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

him. But his expression must have revealed that he had bad news because she suddenly went still.
    â€œWhat is it? What’s wrong?”
    The deputy opened the cell door, and Colt stepped inside. “Serena, I hate to tell you this, but Petey ran away again.”
    â€œWhat? No.” Anger and terror streaked her face and she stumbled backward and collapsed on the cot. “When? Where is he?”
    â€œI don’t know,” Colt said. “Derrick said Petey finally settled down around midnight, then they went to bed. Derrick heard a noise around 2:00 a.m., and got up to check, but Petey was gone.”
    â€œNo…” Serena shook her head in denial.
    â€œListen, Serena.” Colt lowered himself onto the thin mattress beside her and gripped her arms. “I figured Petey might go home so I went to your house. I’ve been there all night hoping he’d show.”
    She took a shaky breath. “But he didn’t?”
    â€œNo. Derrick has been combing the streets searching and so has the sheriff. Can you think of any placePetey would go? Maybe a friend’s house or a sitter’s, somewhere he’d feel safe?”
    Tears welled in Serena’s eyes. “No…we haven’t been in town long enough to make any real friends. And I haven’t left him with a sitter yet.” She gulped. “The only place he’s been is at the Y for a camp.”
    Deputy Alexander cleared his throat. “I’ll call the sheriff and have him check the Y.”
    Colt nodded his thanks, then footsteps sounded behind him. He heard Derrick speak to the deputy, then Derrick appeared at the cell.
    â€œYou…you were supposed to take care of him,” Serena cried.
    Regret and worry stretched across Derrick’s face. “I know…. I’m sorry, Serena. Brianna and I are both torn up.” He glanced at Colt. “Can I see you for a minute in private?”
    Serena vaulted to her feet and pushed Colt’s hands away. “Whatever you have to say you can say in front of me. I’m Petey’s mother and I have a right to know what’s going on.”
    Derrick’s look turned tortured. “I…checked everywhere and couldn’t find Petey, so I went back to the house and tried to figure out how he snuck out.”
    Colt’s pulse clamored. “And?”
    â€œThe window was open. At first I thought he’d climbed through it, but I have a security system and couldn’t understand why the alarm didn’t sound. So, I looked around and discovered footprints outside the window.”
    â€œPetey’s?” Serena whispered in a raw voice.
    Derrick shook his head. “No, these were bigger. A man’s.”
    Colt’s blood ran cold as the inevitable clicked in. Someone had tampered with Derrick’s security system. A man’s footprints had been found outside the window.
    Petey hadn’t run away.
    He’d been kidnapped.

Chapter Five
    Serena trembled all over, her mind racing with panic. She had thought things couldn’t get any worse.
    But now Petey had been kidnapped.
    Why was all this happening? Who would abduct Petey and what was the bastard going to do to him?
    â€œAlert the sheriff, Derrick,” Colt said. “We need a crime scene unit out at your place immediately, and he needs to update the Amber alert.”
    â€œI will. I just wanted to let you know first.” Derrick glanced at Serena, his expression full of remorse. “I’m so sorry, Serena. Brianna and I only wanted to help. I don’t know how this person broke in without us hearing….” His voice caught. “Brianna is worried sick.”
    Serena couldn’t speak. She’d put her trust in these people when trust wasn’t something she gave away, but now the situation was even worse than before.
    Colt rubbed her arms. “I promise you we’ll find him, Serena. I swear it.”
    Before he’d arrived,