Page 74 of Special Agent Murphy

She saw the state of the rags he wore and understood. No one would want to get cleaned up and have to dress back in those dirty scraps.

“Will you be offended if I offer some old sweats I wore in Quantico. Both the men and women wore the same ones during exercises so they’re a unisex style. I figure they’ll fit you fine. You’re almost my size.” Not wanting to discuss underwear, she figured he’d manage going commando until they could get him some proper duds. She searched for the gray sweatshirt that went with the pants and handed them over.

His face lit up. He carried them like he’d just been handed an extremely precious package.

Soon, she also grabbed a quick shower in her ensuite. With no time for a major breakdown, a few tears escaped before she could shut off her inner tap.

Having that skinny, scrawny, love-starved kid care enough about her to go against his wicked father, made her thank God she’d tried to stop the punishment.

Once tidy, she met up with him and headed to the kitchen. The kid was quite a looker under all that grime and bruising. His eyes were slightly slanted, elongated enough to create a dreamy appearance the girls would one day go crazy over.

His hair, though long and shaggy now, once trimmed, the natural curl would show off a nicely shaped face.

Surprisingly, her clothes fit him good enough for now. The faded light gray gave them the appearance of sweats well used… which they were. The only label showing was the Quantico emblem.

Once the food was on the table, she watched as he tried eating with manners. Seeing this hungry kid holding back, trying to impress her, almost opened the taps again.

“Mark, I have to get back to Headquarters. We’re on a case right now, a kidnapping of a sixteen-year-old girl who we need to find as soon as possible, Her time’s running out.”

“Okay.” He sounded whipped; the sad tone clear.

“I hate to leave you here alone, but I have no choice.”

This time his eyes swung her way. Shock made the pupils huge. “You want me to stayhere?” The emphasis on the last word was telling.

“Of course, where else would you go? Back to the streets? It’s freezing out there, and its been snowing a bit. If the phone rings, answer if my name shows in the caller ID. I’ll call and check in with you.”

“Kayti. You really think you should leave me here alone?” The apprehension in his voice soothed any misgivings she had.

“Yes. That’s if you’re okay with being left.”

“Why are you trusting me?”

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t? Will you do something that’ll make me regret this?”

“Hell, no! I just don’t understand.”

“What don’t you understand?”

“Why you’re being so nice to me?”

“Because you saved me from having to deal with your asshole of a father. He might have hurt me or worse, killed me, if you hadn’t come to my rescue.”

“So, it’s ‘cause you owe me?”

“A bit. Mostly it’s because I like you… so I trust you.”

Tears again globbed in his eyes before he turned away and muttered, “I won’t let you down.”

Moved and not wanting to embarrass the boy, Kayti pulled on her jacket, making sure her holster wouldn’t be noticeable. Then she tucked her cellphone into the pocket and felt something inside.

Pulling out a strange card, she remembered the woman at the bar the night before shoving it into her hands before she left with her husband. A kind of awareness hit her. She had no doubt this mattered.

Excitement blasted through her. She turned to Mark and before he knew she would, she gave him a quick hug… released him as quickly. Waving, she headed for her car and privacy to make a call.

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