Read Safe In His Arms (Manhunt) for Free Online

felon, and when he’s caught, and he will be caught, if he resists arrest, officers will shoot to kill.”
    Mrs. Jones’s face drained of color, making Mia almost feel sorry for her. She looked thinner than ever, her cheeks almost gaunt, dark circles beneath her eyes that even her expensive make-up couldn’t hide.
    Had the woman been in such deep denial about her son that she really hadn’t believed he’d caused Mia’s injuries?
    Of course, she’d spoiled him rotten when he was young. She also lived vicariously through him and his accomplishments.
    Geoff’s father was as controlling, rigid, and demanding as Geoff had been. She’d read enough about spousal abuse to see that Mrs. Jones had been battered all her life. She probably believed her son was being a good husband as hers had been.
    That his job was to train Mia to be the perfect wife.
    Mr. Jones smoothed down his tie, his voice curt. “Sgt. Townsend, if my son is injured, I will hold you personally responsible.”
    “Your son chose to escape, putting himself in harm, so if you blame anyone for his predicament, blame him.” Alex steepled his hands. “Which is the reason I’m here. Did you know of his plans to escape?”
    “Of course not,” Mrs. Jones said.  “We were putting together an appeal to get that bogus conviction overturned.”
    “Mrs. Jones,” Mia cut in. “The conviction was not bogus. Your son assaulted me and almost killed me. I have the scars to prove it.”
    “You’re lying,” Mr. Jones snapped. “My son is smart and charming. You’re a whore who just wanted his money.”
    Mrs. Jones stood, her narrow jaw set firmly. “You’re not welcome in this house, Mia. You should be the one in jail for filing false charges and maligning my son’s reputation.”
    “He maligned it when he sliced open my stomach and I almost bled to death,” Mia said. When he killed their unborn baby.
    “Sit down, Mrs. Jones.” Alex turned to Geoff’s father, interrupting a rebuttal from the older man.  “Have you heard from your son, Mr. Jones?”
    The man shot Alex a cool look. “No. He’s too smart to call here. He knows you’re probably monitoring our phones and house.”
    Mia glanced at Alex, wondering if that was true or if he needed a warrant.
    Alex narrowed his eyes.  “Did you know about his plans to escape?”
    “Of course not,” Mr. Jones said.  “I would have persuaded him to wait until this appeal came through.”
    He sounded awfully confident. Perhaps he’d paid off a judge.
    But if so, why hadn’t Geoff waited instead of risking his life in a prison break?
    “I hope you’re telling the truth,” Alex said. “Because if I find out you helped your son escape or assisted him in any way, I will arrest you for aiding and abetting a felon.”
    Mr. Jones shot to his feet and gestured toward the door. “Now, Sergeant, it’s time you left. And if you know what’s good for you, you won’t bring that woman back here again.”
    “That sounds like a threat,” Alex said tersely.
    In spite of her best efforts, a shiver rippled up Mia’s spine. It had been a threat and everyone in the room knew it. During the trial and even afterwards, the couple had crucified her in the media. They’d actually hired a man to intimidate her, but Alex had caught the man. That act had only made things worse for Geoff.
    Alex glanced Geoff’s mother. “If you don’t want your son hurt, Mrs. Jones, I suggest you convince him to turn himself in. If you don’t and he’s injured or killed, his death will be on your conscience, not mine.”
     

     
    Alex stormed out of the Jones’s house with Mia close beside him. He’d known questioning them would probably be a waste of time, but he’d had to try.
    Mrs. Jones was obviously terrified for her son. But she was more afraid of her husband. The asshole threw his power and money around as if he was God and everyone else should bow to him, and had taught his son to do the same.
    “Do you think they’ve