Page 67 of Burning Justice

“Let’s do this,” Brett said, then led the way inside.

Two other men were already waiting in the lobby—Gavin’s public defender, Anthony Manning, and another older man with gray hair whose lanyard proclaimed him to be Dr. Gene Franklin.

As introductions were made, Gemma took in the lobby, with its comfortable-looking beige sofas and tall potted plants sporting large white flowers she couldn’t identify. The place looked more like a tropical resort than a psychiatric treatment center and smelled more like a flower shop.

That thought amplified as they followed Dr. Franklin down a long, carpeted hallway with light-blue walls and framed photos of lush gardens and tranquil ocean settings. Some of the doors they passed were open. Inside those rooms, Gemma glimpsed double beds, round tables with padded chairs, and more framed photos on the walls.

“Here we are.” Dr. Franklin knocked softly on a door that had a brass plaque with the number 12 on it.

Gavin Aldrich opened the door, looking drastically better than when they’d last seen him in court. He wore fresh blue jeans and a white T-shirt. He was clean shaven, his eyes alert but wary.

“Gavin, how are you doing?” Brett shook hands with the kid, making Gemma realize he was trying to treat Gavin with respect and courtesy.

He shrugged. “Two hots and a cot.” His gaze remained guarded. Until he caught sight of Blaze sitting behind Brett. “Blaze!” Gavin knelt as Blaze pushed his way past Dr. Franklin and Manning.

Blaze licked Gavin’s face, eliciting a grin. Gavin looked up at Brett. “Thanks for bringing him.”

“No problem.” Brett gave Gavin more time to pet Blaze before asking, “Can we come in?”

Wordlessly, Gavin stood and led the way into his room.

“Hi, Gavin.” Gemma rested her hand briefly on the kid’s shoulder, taking heart when he bestowed her with a shy smile.

“This is my friend, Evan,” Brett said. “He’s with the FBI. He specializes in finding missing children.”

Gavin’s eyes went wide as he shook Evan’s hand. “Are you here to find Ally?”

“I’m gonna try. Let’s sit down.” He indicated the table by the windows. “I want to hear everything about your sister.”

Gavin nodded enthusiastically and for the first time showed an emotion other than anger, fear, or wariness. It was hope shining in his eyes now, and Brett and Evan had put it there. Brett was making good on his promise to the court that he would act as a form of “big brother” to Gavin, an authority figure who might be able to help set him on a path to recovery and finding a new life.

Evan unzipped his portfolio and took out a pen. “I need you to tell me everything that happened the night of the fire at your family’s house, right after you got out of the house, and then what happened in the days following. Before you were separated from Ally.”

At first, Gavin said nothing, chewing on his lower lip as he looked from his attorney to Dr. Franklin.

“It’s okay, Gavin,” Manning said. “You can’t be charged for setting that fire. It’s in the past.”

Still, Gavin didn’t speak. Brett made a barely perceptible gesture, but Gemma caught it, probably because she’d been watching Brett far too much lately.

He looked at Blaze, then tipped his chin in Gavin’s direction. Blaze walked unerringly behind Gemma’s and Evan’s chairs, then sat and rested his head on the kid’s lap. How he understood Brett’s command and exactly what was expected of him, she didn’t know. Canine ESP.

Much as he’d done at the pretrial services office, Gavin began petting Blaze’s head, stroking his ears, and started to talk.

“I made sure Ally got out,” he began. “We were on the sidewalk, watching it burn. Cops came and drove us to my aunt’s house. We were there for a few days, then a man and a woman came and took us someplace else.” He fisted one of his hands on the table. “Turned out my aunt and uncle didn’t want us. I guess I can understand them not wanting me, but Ally was a good girl. She never did anything wrong. It was my fault they didn’t want her. They were worried she’d turn out like me and burn their house down.”

Ever the consummate canine counselor, Blaze nuzzled Gavin’s hand, forcing the kid to keep petting his ears.

“Do you know where they took you and your sister?” Evan asked, and when Gavin shook his head, he added, “This place they took you to, was it near your house in Colorado Springs?”

“I think so.” Gavin nodded. “It didn’t take long to drive there, maybe ten minutes, but I wasn’t really paying attention.”

“That’s okay.” Evan jotted something on a pad. “There’s a kid’s center in Colorado Springs near where you used to live. I know people who work there.”

Manning handed Evan a sheet of paper. “This is the name and address of Gavin’s aunt and uncle. They still live in the Springs.”

“Thanks.” Evan tucked the sheet into his portfolio. “It sounds like you and Ally may have gone to Kids Corner. What happened next?”

“Ally was only there for a few weeks before a family took her in. I never saw her again. They took her away when I was playing basketball in the gym with some of the other kids.” Gavin blinked rapidly. “They did that on purpose, so I wouldn’t be able to stop them. When I asked where she was, they wouldn’t tell me. I asked over and over for them to tell me where she was. I begged them, but they wouldn’t. What happened was all my fault.” Tears slipped from his lids and ran down his cheeks.