Marie Ferrarella - A Hero in Her Eyes стр 2.

She liked Cade. He made her feel as if she actually belonged.

Eliza laughed. Im not sure that McKayla would welcome my touching her belly, trying to divine an answer for you.

She knew hed seen her do it before, touch things that belonged to a kidnapped victim, trying to commune with an essence the rest of them could not fathom. Though McKayla liked Eliza, Eliza could just hear his wifes very vocal reaction to that.

Cade waved away his unfinished request. Youre absolutely right. Ive never seen a woman get so testy before. Not that she was the most easygoing woman to begin with, but she was at least reasonable, he confided in an uncustomary moment of intimacy.

She understood exactly what he was saying. Eliza stretched, leaning back in the chair. Her back ached. Theyre called hormones, Cade. Were all blessedor cursedwith them to some extent. Hers are just a little out of sync right now.

He seemed to appreciate the charitable explanation, and laughed softly. Now theres an understatement.

About to leave, Cade paused, curious. He looked over Elizas shoulder at the monitor. They were all acutely familiar at the agency with the Web site she was looking at. Ever changing, ever growing, the Web site was filled with a preponderance of photographs of smiling children of all ages. Children who had vanished out of lives that had been carefully or carelessly laid out, breaking the hearts of those who cared about them.

From the looks of it, Eliza had gone through at least two-thirds of the listings. He vaguely recognized the face she was looking at. The girl had been on the site ever since hed founded ChildFinders, when his own son had been kidnapped. Darin had eventually been found. This girl had not.

He rested his hand on the monitor. You didnt tell me youre working on a new case. His only

rules were that he be kept apprised of every new case that came in and that the first client interview be taped to prevent any misunderstandings down the line.

Eliza half turned in her chair to look at him. Thats because Im not. At least, not exactly.

Can you get a little more specific than that?

Though Cade was an incredibly understanding man Eliza had a great deal of respect for, a lifetime of having to defend herself, of being thought of as the different one had her unconsciously bracing herself for unpleasantness.

Theres this child in my dreams She stopped, wondering how to phrase what she needed to say.

Cades eyes were nothing if not kind. Go on, he coaxed quietly, interested.

Feeling suddenly self-conscious, she gave a seemingly careless shrug. You dont have time to listen.

Sure I do. Its early, remember? Cade leaned a hip against the side of her desk. And my last case wrapped up five days ago.

Okay, he asked for it, Eliza thought, taking a breath. Theres this child. Shes running through a field. Theres tall, tall grass that makes it hard for her to run, but she pushes on anyway. Shes about four, maybe five, blond, green-eyed and very frightened. She keeps calling out to her father to come find her. Except he doesnt.

Listening intently, Cade nodded. Anything else?

She closed her eyes for a moment to focus. I see a farmhouse in the background. Eliza opened her eyes again and looked at Cade. It has that old, run-down look, like one of those places you see in those old documentaries about the Depression.

Abandoned?

Shed gotten that feeling, but she couldnt be sure. It was the little girl who had held all of her attention. Maybe.

What makes you think the little girl is real? Cade asked. His tone was tactful, kind. I mean, she might be a fabrication of your mind, a holdover from a movie you saw or television program you caught, or even a composite from your past cases.

It was a question shed already asked herself. No, shes real. I know it. Eliza was as certain of that as she was of who and what she was. Someones taken her, Im sure of it. Ive had this dream over and over again, Cade. In the last week, Ive had it for five nights straight. She looked back at the monitor. The little girl had to be in there somewhere. Shes real, Cade, and shes out there. Lost. Looking to come home.

Anything I can do? Cade asked.

Until she found a match somehow, there was nothing any of them could do. Eliza sighed. You can ask Carrie to buy more coffee when she gets a chance. Were almost out. She nodded at the mug on her desk. I made a double batch this morning.

Cade moved away from the desk, inadvertently brushing against Elizas arm. Thanks for the heads-up. Ill be sure to steer clear of it. And then he grinned. Although Megan will probably tell you its too weak. If you need any help, let me know.

The slight contact had created a burst of light within her. Eliza looked at Cade confidently. Sure thing, but youll be too busy.

No, I The significance of her words hit him. He realized that hed accidentally brushed against her. From what shed told him, he knew that Elizas insights came at will. Cade looked at her now, his eyes widening. Really?

She smiled broadly at him. Youd think this was his first time expecting, instead of a second go-round. Really.