Page 8 of Stand By You
Nick nodded. “That is great for you. Now back to these letters. You said they were from different postmark locations, but what about the handwriting? Were they the same?”
“They were printed. Laser using the same font style,” she said.
“Stamps on the envelope?”
“American flag. The envelopes were the peel and seal type, so no licking for any touch DNA from saliva,” she said.
“How could you tell they were the peel and seal type?” he asked.
“Those are always straight across, whereas regular ones are V-shaped,” she said.
“True,” he agreed. “You are very observant, Miss Grant.”
“I have to be as a Nanny to a little boy,” she said. “Travis is a great kid, but do you know what mischief he’d get into if I wasn’t?”
Nick chuckled. “I can only imagine.”
“Exactly.”
“Where is he today?” Nick asked.
“He’s on a field trip at Zoo Miami with Playland Day Camp,” she said. “However, Detective Simons received a call that there had been a child abduction at the zoo, and he rushed away, or he would have still been here when you came. I’m worried that the abduction could be Travis. Detective Simons said I am jumping to conclusions.”
Nick nodded. “I understand your concern. I’ll reach out to my Brotherhood Protector contacts and see what I can find out on this account and if it should be Travis, I’ll call in more help. We won’t leave it up to the police.”
“You’d do that?” Jillian said.
“Absolutely. Mr. McGinty would expect nothing less from his old pal Hank Patterson.”
“Old pal?” Jillian repeated.
“He served with Hank and my boss Kenneally.”
“I see.”
“So, as I see it, I need to do everything in my power to keep you and Travis safe and if he has been abducted then I need to bring him home in one piece.”
Jillian tried to smile, but found the swelling made it difficult. “Thank you.”
“Now. You get some rest. That is what is going to get you out of this hospital room and back home quicker than anything. I’m going to find a nurse to get an update on your situation,” Nick said.
“Good luck,” she said.
He chuckled before leaving the room.
She closed her eyes, aware that her racing heart had slowed and the tightness in her shoulders had relaxed. She hadn’t even noticed her shoulders had been that tense. “Maybe having a Brotherhood Protector to help isn’t such a bad idea,” she murmured as sleep folded around her. “’specially one so handsome.”
Jillian’s eyes fluttered open,and she was surprised that the sun was shining brightly into the room making it much warmer than it had been earlier. She turned her head and found Nick sitting in the chair beside her bed. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Several hours now, which is good,” he said.
“Any word from Detective Simons?” she asked.
“No. But I put a call in asking for an update since I was checking in with him,” Nick explained. “I’m hoping he will call me back eventually.”
Jillian yawned. “Sorry. I shouldn’t be tired after sleeping so much.”
“You have been through a traumatic situation. Your body is trying to adjust,” Nick said. “I did speak to the head nurse, and she said that Physical Therapy was supposed to come see you sometime today to get you up and walking.”
