The Baby's Guardian by Delores Fossen Read Free Book Online Page A

DNA roots just burned hotter in some people.
    Shaw folded the papers that Officer Newell had given him, and he led her out of the building and into the open parking garage where there were dozens of police vehicles. “I know you’re tired, but I need you to think back to the person who called you about that moms’ support group meeting?”
    “Michael Frost,” she supplied.
    “You’re sure that’s who called you?”
    “Positive. Why?”
    “Because according to hospital records, they don’t have an employee by that name.”
    Oh, mercy. Had this man been in on it? Had he lured her to the hospital? “I thought something was strange about that call. I mean, he made the meeting sound like an emergency, as if Nadine were in some kind of trouble.”
    “You didn’t phone Nadine first to try to verify what was wrong?”
    “No.” And she suddenly felt stupid for not doing just that. “Shaw, I’m sorry. Because I didn’t follow my instincts about that call, I put the baby in danger.”
    Other than a sound in his throat that could have meant anything, or nothing, he didn’t react. “This Michael Frost called you on your cell phone?”
    “No. The office line.”
    “Then I’ll have it checked for all incoming calls. We might get lucky.” He got her inside one of the vehicles and drove away. “Stay low in the seat,” he instructed.
    That got her heart pounding again. “What if the gunmen are lurking around out here, watching us? What if they try to follow us?”
    “I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen. That’s why I’ll have to drive around for a while even though the hotel is just up the street.”
    She had no idea how long a while would be, but maybe she could get some things done. Important things. She’d ignored her instincts about the call from Michael Frost, but she wouldn’t do that with Cunningham.
    “Could I use your phone to call Gavin?” she asked Shaw. “Just in case he does have suicide on his mind.”
    Shaw took out his phone and passed it to her, her fingers grazing his. For some reason, that tiny touch packed a wallop, and it took Sabrina a moment to gather her breath.
    “Or maybe I shouldn’t use your cell because your name will show up on Cunningham’s caller ID,” she reconsidered.
    “That phone is clean, only the number will show up, and he won’t be able to trace it back to me or SAPD,” Shaw explained. He took a turn and kept his attention fastened to the rearview mirror.
    Sabrina nodded again and pressed in the numbers. Gavin Cunningham answered on the first ring. “This is Sabrina Carr,” she greeted. She, too, checked the mirrors to make sure no one was following them.
    “Thank God you’re all right,” Gavin said immediately. “When I saw the hostages on the news, I thought of you. And I tried to call you, but there was no answer at your office or your home. You must have been scared to death.”
    She debated how much she should say and settled for, “I was rescued.”
    “Good. That’s good.” He paused. “Can we meet?”
    She didn’t have to debate that. “No. I’m still tied up with police business. I called because you told Officer Newell it was a matter of life and death, that you had to speak to me. Gavin, what’s going on?”
    He paused so long, but she could hear his breathing. It was fast and uneven. Maybe Shaw had been right about Gavin being suicidal, and just in case he was, she pressed the speaker function so that Shaw would be able to hear the rest of the conversation. “I can’t talk about this over the phone,” he finally answered. “I just need to see you.”
    Sabrina ignored that request. “Where are you right now?”
    “At my house,” he whispered. “You can’t come?”
    “No.”
    “All right, then. Sorry I bothered you. I’m sorry about everything.”
    And he hung up.
    Shaw cursed, took the phone and punched in some numbers. “Officer Newell,” Shaw said to the person he’d called. “I need someone to do a welfare check on