Page 72 of Heart of a Hero

“I’m not,” he stated definitely.

She cocked her head to the side. “Really.”

His hands held hers tightly between their bodies. “Yes, Karen. Being off the case means I can be here like this with you. That’s where I want to be, and it’s a helluva lot better than just being on the burglary case and alone.”

Karen nodded slowly, understanding and gratitude filling her. “I know that you know I had nothing to do with the thefts.But just this morning, I was thinking about my staff or the others who work at the ESHH. And I felt that none of them could be doing something they shouldn’t, or at least, letting someone have the information to use.” She sighed heavily. “But honestly, now? All my energy is going into helping my family, the kids, and you. Brad can have his burglary case, and I’ll just worry about what you find out and how it will affect Marty and Zannie.”

He kissed her lightly and murmured, “I think that sounds like a good plan.”

She kissed him but kept it gentle, knowing he needed to leave. As they separated again, she said, “I’ll take the kids to school tomorrow and talk to the principal and the counselor. I not only need them to be aware of what’s happening in case there are problems at school, or their mom tries to come get them, but also, something Marty said to me tonight has me worried.”

Mark’s brows lowered. “What was that?”

“He mentioned they had moved a lot and talked about their mom's boyfriends. I just want to make sure that if there was any abuse, we can find out about it.”

Mark nodded, then wrapped his arm around her shoulders as he walked to the front door. “Right now, just focus on the fact that the kids are safe, warm, fed, and have beds to sleep in. All thanks to you.”

Scoffing, she reminded, “All thanks to us and a bunch of friends!”

At that, he kissed her again, then headed out the door. Flipping the lock, she watched from the window as he pulled out of her driveway. She soon went to bed, exhaustion pulling at her, but sleep was fitful as strange dreams filled her night.

31

“Blood. There was blood on the mattress.”

Mark looked up at John as he approached Mark’s desk. “What?”

“The stains on the mattress in the mobile home of Carla Perkins.”

Mark tilted his head. “I didn’t touch the sheets and covers when I was in there yesterday. Fuck, I didn’t know there were blood stains.”

“When forensics came in and removed the covers, the bed had stains. More than just blood, but that was part of it. Not a lot, but still… to think that’s where the adults slept.” John shuddered.

“Fresh?”

“Some… they’ve sent it to the lab. We’ll know once it comes in.”

“There was no evident blood spatter,” Mark said, looking down at the photographs taken.

“It wasn’t a lot but did look fresh.”

“What else?—”

Colt stepped into the bullpen. With a lift of his head, he indicated he wanted to meet. They fell in line behind Brad asthey walked to his office. Once seated, Colt asked, “What do you have for me?”

Mark began. “Carla Perkins. She’s known to us for having been arrested for public intoxication, solicitation of prostitution, and three speeding tickets. The judge threatened to take away her license last time because the kids were in the car. She used to work at a bar in Accawmacke County. Since then, she’s flown under the radar, but considering Marty said his mom works nights but doesn’t know where. I’d say she’s turning tricks.”

Colt lifted his brow. “Locally? We’d have heard something.”

“My guess is she goes north. Or to Virginia Beach,” John suggested. “I spent yesterday trying to find out what I could. She’s gotten one speeding ticket going across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel but nothing else.”

“Alan Solstein’s got a record in this county and Accawmacke. Marty also mentioned that Alan gives their mom pills when she’ssick. My guess is that he’s got her hooked on whatever the hell he’s dealing.”

John added, “Forensics found fentanyl and codeine. His fingerprints are on the bags.” He grimaced as he looked at Mark. “I don’t want you to think I was holding out on you about the blood. You had your hands full yesterday, and I thought it was best to wait until I heard something from the forensic team.”

Brad added, “We’ve got a BOLO out for Carla and Alan. We’ve got deputies checking their usual haunts. So far, none of their friends have seen them.”

“Would they give them up?” Colt asked.

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