Part 4

Captain Lipschitz put his hand to his head and yelled, “All right, everyone quiet!”

The detectives tried to calm down, but were running on pure adrenaline.

"Cap, we know it’s Jane McAttee!” Chris insisted. “Rita and I found…”

Rita slapped her hand over her husband’s mouth, blocking the rest of his statement. A look passed between husband and wife, one that Harry knew only too well.

“Ryan, Rawlins, get to the hospital and check out that locker,” Cap ordered. “Lance and Lorenzo, in my office, now!”

“Great,” Rita muttered under her breath to Chris.

They took seats in front of the desk, as Lipschitz closed the door. He sat down, and looked at them over his glasses, “So, did you rest this afternoon, Rita?”

“No,” she said meekly.

“I see,” her boss answered. “So, Chris, it’s your turn.”

"My turn for what, Cap?” Chris asked innocently.

“Finish what you were saying out in the bullpen, Sergeant Lorenzo,” Cap’s voice was deceptively calm. “You know, before your wife shut you up.”

Again, that glance passed between the partners.

Cap reached over and snatched the warrant from Rita’s hand, “Hey!” she protested.

“You can have it back when you tell me what you discovered this afternoon.”

Chris gulped, “Cap, we feel like we’re running out of time here.”

“I know, son,” Harry said wearily. “Tell me the whole story.”

“We went out to the McAttees and took a look around,” Chris confessed.

“I thought McAttee had a heart attack,” Lipschitz commented.

“Um, yeah,” Rita stammered. “We-uh-we went to his son’s house.”

Cap stood, realization dawning, “Don’t tell me-the son who’s out of the country?”

“Yes,” Chris answered.

“And no one was home, so you just decided to make an end-run around the law, huh? You both know you’re not supposed…” Harry’s voice rose.

Rita’s eyes blazed, “Look, that baby is in the hands of a murderer! And if we bent the rules a little bit, so what? Finding that little boy and getting him back to his mother is what we’re supposed to do! Not wait for some lawyer or hotshot Federal agent to observe every little legality, while that bitch runs off God-knows-where with th-the child!” She burst into angry sobs.

Chris tried to comfort his wife, but she was having none of it. He patted her shoulder, and told Cap, “We know it was illegal. But Rita is right-we have to find the baby.”

Harry came around the desk, clearing his throat, “Listen, this case has hit pretty close to home, for both of you. I realize why you did it, and off the record, I probably would have done the same thing. But, once we catch this woman, we gotta make it stick in court. Understood?”

Rita and Chris nodded, “Yeah.” “Of course.”

Harry picked up the warrant and read it, “Judge Wheaton, huh?” he chuckled. “Some things never change.”

They all laughed, breaking the tension, “So, what do you want us to do?” Rita asked, drying her eyes.

“Let’s wait and see what Tom and Holly find at the hospital,” he said thoughtfully. “I’d also like to catch up with Randy McAttee as soon as he gets back into the country. That should be in the morning, right?”

Rita wasn’t satisfied, though. “If Jane has any idea at all that we’re on to her, tomorrow might be too late,” she fretted. Chris thought a minute and snapped his fingers, “Derek!”

Cap was mystified, “What?”

Chris was already punching keys on the phone, “Derek McNeill is working homicide in Miami. He can stake out the condo until we get the evidence we need. What’s the address, Sammy?”

Rita ran out to her desk, and found the copy of the lease, “84459 Ocean Terrace, Miami.”

In short order, Derek agreed to assign a pair of officers to do a low-profile surveillance. “Hey, man, you owe me big for this,” Derek chided.

“It’s for a good cause,” Chris insisted.

“I’m doing this for your partner, not for your sorry butt,” his old buddy responded. “I figure with you for a husband, the poor girl needs all the help she can get.”

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks a lot, Derek. See ya!” Chris hung up the phone.

“Feel better?” he put his arm around Rita.

“Much,” she smiled.

The phone rang, and Cap picked up, “Lipschitz.” He listened for a minute, then his expression changed, “Yeah, yeah! All right, we got two detectives on the way. Uh-huh. Are you sure that’s what she said? Okay, great job, Barnes!” He hung up. “That was one of the uniforms. Sarah Daniels just woke up.”

“Does she remember anything about the attack?” Chris queried.

