Page 22 of Night Moves
“Does she say if Kirk is in custody?”
“No, but she wants to interview you ASAP.”
“Perfect.”
Was it so perfect? “One thing you should think about. There’s a chance you could be arrested for kidnapping.”
“I don’t care.” Ferocity blazed in her eyes. “If Kirk’s The Clipper or he killed his wife, he has to be stopped no matter what happens to me. Let me get my shoes so I’m ready to go.”
She jumped to her feet. “Wait. The children. We can’t take them with us.”
“Erik can’t babysit and protect them at the same time,” Drake said.
She glanced up the stairs. “Maybe Londyn should come here.”
“Too risky. We’ll get my family out here. My parents can watch the kids.”
“Now?” Natalie asked. “It’s the middle of the night.”
“Detectives don’t sleep when they are hunting a serial killer.” He riveted in on her gaze and widened his stance. “From this moment forward until Gentry is behind bars, no matter the time—day or night—we’ll be here to protect you and the kids. That goes not only for me, but for my brothers too. Once I share your situation, they’ll hightail it out here.”
“I understand calling your brothers. You all do this for a living. But your parents? I can’t impose on them too.”
“Trust me.” He almost laughed at the thought of the conversation with his mother. “My mom will be glad to be needed. And my dad is former law enforcement, so he understands. He’ll want to get in on the action if he can.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am.” He tapped the email account for his oldest brother Aiden and offered a prayer. For the kids’ safety. For Natalie’s safety. For the ability to protect them, and for the skills to outsmart a very cunning killer.
Overwhelmed. That was the only word Natalie could use to describe her emotions several hours later as she stared across the loft at the sleeping children. She’d been close to losing it since her discoveries in the basement, and she was barely clinging to sanity now.
Instead of melting down while they waited for the Byrd family to arrive, Natalie had come up here to check on the children. She was pleased to see all three were fast asleep, and the loft was nice and warm from the fireplace.
She reached for her shoes and sat down on the empty bed to slip her aching feet into them. And then she did what she should’ve done from the moment Willow had told her about polishing her nails.
Prayed. Enthusiastically. Almost desperately.
“Why, Father?” she whispered but didn’t expect an answer. She’d learned over the years that God didn’t often explain, and she really didn’t need to know the whys. She just needed to know it was. To see what was happening. Find out His purpose. Find out what His plans were and carry them out.
In this case, she wanted to understand His purpose in bringing her together with the children, and with Drake and his family.
This situation was so different for her. She was a loner. She only needed God in her life, and things were just the way she wanted them. A cute townhouse, small and efficient so it didn’t take much time to clean. It left her more time for her huge caseload. Her clients needed other people. They needed her, but it was a one-way street. Her mother had almost obliterated the need for love or companionship in Natalie’s life. Then Gina’s murder erased that need, and Natalie vowed never to love again. No point. It always ended up in agonizing pain.
She glanced at Willow’s little freckled face. At Sadie’s button nose. At Logan’s plump cheeks. God’s creations, all of them. They needed each other. They needed parents. She knew that. Felt it even. And if their father was a killer, it was her job to find someone to love these children, give them companionship and care. They needed to know someone cared if they lived or died.
Natalie would find it for them, and in the meantime, she would protect them. With every fiber of her being, she would be their staunchest advocate.
Feeling more resolved, motivated, and dedicated, she tiptoed to the door and closed it firmly behind her.
Deep male voices carried up the steps. Drake shushed the guys, and they lowered their voices. She looked over the railing to see a golden lab sitting at attention at Drake’s feet and two broad-shouldered guys shedding windbreakers, both with dark hair and features resembling Drake.
Buff. Handsome. Drake’s older brothers. Seeing them all together, the confidence they exuded, she had to swallow. If these strapping guys couldn’t keep her and the children safe, no one could.
She took a breath and started down the stairs. All gazes pinned to her, and the conversation stopped.
Her stomach tightened. Were they talking about something they didn’t want her to hear? Was it about her? About the children? Did they discover something on the internet? Like maybe that The Clipper had killed her sister, and Natalie had withheld that info from them.
Gina was married and had taken her husband’s last name. Not that Natalie ever saw him. He didn’t like how Natalie wouldn’t let Gina’s death go. He’d moved on. Too quickly for Natalie’s liking. Still, connections between Natalie and Gina could be found. Natalie knew that for certain as she’d found them while searching for information on Gina’s killer.
