Finding Amy. Carol Steward

whether they had noticed any problems with Lionel Valenti before the burglary that injured Adam Montgomery. He kept digging, hoping someone could identify locals in the area that Valenti had been seen with when off duty.

      Either Dr. Valenti led a very isolated life, or he was very adept at keeping secrets. No one seemed to have known anything about Valenti’s personal life, who his friends had been, or where he’d lived.

      Before Sam realized it, it was time to go to City Hall. The crew had set up the cameras and lights in the conference room. Colleen Montgomery, reporter for the Colorado Springs Sentinel, stood by as her father prepared for his speech. Mayor Montgomery stepped behind the podium and began by giving a picture-book description of Colorado Springs as the idyllic city.

      “For the past year, however, we’ve experienced a drastic increase in violent crimes and drug-related violence.” Montgomery encouraged the community to join together to help city officials work to bring justice to criminals. Twenty minutes later a local television reporter interviewed Sam for the evening news.

      Jessica closed down her computer at the Galilee Women’s Shelter, ready to call it a day. She locked the door behind her and shouldered the strap of her backpack, then walked past Susan Carter’s door. “See you tomorrow, Susan,” she said to the director.

      “Come here a minute. You might be interested in this story on the news. The mayor is going to speak after the commercial.”

      “Mayor Montgomery? I wonder what is up?”

      “I’m not sure, but I received an e-mail from his secretary requesting my attendance at a task-force planning meeting on Wednesday.”

      “Do you need coverage? I’ll be here Wednesday, but not Thursday or Friday, remember?”

      Susan nodded, sending her corkscrew curls into motion. “I have your sick leave on my schedule. Are you getting nervous about the surgery?”

      “No, I’m so ready. I can hardly make it through the evening with Amy some nights. That’s just not fair to her—”

      Their conversation was interrupted by the return of the program. Mayor Montgomery’s picture came on, and then they moved to clips from his speech. “Violence is like a virus—it mutates and spreads, and it will take over our city if we don’t do something now. We are going to stamp out crime in Colorado Springs. Our law enforcement will work to eradicate domestic abuse, drugs…”

      “That must be what the meeting is about,” Susan said.

      “They have a huge job ahead of them. I admire the mayor’s determination. Someone has to do something.”

      As Jessica headed for the door, Sam appeared on the television screen. Jessica stopped to watch. She admired him, anxious to see him at dinner tonight. Even if it would be official business.

      “That is one handsome man,” Susan said with a teasing grin.

      Jessica smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of arguing with you. I’m sure he’ll bring a pretty penny for the shelter’s budget. Which brings me to say farewell. I need to get Amy home. We girls have a business dinner to get ready for.”

      Susan raised her eyebrows. “That sounds interesting. Keep me up-to-date on how it goes. And if you need any help finishing up the publicity, I’ll be glad to get it to Colleen.”

      Just before seven o’clock, Sam called Jessica to confirm her address and see if they were still on.

      “Surely you don’t think you’re going to be let off the hook? Took me long enough to get the courage to ask you to do this, Samuel Vance. Now that I have you, I’m not about to let you go.”

      “You sound awfully confident, Ms. Mathers.”

      “Do you want to be the one to tell your mother you backed out?”

      He laughed. “Not a chance. But honestly, I can’t believe that spending the evening planning a date for a bachelor auction is the highlight of my day. I’ll be right over.”

       Chapter Four

       D espite the tension of the murder investigation, a smile teased Sam’s lips when he saw Jessica and Amy waiting in front of the two-story Victorian. He stopped the truck and walked around it to meet them.

      “Evening, Jessica.” He knelt down and smiled at the little girl. “Hi, Amy, I’m Sam, a friend of your mom’s.”

      Amy giggled then ducked behind Jessica’s leg.

      “She doesn’t talk much,” Jessica explained. Amy held out her teddy bear for Sam to see.

      Sam recognized it as the one he’d given her in the hospital. “That’s a really cute bear. Looks like you love it a lot.”

      Jessica tousled Amy’s windblown hair. “She takes it everywhere. Someone gave it to her after the accident.”

      He extended his hands, but Amy held on tight to her mother’s leg. “Well, if you’re ready to go… Amy, would you let me help you and your bear into the truck?”

      Jessica glanced into the truck as she spoke. “I was going to suggest we take my car since you don’t…oh, you do have a child seat.” She looked again in the truck and back at him. “I hadn’t even considered you might have children.”

      He somewhat enjoyed watching “Miss Personality” fumbling for words, though it seemed peculiar. She hadn’t seemed at a loss when he’d seen her lunching recently with those other men at the Stagecoach Café. “I brought one from the station. We keep them on hand, in case we need to transport children.”

      She bit her lower lip, wrinkled her nose for a second and looked at him, her expression full of appreciation. “What made you think of bringing one?”

      “It’s my job to plan ahead. I figured it would be easier this way. Are you ready? I’m starving.” Sam motioned to the truck and opened the passenger door.

      As Jessica stepped back, Amy moved with her. “Don’t tell me you got so caught up in the investigation that you didn’t have lunch?” While Jessica pried Amy’s arms from around her legs, Sam noted her disapproving glance. “Amy, we’re going to eat now. Can you let Sam help you into his big truck? Mommy’s back hurts.”

      Amy nodded. “Mommy owie.”

      He offered Amy a hand, and she lifted both arms up to him. “Can you say ‘Sam,’ Amy?”

      Amy smiled and gave Sam a hug.

      “Wow.” Jessica’s slate-colored eyes opened wide. “You should be flattered.” She apparently hadn’t expected Amy to respond so well to him. “What did you do, give her C-A-N-D-Y when I wasn’t looking?” She gave him a wink as she moved to the truck and set her briefcase on the floor beneath the car seat.

      As she stepped back, Sam reached up and grabbed the door, blocking her in the small triangular opening with him and Amy. “Kids are a good judge of character. I don’t need to bribe her.” Jessica’s eyes brightened with her usual perkiness. “Must just be that natural charm, huh?”

      “Must be. Only works on certain females, though.”

      She blushed, then ducked under his arm, skimming her hand along his ribs. “That’s what you think, Samuel Vance.”

      “What’s that supposed to mean?” While he waited for another of Jessica’s smart-aleck remarks, he gently set Amy in the seat and helped position the straps over her shoulders. Amy grabbed the buckle, as if she thought she could do it herself. Sam waited until she took his hand and guided it to the buckle. “Need help?”

      Amy nodded. Sam snapped the locks in place, then tested the seat to make sure it was secure. “I asked around the precinct for suggestions on where the car seat works best. There isn’t enough room in the back seat. Sometimes kids kick the gearshift when they’re in the middle, so the passenger seat won the vote. I turned off the air bags, so