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stood up. Adam paled. Joe had been on the job too long not to have developed a strong stomach. “Stay here.”
    He cursed again at his lack of a gun. Joe saw immediately that the place was empty. It was one very small room, attached to a smaller space with a toilet just visible. Someone had attempted to close it off with a curtain, but that lay in tatters on the floor. The room was completely trashed. The drawers in the only chest were ripped open and smashed. Clothes had been torn and thrown about.
    Joe heard a small gasp and whirled around to see Adam had taken a step inside the door. Joe followed Adam’s appalled gaze to the wall above what used to be Adam’s bed. On the wall, the only thing left was a blown up picture of Adam, the same one as the cover shot for the magazine. In what Joe knew was blood—from the smell—were scrawled the words:
    Indulge me.
     

 
    Chapter 2
     
    Joe just had time to shakily acknowledge the incredible relief that he’d insisted on following Adam home when he heard another small sound and turned around to see Adam’s eyes roll up. He lunged and caught the boy before he hit the floor. Adam was out cold.
    Joe settled Adam carefully in his arms then turned and walked down the steps, doing his best not to jostle Adam. He noticed the store was closed and swore softly. Then he remembered the cooler in the truck still had a couple bottles of water. He’d got used to driving around with a cooler and water on the nights he’d had to sleep in there. He managed to open the back door and get Adam inside just as he was stirring.
    Joe started the engine. Adam might need the air on. He put his hand to Adam’s forehead, but it seemed cool. Joe pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and quickly made two calls. Adam groaned just as he finished the second.
    “Hey, lie still. You’re okay.” Joe slid into the back where he’d propped Adam up. Without thinking about it too much, he picked up Adam’s hand. It was cold, clammy. Joe rubbed it.
    Adam blinked slowly. “S-sir?”
    One word that Joe didn’t just like this time. It hit him in the gut, as if that was what he wanted Adam to call him. Joe stilled. Did he? Did he want Adam to call him that? Adam groaned softly, and Joe scooted closer and pulled him in to his side.
    Whatever. Adam needed him now. He had to get his shit together and stop second guessing every damn thing. “Hey, it’s okay. Cops are on their way.”
    One of the calls Joe had made had been to his buddies. There was no way he was going to let this one go to someone he didn’t know. He could hear a siren. He’d also called the paramedics, and a good thing because Adam was now shaking.
    “What was it…who…?” Adam stammered. Joe could feel his panic.
    “Here, take a sip of water.” Joe held the bottle, because Adam’s shaking hands couldn’t. An EMT truck pulled in at the same time as a beat up blue sedan. Joe smiled, satisfied at the sight of Dobbs and Rodriguez. The sheriff car pulled in just as the EMTs were getting out—that was an automatic response because he’d called an ambulance. Joe had a quick word with the paramedics and slid out of the truck. A small hand grabbed his arm—Adam.
    Joe looked into his white face. “Let them check you out. I just need to go talk to the cops.” He gave what he hoped was a reassuring smile and moved out of the paramedics’ way.
    Joe put his hand out to Carl Rodriguez. “Thanks, guys.”
    Dobbs got out of the blue sedan and the wiry, bald man pulled a jacket on. He grinned at Joe. “Halloran, you ain’t even been gone one day.”
    Joe laughed and beckoned. “Up here guys. Got any gloves?”
    Rodriguez chuckled and handed Joe a pair of green latex he pulled from his pocket. “Now sir, you haven’t touched anything, have you?”
    “Yeah,” piped up Dobbs, joining in. “Civilians really need to stay out of the way and let the police do their job.”
    “Fuck off, Dobbs,” Joe said, but he was smiling. Then he