Page 8 of Lost Love Cove 3
Before Alisha could become overly suspicious again, Trent started edging her toward Dana. “Give Deputy Chief Whitaker Paula’s number and she’ll get in touch with her and find out where she’s taken the kids…”
Trent was interrupted when one of the other agents in the bullpen held out the phone to Dana. “It’s for you, Deputy Chief.” The woman’s eyes slid nervously toward Alisha before returning to Dana. “It’s the local authorities about the man in the mall.”
“Thank you,” Dana said. “I’ll take it in my office.” She turned to Alisha. “May I get that number?”
Alisha nodded and handed her phone to Dana, who took it and wrote it down on her hand. “Thank you.” She looked at Trent. “Agent Ryder, why don’t you show Ms. Parker to the locker rooms? One of the agents will bring her something dry to wear. The doctor should be here soon.” She smiled at Alisha. “As soon as I know anything, I’ll come find you.”
“Thank you,” Alisha said as Trent led her away.
It was not long after Trent and Alisha were both dry and sitting in the kitchen area having a coffee that Dr. Parrin walked in. The man reminded Trent of a young Tom Selleck, making his hackles rise for some reason, as the doctor's eyes softened the moment he landed on beautiful Alisha. After reluctantly letting Dr. Perrin look at her head, the doctor murmured. “Luckily, it’s not too deep.” He cleaned the wound with practiced care. “You won’t need stitches, and you don’t appear to be concussed.”
Trent lingered nearby. His muscles tightened as he watched Dr. Perrin’s hand brush Alisha’s temple. Irrational, he told himself.Completely irrational. But when she smiled faintly at Perrin’s reassurance, Trent’s gut twisted.
Get a grip, Trent.
He turned away, moving to the phone in the room, and tried to call his mother. But the phones were still down. The storm had severed everything.
Frustration gnawed at him. He needed to tell his mother they had found the kids and they were safe. He also needed to hear his mother’s voice, to confirm she was safe.
Behind him, Alisha murmured thanks to Dr. Perrin. Her voice was soft, tired, but laced with gratitude. When he looked back, she was sitting straighter, her wound dressed, color returning to her cheeks.
“You can call me, anytime, Ms. Parker,” Dr. Perrin told her, his tone filled with suggestion as he handed her a card.
“Thank you,” Alisha said. “But it’s Mrs. Decker.” She pulled a necklace from beneath her shirt with two rings on it.
“Your husband is a very lucky man,” Dr. Perrin relented. “But, you can still call me anytime should you feel any dizziness, nausea, or headaches.”
The man had absolutely no shame, Trent thought, fighting away the feeling of disappointment as he realized that Alisha was married.
As the doctor left, Dana walked back into the room.
“I have some good news. The suspect is in custody. Local PD has him, and I have requested, as Maggie is the niece of oneof our agents and Chief Ware, that he be transported here for interrogation once the storm passes.”
Alisha nodded, though her fists stayed clenched. “Why did he take them? Why my son and Maggie?”
Dana met her eyes steadily. “That’s what we intend to find out. For now, focus on the fact that they’re safe. Paula Day likely saved their lives tonight.”
“Did you get hold of Paula?” Alisha asked.
“Yes.” Dana nodded, her eyes darting toward Trent before going back to Alisha. “She has them. They are safe. Paula apparently has a house here in Key West that she’s taken them to and they’re safe in her basement waiting out the storm.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” Alisha breathed, visibly relaxing. Her eyes turned to Trent. “Thank you so much for all your help, Trent.”
“No problem,” Trent said, his pulse quickening at the beautiful smile that split her face. “But I hardly did anything. It’s this team you should thank.”
Alisha turned to Dana. “Yes, thank you, all of you.”
Dana gave her an encouraging smile. “We’re just glad we could help and that Mother Nature was on our side.”
The bullpen quieted as the storm outside howled louder. Trent stood watching Alisha as Dana explained that she should get some rest and that Alisha could use the room off Dana’s office, which had a bed in it. Dana led Alisha out of the room, and Trent watched her go, a storm of his own twisting inside his chest. Admiration. Fear. Something else he hadn’t let himself feel in years.
But he shoved it down. Now wasn’t the time, and Alisha was married.
4
CARRIE
The storm rattled the Carlton house as if the old structure were a ship caught in heavy seas, its wooden beams creaking in protest with each gust. Carrie lay awake, staring at the ceiling, as rain slapped against the boards, knocking against rattling shutters, and the wind whistled through the gaps around the window frames like a ghostly warning.