Harry grinned, “She sure does. She remembered a name.”

Rita was on the edge of her chair, “and?”

“She said ‘Amy called the woman ‘Jane.’”

“Let’s go,” Rita was on her feet and heading out of the office.

Cap and Chris followed, pleading with her to slow down, “Sammy, Tom and Holly can talk to her. It’s been a long day,” her husband pleaded.

“But I want to,” she insisted.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tom and Holly gained access to the nurses’ locker room, with the head nurse and a hospital security guard in attendance.

“Okay, here it is, number 35,” Tom muttered.

“No key, and no employee ID,” Holly observed.

Together, they spread the fingerprint dust, and lifted what looked to be two sets. Tom had a thought. “Does Jane McAtee have a locker here?”

Pam pointed to number 59, “That one is hers.”

Holly knelt and dusted this one as well, “Gotcha, Jane!” she said softly.

The head nurse was incredulous, “You really don’t think Jane…?”

Sgt. Ryan cast a stern look at his partner, and answered Pam evasively, “We’re just checking out a lead, that’s all.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The detectives hurried out, lights and sirens going as they returned to PBPD. They left the prints in forensics, and headed for the bullpen to await the results.

Wonder where Cap is?” Holly mused, perching on Tom’s desk. “And Chris and Rita?”

“Dunno,” Tom slumped in his chair and yawned. “So, you hungry?”

“Uh-huh,” she nodded.

“Pizza or Chinese?” He asked, reaching for the phone. “You choose.”

"Neither,” Holly replied, tossing a menu at him. “This new Greek place is great, and they deliver.”

Tom perused the menu, and asked wryly, “Since when do you eat Greek food?”

“Oh, Michael took me there last week,” Holly strove to keep her tone noncommittal.

Her partner wasn’t fooled for a second, but all he said was, “Well, let’s just see how good this is.” He hid a grin as Holly excused herself to the ladies room. Tom picked up the phone and ordered.

The officers were to be allowed only a brief visit with Sarah, as she was still quite weak. As Chris, Rita, and Cap entered the cubicle in ICU, a nurse was wheeling out a small machine and carrying two containers of a pale, whitish fluid.

Sarah was ashen, but she was sitting up slightly, watching the nurse leave, “I have to be ready to feed him when he comes back.”

Rita was struck by the determination in the young mother’s voice. “Mrs. Daniels, I’m Sgt. Rita Lance, with Palm Beach PD. This is my husband, Sgt. Chris Lorenzo, and this is our boss, Captain Harry Lipschitz. We’ve been working to find the person who took Paul, jr., and injured you.”

“My doctor said you were coming to see me,” Sarah said quietly. “Do you know who stole my baby?”

“We have a pretty good idea,” Chris answered. “Mrs. Daniels, you told Officer Barnes that someone named Jane took your baby. Are you sure that was her name?”

The young woman gazed at him steadily, “Yes, I am sure.” She glanced sideways at Rita’s round belly. “No mother that has ever had her baby ripped from her arms would forget something like that.”

Cap reassured gruffly, “We just want to be certain we’re on the right track. Can you remember anything else about that day?”

Sarah nodded slowly. Her voice was fragile, but her recall was reasonably clear. “I was nursing the baby, and I guess I must have dozed a little. I could hear water running in the bathroom, I guess my nurse was washing her hands.”

“And your nurse was?” Chris was scribbling furiously.

“Amy,” the patient replied. “Maybe I dozed again, but it couldn’t have been for long. The next thing I heard Amy say was something like, ‘No!’ or “Don’t, Jane!’” Her eyes closed, as if to shut out the memory. “I tried to yell, but I couldn’t make a sound. I heard Amy fall, and I tried to reach the call button. This Jane came at me with a-a knife of some kind. She pushed the button away, and…she t-told me…” Sarah started to cry.

“It’s okay, Sarah,” Rita’s voice was choked up.

“No, it’s not,” Mrs. Daniels sobbed. “I begged her not to take my baby, but she s-said-‘He’s my baby now.’ She took Paul from me and put him down, off the b-bed and she c-came at me with the knife…I don’t really remember much else.” Her brow furrowed in concentration. “A little later, maybe -maybe someone leaning over my bed?” She looked over at Rita, “Was that you?”

Rita nodded, tears trickling down her cheeks, “Yes, it was.”

