Page 40 of Fighting for Brielle
“Not this time. Dewitt just graduated to murder. Okay, people. No one goes home until we catch this guy. Luca, stay here and finish working the scene. River, come with me. We’ll hit his house first. Don’t worry. He’s going to pay for this.”
River told Justice that Dewitt lived with his parents, so they headed there without the siren or flashing lights in order to prevent his discovering them, though neither believed they’d find their suspect hanging around waiting for them. When they approached the modest home, darkness enveloped it. Justice parked a few houses away, and they climbed from the Explorer, guns drawn. Communicating silently with River, Justice took the lead.
He pounded on the door. “LBPD! Open up!”
At that moment a light came on inside, and they heard the distinct cries of a child.
“That’s Dewitt’s little sister, Rosie,” River whispered. “We have to go in. He may be holding his family hostage.”
Justice nodded. “On three. Cover me.” He tried the knob, and it turned in his hand. “It’s Chief of Police McQuaid! I’m coming in!”
Slowly, he pushed open the door, and before he could step over the threshold, he caught a blur of bright pink as a young girl launched herself at him, stopping short when she saw the gun in his hands, tears streaming down her sweet face. Startled, Justice lowered his gun, and River moved around him, his dark eyes alert for trouble. He called out, identifying himself as he swept each room.
When River returned a couple of minutes later, shaking his head, Justice squatted in front of the girl and asked in a kind voice, “What’s your name, sweetie?”
She hiccupped and sniffed. “R…Rosie.”
“Hi, Rosie. I’m Chief of Police Justice McQuaid.” He shook her small hand. “It’s nice to meet you. How old are you?”
“H…hi.” Rosie swiped at her tears. “I’m ten.”
“Rosie, are you home alone?”
“I…I woke up. Something scared me. I…I looked for Mom and Dad, but they’re not here.” Fresh tears ran in rivulets down her cheeks.
“What about your brother, Arnie?” Justice used the drug dealer’s nickname.
Rosie made a face and her eyes grew wrathful. “He’s not here, either. I don’t like him!” she blurted. “Arnie’s always in trouble and makes Mom cry and that makes Dad mad. Do you know where my parents are?” She glanced from Justice to River.
Justice shook his head. “No, Rosie. But I promise Officer Rivera and I are going to find them.”
He started to rise to his feet, but Rosie grabbed his arm.
“Wait! You’re not going to leave me alone, are you?” She swiped at her tears again.
The distraught child tugged on his heartstrings. He had some experience with children. He’d tossed around a football with his teammates’ kids and babysat a few times. Stunned by Rosie’s trust in him, though, he really didn’t know how to react. Once again, he communicated without words to River, who left the room in order to call child services. Then he called Tawny to ask her to stay with Rosie until a social worker arrived.
“Rosie, we’ll stay with you until another officer gets here, but then we have to go look for your mom and dad.”
“Do you think…they’re okay?” she asked.
“I hope so.” Needing to change the subject, Justice asked brightly, “Hey, do you have a favorite doll or stuffed animal you’d like to show me?”
She frowned at him. “I’m not a baby.”
“My mistake. Anything else you’d like to show me?”
“Maybe.” She headed upstairs.
When they were alone, River chuckled. “Wow. It took ten minutes for Rosie to wrap you around her little finger, Chief.”
Justice shot him a dark look. “Don’t be silly. I’m just doing my job.”
“Right,” he drawled.
A moment later Rosie rejoined them with an iPad in her hands.
Justice smiled. “That’s a really nice iPad.”
