Page 109 of Midnight Creed

They hadn’t heard her come in. Although Hank and Grace certainly had. Their eyes were already on the open doorway before she came into view. It wasn’t until tails thumped against the floor that Ryder and Brodie looked up. The two of them sat crossed-legged on the floor. Brodie had a book in her lap with a light attached.

“Hey!” Ryder kept his voice almost a whisper, but gestured for her to come in. “They’re finally resting.”

As she tiptoed closer, she got a better look at the three big dogs. Their heads were down. Only one squinted a look up at her without moving anything but the eyes. Soulful eyes that made her want to reach in and touch him. Instead, she sat down on the other side of Hank and gave him a rub on his chest. Grace snuggled back down beside Ryder.

“The Spaniel’s had a tough time settling,” Ryder explained. “He’s not sure yet if this is only a temporary reprieve.” She gathered he was the one with his eyes still open.

“I read to Hank,” Brodie said, nodding to the book. “After his surgery. He didn’t trust anyone either for a while.”

“Looks like it’s working again. What book is it?”

Brodie smiled. “One of Ryder’s favorites. The Princess Bride.”

Maggie raised an eyebrow at him.

He shrugged. “What’s not to like? It has pirates, giants, fire swamps and rodents of unusual size.”

“And true love,” Maggie added, but then was taken off guard by the intensity of Ryder’s eyes when they caught and held hers.

“So you’ve read it?” Brodie asked, not paying attention while she placed her marker between the pages and turned off the book light.

“No,” Maggie admitted. “But I saw the movie. I liked it a lot, too. Please keep reading. Don’t stop on my account.”

Brodie glanced at Ryder. He smiled and nodded. She turned the light back on and began again. Her voice was soothing like a warm blanket, the inflections and genuine emotion tucking up around her audience, lulling them with a sense of security.

Maggie continued petting Hank, missing her boys, all the while feeling at home right here. She’d never experienced this before, feeling suspended between two places, not wanting to give up either, but still searching for a balance.

She’d scheduled a flight for Wednesday afternoon. Alonzo and Kuszak continued to build a convincing case against Peter Gregory, despite his demise. The investigation into his death, if there was one, would be up to Sheriff Norwich.

Maggie still needed to get back. There were too many obligations and responsibilities. The powerful U.S. senator who owed her a favor, the one Maggie had called on Monday—gosh, Monday felt like a week ago—had agreed to a private meeting at her D.C. residence. Maggie couldn’t miss that meeting. She wouldn’t miss it.

And there was the promise she’d made to her brother, Patrick, about building new traditions. They’d decorate that gorgeous tree he’d wrangled into her living room...their living room.

Alonzo had convinced Metro police that Nessie was an informant for the FBI and actually a hero. He said he told Detective Sheldon that the woman had helped them catch an active serial killer by putting her life on the line. Despite Alonzo and Gwen stepping in and taking care of things, Maggie needed to see Nessie. She needed to thank her. And she needed to apologize.

As for Racine? She wasn’t taking Maggie’s calls. According to her partner, Rachel, she wasn’t talking much to anyone, basically pissed off that she was restricted to rest for the next four months. But Rachel also added, “Don’t worry, she’ll get over it.”

Now Maggie watched Ryder, his attention on his three new wards. He was ready to take care of them, protect them, and help them heal. But she knew these three only reminded him of the others. The ones still left behind. He had confided in her hours before they gave in to sleep, that he couldn’t stop thinking about them, worrying about what would happen to them.

She didn’t try to talk him out of the concern. She knew she couldn’t. He was a rescuer at heart. And deep down, she realized it was one of the reasons she loved him.

73

Friday, December 7

Santa Rosa County, Florida

Creed stayed close to Norwich as they entered the woods from the parking lot of the Red Roof Inn and the Waffle House. A week later, and here they were again. There wasn’t the same urgency and no rush of adrenaline. But unlike their first trip with Bolo, this time Creed kept Grace on a leash.

Sully had left a message for Sheriff Norwich. Gunner had found more bones and maybe a grave.

Norwich stopped before they headed down the ridge and into the thicket. There was no visible path. Nothing padded down. No broken branches to mark a trail.

“I don’t think I remember the way,” she confessed. “Do you?”

The woods had been pitch-dark early that morning when Sully led Creed to his camp. Creed was so exhausted he could barely keep up with the old man. Sully took him and Will back to the parking lot, but even the beginning light of dawn didn’t provide much guidance.

That morning, while the boy reunited with his mother, Sully hung back from the commotion. That’s when he gave Creed his worn canvas bucket hat. Then he gestured to Grace, who watched from the Jeep’s window. “When you decide to come over for some beans and rice, just use this. She’ll find me.”