Before Deke could let the change take over, Trent landed on the roof and turned back to human. "Donal, Deke," he greeted them."Where'd you come from?" Deke asked. "I'm just backup. This is all you, from what Donal said."Deke's gaze flicked to Donal, who shrugged. "I thought it couldn't hurt to have someone else here. My brothers are nearby, too."Deke couldn't argue with having backup. He didn't want to go on any mission without more than one plan. He looked from one man to the other, his gargoyle night-vision kicking in. He hadn't let his gargoyle loose in years. Did he even still know how?"So, what do we know?" Trent said."Whitney is in the building. We're not sure where," Donal said. He glanced at Deke. "He hasn't looked for her."Deke took a step back. He looked at Trent. "You know how I feel about my gargoyle side.""Do it, Deke," Donal said.Deke frowned but reached deep into his soul to the place he hadn't been in years. He couldn't let Whitney get hurt. As he reached deepe

Whitney got out and dried off, then pulled on the sweats the women had left for her. She could hear them chatting in the bedroom outside the bathroom. Whitney had never been social, but she wasn't shy. She just hadn't had time to develop anything other than professional friendships. No one had ever even invited her to a book club meeting or out for coffee. Having never missed it, she'd never pursued it.She took a deep breath before opening the door. She knew that once she did, she would be stepping into a new world—one she didn't understand. But she'd handle it the only way she knew how—by asking questions.The three women stopped talking when Whitney yanked open the door. Three sets of green eyes turned to her, and Whitney could see the resemblance. Fiona sat on the edge of the bed, while Colleen lazed against the headboard.Meg was in mid-pace. She was the first one to smile at Whitney. "Feel better?" she asked.Whitney sighed. "I need answers."The three exchanged a glance. "We'll

Maggie O'Grady was late for an appointment. Of course. She seemed to always be a day late and a dollar short. The fact that her boss, Chelsea Buck, knew it didn't help."These kids depend on us, Maggie. You need to take more pride in your work."That she was late because of another child didn't hold any weight with her boss. She had a set amount of time to sit with each kid, and the fact that Maggie wanted more didn't matter. There were too many kids in the foster program for any one of them to get any special attention.The only thing that buoyed Maggie today was that she was on her way to see her favorite child. Billy Malone was a bright and energetic early teenager. She figured he was poised for his growth spurt and she was happy he'd found a good foster home.At least on the surface, it seemed like a good home. Something bothered her each time she visited him, but she'd seen no signs of abuse so she couldn't pull him from it. Besides, those foster parents took the hardest cases so

If Maggie were anyone else but a Philadelphia-bred orphan, this man might intimidate her. He was a head and half his chest taller than her. He had a quiet presence that probably parted crowds. In a dark alley, she might be afraid of him or want him on her side.Right now she didn't want him taking control of this situation. "I've already done that."He paused with his booted foot on the bottom step. Who wore boots in the summer time? Her feet were already sweating in her pumps. "And what did you see?""I could only see the hallway from here.""Was there anything in it?""No, but that isn't odd. They live a Spartan life," Maggie said.He glanced at the door then turned his gaze to her, his husky blue eyes studied her. Without another word, he reached up and pressed the doorbell. As if him pressing it would have more of an effect. That the occupants of the house would say, "Clearly that was a man summoning us so we must answer."She sighed. Most of the time when she dealt with men like h

"Yes."Maggie rounded the second corner and stopped, leaning on a lamp post. A call with Chelsea was always draining. "Well, he's getting to that age. Almost a teenager.""He hasn't even had his growth spurt yet. He isn't that close to being a teenager. Look, Chelsea, I've been doing this for a while."Chelsea had been promoted over Maggie and she liked to think she didn't resent it, but she did. Especially in situations like this. Chelsea didn't have her experience. Maggie suspected she'd traded some kind of favor to get the position. "Don't lecture me, Maggie. I know all about your background."Maggie counted to ten, keeping her Irish temper in check. "I'm not lecturing you. I just think I'm closer to this case than you are.""Maybe too close. Should I assign another case worker to Billy?"Maggie's heart seized. No. That couldn't happen. Billy was special. Billy was hers. "No. I don't think I'm too close, Chelsea.""Then let it go for today. Walk away this time and try again later.