Rebel eased onto the carpeted floor. After helping the little one put together his dinosaur puzzle, he finished his coffee.
“Can I show Uncle Joaquin my new outfit?” Sammy asked. “It’s soooo pretty.”
“Of course,” Providence said as she mouthed, “Sorry,” to Rebel.
Sammy took his hand, then Graham popped up off the floor. “Me, too.”
Graham took his other hand. Sammy led the way.
“You’re sending me into the trenches without backup?” Rebel asked.
Dakota and Providence laughed.
“We’re having our moment of Zen,” Providence replied.
Up the stairs they went and into Sammy’s bedroom. Laid out on the bed was a pink dress. She pointed. “It’s my favorite.”
“Very pretty,” he said. “You’re going to look beautiful in it.”
“Can you stay for my party?”
“I’m sorry, honey. I can’t, but I’ll come back as soon as I can, and I’ll bring you a birthday present. How’s that?”
“Me too?” Graham asked.
“You too,” Rebel replied.
As they were heading back down the hallway, Graham said, “This is my room.”
He stepped into Graham’s bedroom, admired the railroad track that ran the perimeter. “Great train, Graham.”
Graham pointed to a wall switch. “Can you put it on?”
Rebel flicked it up, and the engine started chugging down the track. The tyke squealed with delight, jumping up and down. Rebel cracked a smile. For a few precious minutes, he was getting a reprieve from the hellish nightmare that had enveloped him.
These kids weren’t even his, and he wanted to protect them from all the evil lurking in the world.
When I’m a dad, I’ll probably lose my ever-lovin’ mind, I’ll be so protective.
A few minutes later, they returned to the family room, Providence was sitting on Dakota’s lap.
Rebel chuffed out a laugh. “I leave you two alone for ten minutes and you’re working on kid number three.”
They laughed.
“Busted,” Dakota replied.
Providence stood. “Why don’t you two chat in Dakota’s office? I’ll keep the kids busy in here.”
In his office, Dakota eased onto the sofa. Rebel sat in the leather chair.
“My cousin was murdered,” Rebel began.
“Ah, Jesus, I’m sorry,” Dakota said.
“His fiancée was the Alphabet Killer’s fifth victim. She has a Y on her forehead.”
Dakota moved to his desk, opened his laptop. Several clicks later, he said, “Karen Woodside with ALPHA is working the case.”
