High Stakes Gamble

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Later that evening, after an emergency meeting for all staff, Cory ranted for those in his office who felt the same anger and disappointment revealed on his expressive face. No one minded his deafening tone. “I can’t believe that after all the time we’ve spent on this case, we’ve got zilch, nada—zero.”

Ham kicked in sarcastically. “But don’t forget, Boss: we helped the Feds look good! That outta count for something.”

“F*ck them! Let ‘em do their own work.”

Aurora spoke up. “Yeah, well just so you know, they got Min Chang to give up what she’d gathered on her brothers and there’s enough there to put them away for a good long time.” Aurora had to add in her two cents. Somehow, it had made things a little better for her so maybe it would soothe the savage males.

Kai sauntered into the room, a new bandage peeking out of the opened top buttons on his torn and bloody, blue plaid shirt. “I’ve rounded up the troops and told them to pass out the word. Lily’s still missing and we need to get organized.” He leaned his hip against Cory’s desk and turned to Aurora.

“Did you call Big Mike? I couldn’t find his number.”

She looked at him and noticed new pain lines on his unsmiling face. “I called in every marker I could think of.” She pushed her hair to the back and forced herself to let it go and not pull it out by the roots. Every normal sensation of foreboding had become heightened now. It wasn’t possible to shove it back anymore.

Trepidation grew in her gut; she didn’t know how she could last another minute without visiting the bathroom once again to hurl. Leaning forward in her chair, she held her face in hands and hoped no one else saw them trembling.

Ham cleared his throat and then added, “I put Lily’s photograph out over every media outlet I could think of. Plus, her kidnapping is on all the radio stations. We’ve alerted law enforcement agencies so they’ll all start investigations in their areas. Everyone is talking about our precious little angel.”

Kai slapped his hands on his knees adding, “And all the crazies will be calling in with wild stories from alien abduction to psychics who’ve had some kind of weird epiphany. A story like this just stirs them up.”

Cory piped up. “Whatever! Follow up on every one of them. We know that the woman who took Lily most likely still has her. Since she apparently didn’t work for the Chang-Lee’s, it’s reasonable to assume that she has other reasons for wanting the child—maybe personal ones.”

Ham added. “Considering all the media flashing Lily’s photo everywhere, this chick must be smart enough to pass under the radar.”

Aurora knew that many of the missing children who disappeared without a trace were probably taken by ordinary individuals. They got away with their crime because of that very ordinariness.

Her memories of the female to whom she’d handed over her child had no discerning characteristics that she remembered—at least nothing that had tweaked her cop instincts.

In fact, it was the complete opposite. When leaving her mom’s arms, Lily had started to fuss. But the other woman had soothed her perfectly and she’d settled right down. All Aurora could figure was she must have sensed security.

The annoyingly mild hum she’d had in her head since earlier when she’d realized Lily wasn’t among the babies found in the trailer, continued. Concentrating as hard as she could didn’t help. The hint her mind tried to convey wouldn’t break loose. Ever since she’d realized Lily hadn’t been kidnapped by the Chang-Lee gang, the aggravation had haunted her.

A sob broke loose and all heads turned in her direction. She covered her mouth but it was too late. The pity she read drove the hidden tears to show themselves.

“Aurora you’re exhausted and no good to me in this shape—you too, Kai. You take Aurora home, and if you have to force a sleeping pill into her, you have my permission.” Cory’s voice held no give. “The rest of us will work the phones through the night and if anything pops we’ll call you. Debbie’s left Eric with a friend and she’ll be coming in to take your place. In the meantime, there’s nothing you can do that we can’t.”

“Sleeping pills?! What the hell? No way I’m leaving.” Aurora spit the words through tight lips.

Cory rose to tower over her. “None of your bullshit, Rory. You two have been on the job long enough. You’re done! If you don’t care about yourself, look at our hero here. He’s a mess. Now get outta here—both of you before I lock you up for obstructing justice.”