Page 97 of Forged in Steele

“I’m only here for Darcy’s supplies, and then we’re leaving.” She set the seat on the floor.

Luna. It reallywasLuna. Fast asleep and looking plump and healthy.

Bristol had found the child, and she was alive. Rather, the child had found her.

Bristol let out a long breath of satisfaction, but quickly thought of a way to get this woman to turn Luna over to her. “Since I’m here, I could help you.”

“No!” Reya bared her teeth. “You’ll try to take my daughter from me.”

“That’s Luna in the seat, not your daughter.”

Reya waved the gun, eyes flashing with anger. “Stop it. Stop lying to me.”

“Sorry,” Bristol said as the woman had lost touch with reality. “I didn’t mean to. How can I help you?”

Reya remained standing, her gaze furtive and wild. “Stand up. Slowly.”

Bristol did as directed, all the while looking for a way to subdue Reya without Luna getting hurt.

“Take out your phone,” Reya said. “Turn it off then smash it.”

Bristol hesitated. She would be out of touch for any help. She’d broken a cardinal law enforcement rule. She hadn’t given dispatch her location. Sure, Jared knew she was here, but he was busy. If dispatch had known she was here, and they hadn’t heard from her, they would try to contact her.

“Do it now!” Reya growled out the words like an angry animal.

Bristol complied, dropping her phone on the floor and stomping on it.

“Harder! Harder!”

Bristol gave it a few more stomps, and her heart seized. Her lifeline was gone.

Except for You. I want to believe You can help me. Help me believe.

“Now come with me,” Reya said. “Slowly.”

Reya left Luna behind and backed toward the hallway. Bristol crossed the room and wanted to grab the baby and run, but the risk was too high. She settled for taking a better look at the sleeping infant. She seemed healthy enough, but then as Nurse Johnson had told them, the blood sugar issue might not be visible.

Bristol followed Reya, who backed down the hallway to her daughter’s room. Reya moved to the far corner and pointed at the dresser. “In the top drawer are sleepers. Get them out. Darcy needs them.”

Bristol complied and looked for a way to overpower Reya, but she’d stepped back out of reach.

“Put it all in the laundry bags in the closet then open the bottom drawer. You’ll find baby blankets, bibs, diapers. Add it all to the bag. Hurry before Darcy wakes up.”

“Did you know Luna has a problem with her blood sugar and needs to eat every few hours?”

Reya jutted out her chin. “My Darcy doesn’t have any health problems. She’s perfect.”

“How often are you feeding her?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but whenever she wakes up.”

“How often does that happen?”

“Don’t know. Just happens when it happens.”

Reya wasn’t really listening, making it even more urgent that Bristol get this child back with her parents and medical professionals. “Where are you taking all of these things?”

“The family cabin.”

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