Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 128083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128083 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 640(@200wpm)___ 512(@250wpm)___ 427(@300wpm)
Detective Graf’s lips thinned, but neither he nor Detective Mauro seemed like unreasonable guys to Rex. They’d allowed them to remain in the house as they were questioned instead of dragging them to the police station, where they’d sit in a cold room under bright lights. Rex’s assumption about the detectives’ decency was further confirmed when the men glanced at each other and then Detective Graf sighed and turned back to Cami. “We could charge you, but we’re not going to. You called us the moment Cyrus was safe, and you’ve cooperated. Also, I looked you up. I’d heard about the crime committed against your family when it happened. A real tragedy. I’m sorry for what you experienced.”
“Thank you,” Cami said.
“Could the person who sent you the video have known about your past escape and banked on you being clever enough to find Cyrus?” Detective Mauro asked.
Cami appeared to think about the question. “Maybe. But your question supposes I was chosen solely because of the crime I experienced. It can’t be a coincidence that he’s my son.”
“That still hasn’t been confirmed.” One of the paramedics who’d driven Cyrus to the hospital had also taken a vial of blood from her. The detectives had informed Cami the results would be back in three or four days. But it was clear that Cami didn’t need a blood test to confirm the boy was hers. Rex tended to agree. Cyrus had resembled her on-screen. In person, it was even more striking. He even had some of her same expressions, which was sort of wild considering they’d never met.
“I know.”
“Also,” Rex said, “that would be assuming the motivation of the person who sent Cami the video was to rescue the kid. If that was the case, why not send the video directly to the cops? Why not rescue him themselves?”
The four of them sat there for a moment, the detectives jotting into the pads as Cami met Rex’s eyes. She gave him a small smile that spoke of her ability to remain strong. She obviously wasn’t a woman who easily crumbled in the face of stress. He’d known that, of course, but he was glad as hell to see her fighting spirit hadn’t dimmed.
A cop came in and gestured Detective Mauro over, and the older detective stood while the younger stayed with them. Cami sipped her coffee, and after a minute, the detective returned. “His foster parents have been located.”
“What’d they say?” Cami asked.
“They’re saying they thought he was at a friend’s house, but there are holes in that story. It looks more like they either didn’t notice or didn’t care. They have six other kids living with them, potentially for the checks they’re bringing in, but I don’t want to assume too much.”
Rex blew out a slow breath, tamping his anger down. These were the sorts who were chosen to care for the most vulnerable, and often emotionally damaged, children in society? Cyrus’s words came back to him, the ones they’d heard as he’d spoken to the man who brought him food: I live with a foster family who doesn’t even like me. They definitely won’t give you money. They’re probably glad I’m gone. He’d had it right, and damn but that was sad as hell, especially after he’d already lost so much. “Any information on what happened to his adoptive parents?” Rex asked.
“Only what Cyrus told us,” Detective Mauro said. “That they died in a car accident. We’re having the accident report pulled now. No family member stepped up to take him, and so he went into the system.”
“When can I see him?” Cami asked.
“During visiting hours tomorrow morning,” Detective Mauro said. “He should be released in the afternoon.”
“And then?” Cami asked, and Rex saw the way she stilled. “He can’t return to the foster parents who didn’t notice he was gone for four days. In fact, I hope those people go to prison. Can I take him back to Virginia with me?”
“He’s still in the system,” the older detective said. “Another family will have to be found.”
Cami shook her head. “That’s madness. I’m his biological mother, and I’m willing to take him to live with me.”
The detectives glanced at each other, and then Detective Mauro cocked his head and leaned back in his chair, obviously considering something. “I might know someone I can talk to. But only after it’s confirmed that no family or friends want to take him in. I’m assuming not, since they allowed him to go into foster care the first time, but it’ll need to be checked into anyway.” He paused, considering Cami. Rex was encouraged by the sympathetic look in his eyes. “This is a highly unusual situation. And there’s the issue of multiple state laws being involved.”
“Anything you can do,” Rex said. “It would be very much appreciated.”