Profile of Fear: Book Four of the Profile Series (Volume 4) by Alexa Grace Page B

evidence we collect regarding her abuse. Make sure it’s prepared and marked to maintain the chain of custody. We don’t want some judge to throw out the case based on a glitch we could have avoided.”
    A soaked Sandy emerged from behind the shower curtain holding Becca, who was now wrapped in a white towel.
    While Sandy went inside the vehicle to change her shirt, Cameron pulled his clean T-shirt from the back of his waistband and handed it to Gail, who quickly dressed Becca. On the toddler, his shirt hung to the ground and threatened to slide off her little shoulders. She held her arms up to him and he swept her little body into a protective embrace, as Gail handed her the teddy bear.
    Sandy reappeared. “It’s time we get this little one to the hospital.”
    Cameron looked at Becca’s little face for only a second before saying, “I’m going with her.” With Sandy’s help, he loaded the toddler into the emergency vehicle, then climbed in himself.
    Gail called after him. “I’ll meet you there.”

 
    Chapter Ten
     
    Diego Santiago had been watching the house when he saw the SWAT team arrive. Damn his luck anyway. He’d waited too long to grab the kid and Donda. He’d royally fucked up this time, and just might pay for his blunder with his life.
    Leaping to his feet, he hunched over and worked his way to his car, which he’d parked on the dirt road at the end of the corn field. Covered with mosquito bites, he scratched at his skin as he ran. Using a search light, the cops did a sweep of the field. Luckily, he’d run beyond the scope of the light and could see his car in the distance. Jumping inside, he fished his keys out of his dirty jeans and pulled out a small flashlight so he could see the ignition. Once he got the car started, he slowly drove ahead without headlights until he was far enough from the house and the swarm of cops to be noticed. Pulling onto a county highway, he flicked on his headlights and headed for town, hauling ass until he spotted the first convenience store. He pulled in, parked at the back of the lot, and got out his throwaway cell. His heart beating painfully against his chest, he punched in a number and waited to hear the voice of his boss.
    “Yeah!” Juan barked.
    “Boss, this is Diego.”
    “You better have a damn good reason for calling at this time in the morning.” His voice rough from sleep carried the threat loud and clear. Diego’s stomach clenched and prepared to deliver the bad news.
    “I was watching Donda’s house like you told me. The police came and surrounded the house.”
    “What!? Why?”
    “Not sure. But I know the guy she’s living with was dealing meth. Maybe he got caught.”
    “Where’s my kid?”
    “Don’t know. I was in the field across from the house and got out of there when the SWAT team arrived.”
    “You fucking loser. You promised me that you’d get my kid!”
    “There were people going in and out of the house all day. Then the cops came. No opportunity.”
    “No excuses!” he roared. “Just get your ass back there and locate my kid. Don’t call me until you find her. Do you understand? You fail me and you die—slowly and painfully.”
    Diego turned the car around and headed back to the house. He’d choose what the cops would do to him any day over the wrath of Juan Ortiz. One didn’t cross the boss and live to tell about it. Nor did one fail to deliver what he requested.
    He arrived just as an ambulance whizzed past his car. Doing a U-turn, he headed toward the hospital.

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
    Social Worker Melanie Barrett pushed through the front doors of the only hospital in Morel, Indiana. She was not in her best mood as she entered the long hallway that led to the Emergency Department. Not that she had a best mood anymore. Bone-tired, she couldn’t remember the last time she didn’t feel exhausted.
    Only twenty-seven-years-old, she felt more like seventy. When had work devoured her life? In her twenties, she was