Chapter 16
Sean Dwyer looked at the caller ID and didn’t recognize the number. His first instinct was to ignore it, but then he changed his mind. Sometimes it was fun to ruin a telemarketer’s day. “Hello.”
A soft, uneven voice whispered his name, “Sean?”
Valentina? Things were looking up. She only called him on those rare occasions when she could slip away from Vadim. Sean’s voice echoed his delight. “Val! Hi, how are you?”
Louder now, she sobbed out, “Sean, can you come to me? Now?”
“Val, what’s wrong? Where are you, baby?” Worry was tugging at him—she sounded bad.
“In the park on Ninth Street. By the swings.” She moaned, “Sean, please come—I need you.”
“Okay, baby, you hang on. I’m on my way.” He raced for his car which, for once, thank God, started on the first try. Twenty minute
