Page 9 of The Doctor

And there was the Salinger stubbornness. I didn’t think he would like to know that, so I motioned for him to continue. “You didn’t stay in bed, did you?”

He nodded. “I heard a car outside, and looked out the window. My Dad had taught me to look out from the side of the window so I wasn’t easily spotted. My room was dark so they couldn’t see in as clearly as I could see out.”

Smart kid. It was something I learned from Logan long before the military had taught me the same thing. “Only one car?”

“Yes.” He pulled his brother onto his lap. The little boy stuck a thumb in his mouth and burrowed into Dominic. “Three men got out of the car. Two out of the backseat and one out of the front passenger seat.”

I nodded. So, there were four in total counting the driver. “Did they knock, ring the bell?”

“I don’t remember hearing it. There was a noise, a bang like something fell, my mom screamed. I remember hoping Landy and Vic stayed asleep and I crept along the hallway.”

“Dominic,” I scolded and the little boy startled in his brother’s arms. I dropped my voice to a harsh whisper. “Sorry, but that was really dangerous.”

He nodded and looked away. “I heard a gunshot and did what we were taught to do at school, I dropped to the ground. But I needed to get to them.” He dipped his chin to his brother. “So, I crawled along the hallway, and as I passed the staircase, I sawmy mom lying at the bottom. My stepdad was still arguing but I couldn’t see the men. I heard another two gunshots, but I was already outside the nursery. One of the men said he was going to check upstairs.”

For the first time that stoic facade cracked. Tears welled in his eyes. “I was so scared. Then I heard sirens, and I thought at least Landon and Victoria would be safe even if they found me. But they heard them too and ran out before they had a chance to look upstairs.

I stood and shook out my limbs as the full weight of what the kid was carrying suddenly overwhelmed me. “What you’re saying is that you’re the sole witness to a double homicide?”

“But I didn’t see it. I saw my mom on the ground and I heard the shots, but I don’t know anything.”

“Dominic, sweetie.” The kid stiffened for some reason. I looked over at Logan knowing he was in just as much turmoil as me. “You saw the men getting out of the car. It doesn't matter who pulled the trigger. You know more than you think.” Another thought struck me and fear ricocheted through me. “Did you escape protective custody?”

He nodded while staring at his brother. “They found us at the safe house place we were put in. We were moved two days ago. And then I overheard a conversation that they were going to separate me from my brother and sister and I couldn’t do that. I know it’s for their protection but they’re the only family I have, besides my grandmother.”

I knelt in front of him. “You are not losing any more. Do you mind me asking what happened to your dad?”

“Cancer, six years ago.”

He didn’t need to say more. He had lost every parental figure he’d ever had, and he was forced to go to the ones who had given him up in the first place. “I take it you know what I do for a living.”

“Yes.” A half smile touched his lips. “I couldn’t find your address, so I came here instead.”

Okay, I still couldn’t lose it. There was lots to do. “Nothing’s happening tonight, so we’ll get some sleep. In the morning, I’ll get Jake to come here. I’m not leaving you guys unprotected. I’ll go and speak to my family. I have more questions but first I need to find out what we’re dealing with.”

6

LOGAN

I watched as Bex took the little girl from me. She held the baby close and turned to Dominic. “If you don’t mind, I would like you to sleep in the guest room with the little ones tonight.” She took charge in a way that was both sexy and loving. “Tomorrow we’ll get a crib. If I can’t get to a store, I’m sure Julie will have something for us upstairs.”

“Who’s Julie?” Dom’s frown showed his suspicion.

I stood between him and Bex. “She is the reason this is the safest building for you to be in. She has two kids. The youngest is just a little older than Landon.”

That mollified him.

“Is it a twin bed in the guest room?” Dom looked like it bothered him that Bex was holding Victoria. Not that Bex noticed. She was totally entranced by the bundle in her arms. “Landon kicks a lot and I would rather sleep on the couch.”

Bex looked up and shook her head. “Not tonight. He’s been through a lot over the last while. And tonight, he is in yet another unfamiliar place. He needs you.”

Of course she was right. I didn’t think she or Dom noticed that Landon had not said a word since they arrived. Not that there was a lot happening. But usually when I did an exam ona toddler, they were more vocal and wanted to play with all my instruments as if they were toys. Not Landon, though.

It wasn’t that I was overly concerned. He’d been traveling all day. And he’d been through so much, it was normal to be weary of his surroundings

A trip from San Francisco had to be at least twelve or thirteen hours. Not that I could remember. The last time I had taken that trip was when Dominic was born. And to be truthful, I’d had bigger issues than watching the clock.

There was no way Dom would’ve been able to carry both kids for a prolonged period, and I had no doubt the trip took much longer than usual. But that was a story for another day.

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