Just then a nurse appeared in the doorway. “Sarah, Mr. and Mrs. Scott have Molly here. Do you still want to see them?”

Sarah reached for some tissues and dried her eyes, “Yes, I do.” She turned her gaze to the police officers as they left, “Please, please find my baby boy.”

Chris swallowed the lump in his throat, “We promise, ma’am.”

The detectives watched from the doorway as Dan lifted Molly onto the bed, “Mommy, I missed you so much!” The little girl sobbed.

“I missed you, too, baby girl,” Sarah soothed.

Cap, Chris and Rita filed quietly out of the ICU. They remained so as they got into the car.

“We can’t wait until tomorrow to execute that warrant,” Rita commented.

Chris shook his head at his wife, “Rita, it’s after eleven o’clock, and we’ve had no dinner.”

“So?” she countered.

Chris stopped at a light, “You promised Dr. Smith today that you would take it easy, remember?”

“I know but…” Rita was cut off.

“Are you saying that Sarah’s baby is more important than ours?” Chris’ patience was wearing thin.

His wife looked at him in shock, “No, of course not!”

“Then start acting like it!” The light turned green, and he pulled out into traffic. The rest of the drive passed in silence.

They let Cap out at headquarters, and Chris drove off. Rita was surprised at her husband’s anger, the first time she’d felt it since their marriage. At a fast food drive-through, he ordered salads, sandwiches and fries for both of them. She wasn’t really hungry, but decided it wasn’t wise to argue with him at this point. They sat at the bar in the kitchen, eating and not speaking.

Chris and Rita undressed and got into bed, tension heavy between them. They lay back to back, not wanting to go to sleep angry, but pride stilling their tongues.

Rita felt the baby kick, and realized the truth of Chris’s words. Tears flowed down her cheeks. She put her arms around Chris and choked, “You and the baby mean more to me than anything in this world, Christopher. I promise I’ll take better care of us.”

“I’m sorry I yelled at you,” he held her tight. “It’s just-you’re my family, you and the baby, and I want to protect you.”

“Caveman Lorenzo,” she teased, pressing a kiss on his neck.

“Hey, no fighting,” he retorted.

“I’m not fighting. I think it’s sweet,” Rita murmured, stroking his chest.

Chris smiled in the dark, and fumbled with the buttons on her nightshirt. “You tired?” he whispered, running a finger from her chin, down her throat, between her breasts.

"Um hmm,” she sighed.

He removed his hand reluctantly, “Okay.”

She giggled at the disappointment in his voice. “Chris, I’m not that tired,” she pressed a kiss into his palm, and placed his hand back inside her shirt.

“You sure?” he returned to stroking her skin, kissing her lips.

Rita cupped his face in her hands, “I’m positive.”

They moved together slowly, in complete bliss, their argument resolved passionately. And for just a little while, they put aside the unfortunate events of the last few days…

Jane tossed and turned, worried. She finally gave up on sleep, and stood over the bassinet. Thank goodness the baby was more content tonight. She reached down to stroke his soft hair. “I can’t let anyone take you from me, Sweetheart. We’ve come too far.”

The baby let out a whimper, and she cuddled him to her chest, trying to fight a sense of impending doom…

Sarah’s mother, Regina, maintained a silent vigil at her daughter’s bedside. She had never approved of her only child’s marriage to an American, and only seen her once in five years. That seemed insignificant now. She watched as Sarah took slow, shallow breaths. So much she had missed in those years. Regina turned her attention to the group of photographs on the counter. Liza Scott had brought them at Sarah’s request. Her eyes blurred with tears as she looked at them. A framed snapshot of Paul, Sarah, and Molly together at a picnic. The picture was recent, as Sarah appeared quite pregnant. Paul and Sarah’s wedding picture in a larger frame, and a picture of Molly, all smiles in a frilly lavender dress. The smallest photo was the newborn shot of little Paul, Junior.

“I’m so sorry,” Regina didn’t realize she spoke aloud until Sarah opened her eyes and looked at her mother.

“Yeah, Mummy, so am I,” her voice was small.

