WATCHING (8 page)

“
Probably bring her flowers
,
”
Georgia said.

“
Yes
.
”

“
There
’
s hope for Katherine, isn
’
t there
?
”

He barely heard the words, but he heard the pain beneath them. He dropped a hand to cover the one resting on the credenza between them.
“
Georgia, remember that Katherine
’
s one of the lucky ones. She
’
s alive and she has a family who loves her. There is always hope
.
”

Chapter
8

****

The next day dawned cold and bright. Georgia was one of the first ones in the motel
’
s parking lot, being joined minutes later by Jules.

“
George. Damn, it
’
s cold out here
.
”
The native Florida girl shivered, even beneath the thick knit sweater and twill coat she wore. Jules had always complained about the cold.

“
It is. I
’
m starving, how about breakfast
?
”
Georgia motioned toward the small diner that had provided all the teams
’
meals since their arrival. It was your typical country diner, serving plenty of meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes, plus a wide range of breakfast fare twenty-four hours a day.
“
I
’
ll buy this time
.
”

“
I
’
m up. Did you find anything good last night at that bar
?
”
Jules asked. She pulled the hand knit hat down tighter over her ears, leaving only the ends of brown hair visible.

“
Not really. Ran into the victim
’
s brother. And the man she
’
d told us about, but learned nothing about the UNSUB. This guy blends in
.
”
Georgia smiled at the middle-aged waitress as she and Jules settled into a small booth near the front window.

“
And what does that tell you
?
”
Jules removed the hat and Georgia realized the other woman already had a pencil stuck behind one ear, the end showing chew
scars. Black-rimmed glasses hid her hazel eyes to some degree. Her clothes were non-descript and functional. Not the least bit attention
grabbing. Not like the Jules Georgia remembered. Georgia said nothing, though. Jules would have to heal in her own way.

Georgia
’
s cell rang and she grabbed it, expecting it to be Hellbrook. It wasn
’
t.

“
Dad
.
”
She felt the smile hitting her face as her father gave her a quick run-down on the two most important men in her life.
“
He did? Let me talk to him
.
”

It took what seemed like forever for the little voice Georgia loved so much to sound through the phone. She hit the speaker button and placed the phone on the table between her and Jules.
“
Hi
,
Matthew! Guess what? Aunt Jules is here with Mommy. Can you say hi
?
”

“
Hi, Aunt Jules! I missed you! Are you helping my mommy catch the bad guys
?
”
Matthew
’
s voice was always at a high decibel and full of excitement. Damn, she missed him. So very much.

“
I sure am, Mad-Matt. What are you doing today
?
”
Jules asked, leaning closer to the cell.

“
I
’
m looking at pictures of puppies. For Grandpa. He needs a puppy for when he
’
s alone. You know, when I
’
m at home with my mommy. Grandpa needs a little puppy. I don
’
t want grandpa to be lonely, do you
?
”

“
No, of course not. But shouldn
’
t your grandpa be the one picking out a puppy if he
’
s going to get one
?
”
Jules asked as dark shadows fell over their booth. Both women looked up to see Hellbrook and Malachi Brockman looking down at them. Georgia put a finger to her lips then motioned to her cell. Both men nodded. Georgia felt uncomfortable as she slid over making room in her side of the booth for Hellbrook to slide in, Malachi taking the seat next to Jules.

Both men focused their attention on her cell, with curiosity in their eyes. Georgia was struck again by how damned attractive the two men were. Good looks, great bodies, and the look of natural leaders, Malachi and Hellbrook were drawing the eyes of several of the locals, women and men alike. The diner had been flooded with curiosity seekers since word had spread of the teams
’
arrivals. And most of that attention was now focused on their table. Georgia felt those eyes.

“
Since he
’
s the one who will have to take care of it,
”
Jules told Matthew.

“
Oh, no. I promised grandpa I
’
d help him. I
’
m a good helper, Aunt Jules
.
”
The little voice turned solemn.
“
Just ask my mommy. I helps all the time
.
”

“
I will
.
”
Jules
’
eyes sparked with a touch of humor.

“
Maybe you could help me and grandpa convince my mommy that a puppy is a good idea
?
”
A hopeful, and childishly manipulative tone hit the little boy
’
s voice.

