Page 25 of Ultimate Justice

“Hold on a minute.” Evan sat on the edge of the desk. “Noah, did anyone come to see you right before you came up here?”

“No.”

Evan frowned. “The nurses said someone came to see you. I’m going to describe him. Tell me if you know this person.”

“Okay.” As he listened to Evan’s description, Noah’s eyes grew wider, and he began chewing his lower lip. “That could be John. He’s married to Margaret.”

“The couple you said run the camp?” Evan asked.

“Yeah,” he whispered, the fear in his eyes becoming more evident. Noah dropped to his knees, wrapping his arms around Blue and muttering into the dog’s coat, “Don’t let them find me.”

Oh no. There could only be one reason someone from the camp was trying to find Noah.

The darkening expression on Evan’s face confirmed her suspicion.

To take him back there. Or worse.

Chapter Eight

During the ninety minutes it had taken for Marlie to sign all the requisite forms and get Noah checked out of the hospital, Evan had met with security and reviewed camera footage. The cams had picked up one person matching the description the nurse had given, but his head was down, and they couldn’t track him back to any vehicle parked in the hospital lot. Bottom line, they had jack to go on. That didn’t stop his gut from twitching out a steady warning that trouble was following Noah.

They went outside onto the sidewalk in front of the hospital. Noah held a small bag of toiletries the hospital had provided, petting Blue’s head as they walked. His dog seemed to have a positive effect on the kid. The dark circles under Noah’s eyes weren’t quite as dark today.

Evan squinted as the late afternoon sun threatened to fry his retinas. In the sun, the dry air was still warm, but the second autumn kicked in full blast, the temperature would drop like a rock in the shade. That was Denver.

“Remember to look both ways before stepping into traffic.” Marlie put a restraining hand on Noah’s shoulder. The woman might as well have the words “good mother” stamped on her forehead. Another reason he had absolute faith she was the right person to be Noah’s legal guardian. Even if she didn’t realize it.

“I’m not a baby,” Noah said, looking down at his feet. In addition to washing his clothes, someone had dug him up a pair of sneakers.

They headed for Evan’s Expedition, stopping a moment for Blue to take care of business on a fire hydrant.

Marlie’s hand still rested on the boy’s shoulder, guiding him toward the SUV. “As soon as we get back to my truck, we’re going straight to the store. You’re going to need new clothes and supplies for school.”

Noah’s face scrunched up again. “School? Do I really have to go?”

“Yes. You really do. It’s the law, by the way. All children have to go to school, and it’s my job to make sure you do.” She ruffled his hair, a gesture that seemed so natural.

Yep. Definitely the right choice.

While Marlie and Noah got in the front seat, he loaded Blue into his kennel. He slid behind the wheel, confirming Noah had buckled himself in. He had, but kept twisting around to scratch Blue’s chin and laughing when Blue kept licking his face. Good dog. Anything to keep the kid’s mind off the fact somebody was looking to drag him back to the camp.

Evan started the engine but didn’t put it in reverse. He was betting Marlie wouldn’t like what he had to say next. “After I drive you back to your truck, we need to make a pitstop. All of us.”

“All of us?” Sure enough, she shot him a glare frosty enough to freeze his nuts off. “Where to?”

“The FBI office. I need to show Noah some photos.” And pepper him with more questions.

“We’re going to the FBI office?” Noah asked in an excited voice. “Like on TV?”

“Yep.” Evan nodded. “Just like on TV.”

“Awesome.”

“You failed to mention anything about this little detour. What else aren’t you telling me?” When he didn’t answer, her lips compressed into a thin line. “How long will this take?” she asked tightly.

“Won’t know until we’re done.” He cranked the SUV into reverse.

She must have been one heck of a good psychologist. They’d been in each other’s company for a grand total of maybe three hours, and she saw right through him, knew there was something he wasn’t telling her. That his sister might be at the camp. “Where are you parked?”