Page 6 of Forged in Flames (Made of Steel 2)

"Okay, Summer Brooks." He typed something into his computer. "What's your date of birth?"

"I was born on August 15th, 2000."

He typed it into his computer and then leaned back in his chair, like he was waiting for the results to appear. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and just stared at me.

I felt like I needed to fill in some of the blanks. "My foster father kidnapped me last night, with the help of the owner of the Corner Diner, Joan...I don't even know her last name. But she said she had my friends."

He cleared his throat and looked back at the computer screen.

"Alight, Summer Brooks. Born August 15th, 2000 in Sheridan, Wyoming to David and Jennifer Brooks. Is that you?"

"Yes."

He clicked on his mouse and lowered his eyebrows slightly. "She died on October 12th, 2009."

"What?"

"Summer Brooks died of carbon monoxide poisoning the night of October 12th along with her grandmother, Bethany Wagner. Both were dead upon arrival of paramedics."

"My grandmother died of a heart attack on October 12th, 2009. Not carbon monoxide poisoning."

He turned his computer screen to me. "There were blood tests. Both tests detected the poison."

"That's not possible. I'm still alive. I'm sitting right here."

"Look, I get it, okay? Thirsty Thursday? I was in college once. You got drunk, maybe you woke up a little disoriented this morning. You should get back home and get some rest."

I put my hand on my forehead. I couldn't explain what was happening. How could I make him believe me? "I was most recently enrolled in Hanover High School in Telluride, Colorado. Under the name Summer Brooks. You can look it up."

He sighed and typed something else into his computer. "There was no student by that name in the last four years."

"That's not possible."

"Sadie Davis. That's what you said your real name was right?"

"No, that's not..."

"Sadie, I have a caseload full of real problems in this city that actually need my attention. I don't have time to look into whatever bullshit you've been dared to come in here and spill. I need to get back to work."

"But I was kidnapped."

"And did they steal anything from you? Did they threaten you? Did they ask for ransom?"

"I...I don't remember. I can't remember."

"Well, come back if you do. In the meantime..." he gestured to his computer, "I'm busy."

My legs seemed to shake as I stood up. He thought I was making it up. No one was going to believe me. "Don Roberts," I quickly said.

Detective Lewis looked up at me.

"He's the leader or whatever you call it of the mafia." Shit, what had Liza called it? Hell something? It didn't matter. That wasn't the point. "He was my foster father. And he was the one that kidnapped me. He's being prosecuted for violating the foster care system and for attempted murder. Against me. Look up the case."

He sighed again as he typed something into his computer. "Don Roberts." His eyes scanned the screen. "He is not enrolled in the foster program of Colorado or any other state. He doesn't even have a rap sheet."

"That's not possible."

"And there is no open case against him. Especially for attempted murder. We'd be aware of such allegations. He's clean."

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