Shadow's Sacrifice (Shadow Island FBI Mystery Series Book 18) by Mary Stone

Author:Mary Stone [Stone, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mary Stone Publishing
Published: 2025-01-30T00:00:00+00:00

21

The first section of the steel and concrete bridge jolted Hoyt’s cruiser as he pulled onto it. He gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his jaw. He pulled up to where the Coastal Ridge officer was checking cars and got waved through immediately. The memory of Ivy’s lifeless form swirled in his mind, an image he couldn’t shake as he crossed the water separating the island from the mainland.

His chest tightened, an unbearable weight constricting his breathing. This wasn’t just another victim. This was Ivy—sweet, competent, too mature for her age. Someone he’d watched grow up, someone who meant something to him.

He pulled over at the end of the bridge, hazard lights blinking in time with his pounding heart. With trembling hands, he fumbled for his phone and dialed Angie’s number. It rang twice before her voice, a life preserver in the storm of his emotions, filled the car.

“Angie.” He had to swallow hard before he could continue. This was against standard operating procedures, but he needed to reach out before putting on his stone-faced deputy mask again. Before he could offer support or comfort to an already distraught family. “It’s Ivy…she’s dead.”

“Ivy Sinclair? The Walkers’ oldest?” There was a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line. “And you found her? Oh, god, honey. I’m so sorry.” He knew she’d fill in the blanks, saving him from having to provide those details himself.

“Vivianne and Rebecca found her, but I saw her. I know she’s a grown woman now, but…it was like seeing her as a child.” Hoyt knocked the hat off his head and dragged his free hand through his hair. “I keep remembering her running around the beach on the Fourth of July, pigtails flying, laughing, showing the other kids how to use sparklers…and now…” He choked on the memories, on the stark contrast between past and present.

Angie didn’t say anything, but he still felt her calming presence through the phone. He might be the senior deputy, but his wife was far stronger than he could ever hope to be. Sucking in a shallow breath, he struggled to continue.

“Someone took her life. And that same someone probably has her sister’s baby now. Another innocent child.” His anger flared, a fire in his belly that fought against the despair. “If it were one of our boys, taken right after birth…” His voice broke, unable to complete the thought.

“Now, you listen to me, Hoyt Lloyd Frost.” Angie’s firm voice cut through his spiraling thoughts, a commanding presence despite the distance between them. “It’s not either of our boys out there needing help. We’re not the ones stuck at the hospital waiting to hear updates while we pace, pray, and cry.”

His wife’s no-nonsense tone was already calming Hoyt.

“You’re in pain, and that’s okay. That’s the shitty part of your job. You have to give those grieving families the news that will break their hearts.” She paused and took a deep breath that he mirrored subconsciously.

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