Finding Her Son(60)

“We’re close,” Mitch said. “I can feel it.”

“I was wrong about the adoption ring.”

“Not really. The man with the tattoo went there. We have a name. We’ll find him.”

Emily couldn’t get over the determination in Mitch’s voice. Her mind whirled. He’d lied to her from the moment they’d met, and yet he still fought for her. Could those actions erase his dishonesty? Was truth more than what Mitch had said? Was truth really in his every action? “You never give up, do you?”

“Not in my nature.” Mitch gave her a slight shrug.

“So, how do we find Frankie?” she asked.

“Ghost’s tat is a gang tattoo. We search the database for the gang members we’ve arrested. With any luck, we’ll find him.”

Mitch gave her a small smile and clasped her hand in his. He brought her palm to his lips. Emily shivered at the warmth of his touch, and her heart calmed. They would find Joshua. Together. There was still hope. Mitch had given that to her.

She stared at his strong jaw, and her heart swelled. She’d only known him a few days, but as she stared at their entwined fingers, she couldn’t imagine her life without him next to her. Without one of his jokes, or looking into the mischievous glint in his eyes and wondering what he’d planned next. At times she’d wondered if it was just adrenaline that made her heart race whenever he came near, but it was so much more. She couldn’t picture finding Joshua without Mitch at her side, without them as a family afterward. She could see a future with him.

Oh, my God. Emily stopped.

Did she love him?

He looked over at her. “What? Did you remember something?”

She turned and laid her hand on his cheek. “You’re an amazing man.”

He furrowed his brow. “We haven’t found him yet, Emily.”

“I know, but—”

“Mitch, Emily.” Dane Tanner crossed the floor and greeted them. “I have someone I think you’ll want to talk to. She’s in the conference room.”

Emily sighed. This wasn’t the time.

They followed Detective Tanner. Mitch opened the door for Emily, and she stilled. Victoria Wentworth sat at the table, hands folded, trying to look calm, but Emily could see the redness in her eyes and the trembling in her fingertips. This was not a Victoria she knew.

The woman rose from her seat, unsteady, almost swaying, but proud as ever. She flashed a withering glance at Tanner. “I said I’d talk to Officer Bradford. I’m here because of Eric, but she has no business in this room. If she stays, I’m leaving.”

With that, Victoria turned away. Tanner let out a slow breath.

Emily stared at Victoria’s rigid posture. The possibilities she’d nurtured when Eric was alive had been foolish. “It could have been so different between us, Mrs. Wentworth, if you’d let it. We both lost Eric.”

“You stole my son from me,” Victoria said coldly.

“You shoved him away,” Emily whispered. “He always loved you. Wanted you in our lives. Wanted you to come to know Joshua. That will be your loss.” Without another glance, Emily pushed out of the conference room.

Mitch followed her, resting his hand on her back. “You okay?”

Emily gave him a regretful smile. “I expected too much. Why is that?”

He kissed her cheek. “Because you believe the best in everyone else, no matter what they do to you. It’s one of the things I really admire about you.”

Emily stared up at him. She gripped his hands in hers. “Go in there. Victoria’s not here for me. If she deigned to come down to the police station, it’s for a reason. I’ll be waiting.”

Mitch leaned into her. “See if you can find a place to hole up for a while.” He kissed her forehead, then her eyes and finally gave her a soft, tender kiss on her lips. “You need to rest. With Vance arrested, the station should be safe now. I’ll be as quick as I can. Then we’ll identify Frankie.”

He disappeared behind the conference-room door, leaving Emily alone in the foyer of the police station. She sighed and started toward the waiting area.

“Emily—” Her brother-in-law stepped just inside the building. “Thank God, I found you. I’ve been looking everywhere.”

He seemed excited and flushed, appearing nothing like the calm businessman she was used to seeing.

“William, what’s wrong? I know your mother—”

He shook his head. “No, it’s Joshua. I think I’ve found Joshua!”

Emily’s knees buckled. Her heart raced. “It can’t be,” she breathed.

William led her toward the exit. “You were right all along, Emily.” He looked down at the floor, his embarrassment obvious. “I should have supported your search no matter what. I never should have listened to Mother and Father. There were things happening in the company that I didn’t understand then. Things with my father…”

She grabbed his wool coat. “Where is my son, William? Where’s Joshua?”

“We have to handle this carefully. I don’t have proof yet. I’m checking into things, but there’s a baby I need you to see who I think is Joshua. He looks just like Eric’s pictures at the same age. Will you come with me?”

“Of course.” She pushed through the door. “But what makes you think this is Joshua?”