Page 12 of Ultimate Justice

“Maybe,” Noah said sleepily.

“That’s good, Noah. That’s really good.” It was a start, anyway. “As soon as you get released from the hospital, maybe we can get some ice cream and go look for that farmers market.”

“No!” Noah shot upright. “I’m not going anywhere with you! I’ll only go if she goes.”

“What?” Marlie jerked back as if she’d been smacked, then shot to her feet. “No.” She shook her head. “I can’t.”

“She’s absolutely right,” Strobie interjected, having been blissfully silent until now. “She has no standing here. She’s not his legal guardian, and she’s not trained for this. If anyone goes with you, it will be me.”

Fully awake now, Noah pointed a finger at Strobie. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Evan had to agree. Sorry, Doc. No dickheads allowed.

If Strobie were anywhere near this, Evan wouldn’t get anything else out of the boy. The man had no business working with children. Noah knew it. The custodian knew it.

Marlie Foxe was his only hope, and now there was a ticking clock. He had to find that camp before more children were grabbed. Or they pull up stakes and leave.

“Ms. Foxe?” He rounded the bed, effectively blocking her escape.

Blue got to his feet, watching and waiting for a command.

“No.” She shook her head, more forcefully this time. The emotion radiating from her soulful eyes was as easy to decipher as a map. Fear. “I can’t go with you.”

Too bad. Not with missing children at risk. “I’m sorry, Ms. Foxe.” Intentionally, he infringed on her personal space, inhaling the subtle scent of roses. “I won’t take no for an answer.”

Chapter Four

Marlie glared at Agent McGarry. “No!” she repeated.

“Why not?” Noah gripped her arm.

“I’m sorry.” The sad look in the boy’s eyes killed her but didn’t change her decision. “I just can’t.” Not without reexposing her head and her heart to excruciating emotional pain. She couldn’t live through that again and survive. If she could even call this surviving. A life alone, without…anything.

She tugged Noah’s hand from her arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Deep down, she knew that would never happen. Even if Noah was still at North Metro tomorrow, she had no intention of seeing him again. Talking with him in the first place had been a huge mistake. She’d thought she could handle it. She’d been wrong.

Pushing past McGarry, she dragged the rolling trash bin into the hallway. How she’d get through the rest of her shift, she didn’t know.

With her head down, she passed the nurse’s station. Tish was deep in conversation with Dr. Tori Sampson, one of the few doctors who actually took the time to say hello to the hospital’s custodians.

“Marlie,” Tish called out. “How did it go?”

“Fine,” she answered quickly, rolling the garbage bin in front of her.

Dr. Sampson smiled as she went past the desk. “Hi, Marlie.”

After a brief nod and what she hoped looked acceptably like a smile, Marlie kept going, relieved at having escaped more socialization. All she wanted was to get back to her work duties and escape behind her comfortable cloak of invisibility.

High heels clipped behind her. No such luck.

“Wait!” Tish stopped her with a gentle hand. “How did it go with Noah and the FBI?”

“Um, like I said. Fine.” She felt like a child, unable to meet her friend’s knowing perusal.

“Uh-huh. Sure.” Tish crossed her arms. “What aren’t you telling me?” When she didn’t respond, Tish pressed, “Marlie?”

She looked past Tish to see McGarry and Kinnemara, along with Blue, McGarry’s German shepherd, leaving Noah’s room. McGarry had a phone pressed to his ear.