About That Man. Sherryl Woods

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      “Not quite. Are you married, Detective Ames?”

      “Not anymore.”

      “I see.” Her mouth pursed ever so slightly. “Any children?”

      “Two boys.”

      “And they live with you?”

      “No, they live with their mother in North Carolina.”

      “I see.”

      There was no question about the disapproval in her eyes now. She flashed a quick look at the social worker, whose expression was carefully neutral.

      “Anything else?” he asked. “Are you interested in my favorite colors? Maybe whether I wear jockey shorts or boxers?”

      Color flamed in her cheeks. “Of course not.”

      “Then I’d like to see my nephew.”

      Unfortunately, Walker was soon to discover, while they’d been wasting time on all those ridiculous questions, Tommy had vanished into thin air. When Daisy at last led them to the kitchen, they found it empty, and there was no sign of Tommy anywhere else in the house or yard.

      Walker cursed his own stupidity. He should have guessed that the woman was stalling so his nephew could make a break for it, though why she should do that was beyond him. It was a diversionary tactic that he’d seen used often enough in his career. Still, he was surprised that Daisy Spencer would flat-out try to thwart this reunion that Frances Jackson was so dead-set on bringing about. Maybe they’d gotten their signals crossed.

      It seemed Frances’ thoughts were running parallel to his own. “Oh, Daisy, what have you gone and done?” she asked, dismay written all over her face.

      “Me?” Daisy said, regarding her incredulously. “You think I hid him?”

      “I know you want him to stay here, but this is not the way,” the social worker said.

      Walker regarded the two women intently. “Are you saying she is deliberately keeping the boy from me?” he asked, surprised to have his own suspicions confirmed so openly.

      Frances looked flustered, but Daisy was quick to respond. “That is exactly what she’s saying and, to tell you the truth, I’m insulted.” She frowned at the social worker. “We’ve known each other for years. I would have expected better of you, Frances.”

      “And I, you,” Frances retorted tartly.

      Patches of color once again flamed on Daisy’s cheeks, spurred no doubt by the indignation Walker could see flashing in her eyes.

      “Blast it all, I’m as shocked as you are that he’s not where I left him,” she snapped. Quickly she amended, “No, I take that back. I’m not shocked at all. The boy’s life has been a shambles since his mother died. He hasn’t felt as if he truly belonged anywhere. It’s little wonder that he doesn’t trust a single adult to keep a promise, not even me.”

      “Exactly what did you promise him?” Walker asked.

      “That no one would take him away from here unless we all decided it was for the best, him included.”

      “Daisy, he’s just a boy,” Frances said with a dismayed sigh. “Why would you make him a promise you knew you couldn’t possibly keep?”

      “I intended to keep it,” Ms. Spencer shot back.

      “Maybe we should just focus on finding him,” Walker suggested. “We can work out the rest of this later.”

      “I agree,” the social worker said at once. “I think we’d better get Tucker over here.”

      “Who’s Tucker?” Walker asked, grasping at last that there was a whole lot more going on here than he could begin to fathom. Unfortunately there was no time to ask the right questions or to try to sort out the clues.

      “My brother,” Daisy answered, just as Frances said, “The sheriff.”

      “Then, by all means, let’s get him over here,” Walker agreed, just as two men came strolling around the corner of the house, one of them carrying what looked to be a foil-covered pie.

      “Tucker, Tommy’s vanished,” Daisy said, automatically taking the dish from his hands. “You have to do something.”

      “What do you mean, he’s vanished?”

      “While your sister kept me occupied in her living room with an endless barrage of questions, my nephew bolted,” Walker explained succinctly. “I’m Walker Ames, by the way. Detective Walker Ames.”

      “He’s a D.C. policeman,” Daisy said derisively. “One who apparently likes to make unfounded accusations. I did not deliberately try to assist Tommy in making a getaway. Not that I blame him. He’s had far too much disruption in his life lately. He’s just beginning to feel secure again.”

      “In a few days with you?” Walker asked.

      She gave him a defiant look. “Exactly. Because he knows I care about him. He doesn’t even know who you are. Why would you expect him to choose you over me?”

      “I guess the gloves are off,” the other newcomer observed with a sigh. “Sis, you’re not helping matters.”

      Walker grinned as she whirled on the other man.

      “Bobby Spencer, you’re supposed to be on my side,” she said indignantly.

      “I am, always,” he insisted. “And right now you need to keep your mouth shut.”

      Fury danced in her eyes. “I most certainly will not.”

      Walker grinned. “Don’t shut her up. I’m finding her comments enlightening.”

      “Enough,” Tucker said firmly. “Let’s all settle down and establish what we know. Daisy, when was the last time you saw Tommy?”

      “He was finishing his supper when his uncle and Frances arrived. I left him in the kitchen. That was around six.”

      “And it’s nearly seven now. Why the delay?”

      “I had a few questions,” Daisy said defensively.

      Bobby rolled his eyes and shot a sympathetic look at Walker.

      “How did Tommy feel about meeting his uncle?” the sheriff asked.

      “I’ve already told you. He wasn’t happy about it,” she said.

      “And I’m sure you did everything you could to see that he felt that way,” Walker said, surprised by the depth of his anger that someone who didn’t even know him would try to turn his own nephew against him.

      “I did not. I told him he had to give you a chance, that I was sure there was an explanation for why he’d never even heard of you or why you’d never been to visit.”

      “Phrased СКАЧАТЬ