Free From Roses To Thorns - Sequel To "From Nanny To Wife" by kate hopkins Page A

pillow and stared up at Ryan through pain-filled eyes. "Where did you go?"
    "I went to get a cup of coffee." Ryan walked to the bed and bent down. He gently kissed her on the lips.
    "You look tired," Hope whispered. "Go home and get some sleep."
    "I will later," Ryan said. "Do you need anything?"
    "No." Hope glanced past him. "Hello, Harvey."
    Harvey reached out and touched her cheek. "Hello, Hope. I-"
    Just then, there was a knock at the door.
    "Come in!" Ryan called out.
    The door opened and Joe entered the room. "Is this a bad time?" he asked.
    "No," Hope told him. "Please, come in."
    "Well if it isn't the good detective," Harvey said. "How have you been, Joe?"
    "Fine." Joe nodded at Pam. "Nice to see you again."
    Pam smiled. "You too."
    Ryan cleared his throat. "What brings you by?" he asked the detective.
    "I have some news to share with you."
    "Would you like Harvey and me to step out?" Pam asked Ryan.
    "That's not necessary. Please, tell us the news, Joe."
    "Laura is dead," Joe stated. "I went to see her and her husband early this morning. The door was unlocked so I let myself in. I found her in the living room with a gunshot wound to the chest. Seth Andrews was nowhere to be found. A quick sweep of the house and I discovered evidence that leads me to believe Seth is the person who kidnapped and tortured Hope."
    "What evidence did you find?" Harvey asked.
    "I found a garbage bag that contained a ski mask, a pair of gloves, pants and a shirt. All articles of clothing are black. Hope told me last night that the man was wearing all black. In addition to the clothes there was a video tape."
    "What was on the tape?" Pam inquired.
    "Hope being tortured," Joe uttered. "The sick bastard taped the whole thing."
    "You watched it?" Hope croaked her face as pale as the sheets she was lying on.
    Joe shifted from one foot to the other. "I'm sorry, but I had to know what was on it."
    "Who else saw it?" Hope demanded to know. "Did you pass it around to all your friends at the station? Why don't you just post it on the internet for everyone to see?"
    "Sweetheart," Ryan muttered. "He had to watch it."
    "No one has the right to watch it." Tears streamed down Hope's face. "It was humiliating."
    Joe moved closer to the bed. "I promise you, Hope the tape will only be viewed by a few people. When the case is closed, the tape will be destroyed. Believe me when I say, I did not want to watch it."
    Hope sniffed loudly. "I'm sorry for snapping at you."
    "No need to apologize."
    Ryan grabbed a tissue from the bedside table and gave it to Hope. "Is there anything else you want to tell us, Joe?"
    "Just that we're going to do all we can to locate Seth."
    "Keep us posted," Ryan said.
    "I'll do that. I have-" Joe broke off as his cell phone started ringing. "I better answer that."
    "Well that was shocking news," Pam remarked once Joe left the room. "I wonder what happened to make Seth kill Laura. I hope Joe finds him."
    Not if I can help it, Ryan thought. "Harvey, may I have a word with you?"
    His eyes twinkling behind his glasses, Harvey said, "Sure."
    Ryan led the way out into the hallway. He waited until the door closed behind Harvey before he spoke. "You said if I needed any help to let you know. I need help."
    Harvey grinned. "I had a feeling you were bringing me out here for this. What do you want?"
    "I want Seth Andrews," Ryan snarled. "In order for me to get my hands on him, I have to find him before the police do. Do you know of any good private investigators?"
    "Yes." Harvey crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned back against the wall. "Do you want me to recommend one?"
    Ryan shook his head. "You're going to hire one. I will pay for everything. I want this kept quiet, Harvey. That means no paper trails. When money exchanges hands it will be cash only."
    Harvey tilted his head slightly. "Let's say the investigator finds Andrews, what then?"
    His eyes as cold as ice, Ryan smiled. "I'm going to do a little branding of my own. We'll