Stephen Dalton had always wanted to be a cop. Specifically, a homicide detective. His dad had been a New York State Trooper, killed in the line of duty when he was ten years old. Stephen felt he didn't even free will in the matter of his career choice, everyone just assumed he would be a cop. Even Stephen himself. It was cop uniforms at Halloween, cop shows on TV and ride alongs from his Dad's old work buddies. He was now two years as a Blue Cove beat cop and what seemed a world away from his Detective ambitions. On the early watch that Sunday morning he had stopped to lace a boot outside St. Peters church when Tina Sanchez cast a shadow across his path. He stood, towering over the petite Latino lady who looked tougher than the boots he had laced. She had waited impatiently while he double knotted his laces, the little foot beside his size twelves tapping impatiently. He could smell the old lady church smell from her and he was sure he was in for a tirade against the beggars who had been recently pickpocketing the parishioners of St. Peters, hence his current beat route.

"Ma'am?" he asked as he stood and he heard her sigh.

"Officer-" she paused and looked at his badge "Dalton"

"How can I help you Ma'am?" he asked as he took in her appearance, noting the deep lines on her face, her knarled, stubby fingers and her tight pursed mouth.

"I want to make a report about suspected child abuse" she said, almost whispering, looking over her shoulder to make sure none of her community had spotted her talking to the cop.

"But I need to do it, away from here, in private, off the street, you understand?"

It was her intensity and the fear that rolled off her in waves that made him take her elbow and lead her into the alley way beside the church.

Five hours later he was standing on the front porch of an impressive residence in the flashy part of town. Tina Sanchez had told him the guy who owned the place was a big deal at the R&D facility on the edge of Blue Cove. His Sergeant had advised him to thread carefully, consult social services, get a joint investigation on the books. That R&D place was a big employer in the area, some kind of secret research center. Even the canteen staff had to sign confidentiality agreements. A phone call from the Chief himself didn't help. Murphy had wanted to know all about Tina Sanchez's claims.

A striking brunette answered the door. She looked Dalton up and down and he swore he felt his balls jump back up inside his body.

"Officer?" she queried with a sharp turn of her head. The sight of a cop at the door on a Sunday afternoon didn't seem to phase her in the least. Her outfit looked like it would cost him a months salary. And then some she would have said.

"Are you Miss Parker?" he asked. He hadn't expected her to be here. Tina Sanchez said she was only ever here on Fridays. In fact she hadn't been around for several Fridays.

"Whose asking and what's this about?" She stepped out of the house and onto the porch making him take several steps backwards. This broad was a piece of work he decided. Everything Sanchez had told him must be true.

"Can I talk to you about your son Miss Parker?"

She laughed in disbelief and shook her head, she held her arms apart "I don't have children". For some reason Jarod's words to her on that tarmac in Glasgow echoed in her head.

"Is this the legacy you want to leave to your own children?".

The smile slipped off her face. The cop, he was good, he would actually make Detective in another three years, stepped forward. She noticed him place his foot on the threshold.

"Do you have a warrant?"

"Do I need one?"

"I asked who you are and what this is about".

Her tone was softer and she seemed genuinely confused.

" I'm Officer Stephen Dalton with the Blue Cove PD. You don't have a little boy? Two years old? Xavier Parker?"

Miss Parker blinked in the afternoon sun. The cherry blossom was blooming, the wind scattering its petals all over the lawn. The grass was getting long she noticed and it never grew long. Always immaculate. The gardener had even disappeared.

"Xavier is my brother"

It was Officer Dalton's turn to look confused.

"Tina Sanchez says you're his mother"

Miss Parker gaped "The housekeeper? Tina?! Why would she say I'm his mother?. What is this about Officer?". She tried to ignore the cold snake of dread coiling in her stomach.

Dalton gave her the once over again. He was satisfied she was genuinely confused.

"You're his sister?...could Mrs. Sanchez have gotten this wrong? She's made some very serious allegations Miss Parker. Can I see the boy? Just to do a welfare check on him?".

Miss Parker's gaze fell to her shoes.

"He's not here. My father recently passed away. It's been a tough couple of days for the family".

Dalton was not nonpreturbed and pressed on "I'm sorry to hear that".

Miss Parker knew he wasn't and her mind raced as she wondered what Tina had told the police.

"Even the nature of the allegations made Miss Parker I'm duty bound to check on Xavier, where is he?".

"You'll have to ask my brother" she answered