Free Love Inspired Suspense April 2015 #1 by Terri Reed, Becky Avella, Dana R. Lynn Page B

“I’m calling the security company and having them change the system. And they better not charge us.”
    â€œCould he have left the arrow here the first time?” Lana said, her dark eyes wide. “I mean, if Brad came to and pulled the alarm, the thief may have stashed the arrow before escaping the other night.”
    Liking how her mind worked, Adam nodded. “That’s plausible.”
    â€œEveryone spread out and search the room. If you find the arrow, don’t touch it,” Delvecchio instructed.
    After several minutes of searching, they came up empty.
    â€œHe must have come back hoping to take something else,” Mr. Floyd stated as he dabbed at his sweating bald head with a handkerchief.
    â€œAnd clearly Miss Gomez is not involved in the theft,” Adam said, pinning Mr. Floyd with a stare.
    â€œPossibly not,” Mr. Floyd grudgingly conceded. “However, Miss Gomez, I hope you will honor your commitment to take your vacation days. Until this whole mess is settled, I’d rather you didn’t come in.”
    Adam hated seeing the disappointment in Lana’s gaze. The need to protect her rose sharply as it had earlier when her boss accused her of being in league with the thief.
    She drew herself up and inclined her head. “I will, sir. I always honor my commitments.”
    * * *
    An hour later, after giving their statements, Lana, Adam and a groggy and wobbly Ace exited the building and climbed into Adam’s vehicle. Lana’s shoulders drooped. She was wiped out, emotionally and physically.
    The appearance of that man had brought all the terror of the other night rushing back. Her mind had gone numb with shock until he’d aimed that bizarre weapon at them. Then excruciating pain had filled her head. The effects of which lingered, making her ears tingle.
    â€œWhat was that weapon?” she asked.
    â€œA sonic shock wave device used for deterring animals, most specifically rodents. Easily obtained online.” Adam’s tone hardened. “Obviously, the guy had the power amped up.”
    â€œSeemed like something out of a science fiction movie.”
    â€œSometimes reality takes its cue from fiction.”
    She pinched the bridge of her nose. Her head ached from the residual effects of the blast. She could only imagine Ace still suffered considering how sensitive dogs were to sound. She sent up a prayer of thanksgiving the sonic blast hadn’t ruptured Ace’s eardrums. Nor hers or Adam’s.
    â€œI can’t believe Mr. Floyd’s attitude didn’t change.” She clenched a fist. “I sure hope this ‘mess’ as he put it is resolved before I have to go to court.”
    â€œWhen is the custody hearing?”
    â€œTomorrow,” she managed to say around the lump of emotion in her throat. Tomorrow, her and Juan’s futures would be decided. She had no control of the outcome of the custody hearing
    But none of this was out of God’s control, she reminded herself. She had to trust He knew what was best for them all. Sometimes that was so hard to do. But faith was not easy. Trusting was not easy. No one had promised anything would be easy.
    Adam turned the key and the engine roared to life. “I’m sure Juan is anxious to come home with you.”
    Her heart ached. Folding her hands in her lap, she stared out the front window. The gray clouds had parted, allowing a peek of blue sky and sunshine to bathe the earth in a warm glow. The cherry blossoms surrounding the Washington Monument glistened in the sunlight as he turned the vehicle down Independence Drive. “He doesn’t know I exist.”
    â€œWhat?”
    More guilt heaped on her head. Her heart ached with sorrow and regret. “I haven’t been able to bring myself to visit him. I don’t want either of us to get our hopes up.”
    â€œHe’s your nephew. The courts will side with you.”
    â€œThere are no guarantees.