Page 48 of Dying to Meet You

Leaning back against the barn while trying to get my breath, I hear Blaine walking closer. “Big Gulp, you’ve just got to walk into the room like God sent you.” Blaine’s and Caleb's footsteps move farther away, not knowing I’m only steps away at the back of the barn. Blaine is giving me the cold shoulder, deciding to blame me for Weston not being found immediately. It’s not fair, but we’ll deal with that later. I don’t have time to convince him I’m trying to do everything I can.

My son,ourson, needs us, but we’re at a standstill. Starlit Fleet confirmed the blacked-out SUV was assigned to the bureau’s New York office. However, there is no video of the driver picking up the vehicle, and I can’t find records of any agent using anything other than their assigned squad.

None of the volunteers noticed the note stuck in the gate.

Then there’s the blackout of the security recordings. He’s meticulous when it comes to the security of our property.

With each piece of information we have, Hutton’s involvement becomes a more real possibility in my mind. I don’t want to think that way. And I know he’d never hurt Weston, not in a million years. In my mind, him having Wes would be the best scenario, because he’d be somewhere happy and safe.

It’s the last hope I have.

The Realists don’t value life, especially the lives of children. Memories of statements taken about experiments turn my stomach.

I find Eden sitting at the kitchen counter, with a dazed look on her face. Wrapping my arms around her tightly, I say, “If you hear from Hutton, I need to know. I really need to talk to him, sweetheart.” Keir walks past us to rinse out one of Zeb’s bottles. He pauses briefly before he shakes his head, moving out of the room again.

I didn’t want to call a code sixty-seven, effectively forcing him to keep a secret from the rest of our family. The call from my ex knocked me sideways. What I’m forced to do next isn’t going to be understood by Eden, but it’s a risk I have to take.

For Weston.

A call earlier today with the state patrol discussing what we currently know passed the torch to them. My superior had already ordered me to step aside since it’s my son missing. It’s standard procedure, because our family will be investigated. The state police detective wasn’t told anything from me they didn’t already know.

Except that there is an FBI tie.

Three of my special agents are going over the volunteer list again in the living room with local police, a state officer, and Harrison when I come to stand in the doorway.

It’s another rehashing of dead ends.

Clearing my throat I say, “State’s taking the case over.”

Everyone looks at me, and I hear Eden’s gasp behind me.

Keir steps back into the room. “What did you say? I don’t think I heard you right.”

My patience is dwindling as a drumbeat of dread pulses up my throat.

Everyone I love is at stake.

One wrong move will end it all. Lines are being drawn right now, but I can’t stop the inevitable fracture forming between us. All my training dictates the next decision I have to make. “You heard me correctly.” My chest tightens with anxiety as I say, louder and with authority, “The FBI is standing down.”

Chapter Thirty

Revelations…He will wipe away every tear

Caleb

Warnerlayshissleepyhead against my chest, exhausted after running around trying to grab Dodger’s tail while squealing excitedly. Both Blaine and I have Zach and Zinnea outside too, attempting to distract them from all the officers milling around in the house. All we’ve succeeded in doing, however, is highlight how much we’re all missing Weston, making me question if God is hearing me…Does he hear my anguished cry? Earlier Blaine tried to talk me into demanding information from Harrison or Bristow about the case. Not Matt. Not Keir. He’s decided they’re leaving us out of the investigation, withholding what’s really happening.

But I’m afraid to ask. I don’t want to hear they have no idea where our son is, that Weston is lost to us.

I’ve always looked to Matt for an example. It’s not just because he’s thirty-six, holds a high-ranking position with the FBI, and can bring calm to a situation; it’s the way others look to him. Blaine is angry right now, but he’ll get over it. When it comes to Matt, he always does.

Zinnea hovers close to Zach. “Stay near us,” she hisses at him, taking her role as big sister to the next level because we’ve proven unreliable at keeping them safe.

For the last two days, our home has been a hive of activity. There are currently all kinds of police, FBI, and sheriff’s office vehicles parked on the road, in our driveway, and even at the vet clinic across the street. I almost miss it when Becca’s vehicle rolls to a stop behind a squad on the road. She walks our way with a covered casserole dish. Her head is down until she’s a few feet from where we stand discussing, yet again, who should talk to Harrison about the status of things. I’m not doing it, but Blaine is being stubborn and insisting I be the one. When she lifts her head to call out a greeting, I’m shocked to see her left eye blackened and scratches on the side of her nose.

“What happened?”

She begins to cry, telling us her ex-boyfriend found out where she has been staying. I ask if she’s called the police, although there are plenty here she could speak to. She starts to cry harder. “I don’t want to tell anyone. I’ll be fine.”

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