The Missing McCullen
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Rita Herron
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15,3K
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27
A loner seeks redemption… a single mother seeks the truth Defense attorney BJ Alexander is crafty, brilliant, and deeply scarred by the loss of her husband and child. Hired by the McCullen family, who believe Cash Koker to be their lost brother, BJ commits to the case — and vows not to become entangled with her devastatingly handsome client. Unfortunately, Cash is no stranger to hardship, and their mutual attraction is overwhelming. But nothing can prepare him when charges are mistakenly brought against him. Cash insists he's being framed, and it's up to BJ to find the truth. Because not only is Cash's life at stake, but so is that of a missing little boy…
Prologue
Ray McCullen faced his brothers, Maddox and Brett, with a knot in his stomach. For months they’d been searching for twin brothers who’d been kidnapped from their parents at birth.
They would be thirty this month.
He had good news and bad news. “I found one of the twins.”
Maddox balled his hands into fists. “You don’t sound happy about it.”
“Where is he?” Brett asked.
“The babies were left at a church about an hour from Pistol Whip. Apparently, one of them was adopted, but the other was sickly and wound up being placed in foster care. A nurse took him in for a while, and named him Cash Koker.”
“Where is he now?” Maddox asked.
Ray turned to the whiteboard where they’d listed clues regarding the boys’ whereabouts. He tacked a photo on the board.
“I used age progression software and a special program I have to locate doppelgangers. This is him.”
Maddox studied the photo. “He looks like a McCullen. Same stubborn jaw. Dark hair.”
“He’s got your high forehead and dark eyes, Maddox,” Brett said.
Maddox cleared his throat. “The DNA matched?”
Ray nodded. “Yeah, his was in the system, but I still want another test done for verification.”
“I agree,” Maddox said.
“Does he know about us?” Brett asked.
“I don’t think so.”
Maddox crossed his arms. “You said his DNA was in the system. Does that mean what I think it means?”
Ray gave a quick nod. “He has a record. Got into some trouble as a juvenile, then a couple of bar brawls in his twenties.”
“Hell, so did I. Is that it?” Brett asked.
Ray grunted. “Afraid not.” He tacked another photo on the board. This picture was a mug shot. “Our long-lost brother has just been arrested for murder.”
