THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

I’ve needed you so much. You two are the best things in my life.”
    She sat in the grass. “We’re so close to bringing Jake home.”
    The sun broke through the clouds, and Kasey tipped her face to the warmth.
    “Coming here has been impossible,” Kasey said. “Too final. Even now it tears my heart to face that you’re gone. I’ll always love you.”
    She bit her bottom lip. “I messed up. I should have put my faith in God to bring Jake back, but instead I’ve been cursing him for taking you away. For taking Jake, too. I’ve been so angry and sad. Selfish. You would’ve never been that way. You always knew what to do.”
    She pulled a tissue from her pocket, then wiped her nose. “You kept me balanced—made me a better person. Oh, Nick. Help me get it together.”
    “The house is perfect. You thought of everything. Everything we ever dreamed of right down to the dark room and the cubby holes in my workspace, the color of Jake’s room, you knew it would be perfect.”
    “I want to be ready, to be the best mom to our son. He’s coming home soon. I’m going to bring him home and make the surprise house the home you wanted it to be.”
    Closing her eyes, she sniffled, and then prayed for the strength, the help, the way, to make things right.
    She stood. Feeling better, stronger.
    “You’re always in my heart.” She looked heavenward.
    Her legs felt like rubber bands as she walked back to her car.
    Inside the car, she stretched to look in the rearview mirror. She dabbed away the makeup the tears had smeared under her eyes. She felt a renewed strength and focus.
    Even a visit to Grem didn’t seem too ominous a task now.
     

 
    Chapter Thirty-Four
     
    Scott sat at his desk going over paperwork. His cell phone rang and he answered without looking at the caller ID, hoping it was Kasey. “Scott Calvin here.”
    “Scott? It’s Von.”
    “Hey, man. What’s up?” Scott signed a report and put a stack of papers back on top of his in box.
    “We just got a hit on Libby Braddock’s credit card. She just checked in at the Holiday Inn Express there in Emporia.”
    “You’re kidding.” Scott scribbled the information on a pad by his phone. “We’re on it.” Scott didn’t even say goodbye. He hung up, grabbed his keys and ran for his car.
    Not wasting a moment, he keyed the mic on his two-way radio and called out orders to Dispatch. “I need you to call the front desk of the Holiday Inn Express on Main. I need the room number for a guest who just checked in. Libby Braddock. She’s under suspicion for kidnapping. I’ll be there in three minutes. Have Dan Taylor back me up. No lights.”
    “Ten-four,” said the dispatcher, and then she repeated back the request.
    Scott hit his lights and sounded the siren to get through the light at Main and Route 58, then turned them off again. He couldn’t take a chance on spooking Libby Braddock. Arriving at the hotel, Scott identified the black Nissan that they had been looking for, parked right in front. The tag matched the plate they had on report.
    He blocked the car with his, then jumped out of the cruiser.
    The manager of the hotel ran out to meet him. “Angie just called. That lady is in room 118. Follow me.”
    “Was she alone?”
    “I didn’t see anyone with her.”
    Scott nodded and followed the manager back into the building.
    “She just checked in,” the manager said.
    Just past the elevators, the manager pointed across the hall to the room. Scott approached the door with his hand on his gun. He knocked on the door. “Libby Braddock. It’s the police,” he announced.
    An older dark-haired woman answered the door. “Is something wrong?” she asked, holding on to the edge of the door.
    “Libby Braddock?”
    “Yes.”
    Scott flashed his badge, pushed the door open and walked inside.
    “What’s going on?” She backed against the wall and watched as Scott scanned the room and checked the bathroom.
    “Where’s the boy?” he asked.
    She looked dumbstruck, but recovered quickly. “I’m traveling alone.”
    “I know you left Leighsboro, North Carolina four days ago with Jake. Where is he now?”
    She pressed her lips so tight the skin whitened around her mouth.
    “I’m going to ask you again. Where’s the boy?”
    She looked away, fidgeting.
    “Fine. We can discuss his whereabouts down at the station.” Scott cuffed her and escorted her to his car.
    “My purse. My stuff.” Panic rose in her voice.
    “We’ll take care of