Agent by Her Side Read online

  “I have your son. If you want to see him again, drop the search for Wes Matthews,” she said.

  “Who is this?” Cooper said, his voice rising as his pulse hammered. He could feel his pulse thumping loudly in his head, his heart about to burst from his chest.

  “Drop the search,” she repeated, “if you want your kid back.” Then she hung up, disconnecting the call.

  Cooper leaned forward, his hands on his knees. He could barely breathe and his vision blurred. He felt like he might vomit and suddenly he wanted to hit something. He turned and kicked the wooden handrail. Hard. When he’d dislodged one of the balusters, he stopped. He inhaled deeply and then again. He couldn’t believe this was happening. That someone would go after his family to get to him. Keeping his son safe was the single most important responsibility he had, and suddenly he felt like he had failed. He had let Alfie down and he imagined his baby boy had to be petrified, not understanding what was going on. Cooper struggled not to rage. He needed a moment to collect himself and his thoughts to figure out what his next steps should be.

  He suddenly slapped the smartphone against his leg just as Kiely reached his side. “Who was that?” she asked, as he stood up to stare at her.

  “I don’t know but she said she had Alfie and that I need to stop searching for Wes Matthews if I want him back.”

  “She actually mentioned Matthews?”

  He nodded.

  * * *

  Kiely’s mind was suddenly racing. First the FBI got a tip about where Matthews might be hiding out, and now this. She didn’t believe in coincidences, and as the two stood staring at each other she realized he didn’t either. He suddenly started texting fiercely, almost pounding the keys on his phone with his thumbs.

  “It’s a long shot,” he said, “but I’ll see if our techs can track this. But I’m betting it was a burner. There was no caller ID and the call barely lasted sixty seconds.”

  “I’ll understand if you need to stay here, but I’m going to follow up on that tip. If someone doesn’t want us to find Wes Matthews, then we need to find him. That may also help us find your son.”

  Cooper nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. But if anything happens here, Detective Cranston can call me. You’re not going alone and if there’s any chance that this could lead me to my son I want to be there.”

  There was a moment of hesitation as Kiely stared at him. Cooper the agent and Cooper the father were holding hands, both intent on finding his son. She admired his determination, reminded of her own father who would have moved mountains to protect her and her siblings. Knowing there would be no talking him out of it, Kiely nodded her agreement as Cooper dialed a number on his phone.

  “Who are you calling?” she questioned.

  “Something tells me we might need some help,” he said.

  Kiely met the intense look he was giving her. Having decided to press forward, he had determination emitting from his eyes. She had high regard for his devotion to his son and his job. A lesser man would have been brought to his knees. It moved her and she had greater respect for him.

  She nodded again. “Backup is good,” she said.

  Chapter 3

  An hour later Cooper had assembled an entire team. Grand Rapids Police Detective Emmanuel Iglesias and Lieutenant Tripp McKellar stood with them in the parking lot of a local Realtor’s office located one mile from their target location: Matthews’s alleged hideout on Reeds Lake. A ten-member SWAT team stood by, waiting for instructions.

  “Kiely, have you met Lieutenant McKellar?” Emmanuel asked.

  Kiely and Emmanuel had been acquainted for some time. Emmanuel was engaged to her twin sister. This was not their first time working together, and she appreciated having him by her side...but she’d never met Tripp.

  “I don’t believe I have,” Kiely said. She extended her hand. “Kiely Colton. It’s a pleasure.”

  “Kiely is Pippa’s twin,” said Emmanuel. “She’s also a private investigator.”

  “The pleasure is all mine,” Lieutenant McKellar responded. “Your reputation precedes you.”

  “Not sure if that’s a good thing!” Kiely said with a nervous chuckle. She could only begin to imagine the stories her sister and Emmanuel might have told him about her, the two over exaggerating her antics.

  Cooper looked from her to the other man. Kiely noticed his jaw tighten slightly, as if their small talk was beginning to annoy him. “Everyone ready?” he asked.

  There was an exchange of looks, the trio nodding their heads.

