Page 103 of Sin With Me

“Jack?” she asked.

“Yes, I went to Pace, the way you told me to. Father John told me about you. Mom, I have so many questions. I’m back in New York, and I’ll come get yousoon.”

“Jack Pace,” she replied.

“I wish you’d told me about the Maddens, Mom. They’re a wonderful family.”

“Jack,” she repeated.

“Yes, Jack is here as well. Both he and Mary have been asking about you. You gave Cameron your kidney. I can’t believe I’ve never heard about this, Mom. Cameron is… Mom, I’m in love.” I couldn’t stop grinning. Though I knew I wouldn’t get a reply from my mother, she’d be happy hearing me happy.

“It won’t be long now, I promise.”

And then she said a new name. I hadn’t heard her mention my little brother in years, and when she called out this time, her voice was filled with raw emotion mixed with shock, happiness, andfear.

“Mikey.”

“Mikey’s gone, Mom. Remember?” Though from what Cameron said, it was possible that my brother was still alive. But there was no point in telling her our suspicions until we confirmed the adoption. It was possible that my brother was somewhere out there, waiting to be found, and I wondered why she mentionedhim.

I finished our short conversation with a quick promise to come get her soon, and I wandered around Cameron’s condo. It didn’t take me long to realize that I was useless here, so I checked my watch, grabbed a handful of cash I saw in a jar labeled Don’t swear, promising to pay back every last dollar I spent, and headed out the door. As soon as it automatically locked behind me, I knew there was no turning back. I’d promised Cameron I’d give him two days, and that’s what I’d do, but in the meantime I could at least bring back the box full of papers about my father’s disappearance from work. If Brook and Lola were going to find him, they’d need all the help they couldget.

While there, maybe I could have a coffee with a co-worker and catch up on the latest gossip. If there was any word about Cortez or his family, our team would know. That wouldn’t count as breaking a promise, would it? After all, what harm could there be in asking a few questions?

I took a cab to my precinct and twenty minutes later pulled up to what looked like my old workplace with a contemporary addition to theside.

Did we finally get a newlab?

I quickly signed in with Kim at the front.

“Are you coming back early?” she asked.

“Nope, just wanted to catch up. I’m unarmed.”

“Got it.” She flew through a bunch of checkmarks on the sheet. “It’s odd to see youhere.”

“Why?

“Well, it’s like you heard your name called out. Mike’s been asking about you. He’s been wanting to get in touch with you for the past week orso.”

Really?

“I’ll make sure to stop by and check with him. Anything else interesting around here? Any news on that warehouse fire earlier in theyear?”

“No one was linked to the scene. The case was closed within aweek.”

What?

“Oh, that sounds quick, doesn’t it? Didn’t anyone questionit?”

“Yup, everyone. But Mike signed off on it, and… the case was closed.”

I felt my stomach rumble. It hasn’t done so in a few months, at least not this way. I forgot how urgent that feeling of insecurity became as it tightened and then released. It was like it was trying to jump right out of my throat to slap me across the face so that I’d clue in on whatever itsensed.

“Thanks, Kim. I’ll check in with Mike, then.” First of course I’d stop by the lunchroom, where I knew I’d find someone gossiping. As tight-lipped as we normally were, behind those lunchroom doors waited information.

“Nice to see you again, Hope.”

My name must have echoed down the hall because Mike stuck his head out his officedoor.

---