Gone Too Far (Devlin & Falco #2) - Debra Webb Page 0,129

her son, and she took yours.” The old woman pulled something from a pocket in her skirt and thrust it at Sadie. It was a small photo of her and Eddie. “I did what I could. I have shown him this picture every day of his life. I have kept him safe from his sister and other threats until this day came. I knew it would come.”

Sadie looked from the child to the woman, long-dormant emotions crowding inside her. “I don’t know what to say.”

The healer smiled and turned to the boy. “Esta es tu madre.”

Sadie’s breath caught. She closed her eyes a moment, certain this had to be a hallucination.

“This is your son,” she said to Sadie.

Sadie forced her eyes open. They were still there, the three of them, including the beautiful boy. It wasn’t another hallucination.

“His name is Edward. He belongs with you now.”

Sadie couldn’t speak, much less move. She could only stare at this child with his beautiful dark hair, his big gray eyes.

The driver went to the back of the SUV and removed two suitcases and placed them on the sidewalk next to the boy.

“You will find his papers there,” the old woman said. She looked down at the boy. “Go to your madre, Edward.”

The boy took the few steps that separated him from Sadie. He looked up at her and smiled.

Sadie dropped to her knees, every part of her bursting with some foreign emotion that overwhelmed all else. “Nice to meet you, Edward.”

He nodded and offered his hand.

Sadie took his hand in hers and gave it a shake. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

“Take good care of him.”

Sadie looked beyond the boy to the old woman. “I’ll do my best.”

The healer gave a final nod, and the driver assisted her back into the vehicle. He slid behind the wheel and drove away.

Sadie stared down at this child. Her child. Her son.

I allowed them to keep something I shouldn’t have. But I’ve made it right now.

Her father had traded whatever deal the feds might have offered him for her son—the son no one else knew existed . . . the one she thought had died.

More of those overpowering sensations fired through her. Her chest felt so full she could scarcely breathe. Whatever she was feeling, she understood that when the shock wore off, it would evolve into sheer terror.

What did she know about kids? She had no idea what to feed him or . . . anything. She couldn’t possibly be a good mother.

Sadie dragged in a deep breath and reached for his hand. “Let’s take your things and go inside. Then we’ll go meet some friends of mine.”

Devlin was a good mom. She would know what to do.

50

8:15 p.m.

Devlin Residence

Twenty-First Avenue South

Birmingham

Kerri watched Falco and Tori going at it with whatever video game they were playing. Put a game controller in his hand, and Falco turned into a big kid.

He’d made the most amazing rice and orange chicken for dinner. They’d devoured the meal as if they were starving. And maybe they were, a little. More for the unfettered companionship than the food. The past week had been hell, but it was over now.

Kerri was taking a couple of weeks off. She and Tori were going on another vacation. This time Falco was going with them. Warmth and a kind of happiness that made her feel giddy spread through Kerri at the thought. She didn’t know where this relationship between her and Falco was going, but she was ready to take the risk and explore it.

She had called Diana and Jen and given them the good news that the nightmare was finally over. She’d also shared her little secret about Falco going on vacation with her and Tori. Kerri had never heard such uninhibited squealing.

Eventually, she and Falco would figure this all out, and life would get back to normal.

Whatever normal was for a couple of detectives who spent most of their time investigating homicides.

The doorbell rang, and Kerri wandered to the door. She peeked around the blind, and Cross gave her an odd little wave.

“Looks like Cross decided to join us,” Kerri called out to the others as she unlocked the door.

“Better late than never!” Falco tossed back.

Kerri pulled the door open, and Cross had the strangest look on her face. Kerri blinked, realizing she hadn’t come alone.

A child—a little boy, maybe three or four—stood next to her. “Hey,” Kerri said to the child before her questioning gaze shot back to the other woman’s.

“This is my son, Edward.” Unadulterated terror shone in her eyes. “I’ll explain later.” Cross took a big breath and pasted on a wide smile. “I’m determined to do this right—I have to—but I have no idea where to start. I was hoping you could help.”

Her son? But her baby . . . wow. Kerri reminded herself to breathe. This was incredible. She smiled, grateful for one more good thing to have come of these tragedies. “Come on in. I think we can figure this out.”

She ushered Sadie and her son inside and made the introductions. Falco did a good job of recovering quickly from his own shock. Tori immediately got down on her knees and started talking to the little boy, who spoke perfect English.

They solved complicated, high-profile homicides every day. She and Falco could certainly handle whipping Cross into a good mommy in no time.

“Come on,” Kerri said to Cross, “we have a lot to talk about.”

Maybe that vacation would have to wait a bit.

Sadie Cross was pretty much family now.

And family came first.

Always.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

There are many amazing authors out there who write incredible series. I have too many favorites to name. When I first started writing with the hope of publication, I created a cast of characters I wanted to expand into a series. Thankfully, that dream saw fruition, and I went on to write many multibook series. I always fall in love with my characters—it’s my weakness—and I like keeping them around for a while. They become a part of my life.

But it’s really you, the reader, who allows me that privilege. Thank you so very much for buying and reading my books. You have given me the opportunity to live the dream of a lifetime. I was nine when I wrote my first story, and from that moment I knew—no matter what else happened in my life—I would continue writing stories, if only for my own entertainment. I am so very grateful that I can write my stories for you. I hope you enjoy this one as well as all the ones to come. I plan to write many, many more.

Oh, and please do leave a review at Amazon. It means so very much.

Cheers!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Photo © 2019 Jenni M Photography LLC

Debra Webb is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 150 novels. She is the recipient of the prestigious Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense as well as numerous Reviewers’ Choice Awards. In 2012 Webb was honored as the first recipient of the esteemed L. A. Banks Warrior Woman Award for courage, strength, and grace in the face of adversity. Webb was also awarded the distinguished Centennial Award for having published her hundredth novel. She has more than four million books in print in many languages and countries.

Webb’s love of storytelling goes back to her childhood, when her mother bought her an old typewriter at a tag sale. Born in Alabama, Webb grew up on a farm. She spent every available hour exploring the world around her and creating her stories. Visit her at www.debrawebb.com.