Edge of Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

wouldn’t have a chance if we ran into any Tyet goons. I didn’t want to lead my brother right to his death. I didn’t have a right to risk him that way.
    Dalton’s calloused hand closed over mine, preventing me from dialing. “I’ll take care of it,” he said, grooves cutting deep into the sides of his nose and mouth. He definitely didn’t look happy. “When do you need it?”
    I looked at Lauren. “Have you got anything with you I can read?” I’d at least find out if they were still alive to be rescued before putting Dalton to work gathering supplies.
    “I only have something from Trevor, my nephew.”
    She put her hand in her breast pocket and took out a toothbrush wrapped in a plastic evidence bag. Trust a cop to get something that had DNA evidence on it and keep it protected. DNA didn’t matter at all to what I did. I only needed Trevor to have come in contact with an object and leave a bit of his trace behind.
    I took the bag and opened myself to the trace. Two ribbons wrapped the toothbrush. One was a greenish yellow. It belonged to Lauren. The other was a mustard-orange color. That had to be Trevor. I blinked out of trace mode, feeling a wave of dizziness. I really needed food and some sleep. I was only going to get one of those before diving into the mine tunnels. My stomach clenched hard, and suddenly I wasn’t remotely hungry. I shuddered and swallowed hard. Stupid phobia. I focused back on my new client.
    “He’s alive.”
    Lauren’s shoulders slumped, and she clutched her hands together. “Praise the Lord.”
    I looked up at Dalton. “How soon can you get the gear ready?”
    I hoped he knew what we’d need. He seemed more than competent. Mostly I wanted food, water, lights, and weapons. I’d provide the nulls.
    “An hour, maybe two.”
    “As quick as you can. Soon as you’re ready, we’ll go.”
    “Where?”
    I looked at Lauren. “Where was the last place you know these kids were?”
    She nodded. “They were hanging out at a place near Vine and Reeder.”
    “I’ll get to work,” Dalton said. “Stay here and I’ll be back to pick you up.” He withdrew to speak to his two crew members.
    I thumbed my phone to text my brother, Leo. I didn’t want to explain beyond the bare bones.
    Got a case. Missing teenagers. Going inside the mines. Could use some help. Can you come to the diner in the next hour?
    I hit Send and set my phone aside.
    My phone beeped with a new text. I checked it. It was from Leo. He was short and to the point:
    On my way.
    Just then Patti arrived with a bacon burger smothered under sautéed onions and bleu cheese, with a mound of crispy fries. I eyed it sourly.
    “What’s wrong?” she demanded, her brows winging down. “You don’t like what I brought you?”
    I shook my head. “That’s not it. I’m just not sure I’m hungry anymore.”
    “Why’s that?”
    “We’re going into the mountain.” I glanced up at her with a pained look. She knew I didn’t like small spaces. “I might be better off with just coffee.”
    Her expression softened slightly, but she shook her head, wisps of black hair dancing around her face. “You’ve been up for almost twenty-four hours, and I’m willing to bet you haven’t eaten since you left here yesterday. You need the energy. So pull up your big girl panties and force it to stay down.”
    Having made that pronouncement, she smiled at Lauren. “Can I get you anything else?”
    The other woman looked itchy. I understood. She wanted to find her nephew and the other kids, and this felt like wasting time. All the same, there wasn’t anything we could do until Dalton returned and Leo arrived.
    Lauren smiled weakly. “I guess I’m going to need a little fortification of my own. Can I see your menu?”
    Patti cocked her head at the detective and then waved her hand. “Never mind. I’ll bring you something. You’ll love it.” She twirled around, ducking behind the counter and vanishing into the kitchen.
    Lauren