Free Profile of Fear: Book Four of the Profile Series (Volume 4) by Alexa Grace

crimes for the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.” Cameron thrust out his hand to shake hers, but she glanced at his hand and kept her own protectively pressed against her tote bag, filled with file folders, to her chest.
    Tapping the plastic work identification badge pinned to her collar with her finger, she said. “I’m Melanie Barrett. I work with CPS, Child Protective Services.” Her eyes narrowed. “Your last name is Chase? Are you related to Sheriff Brody Chase?”
    “Yes, ma’am. He’s my brother.”
    A spark of temper flicked in her eyes. “Well then, you’re just the person I need to speak with. Shall we have our conversation here, or in a more private place?”
    Obviously eavesdropping, the nurse said, “There’s no one in the conference room down the hall. I can reserve it for you.”
    “You do that.” Melanie swung her gaze back to Cameron. “Follow me.”

 
    Chapter Thirteen
     
    Cameron had a good idea why he was about to get a tongue-lashing, and followed closely behind Melanie Barrett until they came to a small conference room. Trailing her inside, he paused as she pulled out a chair to sit at the head of the table, and then eased himself into a chair to her left.
    “Since you’re a sergeant, you can tell me who was in charge of the methamphetamine police raid of the house where two-year-old Becca Hicks was found.” She lay the worn tote bag on the floor, put her elbows on the table, pushed her glasses back to the bridge of her nose, and looked at him with contempt.
    Cameron cleared his throat. “That would be me. I was in charge of the raid.”
    “Then maybe you can tell me why Child Protective Services was not contacted to remove a two-year-old child from the home prior to the raid?”
    “I’m sorry about that. Neither our informant nor our undercover detective said anything about a child living in the home. She must not have been at the house when either man made a visit. I’m not happy this happened either, and I guarantee it won’t happen again.”
    That seemed to appease her somewhat, but clearly she wasn’t finished. “It can’t happen again. Understand? Do you realize what can happen to a child who is exposed to meth?”
    Seriously? He was in law enforcement in Indiana where meth labs were popping up faster than morel mushrooms in the spring. What kind of an idiot did she think he was? Now she wasn’t the only one who was steamed. But he knew he had to tread carefully with her. She would be the one to place Becca, and he wanted to make sure she went to a good foster home. “This wasn’t my first rodeo. Of course I know the chemicals used to manufacture meth pose serious dangers to children.”
    She shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t believe him. “I’m willing to bet that what you know about meth exposure is from seminars and articles in your cop magazines. You’ve never had to rush a three-year-old to the hospital because his parents made a habit of putting meth in his drinks for fun. I’d wager you never had to hold a first grader’s hand while he died because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time when his father’s meth lab exploded.” A tear ran unchecked down her face.
    Cameron squeezed her hand and watched her try to compose herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be insensitive. It sounds like you’ve witnessed first-hand the damage the drug can do.”
    “I didn’t mean to go off like that. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”
    “Yours can’t be an easy job. I realize that.”
    She pulled a tissue out of her tote bag and blew her nose.
    Cameron took the opportunity to change the subject. “Let’s talk about Becca and where you’ll place her.”
    “You mean if I can place her.”
    His brows creased as he gave her a long, searching look. “I don’t understand. She can’t stay here in the hospital.”
    “Shawnee County doesn’t even have half the number of foster homes that the system needs. I don’t know if I can find a