Randy McAttee sat back in his seat, worried and afraid. He couldn’t understand his wife’s last message to him. Why the hell was she in Canada, of all places? And what was so important there that she couldn’t come back to Palm Beach to be with his critically ill father? His thoughts turned to his dad. He loved his father so much, and the thought of losing him…was more than he could bear. He felt as though his perfect life was spinning out of control, and for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out why…

The alarm went off at six-thirty, and Chris reached across Rita to silence it. Quickly. He blinked the sleep from his eyes and looked at his slumbering wife. She still looked exhausted.

He crept from the bed and put on his running clothes. He tiptoed out of the loft and took off running up the quiet street. As he jogged, he pondered the case and the effect it was having on his wife. Rita felt things so deeply, even though she didn’t show it to most people. He worried that it would affect their baby, and his wife’s health. He passed a rose garden, and stole a particularly stunning scarlet bloom. He let himself in quietly, and stole up the stairs. Rita was still asleep. He showered and dressed, then sat on the bed, just watching her sleep. He debated whether to try to wake her. If he didn’t, there would be hell to pay. But she needed this rest so desperately. He scribbled a note, and placed both note and the rose on his pillow. Chris left quietly, and headed to PBPD.

He went directly to the conference room. Jack, Brian, Michael, and Cassy were already in attendance. They all looked beat, and were gulping cups of black coffee.

Chris poured a cup for himself, and bit into a stale donut. “So, how was San Antonio?”

“Great, as far as wild goose chases go,” Cassy replied sourly.

Jack rolled his eyes, “It wasn’t a total waste of time.”

“We could have gotten that stuff in a phone call,” Michael pointed out.

Harry came into the room, forestalling further argument. “Okay, boys and girls, we got a busy day ahead of us. Let’s quit the bickering.”

There was muffled grumbling but they quieted down.

"We have people to interview, warrants to execute, and someone needs to attend Amy Lass’s wake,” Cap continued, looking around the room. “Lorenzo, where is your wife?”

“Home in bed, doctor’s orders,” Chris fudged a little. “She’ll be in later today.”

Cap shot him a questioning look, but said nothing. “Okay, where’s Rawlins?”

"Present, Cap,” Holly came in, carrying a large box of fresh bagels and cream cheese. Her coworkers swarmed over the warm treat and ate while Lipschitz updated them on forensics and gave them their assignments.

Harry opened the first file. “First of all, the prints came back from Forensics. On the Martinez woman’s locker, there were two sets. One set was hers, the other was Jane McAttee’s.”

"You had a set of her prints?” Cassy asked, incredulous. “How did that come about?”

“Well…we have a probable match, based on those lifted from Ms. McAttee’s locker, and from some personal belongings of hers. One more thing, the prints match the ones we found inside the rubber gloves at the crime scene.” Harry explained, again shooting Chris a look. “We’ll confirm it when we execute the warrant for the McAttee place this morning.”

Chris was tense, “Then what the hell are we waiting for?”

Cap glared at him over his glasses, “I repeat, we want to make this stick!” He continued to read the forensics report. “The strands of hair found at the scene were synthetic, consistent with a wig. The scalpel found in the sheets was the lot number and type used in the nursery for circumcisions, and had both Amy and Sarah’s blood types on it.”

“None from the murderer, though?” Holly mused.

“No, but since she used gloves…” Michael finished the thought.

The phone rang, and Tom grabbed it, “Homicide, Ryan. Uh-huh. Yeah, he’s here.” He handed the phone to Chris. “It’s your buddy in Miami.”

“Hey, Derek, what’s up?” Chris asked.

“Your little suspect is still here,” Derek informed him. “Want us to keep up the surveillance?”

"Damn right!” he insisted. “Let me know if she makes any move!”

“Look, how long do you all plan to sit on this?” his former partner wanted to know.

Chris handed the phone to Cap, “He wants to know when we’re gonna arrest her.”

Cap told Derek, “Look, mister, hold your horses. We plan to be in Miami by tonight. Do you think Miami PD can keep track of Ms. McAttee until then?”

“Of course we can,” McNeill was indignant.

“All right then,” Cap said. “Buh-bye.”

The captain returned his attention to his detectives, “The other interesting thing we found out from the airlines. There was a reservation in the name of Randy and Jane McAttee to Montreal last Sunday. Someone used those tickets, we’re trying to find out who. There is confirmation that Randy McAttee was in Russia during that time and we know Jane is in Miami. So, we’re not sure who went to Canada. All right, assignments. Since this is partly a Federal case, and Randy McAttee is the closest person to our suspect, Brian and Jack will interview him. He’s en route from the airport to the hospital.”

