First, he had to settle another concern before it went any further.
He turned to Danielle. This isnt going to work, he let her know.
Her chin came up. I can help.
Maybe she could. She was a darn good psychologist, but Colin couldnt do his job if he had to sit side by side with her. Too bad he couldnt just tell her that, but that would mean admitting that shed slashed his heart to bits. No way did he want her to know that. Better to let her believe that the only thing left between them was the bitterness.
And not this ridiculous attraction.
Danielle, he started. It was his negotiators voice. Calm, friendly, but with just a hint of detachment. This standoff could go on for days. Weeks, even. You dont want to be here with me for that length of time, do you?
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Repeated the process, adding a defeated sigh, before she shook her head and prepared to exit the van. I need to talk to Callie.
Colin scowled. She was giving up with hardly a fight. Yep, she didnt want to be there. It was really over between them.
He gave a crisp nod and was about to tell Tom to locate another psychologist, but the phone interrupted him. On the caller ID screen, he saw that it was Boyd.
Boyd, Colin answered, turning the recorder back on. Youll let me speak to Luke. He tried not to make it sound like a question.
Boyd didnt answer. There was a shuffle of movement on the other end of the line. Colin listened, trying to make sense of every sound. After several seconds, Colin realized the person now on the phone had a different breathing pattern than Boyds.
Luke? Colin said. Are you there, buddy?
Im here, the boy answered.
God, he sounded so little.
And scared.
Colins pen snapped under the pressure of his grip, and he grabbed another so hed be ready to write. Luke, are you okay?
I guess. But I wanta see my daddy and my mom. Please.
Danielle pressed her fingertips to her lips, and Colin saw her blink back tears. Hed never seen her break on the job. Never. But the little boys plea would have gotten to anyone.
Well, anyone except Boyd.
There were more muffled sounds, and Boyd returned to the line. Hes still whimpering, Boyd complained.
Ill talk to him, Colin insisted. Ill calm him down.
No. Youre done talking to him. I want somebody else. Somebody that knows how to handle kids, and I dont mean his parents. Dont want to talk to them. Put Dr. Danielle Connolly on the phone.
Colins heart went to his knees. Apparently so did Danielles. She froze, and her eyes widened.
Dr. Connolly, Colin repeated. What makes you think shes here?
But Boyd ignored that. Dr. Connolly? Boyd said in a much louder voice. I know youre in that white van. Get on the phone now.
Danielle stared at Colin. Waiting. Her eyes pleaded with him to do something. And since he had no choice, he gave her the nod to go ahead.
Im here, Boyd, Danielle immediately said. How can I help?
You can calm down this kid for me, thats what you can do. You can make him understand that his whining is making me crazy.
Of course, Ill talk to him. Please put him on the line. Danielle swallowed hard, and the waiting began again.
Colin mentally groaned and cursed a blue streak.
This shouldnt be happening. They were in a blind spot. Boyd shouldnt be able to see them or monitor what they were doing, though Tom had said barely.
His gaze fired toward Tom. How did he know she was here? Colin mouthed.
Tom shook his head, grabbed a pair of binoculars and aimed them at the estate. After several moments, he shook his head again. Boyd hasnt reangled the security camera.
What about the police scanner? Colin whispered. Did anyone say a thing about her coming here?
Another shake of his head. She drove straight up without going into town. No one other than those of us on the scene should have known that shed arrived.
Oh, hell.
Not good. Because either Boyd had found a way around the blind spot, or
they had a leak, and someone was a traitor.
Chapter Two
I dont like doctors, he told her. It wasnt said in a bossy way. The boy was frightened.
Dont worry. Im not that kind of doctor. I dont give shots.
Good. Cause I dont like shots, neither.
Colin was whispering something to Tom, but Danielle shut that out. What do you like, Luke? Do you like to watch TV?
Yeah. I like Spider-Man, too.
Danielle smiled in spite of the situation. Why is he your favorite?
He kinda gets to fly. Thatd be fun. I could fly up high with the birds and not fall.
Danielle was relieved that he seemed to be relaxing a bit. Ill bet it would be fun. Do you play video games, too?
Sure. I got lots of em, but the funnest is Safari Explorer. I play with my daddy. He paused. Can my daddy come and get me?
Soon, she assured him. She heard the tremble in his voice and knew she had to pull him away from that reaction. Judging from Boyds comments, the tone could set him off. Danielle wanted them both calm. Luke, have you found the lost baby giraffe in Safari Explorer?
Not yet. The purple hippos knock my boat over.
She mentally went through the levels of the game. Ah, theres a trick to that. Want me to tell you what it is? Danielle glanced out of the corner of her eye. Colin was staring at her now.