Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

again. ‘Okay. Why did Reggie say Marina’s baby was his?’
    Again Joseph saw a little gleam of pride. ‘Because he thought it was. But Marina was mine and the baby is, too. She had to let Reggie think it was his, or he’d be angry when he got out. Marina’s small.’ He closed his eyes for a second. ‘Was. She was small. If Reggie got mad, she’d get hurt.’
    ‘So why would you try to help Reggie escape?’
    Weary confusion clouded his eyes. ‘Because that was the plan.’ His chin dropped to his chest, as if he couldn’t hold his head up any more. ‘I need a lawyer, don’t I?’
    You need the best damn lawyer money can buy . ‘Yeah, George. I’d say you do.’
    Joseph let himself back into the observation room, feeling like he needed a long nap, but instantly he came to attention. ‘Daphne.’
    She stood at the window, watching George who sat in the chair, quietly weeping. Joseph found himself feeling a little sorry for the young man, but then he thought of Zacharias’s family and whatever pity he’d felt vanished.
    ‘Nice interview,’ Daphne said, her voice distant. She didn’t look at him, keeping her eyes on George. But something was off. Joseph could feel it.
    Paige stood on her left. She’d angled her body so that she could see the whole room, ready to protect Daphne even here, in BPD’s headquarters. Which, considering Daphne had already been attacked twice while surrounded by cops, seemed prudent.
    When Paige met his eyes, Joseph knew his instincts had been right. Something wasn’t right. He and Paige had developed a friendship over the months, a respect that had always seemed mutual, but at this moment Paige’s eyes held a wary distrust. That she was letting him see it was significant. For good or bad, he wasn’t sure.
    Hector Rivera and Kate Coppola stood shoulder to shoulder about ten feet away. They seemed more like they were waiting to see what would happen next.
    Feeling at a distinct disadvantage, Joseph walked to Daphne’s side. Rarely had he seen her in anything but suits and evening gowns. Now she wore soft, faded jeans tucked into a pair of equally worn hiking boots. Her sweater wasn’t cashmere or angora as he expected, but an oft-washed acrylic that she might have bought at Walmart.
    She was dressed for the outdoors, he realized. Dressed for snow. Dressed to join in a search for her son, should it become necessary.
    She’d changed her hair, too. Literally, he supposed, wondering how many occasions she had wigs for. Her hair was down, held away from her face by a barrette at the nape of her neck. This way, she looked like a college student herself instead of the mother of one. Heartbreakingly young. Vulnerable. Fragile.
    He wanted to touch her so badly he could taste it, so he shoved his hands in his pockets to avoid temptation. ‘I’m sorry we started without you. Grayson wanted a connection to Richard Odum.’
    ‘Yes, he told me. He’s getting the warrant signed now and Agent Lamar is organizing search teams.’
    If Bo was organizing the teams, it meant Joseph could afford to stay a minute or two. To recharge. To be near her, just a little. ‘That’s good.’ Feeling as awkward as a boy asking a girl on a first date, he barely resisted the urge to stare down at his shoe.
    Paige gave him a pitying look, then rolled her eyes, making him feel even more like an idiot than he had before. ‘That was good work, Joseph, getting George to tell you about Odum.’
    ‘Thank you. We should start with the house in Timonium. If the baby is there, Ford might be, too.’
    Daphne swallowed hard. ‘Hopefully.’
    He gave in to the need to touch her, taking his hand from his pocket long enough to give her upper arm a brief squeeze. ‘Hold on,’ he said quietly. ‘Just a little longer.’
    And then he practiced what he preached, sliding his hand down the length of her arm and threading his fingers through hers. Holding on.
    She never took her eyes from the window, but her hand gripped his with a desperate strength that broke his heart all over again. ‘A small part of me has always felt sorry for George,’ she murmured. ‘I don’t know what I think now. Part of me still feels sorry for him. I guess that makes me crazier than he is.’
    What it did was make Joseph want her even more. He cleared his throat. ‘I think he made his choice, Daphne. And I don’t think he’s as stupid as everyone thought.’
    ‘Maybe not stupid. Maybe just alone.’ She turned to look up at