Read Online Her Stolen Son by Rita Herron - Free Book Online Page B

but he was big, stocky.” He pivoted, searching the street again. “Check for bullet casings. I’m going back to Ms. Stover.”
    Leaving the guard to canvass the scene, he raced back down the alley to the parking lot. By the time he reached Serena, he was furious.
    And even more certain that whoever had framed her and kidnapped her son had something to do with Rice’s murder. And that it was connected to her husband and that money in the attic.
    For the first time since the shot rang out, it occurred to him that there might have been a second gunman, and fear made his adrenaline kick in. He reached the SUV, and sighed in relief when he spotted Serena huddled low in the seat.
    But when she looked up at him with those big, innocent, terrified eyes and he opened the door and foundher trembling, he couldn’t help himself. He pulled her in his arms again, and held her tight.
    Â 
    S ERENA FELL AGAINST Colt, grateful at the moment to feel his protective arms around her. Colt slowly stroked her back, his own breathing choppy and broken.
    â€œDid you catch him?” she whispered.
    â€œNo, but one of the guards called it in so the police are looking for his car now.”
    â€œWho was he?” Serena said against his chest.
    â€œI don’t know yet, and I didn’t see his face. But all of these things have to be connected.”
    Serena inhaled his masculine scent and savored the potent feel of his muscular chest against her. She felt safe in her arms, and she hadn’t felt safe with anyone in a long time.
    Even those last few months with Parker, she’d known something had been wrong.
    But the thought of getting close to anyone, especially a man, sent a frisson of fear through her. She couldn’t get involved with Colt. He was a detective, only a fraction of a hair from being a cop himself.
    And she’d sworn she’d never become entangled with another cop. Their job was too dangerous.
    The very reason she’d thought Rice was safe. He was a businessman. Or so she’d thought.
    What a horrible mistake.
    The sheriff appeared from inside the courthouse, along with another guard. She saw Sheriff Gray jogging toward them, and forced herself to release hergrip on Colt. But she immediately missed the comfort of Colt’s arms.
    Colt straightened as the sheriff approached, then buzzed the window down.
    â€œWhat happened?” the sheriff asked.
    â€œSomeone fired at us when we came outside. I chased him into the alley, but he jumped in a black sedan and sped away.”
    â€œYou two okay?”
    Colt nodded, and Serena did the same, although anger was quickly replacing the fear that had seized her earlier. “What are you going to do about this, sheriff?” she asked. “So far, since you falsely arrested me for a crime I didn’t commit, my child has been kidnapped, and now someone just tried to kill me. Do you still think I’m the bad guy?”
    Sheriff Gray adjusted his sunglasses. “I don’t know what’s going on, Ms. Stover. But I intend to get to the truth.”
    Serena started to speak up again, but Colt squeezed her arm, and she wrangled her fury into control.
    â€œI’m driving Serena home,” Colt said. “Let me know if you track down the shooter, or come up with anything more on Rice’s murder.”
    â€œListen, Colt,” Sheriff Gray said, his jaw tight. “I know you’re investigating, as well, so keep me in the loop. If you interfere with the investigation, I’ll bring you up on charges.”
    â€œI don’t intend to interfere,” Colt said harshly. “I intend to prove Ms. Stover is innocent and find her son and bring him back to her.”
    Serena’s heart clenched, but the sound of Colt’s determined and confident declaration helped to assuage her worries.
    Still, Petey was missing, and they had no idea who’d abducted him or what the kidnapper’s intentions