It wouldn’t change the need to find a family in danger.
Jax said, “At least it gives us somewhere to start.”
Ryson paused, cutting into the brownies. “Civil War generals?”
“Yep,” Jax said.
Even Maizie looked interested. Zeyla had her attention on the brownies, like she wanted to grab a handful and shove them in her mouth. Kenna didn’t blame her because they had a caramel drizzle on top and smelled amazing.
Preston said, “So, we look for crimes with the same MO, right? Civil War general aliases, and burned off fingerprints?”
“It’s somewhere to start,” Kenna said. “First thing tomorrow.”
“Sounds good. I’ll be there soon.” Preston ended the call.
She smiled. “Preston is turning into an honest-to-goodness investigator.”
“Just don’t ask him to hack a computer system,” Maizie said. “He has no clue about technology.”
Zeyla glanced aside to look at her. “It isn’t something anyone can do. Your skills are pretty amazing.”
Maizie looked like she wanted to hug the other woman. Kenna kind of wanted to see her try.
“Brownie time.” Valentina seemed determined to get them to clock off for the day and was giving it a valiant effort.
“Good idea.” Kenna nodded.
Zeyla said, “I think anytime might be brownie time.”
Jax chuckled. “Too much of a good thing makes it not a good thing.”
“Maybe when it comes to brownies,” Ryson said. “But not everything.”
Luci flung her toy, and it landed on the floor, which was unexpected enough it caused her to start crying. Jax shoved his seat back. “Hey, girl.” He rounded the table and held his hands out for a second so she could see he wanted to pick her up.
She lifted her arms, and he drew her out of the booster and into his arms.
“You wanna get your toy?” Jax tipped her so she could reach for it, then drew her back up dramatically. She squealed with delight.
Kenna watched the whole thing, soaking it in.
“Want me to throw this at your head?” Ryson held a spoon with a bite of brownie like he was going to use it as a catapult.
“That would be a waste of brownie.”
Valentina laughed, passing bowls. “Someone talk about something other than murder, or I’m going to get a deck of cards and teach you all how to play something.”
Kenna glanced around at these people, her heart full of love for her family. Those she spent all her time with, and others she missed dearly. They would all be a part of her daughter’s life.
Lord willing.
Chapter Twenty-One
Washington, DC, Federal Courthouse
Present Day
“That’s what happens when an evil group of people terrorize others because they believe they can do whatever they want,” Kenna said. “As if the simple fact of how long they’ve been in existencemeansthey can do whatever they want.”
