Read Online Her Stolen Son by Rita Herron - Free Book Online Page A

believe that Ms. Stover won’t flee the state.”
    Kay cut him a stern look. “Give her a break, Sheriff. The woman’s son is missing.”
    Colt tapped Kay’s arm, then leaned over and whispered something. Kay nodded, then cleared her throat. “To satisfy the court and Sheriff Gray,” she said, giving him a pointed look, “we’ll agree that Ms. Stover be released into the custody of Colt Mason.”
    Serena tensed, but the judge set the bail, then slammed down the gavel, and Kay pulled her into a hug. “You’re free, Serena. Now we just have to find the real killer so you can remain that way.”
    Before she realized what was happening, Colt had Serena’s hand and tugged her toward the door. “Come on, Serena, we have to talk.”
    â€œDid you find Petey?”
    â€œNo, not yet.” He shepherded her toward a parking lot adjacent to the courthouse, but suddenly the sound of gunshot rang out.
    Serena screamed as Colt shoved her to the ground.
    Â 
    P ETEY’S HEAD HURT , and his throat ached. He opened his eyes, but it was so dark he couldn’t see anything, and a rag was tied around his eyes.
    Where was he?
    He tried to move, but his hands were tied together, and so were his feet. The terrible day and night flashed through his head. First his mommy being torn away and taken to jail.
    Then the kid jail. And then Ms. Bri’s house.
    He’d been upset when they got there, and he’d wanted his mommy, but the bed had been so soft, and he’d been so tired and Mr. Colt had told him he should be nice to Ms. Bri. Then Ms. Bri gave him one of Ryan’s teddy bears and he’d hugged it and fallen asleep.
    But he’d woked up and that man had been in the room….
    He sniffled. He wasn’t at Ms. Bri’s anymore.
    This place smelled stinky, like rotten fruit or like someone had peed inside.
    An engine rumbled, and he realized he was in some kind of car or truck. Maybe a van. He had to get out!
    He belly-crawled across the floor searching for a door. But he smashed into a hard metal wall.
    He crawled the other way, but hit another wall.
    Then the engine fired up, and the van started moving. No…
    How would his mommy know where to find him if the mean man took him away?

Chapter Six
    Who the hell was shooting at them?
    Colt covered Serena with his body, jerked his head up and scanned the parking lot and side of the building. Another bullet zipped by his shoulder, and he grabbed his Glock from inside his jacket.
    â€œSerena, are you okay?”
    â€œYes. Who’s shooting at us?”
    â€œI can’t see him, but he’s in the alley.” He gripped her hand. “Come on, keep low and stay behind me.”
    Shielding her again, he pulled her toward his SUV. Another bullet ripped past them and pinged his Range Rover. Suddenly guards from inside the courthouse raced outside, weapons drawn, searching the street.
    He jerked his head, motioning toward the alley, but he heard footsteps, then spotted a man in dark clothing dart into a black sedan.
    â€œGet in the SUV,” Colt shouted. “And lock the doors.” He threw her the keys, then chased after the shooter. A guard was on his tail, footsteps beating the asphalt behind him.
    But the sedan sped down the alley toward the rearexit. Colt fired, aiming for the tires, but the sedan was too fast and spun around the corner, disappearing from sight.
    Colt paused at the corner, dragging in oxygen, and cursing beneath his breath.
    The guard’s breath rattled as he rushed up beside Colt. “Did you get a license?”
    â€œNo, no tag.”
    The guard flipped the radio mic on his lapel and called for assistance. “Shooting at the courthouse. Shooter driving a black sedan headed east out of town. Armed and dangerous.”
    â€œDid you get a description?” the guard asked Colt.
    He wiped at the sweat rolling down his neck. “I didn’t see his face,