The Christmas Bell Tolls Read Online Free PDF Page A

up back to the lab and start work.”
    “You’re tired.
You’ve been in the field all day, not even stopping to eat.”
    How could she eat
when Savannah was missing? Poor Darren must be climbing the walls. She couldn’t
even imagine. “I’ll be fine. Without Maddie…well, I’m it.”
    “Actually, you’ll
have Sarah Newton to assist.”
    Eva stiffened and
glared.
    Peter held up his
hands. “Not my decision, Eva. Dr. Sebrowski made the determination. Sarah’s
prepping the lab for scanning in the evidence.”
    “She’s in my lab?” The trembles skittered out from Eva’s spine.
    “Under
Dr. Sebrowski’s supervision. Dr. Sebrowski also pulled in two interns to
assist.” He reached out and put a hand on Eva’s shoulder. “You’re in charge
since Maddie’s out. Dr. Sebrowski has made sure of that. You’re just going to
need some help processing because you’ll need to be in the field as needed.”
    She still couldn’t
speak. Sarah Newton in her lab.
    “This case is top
priority. If they need evidence gathered anywhere else later, we’ll be
responding. I’ll try to balance our members so everyone has plenty of time to
rest, but also to do our jobs.”
    Arguing with Peter
and Dr. Sebrowski would be counterproductive anyway. She had to focus on
working the case to find Savannah. If that meant working with a she-beast, then
so be it. “I’ll let the team know.”
    “I’ll meet you at
the truck as soon as I touch base with Wilson. Don’t forget to have everyone
sign out of the scene log.”
    She nodded and
headed to sign out. She knew Peter was right, that this wasn’t personal, but
everything about the case felt personal. Eva could almost feel Savannah hugging
her. Could almost smell the recess smell clinging to
Savannah’s golden curls. Could almost hear the child’s laughter as
Darren tickled her side.
    It was all
personal.
     
    “Why don’t you try
to eat something, Agent Timmons?”
    Darren stopped
pacing long enough to glare at the agent sitting in front of the computer set
up in the corner of Darren’s living room. Eat? Seriously?
    Maddie intervened,
jumping up and looping her arm through his. “He’s just doing his job by the
book.”
    He let out a long
breath and ran his hands down his face before dropping to sit on the couch. “I
know.”
    Maddie sat beside
him, laying her arm across his shoulders.
    “Why haven’t I
gotten a demand?” While he asked the question, he didn’t really expect an
answer.
    Maddie gave one
anyway. “You know the drill. Better than most. What
does your training tell you?”
    “Maddie.” Nick joined them on the couch and gave her a hard stare.
    “No, she’s right.”
Darren leaned back. “I know what it means. So do you, sir. Every hour we don’t
get a demand…”
    Maddie turned to
face him. “Don’t think like that.”
    “I know. Stay
positive. Deal with the facts as they come in. You’re right, Maddie, I know the
drill. I know what I’m supposed to do. Stay focused. Keep thinking of anyone
who could have done this.” He leaned his head against the back of the couch and
closed his eyes. “I know all that, but that doesn’t help. This is Savy.”
Despite his best efforts, his voice hitched. “This is my baby.”
    “I know.”
    “She doesn’t have
her inhaler, Maddie. It was still in her coat left at the community center. If
she has an asthma attack…”
    A knock at the
front door shot everyone to their feet.
    Darren crossed the
room and opened it before anyone else could move.
    “Agent
Timmons?” A husky man stood there. In a suit. The agency.
    “Yes.”
    “I’m Special Agent
in Charge, Leo Wilson. May I come in?”
    Darren waved him
in and led him to the living room. Wilson stopped short as Nick held out his
hand to shake.
    “What are you
doing here, Agent Hagar?” Wilson ignored the hand, continuing before Nick could
reply. “You were told I had the case.”
    “I understand
that, but Agent Timmons is also a longtime family