Page 97 of Bring Them Home

“You think it will play out like that? He’s walked from every other allegation and charge ever levied against him. The man is cocky and is justified for being that way.”

She was fuming and without words.

Malone sat back in his chair and clasped his hands in this lap. “No. You two can tag along, but SWAT will serve the warrants. The last time cops came at him, three SWAT officers ended up dead. And I can guarantee you that Hernandez will see this for what it is—a threat. He’ll strike back.”

Amanda would contest Malone’s decision if there were ground to stand on, but he was right about Hernandez. She’d have to settle for being there to see his and Nina’s faces when they were arrested. “Fine.”

“I’ll get things in motion ASAP.” Malone picked up his phone, and she and Trent left his office.

While Amanda and Trent waited on SWAT to discuss strategy, they drove over to the hospital to check in with Valerie and Brooke Archer. If she could convince them to talk against Hernandez and Nina, it would go a long way to ensuring a conviction. Even if they pointed them toward recovering tangible evidence. Anything that would solidify the case against Hernandez was welcome.

When they got to the hospital, they were told mother and daughter were sharing a room, but as they rounded the doorway, no one was in there. They returned to the nurses’ station and asked where they might find them.

After typing in her system, the nurse looked at them and said, “They haven’t been taken for any tests, so if they’re not in their room, then I suggest you check Landon Archer’s room.”

“Could you give us his room number?” Amanda wasn’t holding her breath the nurse would be forthcoming.

“I probably shouldn’t give this to you, but… well, are you the detectives who saved those two?”

“We are,” Amanda answered on her and Trent’s behalf.

“Then, bless you. Such a horrible nightmare they’ve been through.” The nurse then proceeded to give them the room number for Landon Archer.

“Thank you.” Amanda tapped the desk before setting off for Landon’s room, following the directions the nurse had given them.

It required taking an elevator and weaving through several corridors, but they eventually reached their destination. She could only imagine the effort required for the Archers in their depleted condition. But if Amanda were Valerie, she wouldn’t want to spend another minute away from her ill son.

Amanda could hear several voices coming from inside Landon’s room as she and Trent got closer. It sounded like a full house. Upon reaching the doorway and looking inside, she saw it was. Valerie and Brooke Archer were there in wheelchairs, and Bruce and Deborah Archer were present also. Amanda hadn’t expected to see them, and knowing word about Abigail would have reached them, her heart ached for them.

Everyone including Landon, in his hospital bed, looked their way.

Amanda smiled at all of them with some reservation, feeling as if she were invading a private family moment.

Brooke, who was seated at her brother’s side, was the first to break the silence. “They’re the detectives who found us.” Her words were directed at Landon, but the grandparents stepped toward them.

“Detectives Steele and Stenson, we can’t thank you enough for returning Valerie and our granddaughter.” Bruce took Amanda’s hand, and then Trent’s.

Deborah hugged Amanda, catching her off guard.

“I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter, Abigail,” she told them.

“We both are,” Trent chirped in.

“Thank you. We haven’t had a chance to process it yet,” Deborah said, her eyes full of tears. “It will hit us, I’m sure, but in this moment, we’re just celebrating that we have these two back.” She returned to her granddaughter’s side and squeezed her shoulder. The girl looked over her shoulder at Deborah and took her hand.

“This is my brother, Landon,” Brooke said.

“Hello, Landon, nice to finally meet you,” Amanda told him.

Trent dipped his head at the teen lying in the bed.

“Thank you for bringing them home,” Landon told them.

The unsteadiness in his voice stabbed at Amanda’s heart. And while she couldn’t cure his leukemia, she and Trent had brought his mother and sister home.

“We wish we could have gotten to them sooner.” The words slipped out. The truth. Amanda’s tendency to be hard on herself made clear.

“But you got to them,” Bruce weighed in. “And though things never turned out the way we’d hoped with Abigail, there will be closure now. She’ll also get a proper burial, and we’ll be able to say our goodbyes.”