Page 23 of Ultimate Justice

Something about that little nod set her teeth on edge. He was using her, and they both knew it. “I won’t let Noah get hurt in your quest for justice. Physically or emotionally.”

The elevator doors opened, and several people exited the elevator, maneuvering around them. Evan stepped closer, towering over her by at least twelve inches. “Protecting children is my job, so what in the world makes you think I’d let that happen?”

She’d pissed him off, but it had to be said. There was something else stewing behind those glacial gray eyes, something he wasn’t telling her. She’d seen FBI CARD team agents in action. Sure, they’d cared about finding Aiden, but there was a sizzling intensity about Evan McGarry those agents didn’t have. Maybe it was her training, much of which could be applied to both children and the adult psyche. Or maybe he was just wired differently. Either way, his determination took those agents’ drive and multiplied it by a hundred.

Was she being too hard on him? “Forgive me. That didn’t come out the way I intended. I just meant—”

“You meant that I’m a cold-hearted sonofabitch who won’t let anything get in his way. Even an eleven-year-old boy.” His hand shot out, preventing the elevator doors from closing. “Let’s go.”

Wonderful. Now he was not only pissed off but insulted. She followed Blue into the elevator, waiting for Evan to get in. “I didn’t say you were cold-hearted. It’s just that…”

“Just what?” he shot back. “The suspense is killing me.”

“I get the feeling there’s something else going on you’re not telling me. That’s what has me worried.”

A beat of silence, then, “You have nothing to worry about, and there’s nothing I’m not telling you.”

“Are you sure?” She still couldn’t shake the feeling there was something else he didn’t want her to know. “Promise me you won’t ever lie to me.”

“I promise,” he answered quickly.

Perhaps too quickly?

The elevator doors closed. Blue panted. The only other sound she probably imagined was Evan grinding his teeth. Okay, she had to admit, perhaps she’d been a bit harsh on the man. She believed his words. It was his hesitation preceding it that left her wary.

Luckily, her association with him was temporary. Maybe as short as two weeks. Maybe less. By then, the system would find Noah a new foster family, and he’d cease to be her responsibility. Never seeing him again still left a big ole hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach.

At Noah’s floor, the doors opened. Blue’s nails click-clicked on the polished granite floor. As it always did, that unpleasant antiseptic smell all hospitals had, swept through the corridor.

Tish and two hospital security guards stood at the nurse’s desk. Tish’s brow creased as she caught sight of them. “I was just about to call you. Did you pick up Noah already?”

“No. We just got here.” Icy talons of fear dug into her heart. “Why?”

“He’s gone,” Tish said, the frown lines in her forehead deepening.

“What do you mean gone?” As Marlie asked the question, she realized those were the exact words—verbatim—her now-ex-husband had said to her three years ago. The talons of fear dug deeper. She hadn’t even taken custody of Noah, and already she’d failed him.

“Before we jump to conclusions, let’s get more facts.” Evan’s voice was calm, but there was an intensely focused, dare she say, deadly, glint in his eyes. “You said you’d call Kids Corner and tell them not to come. Is there any chance the signals got crossed and they came anyway?”

“No.” Tish shook her head fiercely. “Even if they did, they’d have to come to the nurse’s station and sign papers. They know the drill. Besides, I just called them, and they confirmed they did not send anyone to pick Noah up yet.”

Another nurse rolled a cart from one of the rooms. “Are you looking for Noah?” she asked. “Someone was here asking about him. He said he was a friend of Noah’s.”

“When was this?” Evan barked.

“About fifteen minutes ago.”

“Did you see where he went?” Evan asked, and the nurse shook her head. “Describe him,” he ordered. “Age, height, weight, eyes, hair, clothes.”

The nurse shrugged. “Mid-thirties, I think. Maybe five-ten. Kind of thin. I don’t remember his eye color, but his hair was brown.”

“Clothes?” Evan prodded.

The nurse frowned. “Blue jeans and a sweatshirt. Tan or gray. I’m sorry. I don’t remember much else. Except that he wore a wedding ring.”

Evan turned to the guards. “Put this out on the radio and call the police. Start searching the hospital for this guy. Let’s go,” he said to Blue.

He and Blue headed into Noah’s room. With her heart threatening to beat a hole through her chest, Marlie went after them. She stopped at the door and gasped.