“Right. I read about the arrests.”
“One of the patients in the hospital at the time was told that her baby died, but her body was never recovered, so I’m investigating the possibility that the child might have been kidnapped.”
“I’m not sure how I can help.”
“Actually, I’m not sure you can either, but I’m exploring every possible lead. I found records of a case you and your partner investigated where an infant was found in a Dumpster approximately two weeks after the child in question went missing.”
“Oh, right, I remember that case.”
“What can you tell me about it? Did you ID the child?”
“As a matter of fact, we did.” Her voice warbled. “The mother was a crack addict. She delivered early, but the child wasn’t breathing so she freaked out and decided to get rid of it for fear she’d be caught.”
“Did you arrest her?”
“She’s in prison now.” A long sigh. “I’m sorry. I guess that’s not much help.”
“No, it means that the child I’m looking for might be alive.”
“If it’s been eight years…” Detective Little said. “You know the chances are slim that you’ll find her.”
Slade gritted his teeth. “I know. But everyone assumed she died in that fire. The fact that there was no body or proof means there might have been foul play.”
“Good luck, Mr. Blackburn. I have a soft spot for kids myself, that’s why I work Special Victims. If I can help you any other way, just let me know.”
He thanked her, then spent the next hour chasing down the other two instances he’d read about, but both turned out to be dead ends, too.
The rain died, the morning sun fighting through the storm clouds. His phone buzzed, and he checked the number. Nina.
He punched the connect button. “Nina?”
“Slade…can you come over?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Someone left a rag doll with a knife in its heart on my doorstep.”
Slade cursed, grabbed his weapon, shoved it in his holster, threw on a jacket and rushed outside.
* * *
NINA’S HAND TREMBLED as she hung up the phone. Nausea rolled through her as she stared at the doll, and her chest ached so badly it was as if that knife had been plunged into her own heart.
Someone had put the doll on her doorstep to taunt her with the past.
Who would be so cruel?
She rushed upstairs and threw on some clothes, then made coffee and tried to sip it while she waited.
Five minutes later, Slade’s SUV rumbled up the drive and she inhaled deeply. She had to pull herself together. She finally had someone on her side, and she couldn’t chance losing his services now.
Brushing her hair back into a ponytail, she rushed to the door. The sight of Slade Blackburn on her front porch sent a surge of relief through her.
The wind tousled his hair around his broad face, and the trees shook raindrops from the branches, scattering them across the ground. “Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes, just shaken.”
“Tell me what happened.”
“Before dawn, I heard a noise outside.” She led him to the sofa table. Her hand shook as she picked up the doll. “Then I found this on my porch.”
His eyes flashed with anger. “Damn sicko. Did you see who put it on your porch?”
“No, but I saw a shadow outside. Then I heard a car leaving down the street.”
Slade’s jaw tightened. “Do you have a bag I can put it in? I’ll send it to the lab for prints and DNA.”
“Sure.” She rushed to the kitchen and returned with one, and he used his handkerchief to seal it in the bag.
The temptation to share what happened in the past taunted her, but she decided to hold off.
Maybe he’d find a lead from the doll and she wouldn’t have to divulge the humiliating details of her breakdown.
CHAPTER FIVE
SLADE GRITTED HIS TEETH. Nina looked shaken, fragile and exhausted, like a delicate flower that had been crushed in the wind.
But dammit, she also looked beautiful in that pale blue cotton blouse and that flowing black skirt. He itched to pull her into his arms and comfort her but gripped his hands by his sides to keep from touching her.
Someone, whoever had put that doll on her porch, had meant to torment her.
Or maybe the doll had been left as a warning. If she kept asking questions, the same thing would happen to her…
Hopefully Amanda could lift some prints. If not, she might be able to track down where the doll and knife were bought and the buyer.
Slade gritted his teeth. The fact that she’d received it the day after she’d hired him was significant.
Dammit, he didn’t like the fact that someone was watching her. Someone who obviously didn’t want her asking questions. That fact alone roused his suspicions and gave credence to her case.
The first suspect who came to mind was the doctor. But surely the man was too smart to pull such a stunt. He’d have to know that he would be the first person Slade would question.
“Other than Dr. Emery, who else knows that you hired me?” Slade asked.
Nina ran a hand over her forehead. “William.”
His gaze shot to hers. “Peyton’s father?”
She nodded and folded her arms across her chest. “He phoned last night.”
Slade growled, “How did he find out?”
“Dr. Emery called him.”
“Son of a bitch.”
Nina’s gaze jerked to his, and he forced himself to tamp his anger. “What did he say?”
“He was upset,” Nina said. “William doesn’t want anyone messing up his life by dredging up his past. Especially me.”
Slade frowned. “I don’t give a damn what he wants. He’s going to talk to me. And I’ll get the truth out of him one way or another.”
* * *
NINA’S HEART WARMED. For the first time in eight years, she actually felt as if someone believed her.
That someone else might care that her daughter had gone missing, when her father and Peyton’s own father had accepted her disappearance as if it had been a blessing in disguise.
“Do you want me to call William and tell him we’re coming?” Nina asked.
“No, I want the element of surprise on our side when I confront him.”
Our side? A warmth spread through Nina at the thought of this man defending her. For so long, she felt as if she’d been waging an uphill battle all alone.
The sun glinted through the clouds, the traffic thick as they left the mountain roads and turned onto the highway toward Winston-Salem. The interstate buzzed with early-morning traffic and commuters.
“Did you grow up in Sanctuary?” Slade asked.
“No, in Raleigh. I attended a private school. That’s where I met William. His father