Page 41 of The Condemned (Echoes from the Past #6)

THIRTY-TWO

London, England

“Quiche Florentine,” Logan announced, handing Quinn a covered dish as he entered the flat.

“Compliments of Colin. He’s taking a class, you know, and wielding a kitchen knife with as great a precision as he wields his scalpel at the mortuary.

It’s so sexy,” Logan said with a wicked grin.

“Every time he cooks a chicken, I almost expect him to give me the cause of death and enlighten me on the health of the victim before its untimely demise.”

“Yes, he did mention it,” Quinn said, returning Logan’s smile. “Thank you. Would you like some? It’s nearly lunchtime, or brunch, as Seth likes to call it.”

“Thanks, but I’m all quiched out. A cuppa would be nice though. It’s cold out there.”

Quinn filled the kettle and set it on the hob while Logan divested himself of his coat and came to join her in the kitchen. “Where’s my gorgeous nephew?”

“Sleeping. He’ll wake up the minute I pour myself a cup of tea,” Quinn said. “It’s like he has a built-in sensor. I have yet to enjoy a hot beverage.”

Logan settled himself at the kitchen table and leaned back in his chair, looking nonchalant, but Quinn could see the worry in his eyes.

Now that she knew him better, she wasn’t buying into his carefree act.

It was all smoke and mirrors. Quinn took out two mugs and a bottle of milk, going about her tasks silently.

Logan needed to talk, and like most people, he’d jump into the breach to fill the silence .

“Have you heard from Rhys?” Logan finally asked.

Quinn sighed with frustration. “Yes, but he told me exactly nothing. He sent me a brief email two days ago, telling me that he’s all right and busy pursuing various leads.”

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Neither do I, but he hasn’t replied to my last email, nor is he answering my calls,” Quinn complained.

“You think he’s avoiding you?”

“Yes, I do.” She hadn’t realized it was true until she said it out loud.

He couldn’t blame his lack of communication on a spotty signal or no access to the internet.

He’d managed to email not only her, but his PA, Rhiannan Makely, who’d been in touch with Quinn, per Rhys’s instructions, as well as several other coworkers who worked on the Echoes from the Past series.

Quinn’s calls to Rhys went directly to voicemail, but his mobile was operational since he’d upgraded his plan before leaving for Afghanistan. Rhys was purposely ghosting her.

Logan nodded slowly. “Right. Did he say when he was coming back?”

“No, he didn’t.”

“If Jo were dead, Rhys would have no reason to hang around Kabul. Since he’s not on his way back, he must have unearthed some useful information.”

“You think?” Quinn asked, her voice buoyant with hope.

“Look, Quinn, if Jo were that easy to locate, Rhys would have found her by now. The fact that he is still there after a fortnight means he believes there’s a chance. Do you think she might have been kidnapped? For ransom, I mean.”

“Generally, when a person is kidnapped for ransom, a demand for payment is made. As far as I know, no one has come forward. ”

“Perhaps a demand was made of someone you’re not aware of,” Logan theorized.

“According to Charles Sutcliffe, Jo’s agent, who’s known her for years, Jo is something of a lone wolf. There’s no husband or boyfriend, and no close friends that he knows of. He’s the most likely person a kidnapper would contact.”

“And he hasn’t heard anything.”

“No, he hasn’t.”

The kettle boiled and Quinn made the tea. She’d just added milk to hers when a thin wail erupted from the baby monitor. “Right on cue,” Quinn said with an affectionate smile and set down her mug.

She returned a few moments later, Alex in her arms. He was still sleepy, his eyes hooded as he took in the new arrival. For a second, he looked as if he were about to cry, but seemed to change his mind as he pressed his face into Quinn’s shoulder.

“He’s hungry,” Quinn said.

“May I feed him? Mum said you’ve stopped nursing,” Logan added.

He reached out and Quinn handed him the baby, who eyed Logan suspiciously until he noticed the tattoos on Logan’s forearm.

The interesting shapes and colors distracted Alex long enough for Quinn to take out a bottle from the fridge, warm it up in the microwave, test the temperature on her hand, and pass it to Logan.

Alex forgot his misgivings as soon as he saw his food.

Logan settled the baby comfortably on his lap and gave him the bottle. “There, you can now enjoy your tea.”

“Thank you,” Quinn replied as she took a sip of her still-hot tea. “Wonderful.”

“How are you feeling?” Logan asked .

“I’m all right. Why?”

“I don’t know. You look a bit peaky.”

“I’ve been a little off, to be honest, but I think it’s just stress.”

“Off in what way?” Logan asked, instantly switching from brother to nurse.

“Tired, queasy, weepy, moody. I have an aversion to certain foods. Nothing I haven’t felt before.”

Logan’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. Quinn knew what he was thinking, and she shook her head.

“I’m not.”

“I think you should pay a visit to the clinic, nonetheless. Better safe than sorry.”

“I’m all right, Logan. Really. Don’t worry about me.”

“I think I’m just on high alert these days, what with Jude and all,” Logan replied. “Of course, you know best.”

“How is Jude? He came round to see me last week.”

Logan sighed and tilted his head, as if weighing his answer. “All things considered, I think he’s doing well. What would make his recovery easier is a bit of fun, a pleasant distraction, but getting involved in a new relationship is not advisable so soon after starting the recovery program.”

“Why is that? Don’t you think a new girlfriend might help raise his spirits and give him something to look forward to at the end of the day? I know he misses Bridget.”

Logan shook his head. “A new relationship can become an emotional crutch or a trigger. It can lead to him spiraling out of control. Jude is not ready for any emotional upheaval. What he needs is a comfortable routine and a strong support system, which we are trying to provide. He hates his job at the hospital, but having him there allows me to keep an eye on him, even when I’m not on shift. ”

“You mean you have spies?” Quinn asked, smiling over the rim of her mug.

“On every floor,” Logan replied. He set down the bottle and lifted Alex onto his shoulder, patting his back gently until Alex belched.

“Hey, you’re good at this.”

“I love children. Maybe someday…”

“Have you and Colin talked about it?” Quinn asked. It had never occurred to her that Logan and Colin might want to start a family, but these days it was very possible for two gay men to have a child.

“We have.” Logan sat Alex up in his lap and reached for his own mug of tea, which had now cooled. “Colin would like to adopt. He says there are too many unwanted children in this world, and if we could help even one of them, it would make him happy.”

“And you?”

“I’d like a biological child. We could find a surrogate.”

“Is Colin open to that?”

“He wouldn’t refuse me the chance to become a father, but I think, on some level, he would feel like I would be more of a parent to that child than he would be. Adopting a child would put us on equal footing.”

“There is that,” Quinn agreed.

Logan took a sip of tea and made a face. “Stone-cold.”

“I’ll make you a fresh cup. ”

“Don’t bother. I have to get going. I just missed you, that’s all,” he added shyly.

“I missed you too, Logan.” Quinn set down her empty mug and came up behind Logan, putting her arms around him. “I love that you’re in my life.”

Logan leaned back against her and covered her hand with his own. There was no need to say anything. They were thrilled to have found each other, but now the specter of Jo loomed over them, reminding them that they might lose their sister before having found her.