Ultimate Cowboy by Rita Herron

eight,making him ten now. Then Hank Forte disappeared at a county fair. He’s six and as far as we know, the latest victim.”
    “There are some lags in the time line,” Chief Hurt pointed out.
    Julie nodded. “It could mean someone got close to finding him, and he had to lay low. Or he was satisfied for a while then needed a new conquest.”
    A knock sounded on the door, then one of the forensictechs poked her head in. “I have the results from the medical examination and the psych one, as well.”
    “What about the DNA results for Kyle?”
    “They’re in there, too.”
    Julie tensed, her gaze meeting Brody’s. She needed this information to plan her approach to the judge.
    And she wanted this boy to be Will Bloodworth so Brody would have him back.
    Although even if it was Will,he might never be the same boy Brody had known as a child.
    * * *
    B RODY TOOK A deep breath. He wanted his brother back.
    But he wasn’t sure he really wanted to know what he’d suffered.
    You have to, he reminded himself sternly. You can’t help him unless you know everything.
    “Brody?” Julie asked.
    “Go ahead and read it,” he said gruffly.
    Julie opened the file andskimmed over it, then looked at Brody. “First the DNA.”
    Several strained heartbeats passed, the air vibrating with tension. Brody gripped the edges of his chair, desperate to know the truth.
    Finally Julie lifted her head and looked at him, “Kyle is Will Bloodworth.” She offered Brody a smile, but the air around him suddenly felt hot. “He’s your brother, Brody. We finally found him.”
    Brody’s throat thickened with emotions, and he couldn’t help himself. He crossed the room and pulled Julie into a hug. She wrapped her arms around him, and he felt her tears dampen his shirt.
    Joy blended with the fear and sorrow in his chest. He had waited for this moment for so long. Had almost given up so many times.
    Had imagined Will dead.
    But now he was here, alive.
    He blinked back his own tears, and Julie sniffled, then slowly pulled away. Embarrassment at his display shot through him, but then decided he didn’t give a damn.
    An uncomfortable silence reverberated through the room, the whisper of clothing rustling as everyone shifted.
    Miles rose and pounded him on the back. “You said you’d find him and you did, Brody.”
    Brody nodded, too movedto speak.
    Chief Hurt made a noise in his throat, and Brody and Miles both claimed their seats again.
    “All right, now we know one more thing about our unsub,” Chief Hurt said. “He gives the boys new names.”
    Agent Cord drummed his fingers on the conference table. “What else does the report say, Julie?”
    She wiped at her eyes, then composed herself, although her hand trembled asshe scanned the file again. A frown puckered between her brows and Brody held his breath, bracing himself for bad news.
    * * *
    T HE POLICE had Kyle in custody. They would hammer him with questions, try to find out about him and where his family lived.
    He had taught the boy to guard his family, that protecting them at all costs was his job. Kyle was one of his best soldiers. He wastough, skills honed, could endure pain or whatever the enemy threw at him.
    The boy knew the law was the enemy. If the police discovered where the family lived, they would tear them apart, their army of men.
    Kyle had been stupid to get caught.
    Still, he wouldn’t talk.
    The newest member of his squadron yelled and beat at the door to the pit.
    He was weak now, but his trainingwould change that.
    Maybe it was time to move again.
    He would start looking for a new place to house his team today.
    And if Kyle utilized the skills he’d taught him, he would find a way to come back to them again.
    If not, he’d make sure he didn’t talk.
    Not ever again.

Chapter Nine
    Brody’s stomach knotted as Julie read the doctors evaluation. “The psychiatrist said Kyle—Will—was uncommunicative, that he refused to talk about where he lived, about any