There were strident objections from the PBPD detectives, “Hey, this is as much our case as theirs!” Tom yelled.

“Yeah!” the others agreed.

"Hold it, everybody! There is enough work to go around!” Harry chewed and swallowed a handful of antacids. “These are your assignments: Brian and Cassy, you interview Randy. Jack and Holly, you go be with the Lass girl’s family. Ryan, Lorenzo, and Price, you execute the warrant on the McAttee home. When Lance shows up, she can coordinate the teams with me from here. Any questions?”

“Yeah, when the hell are we gonna arrest Jane and get the baby back to his mother?” Cassy wanted to know.

“As soon as we get the evidence, Sgt. St John!” Lipschitz was trying to hold on to his patience. He made it clear that the discussion was over. The detectives scattered to their cars.

Jack and Holly felt distinctly uncomfortable entering Amy Lass’s parents’ home. Even though the visitation was scheduled for later in the day, family and friends were gathering at a nearby park to celebrate Amy’s life that afternoon. There was to be a perennial garden to be established in her memory. Once there, though, the family made them welcome and let the detectives know that they appreciated their efforts to find Amy’s killer.

Holly whispered to Jack, “These people are so gracious. How they can be kind to us, when we haven’t even arrested Jane.”

Jack bit into a homemade muffin, “I know. I can see why everyone loved her, if she was like her family.”

“And it begs the question, why do bad things happen to such good people?” Holly’s eyes blurred, thinking of her own dead sister, Beth.

Karen Lass, Amy’s sister, overheard Holly. “Amy never felt that way, Detective. She always tried to see the good in the world, in people.” She looked around the room sadly, “She lived by the example she was raised with. I wish you could have known her.”

“So do I,” Holly brushed her hand across her eyes. “I lost my only sister three years ago, so I understand your pain.”

Karen nodded, “Do you have any idea who killed Amy? Steven said one of the detectives...”

Jack shook his head in regret, “I’m sorry, we can’t tell you that. But we are making progress.”

Karen sighed, looking over at her parents, “It won’t bring her back, though.” Changing the subject, she said, “People have been so generous, memorial donations and flowers and plants for the garden. So much food, we donated some to the local shelter.”

Holly had a thought, “Did any of the donations come from Amy’s coworkers?”

“Sure,” Karen said. “My mom has a list. Would you like to see it?” “

Yes, we would,” Jack nodded.

They sat in a corner of the sunny kitchen, the list spread out between them. One entry jumped out like a rattlesnake.

“I can’t believe the bitch had the nerve,” Jack muttered. “One thousand dollars from Jane and Randy McAttee, to be used for a memorial at the family’s discretion.”

"Let's call Cap."Holly said.

Brian and Cassy met with Randy McAttee in a private family lounge near the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. They were prepared to dislike the philanthropist, based on his wife’s actions, but were surprised to find him cordial and cooperative, in spite of his obvious distress over his father’s condition.

His eyes were bloodshot, and his face was gray with fatigue. His father John was making good progress in CCU, and was expected to make a full recovery. That mitigated some of his pain, and he readily answered the detectives’ questions.

Cassy began the interview, “Mr. McAttee, one of your wife’s coworkers, Amy Lass, was murdered last weekend, and we’re interviewing everyone who knew her or knew of her. May we ask you some questions?” Randy nodded, “Of course. I’ve heard my wife mention her, but I don’t know if we’d ever met. How did she die?”

“She was stabbed in a patient’s room,” Cassy replied, watching his face carefully.

The only reaction was genuine shock, “That’s terrible! Here in the hospital?”

“Yes,” Brian answered. “Since you didn’t really know her, we were wondering if you could get us in touch with your wife? You see, we’re interviewing all her coworkers, and we haven’t gotten an opportunity to visit with your wife. Have you spoken to her recently?”

Randy looked surprised, “Yes, she called yesterday and told me she is in Canada. But I’m sure Jane wouldn’t know anything…”

Cassy was shocked, “So you have spoken with her?”

Mr. McAttee looked uncomfortable, “No, not exactly. She left a message on our answering machine. We have been playing phone tag the past several days, as I haven’t always had access to a phone.”

Brian queried, “Is this common for you to spend that kind of time apart?”

