Page 115 of The Advocate’s Ultimatum

“No,” JP said quietly. “Not maybe.”

A knock sounded at the door.

They both looked up. Elaine, the receptionist, stood there holding a padded envelope. “This came messenger delivery. No return name.”

Sabre took it, and Elaine left.

JP stood. “Were you expecting presents?”

“No.”

She opened it carefully. Inside was a small jewelry box wrapped in tissue. Sabre’s hands slowed as she lifted the lid.

A child’s silver charm bracelet lay inside. It was old and tarnished with seven attachment loops, but only six charms.

Sabre’s breath caught.

JP stepped closer. “Do you know it?”

Her fingers hovered above the bracelet but didn’t touch it. “It belonged to Hannah.” Then she pointed to the empty ring. “I gave her that one when she went home, the day they reunified her.”

Her voice was thinner now, far away. “It was a ladybug.”

JP looked back at the bracelet. There was no note and no threat.

“Ladybugs always find their way home,” Sabre whispered.

JP turned sharply. “What’d you say?”

Sabre was staring at the missing space where the charm used to be. “That’s what I told Hannah when I gave her the charm. And that was the last thing Bay said to me today.”

Chapter 44

Wednesday late afternoon

Sabre looked from the bracelet to JP. She hadn’t touched it. Her hands stayed flat against the desk, as if contact with the thing might make it more real.

“A ladybug?” he said.

Sabre nodded, her eyes still fixed on the empty loop where the missing charm should have hung. “That spot is right where I clipped it.”

“We’re not sitting on this,” JP said.

Sabre was already reaching for her phone. “Detective Nelson,” came the answer after three rings.

“It’s Sabre Brown.”

“The attorney?”

“The same one who told you your murder suspect wanted me instead of counsel.”

JP smirked faintly.

Nelson sighed into the line. “What do you need?”

“I received something tonight that is tied to an old missing-child case and possibly tied to your current homicide.”

“How tied?”