Page 198 of Broken
Prescott came down the stairs, a just bathed Ethan in his arms. He looked adorable in his jammies, his just-washed long brown hair neatly combed.
“I did a poopy in the toilet!” Ethan announced.
“Yay!” Jacqueline exclaimed. “Congratulations!”
Ethan beamed.
“We’ve come downstairs to give you a hug goodnight,” Prescott said.
“Can Jack read me my bedtime story?” Ethan asked.
“I would love to,” she replied. “Let’s pick one with a happy ending. I could definitely use one of those.”
Ethan chose his favorite picture book about a boy and his dog. After she sat on the sofa, he climbed up next to her and snuggled close. Her heart overflowed with love. With her arm around him, she started reading.
The book was funny and had a great life lesson about friendship. She loved how Ethan participated, pointing to the pictures and talking about how the boy and the dog were like him and Loki.
When she finished, he peered up at her. “You can tuck me in, if you want.”
“I would love to.” She rose and extended her hand. “What about Uncle Prescott?”
“He can come too.”
“I love being an add-on,” Prescott said.
As they climbed the stairs, with Prescott bringing up the rear, he caressed her ass. A hit of adrenaline charged through her. She needed him, but she’d become obsessed with tracking down Maul.
Since Ethan’s new bedroom set wasn’t going to be delivered for another two weeks, they’d pulled the double mattress from one of the spare bedrooms, and placed it on the floor in his bedroom.
“I like my new bed,” Ethan said as he lay down. “It’s so big and there’s room for Loki too.”
Loki hopped up and laid down. Ethan patted him. “It’s time for sleep, Loki.”
After kissing him goodnight, Jacqueline waited in the doorway for Prescott.
“Have a good sleep,” Prescott said. “I love you, bud.” He kissed Ethan’s forehead and patted Loki.
She and Prescott returned to the first floor, and she eased onto a stool at the kitchen island.
“You’ve been working nonstop,” Prescott said. “When are you going to give this Maul thing a rest?”
“When he’sreallydead,” she replied. “I found a hospital in Alexandria that treated a John Doe with two gunshot wounds to his back. I reached out to two judges for search warrants, but I haven’t heard back yet.”
“I’m calling Stryker,” Prescott said. “He owes me hospital surveillance from when Sally was killed.”
He dialed, put the call on speaker.
“Hello,” Stryker said, his voice hoarse.
“You don’t sound good.”
“I’ve been sick all week. I’m skipping the rehearsal dinner tomorrow night, so I can go to the wedding Saturday.”
“Good call,” Prescott said.
“I’m sorry I don’t have any more surveillance for you. I can ask Danielle—”
“Just get better,” Prescott said. “See you Saturday.” He hung up and shook his head. “We are not getting a break. I’ll see if Danielle can hack into the hospital’s surveillance system.”