“
Matthew
—
I thought we
’
d talked about this
?
”
Georgia fought a full-blown laugh. Matthew had tried the same conversation on Ana several times in the last few months. Seems he thought that recruiting all his
‘
relatives
’
would convince her to get him a puppy.
“
You need to stop asking your aunts and uncle
s
to talk Mommy into it. We
’
ll get you a puppy when Mommy thinks you
’
re ready for one
.
”

His birthday was in two weeks, and Georgia had a
lready paid the deposit on a twelve
-week-old puppy who
’
d been born at the St. Louis animal shelter. For a generous donation, they
’
d agreed to board the dog until she could get it to a vet for immunizations and until the party.

“
But when will that be, Mommy? Tomorrow? I think I
’
m real ready for one!
”

“
Hi, Mattie,
”
Malachi said and Georgia smiled at him for distracting the child.

“
Uncle Mac-eye! You helping Mommy catch the bad guys, too
?
”

“
Sure am, buddy
.
”
Malachi smiled. Georgia was ever thankful for the dark-haired, blue-eyed man who
’
d been her unit chief before Hellbrook. He
’
d been a good friend, and had formed a close relationship with Matthew. Even though she was no longer on his team, Georgia had encouraged a relationship between her son and Malachi. He was a man she wanted Matthew to emulate.
“
What
’
s this about a birthday I hear is coming up
?
”

“
Two weeks! Then I
’
ll be growned up. You
’
re coming to my party, right
?
”

“
I sure am. If I don
’
t have to go catch bad guys, I
’
ll be there to help you open your presents,
”
Malachi said.

“
Awesome! I think Grandpa is getting me a new bike
.
”

“
Matthew, what makes you think that
?
”
Georgia shook her head. They
had
gotten him a new bike.

“
‘
Cause I founded it in Grandpa
’
s garage. He didn
’
t hide it real good
.
”

Georgia frowned. Matthew wasn
’
t allowed in the garage unattended.
“
Matthew, why were you in the garage without Grandpa
?
”

“
Uh-oh
.
”
An angelic quality hit his voice.
“
I was playing super
agent
, Mommy. Catching bad guys like you and Grandpa
.
”

“
Matthew, where was Grandpa when you were playing super
agent
?
”
Georgia asked in the tone that she knew mothers everywhere used with misbehaving little boys.
“
Tell me
.
”

“
Grandpa was at work
.
”
Guilt was evident for everyone to hear.
“
Rosa was making macaroni-and-cheese
.
”

“
Were you supposed to sneak away from Rosa
?
”

“
No, Mommy. And I gots in trouble, too. She wouldn
’
t let me watch
TV
for two whole days!
”

“
Good. You remember that. You have to mind Rosa like you do me and Grandpa, remember
.
”

“
Yes, Mommy
.
”
He paused a moment.
“
Mommy, I miss you. When are you coming home
?
”

“
As soon as I can, sweetheart
.
”
There was always a knife that went through her when she was away from him.
“
Mommy has to go now. Can you say goodbye to everybody? Agent Hellbrook
’
s here, too
.
”

“
Hi Mr. Giant!
”
Matthew had always viewed Georgia
’
s new unit chief with awe. He was the tallest man Matthew could ever recall seeing, though he
’
d only seen Hellbrook a handful of times.

“
Hello, Mr. Matthew
.
”

“
Grandpa says I has to hang
up now and go get ready for pre
school. He
’
s going to be the special reader today!
”

“
That
’
s sounds like fun, sweetheart. Goodbye, and I love you!
”
Georgia said. It had been her turn to read a story at the preschool, but her father was once again filling in for her. He was wonderful. She couldn
’
t raise Matthew without
him. Period.
“
Say good-bye now
.
”

“
Good-bye Mommy, Good-bye Aunt Jules, Uncle Mac-eye, and Mr. Giant! Catch all the bad guys real good!
”

Georgia clicked off the cell, once more reminded of why she did this job. It was to keep kids like her son safe and happy as long as possible.

“
So what are you getting him
?
”
Jules asked.

“
A new bike
.
”
Georgia smiled, shaking her head at how inquisitive the child was.
“
And a puppy. It
’
s already picked out and being boarded until the party
.
”

“
Finally gave in, did you
?
”
Malachi laughed.
“
What breed
?
”

“
Well, he
’
s always been drawn to a certain pair of beasts that somebody lets him play with. Points out every black and white dog with even a remote resemblance
.
”
She raised an eyebrow at the owner of those particular dogs.
“
So I found a Border collie puppy
.
”

“
Excellent choice. It
’
ll require some training, but it should be able to keep up with Mattie
.
”
Malachi nodded.
“
I
’
ll help, of course
.
”