Piece of My Heart (Under Suspicion #7) - Mary Higgins Clark Page 0,102

Michelle Carpenter’s expression when she realized that he was set on finding the baby she had given up. She had begged him not to go looking for him. Like Roseanne four years ago. Like Marcy Buckley now.

These were mothers willing to die for the children they loved.

She might not be related to him by blood, but this woman loved his son as much as any child could hope to be loved.

“Get up, Danny!” he ordered.

“No, no, no, no.” Marcy threw herself frantically across the boy’s body on the sofa. “Please, no!”

“Move!” he yelled. “Go outside. Right now.”

Both Marcy and the boy froze in confusion. “I’m talking to Johnny,” he said calmly, forcing himself to use the name given to his son by the Buckleys. “Stand up and go outside and wait. I promise you that your mother will be fine.”

Marcy rose to her feet and pulled Johnny to his feet, giving him a tight hug. “Do what he says, Johnny. For me. You’re so brave. I love you so much.”

“Listen to your mom,” Daniel said. “And remember one thing, Johnny. No matter what you hear, or what you learn, I wasn’t always like this. Something happened that changed me, which means you’ll never be like me, okay?”

Daniel could tell that the words only confused the boy, but he hoped that one day, he would understand. At least he wouldn’t be scarred by the sight of what was about to happen here.

“You’re going outside first, Johnny,” Charlie said. “And your mom and Auntie Laurie are going to join you real soon. I promise.”

His eyes full of worry, Johnny finally let go of his mother and began to walk backward slowly. Daniel felt his heart break once again as he watched his son walk out the door to begin the rest of his life.

* * *

Leo had not heard anything since Charlie had followed Laurie inside. And then just as he heard the unmistakable sound of Laurie’s voice yelling “Drop it!” he finally managed to spring the trap open, freeing his leg.

He reached for the knob of Daniel Turner’s back door but then stopped himself, wincing from the pain shooting through his ankle. He tried to place weight on his injured leg, but couldn’t do it. He didn’t have a gun, and he could barely walk. He suspected a broken bone. As desperately as he wanted to run to Laurie, he was terrified that his sudden appearance would make matters worse. He’d never forgive himself if he got Laurie killed by acting too rashly.

He was about to open the door when he heard another voice. “Help! Somebody… help!! Is anyone here?”

It was Johnny, and he was outside. Limping, Leo made his way to the side of the house, following the sound of Johnny’s voice. Spotting Johnny in the driveway, running toward the street, he let out a loud whistle. Johnny jumped in response to the sound. When his head turned in Leo’s direction, Leo waved for him to move toward the wood line.

When their paths finally met, Leo felt his eyes moisten as the boy grabbed him in the tightest hug imaginable.

“My mom.” His words were frantic, his breath warm against Leo’s face. “She’s in there with the bad man. And Aunt Laurie, too. And another policeman.”

“Shhh. We’re not going to let anything happen to your mom, okay? And your daddy got here, too. Let’s go find him.” Laurie had shared their exact location with Andrew via her cell phone when they parked the car, and Andrew was convinced his years as a Boy Scout would help him navigate his way through the woods from there. “He’s going to be so happy to see you.”

Leo took Johnny’s hand to lead him away from the house. Just as he spotted Andrew heading toward them, they heard the sound of a single gunshot boom across the treetops.

* * *

The last nine days had felt like years, but the nightmare ended quickly. There would be no Day Ten of their terror.

Marcy ran out the front door within seconds of the gunshot. Charlie Turner yelled at Laurie to follow her. “Go!” he ordered.

Marcy’s voice sounded almost primal as she called out for her son.

“Johnny!! Where are you? Johnny! Mama’s here now. It’s safe to come out—I promise!”

“We’re here!” Johnny’s voice echoed across the treetops.

Laurie watched as Johnny and his father emerged from the woods moments later. Marcy fell to her knees on the dirt path, pulling her son tightly against her. Andrew stroked Johnny’s hair, reassuring