  “More than ready,” Kiely said. “Are you sure you want to do this?” She asked the question, concerned that him worrying about his son, he might not be as focused as they needed him to be.

  “I’ll be fine,” Cooper answered. And for the most part he was, he thought. They didn’t know how credible the tip was or if it would lead them to Alfie, but doing something felt better than sitting around waiting for others to report back to him. He gave her a nod of his head.

  “Then let’s do this,” she said.

  The four drove to the end of the dirt road and parked the black SUV. The SWAT team members followed. Exiting the vehicle, their plan was to walk the short distance to the home and execute a knock and enter once they assessed the situation. There had been no time for a search warrant, and no one wanted to risk violating anyone’s rights and blowing the case. The SWAT team members would hold their position until needed.

  The area was wooded, tall pine trees decorating the landscape and affording them a measure of cover. As they made their way to the small white cottage with the shuttered windows, Cooper gestured for Emmanuel to take one side and Tripp to take the other. When he motioned for Kiely to fall in behind him, she thought to argue but didn’t.

  Movement by the window caught her eye. A woman shuffled past once and then a second time in the opposite direction. All the windows were open, a slight breeze blowing their sheer white curtains aside. The sound of a child crying echoed through the air.

  “Enough,” the woman said, her loud tone filtering out the kitchen window. “I said I’d get you a snack. You need to stop that damn crying.”

  Her brusque manner only made the child cry harder.

  “It’s Alfie,” Cooper whispered.

  He took a step and Kiely grabbed the back of his jacket. The look she gave him spoke volumes. She understood him wanting to rush in but they needed to proceed cautiously. They didn’t want anyone to get hurt, most especially his little boy. Until they could assess who and how many persons were inside, they needed to stand down.

  Cooper nodded his understanding, inhaling deeply to quell his anxiety. Moving swiftly, they approached the home prudently. Kiely took cover behind a tree as Cooper took the steps, his weapon drawn. Inside, the child suddenly cried out as if in pain. His little scream was gut-wrenching, even to Kiely. Evidently unable to contain himself a moment longer Cooper became less an agent and more a father as he rushed the door, Kiely covering his back.

  Shots, fired from the inside and through the front entrance, sounded one after the other.

  Bang!

  Bang!

  Bang!

  All three shots splintered the wood door and hit Cooper square in the chest. The blow sent him backward down the stairs as Kiely screamed his name.

  * * *

  The moment was suddenly surreal. Shots were fired in the rear yard of the home. The child crying inside sounded hysterical. Kiely moved swiftly to the bottom of the steps to check on Cooper. Blood had begun to pool behind his head. She searched for a pulse and nodded at Lieutenant McKellar who knelt beside her. The lieutenant radioed for backup and an ambulance as Kiely continued up the steps and into the home.

  Clearing the first two rooms, she rushed to the kitchen, arriving at the back door just as a woman dressed from head to toe in black jumped onto an older model Kawasaki motorc
ycle and took off through the line of pine trees. Emmanuel jumped into the back of a black SUV, the police in pursuit. Moving swiftly back into the house, Kiely found Alfie huddled in the bathtub, his little arms wrapped around his knees as he rocked back and forth. He was so tiny, she thought, and he looked fragile. Her heart burst, a wave of emotion flooding her spirit as she eyed him. She suddenly wanted to scoop him up into her arms and hug him like her mother use to hug her when she was afraid.

  Kiely secured her weapon and held up her hands as if she were surrendering. She waved her fingers, doing jazz hands.

  “Hi there,” she said softly. “You must be Alfie.”

  His eyes widened at the mention of his name. But fear still emanated from his eyes.

  Kiely knelt beside the tub, meeting the child at eye level. “Alfie, my name is Kiely. I’m a friend of your daddy. I’d like to be your friend, too.”

  The little boy’s eyes were still locked on her. He pulled his thumb into his mouth and continued to rock.

  She looked around the room. “This place isn’t very nice, is it?” She made a funny face, wiggling her nose. “Would you like to come with me, Alfie?” she said.

