Her stare drilled into him as though she were trying to figure out the hidden meaning behind his words. “Everyone needs rest, even you.”

  “I’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about me.” He left her office, waiting for her in the hallway.

  “I’m sure you will, but there’s more to life than work. What do you do for fun?” Kate asked as they descended the stairs to the first floor of the courthouse.

  “I jog.”

  When they left the building and hurried to his car, she said, “I do too, as you know, but I don’t classify that as pleasure.”

  “I enjoy it.”

  She laughed. “Okay, what else do you enjoy doing?”

  Chase didn’t answer her question until he started his vehicle and pulled out of the parking lot. He tried to think what else he did in his free time. Not much.

  “Surely you do something besides jogging.”

  “Working,” he finally said at a stoplight. “It’s not so much that I enjoy it, but I do feel fulfilled by it. In the last skirmish I was involved in while in the Marine Corps, I told you I was shot, but I didn’t tell you everything. I would be dead if my partner hadn’t covered me. He took a bullet that should have hit me. And when the enemy moved through afterward to make sure they’d gotten us all, I also think his body over mine kept them from checking to see if I was alive.”

  The light turned green, and he pressed the accelerator, wishing he could escape. He didn’t talk about his experience with anyone. Most of the mandatory counseling sessions afterward had consisted of him dancing around the real issue—he’d survived when no one else had in his unit. But he felt the need to share with Kate.

  “While you’re seeing to others, you still have to take care of yourself. Otherwise you become burnt out.”

  “I don’t want others to feel the helplessness I experienced, trapped there with my friends who I hadn’t been able to save. So my job is my way of paying it forward. It took me over four months to recover from my injuries and another three to regain my strength to the point I could reapply for the police force job I’d had before joining up. The police chief promoted me to detective after three months on the force again. I have a knack for solving cases because I’m determined that the victims get a resolution.”

  He drove into her driveway, stopped the car and hurried to open his door.

  Kate grasped his arm, halting his escape. “And I’m thankful the Lord sent you to me. What I’ve been going through because of Zed Hammer isn’t nearly as bad as it could have been because you were here every step, helping me where you could. There are no words that can adequately describe how I feel about you going above and beyond your job description.”

  Her hand about him loosened. He quickly slipped from the driver’s seat. He suddenly realized he didn’t want her gratitude—he was never comfortable with that—but he did want something more personal from her. Confusion flooded him. He cared for her beyond what he would for a victim in a crime he was investigating, and that scared him more than he wanted to acknowledge.

  She went ahead of him and opened the front door then looked back at him.

  He should leave. She was safe now, but she’d invited him to dinner and Mac and Jamie were inside. He couldn’t escape that easily, and there was a part of him that didn’t want to. Until he’d met her, he’d been focused on what he felt his mission was, to protect others. Now she was challenging it.

  When he stepped into the foyer, Jamie spied him and ran as fast as he could and threw his arms around Chase’s legs. “Case, home.”

  Emotions jammed Chase’s throat. He bent over and picked the little boy up. Holding him felt so right. If the only thing Kate felt for him was gratitude, then why had she kissed him? He didn’t have an answer, but he knew it wasn’t enough to base a relationship on.

  * * *

  Late the next afternoon, Kate sat next to Chase in the courtroom at Zed Hammer’s arraignment, gripping Chase’s hand as the DA asked for no bail, basing the request on the nature of the crime against a child and the possible flight risk.

  When Hammer’s lawyer stood and objected, Kate held her breath. Her lungs burned, and she finally had to blow out a soft sigh. The attorney took his seat while his client glanced at her. Hammer’s look, filled with hatred, chilled her to the marrow of her bones. She tensed.

  Chase leaned close and whispered into her ear, “Don’t let him get to you.”

  When the judge announced his decision about the bail—five hundred thousand dollars, an amount that she was certain Hammer couldn’t afford—relief melted the tension gripping her as tight as she was Chase’s hand.

  Zed Hammer exploded, leaping to his feet. “I didn’t do anything wrong. The police are framing me because of her.” He jabbed his finger in the air at her. “I don’t own a ski mask and my car was stolen.”

  The judge rapped his gavel repeatedly through Zed Hammer’s last words. The defense lawyer yanked his client down into his chair as the bailiff closed in on the defendant.

  Chase rose and pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get out of here.”

  In the hallway, Kate was still trying to process the scene in the courtroom. The hatred she’d seen in Zed Hammer’s eyes wrapped around her and squeezed, making it hard to draw in a decent breath. Her heartbeat raced so fast she felt lightheaded.

  Chase found a nearby alcove that was private and vacant. He drew her against him and his arms went around her. She concentrated on the feel, a cocoon of safety and support.

  “We know the case is a good one and so does the judge, or he wouldn’t have set such a high bail. Hammer is trying to play a head game with you. Don’t let him. He’ll have his say in court, but in the meantime you’ll be able to go through your day without worrying where the man is. I’m not letting anything happen to you or Jamie.”

  I can’t go through losing Jamie. He’s innocent.

