Vow to Protect by Ann Voss Peterson Read Free Book Online Page B

Perreth would probably do a lot of things in order to undermine McCaskey. But Officer Herns wasn’t so easy to read.
    Perreth’s grumble drifted from the bed, something about a punk-ass convict. The guy was a regular laugh a minute.
    McCaskey focused on Cord. “Go on.”
    â€œSomeone told the media that Ethan’s my son. They also released his location. Someone in the police department.”
    Silence hung heavy in the room. Neither Officer Herns nor Detective Perreth made a move.
    Unfortunately, neither looked overly guilt-ridden, either.
    McCaskey nodded, as if this wasn’t a surprise, as if he’d expected it. “Got a name?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œYou’re sure it’s a cop?” McCaskey asked.
    â€œSure enough to worry that this might not be a one-time thing. Melanie and Ethan aren’t safe. And neither is Diana or her sister.” Cord waited, sizing up McCaskey’s reaction to the mention of his wife.
    A muscle flexed along McCaskey’s jaw. “Ideas?”
    Nikki Valducci pushed her pretty face into the circle of men. “We use the leak to set a trap for Kane.”
    A bad feeling crept up Cord’s spine and lodged like an ache in his shoulder muscles. “In order to set a trap, you need bait.”
    Nikki nodded. “But that doesn’t mean anyone would be in danger. Not really. The key is to be proactive instead of reactive. We plan as carefully as Kane. First we get everyone in place ahead of time.”
    â€œNikki…” Reed’s voice growled low in warning.
    Valducci pushed on. “When their whereabouts leak and Kane shows up, this time we’ll be ready for him.”
    â€œForget it, Nikki,” McCaskey said.
    â€œIt could work.”
    â€œIt’s too dangerous.”
    Cord had to agree with McCaskey there. After what had happened tonight, he wasn’t going to let anyone put Mel and Ethan in danger again, no matter how brilliant the plan or well-meaning the planner.
    â€œWe could talk to Diana. She likes taking risks. And she just might like another visit with Daddy.” Perreth gnawed on the filter end of his cig and shot McCaskey a challenging look that was clearly less about the plan to catch Kane and more about the sharp edge of tension stretching between the men.
    McCaskey eyed Cord and nodded in the direction of the door that led into the adjoining room. “Come with me.”
    Cord hesitated. Something about his tone made Cord uneasy.
    The detective’s look grew impatient. “I have an idea. But I want to run it by you first.”
    Him? The bad feeling sunk its roots a little deeper, hitting bone. He forced himself to take a few steps in McCaskey’s direction, winding around Perreth and past the suddenly quiet Officer Herns.
    McCaskey rapped his knuckles on the door to the adjoining room, then glanced back at the cops in the room. “Nikki? You too.”
    A smile graced the cover-girl lips. McCaskey clearly didn’t like her plan. But even Cord had to admit that among all the cops in the room, she appeared to have some smarts to go along with her eagerness. And with Mel and Ethan’s safety on the line, he was starting to like the idea of an attack dog on the case.
    As long as McCaskey was holding her leash.
    The door to the other room opened. Melanie stared at them with bloodshot but relieved eyes, tracks of tears still visible on her cheeks.
    Cord could still see her face when he’d delivered Ethan into her arms. He’d forgotten how powerful coming through for her had made him feel. How invincible. As if his entire life was justified in that split second. Standing at the elevator doors watching her hold Ethan tight against her heart had brought the feeling back. A feeling more addictive than any drug.
    â€œWe were just deciding what to do next,” McCaskey said. “I thought you should be part of the discussion.”
    â€œI appreciate that.” Leaving