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“Loki, sit.” She gently pushed down on his backside. Loki sat, but before she could utter, “Good boy,” he’d popped back up and grabbed a toy.
“You’re so cute,” she said. “Let’s try this again.” After taking the toy, she commanded him to sit and, again, gently pushed his rear down. “Good boy.” She gave him a dog treat morsel.
After doing this several more times, slowly switching from the treats to praise, she finished with a belly rub. She concluded by telling him, “Free,” then tossing his toy into the family room where he bounded after it.
She was ready to dive deeper into the six former ALPHA employees who worked there at the same time Gloria and Bert had. Because Prescott had taken out Terrence Maul, she started with the next person on her list.
If there was a killer in this group, she’d find them. And if none of these people panned out, she’d widen her search. Despite what might be perceived as a lack of progress, she had every confidence she’d unmask the evil lurking in the shadows.
* * *
Prescott
Prescott spentthe day powering through meetings, delegating tasks, and playing catch up. As he read through the autopsy report for the third time, he couldn’t wrap his brain around the fact that his sister had been suffocated. Because of that, her death was now a homicide.
He had no idea she’d been in her first trimester. She hadn’t even hinted at being pregnant. Did she know? And who was the father?
Was it the man Ethan was afraid of?
He had so many questions, but no answers.
He called the doctor back and asked how he could get a profile of the fetal DNA. After being transferred around, he spoke with someone in the coroner’s office who could help him. Forms were emailed over. He completed them and sent them back.
At the end of the day, he drove around to daycare. After walking into the classroom, he scanned the room for his tiny target. Ethan was coloring with two girls.
“Hi, Mr. Armstrong,” said one of the assistants.
Ethan flipped his attention to Prescott. “Uncle Prescott!” Ethan grabbed his paper and rushed over.
Ethan’s big smile and enthusiastic greeting was fast becoming the highlight of Prescott’s workday. He knelt just as Ethan flung his arms around him.
“Look what I made. It’s for you.”
Prescott took the piece of paper and admired the array of colors on the page. “This is great, Ethan. Thank you. I’ll put it in my home office.”
“I have to get my lunch box.” Ethan bolted toward his cubby as Miss Nancy floated into view.
“Hello, Mr. Armstrong.”
“How’s it goin’, Nancy?”
Her cheeks flushed with color. “I’m making headway potty training Ethan.”
That snagged his full attention. “Really?”
“I told him we were low on training diapers, hoping he’d poop in the toilet.”
“And?”
“He suggested I borrow one from someone else.” She laughed. “He’s a smart little boy, but we’ll get this accomplished.”
“Are you low on diapers?” Prescott asked.
“Oh, no, you gave us an entire box, but my goal is to get him fully trained by the time he turns four.” She shot him a smile. “I’m sure I will.”
Ethan ran back over and said goodbye to Miss Nancy. He clasped Prescott’s hand and Prescott’s heart softened. This little boy had become so important to him in such a short amount of time. As they walked to the car, Ethan chatted about his day. After Prescott buckled him in, he took off for the store.
Once in the parking lot, Ethan said, “I can’t know. Why are we here?”
