Free Shelby's Secret (Once a Marine, Always a Marine Book 4) by Kori David

mother. To treat her normally, including joking around. “We were thinking of going swimming, Madge. How about you join us?”
    But the older woman shook her head. “I have more calls to make and some business to handle, but you two go ahead. I’ll have the chef put a basket of snacks and sandwiches together. Unless you want breakfast, Shelby?”
    “No, just fresh fruit and maybe cheese and crackers would be good for me.”
    “Would you like something special, Rebecca?” Shelby asked, knowing she wouldn’t get an answer. And she didn’t.
    The little girl shifted away and left the bed. She moved slowly and deliberately, like an old woman, not the child she should have been.
    Shelby wished for something she could do to bring a bit of joy back into her life. She’d tried everything from toys to secret trips to visit the world-famous mouse in both Florida and California, but nothing worked.
    Madge ruffled her hair as she left the room and then turned to Shelby. “I’ve hired several Phoenix police officers in an off-duty capacity to patrol the grounds. They’ll start tonight.”
    “Do you really think that’s necessary? Our guys have been great and have handled everything so well.”
    “They’re a security team, they’ve never dealt with a serial killer. This isn’t the regular overzealous fan. This is more serious than anything I’ve ever seen before and it will ease my mind to have them around. Besides, our guys need to sleep sometime, instead of splitting their shifts and leaving us one pair of eyes short.”
    Shelby couldn’t deny that added patrols would make her feel better, and supporting local officers was a great way to help them, while they helped her. Plus, her security guys were tired. They all were on edge these days. “You’re right, Madge. The guys need some serious rest, and we could use the help.”
    “I’ll go see the chef now. You girls have fun at the pool and wear some sunscreen.”
    Shelby smiled softly as Madge left the room. The older woman never had any kids of her own or even been married. Said doing so would have cramped her style, but she’d taken on Shelby and Abby as if she’d been a mother her entire life. And Shelby loved her for everything she’d done for them both. To her, Madge would always be more than a mere manager.

    ***

    Mike stopped by the office even though today was technically the first of his three days off. He’d finally turned over the early morning crime scene to Wolfe and Casey, although the way those two are sniping at each other when he left might have been a bad idea. But he trusted they could remain professional long enough to gather all the evidence before moving the body to the medical examiner’s office.
    He gave the day shift Sergeant the rundown of what he had and left messages with dispatch to call him if they got anything good. And then he left. A tip or actual eyewitness would be a blessing, but Mike wasn’t holding his breath. This killer was good. Mike would have to be better.
    In the meantime, it was time to make Shelby and Rebecca disappear. When he arrived at the mansion on Camelback, he and his truck were recognized and he was waved through the gate.
    Madge met him at the door. “You have news?”
    He shook his head. “Not about the homicides, but a development has occurred in the case.”
    “By the look on your face, I don’t imagine it’s good.”
    “It’s not.”
    She waved him toward the large room that was serving as a sitting area and office space.
    The same place Shelby had been the night before when she’d been staring off into the cityscape. He moved to the window and noticed he could see the pool from where he stood. More interestingly, he could see the people in the pool.
    Rebecca splashed around, but she wasn’t smiling. That poor little girl was lost and needed to find her smile again. Madge said they were doing everything they could think of to help her through it. He could see Shelby’s head in the water, as