Unbreakable Bond by Rita Herron Read Free Book Online Page A

down the sides of the awning, and down the street a car’s lights floated through the fog, disappearing into the blur.
    The streetlight in the cul-de-sac on the other end of the street illuminated wet pavement and another house but its lights were off.
    Holding her breath, she listened for signs of someone outside, but the storm raged on, the sound of a cat screeching echoing above the rain. Her heart squeezed, and she slowly unlocked the door.
    Keeping the umbrella poised in case someone had been on the porch, she pulled the door ajar and the dripping cat darted down the steps.
    Then her eyes widened and a sob gurgled in her throat.
    God, no…
    A small rag doll lay on the porch in front of the door, a knife sticking through its heart.
    A doll just like the one she’d found right before she’d had her breakdown, a doll her father and the psychiatrist had insisted she’d put there as some sort of manifestation of her grief and guilt.
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    S LADE RARELY SLEPT and this night was no different. When he did, the nightmares came.
    He’d choose fatigue over the memories haunting him any day.
    Antsy to get started, he brewed a pot of coffee and was at the phone by six.
    The reporter, a guy named Hewey Darby, had quoted a Detective Swarnson from the neighboring county as the lead detective on the Dumpster case, so he punched in his number, anxious to hear what the man had to say.
    When the receptionist for the police department answered, he asked to speak to Swarnson. “I’m sorry, sir, but Detective Swarnson is no longer with us.”
    â€œWhere can I get in touch with him?”
    A moment of hesitation. “I’m afraid you can’t. He was killed last year in a random shooting. What is this about?”
    He explained that he wanted information on the Dumpster-baby case. “Oh, then you can speak with his partner, Detective Little. I’ll connect you to her office.”
    â€œThank you.”
    A minute later, a woman’s voice echoed back.
    â€œDetective Little.”
    â€œThis is Slade Blackburn, Guardian Angel Investigations. I’m investigating the case of an infant who wentmissing eight years ago in Sanctuary, the same night as the deadly fire and explosion that caused numerous deaths.”
    â€œRight. I read about the arrests.”
    â€œOne 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.”
    â€œI’m not sure how I can help.”
    â€œActually, 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.”
    â€œOh, right, I remember that case.”
    â€œWhat can you tell me about it? Did you ID the child?”
    â€œAs 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.”
    â€œDid you arrest her?”
    â€œShe’s in prison now.” A long sigh. “I’m sorry. I guess that’s not much help.”
    â€œNo, it means that the child I’m looking for might be alive.”
    â€œIf 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.”
    â€œGood 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