Page 81 of State of Alert

Sam had learned to trust her gut first and foremost, and nothing about this kid was sending a tingle down her spine, especially since he told the same story Zoe had about where they’d been yesterday. “Is there anything else you can tell us about Zoe’s mom or anything you know about their family that might be relevant?”

“Not that I can think of. I mostly stayed away from her mother. She acted like she hated me simply for existing.”

Sam pushed her notebook across the table. “Write down your name, address, phone number and list any social media accounts you have.”

When he was finished, he pushed the pad back across the table with info about Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok accounts. “When can I get my phone back?”

“Let me check on that. I’ll be right back.” She signaled to Keeney, who was leaning against Matt O’Brien’s cubicle. He straightened up when he saw her. “Hang with him for another minute, will you?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She went into her office to call Lieutenant Archelotta.

“What’s up?”

“Where are we with Zeke Bellamy’s phone?”

“I’m almost done with the dump. Give me ten more minutes?”

“Sounds good. I’m ready to send him home, and he wantsthe phone.”

“He doesn’t have as much junk on there as you’d expect from kids his age. Much smaller download than usual.”

“What do you make of that?”

“He has other interests besides those on his phone?”

“Yeah, that’s possible. I’m very interested in his texts and other communications with Zoe Myerson as well as getting a location on where he was yesterday.”

“I’ll have it for you shortly.”

“Thanks, Archie.”

She took a seat at her desk and checked the BlackBerry to see if there was word from Nick about the situation with the twins’ grandparents.

Nothing new.

If she allowed herself to think too much about what might happen there, she’d fall into a full-blown panic. She loved Alden, Aubrey and Eli so much. What would they do if the grandparents succeeded in taking the twins away from them?

“Sam?” Freddie was in the doorway and had apparently been there for a few seconds already. “Are you okay?”

“A new thing with the twins’ grandparents has thrown me for a loop.”

“What new thing?”

“They’re coming for them again.”

“It won’t go anywhere. Eli is in charge, and he wants them with you.”

“I know. I’m trying to cling to that. Thanks for the reminder.” She took a deep breath and blew it out slowly, trying to move on from the terrible worry so she could stay focused on work. “What’s up?”

“I’ve sent the Myersons home with Patrol. Cam said you spoke to Zeke. How’d that go?”

“I don’t catch a buzz with him, but I’m waiting for Archie to bring me the dump on his phone.”

“Here I am,” Archie said.

Freddie stepped aside to admit the IT lieutenant.

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