Finding Her Son

by Robin Perini

  “I hope you find your son,” Judy Greenley said softly, cradling her boy.

  “Thank you. Enjoy your boy. He’s a gift.”

  Emily’s eyes burned with unshed tears. Their last lead was gone.

  Mitch turned her away and whispered in her ear, “All we have to do is make it to the car.”

  She nodded and stumbled beside him to the street. She couldn’t think, couldn’t feel. Her entire body had gone numb with disbelief. No matter what she’d said as each disappointment had occurred over the last several hours, she’d never believed they’d fail.

  She stared up at him, his face blurry through her tears. “I don’t know where my son is. I don’t even know where to look.”

  “Let’s get you in the car,” he said.

  A black-and-white tore down the street at them. Mitch shoved her toward the SUV. “I shouldn’t have used my credit card at the rental company. Get inside.”

  The police car skidded to a stop right next to him as the stunned Greenleys looked on. Jim pushed his family inside their house just as a young cop slammed his door, his hand on his weapon. “Officer Bradford?”

  Emily eased toward the SUV. “Please don’t move, ma’am. Keep your hands visible.”

  “No sudden movements, Emily,” Mitch said softly.

  She stilled next to the rental, and he took a deep breath. “What’s this all about?”

  “Detective Dane Tanner asked me to find you. He needs to talk to you. Immediately.”

  “What the hell for? And how did you know where we were?”

  “Rental car GPS. Um…the detective instructed me if you resisted, I should bring you in for questioning. In handcuffs.” The young officer pulled out his notebook. “You’re still conducting surveillance on a—Emily Wentworth?”

  Oh, God. Surveillance. The word echoed around in Emily’s head. Her knees shook. No. It couldn’t be true. It just couldn’t. She had to steady herself on the hot metal of the SUV. Not Mitch. Please, not Mitch.

  His head whipped around toward her, and she could tell by the guilty expression on his face. It was true. He’d used her. He hadn’t believed in her. Ever. He’d just been doing his job.

  Everything that had happened between them.... She’d—oh, God. She’d given herself to him. She’d let him inside her heart. She’d thought she might even…love him.

  What a fool. “You bastard,” she said.

  The cop wiped his brow. “I screwed up, didn’t I?”

  Mitch blew out a long hiss of air. “No, kid. I did.” He pulled out his phone, walked away from them and placed the call.

  Emily watched him, the man she’d thought she knew. When he returned, she glared at him. “Are you planning to arrest me?”

  “Of course not. I—”

  “Save it, Mitch. Just get me out of here so I can catch a flight home.”

  “Noah can fly—”

  “I don’t need your help. Or your family’s.” She crossed her arms and planted herself solidly. “Don’t try to talk your way out of this, Officer Bradford. You had plenty of time to tell me. In bed and out.”

  The young cop’s jaw had dropped, but he listened unabashedly, and she didn’t care.

  “I know you’re upset, Emily,” Mitch said, his voice lowering to a whisper. “I don’t blame you, but I did what I had to do—”

  “To put me in jail.”

  Mitch thrust his hand through his hair. “Can you just listen for a minute? I did it all to protect you. It didn’t take long to understand you were in trouble. I knew if you found out—”

  “Oh, so it was inconvenient to tell me the truth. I told you what Eric did, and still you said nothing.” She faced him, anger pouring from her, all the while disillusionment sucking the life from her soul. “You couldn’t have hurt me more. How can I trust you again? With the truth? With my fears? With my heart? With my son?”

  He paled, but she wasn’t in the mood to sympathize. She hoped and prayed someday he would feel the pain that shot through her heart.

  “I can only tell you that everything I did was for you. And for Joshua,” he said quietly.

  “How can I believe that? Your job was to prove I killed Eric, wasn’t it? I’ve probably given you enough circumstantial evidence to tie a bow around a conviction. You can become the big hero. Get back your job with SWAT.” Her entire being froze from the inside, despite the hot, muggy weather. “I want you out of my life. I don’t want you or any other Denver police officer anywhere near me. Got it? I’ll find Joshua on my own.”

  “You can’t do this alone. You’re still at risk. That’s why Tanner called. They found a woman’s body in the foothills of the Rockies. Not too far from your house.”

  Emily’s heart skipped a beat. “Kayla?”

  “No. An older woman.”

  The words shattered the last fragment of hope in Emily’s chest. “Marie?”

  He nodded. “Marie Dumond. She had a cell phone, and yours was the last number she dialed.”

  AFTER RECOGNIZING SHE couldn’t afford to get back to Denver any other way, Emily succumbed to Noah’s cajoling and agreed to fly home with the Bradford brothers. She couldn’t think as Noah escorted her onto his CJ4 jet. She’d fully expected to have Joshua on the way up these steps. Now her arms were empty, and so was her heart. The one lead she’d counted on—Marie—was silenced forever. Her gullibility and stupidity were clear for everyone to see.

  She’d believed Mitch had her back when they’d arrived in Florida even though she’d wondered about him in the beginning. Just like she’d suspected Eric. Why had she refused to listen to her instincts instead of believing what her mind wanted to be true?

