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I run toward the direction of the shots and stop at the sound of a scream coming toward me. A small girl comes barreling down an aisle. I grab her, needing her to stop screaming.
“Don’t touch me!” her little voice screams, hitting me with her tiny fists.
“Shh … I’m the police,” I say quietly. When she quiets, I immediately notice who she is. This is why I’m home early. I caught up on the case and read about her on the plane ride home. “Alexandra Collins?” Her eyes widen and she slowly nods. “Is someone after you?” Again, she nods.
Fuck! The serial killer might be here. Where is her detail? I quickly glance around but don’t see anyone. I need to put her somewhere safe. Seeing the manager’s office, I run over, open the door, and put her down.
“You stay in this room. Do not open the door for anyone. Do you understand?” Tears fall down her little face as she nods. “I need a secret word from you that only I will know. Don’t open for anyone who doesn’t know the secret word.”
She nods in understanding, and I can tell she’s thinking of a word. Holy shit, any day now, kid. I scan the area, looking for movement. When I don’t see any, I look back to the girl. “Alexandra, I need a word, right now.”
“Tater tot,” she says.
“Tater tot?” I ask slowly. She nods with a small smile. Okay. Tater tot, it is. “Remember, do not open this door.” I close the door behind me, making sure it’s locked, and run in the direction she came from.
I hear the sound of sirens outside. As I clear an aisle, I silently run down to the end. Peeking around the corner, I notice a body on the floor. A woman. I creep toward her, my gun drawn and ready. Reaching down to feel for a pulse, I notice a gunshot to the head. She’s dead. Fucking hell.
I glance around the place. Where are you, asshole? As I’m standing up, SWAT surrounds me. “Hands up!” they scream. “Drop your weapon.”
I slowly put my weapon on the ground, lifting my hands in the air. The last thing I need tonight is to get shot. “I’m FBI. Agent Aiden Roberts. My badge is in my pocket.” An officer comes over and reaches in my pocket for my badge, inspects it, and hands it back.
“Sorry, Agent Roberts,” he says as he bends down and grabs my gun for me.
I report what happened to the officer, station a police officer outside the manager’s office, and then call Damon to get his ass here.
“We found Officer Kale.” I hear another officer say grimly.
I look at the officer standing with me. “Alexandra’s detail?” He nods slowly as he radios it in. Son of a bitch. “We need to get security video ASAP. Make sure that asshole isn’t hiding in here somewhere,” I command. “Get the dogs in here. He couldn’t have gone too far.” I look at my watch. It’s only been fifteen minutes since I heard the first scream. “I need to get Alexandra out of here, but I want to make sure that the unsub isn’t in here hiding out. She’s safe in that room for now.” I glance at the door to make sure an officer is outside, waiting.
FBI’s here within a few minutes. It’s not too long after that they have the place cleared. The bastard escaped again, but now we know he’s after Alexandra. Damon stops me on my way to get the girl.
“Aiden, we need to talk.”
“Can’t right now. I need to get the girl. She’s probably scared out of her mind. Let me get her handled and then we’ll talk,” I say over my shoulder as I’m walking away. He mumbles something, but I don’t hear what he says.
Alexandra. Life sucks for her right now. First her family was murdered and then her only relative is murdered because a psycho is trying to finish the job. I read she was staying in an undisclosed location until her aunt came to get her. We’re going to have to take her to a safe house. She has no clue how much danger she’s in.
When I get to the manager’s door, I knock, but I don’t hear anything on the other side. “Open up, Alexandra. Secret word is tater tot.” Nothing. I try the door handle, but it’s still locked. I look to the officer and he shrugs. I dart to an employee telling him that I need the keys to the office.
Opening the door slowly, I breathe out a sigh of relief when I see a little girl nestled under the desk asleep. I crouch down and scoop her up in my arms. Her eyes fly open in surprise. “Hey there, Tater Tot.”
Recognition reflects on her face so she swings her arms around my neck in a tight embrace. She whispers in my ear, “Is my aunt dead?” Her unemotional question stuns me. This little girl shouldn’t know death.
I sigh. “She is.” She lays her head on my shoulder. “I’m so sorry, Alexandra. We won’t let anyone hurt you.” I’m at a loss for words. What do you say to a five-year-old who has had her world ripped from her … twice? I don’t know what else to say, so I try and comfort her until Child Protective Services can get here.
Bubbles reach the top of the tub as I lie down to soak in a hot bath. I take in a deep breath, letting the essential oils fill the air. It’s been a long couple of weeks. Closing my eyes, I think about saying goodbye to those big caramel eyes. I can’t believe Lexi leaves for Los Angeles tomorrow. An empty feeling flows through me, knowing she won’t be a part of my life anymore.
I think about how different my life was before Lexi came into it. I was living day to day, but it didn’t have meaning. It didn’t have life. Lexi brought purpose to my life, gave me something to look forward to. Dr. Price was right; Lexi has helped me heal. I hope I was able to help her as much as she did me. I start humming “This Little Light of Mine” and the symbolism of the song surprises me.
Lexi was my light.
My phone jolts me awake. I pick up my hand out of the lukewarm water and look at my wrinkled fingers. I must have fallen asleep. Stepping out of the tub, I wipe my hand on the towel and grab my phone. It’s from an unknown number.
“Hello.”
I hear whimpering on the other end, but no other sound. “Hello? This is Addison, who is this?” I ask.
“Addie, please come get me,” Lexi cries.
