Page 163 of Bonded in Death

Peabody shoved through the door and into strong light.

The boy lying in the center of the bare room opened his eyes. She saw the scream in them and held up her badge. “It’s okay, Devin. We’re the police. We’re here to help.”

“I want my mom! I want my mom! I want my dad!”

“Got your back,” Carmichael murmured and slipped out the door to guard.

“I talked to your mom and dad.” Peabody spoke softly as she lowered down to Devin. “I’m going to cut off these ties on your wrists. I bet they hurt.”

“I couldn’t get them off. I couldn’t, and I tried and tried.”

“I can see that.” His wrists were raw and bloody where he’d pulled, where they’d dug in. The bruises on his hands told her he’d beaten them against the door. “But look, now they’re gone.”

On a sob, he threw himself into Peabody’s arms. “Don’t let him come back. Don’t let him kill me and my mom and my dad and my brother.”

“We won’t.” Callendar crouched down and pulled a small tube of juice from one of her many pockets. “Here you go. Don’t drink too fast, just take sips, okay?”

He sipped, he slurped, then he sobbed. “He hit me in the face, and it hurt! He made me pee in a bucket and I got pee on my pants.”

“We’re not going to worry about that now. Everything’s okay now.” Because he burrowed into her, Peabody stroked his hair, then picked him up. “We’re going to take you outside and call your mom and dad. Carmichael?”

“Basement level’s clear. Stairs clear. I’ve got the lead.”

“I’m on your six,” Callendar said.

“We’re clear, Dallas. Taking Devin out to the van via the walkout. Minor injuries from the zip ties. I’ll tell the MTs to come in silent.”

Chapter Twenty-two

While in the computer lab there were tears and cheers, Eve clicked twice to signal she copied.

They’d cleared the third floor, sweeping his wardrobe, his office. She’d noted the lock system on one of the closet doors.

Armory. That could wait.

With the boy clear, out of danger, she paused outside the main bedroom doors.

Holding up a hand, Roarke crouched down to examine, then scan the locks. When the scanner blinked red, he tapped out a quick message.

Electric charge activated on handle. One minute.

With a nod, she waited.

It took him the minute, and a few seconds more before his scanner blinked green.

Rising, he slid it into his pocket, signaled clear.

Fast, she mouthed to Roarke.Lights, to the commander.

They burst in; the lights flashed on full in the wide room with its river view. Raven-black hair sleep-tousled, dark eyes wide, Potter jerked up in bed. Dawn trickled gently in the windows as he swung a weapon toward them.

Eve’s stream hit center mass, and even on low, had him jittering. The gun dropped from his hand, hit the side of the bed, then thudded to the floor.

“Police.” She rushed forward. “Hands up.”

Though his hands still shook, he yanked another weapon from under the pillow. Closing in, Eve struck his gun hand with her left and just batted it away. He tried to roll, and she had the satisfaction of grabbing him by the collar and hearing something rip.

As she dragged him out of bed, he flailed. His head cracked against one side of her ribs, his trembling fist connected with the other side.

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