“Except there are tourists and outsiders at the campgrounds.” Grady’s jaw tightened. “How could you let a five-year-old wander around byherself?”
“Don’t start.” The pastor huffed. “As I said, this is a very safe place. We go door-knocking at all the houses in town, and everyone knows Jessie. We look out for each otherhere.”
“Except no one knows where Jessie is,” Grady said. He checked the group message. “Tell me about this fairy godmother Linx says she talksabout.”
“She’s never told us about any of her imaginary friends,” Mark said. “Anyway, we’re wasting our time. Let me call the sheriff and see what he’s come upwith.”
“You do that, and I’ll call Linx.” Grady told his phone to callLinx.
“Anything?” she asked as soon as she pickedup.
“No, nothing. We’ve gone over the entire campground. How about you? Where areyou?”
“I found a storage shed full of bones and twisted metal. I’m reallyscared.”
“Where?”
“Eastern side of the creek where the ranch hands used to live, but she’s not there. I found a recentcampfire.”
“Wait, you say bones? What kind of bones?” Grady’s scalp prickled withchills.
“Bones used as artwork. I don’t know whatkind.”
“You stay safe,” Grady said. “I saw burned bones, and I tripped over crosses made from railroad spikes at the artist’s cabin. You know where thatis?”
“Sure, it’s down the creek from here. Want to meet methere?”
“You know what I think, don’tyou?”
“Yes, my mother might be involved. I’m really scared,” Linx said. “What if she’s taking revenge onus?”
Mark tapped Grady. “Hey, shouldn’t we tell thesheriff?”
“Linx, you stay put. We’re on our way.” To Mark, he said. “She’s headed to the artist’s cabin, and yes, we should let Toddknow.”
Mark spoke to Todd and nodded. “He knows where it is. He says to meet him at thegate.”
“Linx, don’t go anywhere. We’re on our way,” Gradysaid.
Mark tapped his shoulder. “Ask her about the fairygodmother.”
“Jessie says she has a fairy godmother and a gypsy wagon,” Grady said to Linx. “Do you think it could be yourmother?”
“That’s what I’m afraid of. Should I call her? I don’t want to tip heroff.”
“Wait, you can call her? The police might be able to lock in on her if you talk to her.” Grady motioned for Mark to listen in. “Go ahead, Linx, call your mother and talk to her as long as youcan.”
“Sure, I will,” Linx agreed. “I’ll keep her on the line as long as it takes to traceher.”
Mark relayed the information to Todd, as Grady sped the truck down the steep, winding road, racing his heart around theturns.
Please, please, please don’t let them be toolate.