  “Kate?”

  Chase’s voice penetrated her momentary panic from the scene in the courtroom. She pulled back. “I’m okay. I’ve been holding myself together for five days and I just lost it for a moment. I was fine last night. It was his look that got to me.”

  Chase clasped her upper arms. “That’s what he was going for, but tonight he’s the one who will still be in jail. Let’s go. I’ll walk you to your car then follow you to your house.”

  “You don’t have to do that. Really. I’m all right.”

  “Okay, but will you promise me to call at any time if you need someone to talk to?”

  She nodded and headed for the staircase to the first floor. “Yes. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”

  Though they hadn’t known each other for long, they had developed a camaraderie that went beyond friendship. The conversation they’d had yesterday on the way to her house highlighted that. The only man she’d ever talked like that with was James. Maybe in time, when this case was over, they could have a long discussion about where they might be heading. But right now, she needed to remain focused on the upcoming trial and on protecting herself and her son from someone like Zed Hammer.

  At her car, Chase opened the door for her. When she sat behind the steering wheel, he leaned in. “I think Mac is having withdrawal symptoms with Jamie not being around. Can we plan something this weekend? Maybe go to the park.”

  “Jamie would love that. So would I.” The prospect lifted her spirits. The past five days had been so intense. However, she didn’t want to not see Chase—or Mac. “I’ll talk to you in a day or so.”

  He pushed away from the car and watched as she drove out of the parking lot. She’d missed him and Mac last night more than she should have. This morning when Chase and his dog weren’t at the house, Jamie hadn’t understood why not.

  When she walked in the front door, Jamie looked behind her, no doubt for Chase and Mac. “Case? Mac?”

  “They’re at their home, but we’ll see them in a few days.”

  A pout formed on Jamie’s face. “No. Now.”

  She picked up her son and held him close. “Soon, hon.”

  The rest of the evening was spent trying to take Jamie’s mind off the missing duo. She definitely needed to see about getting a dog for her son as soon as possible. That might help him adjust to them not being around all the time.

  After he was asleep, she went to her room and collapsed on the bed, staring at the ceiling. How was she going to adjust to Chase not being around? She might have it worse than Jamie.

  Exhaustion set in and slowly her eyes grew heavier until sleep whisked her away. She surrendered to the darkness, floating, relaxing...

  Something jerked her wide awake. She sat up straight, staring into the blackness.

  Suddenly she jumped out of her bed, fumbled with her lamp and switched it on. She scanned the room. Nothing had changed.

  She headed out into the hallway. Still nothing. Then her gaze latched onto her son’s bedroom, and she quietly eased the door open, the soft illumination of the nightlight allowing her to see that...

  Jamie was gone!

  SEVEN

  “Jamie, where are you?”

  Nothing.

  Trying to remain calm, Kate switched on the overhead light. In the middle of her son’s bedroom, Kate turned in a full circle, hoping he’d climbed out of bed and was playing a hide-and-seek game with her. Her chest constricted so tightly that she could hardly breathe. The beating of her heart thundered against her skull, and her sweaty hands shook. He was nowhere.

  Help, Lord.

  She stared out into the hall. Jamie couldn’t open the door because the knob was too hard for him to turn—at least so far. Even if he had opened it, he wouldn’t have shut it.

  What if he’d awakened crying and Rachel had taken Jamie to her room to calm him down? She’d done that a couple of times in the past when he was upset.

  She rushed into the corridor and ran to Rachel’s bedroom and pounded on the door.

  Rachel swung her door open, her hair messy, her eyes half-closed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Is Jamie in your room?”

  “No, why?”

  “Jamie isn’t in his bed or room. Start at this end of the hall and check everywhere a small child could hide.” Kate would take the other end.

  As she passed the steps with the gate across it, she held her breath as she looked down the staircase. He was starting to climb more so she needed to consider the option that he might have climbed over the gate. But there was no sign of Jamie on the stairs or at the bottom.

  While Rachel called out her son’s name several times, Kate did likewise when she entered each room. With each step she took without finding her son, her heartbeat kicked up a notch.

  When she met Rachel in the center of the hallway, Kate dragged air into her lungs. Panic began to set in, and she tried to remain as calm as she could but it was impossible. If she fell apart, she wouldn’t be able to help find her son.

  “Kate, did you go upstairs to the attic?”

  “No, why?”

  Rachel gestured at the attic door nearby. “I didn’t either, but the door is ajar.”

  Kate pivoted toward it and moved closer, noticing for the first time it hadn’t been shut all the way. It was always closed tightly and locked because of Jamie. Someone had been in her home.

  Sweat beaded her upper lip and forehead. “Check downstairs just in case. I’m calling Chase.” She couldn’t deny it any longer. Someone had taken Jamie.

  “You aren’t going up in the attic by yourself, are you?”

  “I am, after I load my husband’s handgun. I don’t know how anyone could get into the attic without setting off the alarm. Check and make sure it’s working.”

  Rachel hurried down the stairs, glanced at the security pad and said, “It’s still on.”

