Read Deadly Image for Free Online Page A

staring back at her from the top shelf.
    Lexi reached for one of the books. The Gingerbread Man . A lump formed in her throat as she flipped through the worn pages. The words blurred before her tear-filled eyes. But it didn’t matter. She knew them by heart. And so did Anna.
    “How are you holding up?”
    Lexi started at the soft-spoken words. Book clutched to her chest, she spun around only to find Ace a few feet behind her with one hand shoved into his trouser pocket and a pair of concerned brown eyes studying her.
    “As well as can be expected.” She was afraid to find out the truth, but she had to ask. “Did you find something?”
    Ace shook his head. “Nothing concrete. We do have a few more leads.” His eyes darted from the bed to the toy shelf. “Nice room.”
    Lexi attempted a smile, but she was sure it came off as more of a grimace. “I finished decorating it the day Anna was taken. This is why I don’t have an alibi. I was here working on the wallpaper.” A choke clogged her throat. “I thought it was time to give Anna a big girl room, but she didn’t even get to see it.”
    Ace knitted his brow. “You redecorated her room by yourself?”
    “Four days ago. It was supposed to be a…” Lexi hiccupped on a sob. “A surprise.” She nodded toward the top of the wall where a pink border with purple stars stopped halfway along one of the walls. “The hardware store was out of the border, but they ordered some more for me.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “It’s probably in now. I forgot to go pick it up since … since Anna ... disappeared,” she finished softly.
    An odd light flickered in the inky darkness of Ace’s eyes.
    Surprise? Compassion? Admiration?
    Lexi couldn’t be sure.
    Ace lowered himself to the toddler bed and sat down. It creaked beneath his weight. “Tell me about Anna.” He patted the edge of bed beside him.
    If she hadn’t been so worried about her baby, Lexi would have found the scene amusing. Ace’s strong muscular physique and strikingly handsome features seemed completely out of place on the hot pink and light-purple comforter with princess designs sprinkled throughout.
    A very masculine man in a little girl’s domain.
    Lexi blinked. Masculine? Strikingly handsome? Where had those thoughts come from?
    Yet he was. In a charming, safe sort of way. He had an honest face. A face one could trust and depend on.
    Lexi’s chest squeezed. She needed someone she could trust. Someone who would be in her corner, but was Agent Valdez the one? Somehow she didn’t think so. Not while he still suspected her of being involved with Anna’s abduction.
    For now, she’d have to stay on her toes. Watch what she said and how she acted. She couldn’t afford to have any more suspicion cast her way. But it was exhausting being on guard all of the time while the FBI followed her every move when all she wanted to do was let go, grieve and let someone else share her burden. But she couldn’t. Not while she was the prime suspect in her own daughter’s abduction. Every action, every word she uttered was under federal scrutiny.
    Lexi’s lips thinned. She ignored his invitation to sit. Instead she remained rooted to the spot. “Anna is my pride and joy. I don’t know what I would have done without her after Carl died. She is my reason to live.” Watch it, Lexi. Don’t let him know you were so close to the edge a few months ago.
    Lexi closed her mind to the dark thoughts. “Anna loves Disney movies, finger painting and lightning bugs.”
    “Lightning bugs?” Ace arched a dark brow.
    A smile tugged on Lexi’s lips. “Yes. Actually they’re fireflies, but we call them lightning bugs down here. She has such a ball chasing them after dark. I can still hear her little giggles each time she’d grab for one.”
    “Anna doesn’t have a bedtime?”
    Heat singed Lexi’s cheeks. Was this a trap? A way of determining whether or not she was a fit mother?
    She gripped the book in her hand. “Of