He climbed from the car, grabbed his suitcase, and walked to the front office. The clerk behind the counter gave him a room on the second floor facing the parking lot.

  Once in the room, he lifted the threadbare paisley curtains and looked outside. The gentleman in the blue sedan stepped out of the vehicle, leaned against the driver’s side door, and lit up a cigarette. The tip glowed as the sun began to descend in the west.

  Robert planned to wedge the door closed and get a few hours of sleep. Afterward he would look outside and see if his onlooker was still there. If so, he’d wait, if not, then he would be leaving.

  Lifting the sheet, he checked the bed for bedbugs. Ensured it was safe, he lay on top of the comforter. Once he was comfortable it didn’t take long for sleep to take over him.

  Blurry visions of a little girl running into his arms and giving him a big hug was the first thing he saw…

  Chapter Four

  Greg sat at the table as Heidi rushed around his kitchen. When she entered the house, he’d missed the bags daggling from her person. He must have been concentrating on Ericka and Bud’s departure. But Heidi had come prepared. Prepared to cook.

  An apron was around her neck and tied at her waist. It read, Decent Cook. The smells in the kitchen made his mouth water, but the phrasing on the apron caused him worry.

  “Oh, shoot!”

  Steam rose from the kitchen sink. Greg jumped from the chair and moved closer. Heidi cradled her hand.

  “Let me get the first aid kit.” He hurriedly walked to the bathroom and grabbed the kit. Once back in the kitchen he took Heidi’s hand and looked it over.

  It didn’t seem to be burnt, it wasn’t even really red, but she still held it to her like the scalding water had done some damage.

  “It’s nothing.” She tried to take it back.

  He held tight and urged her closer to the sink. He ran cold water and stuck her hand underneath.

  “Thank you.”

  “No problem.”

  He looked around a little more thoroughly. The kitchen was a mess. Dirty spatulas and large plastic spoons layered the sink. One looked like it might have melted from the hot water. Other items like plates, bowls, and pots littered the cabinets. Food was caked to them.

  How had she dirtied so many items while he’d been watching, and he hadn’t even noticed?

  Because he’d been looking at her and not her actions.

  Heat flushed his cheeks.

  Her cold hand came up to his face. The back of her knuckles lay across his forehead. “Are you all right? You look flushed.”

  He cleared his throat. “Um, I’m fine.” Then he took another cursory look around. “What exactly are you trying to make?”

  She shrugged. “Spaghetti?”

  Ah. That would explain the burned white stringy things on the bottom of his large pan. He was pretty sure he’d never cooked in that pot, but now it was ruined.

  “Maybe we should order in?” She made the suggestion.

  He should have told her that he’d stuffed himself with pizza not that long ago, but he didn’t have the heart to. “Yeah, sure.”

  She removed her apron. “You really don’t mind?”

  He shook his head. He didn’t think his kitchen could take much more of her attempts. “Why don’t we sit down on the couch? I’ll get you a bag of ice and we’ll order some Chinese.”

  “What about pizza? I like pizza. And I haven’t had it in ages.”

  “All right, pizza it is.”

  He led her to the couch then returned to the kitchen. First, he pushed the pizza boxes further into the trash can. When he rose, he looked through the side window.

  Ericka was in her kitchen opening a microwave bag, of what he thought was popcorn. She poured it in a bowl and handed it to someone.

  She smiled.

  It was the smile of contentment.

  Whoever was visiting made her happy. He’d like to believe it was Bud, but he knew it was more than him.

  He fought the green monster of jealousy and tried to think of some positives.

  Her house must have been satisfactory since he’d not heard anything. Of course, he’d question her about it tomorrow at the office. If he made it to the office. It might take tomorrow and another day to clean his kitchen.

  “Greg?”

  “Coming.”

  He scooped ice into a plastic bag, then grabbed a dishtowel to wrap it in and absorb some of the cold. When he returned, Heidi held out her phone.

  “I made the pizza order. Does this look good to you?”

  She’d put anchovies on the pizza. And extra garlic. Neither of which made for good date food.

  “Well…”

  “I know, the extra garlic is too much. I’ll take that off.” She bit her bottom lip as if concentrating on the task before her.

  She was a very pretty and young police officer. If she’d been in his division then he wouldn’t be able to date her, but he didn’t have that as an excuse.

  Did he want that excuse?

  He and Ericka could have been considered on the same level of authority. At least now since they had taken away his director’s position.

  “Greg? You’re a million miles away. Everything all right?”

  He settled next to her. He lifted her hand and placed the ice beneath it. “Everything is fine. Let’s order that pizza and find us a movie to watch.”

  She shifted her hips against the couch as she snuggled next to him. She smelled like peaches and cream. His sister had had a Barbie named Peaches and Cream. She’d had the prettiest peach dress with tulle and ruffles and a sparkly bodice. Greg had tied her to his train track because the dress looked dramatic flowing off the bridge. Susan had been furious.

  “You’re smiling.”

  “Uh, yeah, I was thinking about my sister and her Barbie doll.”

  “Oh.”

  That probably wasn’t the answer she’d hoped for. Maybe he needed to be less honest about his thoughts.

