Page 31 of Ultimate Justice

At the sound of the other dog’s name, Blue snorted and lifted his head high. His tail went erect as he swiveled his head left and right, like he was searching for Crystal. Marlie had been kidding when she’d told Noah even dogs fell in love. Maybe Blue really was smitten.

Noah laughed, a sound Marlie never expected to hear in her apartment. Unexpectedly, she found herself smiling.

“We’ll pick you and Noah up tomorrow morning at eight.” Evan motioned to Blue as he strode to the door. “Keep the door locked at all times, and don’t let anyone in unless you know them.”

When the door clicked shut, she blew out a breath. Something about this guy made her nervous and flustered. She couldn’t recall being flustered since high school prom.

“Is this your son?” Noah had sat on the sofa, holding the framed photo.

“Yes.” She sat next to him, taking the photo and setting it back on the table.

“Where is he?”

“At the cemetery.” She swallowed. “He died.”

“Oh.” Noah looked at her with eyes so innocent her heart tumbled over. “I didn’t know.”

“That’s because I didn’t tell you.” Forcing a smile, she smoothed hair from his face.

“Does that make you sad?”

So choked up, Marlie could only nod.

“Maybe we can get a dog.” His face brightened. “Maybe that would make you happy.”

She smiled at his enthusiasm and how, again, he’d managed to lift her spirits. “You’re probably right, but I can’t have pets here.”

His forehead wrinkled. “Blue came here.”

The kid was quick, she’d give him that. “Blue isn’t just any dog. He’s Evan’s partner. Like you said, he’s a cop.”

“Then can we move somewhere we can have a dog?”

This kid knew how to pull all her heartstrings. He kept using the word “we,” as if he fully expected to live with her forever.

“For now, why don’t we get you settled? I’ll show you where your room is.” She tugged him from the sofa. His fingers were small, the skin still smooth, uncalloused. The urge to cry hit her like a brick. To protect her heart, she’d intentionally distanced herself from children. Having Noah here had thrown her back in time, but Noah wasn’t Aiden and never could be.

She led him down the hall. “Here’s the bathroom. We’ll have to share it.”

He shrugged. “That’s okay.”

“This will be your bedroom.” She flipped on the light and let him go in first. “I know the futon’s not much of a bed, but—”

“You have a computer! Cool!” He sat at the small folding table and flipped open her laptop. The password login box popped up. “Can I use it?”

“Sure.” Unable to resist his excitement, she grabbed a pad and pen and started scribbling down her password. “Here’s the passwo—” Her jaw dropped. He’d already logged in. Before he’d seen the name she’d written down. Aiden.

“Um. That’s okay. I got it.” He shrugged. “I kinda figured it out.”

“Yeah.” She huffed out a laugh. “I’d say so.”

Given how easily he’d found the password to the hospital computer, she shouldn’t be surprised. Part of her was astounded at how instinctive he was with computers. The other part was proud of his natural abilities. If Aiden had lived to—

Don’t go there. Would she ever stop wondering what her little boy would have been like if he’d lived?

“Do you like spaghetti?” It was about the only thing she had available to cook up on such short notice. Along with hitting the mall for clothes and school supplies, they’d have to stop at the supermarket tomorrow.

“Mm-hmm,” he mumbled, more intent on scrolling through the Rockies’ website than eating.