No Grace (A Valerie Law FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 8) by Blake Pierce

Author:Blake Pierce [Pierce, Blake]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2023-05-03T18:30:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

"It's beautiful here," Valerie said, looking at the expensive houses all around in the morning glow.

"Beauty can often hide terror," Will remarked as Valerie felt the morning air against her face.

"It's too early for poetry," Charlie said.

The sun had risen, bathing the surrounding houses in a golden light. Valerie noticed that the air was perfumed with freshly cut grass and a light summer breeze. Further down the road she could see an empty play park, but imagined that it wouldn't stay empty for too long.

Valerie looked down the street at a large old townhouse painted in sky blue, its wooden slats straight out of a Hallmark card.

"That's the house," Valerie nodded. "John Fox is staying there with his parents."

"I have a good feeling about this one," Charlie said. "Too many coincidences. I think we could have our man."

With that, the three of them crossed the street and entered the yard. Valerie walked ahead, steeling herself as she made her way to the front door. She knocked on it gently and waited for a few moments before a woman in her sixties opened it.

"Yes? How can I help you?" the woman asked with a friendly smile.

Valerie took a deep breath before introducing herself and her colleagues. "We're from the FBI and we'd like to speak with John Fox," she said.

The woman's expression changed immediately, and Valerie could tell that she was scared. "John is not here right now," she said quickly, trying to close the door again.

"Please ma'am," Charlie said before Valerie could stop him, stepping forward so that he was blocking the door with his body. "We have reason to believe that Mr. Fox is involved in some serious criminal activity."

A look of fear crossed the old woman's face as she shook her head slowly from side to side, tears welling up in her eyes. She didn't say anything else but stepped aside and allowed them all inside.

"Would you like some coffee?" she asked as she led them to a conservatory at the rear of the house.

"Coffee would be lovely," Charlie said, turning on his charm. "This really is a fine house."

"Thank you," the woman said. "I'm Joanne Fox, John's mother."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Fox," Charlie said.

She left the room and then momentarily reappeared with a pot of coffee, some cups, and some cookies.

As she served the coffee, Valerie noticed that Joanne was fighting back tears. She seemed very upset.

Charlie must have noticed it too, because he put down his cup and leaned forward towards her. "Mrs. Fox," he said softly, "is everything OK?"

Joanne took a deep breath before answering him. She looked them in the eye one by one and then swallowed hard before speaking again. "My son...he hasn't been home for two days. What trouble has he gotten into, now?"

Valerie and her colleagues exchanged glances. It was clear that Joanne was worried about John, and it seemed like she had a good idea why they were here.

"We just want to ask him some questions," Valerie said quickly, hoping to reassure the woman.

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