“Good, because I found Uncle Charlie.”
Silence.
“Were you working your cases while on leave?” His tone changed from chipper to serious.
“My sister and her newborn were kidnapped and I—”
“What?”
After providing him with a high-level overview, she said, “This is much bigger than I’d anticipated. Charlene Caraway is running what appears to be a very successful, very profitable baby farm.”
“Dear God,” he said. “Do you need a warrant?”
“The police are getting one, but if you can do it faster, I’ll take it.”
“Let me see what I can do,” he said and hung up.
Evangeline slipped into the back seat beside Hannah. “The police are searching for Charlene. How are you guys doing?”
“I’m okay.” Hannah smiled at her son, cradled in her arms. “Robert is safe.” Tears filled her eyes. “Thank you both so, so much.”
Sanchez smiled. “Thisis why I love my job.” She glanced toward the building. “Let me see if I can wrangle a paramedic.” She opened the door. “Be right back.”
After Sanchez shut the SUV door, Evangeline said, “I’m so sorry I left you.”
“This is not on you,” Hannah replied. “I’m grateful you guys found us, and that Sinclair isn’t dead.”
Despite the adrenaline pounding through her, Evangeline shot her a brief smile. “Me, too.” Then, her smile fell away. “There were several newborns in there. Can you confirm that’s Robert?”
After unsnapping his onesie and moving his diaper out of the way, she pointed to a tiny mole on his hip. “Even if he didn’t have that mark, I would recognize my own child. This is definitely my baby.” She smiled down at him while she dressed him. “Hi, sweet baby. Mommy loves you so much.” The happiness in her eyes fell away. “I let Charlene in. I never should have done that.”
“Don’t go there, Hannah. No one suspected her. I’m guessing she drugged you and brought you here.”
As she nodded, her lower lip quivered. “She stopped by to deliver presents, which she said she left in the car. She made herself coffee and me an herbal tea. While we were chatting, I started feeling woozy. She insisted on taking me to the doctor. I have a hazy memory of putting on my coat. Next thing I remember, I was sitting in that room with Robert, but the door was locked from the outside.” Hannah started trembling. “When the nurse took Robert, I was powerless to stop her.”
Leaning over, Evangeline hugged her. “I’m so sorry.”
“Charlene told me my son was worth a quarter of a million dollars, but I was worthless and would have made a terrible mom.”
“What a bitch.”
“I’m afraid to go home,” Hannah said. “Where’s Joey?”
Evangeline’s guts churned as she stared into Hannah’s eyes. “You trust me, right?”
“Oh, my God, yes. Of course, I do.”
“He won’t be hounding you for Robert.”
“What does that mean?” she asked, furrowing her brow.
“You know I can’t talk about my work. Just focus on your beautiful child and forget about him, okay?”
Hannah snuggled her son. “As far as I’m concerned, Joey Thomason never existed.” When she lifted her face, determination shone in her eyes. “Charlene was going to kill me, wasn’t she?”
Evangeline squeezed her hand. “She can’t hurt you now, either, Hannah.”
“Where is she?”