  She ducked into the cabin and sat near the rear, as far away from the cockpit as possible.

  Mitch followed. He’d handled the steps well. Not that she cared, of course. Not her problem anymore.

  He hesitated beside her seat, as if wanting to say something.

  “This seat’s taken.” She placed her purse down and gave him the best glare she could.

  “Fine. I’ll sit up front with Noah.”

  Mitch snaked into the copilot’s seat, and Emily let out a relieved sigh. Noah made the last checks around the plane and locked them in. He knelt beside Emily. “Mitch didn’t want to lie to you.”

  “But he did. I can’t trust him.”

  “And you won’t stop until you find your son, will you?”

  “No.”

  Noah patted her leg. “Let me have your cell.”

  “Why should I?”

  “Because I’m one of the good guys.” Noah gave her a cocky grin so like Mitch’s it made her belly ache.

  Hesitantly she dug into her pocket and handed him the device. He snagged a small tool from his back pocket and with a couple of twists opened the phone to reveal its guts. After a few deft movements, he closed the phone and returned it to her.

  “I took out the GPS and put a handy little gadget in that will block your number, no matter who you call. Just to be safe.”

  “Who are you?”

  “Just your standard, ordinary computer jockey,” he said, flashing a charming smile.

  “Right. Just like Mitch really cared about me.”

  Noah’s smile vanished. “No, Emily. Mitch cares. A lot.” Noah rubbed his beard. “You pulled a gun on me back at my house. You know how to use a .40 Glock?”

  “My private investigator taught me how to shoot. He thought I might need the training.” Poor Perry. He’d been right more often than Mitch or the police department had ever believed.

  Noah opened up a small compartment over her head and handed her a large pistol and a clip. “It has a big kick, but it’ll stop most anything or anyone. If you’re going to try to investigate on your own, you’re going to need it. Just don’t use it to kill my brother. Even if he’s an idiot, I’m fond of him. Dad would be disappointed if I provided the weapon that sent Mitch to the pearly gates.”

  Emily accepted the weapon. “Thank you.”

&n
bsp; Noah sighed and looked over his shoulder. “I think he loves you,” he said and disappeared into the cockpit.

  “No, I’m just a job,” she whispered. She had to remember that.

  “Buckle up.” Noah’s voice filtered through the intercom system.

  Emily snapped on her seat belt and leaned back, gripping the weapon in her lap. Mitch’s betrayal stung, but it didn’t change her mission. With Mitch untrustworthy, Perry gone and Marie dead, she had one more option that she’d forgotten about until just now. She would keep the appointment with the adoption attorney. It was a long shot, but it was all she had.

  For the next four hours, Emily went over every scenario she could think of. Mitch had tried to talk to her several times. She shut him down. She needed help, but not his. Not again. She thought about asking Ian, but she couldn’t allow herself to use Mitch’s best friend. He was a single parent with a young child. That meant going back to William. Trying to convince him to help her find another PI, and to pay for it until the house sold. Not an easy task in this market. Even more so considering her house wasn’t safe with these people after her.

  She didn’t have a place to stay, either. Or a car.

  Noah announced their approach to Denver, and Emily braced herself to see Mitch again. After the plane eased to a stop, she unclipped her seat belt and stuffed the gun into her bag.

  Mitch left the cockpit and faced her once more. “Please. Don’t go alone. Let me help.”

  Noah unlatched the door and extended the stairs. A blast of arctic air blew into the plane, no more chilled than her heart. “I’m fine,” she said. “I know what to do.”

  Emily went down the stairs and walked toward the small, private-airport terminal. Noah put a hand on Mitch’s shoulder, and he glanced up at his older brother.

  “She’s something else,” Noah said quietly.

  “Yeah. I screwed up big time. She doesn’t trust that I really would do just about anything for her.”

  “Well, I helped you out.” Noah handed him a small unit with a map on the computer screen. A dot slowly moved away from them.

  “What is it?”

  “I fixed Emily’s phone for her. No GPS for the bad guys. No trapping her phone number. But you, little brother, can track her with this. Just don’t lose it.”

  Mitch gave his brother a stunned stare. “You’re a hell of a sneak, if I haven’t told you that before.”

  “You let my other interests get out, little brother, and I’ll change the code so you can’t borrow my Harley.”

  Mitch sputtered.

  “Yeah. I know about the Harley. But you found more than I’ll ever have, bro. You found someone real in a world of cheats and liars.”

  “If she’ll only give me a chance to prove I’m not one.”

  Noah slapped him on the back. “If she didn’t care, you wouldn’t have hurt her so much. Take heart in that. Heck, if you find her son, she’ll have to take you back.”

  Noah took off, and Mitch let his brother’s words stew in his mind. He didn’t want Emily that way. Not out of some mistaken form of gratitude. He longed for her to want him in the same way he did her. Because he admired her, cared for her…loved her.

  Oh, God. He’d fallen in love with her.

