Justice Mission. Lynette Eason

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СКАЧАТЬ arms made his head spin way too much, he released her and stepped back.

      “I’m going to call my dad,” she said. “I need to let him know what happened. And I need to call Trey.”

      “Of course.”

      She dialed her brother’s number, waited, then hung up. “He’s not answering.”

      “Try your dad.”

      She did, and Luke couldn’t help notice her sigh of relief when he answered on the first ring. “Hey, Dad, I know you’re on the road, but I need to let you know someone broke into my place.” Pause. “No, I’m fine. I’m with a friend from the station. Do you know where Trey is?” She shook her head at Luke. “Trey went hiking with friends and won’t be back until Saturday,” she said, then went back to the phone and explained the fact that she was going to stay with Luke and his roommates for a while.

      Her father said something, and she nodded with a glance at Luke. “I’m sure, Dad. I’ll be safe there and, hopefully, whoever broke in won’t be back. You still have several dinners in the freezer for when you get back from your run and most of the clothes are washed. Hopefully, by the time you and Trey get back, all of this will be over.”

      Luke watched her, considering her words and what they meant.

      She hung up and caught his gaze. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

      “You do a lot for them, don’t you?”

      She shrugged. “My dad’s done a lot for me.” She paused. “Don’t you help your family out when they need it?”

      “Not really. We don’t talk much.”

      “Oh. That’s...sad.”

      “I know.” He cleared his throat. “But forget about that. While I want to hear more about your family, why don’t you start taking inventory? Just don’t touch anything. When the officers get here, they’ll take prints. Ours are on file so they’ll be able to eliminate those.”

      She shook her head as her gaze swept the area. “I don’t think he took anything. He just broke everything.”

      Luke noticed the shattered flat screen television on the floor. Her iPad and Blu-ray player lay in front of the television stand. Also broken.

      “He stomped on them,” she whispered. “Why?” Tears leaked from her eyes and she swiped them away with an angry brush of her fingers. Before Luke could answer or offer more comfort, she leaned over and picked up a figurine from the floor. “This was on my coffee table. He swept it to the floor, but it didn’t break, which is a relief. A friend gave it to me.” She paused, studying it. “Although, it’s worth several hundred dollars. And yet, he left it.”

      “Which means he was probably looking for something and this wasn’t a random criminal simply after items to sell for easy money.”

      She frowned. “But what?”

      He nodded to the corner of the room. “Your desk is turned upside down. If this was the same guy who called your father looking for you, then maybe he was searching for something that would tell him how to find you. And when he couldn’t, he took his frustration out on your stuff.”

      “Why didn’t he just wait until I got home?” A pause. “Then again, maybe he did. Maybe he was in my bedroom just waiting to...” She shuddered. “I’m so glad you were here.”

      Luke’s heart twisted. He went to her again and wrapped his arms around her to pull her into a hug once more. He could put his own feelings on hold and simply offer her comfort. For a moment, she stiffened, then leaned against him.

      “I’m sorry, Sophie,” he said softly. “I know this has been a rotten day for you.”

      “It’s been even more rotten for Katie,” she mumbled.

      “Yeah. I can’t argue with that.” He sighed. And realized he didn’t want to let her go. While he could tell she was finding comfort in the embrace, he realized he was, too. Which made him frown. While she was changing his perception of her, he reminded himself she was still young. Very young.

      Bruno nosed in between them and Sophie let out a watery laugh.

      “I think he’s feeling left out.” She scratched his neck and the dog sighed his contentment. “All’s right with his world, isn’t it? He’s just happy to be with those he loves and having his ears scratched.”

      “Yes, he’s pretty easy to please. Ear scratches, belly rubs and a hug every once in a while.”

      “I think everyone could learn a few lessons from this guy,” she said softly.

      “Amen to that.”

      “Did you know we’re getting a new dog?”

      “Who? You and your family?”

      She laughed. “No, the department. Her name’s Stella and she’s a gift from the Czech Republic. She’s supposed to be really special.” Bruno licked her cheek and she huffed another choked laugh. “But not as special as you, Bruno, I promise.”

      Luke’s phone buzzed, and he snatched it to check the screen.

      “Who is it?” Sophie asked.

      “A group text from Katie. Just wanting an update.”

      “Oh.”

      While all was right with Bruno’s world, Luke’s was standing on its head. And Katie was growing more and more desperate as time passed without hearing from her husband. Frankly, he couldn’t blame her. Luke closed his eyes and hugged Sophie once again, this time allowing himself to take comfort from her. He said a silent prayer that Katie would get to hold Jordan in the near future.

       Please let us find him.

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