Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (interesting books to read for teens TXT) 📕

“You sound like Stanton.” Melissa must have seen the shadow pass over her face. “Speaking of my brother, what’s going on with you two? He’s tight-lipped with me.”

“Nothing’s going on. He was so upset with himself that I was ever in danger with Jimenez. I haven’t been able to break through his wall, and he hasn’t spoken to me since the resort takedown.”

Melissa sighed. “My brother can be an ass. This is all his pride. He’ll come around, Dominique. I’ve no doubt you’re the love of his life. My only question is, is he yours?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.” She winked and Melissa laughed. They promised to get together for lunch soon and Dominique left the station. It was a perfect spring day with bright blue skies and a hint of warmth in the breeze that came off the lake. She couldn’t help smiling to herself at Melissa’s observations.

The tables had turned on her communications with Stanton. Unlike when she’d walked away from him two years ago, this time she was the one texting and calling him, leaving messages that went unanswered. Her one consolation was that he hadn’t blocked her.

Soledad had cared for her the first few days she’d been back in her apartment, and she appreciated it but they all knew the only person she wanted at her side was unable to be there, away licking his emotional wounds. Her father had promised to continue to avoid walking his boxer dogs in Grave Gulch Park, to her relief. Her twin had been a huge support and texted her frequently to keep her chin up and have faith that Stanton would be back.

All of these thoughts whirled in her mind as she left GGPD and walked to meet Desiree Colton to get the sketch artist’s story on spotting Randall Bowe. The colorful playground equipment caught her eye and she headed toward a bench where she saw the woman with a tiny tot, her son, Danny. Dominique’s heart constricted as she recalled Desiree’s son had been kidnapped back in January.

“Desiree, hey!” Dominique stood in front of the mother and child, smiling at Danny’s cherubic smile. The boy’s tiny hands clutched a plastic dinosaur to his chest as he leaned against his mom, his gaze looking up at Dominique in question. If she ever had a child, she’d never want them to go through what he had. Desiree’s eyes were bright and hopeful but the lines around them highlighted the hell she’d lived through.

“Hi, Dominique. Here, have a seat.”

“Mommy, I want swing.”

“Honey, play with your dinosaur here on the ground for a bit, then I promise I’ll push you.” Desiree hugged her son and guided him to a spot next to her feet.

The toddler plopped down and began to push the plastic beast through the wood chips, making growling noises.

“Godzilla has nothing on that dinosaur.”

Desiree smiled. “He loves it. Ever since...January, he hasn’t let go of it.”

“I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through, and I promise this won’t take long. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with me.”

“I would have sooner, but I had to have Chief’s go-ahead.” Desiree’s expression was apologetic.

“I understand.” She pulled out her notebook and reread her notes.

Desiree’s phone sounded and she fumbled in a large combo tote/diaper bag. “I can never find my phone when I want to.”

“I get it.” Dominique wrote down a couple of quick questions she wanted answered, but was interrupted by a high-pitched scream.

“Mooooommmmyyy!” Danny was halfway across the playground, tucked under the arm of a woman in a straw hat, yelling for Desiree. His chubby hands reached toward them on the bench.

“Danny!” Desiree yelled as she shot like a rocket from the bench and ran to him. The woman carrying Danny looked over her shoulder, spotted Desiree coming after them, and dropped the child as if he were nothing more than a pillow. The woman took off and disappeared through the trees at the end of the park. Shock and panic pulsated through Dominique as the unbelievable scene played out. Her hands shook and she remembered she had her phone, she could get help.

Dominique verified that Desiree had Danny in her arms before she pulled out her phone and dialed Melissa’s number. She reported the attempted kidnapping to Melissa, and when Desiree and Danny returned, handed the phone to Desiree. “It’s Chief Colton.”

Desiree’s hand shook and she wasn’t letting go of Danny. Dominique guided her to the bench and helped her sit down.

“Chief. It was this same woman I’ve seen before. I’ve actually seen her, in that hat and sunglasses, at this playground the last few days. It could have been Hannah.” Dominique knew Everleigh’s grandmother Hannah had kidnapped Danny once before. “I can’t deal with this. Do you think Danny’s being—” She cut herself off, obviously aware of Danny’s innocent ears. Desiree was clearly concerned that Danny was being targeted, that this attempt wasn’t random.

Dominique seethed with frustration and anger that Danny had been almost taken again. Desiree and he had been through enough. As soon as the call ended, Desiree’s eyes filled with tears.

“You’re okay? Danny’s okay, aren’t you, buddy?” Dominique did what she’d want Soledad to do if she was in the same situation. “Are they sending out a unit?”

Desiree nodded. “They’ll be here any second. Thank God.” She hugged her son to her, her grief at almost losing him a second time palpable.

“I’ll stay here until an officer arrives. And we’ll do the interview another time.”

“Oh no, we won’t. These awful people have had enough hold over all of us for too long.” Desiree looked at her with steely determination. “What do you want to know about Randall Bowe?”

* * *

Stanton went over his intended words, the phrases he’d memorized, again as he drove out to the de la Vega house. Thankfully, Rigo had agreed to his plan. He didn’t risk telling Soledad every detail as she’d tell Dominique in a Michigan minute, and this was one time