Read In Broad Daylight for Free Online

number.
    "Annie's father is on location inEurope. Her mother's inNew York, I believe, visiting
    friends."

    Brenda looked up from the image that was forming beneath her pencil on the sketch pad.

    "I already put calls through to them," she informed Dax. "Her mother's catching the first flight out of Kennedy. Her father's taking his private jet. But neither of them will be
    home for several hours."

    She'd jumped ahead of him again. There was no end to the surprises this diminutive
    blonde delivered, Dax thought. "So if there's a ransom call—"

    She'd thought of that as well. "There's a housekeeper at the house, a Martha Danridge.
    She's been with them for several years. I told Annie's mother it might be wise to give Ms.
    Danridge instructions on what she wanted her to say if the kidnappers called."

    Nathan shook his head. Admiration shone in his eyes as he looked at the young woman.
    "You ever stop being a teacher, Mrs. York, we could certainly use you on the force."

    She smiled at him, dismissing the compliment with grace. "Just covering bases."

    The woman was clearheaded, Dax thought. He liked that. The women he came in contact
    with outside his own family tended to be a little foggy when it came to that department.

    It was actually something he thought of as a plus. That way, he wouldn't be tempted to
    make a mistake and get involved with any of them on more than just a passing, superficial
    level.

    He came up behind her and looked over her shoulder at the sketch she was completing. It
    was of the woman. Her face was gaunt and there was a slight edge to it, a sharpness that
    made the viewer wary. "You really can draw."

    Brenda looked up at him. "I told you I could."

    "So you did." He extrapolated on what she'd just told him. "You know theTyler's
    housekeeper?"

    "Only by sight."

    She'd been to the house once, to talk to Annie's parents about Annie. Martha Danridge
    had let her in and brought her to Annie's mother. Annie's father was away, which seemed
    par for the course, and her mother, completely forgetting about the appointment that had
    been made to discuss Annie's painful shyness, had been on her way out. Perforce, the
    conversation had been brief. Rebecca Allen-Tyler had thanked her for her concern and
    dismissed her the way she might a waiter who'd brought the wrong order to her table.

    Brenda's heart had gone out to the little girl, knowing her mother undoubtedly treated
    her with the same regard: as something to be suffered, but not necessarily with patience.
    People like that, she thought, didn't deserve having a bright, sensitive little girl like Annie.

    Dax made a judgment call. "Close enough," he told her.

    She didn't understand. "For what?"

    He had a feeling she could smooth the way for them with the housekeeper faster than
    they could manage themselves. Badges tended to rattle people and the situation was
    already stressful enough. He'd seen her in action with both jittery teachers and anxious
    children. Her calming effect would be welcomed.

    "I'd like you to come with us," he explained. He could feel Nathan staring at him. "You can finish the second sketch on the way there."

    Brenda nodded. Her mouth curved. She was eager to do what she could. Being suddenly
    cast adrift while the detectives went on with the investigation would have made her
    insane.

    "All right. I just need to stop by my room to get my things. I'll meet you outside."

    Dax nodded his agreement and she hurried back to her classroom.

    The stillness met her at the door the moment she opened it. It seemed to accuse her of
    negligence.

    I'll find you, Annie, I promise I will,she vowed silently.

    Taking her purse from the bottom drawer in her desk, she turned around only to swallow a
    gasp. Harwood was standing almost directly behind her.

    "Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

    "I guess we're all a little jumpy right now." As she started for the door, he took her arm, detaining her for a moment. She looked