He nodded, “Yes, pretty much. Jane isn’t fond of traveling to orphanages and poor countries. She supports my charity work, but she’s much happier working from home. She volunteers here at the hospital. Plus, we’ve been trying to adopt a baby, and she likes to stay close by if a child would be available for us.” Cassy tried to phrase the next question carefully, “Does Jane ever talk about the families she takes care of at work?”

Randy again looked a little uncomfortable, “Well, yes, she does. You see, it’s hard for her to see some of the situations she does. And she loves children so much…and wished we could have…” he stared into space sadly. “

Jane can’t have children?” Cassy was gentle.

“No, and it broke her heart. I tried to tell her it doesn’t matter, but…What does this have to do with this murdered nurse?”

Brian took a deep breath and laid it on the line. “Because the person who killed Amy Lass also critically wounded a new mother and kidnapped her baby.”

Randy’s lips went white, “Wha-what was the mother’s name?”

Cassy replied, “Sarah Daniels. Did your wife ever mention her?”

Randy slumped in his chair, “Yes, she did. Was she the one who had been in a car accident?”

"Yes,” Brian answered. “What did your wife say about her?”

Randy got up and stared out the window, “It can’t be,” he said finally.

“Excuse me?” Holly asked.

Randy turned back to the detectives, “I am sure that you are on the wrong track here. Jane would never do something like that.” His voice was firm but there was a sick look in his eyes.

"Mr. McAttee, we have to tell you we are executing a search warrant of your home at this time, because there is evidence that connects your wife to this crime. We would like your cooperation,” Cassy said.

“You are wrong!” Randy thundered. “I don’t think I should talk to you without my lawyer,” he added.

“Have it your way,” Brian said, “But our first priority is getting that baby back to his mother. Shouldn’t that be yours, too?”

Randy looked crushed, “Of course! But you’re so wrong about Jane. It must be someone else. I know my wife and she could never…”

"Randy, do you really know where your wife is?” Cassy asked gently.

He stared at her in defeat, “I have no idea where she is,” he admitted.

Rita slept nearly the entire morning away, waking at ten thirty. She was confused by the bright sun, and groped for the alarm clock to look at the time. She gasped, “Damn it!” Where was Chris and why didn’t he wake her? She got up to the bathroom, and dove into the shower, still fuming. But gradually she realized how rested she felt.

Out of the shower, she caught sight of the note and rose on Chris pillow. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she read: “

Dear Sammy,

At the risk of you calling a divorce lawyer, I let you sleep in this morning. I love you and the baby so much, and I want to take care of you always. Please don’t be angry at me, I just want what’s best for you. I love you forever…Chris.”

Rita sniffed the rose and blinked back tears. “Now, how could I be mad at your daddy for taking care of us?” she whispered to the baby.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the McAttee residence, Chris, Michael, and Tom were going through the house, aided by the forensics team. They collected receipts, computer printouts, credit card receipts, and took fingerprints. There were photos taken on the house, specifically of the nursery. Note was made of the empty boxes, and clothes, personal belongings and suitcases missing. The task took the entire morning, because they wanted to make sure they had enough to stand up in court, should that day come.

At noon, they were heading back to PBPD, with an appointment for one o’clock in front of a Federal judge. The agenda: an arrest warrant for murder, attempted murder and kidnapping for one Jane Nelson McAttee.

They found Rita and Cap sitting in the conference room, reviewing files with Brian and Cassy. Jack and Holly were still assigned to the Lass family.

Chris looked at his wife with some trepidation. “What are you looking at?” she asked, her face sober but her eyes twinkling.

“Don’t see a divorce lawyer anywhere,” he muttered.

“Nope, just the rose you swiped from the neighbor’s garden,” she teased, stroking his cheek with the blossom. She put her arms around him and kissed him passionately, much to the amazement of the others in the room.

“So you’re not mad at me,” he grinned like a happy six-year old.

"Oh, I was when I woke up,” she scowled, “but I got over it.” She kissed him again.

“Hey, you two, get a room for God’s sake!” Tom slapped Chris’ back.

So you made up, huh?” Cap was sarcastic, but secretly relieved. “Now, cut it out-this is a police station.”

“Yes, sir!’ The Lorenzos reluctantly disentangled themselves.

