Free Blood Stained by CJ Lyons Page A

start to fade. Before he could do anything, Sally cranked it back up just as he'd shown her. Even with the light, the pit was still rimmed with shadows. But in a few hours the sun would be high enough to add light through the overhead opening.
    Sally kept on drawing. He had the feeling she spent a lot of time alone in the dark. The thought made him angry and sad.
    "I'll bring you back more crayons and coloring books."
    She nodded eagerly. Then surprised him by jumping up and giving him a hug. "I like having a big brother, Adam," she whispered into his ear as she clung to him.
    Now he was the one startled. Not sure how to respond. Slowly he wrapped his arms around her, careful not to squeeze too hard. "You're my favorite little sister in the whole world." Reluctantly he released her. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
    She tickled his face with Miss Priss, and then returned to her earnest activity. He'd never seen anyone take coloring so seriously.
    As he left he was already worrying about her. About how he was going to take care of her. Because now she was his.
    How had Dad done it? So many years of taking care of him and Mom and even the fish. Adam stepped out from the entrance of the cave and sucked in a bracing breath of November air. Time to be a man.
    He marched into the woods, determined, for once in his life, not to screw things up.
     

Chapter 8
     
     
    Lucy changed into her regular work clothes of khakis and a button-down and slid her suit into a garment bag. It was only 8:20; her appointment with the shrink wasn't until ten. 
    New Hope was a two-hour drive. No matter how she tried to ignore it, the thought kept ricocheting back. She had a go-bag in her office closet with extra clothes, toiletries, winter gear. Not that she'd need it. She could be to New Hope and back before Megan came home from soccer. 
    To hell with the shrink. Making sure Adam was okay would do a helluva lot more good for her psyche.
    She grabbed her travel duffle, hid it by folding the garment bag over top her arm, smiled at everyone she saw on the way out, and left without saying a word. 
    She'd just reached her car when an official unmarked vehicle, a gray Taurus, pulled up with Jenna Galloway at the wheel. "Get in," the postal inspector shouted through the window.
    Lucy opened the passenger door but didn't get in. "Where you off to?"
    "New Hope. Thought you might want to ride with me."
    "I told you. I'll take care of Adam Caine. You get back on Operation Roundup."
    "Taylor's got it covered. And the threatening letter you received falls under Postal Service jurisdiction. You've got no standing to investigate it even if you weren't a principle. Plus, I'm the new guy here. How's the team gonna feel if I let you waltz off and something happens?"
    Lucy hesitated.
    "I'm going with or without you. C'mon," Jenna wheedled. "This place isn't even on the map. Wouldn't want me to get lost, would you?"
    "All right. But on two conditions."
    "What?"
    "I drive." Lucy threw her stuff into the backseat.
    "Sure." Jenna hopped out of the driver's seat before Lucy made it around the front of the Taurus. After they were both belted in and headed towards the security perimeter, Jenna asked, "What's the second condition?"
    "You do not document Adam's name in anything without clearing it with me first. Kid's had it rough enough. I'm not about to ruin his life because of some misguided cry for attention."
    "I can live with that."
    Lucy waved at the guard as they drove past, then turned onto Carson Street. She smiled and eased back in the driver's seat, effortlessly navigating around the civilians on their way to work. Not even nine o'clock and she was risking her career to do what her gut told her was the right thing. To help a lost kid who needed her. Just like she had two months ago. 
    Finally, life felt good again. 
     
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    Adam had left the truck parked in the staff lot behind the school, so he headed there. Perfect timing to catch a glimpse of Marty