Page 60 (1/2)

CHAPTER ONE

HER STRIDES LONG and sure, Kelly Jenkins picked up her speed as she turned into Peacock Park, confident she was on pace to beat her old time Jazzed because she hadn’t scored a personal best on her favoriterun in months—not since she’d entered the police academy—Kelly pushed harder That was the key to success

The shade of the public pavilion with its prolance down to her wrist chronoht lose a second or two Patience was another path to success She’d knoithin two minutes

“Mommy!”

As the terrified wail of a sistered, Kelly turned her head and spotted a young boy running toward her as fast as his little legs could churn Two men chased hi his arhs

“Mommy,” he sobbed “Mommy, Mommy”

Knocked off balance, Kelly wind and stared down at the boy clutching her as if she were a lifeline, guessing he was about four years old

Before she could say anything, like “Hey, kid, I’m not your mom,” the two men arrived

“Sorry, lady,” one of the dude who hadn’t shaved in days Tats covered both forear, but couldn’t re to his shoulders There was a gun-size bulge in his jeans pocket that worried her

“I’ll take the kid,” he snarled

“No,” the boy shrieked, clutching her legs tighter, sharp fingernails digging into her bare thigh “No! Mommy, no”

Her cop instincts slaear, Kelly reached down and picked up the child “What’s your name, sweetie?”

“His na edge of threat “I’m his father Hand him over”

His entire little body tre violently, Jason buried his face in Kelly’s shoulder, turning away from his “father”

“This child is terrified of you,” Kelly said

“Yeah, well, that’s none of your concern, lady Just give me the kid”