  Kate went to the gun safe in her bedroom and retrieved the pistol, along with the ammo in the closet. James had made her take lessons on handling it. She hadn’t even wanted one in the house, but when he was traveling, he’d felt better if she had it nearby.

  For the first time she loaded it with the purpose of using it if she had to. Then she grabbed her cell phone and called Chase as she headed for the attic.

  When he answered, his voice sounded as though he’d been in a deep sleep.

  With no time to waste, Kate launched into her spiel. “Jamie is gone. I can’t find him anywhere.”

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes. I’ll call headquarters.”

  “I’ll tell Rachel to let you in. I’m going up in the attic to check.”

  “The attic? Why?”

  “The door was slightly open. It never is.”

  “Can you shut the door and lock it so it can’t be opened from the inside?”

  “Yes.”

  “Do that, then get downstairs. Do not go into the attic. I’m getting into my car. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He hung up.

  Kate approached the entrance to the attic. With her hands shaking, she carefully closed the door and secured it as Chase had instructed. That was when she realized, it should have already been locked. Panic was scrambling her thought processes.

  Lord, please help me to remain calm. I can’t do this without You.

  She backed away, ready to lift her gun if someone burst through the attic door. How did anyone get up there?

  At the staircase, she threw one last glance down the hall then descended the steps so fast she nearly stumbled. She grabbed the banister and slowed her pace.

  Not only was she thinking irrationally, but she was risking sending herself to the hospital with a broken bone.

  She planted herself at the window that afforded her a good view of the porch and front door. The second she saw Chase’s car come to a screeching halt, she ran into the foyer and turned off the alarm then stood in the main entrance as he jogged to her house.

  The sight of him calmed her frazzled nerves for a few seconds. Chase knew what to do. At least she wasn’t alone to handle the situation.

  He embraced her. “Todd is coming and a couple of other police officers.” He moved into the entry hall, his arm along her shoulders. “Rachel, I’d appreciate it if you’d wait here for the others to arrive. Tell my partner we’ll be upstairs. I’m going to check out the attic.”

  As Kate mounted the stairs with Chase beside her, she reached for his hand and clasped it. The physical and emotional connection between them fortified Kate with each step closer to the attic. “You think someone got in through the attic and took Jamie? How?”

  “I don’t know. It’s three stories up. No windows. But if the door to it was open, something—or someone—caused it. The answer might be up there.” He pointed at the ceiling.

  “Let’s go.” She pulled the key from her pocket.

  After he unlocked the door, he peered back at her. “Stay here.”

  “No.”

  Both of his eyebrows hiked up.

  “I’ll follow at a distance, but I’m going. This is my son, my house.” God is with me.

  “Okay. Wait until I get to the top of the stairs and scan the area.”

  Kate kept her gaze trained on Chase as he ascended. The musty, dusty air tickled her nose and caused her to sneeze. Her allergies were the reason she rarely went to the third story. But if it would help her find her son, she didn’t care. She’d camp out up there if it meant Jamie was all right and safe.

  Chase waved her up the stairs. She hurried up them, sneezing again.

  “When was the last time you were up here?” he asked as he moved away from the steps. Although two overhead lights illuminated the large open space, he withdrew a small but powerful flashlight and shined it in places between boxes and pieces of old furniture.

  “Right after James died. He was the one who dealt with getting things in and out of the attic.” Another sneeze accompanied her words. “Now you see why.”

  “Go back downstairs. I can check this out alone.”

  “No, I’ll take the other side.” She focused on the task at hand and covered her nose with her cupped hand to stifle the sound of her overactive allergy to dust.

  As she searched behind an old dresser, Chase said, “I think I know how someone might have gotten in.”

  She spun around and spied him standing at the far end. Behind him was a louvered gable vent. “How?”

  “This type of vent opens. It would be a tight fit, but a man could get in this way.” Chase put latex gloves on and pushed on a door that swung away from the house. “I’m checking the one at the other end. Then I’ll go outside and see what is below them. But this is a possible way into your attic, therefore your house.”

  “I’m sure the door up to this floor was locked.”

  “A lock can be picked.”

  “And that door was never wired into the alarm system.”

  “Nor your gable vents.”

  She sneezed again.

  “Go downstairs and let Todd know. I’ll be there shortly.”

  When Kate returned to the second floor, Todd emerged from one of the spare bedrooms. “Chase found a way someone could have gotten inside the attic.” She told his partner about the gable vents.

  Todd started for the attic door, but Chase came out into the hallway. “I’ll check the left side of the house. I need you to search the right, especially under the vent,” he instructed his partner. “Where are the other officers?”

  “Going through the ground floor.” Todd headed toward the staircase.

  “Post them at the front and back doors.” Chase stopped in front of Kate. “When was the last time you saw Jamie?”

  “I always check on him before I go to bed. That was eleven.”

  “Whoever came into your house did between eleven and two.”

  “So you believe my son has been kidnapped?” she asked, even though she already knew the answer.