mix truth with lies and still remain credible? The question churned in Mitch’s gut.

“Ghost could’ve called someone. He threatened me. Did you ask him?”

Mitch let out a long, slow breath. “I’ve got some bad news about Ghost. He’s no longer in custody.”

“You let him go?” She rose from her seat, her eyes sparking with fury. “How could he make bail? He’ll disappear.” She crossed to Mitch, hands planted on her hips, toe-to-toe with him.

He hated to admit the truth. “That’s not quite what happened. He escaped. Before we could get prints or mug shots.”

“I have to talk to him.” Emily paced around the room. “He’s all I’ve got.”

“You can’t, Emily. That’s one reason Tanner gave me your case. I believe, and he agrees, that you’re in danger. He knew, given your history with the police department, you wouldn’t be receptive to protection.”

“He was right about that.” Emily glared at him. “Your boss should’ve told me the second I asked to see Ghost. He lied to me. And so did you.”

“We didn’t tell you everything,” Mitch acknowledged.

“How am I supposed to trust you? I thought you were on my side. That you believed me.”

“I do believe you. I don’t think you know where your son is, but Ghost threatened you, and I’m sure he’ll come after you. You need my help.”

Emily let out a slow breath and met his gaze. “If we’re going to work together, you can’t lie to me, Mitch. Or keep secrets. I can’t do that again.” She bit her lip and turned away.

“Wait a minute.” Mitch touched her shoulder. “What do you mean again?”

She whirled around and raised her chin in challenge. “It doesn’t matter. You want to know about the money. Eric and I bought the policy because of the baby. Joshua was only a month old, but Eric planned for the future, especially since he and his family…weren’t communicating.”

Mitch didn’t like the frozen expression on Emily’s face. He’d really blown it. “Your husband didn’t get along with his parents?”

“They’d been estranged for a while. Ever since, well, ever since we got engaged. I wasn’t quite the daughter-in-law they had in mind. Not blue-blooded enough, if you get my meaning. They made no secret of it, so Eric left the family business. He gave up everything for me.”

“Their loss,” Mitch said before he could help himself.

Emily looked at him, her expression full of sadness. “It’s easier to think I arranged this entire thing than acknowledge someone could have stolen Joshua and he’s still out there.”

“You believe he’s alive.”

“I have to.” She lightly touched the photo of her son pinned to the wall, her eyes glistening. “Do you understand that?”

“More than some.” He turned her to him and, with a gentle tug, pulled her closer. “I don’t have kids, but I have a goddaughter. Her mother took Haley out of the country and wasn’t planning on returning her to her father. I helped find her and bring her home.”

“Is she…okay?”

“Oh, she’s more than back to her old self.” He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the shenanigans of his favorite and only goddaughter. “She’ll turn six soon and has her daddy wrapped around her little finger.”

“Maybe that will be me someday.” A shuddering sigh escaped from Emily.

Haley’s story had done more than sympathizing with Emily could ever do. The ice in her eyes had softened.

“I’ll do my best to help you find your son,” he said truthfully. “I promise that.”

Emily reached out and laid her hand over his heart. “I believe you.”

The utter faith in her words humbled him. Unable to resist, he cupped her cheek, and she tilted her head into his hand as if searching for warmth, for comfort, for something to hold on to. His heart slammed against his chest. His gaze lowered to her lips. Her tongue moistened them, and her eyes deepened to a rich cobalt. The awareness between them surged. Mitch knew it was wrong, but he wanted to comfort her. He wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.