The Marriage Profile Read Free Page A

sadness, Angela attempted to shut off the memories and the ache that always came when she thought of Justin. Hardening her resolve, she reminded herself of all that she’d accomplished since leaving Mission Creek. Not only had she carved out a career for herself as a profiler, but she’d saved dozens of lives and reunited families. And she’d done it by finding a way to put the curse she’d been born with to good use. As much as she’d hated the visions that had made her different, they had served a purpose. She had served a purpose. She had made a difference—at least in the lives of those people she’d been able to help.
    Did Justin know? Had he followed her career as she had followed his?
    Probably not, she conceded. Why should he when he’d made it plain that he never wanted to see her again the day she’d told him she was leaving. Angela whooshed out a breath as she recalled how angry he’d been. She’d hurt him. Or perhaps it had been his pride that she’d hurt. She’d never been quite sure. All she had known was that Justin wasn’t a man used to failing at anything, and by choosing her as his wife, he’d failed big time. He certainly wasn’t going to be happy to have her showing up on his turf now.And he was going to be even more unhappy when he found out the reason why.
    â€œSorry about that,” Ricky said as he rejoined her. “You see what I mean about Pop being different?”
    â€œHe did seem distracted.”
    â€œFor a while after my mother died, he sort of shut down. You know, just didn’t seem to care about anything. But then he started making noises about how maybe Frank was right about my sister, that Haley really was alive. And I thought he was better. But now since I got back he’s changed. He’s gotten… I don’t know. Almost secretive.”
    â€œAre you sure?” Angela asked. “He seemed sad, maybe a little lonely and confused, but sometimes that comes with age. He remembered who I was, even that he knew me as a teenager.”
    â€œHe’s only sixty,” Ricky pointed out. “But it’s not a memory problem. He remembers well enough. It’s some of the stuff he says. Not all of it makes sense. Like that business about him protecting my mother. She died of a heart attack. How could he have protected her from that?”
    â€œI don’t know.”
    â€œI’m worried about him, Angela. I can feel Pop slipping away little by little each day. And I’m afraid if I don’t do something soon, one morning I’m going to wake up and find he’s gone over the edge.”
    â€œI know,” Angela replied, and patted his arm.
    Ricky shoved a hand through his dark hair, then pinned her with anxious eyes. “You’ve got to help me, Angela. If Haley is alive and Pop’s right about that missing kid being hers, it could make a difference. You need to find that baby.”
    â€œRicky—”
    â€œPlease,” he pleaded when she started to withdraw. “Just hear me out.”
    â€œAll right, but I’m not sure there’s anything I can do. I’m here to work up a profile on a kidnapper.”
    â€œYou’re here to find that missing little girl.”
    Angela neither confirmed nor denied his claim. “What is it you want?”
    â€œWhen you find her, I want you to let me see her before you call in the authorities.”
    â€œYou know I can’t do that,” Angela insisted, taken aback by the request.
    â€œI’m not asking you not to tell the cops you found her, just let me see the kid first.”
    â€œWhy?” she asked.
    â€œBecause since I’ve been back, I’ve been watching my pop die right before my eyes little by little. He needs a reason to go on living. That baby could be it.”
    â€œHe has you,” Angela pointed out.
    â€œAll I’ve ever been for him is a headache, someone he doesn’t