Reckless Pleasures by Tori Carrington Read Free Book Online Page B

but there were two younger ones linked at the elbows to her left, and a man she guessed to be in his thirties to the right.
    She edged toward the younger women, flashed her ID, which was nothing more than a private security badge and photo identification, although she was completely aware that it made her appear to be official law enforcement. She asked if she could speak to them and they quietly agreed, following her outside.
    As it turned out, neither of them knew the girl. In fact, they didn’t even live in the area. They’d come specially to put in a prayer for her from southern Georgia and planned on driving home straight after.
    No, they hadn’t talked to anyone else since their arrival a half hour ago.
    No, they didn’t know anyone else within driving distance.
    Megan stifled her sigh and thanked them for their time, about to call it quits when the man she’d spotted inside exited the chapel.
    “Sir,” she called. “Can I talk to you for a minute, please?”
    She flashed her ID again. He looked beyond her to where Dominic still stood waiting at the SUV, his arms crossed over his impressive chest.
    The man flashed her a smile. “Is there something I can help you with, Officer?”
    She found out his name was Don McCain and that he sometimes played the organ at Sunday service if the regular organist was ill or on vacation. He was an elementary-school teacher, currently unemployed and, yes, he said, he knew the Szymanski family through the church.
    “And little Finley? Had you ever interacted with her directly?”
    “You mean, have I?”
    She squinted at him in the hazy light.
    “Present tense. You see, so many seem to have given up hope. I prefer to stay positive.”
    “I meant ‘had’ as in prior to this point,” she said.
    “Oh. I see.” He slid his hands into his pants pockets, looking as if he’d just come from teaching a class of third graders with his starched white shirt, striped tie and beige slacks. He had light brown hair and eyes and an ordinary face with no distinguishing features.
    “So…had you?”
    He looked at her blankly. “Oh! Had I interacted with Finley directly.” He rocked back on his heels. “Yes. In fact, I had. And I hope to again in the future. She’s such a bright little thing. And she likes looking like a girl. Always wears this pretty pink scarf…”
    Megan took notes even as her cell phone buzzed on her hip.
    He went on to say that he organized the seasonal cookie sale to help benefit the church and that Finley was one of their top sellers that year. With, of course, plenty of help from her grandparents.
    “And her mother?”
    “Sorry to say I’ve never actually met her. I understand she doesn’t get to church much.”
    Megan nodded as her phone buzzed again.
    “Well, thank you for your time, Mr. McCain.” She produced her card and held it out. “Please add this to the pile I’m sure you already have and add me to the list of those wanting a call should you remember anything else.”
    He held the card up. “You’re actually the only one I’ve talked to.”
    “Well, thank you, then.”
    She turned, sliding her cell from her holder at the same time. Two missed calls. Neither one of them from Dari. Or from Jason.
    She sighed and put her phone back before heading for the car.
    “Where to next, boss?” Dominic said, opening the passenger door for her.
    “The first of three babysitters’.”

8
    LATER THAT AFTERNOON, Megan sat alone at the command center going over her notes. She’d been so distracted throughout the day, she hadn’t given a lot of thought to the conversations she’d had or tried to take the precious little additional information she had received to the next level. Even her notes registered as chicken scratches in desperate need of an interpreter.
    Unfortunately she didn’t know of any hens around up for the job.
    Cocks, on the other hand…
    Her throat tightened and she closed her eyes.
    She’d managed to meet up with only one of the