A Family Homecoming by Laurie Paige Page B

“One should always give the devil his due.” She walked off, her chin high.
    He had definitely been put in his place. But he’d seen her smile before she’d turned away. He smiled, too, as his chest eased a bit.
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    Danielle flitted around the kitchen, not doing very much but staying busy. It was Saturday and Rafe was due in a few minutes to show Sara the pictures.
    â€œRelax,” Kyle murmured from the table where he read the morning paper.
    She glanced toward the family room where Sara watched a video. She spoke in a low voice. “I’m worried.”
    â€œAbout Sara?”
    â€œYes. Carey said to watch for signs of hysteria. If she can’t handle the pictures, we aren’t to press her.”
    He tucked a finger under her chin and lifted her troubled face to his. “I won’t do anything to hurtSara,” he promised. “All you have to do is say the word, understand?”
    She nodded. Outside, she heard tires on the drive. “He’s here.” She went to the front door and let the lawman in. He carried a thick briefcase.
    â€œI brought a bunch of shots taken this past year. “I thought we would show them to her in groups of six.”
    â€œOkay. Kyle is in the kitchen. We can work there at the table, if that’s okay.”
    â€œRight,” he replied, following her. “Hello, Sara, how you doing today?” he said jovially as they went through the family room. “You feel up to looking at some pictures for me?”
    Sara looked at her mother, who nodded, then she nodded, too, and pointed to the television.
    â€œAs soon as her video is done,” Danielle requested. “It has another few minutes. Come have a cup of coffee.”
    â€œThat sounds good. It’s colder out today than it’s been all week. Too cold to snow.”
    â€œThat’s what Lily Mae told me a week ago…and then it snowed sixteen inches that night.”
    She and Rafe were laughing when they entered the kitchen. Kyle flashed her a quick glance, then welcomed the young sheriff. She poured coffee for them, then went to get Sara when she heard the end of the video.
    Returning, she sat in her chair with Sara in her lap. Carey had thought that was best. Sara would feel safe and Danielle could tell if the pictures were upsetting her if she felt Sara trembling.
    â€œReady?” Rafe asked.
    â€œYes.” Danielle gave Sara a hug. “We want you to look at some pictures and tell us if any of the people are—” She looked at Kyle, not sure how to describe the men.
    â€œSara, honey, we want to know if you recognize any of the men in the pictures,” he put in smoothly. “If you think any of them are the ones who took you away. Understand?”
    Danielle felt the tension enter Sara by the way she sat absolutely still.
    â€œDo you understand, sweetheart?” she asked, stroking the baby-fine hair away from Sara’s face. “You can point to the picture if you see one of the men, okay?”
    Sara hesitated, looked from her to Kyle, then settled on Rafe.
    â€œI think we’re ready,” Danielle said.
    Rafe laid out six pictures, ranging from young boys to old men. “Any of these familiar?”
    Sara looked at Danielle.
    â€œDo you see either of the men who kidnapped you?”
    Sara shook her head.
    â€œOkay,” Rafe said cheerfully. “We’ll do some more.”
    They looked through picture after picture, six at a time. After thirty minutes, Danielle was getting tired. She sensed Sara was, too. “I think we’d better quit.”
    â€œWe just have a few more,” Rafe said.
    Kyle touched her arm. “It’s up to you and Sara.”
    â€œI suppose we can finish. If it’s not too many.”
    Kyle talked to Sara while Rafe laid out the next row of snapshots. The pictures were the typical policemug shots. They would make Santa Claus look like a depraved maniac, they were so grim and