  There was a moment of hesitation as the child seemed to be considering his options and then he reached both arms out, standing to wrap them around her neck. Kiely blew a warm sigh of relief as she lifted him up into her arms and hugged him tightly. “That’s a good baby.” By the time Kiely reached the front door and the steps, little Alfie had fallen asleep on her shoulder.

  She moved to the ambulance just as they lifted Cooper inside. “Is he okay?” she questioned. His eyes were closed and his breathing seemed labored. Not knowing the extent of his injuries, she could feel her fear rising swiftly, her heart beginning to beat rapidly. She wasn’t sure if he was asleep, unconscious, or perched on the edge of his deathbed.

  The EMS responder nodded. “He took a hard hit to the back of his head when he fell. He might have a concussion and he’s definitely going to need stitches. And today was his lucky day. His vest caught the bullets. But he’s going to feel that tomorrow and will probably be sore for a few days.”

  Kiely blew a soft sigh. She was flooded with a wave of relief at the good news. She tightened her hold on the little boy who would wake up needing his daddy, grateful that would be able to happen.

  Stepping up into the ambulance Kiely reached for his hand. She leaned down to whisper into his ear. “Alfie’s here, Cooper,” she said. “We found him and he’s safe.”

  His eyes fluttered open, closed, then opened a second time. He struggled to focus as he squeezed her fingers tightly. The faintest smile pulled at his lips. He reached a shaky hand out to touch his son, pressing his fingers to Alfie’s back. Relief visibly flooded his body.

  Cooper sputtered as he struggled to get his words out. “Don’t...don’t leave...don’t leave him, Kiely. Please...don’t leave him.”

  “He’s safe,” she answered. “I’m going with you both to the hospital so he can be checked out, but he’s fine.”

  Cooper shook his head. His eyes were wide, a hint of desperation shimmering in the oceanic orbs. His grip on her fingers was almost crushing. “Promise...please! Don’t let my son out of your sight,” he implored.

  Kiely nodded her head. “I promise,” she said softly as she tightened her grip on the little boy. “I won’t take my eyes off him.”

  * * *

  Alfie slept so soundly that Kiely wasn’t sure if she should be nervous or not. He really was a cute little thing, she thought as she sat by the hospital crib staring down at him. He had a head of wavy blond hair, the chubbiest cheeks flushed a warm shade of pink, and his father’s blue eyes. He smiled in his sleep, seeming to dream peacefully.

  Dr. Mara Finley, the resident pediatrician at Butterworth Hospital, had decided to keep him overnight for observation, wanting to ensure that all was well with Alfie after his traumatic experience. He’d had a warm sponge bath, eaten grapes and spaghetti for supper, then had lay back in Kiely’s lap as he watched an episode of some cartoon called Peppa Pig until he drifted back to sleep.

  As promised, Kiely had not left his side since he’d been admitted. A nurse had been kind enough to give her an update on his father. Cooper had two cracked ribs, twelve stitches to close the gash in the back of his head and a confirmed concussion. According to her sources, he, too, was sleeping soundly.

  Standing, she pulled a pale yellow blanket up over Alfie’s shoulders. He’d kicked his covers off and the room had a chill. Continuing to watch him, his bottom lip quivering slightly, Kiely found herself awed by the turn of events. Of the women in her family, her sisters often joked that Kiely wouldn’t know a maternal instinct if it stood up and slapped her. Growing up she had not been interested in playing with dolls and as an adult wasn’t particularly fond of most children. In her mind, babies were like mini aliens and any place children gathered en masse was free birth control. It usually took less than an hour of them screaming and crying for her to dismiss the idea of kids in her life. Babysitting anyone’s offspring had never been on her bucket list of things to do...before now.

  She sat back in the pushback recliner, engaging the footrest as she lifted her legs and settled down for the night. She’d stay, she thought, only because she’d given Cooper her word. Tomorrow she’d have to rethink her plans to find Wes Matthews.

  * * *

  “Hi!”

  “Hi!”

  “Hi!”