There was much debate as to who was going to Miami to arrest Jane. Rita was insistent that she go, and Chris didn’t want her to go without him backing her up. Brian felt that since it was a Federal case, they had the right of arrest. And the other PBPD detectives felt they had a lot invested in the case as well. In the end, Cap was sick of the argument. He put the names of the detectives present in a hat and let George Donovan draw. Rita, Chris, Michael, and Brian were tapped to go to Miami.

After their appearance in Federal court, they took two cars to Miami, Chris and Rita in one, Michael and Brian in the other. The Feds and local authorities were waiting in Miami as backup. As they sped down I-95, Rita rechecked the supplies for the baby. She looked at the cooler that held bottles of milk Sarah had expressed, and glanced at the car seat in the back. There were clothes and diapers in the small bag at Rita’s feet.

Chris again explained to Rita why he let her rest that morning.

“Honey, you’re pushing yourself too much. Admit it, you feel better, don’t you?”

Rita picked at a cuticle, then reached over and took Chris’ hand. “I know you did it for me and the baby. And I’m making you a promise-when this case is over, I’m cutting back to eight-hour days.”

"Really?" Chris asked.

"Really,” she was sober.

By three-thirty, the detectives had met with the Federal and local authorities at the park near the condo. Jane had been in the park with the baby until about twenty minutes before. They watched from a distance as she wheeled the stroller back to the condo. Brian and Chris would take the front, Michael and Rita the back. The plan was to get in and get the baby out before Jane could react. They wanted to avoid a hostage situation if at all possible.

Chris kissed his wife quickly, and they separated.

Brian pounded on the door, and yelled, “Federal agents, open up!”

Jane had just put the baby in the bassinet, and was walking toward the kitchen. She froze in fear. She looked around wildly, trying to figure out what to do. Her hesitation was costly. Both front and back door flew open simultaneously, and cops and agents filled the small co-op. Rita ran for the bassinet and picked up the wailing baby, clutching him to her chest. Jane screamed in anger and rushed towards her, “Don’t you touch my baby!”

“He’s not your baby!” Rita’s voice was cold.

Chris grabbed her roughly, and yelled, “Jane Nelson McAttee, you are under arrest for the murder of Amy Lass, the attempted murder of Sarah Daniels, and the kidnapping of Paul Daniels, Jr.”

Jane screamed and struggled as Michael snapped the cuffs on the furious blonde. Chaos reigned for a few moments as Rita tried to calm the baby, and Mrs. McAttee was hauled away to the waiting squad car. Rita sat in a nearby chair, watching, as a paramedic looked the now-calm baby over. “Is he okay?” she asked anxiously.

Kim, the medico, grinned. “Yes, just wet and hungry. Do you know how to change a diaper?” she asked. Rita and Chris grinned sheepishly, “No, never have.”

“Well, there’s nothing to it,” Kim laid the baby on the table, and gave them a quick lesson. “You’re so good at that,” Chris laughed.

“I have four kids of my own,” she grinned, handing the baby to Rita.

“It looks like you’ll need to learn soon enough,”

“In September,” Rita answered happily.

“Do you have anything to feed him?” Kim wondered. “It looks like there’s plenty of baby formula here.” “I brought milk from his mom. He should have that. We’re supposed to warm it up under tap water.” Rita opened the cooler.

Soon, little Paul was guzzling the bottle Rita gave him, looking at her with his wide blue-gray eyes. Rita was blinking back tears, “Isn’t he the most precious thing?” she marveled. “Can we take him back to Palm Beach? I mean, is he okay to travel?” Chris wondered.

"Oh, I think so,” Kim said. “It seems like she took good care of him.”

They spent another hour feeding the baby, and Rita changed a diaper with Kim’s help. The Miami PD and Feds were processing evidence, loading the baby equipment and supplies into a waiting van. They fastened the baby securely into the car seat in their car, and embarked on the 75-mile trip to Palm Beach. The baby slept, oblivious to the drama that had centered on him for days.

Sarah and Regina had not been told that the authorities had found the baby, but they were aware something was in the air. Sarah had been moved out of ICU that morning, into a private suite on the surgical floor. The Scott family, and Molly were visiting, and Captain Lipschitz appeared in the doorway of the room at six o’clock.Sarah and Regina had not been told that the authorities had found the baby, but they were aware something was in the air. Sarah had been moved out of ICU that morning, into a private suite on the surgical floor. The Scott family, and Molly were visiting, and Captain Lipschitz appeared in the doorway of the room at six o’clock.

