That was true on many levels.
Lukes parents came rushing toward the van. Her friend, Callie, was right behind them, trying to stop them, but it was a losing battle.
Stay back, Colin warned. We think Boyd might have a visual on the van.
That stopped the parents, and Colin got out so he could go over to them.
You talked to Luke? Griffin Vaughn asked her. She felt the concern in both Griffin and his wife, and the worry was etched on their rain-soaked faces. They wanted their boy back.
I did. Your son is okay. Hes a very brave little boy, and hes holding up well. Because Danielle had to catch her breath, she tipped her head to Colin. Special Agent Forester will give you the details of the conversation.
Danielle stepped away, leaving them with Colin. She needed just a minute. But she didnt get it. Callie stepped right in front of her.
Okay. Whats wrong? Callie demanded.
Since Callie and she were nearly the same height, it was impossible to avoid eye contact. Her old friend might be a forensic scientist who preferred to deal with facts and evidence, but Callie was no dummy in the emotional arena. Plus, Danielle doubted she was being very secretive. Talk about wearing her heart on her sleeve.
Its always emotional when a childs involved, Danielle said, figuring Callie would see that it was a ploy to change the subject. And it doesnt help that Im in the van with Colin. Before the last call, I was about to get out and ask you to scrounge me up another vehicle.
Callie caught on to her arm and moved her to the end of the van. Never met a shrink who could dodge the truth. Must have something to do with all that empathy and connection to other people. She shook her head.
Look, I didnt know the FBI was sending in Colin, and if this is too much for you, then Ill get someone else.
Ive already established a rapport with Luke. And maybe with Boyd, too. Itd be a setback to replace me at this point.
Callie took in a weary breath. Colin, then
No. God. Danielle hated that she had to say this, but she had no choice. Colins the best, and Luke needs the best right now.
I dont doubt that Colin and you are both good at what you do. But I cant have you two at each others throats. That wont help Luke. That wont help any of us.
The dizziness hit her again, and Danielle had to grope behind her to catch on to the van. Trust me,
Colin wont let anything personal get in the way of doing this job. Especially not anything personal that has to do with me.
But she was talking to the wind because Callie was just staring at her. Whats wrong with you? Are you sick?
No, Danielle answered as quickly as she could.
Callie just kept staring. Youre not doing fertility treatments again, are you? She didnt wait for Danielle to deny it. Because I figured after all this time, youd given up on having a child.
I did give up. Danielle hadnt meant for that to sound like the start of a confession, but it was. Callie, Im pregnant.
The words rushed out of her before Danielle could stop them. Mercy. She needed to tell someone this secret.
Pregnant? Callies mouth dropped open.
She looked at Danielles stomach. There was a slight baby bump there, probably not even noticeable to anyone else, but even so it was concealed behind the sapphire-blue business jacket. However, she couldnt conceal her swollen fingers. She was retaining water like crazy, and just the day before her fingers had reached the point where shed had to use soap and then oil to remove her wedding and engagement rings. Of course, with her divorce looming, the rings would have had to come off anyway.
That didnt explain why she was wearing them on a chain around her neck.
The doctor said its a miracle baby, Danielle told Callie. That there was only a one in a million shot Id ever conceive. But she had. And she was carrying that miracle inside her. Im nearly four months along, she added. And held her breath. Because Callie could and would do the math.
It didnt take her friend long. Colin and you split three months ago. Its his child. And there was no doubt in her tone or expression.
Danielle didnt even try to lie. Yes.
Callie grabbed on to her shoulder as if she were about to whoop for joy, but the joy went south in a hurry. You havent told him.
No. I meant to. I mean, I tried. I phoned him right after I found out, but he was away on assignment. Days later, when he finally got around to calling me back, the divorce papers had just arrived, and he was in the worst of moods.
Oh, damn. Callie groaned. She glanced around, probably to make sure their conversation was still as private as it could be, considering their location. Callie moved her even farther behind the van. How do you think Colin will take the news?
That was the million dollar question. There were times when hed seemed indifferent during the fertility treatments. Times when hed asked her flat out to stop. Coupled with his long hours and intense assignments, Danielle wondered if he had truly ever wanted a child.
I dont know how Colin will feel, Danielle admitted. And she certainly didnt know how hed feel about her being his babys mother. He was finished with her. He hadnt made one attempt to stop the divorce. So, he might see the baby as some kind of trap that would keep him connected to her.