Page 26 of Delivering David

“Impossible,” Kristopher argued. “We would have heard someone pull into the parking lot. No, it had to be before so they would know where we’d gone.”

“Well, whoever it was, they sure as hell won’t be following your car anymore,” Bailey said. “I’m going to call the lab again. And then I’m going to work on finding you a set of wheels ‘cause your old black and white is going to be in the shop for a good long while. Holy crap. Someone bugged your car.” With a disgusted snort, Bailey lurched to his feet and headed for the office.

Only when they heard the office door close, did Kristopher ask, “Are you really alright?”

“If they followed us to the shelter,” Suzanne said slowly, putting her glass on the table, “then they were waiting for us to leave so they could throw that bomb, hoping the car would catch fire and explode. Good Heavens. What kind of people are we dealing with?”

“Monsters from your worst nightmares,” Kristopher answered. “Monsters who prey on little kids and teens for their own sick, twisted purposes. Hell is too good for them.”

“Good heavens,” Suzanne gasped. “I think I know how they did it. Bugged your car.”

“How you figure?” Kristopher leaned in to brush a strand of hair from her face and for a moment he imagined running a brush through it. Slowly, gently, deliberately until it shone like the best silk.

“When we were talking to T.J.,” she said, realization widening her eyes. “We left your car unattended, and standing down there, we wouldn’t have seen anyone. How hard could it have been for someone to slip it on the wipers? That’s the only time someone could have done it. No one would dare do it while we were at Mercy’s because Officer Jackson was still there. Kristopher, I’m sorry. This is all my fault.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Kristopher managed to swallow his shout of impatience. “None of this is your fault! Do you understand me?”

“But if I hadn’t suggested we go to the skate-park–”

“It was a good idea,” Kristopher argued. “A damn good idea. Because I’ll bet you ten to one, T.J. knows something, or will go looking for it. So, we’ll just have to go find him again. But just get the idea of any of this being your fault out of your head right now.”

“But you think I’m right, don’t you?” Suzanne challenged. “It could have happened then.”

“Yeah,” Kristopher agreed. “It’s likely. More work for Miller, poor guy.”

“And thank goodness we asked him to join us at the shelter,” Suzanne released a relieved sigh. “How else would he have gotten back to us so quickly? Poor guy. I think he was angrier at himself for not staying us than going ahead.”

Kristopher reached for her hands. “You never did answer my first question. How are you doing, Miz Bennett?”

She couldn’t hold back her laugh. “You seem to be favoring me with that title.”

“Just good old-fashioned manners,” he said, his fingertips tracing over her cheeks. “You’ve got some smudges on your face from the smoke.”

“I do?” She covered his hand with her own. “I must look awful.”

“Just a bit dirty,” he said, leaning closer. “But there’s not a trace of it on your mouth.”

“Are you sure?” she whispered. “Maybe you should–you know–check?”

“I can do that.”

His mouth hovered over hers and his body’s heat radiated over hers, all earlier thoughts about holding back forgotten. She moved her hands to palm the sides of his face, heart tangoing in anticipation of his kiss–

Her phone rang.

They sat back, sighed and then laughed together. She took the phone from the sofa’s arm and hit the speaker button. “Hi, Elaine. What’s up?”

“I know it’s Saturday, but are you and Kristopher available?” Her friend’s tone held a note of unfamiliar urgency.

“We are.” Suzanne met Kristopher’s questioning look. “When and where?”

“In an hour at Family Services of Tennessee,” Elaine told them. “Mercy’s supervisor came back to town and wants us to meet her there. And she’s found Charles Tattersall, regional CEO of Tennessee Cares. Get ready, girlfriend. This may get ugly.”

“It can’t get any uglier than it already is,” Suzanne told her and chuckled at Kristopher’s exaggerated eyeroll.

“Has something else happened?” Elaine asked quickly. “Are you and Kristopher okay?”

“Let’s just say it’s been an interesting day,” Suzanne said dryly. “We’ll see you in an hour or less.”

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