Page 15 of False Evidence
She’d weaned Gemma before the start of the fall semester and, for the last two months, had slowly ceased milk production, but now her breasts ached with letdown. A physical pain to have her baby with her. Her body was ready to provide nourishment.
Gemma’s safe. She’s with Erica.
She lay in the pitch-dark room of the quiet house, breasts aching, nipples anticipating a latch that wouldn’t come. Wind rattled the windows softly, but it was an otherwise calm night. She shivered as she saw in her mind the cop lying on the pavement with a gunshot to his face and a pool of blood beneath his head.
He’d already been lying on the ground when he’d been shot.
Straight-up cold-blooded murder.
But who had done it? And why?
ChapterSix
JT’s first glimpse of Gemma Vargas came when Erica carried the sleeping baby into the garage to tuck her into the car seat. The lights had been dimmed for ease of transition, but he got a glimpse of short tufts of pale hair as the child slumbered against Erica’s chest just before she leaned into the open car door and deposited Gemma into her seat.
The girl made a sound, and Erica soothed her in a gentle voice he’d heard her use with Grace. “You’re going for a car ride with one of Mommy’s friends.”
“Mommy?”
“She’s not here yet, baby. JT will take good care of you while Mommy is gone.”
“Panny?”
Erica extracted herself from the vehicle and turned expectantly to Lee. He handed over a tattered stuffed toy that looked panda-ish. Erica handed the stufty to Gemma, and the girl grasped it tight, leaning her cheek on it as she settled in the seat.
Erica leaned in and kissed the girl and whispered, “Love you, Gemmy.”
The girl made a soft sound, then whispered, “Lovey.” Her eyes closed, and she appeared to nod off.
JT could barely breathe after watching the exchange.
He didn’t even knowwhyit got to him. He’d seen Erica’s love for Grace every time they were together. He’d just never imagined a similar affection between her and a baby who wasn’t even her child. Especially given that the one thing he’d had in common with Erica was her ambivalence over having children.
Erica closed the door as quietly as possible, then turned to JT. “Panny is her comfort toy. Goes with her to daycare every day, and she sleeps with it every night. Lose the panda at your own peril.”
“Got it.” He would duct tape the thing to Gemma if needed.
Erica looked back inside the car and swiped at a tear. “It’s probably good you’re taking her. I won’t be able to hide my fear from her much longer.”
Surely a baby couldn’t pick up on worry for Lex? Eat, sleep, play. That was a baby’s job.
Lee put his arm around Erica. “Keith is calling in the team, and Curt has influence with the FBI. Therewillbe a proper investigation.”
“A proper investigation means nothing if vigilante cops shoot Alexandra on sight.”
And that right there was JT’s top fear. The news had all but painted a target on Lex. They’d said the officer had a head wound and was already lying on the ground when he was shot.
There was no way in hell Alexandra Vargas had pulled that trigger.
After more than two hours of driving—that included a lengthy surveillance detection route as insisted upon by the CEO of Raptor—a loud shriek from the backseat made JT jump and nearly swerve on the dark highway.
The screaming continued, making JT wonder how such a small child had the lung capacity and decibel range.
“Hey there. Uh. Gemma…I’m…Uncle JT.” Should he call himself uncle? That was what Grace called him, but he actuallywasher uncle. Sort of.
The screaming continued, only pausing when she drew air into what must be magic lungs. Between screams, she hiccupped and cried, “Mommy! Mommy!”
“I’m your mommy’s friend.” Not really, but once upon a time, they’d been the center of each other’s world.