  “Did you order that pizza? I’m starving.”

  “Yup, I ordered it. Now we wait.”

  Yeah, wait.

  But what was he really waiting for? He didn’t think this was it. But maybe he was wrong.

  She snuggled closer to him as she flipped through the channels on his television. He should have grabbed some antiacids from the cabinet. After two helpings of pizza, he was going to need them.

  ****

  “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. I couldn’t have left with Bud. I don’t have a car seat. That was one thing that I guess I should have thought of.”

  Ericka bit her lip. It was the hottest thing he’d seen in a while.

  “Do you like the candy? I took a stab in the dark about what you might like.” He’d picked out several candies because he wasn’t sure which one she was meaning when she said it was popular at movie theaters. He hadn’t exactly been to a theater in a while. And he asked the question because he needed a distraction from her actions. Watching her was driving him crazy.

  Besides, Tito needed her approval. He wasn’t sure why. Well, he did know why, but still, he needed it.

  “I do like it. I love the caramel of a cow tail. And mints and caramel wrapped in chocolate are my favorites.”

  “I thought Bud could chew the mints better than some of the other stuff.” At least he figured a random six-year-old could chew it. The jury had been out for most of the afternoon as to whether the story was even real about the six-year-old.

  Bud entered the kitchen. He wiped his sleepy eyes and raised his hands over his head. “Ooo, candy.” Then he looked at Ericka. “May I have some, please?”

  “Absolutely. Sit on the couch and I’ll get you some candy and popcorn. Sound good?”

  He wrinkled his nose. “Can I have the cow tail instead?”

  Tito was pleased with himself. Finally, he’d made a good choice.

  Bud looked up at Tito as he bit into the caramel stick and started to chew. “Who are you?”

  Tito squatted before him and held out his hand. “I’m Tito Santos. I’m a friend of Ericka’s.”

  “Who is Ericka?”

  Ericka’s eyes widened. Had she not introduced herself?

  Tito would help.

  “This beautiful, woman right here is Detective Ericka Stone. I believe she’s offered to help you find your family.” He looked over his shoulder at her and winked. She nodded.

  “Oh. I remember she told me her name. I’m not supposed to go with strangers. I think that is how all this started.” The boy looked at the table and frowned, but only for a second, then he smiled again.

  “You went somewhere with a stranger?”

  Bud shook his head and took the popcorn from the bowl that Ericka had set in front of him. He took a piece and began to chew. He held up a tiny finger like he didn’t want to talk while eating. After a dramatic swallow that involved his entire body, he said, “Not me, my, um, fake mommy.”

  “Fake mommy?” Ericka settled at the table.

  “Well, she showed up and fed me on occasion. She liked me to call her mommy when we went in public. But she wasn’t my real mommy. My real mommy died.”

  “Why?”

  Bud shrugged. “I don’t know. She didn’t look like me much.”

  “What did she look like?”

  Bud gasped. “I have a picture!” He popped the piece of popcorn he held into his mouth and raced back to the kitchen. They followed him. A tiny backpack sat next to the table. He unzipped it and lifted out a shiny piece of paper. A newsboy hat fell out and he quickly shoved it back inside.

  Tito narrowed his eyes as he showed them the picture.

  “You see, that is her right there.”

  Bud pointed to a woman in the background of a photo. She had dark skin as if tanned from years in the sun, and her hair was jet black. Bud was right, they didn’t look alike. He looked like the sun had never touched his skin, he was so white, and his hair was platinum blond.

  “Bud, would you care if a friend of mine tried to make this photo bigger?” Tito pointed to the photo and looked at Bud.

  “Nope.” He shifted. “Can I go back to the couch now?”

  “Of course.” Ericka gave permission and looked away.

  Tito watched as Bud found his spot on the couch and curled his legs under him. His bowl of popcorn sat next to him.

  They both moved closer to the living room. At least they were in the archway that separated the two.

  “We need to go start the movie, I guess.” Tito couldn’t help but shake his head as Bud stared at the blank screen.

  Ericka nodded but she focused on the photo.

  Features were hidden by the size of the photo. Tito thought enlarging it might help, but he couldn’t be sure. Even if the lady was the fake mommy, it was still a lead finding someone who knew the child.

  “This is good popcorn.” Bud smacked his lips and made yummy noises.

  “Have you ever had it before?” Ericka took a seat beside him and waited.

  Tito realized her question might give insight into Bud’s past locations.

  “I don’t think so. But I’m not sure. I’ve had a lot of other stuff, like pizza, Chinese food, hamburgers. I don’t always live in places with kitchens.”

  “Oh, like in hotels?” Tito asked.

  “Sometimes. And they are so gross! One time I saw a bug in my bed and there were roaches in the tub.” He shivered. “Then this one time, there was a little green inch worm, and I made it my friend. But he got lost.” Bud lowered his head.

  Tito had seen more of the cankerworm in the south than in the north, not that it was impossible though.

