MIA: Missing In Atlanta. Debby Giusti

      “I’m fine. What’d you find out about Brittany?”

      “Her momma’s sister lives in Macon.” Keesha handed Sarah a three-by-five card. “Here’s the aunt’s name and phone number. I told Brittany you’d talk to her tonight.”

      “How’d she react?”

      “I think she’s relieved. Her mother has another year in prison before she’s up for parole. Evidently she signed all the forms with Family Services for the aunt to take over guardianship. You know Brittany doesn’t want anything to do with her dad.”

      The last time Brittany stayed at the shelter, Sarah had seen her bruises. She would drive Brittany to Macon if need be to ensure the girl wouldn’t have to face her abusive father again.

      “Thanks, Keesha. I’ll be sure to tell Cynthia what a great job you’ve been doing while she’s been gone.”

      “It’ll be nice to have her back, but I don’t want to even think about you leaving. Have you heard anything about the orphanage position?”

      “The board won’t make a decision for a while yet.”

      “South America.” Keesha sighed wistfully. “It sounds so exciting.”

      “Setting up a program to promote American adoptions of Colombian children?” Sarah laughed. “Sounds like a lot of work to me.”

      “At least we’ll have you with us for a little longer.”

      Sarah’s heart warmed. Keesha was a hardworking young woman who had cleaned up her life. Now she was taking classes toward a degree and helping with the kids.

      When Keesha headed back upstairs, Sarah called Brittany’s aunt, who agreed to pick her niece up first thing in the morning.

      Call completed, Sarah turned her attention back to the financial reports. She added up the funds Hope House had received from the foundation over the last six months, then reviewed the Caring Heart’s records for the same time period and checked the contributions.

      Why didn’t the figures add up?

      She rubbed her fingers over her temples, hoping to ease the pressure that had been building since her earlier conversation with Winton, when the sound of a car CD player broke through the stillness outside.

      Sarah tugged back the curtain. A gold Eldorado pulled to the curb.

      A twinge of apprehension slid down her spine as she grabbed her sweater and stepped into the foyer.

      “That’s Damian’s car,” Brittany cried from the top of the landing. Keesha peered over her friend’s shoulder.

      “Go back into the dorm and close the door, Brittany. Keep the lights off and don’t go near the window.” Sarah reached for the doorknob. “Keesha, call Bull’s cell. Tell him I need him back here now.”

      Sarah pulled the door open and stepped into the chilly night. The light from the porch scattered over the sidewalk. The Eldorado sat in the shadows beyond, heavy base thumping through the cold.

      Wrapping the sweater around her shoulders, Sarah crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the vehicle. Hopefully, her stance would send a signal to keep moving down the street.

      The hair on the back of her neck prickled as the driver’s door opened. A man she recognized stepped onto the pavement. Tall and slender, he wore a fur coat and flared jeans. A thick silver chain dangled from his pocket.

      “What do you want, Damian?” she called out. Luckily, her voice didn’t expose the nervousness that fluttered through her stomach.

      Damian sauntered toward her, a sneer plastered on his long face. “I came to get Brittany. Take her home with me.” He jammed his thumb back at his chest in a possessive motion packed with defiance.

      Sarah kept her voice calm. “She doesn’t want to be with you anymore, Damian. Now, turn around and get back in your car before I call the police.”

      “Cops are tied up with a raid downtown. They won’t be comin’ this way. Plenty of time for me to go in there and get my woman.”

      Sarah stepped to the edge of the porch. “It’s late, Damian. Go home.”

      The glint in his eye told her he wasn’t about to leave.

      Where was Bull?

      Damian reached for Sarah’s arm. She jerked free and ran for the door.

      At that instant a red pickup charged down the street and screeched to a stop.

      Footsteps sounded on the sidewalk. Glancing over her shoulder, Sarah saw a whirl of movement.

      “Jude?”

      He grabbed Damian by the shoulders, spun him around and smashed his fist into the punk’s jaw.

      Damian crumpled onto the grass.

      “Get out of here.” Jude’s voice was low and dangerous. “And don’t come back again.”

      Damian staggered to his feet, rubbing his chin.

      Jude snagged his shirt collar and leaned into his bloodied face. “And if you ever touch her again, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you do.”

      “Son of a—” His hand groped along the waistband of his jeans.

      “Watch out,” Sarah screamed, seeing the knife he brandished.

      In one smooth movement, Jude grabbed Damian’s wrist with his left hand and twisted. His right fist jabbed into the punk’s gut, causing him to double over and drop the knife to the ground.

      Jude pulled him up by the collar and shoved him along the sidewalk. “Don’t come back, you understand me?”

      Grunting a reply, Damian slithered into the Eldorado.

      Bull raced around the corner of the house just as the car disappeared from sight. “Where is that scum bag?”

      “Already taken care of.” Jude picked up the knife Damian had dropped and quickly explained what had happened.

      Bull pulled out his cell. “I’ll call the cops and let them know. Damian’s caused a lot of problems in the area recently. Word is, he’s trying to expand his turf.”

      Danger past, Sarah slumped with relief. If Jude hadn’t arrived when he did—

      He was staring at her. She saw concern in his eyes, but when he spoke, his voice was stern.

      “Did he hurt you?”

      She shook her head. “I…I’m fine. Thanks to you.”

      The light from the porch caught the set of his square jaw. “Why didn’t you stay inside with the door locked?”

      “What?”

      “You heard me, Sarah. It was foolish to come outside. Did you think you’d scare him away?”

      She bristled. As soon as Damian climbed out of his car, she’d realized her mistake. Not that she wanted to admit she’d been wrong. “I was worried about Brittany’s safety.”

      “Yeah, well, locking the door and staying inside would have been a wiser course of action. You put yourself in danger. That’s not smart.”

      She tapped her foot with annoyance, wanting to be anywhere but caught in Jude’s reproving glare. She was cold and tired and her emotions were pulled to the breaking point.

      Retreat was sometimes the best option.

      She did a crisp about-face that would make any first sergeant proud and reached for the doorknob. As she stepped inside, Keesha and Brittany tumbled down the steps followed by the rest of the girls.

      “Oh, my goodness. Captain Jude, you’re awesome to go up against Damian,” Brittany squealed as Jude followed Sarah into the foyer. The boys raced upstairs from