Free Carter by Kathi S. Barton Page B

himself.”
    “There’s more.” Misha was afraid to ask. “She’s left me everything. I mean, not just her son, but her money. I had no idea she had so much of it, but…Christ, why me? There are also houses that she wants me to have that I can sell should I need to for Max, but he’s to get them when he turns twenty-one. She’s provided well for him over the years.”
    Misha really liked this girl. Not because she was twisting Carter up into a nice bow, but because she was smart and courageous. Not to mention she was willing to meet Carter halfway when he wanted it all. Misha told Rider about her rules.
    “Do you think he’ll abide by them?” Misha said it mattered little if he did or not. She wasn’t going to take his shit. “I hope he does. I’m going to keep seeing her even if he fucks this up with her. I missed having her in my life. And I want to be a part of Max’s too. Not to rub it in Carter’s face, but because he’s a great deal like his mom, and I really have missed her.”
    Phillip and the rest of them came in just as their rental car pulled in. They were taking the jet this time, going all the way across the United States to find a missing family. Misha was almost afraid for Carter to go with them. He was still having nightmares, according to Linyah. She was going out with them this time, and said she’d keep an eye on him and the rest of them should they need it.
    “I’ve invited Murph.” They all looked at Carter when Linyah spoke. “I think that with her expertise she can help us in ways that no one else can. And she will have a better understanding of municipal rules that we won’t. And I like her. She’s very good at her job and takes a great deal of pride in what she can do with it. Does anyone have a problem with this?”
    “Where is she?” Misha took a step back when she faded into the room. “What the hell was that?”
    “I have the ability to make it so no one can see me. It’s a mind thing.” Misha looked at Carter when she did. “I have to go. I don’t care one way or the other about the rest of the crap that’s going on, but on this, I think I can be a help. I’ll see things that you won’t because I’m trained to.”
    Carter said he didn’t care and moved out of the building. Misha asked her if she had gear and Murph pointed to her gun. He told her he’d get her something more when they landed, but for now, that would do. As they boarded the plane, he asked her about Max.
    “Your wife and mother have agreed to keep an eye on him. And he promises to watch out for them. He’s trained to make sure that no one takes advantage of them or gets by them.” Misha nodded. The kid would have to be smart to live like he’d been. “Also, he has a gun. And he’s qualified to use it. Not legally, but he can shoot better than most men I know.”
    He wasn’t sure how he felt about that and contacted Hannah to let her know he had it.
    I know. Max told us as soon as he walked in the door. Said that he’d keep it in the lock box until it was necessary to use it. Even Jackson was impressed at how good he was with it.
    Just keep an eye out for his grandda. He’s bad news. She told him that she would and that she loved him. And I love you as well. And I can’t wait for this to be done so I can get back to you and hold you .
    Standing when they were airborne, he handed out the files. Linyah and Murph shared hers, but otherwise he was giving out the information when Murph raised her hand. He had to laugh, and she smiled at him.
    “This is wrong.” He asked her what was. “This picture. See? It’s not right. Look at the letters on the license plate. They’re bass-ackwards. It looks like it says W8HT, but it’s really TH8W.”
    He looked at it and realized she was right. The picture was printed for them backwards. The police were looking for the wrong plate number. He called his contact on the ground and let them know what they were looking at. In minutes they were sending