Bone Cold by Debra Webb Page A

complications since birth.” That was about as vague as he could be and still get his point across.
    “None of those issues were mentioned by the parents when I interviewed them. Frankly, I don’t see how they tie into your case. Or mine, for that matter.” Sarah crossed her arms over her chest, standing her ground.
    She wouldn’t buy this without more details and Tom couldn’t give those to her. “The gene tampering we found in Tennessee comes with side effects called random errors. Sometimes small, other times life-threatening issues that can develop immediately or over time. There’s no pattern to how they happen. They come out of nowhere and are completely
random
. We’ve been watching for abductions or other criminal activities,” he motioned to the stack of files, “involving children who have displayed these random errors. So far, these are the first we’ve identified.”
    “You’re suggesting these parents are holding back important information that could potentially help us find their children?” If her tone wasn’t enough to warn him that she thought he’d lost his mind, the dubious expression on her face got the point across.
    “If we’re dealing with a situation similar to the one we found in Tennessee, the parents are afraid to tell their secret. And even if they do talk, what they’re privy to may not be anything that will help us find their children. I doubt the families know about each other so the pattern of abductions wouldn’t have set off any alarm bells.”
    She searched his face and his eyes. His pulse reacted as if she’d touched him. “You’re serious.”
    It wasn’t a question. “I am. These children fit the profile. Their families have the means. All we need is just one of them to talk.”
    A frown furrowed its way across Sarah’s brow. “I’m wondering where the motive is. I’ve interviewed these families. They’re socially and financially prominent. None have mentioned having had issues with conception. Where’s the motive for getting involved with something like this?”
    “That’s one of the answers we need to find.”
    “Let’s say for a moment that your theory is correct,” Sarah challenged, “why would the unsub want to kidnap these children and miss out on a potential ransom? What’s the goal if not money?”
    “The dismantling of the research center and clinics related to what went on in Tennessee has given the remaining brother a heads up that we’re on his trail. The random errors showing up in these children will lead us to him. He can’t let that happen.”
    “You’re right.” Sarah put her hands up in surrender. “This sounds like pure science fiction.”
    “I’m having trouble with your suggestion,” Chief Larson spoke up, “that our victims are some sort of genetic designer children? Like clones or something?”
    “I didn’t say that, Chief,” Tom argued.
    He didn’t want terms like
clone
to end up on the table. He’d already said too much. In fact, he wasn’t supposed to be here at all. If he could keep this among the three of them he might just manage to obtain what he needed without the Bureau finding out. To do that, he needed Sarah on his side. More importantly, he needed her trust. It was a big gamble, but it was the only hand he had left to play.
    “Then, what are you saying, Tom?”
    Hearing Sarah say his name had his pulse reacting again. “I’m saying these children may be a part of dangerous medical research. If that’s the case, the children are evidence and we need to find them before that evidence is destroyed.”
     
    Sarah didn’t like the sound of this. The whole theory was surreal. “Now you’re suggesting that the scientist or scientists who did this alleged shady medical research may be snatching the kids to destroy any evidence of what they’ve done?” It didn’t sound any more plausible when she said it than it had when he did.
    “That’s exactly what I’m telling you.”
    “Are you working with