Chrystal Bones (Finding Home Book 1) by Billie Jo Hanlin Page B

them at all. He was staring intently at Blue who still stood next to the driver’s side of the jeep. Oh boy. Just act like everything is normal, she told herself as she walked over to him.
    "Hi Jake. How’s it going?" She winced inwardly, what a stupid question. He knew how it was going. It was going great. She and Blue had just reunited a missing boy with his mom and uncle and they had done it in less than twenty-four hours.
    There was no way out of it, Jake was going to have questions. Before Jake could respond Scotty's voice rang out, "Blue, Blue you have to let Leo out. I want him to meet my mom and Uncle Cole." Blue slowly walked around the jeep to let the tiger out. She told the adults, "Please don’t be alarmed, Leo is a Bengal Tiger. I promise you, Scotty was never in any danger from him. He won't hurt any of you." Her voice was soft and musical.
    Riley was used to it hearing it daily but it was funny to see how everyone went still then relaxed. It happened every time. Her voice was magic all by itself. People trusted that voice and were eager to spill all their secrets just to keep her talking.
    Riley heard Scotty whisper loudly, "Isn't she beauuuuutiful Uncle Cole? I wanted to keep her but she said I can't." Everyone laughed, breaking some of the tension, at the innocent pronouncement.
    Blue opened the door and the big cat jumped out gracefully. Like the gentleman he was, Leo sat next to Blue and waited for introductions. He nodded his head at each person as Blue said their names. Scotty pulled loose from his mother and ran to hug him. Janie gave a gasp and reached to pull him away. "He really won't hurt him. Watch them,” Blue said.
    Janie pushed her fear for her son aside with effort and watched them. It really was something to see. Scotty was petting and hugging a huge tiger and the tiger was clearly enjoying it. She would swear he was smiling. Without taking her eyes from her son she reached out with both hands and clasped one of Blue and Riley's hands in hers.
    "I don't know what to say to you both. You brought my son back to me. Saying thank you just isn't enough. I can never repay you for what you have done."
    “That's payment enough,” Blue said using her free hand to point at a laughing Scotty and trying to ignore the woman’s thoughts pouring into her.
    Riley agreed, "He’s a happy little boy,” she paused then continued, "We believe your ex gave him sleeping pills. You might want to have him checked out by a doctor though. He should be fine, but depending on how much of the drug is still in his system he might sleep a lot for the next day or so."
    With tears in her eyes Janie gathered her courage and walked up to her son and the big tiger that scared her. She knelt down next to Scotty and unable to resist reached out a hand to pet Leo. Leo purred and pushed his head into her palm. She let out a giggle and her face reflected the same look of wonder her son’s had. Riley took out her phone and snapped a couple of pictures. She would email them to Janie.
    "You are Blue, right? I'm Jake. Nice to finally have a face to go with the name,” Jake spoke up from behind Blue. She had known he was standing there but had put off turning around as long as she could. It was time to face one of her fears. That of coming face to face with a government agent. The odds that he knew of the labs and what really went on in Area 51 were so slim as to be astronomical but she couldn't stop the little spurt of fear.
    Schooling her face into a mask of unconcern she turned to face him. "Yes I am. It's nice to finally meet you,” she lied.
    "What you do with computers is very impressive. I wish I had you on my team,” Jake said. He looked at her for a long time before saying anything else. They both knew that what she did was not exactly legal. He wanted her to know that he knew but didn't care. "Why the sunglasses? It's not a sunny day so you don't need them,” he asked.
    "My eyes are sensitive to light of any kind. The