Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Eliza stared up at me, her breathing still uneven but the sobs subsiding slightly. “Why?” she whispered. “Why do you want to help us?”
I didn’t have a good answer, at least not one I could articulate. Something about Lily’s trust in me, about Eliza’s fierce protection of her daughter, about the unfairness of it all had gotten under my skin in a way I hadn’t experienced in years.
“Because Lily likes my singing.”
Her eyes widened in surprise. I knew she hadn’t expected my answer, but I honestly didn’t have one for her. I mean, I knew Lana’s reasons for taking on assholes, but I’m the one who started the process. Some of the wild desperation in Eliza’s eyes faded into something quieter but no less painful. Her fingers slowly released their death grip on my cut, though she didn’t move away.
“Lana will be here soon,” I said, glancing toward the entrance ramp. “She must have run into traffic or something. We’ll figure out next steps. Haven is ready for you, with a room set up. You won’t have to face this alone.”
As I stood there, her tears soaking into my shirt, I knew I wouldn’t back away from my promise. Something about Lily’s small face, about Eliza’s desperate fight to protect her daughter, had awakened parts of me I thought had died years ago when I went to prison, or maybe even earlier in the foster homes I bounced between after my mother died.
The sound of tires screeching on the concrete ramp announced another vehicle’s arrival. Lana’s sleek sedan appeared, pulling into a spot near us. As she emerged from the car, her expression determined, I knew the fight ahead would be mine as much as hers.
Chapter Five
Cash
I followed Lana’s sedan through the evening traffic. All I could think about was Lily’s small face pressed against the car window, tears streaming down her cheeks as they took her away from her mother. And Eliza’s body, suddenly weightless with grief, in my arms.
Lana made a sharp right turn toward the North Police Precinct, her tires squealing against pavement. I leaned into the turn behind her. The police station loomed ahead, windows glowing yellow against the night sky.
I parked beside Lana. She and Eliza hurried toward the glass doors. Eliza looked like she might shatter. Her skin appeared ghostly pale, her eyes sunken shadows in her face. Lana kept one hand firmly on Eliza’s elbow, steering her forward while pressing her phone to her ear with her free hand.
I caught the door before it closed behind them and followed them into the building. The precinct smelled like stale coffee. The front desk sergeant looked up as we approached, his gaze lingering on my cut before shifting to Lana. Recognition flickered in his eyes. And not exactly in a good way. Apparently, Ms. Thompson’s reputation preceded her.
“We need information on a child who was just brought in by Officer Martinez,” Lana said, covering the mouthpiece of her phone. “Lily Jans, six years old. She was removed from Nashville General Hospital by CPS about twenty minutes ago. This is her mother.”
The sergeant tapped at his computer, frowning slightly. “I don’t show any minors processed tonight. Let me check with dispatch.”
He turned to his radio, pressing the talk button. “Dispatch, Front Desk. Any information on a CPS transport with a minor female? Come from General.”
I watched Eliza press her arms tighter against her ribs, as if physically trying to hold back another breakdown. Her breathing came in short, shallow bursts. I moved closer, unable to stop myself from offering my silent support.
The radio crackled. “Front Desk, Dispatch. Officer Martinez radioed in requesting EMS assistance on a CPS transport. Pediatric patient, female, exhibiting extreme distress. Possible injury during transport. EMS en route to General Hospital ER.”
“Injury?” Eliza’s voice cracked on the word, her eyes widening with fresh horror. “What happened to my daughter? I told them she gets hurt easily.”
The sergeant looked uncomfortable. “I don’t have details, ma’am.”
Lana’s spine straightened, her free hand curling into a fist at her side. Into her phone she said, “Your Honor, did you hear that? The child has been injured while in protective custody.” She paused, listening. “Yes, I understand, but --” Her phone beeped with another incoming call. “I need to take this, ma’am. I’ll call you back.” Lana glanced at the screen, held up one finger to Eliza, and switched calls. “This is Lana Thompson.”
I moved closer to Eliza, noticing how she swayed slightly on her feet. The color drained from her face as she listened to Lana’s half of the conversation.
“Yes, Officer Martinez. I appreciate you calling me back.” Lana’s voice remained calm, but I saw her knuckles whiten around the phone. “What happened, exactly?” She listened, her expression growing darker. “How?”
Eliza made a strangled sound and stumbled backward until her legs hit a chair. She collapsed into it, her hands flying to cover her mouth as fresh sobs tore from her throat. Lana didn’t have to say anything specific. Eliza and I both could tell from the look on her face whatever Officer Martinez told her we wouldn’t like.