Protection Detail - Shirlee McCoy by Capitol K-9 Unit

Author:Capitol K-9 Unit [Capitol K-9 Unit]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

NINE

Obviously, Gavin should have said no when Cassie insisted that Tommy be allowed to bring all his stuffed animals to the safe house.

Obviously, she knew it.

She stood behind five overflowing boxes and smiled. “That’s it. All one hundred of them.”

“You’re sure about that?” he asked dryly, eying the boxes, the woman, the little boy who was standing at her side. The other kids were in the foyer, carrying backpacks and a pillowcase stuffed with belongings. Some had books or toys. Little Juan Gomez had a bottle in one hand and a fistful of Virginia’s hair in the other.

Tommy had more.

Lots more.

He had a backpack, a duffle, a pillowcase and the boxes.

No wonder it had taken Cassie two hours to get everyone packed. She’d probably spent the majority of her time getting Tommy’s things together.

“I don’t know,” the young boy said. “Maybe there is one more. Maybe I left one under the bed. I think I did, Cassie. I think I did!” He darted back up the stairs, and Cassie sighed.

“Smooth move, Gavin. I’d finally convinced him that we had everything, and now we’re back at the drawing board,” she said, hefting the closest two boxes. “We may as well get these into one of the cars while we’re waiting. He may be a while.”

“He’s checking under the bed. How long can that take?” He took the boxes, not because he thought she was too weak to carry them herself, but because Mrs. Simons would have had his head if she’d known he’d done anything else. Housemother at All Our Kids during the years Gavin was there, she’d had a kind heart and a will of steel. Aside from Harland, she’d influenced his life more than anyone.

“Not long, but then he’ll have to check in the closet and in the dresser and in the tub. He’ll probably check the entire second level before he comes down. He’s a little OCD that way.” She lifted two of the remaining boxes, her ponytail sliding over her shoulder. She’d changed clothes, replacing the blood-stained shirt and skirt with a soft-looking T-shirt and well-worn jeans. She’d also washed the blood off her face and out of her hair. The bandages pulled at the skin of her forehead, highlighting the goose egg and bruise she was sporting.

“Maybe I should go up and help him look?” Virginia suggested. “I don’t know about everyone else, but being in this house is making my skin crawl. I mean, think about it—”

“We’d all rather not.” Cassie cut her off. The statement was matter-of-fact rather than frustrated, and Virginia didn’t seem at all fazed by it. She bounced Juan on her hip, murmuring something to him under her breath. The poor kid had been through a lot, and Virginia seemed bent on mothering him through it. She was good with all the children. That had to be the reason Cassie kept her around. It certainly wasn’t for her ability to respond well during crises.

“I’m just saying, Cassie. The sooner we leave, the happier I’ll be.

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