Page 215 of Allegiance

Sometimes, it felt as if the house was alive and had its own personality.

“I hate that,” Zayn said. “No one likes living in a haunted house,” he admitted.

The irony was that the whole town was technically haunted, and they knew it.

Before anyone could say more, MATE announced her arrival.

Well, video arrival.

“Deputy Director Blackhawk. Incoming video call. Screen two.”

Zayn sighed.

“Yep. The house is haunted by a wicked bitch.”

Her face appeared on the screen and unfortunately for Zayn, she’d heard him.

“So is that hollow jack-o-lantern head of yours, Zayn. It’s got the ghosts of knowledge never obtained.”

Jagger laughed.

“She gets you every time. Use your inside-the-head voice to yourself. It’s less embarrassing for you.”

Ehhh, no thank you.

Busting Blackhawk ass was part of the fun.

“What’s up?” Maura asked, noticing that she was in her home office.

How did they know?

There was a piece of furniture with a ton of pictures of all of her kids behind her.

And a little one in her lap.

Dolly.

“What isn’t up?” Elizabeth asked, as the little mop-haired girl colored in a book on the desk. “I just got home, and I received a call. I thought I’d update you.”

“In front of the little one?” Zayn asked. “Are you trying to scare her before bed?”

She tapped Dolly on the shoulder, and the little girl looked up at her.

Then, she began signing and speaking so that The Hunters could hear what she was telling the child.

“Dolly, say hello to the nice people that are momma’s friends.”

The little girl smiled brightly, and she signed something.

“Dolly said it’s nice to meet you. Got cookies?” she asked.

Zayn’s big, old, mean heart melted.

How could it not?

He was a fighter for the underdog, and this little one had been handed a disability. That broke his dad heart.

“She’s beautiful.”