Free Beyond Suspicion by Catherine A. Winn Page A

feeling a dark emptiness as one officer rolled the stroller away for evidence while another led her to a squad car.
    Tears threatened as her throat tightened. No, she would not cry here. Not where she might be recognized and mobbed. Shelby headed for the wooded area and her favorite spot by the spring-fed creek where no one could see or hear her. The last time she cried there was the day before her mom married Roger.
    Shelby followed the familiar path for a few minutes, then stepped onto the grass, winding her way through the trees to the creek. There was a rock formation where she would be able to sit, close her eyes, and let the gurgling sound of the clear water wrap around her. As she reached the rocks, she saw something small lying in the leaves. With tense fingers she cleared them away.
    â€œBrownie Bear!” She snatched it up and clasped it with both hands as she fell to her knees. Josh’s favorite toy! Holding it brought fresh tears. The kidnapper had come this way!
    Suddenly there was crashing in the brush near her and two uniformed officers loomed in front of her. One of them yanked Brownie Bear from her, knocking her off balance. Shelby sat hard on the stones.
    â€œGet the search team back in here.”
    The two officers stepped aside to let Detective Rutherford through.
    â€œWhat’d I tell you? They always return to the scene of the crime.”
    He took Brownie Bear from the officer and slowly turned it over and over in his hands as he glowered at her. “If you hadn’t come back for this we probably wouldn’t have known where to start looking.”
    Shelby scrambled to her feet. “I found it here. The kidnapper dropped it.”
    Detective Rutherford laughed a harsh, derisive half laugh. “Right.”
    â€œHonest, it was lying right there.” Shelby choked for a second as she pointed to the spot. “It was his favorite toy.”
    Detective Rutherford’s face registered triumph. “ Was ?”
    A line of confusion formed between Shelby’s eyes. “What?”
    â€œYou said it was his favorite toy,” Detective Rutherford said. “That means he’s dead.”
    â€œI didn’t hurt my baby brother!” It was so darn frustrating to know someone had Josh and Stupid here was in charge of the case.
    â€œGive it up, Shelby, we know you did it.”
    And then rage at hearing those words and seeing the hate on his face took over and made her fists double up. If she’d dared she would have smashed that superior smirk down his throat.
    â€œLeave her alone! She hasn’t done anything wrong.”
    Shelby turned her head. So did the policemen. A young man stood about ten feet away. Dressed in a loose green tee, faded jeans, and well-worn black cross-trainers, he seemed to command attention—and not just because of his sudden appearance and confident order. The two uniformed officers took a step toward him, but Detective Rutherford raised his hand to stop them. He and the boy checked each other out. The boy’s eyes never wavered. Then Detective Rutherford flung his hand in Shelby’s direction.
    â€œIf this is your friend, then you better get her out of here.”
    The boy gave a curt nod. “Come on, Shelby.”
    Shelby, uncertain what to do, couldn’t move. She had never seen him before.
    He held out his hand. His intense brown eyes sent a penetrating message to hers. She couldn’t refuse even if she wanted to.
    â€œLet’s go. It’s time to get out of here.”
    She moved in what felt like slow motion and took his hand. It felt natural and safe as his hand enclosed hers. He pulled her to hurry, and once she was in front of him he followed.
    â€œKeep walking and don’t turn around,” he whispered so quietly she almost didn’t hear him.
    â€œIsn’t she under arrest?” a uniformed officer asked.
    â€œAnd that kid for interfering?” the other one asked.
    â€œNo.