  The tiniest voice pierced her dreams and when Kiely opened one eye to see where it was coming from Alfie Winston was standing at the rail of the crib staring down at her.

  When he saw that she was awake, the brightest smile pulled full and wide across his little face. “Hi!” he chirped again.

  Kiely smiled and sat upright. “Good morning! How are you?” She stretched her arms out and then stood up, moving to the side of the crib. “You’re looking good, kiddo!” She brushed a lock of curls from his eyes.

  He bounced up and down. “Pan-pakes, peas?”

  Kiely paused for a split second trying to ascertain what he was asking her. “Pancakes? You want pancakes?”

  Alfie bounced again. “Peas! Pan-pakes!” he exclaimed, giggling excitedly.

  “Pancakes are his favorite breakfast food.” Cooper’s voice suddenly came from the direction of the doorway. Kiely turned to look and saw a nurse pushing him in a wheelchair. “And he remembered to say please! I’m impressed.”

  Kiely turned toward him. “Good morning!”

  “Dad-dy!” Alfie gushed, jumping up and down excitedly. “Dad-dy! Dad-dy!”

  Cooper stood, moving to his son’s side and lifting him into his arms. He kissed the child’s cheek and hugged him to his broad chest. Alfie was still bobbing up and down, his infectious enthusiasm making them all laugh.

  “Careful, Mr. Winston!” the nurse admonished. “You’re not supposed to be lifting anything.”

  “Calm down, son. Daddy hurts!” Cooper said. He winced, as if pain was shooting through his torso.

  “Maybe you should sit down,” Kiely said, concern washing through her.

  “That would probably be a good idea,” the nurse said.

  Cooper fell back into the seat Kiely had just vacated, settling Alfie against his lap. His son hugged him tightly.

  “Looks like he missed you as much as you missed him,” Kiely said, giggling softly.

  “I definitely missed him,” Cooper said, smiling. He kissed the child’s cheek one more time.

  “Dad-dy! Pan-pakes, peas?” Alfie repeated.

  “I’ll go to the nurses’ station and call down to the cafeteria to see if we can do something about those pancakes,” the nurse said. “Meanwhile, sir, please be careful.”

  “Thank you,” Kiely said.

  As the nurse exited the room, closing the door after herself, Kiely turned her attention b
ack to Cooper. He was nuzzling his face into Alfie’s hair, both of them calm and joyed to be back together. There was no denying the bond between them. Cooper the single father was clearly in love with the little boy now sitting in his lap, the wealth of his commitment to the child wholeheartedly evident. It felt slightly intrusive to be watching them so keenly but Kiely was touched by the sight of them together, their relationship pulling at her heartstrings.

  She excused herself from the room, moving into the bathroom to give them a quiet moment together. She also had to pee, her bladder feeling like it might explode. Relief came quickly and as she stood washing her hands and staring at her reflection in the mirror, she found herself curious about Cooper the man, wanting to know more about him. There was clearly a side to him that she didn’t know well. A side that was far less stringent and definitely more relaxed. That man seemed extremely interesting!

  She pulled a hand through the length of her hair and pinched her cheeks for a hint of color to warm her face. Not that she was vain, but it didn’t hurt to not look like she’d been through a torrential storm, she thought, especially since she needed a shower and wasn’t feeling quite so fresh.

  As she moved back into the room, Alfie gave her another bright smile and Kiely smiled back. When he suddenly reached out his arms toward her, she was surprised.

  “Down!” the little boy said.

  Jumping from Cooper’s lap, Alfie ran to her, wrapping himself around her legs in a quick hug. He reached his arms up again, imploring her to lift him.

  “What’s up, buddy?” Kiely said as she reached down to pick him up.

  Alfie leaned his head against her shoulder and began to play with the gold chain around her neck.

  “He really likes you,” Cooper said. There was no missing the slight surprise in his tone.

  Kiely laughed. “As opposed to his father not liking me?”

  “Who said I didn’t like you?”

  Kiely shrugged her shoulders. “We haven’t always seen eye to eye.”