CHAPTER THREE

      FATIGUE FROM DREDGING up the past pulled at Nina, but hope fluttered wildly in her chest. Slade would be opening up old wounds between her and her father, and her and the Hoods, but she’d survived their disdain before and she would again.

      At least someone was finally going to ask questions.

      “Does your father live in town?” Slade asked.

      “No, he’s in Raleigh.” She gave him her father’s contact information, including his work number at the bank. “I’m out of school for the summer and want to accompany you when you talk to him.”

      He arched a brow. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

      No, but she wanted to see her father’s reaction. “I can handle it.”

      He gave a clipped nod. “What about William and his family?”

      “They’re in Winston-Salem. William took over his father’s law practice there.”

      Slade jotted down the name of the firm, then ran his hand through his hair. “What was the name of the doctor who delivered your baby?”

      Fresh pain burned her stomach at the mere mention of his name. The delivery had been harrowing enough, but he had been a strong proponent of adoption. “Dr. Don Emery.”

      “Does he still live and practice in Sanctuary?”

      “Yes, I think so, although I haven’t seen him in months. I tried to talk to him several times, but like everyone else, he encouraged me to move on.”

      Slade’s mouth tightened slightly. “I know this is difficult, but think back to the night of the delivery and the day after. Did you notice anything strange, anyone suspicious at the hospital?”

      “God, I was so scared that night and was in such a panic, that I don’t remember much. Just that I knew my baby was coming too early, and that I was afraid for her.”

      “You were in labor?”

      She nodded. “I’d developed complications. They rushed me to the operating room and took her immediately.” Her heart quickened at the memory. “She wasn’t breathing at first, and they had to give her oxygen. She was so tiny and weak that I didn’t know if she’d make it…”

      His eyes held compassion as she paused to pull herself together.

      “What about the next day? Did you notice someone watching the nursery, looking at the babies?”

      Nina massaged her temple as she struggled to force the details of the hospital stay to the surface. “Not that I recall.”

      “Did anyone make an odd comment to you about keeping the baby?”

      Nina grimaced. “Dr. Emery agreed with my father and encouraged me to give Peyton up for adoption. They both thought that she needed two parents. A couple of nurses also mentioned that adoption might be a good idea.”

      “Do you remember those nurses’ names?”

      Nina rubbed her temple again. “I don’t know last names, but one nurse was Jane and the other Carrie. I saw both of them outside the hospital after the fire, but they claimed they didn’t know where Peyton was.”

      Slade frowned. Was it possible someone had taken the baby from the nursery before it caught on fire?

      * * *

      SLADE BIT BACK his thoughts. He hated offering Nina false optimism.

      “So where do we start?” she asked.

      Slade checked his watch. “It’s already getting late. I’ll start putting out contacts on the Internet tonight, call a couple of friends who might be able to help look into the adoption angle, and drop by the hospital and see if the administrator and Dr. Emery are there.” He paused. “Tomorrow I’d like to talk to your father and meet the Hood family.”

      Nina gripped the armrest. “Let’s get started.”

      Slade sighed. “Nina, why don’t you go home tonight and rest.”

      “No,” she said in a pleading tone. “I know this is difficult for you to understand, but I feel…lost in that house alone right now.”

      Hell, the trouble was he did understand. He knew how the silence could eat at you, how a person’s absence could feel like part of you had been ripped out. How the walls could scream at you with recriminations.

      “All right,” he said gruffly. “But remember, we may not find anything.”

      She took another sip of water, then wiped her mouth. “Thanks. I appreciate your candor.”

      “Let me talk to Derrick, then we’ll head to the hospital.” He stood, then strode down the hall to McKinney’s office.

      Derrick was on the phone when he knocked, but ended the call and gestured for him to enter.

      “I need to ask you a favor,” Slade said bluntly.

      Derrick pointed to the chair beside his desk. “You’re taking on the case for Nina Nash?”

      Slade took the chair. “Yes.”

      Derrick frowned. “You know that baby may not have survived.”

      Slade’s gut knotted. “I know. But after hearing Nina’s story, it’s possible that someone could have kidnapped the baby in the chaos.”

      Derrick folded his arms. “What can I do to help?”

      “Talk to your wife, Brianna, for me.”

      Derrick arched a brow. “How do you know Bri?”

      “I lived at Magnolia Manor when I was a teenager for a while. We met there. I heard she’s a social worker now with an adoption agency.”

      The realization of where he was headed dawned in Derrick’s eyes. “She was,” Derrick said. “But she’s taken a leave of absence to stay home with the baby.”

      “But Brianna has contacts, right?” Slade asked.

      “Probably.” Derrick narrowed his eyes. “You know that adoption records are sealed?”

      “Yes, but Brianna must have a friend who can look back through files quietly. Nina’s baby was premature, and had trouble breathing. Handling an adoption for a preemie with medical problems would be tricky—and memorable.”

      “That’s true,” Derrick said. “I’ll talk to her and see if she can help.”

      “Let me know if she finds a lead and I’ll look into it.”

      Derrick agreed, and Slade thanked him and headed back to his office.

      Nina was waiting when he returned, and she sat quietly as they drove to the hospital. That quiet strength roused his protective instincts.

      Worse, her scent, some sweet