A loving mother cradling her son. That’s irony.
He entered her walk-in closet filled with shoes, a few coats and a floor safe. He pushed against the back wall, but it didn’t budge. He didn’t find her hiding in her private bathroom, either.
Where the hell is she?
On his way out, he glanced at the bookcase. The bound books included the complete works of William Shakespeare, plus literary classics from Herman Melville, Daniel Defoe, and Louisa May Alcott. He ran his finger along the spines. Then, he eyed the shelf below it. More classics by Emily Bronte, Jane Austin, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, and Robert Louis Stevenson. Then, he eyed the shelves below that one. A row starting with Shakespeare. A row starting with Bronte. Alternating rows of identical books all the way down to the bottom shelf.
He tugged on a book, but they were just spines glued together and wedged inside the bookcase.
These are bogus. She’s behind this wall.
Adrenaline surged through him as he tried budging the structure. He ran his hands over the books and inside the shelves, looking for a button, lever, or knob, but he found nothing.
C’mon, it’s gotta be here.
He flipped on a light switch and harsh halogens brightened the room. Then, he looked behind the drapes and checked under the windowsill. Nothing there, either.
Then, he sat at Charlene’s desk and tugged on the center drawer, but it was locked. Kneeling, he looked inside the opening of her desk and smiled. There was a lone button affixed to the right pedestal.
As soon as he pushed it, the bookcase swung open. He strode over and peered into the hidden room. Not wanting to get ambushed, he turned on his phone’s flashlight and stepped inside. In a space no bigger than eight by eight, shelves of canned food and bottled water lined one wall. On a small mattress lay a rumpled blanket. In the corner, Charlene crouched like a child playing hide-n-seek.
“Your luck has run out, Charlene.”
“Evangeline, I found her. Send a—”
Shrieking, Charlene lunged for his weapon. He flung down his phone, grabbed her arm and twisted her around, shoving her face first against the wall and holding her there. She fought, but he pressed the barrel of his gun against her head. “Don’t you fucking move or I’ll splatter your brains all over this wall.”
“I thought you were dead,” she ground out.
“You’re going to wish you were when I’m finished with you.”
“Fuck you, Sinclair Develin.”
“Sin, are you okay?” Evangeline blurted through the comm.
He applied more pressure, ensuring she didn’t move. “Yeah. I’m in her office, top floor, north end.”
“We’re on our way,” Evangeline replied, breathing hard.
“How about I pay you off?” Charlene asked. “I’m wealthy…very wealthy. You help me get out of here and I’ll transfer a cool mil into your bank account.”
The temporary relief he’d felt at having found her was replaced with hatred. Gritting his teeth together, he stayed silent.
Her blathering continued. She promised him introductions to people he already knew. She added another million to sweeten the deal. “I’m one of the good guys. I help couples realize their dreams of having a family through adoption. I assist pregnant women find homes for their unwanted babies. I provide a valuable service. You and that bitch have ruined my life.”
“When you decided that profiting from the sale of babies was a good thing, you ruined your own life,” he bit out.
The faux bookcase opened wider, letting more light into the safe room. Evangeline stepped inside. “Charlene Caraway, you’re under arrest for human trafficking, and for the kidnapping of Hannah and Robert Caraway.” She brought Charlene out where Officer Springer cuffed her and read her her rights.
On his way out, Sin grabbed his phone. “She offered me two million to help her escape.”
“I heard everything,” Evangeline replied.
Charlene’s lip lifted into a snarl. “I have the best lawyers in D.C. and they’ll post my bond in a matter of hours. I’ll be home by dinner.” Her smugness sickened him.
The officers escorted her out.
Evangeline glanced around, her gaze resting on the Klimt print. “Charlene was a lot of things, but I never imagined she was the mastermind behind the biggest baby trafficking operation in recent history.” She ran a soft hand down his back. Her soothing touch eased his tight muscles.
“As someone who was adopted twice, I’m a big advocate for adoption. What she was doing disgusts me.”
Rising up on her tiptoes, she kissed him. “Thank you so, so much. You cleared my name, you found my sister and her baby, and you helped me solve the biggest case of my career. I am so indebted to you, it’s not even funny.”
“You don’t owe me anything. I did it because I love you.”
Her gaze softened and she kissed him again. “I’m pretty sure I’m the luckiest woman on the planet right about now.”
“I’m the one who should be thanking you.”
“For what?” she asked as they left Charlene’s office.
“For loving me exactly the way I am.”
“That’s easy. I think you’re perfect.”
That made him smile. “I’m about as far from perfect as humanly possible.”
“You, Sinclair Develin, are my hero.”
“Don’t you mean anti-hero?”
“I like that even better,” she replied with a smile.
27
A Blessing
After Charlene was placed in the police cruiser, Sin pulled Evangeline aside. “How are you doing?”
“Good, relieved, furious.” She paused. “Grateful.”
“Me, too, babe. I’m heading back to check on Jacoby.” He glanced around at the number of police and FBI agents that had arrived. “Do you want me to send Anton to pick you up later?”
“I’ll grab a ride. If I run into a snag, I’ll let you know.” Pausing, she clasped his hands. “Thank you.” Then, she shot him a little smile. “Those two words are never enough where you’re concerned. You are pretty damn phenomenal, you know that?”
He grinned. “I do.”
“So cocky.” Then, she whispered in his ear. “Don’t ever change. I love that about you.” She squeezed his hands and let them go. “I’ll see you at home.”
He loved hearing her say that. “Sounds like a plan.”
She trotted up the steps and vanished into the lobby.
First stop: The black site. Sin jumped into the SUV and took off.
Jacoby was resting comfortably. As Sin eased into the chair beside the bed, exhaustion crept in behind his eyes and he fought the urge to close them. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’ve been shot.”
“I’m sorry this happened to you.”
“I’m damn glad you three got to me in time.”
“In all the years we’ve worked together, we’ve never been shot. Past couple of months, we’ve both been shot. Twice.”
“I’ll wear my badge of honor with pride.”
“You and me both. Where’s Beverly?”