Page 38 of Deadly Lust

“I need to check it out.” I had to go up there. With Mia. See if we could find something…visit the hospital, get her medical records.

“Hold up. No, man. Let me handle it. I’m not doubting that you could find them, but if they know you’re on to them, they could spook and disappear. You can’t risk that. If you go up there, I’d steer clear of the area. I have men on it.”

“Fine. Okay. Can you get someone to investigate SF General? Our son was born there. September sixth, two years ago. His birth name was Elías Joaquín Cruz.”

Kyle picked up a pen and wrote the information on a notepad. “I’m on it. What’s your plan when we find them? Kidnap him back?” He smirked, apparently knowing me too well.

“I mean, what can I do? If I do that, it will look like I had a motive for Tiffany’s murder. My psycho SEAL instinct is to find him and take him by gunpoint, but I realize that’s insane.”

“Insane and illegal. The law doesn’t give a shit about reasons. Kidnapping is still a felony.”

“Right.” I nodded, not really caring if it was a felony. I just didn’t want Kyle to pull the plug on the manhunt. “Plus, I don’t want to traumatize the boy. I mean, he doesn’t know me, the woman he knows as his mom is dead, and he only has his grandma. I need to keep my emotions out of it, and just come up with a plan that keeps him protected as much as possible.”

“True that. Once we find him, we can work with law enforcement to take him from his grandmother. You need official DNA tests, statements from you and Mia, and a good lawyer. Joaquín is using Daniel, but I’ll be honest, I don’t trust that motherfucker. If I were you, I wouldn’t breathe a word of this to anyone on the Team, either. I’ll let you know the second I hear anything about your boy. We have a good group on this case. And don’t worry about the cost. We will find him.”

“Thanks, man. I feel like you’re the only person I can trust.”

“I got your six.” Kyle gave me some business cards for lawyers. “Need anything else?”

I hesitated to ask, but I was desperate. “Is there any way I can get some unofficial leave? Just a few days. I want to go up to Marin and check out some stuff. I promise I’ll steer clear of my kid. I can work doubles on base when I get back.”

Kyle stood and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Consider it done. Just don’t get into any trouble. That’s an order.”

“Yes, sir. I appreciate it.” I shook his outstretched hand and left his place.

I made some more phone calls on the way home, securing a flight to Marin and booking a hotel and rental car. As I planned, another idea settled in my mind, and as much as I tried to reason my way around it, I couldn’t. My head and heart were at war with each other, and by the time I pulled into my parking spot, rationality was lying on the ground, bleeding and broken.

It lost.