  The recognition nearly made him sink to his knees. He’d blown it. He’d finally found someone whose loyalty and courage he could respect, whose passion lit a fire within him so hot it consumed his thoughts. And he’d driven her away.

  He straightened his shoulders. His feelings didn’t matter. All he could focus on was Emily. He made his way to the truck, keeping close watch on her location. The dot had sped up significantly. He turned on his phone, then played through six messages. All but one was from Tanner, ordering him back to the office, threatening him with a suspension and finally to fire him. The last one came from Ian with the news about Marie.

  Emily’s dot moved farther away. Where was she planning to go? He couldn’t think of anywhere safe except Noah’s home, and she wouldn’t go there. The dot moved toward downtown, back to the first attempt on her life. Why should he be surprised? With Ghost still at large, she was much too vulnerable. He dialed a number.

  “Teen Mother’s Shelter.”

  “Sister Kate. It’s Mitch Bradford.”

  “Officer. I was hoping to hear back from you. How are you and Emily doing?”

  Mitch winced at the smile in the nun’s voice. “Um…that’s why I’m calling. Emily’s in trouble, Sister. I think she might be heading your way.”

  “What kind of trouble?”

  “Someone wants her dead.”

  “Ghost?”

  “It’s more involved than that. Can you hide her? Get her to stay put? I have something to take care of, but I’ll be there soon.”

  “We can hide her, Officer. I’ll tell her you’re coming—”

  “No. Don’t do that. She…let’s just say we’ve had a falling-out.”

  “But you’ll be here?”

  “She needs protection. It’s my job.”

  Sister Kate laughed. “Oh, boy-o, it’s way more than a job. I can hear the feelings in your voice. Don’t you fret.”

  “I won’t stop worrying until she’s safe,” Mitch said, leaving off the one phrase he wanted so badly to say aloud…in my arms. “Thank you, Sister.”

  He hung up the phone. He needed help, and there was only one man he could ask. He just wondered if he’d make it out of his dad’s house in one piece.

  MITCH PULLED INTO HIS father’s driveway. The place hadn’t changed much, except for the ramp leading to the front door. Before Mitch even rang the bell, the ex-sergeant opened the door.

  “Cameras?” Mitch asked, scanning the perimeter and spying the small electronics in several strategic locations.

  “Of course.” He reversed his wheelchair to let Mitch enter. “I hadn’t expected to see you here.”

  “Noah didn’t call and spill my latest screwup?”

  His dad shrugged. “He mentioned you might be by for some intel.”

  Mitch walked into the living room. The photo of his father and mother still held a place of honor on the fireplace mantel. Short of a few adjustments in the furniture to widen spaces, his dad’s place hadn’t changed much in the ten years since his mother’s death from cancer.

  “I need some advice. I’m out of my league, Dad.”

  “You’re a good cop.”

  “I’m a good SWAT entry man. Emily needs protection, and clearly I can’t do it. If I’d been one hundred percent, I would’ve caught the perp who blew Perry Young’s head off. This would be over.” He rubbed his leg and took a deep breath. “The problem is, I’m not a detective. And this case is complicated. She needs an investigator. She needs you, not me.”

  “How’s the injury, Mitch?” His father nodded toward the leg. “Really?”

  “Fine.” Mitch quirked a smile. “Emily hates it when I use that word.”

  “Means you don’t want to talk about it. I get that, son.”

  “I’m at seventy-five percent. Not good enough for SWAT, and if I can’t be SWAT, what’s the point?”

  His dad pointed to the wheelchair “You’re here asking for my help, despite this chair. What makes you think a slightly bum leg makes you less of a cop?”

  “You were vice. You used your smarts. That was never me.”

  “You think on your feet. You strategize quickly. You’re good at your job, Mitch. Investigation might be slower paced, but you have a gift for reading people. Better than your brothers or sister. Use your talents. What does your intuition say about the situation?”

  “That Emily’s going to die if I don’t figure this out.”

  Mitch sank into the couch. He’d never said the words aloud, and he ached with the knowledge that if he couldn’t figure out who wanted her gone, he could very well lose Emily, the only woman he’d ever loved. He had to push those emotions aside. He had to focus on the pieces that didn’t fit.

  “Follow your gut. About th
e investigation and the girl.”

  “It feels like there’s more than one element, and I’m not seeing the connection. Perry knew a lot, but he’s dead. His notes are like a few pieces of a five-thousand-word jigsaw puzzle. I know there’s a mole in the Denver PD, but I don’t know who.”

  “You asked me before about Tanner. Is he the mole?”

  Mitch shook his head. “I trust him.”

  “Good enough for me.” His dad rolled his wheelchair into an elaborate office. “Ever since you called, I’ve been doing a bit of research. Tanner’s financials look good, but I’ve got the names of four cops who have some interesting data. Two were on duty the night Ghost escaped: Vance and Lincoln. I’m following up.”

  “Thanks, Dad. Call me if either one hits.”

  “You got it. And Mitch.” His dad rolled over and slapped the back of Mitch’s head. “Did you forget everything I ever taught you about women? If you care about them, what’s the one thing you never, ever do?”

  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.