Page 73 of Heart of a Hero

“Those with a lot to lose would give him up in a heartbeat. It makes me think Alan is dealing outside the area.”

“Something is keeping him in the area,” Mark said. “Carla?”

“Maybe because she had a place for the kids and didn’t want to uproot them again,” John proposed.

“She was a shit mom,” Mark grumbled, scrubbing his hand over his face. “Although, if Alan was keeping her strung out on drugs, I guess she might not have known how bad things were there.”

“How are the kids?” Colt asked.

He’d already answered the question for the other detectives in the bullpen that had crowded around this morning, concern on their faces. Looking at his boss and friends, he gave the same answer. “They’re in a helluva lot better place as of yesterday. Karen opened her house and heart, her girls gave selflessly, and the AL and Auxiliary donated furniture, clothes, and food, so the kids had a good night.” He chuckled, then added, “I brought Benji and my dad over last night for a meal and to let the kids play some. Benji and Marty seemed to bond, and God knows that Karen’s youngest, Olivia, has never met a stranger. I think Zannie was in heaven last night.”

“What do they need?” Colt asked. “We can take up a collection or ask people for gift cards.”

Mark shook his head. “I gathered what I could from their home, and Karen washed everything salvageable. A few things were too old, worn, or stained, so she tossed those out. Let me check with her to see what they need.”

Colt nodded, then asked, “Were you surprised that Karen was a certified foster parent?”

A sound escaped Mark’s lips that he didn’t recognize—an incredulous scoff mixed with a chuckle. “Yeah, but when I got over the initial surprise, I could easily see it.” He shifted in his seat. “We’ve shared about our pasts… about our former spouses. We were both lucky to have had good marriages before. In many ways, we’re similar. Former military, widowed, single parents. She had just a few minutes to fill me in yesterday, but she said she and her husband were emergency foster parents, usually for a few nights until a more permanent placement could be found.I know that her being a nurse was good because if it were a case of an injured child, she would be excellent at taking care of them for a few days or weeks. She said that once they had Olivia, she pulled their names off the list. When she moved here, she kept her certification but hadn’t put her name on the official list, just feeling it wasn’t the right time.”

Brad smiled. “And yesterday was the right time.”

Mark nodded as he looked at the others in the room. “Yeah, it was.”

“Okay, back to what we have,” Colt said. “Brad, you and Elizabeth keep looking into the burglaries. Mark, you and John stick to the Perkins case. As much as you hate doing it, you need to see if the kids ever heard anything that would lead us to where Carla and Alan have gone or what they were up to with the drugs that were found. Even a first name or a description of someone would be good.”

“Karen has the kids in school today. I got a text from her just before I came into the meeting that all went well.” He looked at John. “I don’t want to interrupt their school day?—”

“No, you’re right,” John agreed, heartily shaking his head. “How about at Karen’s once everyone is home?”

“Damn, she said she was taking them to ShopMart. The kids need some clothes.” Mark looked at Brad. “If Karen is no longer a suspect in the burglaries, do you want to interview her again?”

Brad’s brows lifted to his forehead.

“Seriously,” Mark continued. “She said that yesterday, before the day went fucking crazy at Roscoe Jefferson’s place, she was trying to think through who might be unwittingly giving information.” He paused and sucked in a deep breath. “I think she was even coming up with some answers that made her uncomfortable… meaning she may have some vital information for us… sorry… foryou.”

“I could use her insight now that she’s not so freaked about us interviewing her, but yesterday was a lot on her,” Brad said.

“We need that information,” Colt interjected. “Go for it. I think Karen can handle the pressure even though I’m sorry she must.”

“She’s taking today off, so she’ll be at home,” Mark said. “But I’d like Brad to let her know he’s coming over. I know her day was going to be busy.”

“That’s not a problem. In fact, you can give her a call,” Brad said.

Mark leaned back in his chair, then cracked his neck side to side. “Man, I thought yesterday was busy, but it looks like today won’t be much different.” He pulled out his phone and placed the call. As soon as she picked up, she greeted him with a soft, “Hey.”

As always, he felt it in his chest. “Hey, back. Listen, I’m at the station. Brad wants to talk to you again to get your take on some of the people you work with. Can he come by?”

“I’d rather come into the station if that’s okay,” she replied.

His chin jerked in surprise. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’ll be more prepared than I was last time. And I’d rather it not be here. I’d rather keep the house as my happy place if that makes any sense.”

“Absolutely. Whatever you want.” He looked over at Brad. “She wants to come here. When do you want her?”

“Now is good. Tell her thanks,” Brad said.

Mark relayed the information, then breathed easier when Karen seemed good with what they were setting up.

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