  She lowered the photo to her lap. Her hands fidgeted with the corners. She needed a breather, Tito could tell. He even understood. Life hadn’t slowed down or stopped for a while. Case after case had dropped at her feet. Each one took her farther from her true goal of finding her family. Even he and Greg had done that. Sometimes he wondered how she could have forgiven them for their interference. Maybe he should stop trying to help her and just let her do it herself. When she was done then she could devote herself full time to her family pursuits and maybe find someone to love.

  Like him…

  He’d stood behind the couch when she sat next to Bud, now he placed his hand on her shoulder. She flinched. He moved his mouth closer to her ear. He thought his hot breath touched her sensitive skin right at the nape of her neck.

  Truthfully, the assault wasn’t fair. He knew that, but he couldn’t help himself. He cleared his throat. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded.

  “I’m going to start the movie. If you need to go to the kitchen, feel free. Take all the time you need.”

  Tito moved around the couch arm and plopped down. “All right, Bud, I think I have everything set up on the television the right way. Let’s see if we can help the bunny beat the turtle.”

  Bud laughed. “Oh, that never happens!”

  “Yeah, I was afraid of that.”

  Tito shot a quick glance at Ericka. She was the prize, he feared he was the bunny.

  There was one thing about the bunny though, he never gave up.

  ****

  Ericka was thankful for Tito’s suggestion that she go into the other room. She needed it. Not only because of Bud and his revelations, but mainly because of Tito.

  His actions had sent chills along her entire body.

  She knew that he liked her.

  It would be impossible not to know that.

  He’d acted jealous earlier. He’d brought all that crazy stuff over that she’d asked for. He’d comforted her. He’d comforted Bud. He’d sent fire to her belly with that hot breath on her shoulder. He’d recognized that she needed time to process everything that Bud had told them. But she needed time to process things about him.

  Tito.

  Why had he come into her life now!

  In the kitchen, she allowed her shoulders to relax. Maybe she just needed a minute to decompress. Yeah, that’s what it was. She’d paced the kitchen. She’d roll her shoulder backwards and forwards. She’d bounce up and down.

  It would work.

  She stopped and put her hands on the sink.

  Through the parted curtains, she made out Heidi. She was at the sink and Greg was beside her. They were smiling and leaning against each other. Then Heidi faced him and lifted her chin.

  Ericka gulped.

  They were going to kiss right there in front of her.

  After everything they’d been through, Greg was already into another woman.

  That had been them just moments before. If Heidi hadn’t shown up for the forgotten date and interrupted their family scene then who knows what might have happened.

  Laughter from the other room made her stomach clench. She squeezed her eyelids closed tightly.

  Tito…

  She was in the same situation as Greg. Did Greg feel the pull of liking and enjoying the company of two different women like she felt the pull of enjoying the company of two different men? Greg and Tito were alike, but different. Tito seemed to be more than willing to share how he felt about her. Greg, if he liked her liked her, wasn’t willing to tell her.

  She massaged her eye sockets as she turned away from the window. She was clearly losing it. All this drama with work and trying to find her family was making her loopy.

  Different scenery might be a good idea. Maybe moving so close to Greg had been a mistake.

  A big mistake.

  Chapter Five

  Staying at the motel for any length of time had been a mistake. Robert fell asleep on the wrinkled coverlet. When he awoke the sun had descended. He looked outside into the parking lot. The car with his follower was still there.

  He couldn’t see the man clearly, but he could see the tip of his cigarette glowing in the darkness in the interior of the car.

  Robert moved away from the window and slid down to the floor. After a few deep breaths to calm himself, he thought over what he remembered from being an agent.

  Nothing came to him.

  Not one thing.

  He hit his palm with his fist. What was wrong with him?

  He’d been out of the game for too long, that was the problem.

  An old game show where a player could call a friend as a lifeline popped into his head. He really should try that. He’d bought a burner before the trip. Just in case Sloan had picked up his number from Roxanne he thought that would be the best bet.

  The smell of musty carpet wafted up his nose as he crawled over to the table beside the bed. The phone had finally charged enough, and he flipped it open and dialed.

  A groggy Felix answered, “Hello?”

  “Felix…”

  “Robert? Is that you?” Felix’s voice turned to a confused whisper.

  “Yes.”

  “People have been looking for you. We thought you and Roxanne were going to join witness protection.”

  “Roxanne works for Sloan.” Robert fought the urge to spit.

  “Really?”

  “Yes. And our old handler isn’t available any longer.” Robert tried to keep his voice from trembling with worry, but the worry was still there.

  Felix sighed over the line. “I believe he passed on.”

  Robert leaned his back against the bed, pulled his knees to his chest, and placed his free hand on his forehead. “Great. Now what am I supposed to do?”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’d rather not say.”

  “Good idea. Are you being followed?”

  “Yes.” That was a big ten-four.

  “I see. So, you need help?”

  “I do. I haven’t been as active in the game as you and well, I’ve forgotten everything. All my contacts are gone. Right now, I couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag without help.”

  Felix chuckled. “I think I can help you. I have a friend—”

  “Felix…”

  “No, seriously, she’ll help you. She saved me.”

  Robert leaned his back against the mattress and let his hand drop from his forehead. He’d trusted people in the past and it hadn’t worked out well. Doing it again worried him.

  “It’s Sasha.”