Here We Come (Aggie's Inheritance) (121 page)

“With
gloves,
she
couldn’t
leave
fingerprints.
Maybe
it’s
best
that
she
didn’t
have
them.
Now,
if
she’s
been
somewhere
and
they
find
that
“somewhere”
they
can
prove
she
was
there.”

Luke’s
reasoning
sounded
desperate
to
Aggie,
but
the
Agent
nodded.
“Unless
the
abductor
thinks
to
put
gloves
on
her
himself,
yes
that
would
be
correct.”
Another
agent
whispered
something
into
Sheridan’s
ear,
which
made
him
sit
up.
“Ok,
I see that
you
have
a
significant
amount
of
money,
Ms.
Milliken.”

“Well,
it’s
not
really
mine.
It’s
just
in
my
name.
Life
insurance,
401K,
stuff
like
that.
It
was
my
sister’s
and
her
husband’s.”

“It’s
enough
that
money
just
topped
the
motive
options.
We’re
going
to
get
you
set
up
to
record
incoming
calls
in
case
of
a
ransom
demand.”

“Ransom?
Who
would
know
about
the
money?
It’s
not
like
we’re
listed
in
some
who’s
who
list.”

Luke
disagreed
with
her.
“But
Geraldine
isn’t
exactly
discreet.
She’s
proud
of
her
position
and
money,
and
she
thinks
you’re
an
idiot.
All
she’d
have
to
do
is
make
some
comment
at
that
place
where
her
husband
is
living
and
some
custodian
or
even
family
member
of
a
resident
could
decide
it’s
easy
money.”

“We’ll
need
the
name
of
that
residential
home
and
any
other
place
you
think
this
woman
might
frequent.”

Another agent, one of the ones searching Ellie and Kenzie’s room upstairs, came downstairs carrying a picture.
“Is there a reason this is hidden under her bed?”

Aggie stared at the lines, circles, and shadows that created highlights—all combining into a remarkably good sketch of her and Luke.
Somehow, she’d combined them into a natural pose as if in a photograph—but no such photo existed.
“That’s what she’s been hiding.
I was worried over nothing.”

“It’s supposed to be a wedding gift,” Laird said.

Her
brain
buzzed
until
Aggie
felt
as
if
she
had
a
beehive
in
her
head.
While
the
agents
talked,
the
deputie
s
searched,
and
Murphy
c
ame
in
and
out
while
she
got
drinks
for
the
children,
reassured
them,
took
them
to
the
bathroom
or
to
get
a
toy,
Luke
answered
questions
and
rubbed
her
back.
None
of
it
made
sense
to
her.

Ian
screamed.
Without
thinking,
Aggie
stood
to
retrieve
her
son
mid
question
from
the
agent.
The
room
spun
wildly
as
if
the
house
was
on
a
large
merry-go-round
.
She
clutched
at
the
air
for
something
to
stabilize
her
,
but
crashed
to
the
ground,
striking
her
back
on
the
coffee
table.
She
didn’t
stir.

~*~*~*~

Only
a
tiny
glow
of
light
from
the
hallway
illuminated
the
otherwise
black
house.
Aggie’
s
eyes
tried
to
adjust,
but
she
closed
them
again,
fighting
to
remember
why
a
deep
sense
of
dread
hovered
over
her.
As
she
shifted
to
be
more
comfortable,
a
hand
rested
on
her
head,
lightly
stroking
her
hair.
“Shh.
Rest.”

The
voice
was
familiar.
Comforting.
Opening
her
eyes
once
more,
she
focused
on
where
she
was—the
knees—
She
blinked.
Knees?
Luke.
She
was
using
him
for
a
pillow.
Her
eyes
widened.
Luke
didn’t
wear
tan
pants
except
to
church.
It
wasn’t
Sunday.
Was
it?
No,
she’d
graded
schoolwork
that
morning.
Then
Ellie—