Free Lullabies and Lies by Mallory Kane Page A

Ed Gross, did he threaten you? Did he say anything suspicious?”
    “No. He just snapped at me that he and his wife didn’t have any children. He was lying.”
    “Yeah? How can you be so sure?”
    Her mouth turned up in a tiny smile. “He was a terrible liar. He started sweating as soon as I told him why I was there. He couldn’t wait to be rid of me.”
    “Well, someone thinks Mabry told you something. Something they didn’t want to go any further.”

    Sunny stared at him with those wide green eyes that demanded loyalty and truth.
    He didn’t have a shred of proof, but he knew in his gut that Mabry’s death had been no accident. “That means, Ms. Loveless, that not only is your baby in danger, so are you.”
    She laughed, a choked, desperate sound. “You think I care about me? I don’t! All I care about is Emily.”
    “I understand.” He did. All too well.
    “Tell me the truth. Do you think Emily is okay? They’d need to keep her safe, right? To be sure I cooperate?”
    He heard in her voice that she didn’t believe her own words. Reluctantly, he met her gaze. “I wish I could—”
    “Just tell me.”
    Griff spoke as calmly as he could. “I’m sorry, Ms. Loveless. We have no way of knowing if she’s still alive or not. I know how hard this is—”
    Sunny’s anguished gaze met his, and a flame of fury glinted in her green eyes. “Do you have children, Agent Stone?” she asked coldly.
    He winced. “No.”
    She lifted her chin as a single tear rolled down her cheek. “Then you cannot possibly know how hard this is.”

Chapter Four
    Griff felt as if she’d slapped him.
    During his years with the FBI, he’d heard those words before. And each time he heard them, they tore another hole in his heart.
    He’d consoled frantic parents whose desperate fear turned into rage against the people who were trying to help them, because they couldn’t get to the kidnappers. So he’d always responded with respect, concern and assurance. Usually his calm demeanor consoled the terrified families.
    He’d never taken it personally. His feelings didn’t matter. He was a professional. His job was not to share his private anguish, it was to offer comfort and find the truth. He’d never even been tempted to share his own personal feelings.
    Until now.
    He clenched his jaw against the urge to tell Sunny that he did know exactly how hard it was for her, that he’d been through it all himself. It would do her no good to know that he spent a part of every single day searching for his sister.

    “I apologize, Ms. Loveless,” he said. “You’re right.”
    Sunny looked at him curiously, her hands squeezed so tightly together that her knuckles were stark white.
    “Some of the very best agents the FBI has are working on your little girl’s case right now. What I need from you is a promise to cooperate fully. The more we know, the better our chances. You can’t do this alone.”
    Sunny nodded, her head bent. “I know that.” She lifted her head, her face taut with pain. “I hope I haven’t waited too long.
    Her lower lip trembled. A tear gathered at the corner of her eye and slipped down her cheek.
    He knew she was terrified of what the kidnapper might do.
    So was he.
    He read through the second note again.
    Remember, I’m watching you.
    “Have you noticed anyone following you? Any cars sitting outside?”
    “People park on the street. I haven’t noticed any strange vehicles, but I’ve had other things on my mind. You should ask Lil.”
    “I will.” He gestured. “You’re sure you don’t have any idea what the kidnapper is hiding?”
    “I’m sure. I’ve never had an unhappy client.”
    “Never? What about Jennifer? I’m sure there are others you haven’t been able to help.”
    “Well, yes, but I’ve given each of them a full refund. I wouldn’t classify them as unhappy.”
    “It doesn’t have to be an unhappy client. For instance, what was your most recent case?” Griff knew about all her