Found Wanting Read Online Free PDF Page A

hoped for some clues in that one, seeing as how that man had been the only one to actually find her. But all the reports were the same. Dead ends everywhere.
    He could understand how one or two might have milked the job. But four? It made no sense. Especially considering the level of Layton Keller's influence. He no doubt would have handsomely rewarded the detective who delivered his son to him. The man would have been a hero, a media sensation.
    Increasingly uneasy, Mitch kept the news to himself that he'd found the mother and son, preferring to think the situation through before making a move. In the meantime, he noted that the boy appeared well-adjusted and happy, lacking the usual sullenness of a teenager. The interaction between mother and son was easy, comfortable, even playful. It was clear that they respected each other, loved each other. The thought of shattering the teen's life nagged at Mitch.
    As did Alaina's frantic dash just before the accident. What had she been running from? Or perhaps to? Her adamance that her friend go get Jonah right away had been desperate. Mitch understood a mother being protective -- he felt protective of the kid himself -- but there was another level to it, a fear that seemed almost irrational. And Mitch wasn't about to let anything happen to Jonah on his watch.
    It was dark, and rain was still falling by the time he steered his car onto the street where Grant Maxwell lived with his teenage son, Lucas, who seemed to be Jonah's closest friend. Mitch had followed Alaina to the Maxwells' home several times in the past weeks as she had picked up her son or dropped him off. The past two Wednesdays, she had picked him up after her early shift at work. Mitch figured it was a good bet that she had intended for this Wednesday to be no different than the two before it.
    Seeing flashing red lights, Mitch parked a block up and took in the two squad cars parked in front of the Maxwells' home. An ambulance, lights blazing, siren screaming, sped by him, away from the house.
    Mitch began to sweat.
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Alaina sat on the gurney in a hospital-issue gown, her bare legs dangling, one hand tightly gripping the edge of the mattress, the other cradled gingerly in her lap.
    About ten minutes ago, the ER staff had determined her injuries were not life-threatening and moved her to a tiny room by herself to await her turn behind the more critical patients.
    Alaina, much of her body feeling bruised, was beginning to regret her refusal of the pain medication. But she would have regretted a fuzzy head more. All in all, she didn't feel as bad as she would have expected after being hit by a car. The vehicle had been stopping, so it hadn't struck her that hard. The worst injury, as far as she could tell, was the dislocated shoulder, which, the doctor had told her, would probably be susceptible to dislocation in the future if she wasn't careful, at least until it had healed. Her ribs had taken some abuse, as well, but none felt broken.
    She knew she was lucky. Very lucky. And with Rachel picking up Jonah --
    "Hey." Rachel peered around the edge of the door. "You decent?"
    Alaina's spirits soared, all pain forgotten. She hadn't expected her friend to return so quickly with Jonah. "Yes, come in." Now, all she had to do was get out of here, and they could get home, collect some belongings and the documentation for the identities she'd been building for the past several years for just such an occasion, and hit the road. Where would they go next?
    Stepping into the room, Rachel dropped her brown leather bag on the floor near a sterile-looking metal stool on wheels, then looked Alaina over. "Nice jams."
    Alaina glanced at the door, which Rachel had left open a crack. Was he behind it, feeling shy or worried about how she might look? "Jonah?"
    "Oh," Rachel said, waving a dismissive hand. "I wanted to make sure you're okay before I go get him."
    For a moment, Alaina couldn't breathe. Her heart felt