Her Stolen Son by Rita Herron Read Free Book Online Page A

dropped the cup in the trash on the way out. But it seemed far-fetched that someone was following them to a movie and grabbed her cup. Still, if this killer was ruthless, it was possible. Something for Kay Krantz to point out in court.
    The emails bothered her, too, but as Kay pointed out, someone else could have used her phone to send the emails. Or a professional might have the knowledge to set it up so it appeared the emails came from her phone when they actually hadn’t.
    But her underwear posed a bigger problem. Herpanties had to have been stolen from her house. She stewed over that problem. She hadn’t noticed any signs of a break-in over the past few weeks.
    So who had been in her house? Two of her clients had dropped off work, but neither of them had stayed or even come inside. She and Petey were so new to Sanctuary that he hadn’t made a lot of playmates yet and she hadn’t cultivated friendships either, so they hadn’t had company. They’d been too busy settling in.
    Only Lyle Rice had come inside to pick her up the night of the movie, and then to have an after-dinner drink.
    Which meant that someone had broken into her house and stolen her underwear without her noticing. The thought sent another wave of fear through her.
    When she was released, she had to change all her locks. She’d install a security system, as well. If she and Petey had been home when the person had broken in, he could have hurt her or her son.
    She’d do anything to keep Petey safe.
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    C OLT NEEDED to know more about Serena’s husband and why he’d been killed. Could his death be related to Rice and his murder?
    The bag of cash and both men having been murdered raised his suspicions.
    He glanced at the clock. Five a.m.
    Dammit, he had to find Petey. The poor little boy was out there somewhere alone, vulnerable. He scrubbed his hand over his bleary eyes. If anything bad happened to Petey, he’d never forgive himself.
    Once again, he tried to climb in the boy’s mind. He’d been sure Petey would run home. That would have been the most logical choice. Then again, Petey was scared and smart and probably realized that the police would search his house. So where else would he go?
    Perhaps he had a friend he’d turn to. Or maybe Serena had a friend or sitter he liked…
    He had to talk to her and confess that her son was missing.
    He texted Derrick that he was on his way to see Serena, then locked up the house and headed to the jail. A minute later, Derrick replied that he’d meet him at the sheriff’s office.
    Only a few early-morning truckers hitting the roads for deliveries were on the road as he drove the short distance into Sanctuary. The sun was climbing in the sky, still half-hidden behind the mountains, and the air held a chill although the July heat would kick in by afternoon and the temperatures would soar.
    He sucked in a sharp breath, berating himself again as he strode inside. Deputy Stone Alexander had nodded off in the chair, but he jerked awake, then rubbed his eyes. “What are you doing here so early?”
    â€œI need to speak to Serena. Now.”
    Alexander dropped his boots to the floor. “You find her son?”
    â€œNo.” Fresh guilt suffused Colt. “He didn’t come home so I need to ask her if she knows where he might go.”
    Alexander nodded, then stood and grabbed the cell keys. They jangled in the silence as he escorted Coltthrough the double doors. The hall was dark, eerily quiet, and he wondered if Serena had finally fallen asleep. He hated to wake her, but she’d be furious enough that he hadn’t come sooner.
    Serena glanced up from the cot where she was scribbling on a pad when she saw him. She looked exhausted, as if she hadn’t slept a wink, her eyes swollen and red from crying, mascara smeared.
    Damn. Her nightmare was about to get worse.
    â€œI’ve been making a list of questions.” She rushed toward