Sarah was immediately on her guard, “What’s wrong? What happened?” she asked, panicked. Harry smiled, “We got a little package for you, Mrs. Daniels.” He moved aside and Chris and Rita came into the room.

Rita was holding a blonde-haired baby, wrapped in a pale blue blanket.

“Here’s your son, Sarah.” Sarah began to sob, clutching the baby to her chest. Paul’s tiny fists waved and grabbed at his mom’s hair. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as she held her precious child.

Molly broke the mood as she climbed on the bed and asked, “Is that my baby brother?”

Sarah laughed though her tears, “Yes, this is your baby brother.” She let Molly hold and touch him, as Regina supported her daughter.

There was laughter all around as Molly kissed him. “Mommy, he has hair like mine!”

Room 376 was no doubt the happiest place in Palm Beach that evening as the Daniels family was reunited. The baby was fussing, and the visitors prepared to leave so Sarah could nurse him.

“Wait, please,” Sarah asked Rita.

Chris nodded and kissed his wife, “I’ll be outside.”

Rita watched, fascinated, as the baby fed, “Sarah, I am so happy for you.”

Sarah smiled at the baby, “I’m so glad you didn’t forget me,” she whispered as he gulped away. She looked up at Rita. “Rita, thank you so much for my baby. I can’t ever tell you what it means to have my children, now that Paul is gone.”

“You’re very welcome,” Rita answered softly. “I’m so sorry you had to go through so much.”

"It’s okay now,” she replied. “Or it will be. My mom is going to help me, and we may go to England with her. Get a fresh start. But I will never forget what you all did for us.”

“I know how I’d feel if anything happened to Chris or our baby,” Rita confessed, leaning over to hug Sarah. “I want you all to have a safe and happy life.”

"We will, and will you let me know when you have your baby, please?” Sarah asked.

“I would be happy to,” Rita smiled as she left.

There was a celebration in the bullpen that evening. Chinese takeout and pizza covered the desks and tables and there was boisterous conversation. Chris and Rita joined the party, thrilled that the nightmare was finally over.

Jane McAttee had been booked and held without bail. Randy McAttee, the faithful husband to the end, hired the best defense lawyers money could buy. He was devastated at his wife’s actions, but he still loved her and vowed to stand by her.

Holly and Jack appeared about ten o’clock, their mood considerably more somber. They had heard that Jane had been caught, but that would not lessen the Lass family’s sorrow: they would still have to bury their precious daughter and sister tomorrow. Everyone paused to reflect on the real tragedy behind the case, knowing no one would be left untouched.

The Lorenzos returned home about midnight, tired after the day’s events. They took a long bath together, and Chris treated his wife to a full-body massage.

“Umm,” she purred dreamily, “I just love being married to you.”

“I see how you are,” he continued to knead her back and shoulders.

She rolled over and grinned up at him saucily, “Would you like me to do you?”

Chris looked down at her, and placed his hands on her belly, “You’re not too tired?”

"I got to sleep until ten-thirty this morning,” she reminded him.

The baby kicked under Chris’ hands. “Do you think the baby is too tired?”

“No, she’s a night owl,” Rita laughed.

“See, you think she’s a girl, too!” Chris lay down beside her. .

"Oh, maybe,” Rita giggled, slapping his shoulder lightly. “Roll over!”

Would it always be like this between us?Rita mused silently as she massaged her husband’s body. The candles flickered over their naked bodies, soft jazz music playing on the radio next to the bed. Maybe, maybe not. After all, one day soon they would have two AM feedings, dirty diapers, and a little baby to love and worry about. But it was a journey that she knew she would never take with anyone else but her Sam, her soulmate…. Her lover forever…

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And that’s Part 4! Now, I know this looks like the end, but I do have a few loose ends to wrap up. After all, you can’t expect Jane to go away quietly, can you? And Sarah-she needs a happy ending. But most importantly, Chris and Rita need to have that baby! So for the answers to these questions, watch Lisa and Linda’s site for Stolen Lullaby, Conclusion. Thank you all for your support, especially my dear friends the “L” girls. All feedback is appreciated to: CSFan95@aol.com

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