Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

to the boy, his ears still burning from the talking-to he’d received from Cole’s guidance counselor. Cole was out of control and Mitch was going to have to institute heavier punishments whether he liked it or not.
    Because I’ll be damned before I let you end up like me, kid .
    Wheeling, West Virginia, Wednesday, December 4, 3.00 P.M.
    She was pale as a ghost and shaking like a leaf. Joseph had to get the story out of her, but knew he’d have to be careful. She was incredibly fragile.
    But this was important. Critical. He could feel it with every nerve in his body.
    He parked the SUV and came around to help her down. When her feet hit the ground she turned into him, holding on like she’d never let go. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to absorb her trembles.
    ‘Sweetheart,’ he whispered, fear rising to burn his throat. ‘You’re okay. You’re safe. Nobody’s going to hurt you.’
    Her arms tightened and he knew he was right. Someone had hurt her. Rage simmered, but he kept it controlled. He needed every piece of information he could get.
    ‘Come on, baby,’ he said softly. ‘You’re going to get sick out here in the cold.’ He pulled her coat from the back seat and put her arms in the sleeves, like she was a child.
    Then she drew a deep breath. ‘I’m okay. Ford is here. Nothing else matters.’
    Joseph wasn’t so sure of that as he walked her into the hospital. Hector had parked while Joseph had been holding her and now shadowed them as they headed to Ford’s room. He’d continue to be Daphne’s shadow until Doug was no longer a threat.
    Ford’s room had a uniformed officer standing guard outside. Joseph showed his ID. ‘This is the boy’s mother.’
    The officer’s face softened in sympathy. ‘We’re glad we found him, ma’am.’
    Daphne looked up and Joseph was struck by the transformation. She was serene, her smile contained. ‘Thank you, Officer.’ She was Stepford Daphne.
    She’d transformed several times the day before, always when she was scared shitless or stressed beyond her breaking point. ‘I’m here,’ he murmured.
    She nodded almost regally and walked into the room where her son lay, her trembling hands the only sign that she wasn’t really composed. She stood by Ford’s bed and stroked his forehead like the boy was made of glass.
    Joseph didn’t realize he was holding his breath until it came out in a relieved hiss. ‘He looks good, Daphne,’ he said. Ford’s face was a little red in places, but there was no sign of the frostbite Joseph had secretly worried about.
    ‘Excuse me.’ A doctor came into the room. ‘Are you Ford’s parents?’
    ‘She is,’ Joseph said, when Daphne didn’t turn or respond. She stood by Ford’s beside, still stroking his forehead. ‘This is Daphne Montgomery and I’m Special Agent Carter with the FBI.’
    ‘Ma’am?’ The doctor touched Daphne’s shoulder and she turned then, her face composed. ‘I’m Dr Rampor. I wanted to let you know that your son is stable and that we don’t see any long term damage from the exposure. He does have some injuries, but none are life-threatening.’ The doctor smiled kindly. ‘He’s a lucky young man.’
    Daphne nodded. ‘Thank you. What injuries?’
    Joseph tucked her under his arm. The trembles had become pronounced and he wondered how she was even standing up.
    The doctor met Joseph’s eyes, deeply concerned. ‘Is she all right?’
    ‘It’s been a long day and a half, Doctor,’ Joseph said. ‘She’s holding.’
    ‘Well, if we need to treat Ms Montgomery, we certainly can.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ Daphne said coolly. ‘And I’m right here. Please, just focus on Ford.’
    ‘Of course. Your son has a laceration on the back of his head, some abrasions on his face. Nothing needed stitches. Do you have any questions for me?’
    ‘When will he wake up?’
    ‘I would think soon. There don’t appear to be any injuries that are causing him to sleep. It’s more likely that he’s simply exhausted. We’ve administered an IV with some antibiotics in case there’s any infection associated with the head injury. Everything else is just fine.’
    ‘Thank you,’ Daphne said. She turned around, leaned over the bed rail, touched her forehead to her son’s. ‘Ford. I’m here. It’s Mom.’
    Joseph drew the doctor out into the hall. ‘Did you find any needle marks?’
    ‘We did, but I was hesitant to mention them in front of the mother,’ Rampor said softly. ‘Several