Page 80 of Lucky In Love

“No, that’s not a good idea. Maeve, why don’t you adopt her from me? No more of this guardianship crap, just be her mom. It’s what you are. And you’re going to be fine. You’re going to come through the surgery just fine.”

“I’d like to stay in touch. We both said things before you left that I’m sure neither of us meant. I didn’t want you to go away and stay away. I’ve missed you. You’re my sister and I love you.”

Tears filled Quinn’s eyes. She choked back the emotions that were rising, threatening to cause a breakdown. She hadn’t cried in years. “I love you too, Maeve. Look, I have to go right now. Let’s talk again soon and figure it all out.”

“Sure,” Maeve said, a wave of disappointment washing over her.

“I’ll call within a few days. I promise.”

“If not, I’ll call you. I have your number now,” Maeve said with a soft chuckle. “Take care of yourself.”

“I will. You, too. Bye.”

Maeve had tears streaming down her face when Quinn ended the call. She saved the number, creating a new contact. Yes, she had a phone number now for Quinn. She would give her two days, and if she didn’t hear back, she would call Quinn. Maybe she’d send her a picture of her and Ciara.

Maeve knew that finding Blain would be harder. She had little information on him to give Jackson. She also knew that Angel and Elizabeth were right. She couldn’t put her surgery off until he was found. Once she composed herself, she called the surgeon’s office and asked for the scheduler. She was shocked to hear that she could be put on the schedule as early as next week.

Next, she called Elizabeth with the date to make sure it would work for her to have Ciara for a few days. Elizabeth assured her it was fine.

Chapter 5

Echo

The Shepherd Security Digital Team tracked down six Blain Sullivans. None of them were the correct age. They had exhausted all leads. So, the next day, Jackson went to Blain Sullivan’s previous employer to try to get info on him. He’d worked as a bartender at a restaurant and bar in Lombard when he and Maeve dated. Jackson got caught in the St. Patrick’s Day parade traffic and ended up parking several blocks away. He dodged the rowdy and drunk revelers as he made his way through the crowd. All he needed was Blain Sullivan’s Social Security Number and date of birth from the W-9. Then they’d be able to find him.

Jackson ran into resistance from the owner, who didn’t want to give him Sullivan’s personal information. He was sitting at the very busy bar with a green beer in front of him, waiting for the owner to come back with one of the waitstaff who might have an address or phone number for Sullivan.

The bartender leaned over the bar. “Through the door behind me is the office. Everything’s on the computer. This place’s name is the ID and the password. I knew Blain. He was a good guy and would want to know. I wish I had his contact info, but I don’t.”

Jackson thanked him and then went into the office and retrieved the info he needed.

The Digital Team found him in ten minutes with his Social and birthdate. The good news was that he had enlisted in the U.S. Navy. The great news was that he was stationed at Great Lakes, just an hour north of them. He was a corpsman at the base hospital. His official records listed no dependents, and he was unmarried, even better news.

Jackson and Doc left immediately to drive to the base. Jackson did contact Shepherd to have him go through official channels to have the base commander’s office notified of their arrival. As they still held military rank, they technically didn’t need official access, but it was always better to notify the C.O. of their plans to contact one of his people on base.

After passing through the main gate, they drove to the hospital on the recruit training side of the base. They parked and when they entered the hospital and presented their IDs, requesting to see HC Sullivan, they were directed to a private office. Just a few minutes later, HC2 Sullivan entered the room.

“I’m told you wanted to see me, sirs,” he said.

They introduced themselves, including their rank. Jackson brought up the picture of him on his phone that had come from Maeve’s phone. He held it up beside him. It was a match. He turned his phone so the corpsman could see the picture. He looked younger in it and had longer hair.

He laughed at seeing it. “Jesus, where’d you get that picture of me?”

“Do you know when this was taken?” Jackson asked.

“It had to be about four or five years ago,” Sullivan said. “What’s this about?”

Jackson told him the date the picture was taken. “Do you know two women by the names of Maeve and Quinn Daily?”

The expression on his face immediately changed, the smile replaced by a scowl. “Yeah, I knew them a few years ago.”

Doc put his hand on Sullivan’s shoulder. “Son, you’re going to want to sit down for this.”

His questioning gaze bounced between the two of them. “I’ll stand, thank you. What’s this about?”

“At this point, we have come to ask for a DNA sample for a paternity test. There is no court order, but one could be obtained easily,” Doc said.

“Paternity test?” he said, his face flushing red with anger. “It’s been nearly four years since I saw them.”

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