Finding Her Son(51)

His father’s ability to lecture hadn’t changed at all.

“Lie to them. Yeah. Got that.” He rounded on his father. “What was I supposed to do? If I’d told her the truth, she would’ve pushed me out of her life. No one believed her. She needed me. She still needs someone.” He paused. “She still needs me.”

“You took her to bed.”

The accusation hit home. Mitch rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Yeah. I couldn’t resist her.”

“Not your smartest move, son.” His dad looked up at the photo of his mother. “But I understand. Some women melt your brain when they smile.”

“You think I got a prayer of salvaging this thing? I care about her. A lot.”

“Groveling works well.”

“I tried that. She blew me off with the force of an F5 tornado.”

“Then prove she can trust you. That’s what she wants, son. It’s a precious gift.”

“That I already threw away.”

“Then convince her you’ve smartened up. That she’s too precious to lose.”

On the way out to his truck, Mitch took a long look back. Four years ago he’d never have thought to go to his dad for assistance on a case. Strangely, his father’s injury had made him a stronger detective.

Mitch didn’t dwell on the implications. He slid into the pickup just as an SUV pulled into the driveway.

His brother Chase and sister, Sierra, jumped out, their faces tense and furious.

Mitch met them on the lawn. “Did Noah call you?”

“Our brother is an idiot,” Chase said, darkly.

“And you just learned this?” Mitch said.

Sierra shook her head. “I should’ve known something was up when his techy gadgets started getting cooler than mine. Is he okay? Really?”

“He’s fine. We’re the ones who need an adjustment.” Mitch said. “Go talk to him. You may learn more than you bargain for. I’ve gotta run.”

Sierra placed a hand on his arm. “You’re not hurt again, are you?”

He kissed her cheek. “Not in the way you’re thinking, little sister.”

His brother gave him a speculative glance, but Mitch shook his head. They could talk later. Maybe. Chase had his own demons to battle.

As his brother and sister strode up the sidewalk, Mitch got back into the truck and stared at the tracking device. Emily had made it to Sister Kate’s and she wasn’t moving. He gunned the accelerator and headed toward the police station. This next hour wouldn’t be pretty.




THE DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT—a place Mitch had called home for a lot of years—didn’t feel welcoming right now. He stood and faced his boss. Tanner’s face had gone red.

“You might want to calm down, boss. You’re going to pop a vein.”

“What were you thinking?”

“That we have a mole in this office, and I didn’t know who to trust. I couldn’t risk Emily’s life or losing her son’s trail. Not for anyone or anything.”

“I thought we had an understanding.” Tanner paced up and down his office. “You made me believe you trusted me, Mitch. And you go off and put yourself and Emily at risk. On a hunch after I told you not to leave town, much less the state of Colorado. You should know better.”

“We might’ve found her son. I couldn’t risk the opportunity slipping away.”

His boss thrust his fingers through his short, cropped hair. “Serves me right for giving such an important case to a damn short-timer.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I mean we all know you’re going to quit when you can’t make the physical for SWAT. I’ve seen your file, Bradford. You can’t cut it. But nobody’s brave enough to tell you to your face.”

“You don’t know that. With Emily’s help, my leg’s improving. I could make it back.” Even to Mitch’s ears the words sounded hollow.

“You sure that’s the kind of help you’re getting? She’s your assignment, not your toy.”

Mitch grabbed Tanner by the collar. “Shut up.”

The detective gripped Mitch’s wrists. “Back off. Or I will take you down. No matter how sympathetic I am to your reasons. I want you on desk duty until I decide if I have a use for you. Got it?”

“I’m not leaving Emily stranded. Perry Young may have been a drunk and a gambler, but he was right. This thing is big, and it’s ugly.”

“Fine,” Dane said. “I’ll put someone else on it. But you’re benched. Starting now.”

He’d expected the action and didn’t know whether to feel anger or relief. “Then I’m taking sick leave.” He spun around and opened the door.

“You don’t have any left,” his boss called after him.

“Then it’s leave without pay. Either way, I’m off duty.”





Chapter Twelve


Alone, Emily stretched out on the twin bed in the small room in Sister Kate’s shelter, her bag at her side. She pulled out the photo of Joshua and traced the image with her finger. She’d been so close—in her own imagination. Never in reality. “Have I lost you?”

A soft knock sounded on her door. Emily’s hand found the cold steel of the weapon in her bag. “Come in.”