Rivero swung his weapon toward Tommy.
Steve made a move. Rushed him. The two struggled.
The weapon discharged.
Allie grabbed the nearest object, a small sculpture on the table by the front window. She raised it to slam into Rivero.
The two men suddenly rolled to the right, and Steve had him pinned to the floor. The weapon had flown out of his hand. She tossed the statue aside, and it landed with a thump.
Before she could locate the weapon, Tommy had picked it up. He stared at the gun, then at Allie.
“You should let me hold the gun.” Her heart thundered.
He stared at it a moment longer, then handed it to her. Her knees wobbled with relief.
Steve shouted over his shoulder, “I need something to restrain him.”
“A moment please,” Tommy said before rushing toward the kitchen.
“Grab my phone from my back pocket,” Steve said, “and call 911.”
“Gladly.” Allie plucked his phone from his pocket and made the call.
Tommy returned with a dog leash. He thrust it at Steve. “We had a dog once.”
“Thanks.” Steve took the leash and secured the man.
Rather than rant and curse, Rivero said nothing. He was done, and he knew it.
Allie wasn’t done by a long shot. She intended to see that Ledwell was brought to justice for every life they had damaged or taken.
The determination she felt was bone deep…soul deep.
Foster Residence
Ridgeland Avenue
Woodstock, 1:30 p.m.
Once Rivero wasbooked and both Steve and Allie had given their statements, they took Tommy to see his grandmother. Mrs. Talbert had been thrilled and humbled to meet him. She was a little confused about how he was here, but it would take time for the full ramifications of what had happened to sink in. The Colby Agency had called in a specialist from another AI research and development lab to determine how best to help Tommy. That expert would determine how to move forward with ensuring Tommy was properly cared for.
According to Fraser and Potter, Ledwell’s son had spilled his guts. And, ironically, the CIA was claiming no knowledge or involvement whatsoever in the mess that was Ledwell Labs.
When there was nothing more they could do, Steve had driven to Allie’s ruined home. They sat in the driveway staring at the damaged structure. She doubted there was much inside that could be salvaged. More than anything else, she regretted the loss of all those family photos. Thankfully, she had the fewphotos that had been in the time capsule. Her baby bracelet, shoe and spoon.
“You’re going to be okay.”
She turned to the man behind the steering wheel of the borrowed car. “You think so?”
He smiled wearily. “I know so.”
They were both utterly exhausted. “Thank you. I’m glad you have so much faith in me.”
“You’re smart. You’re determined.” He leaned into the headrest. “And I plan on being around to see that you have everything you need to be okay.”
A smile slid across her lips. “I like that plan.”
He leaned toward her. “Good.” Then he kissed her, one of those slow, sweet kisses.
