I clicked on the message icon and opened the top message.
‘Fiona. She’s rallied a few people to help search.’
‘Great.’ He pulled over, checked his mirrors and did a U-turn. ‘I’ve just remembered the lake. We went there together once. It’s probably the only place she’ll remember how to get to on her own. Message her back and tell her we’ll check it out.’
I did as he said. ‘Why don’t you seem all that surprised?’
‘Surprised about what?’
I flicked him a sideways look. ‘You know what, Jack.’
He sighed. ‘Because I’m not. Well, not that she’s drunk. I’ve suspected Hannah has a problem with alcohol for a while now, although she hides it well so I doubted my suspicions. But I’ve never known her to drink and drive before. Thatisa surprise. I would never have thought she’d do this.’
I locked his screen again and put the phone on the console between us. ‘She’s obviously still struggling with Alex’s death. Not that it excuses what she’s doing. People lose loved ones every day and don’t do selfish, dumb things like this.’
I felt his eyes on me. ‘That’s a little bit harsh, don’t you think? It’s not just Alex dying that’s upset her. Tonight, anyway. It was finding out about us that tipped her over the edge.’
‘I get that she was upset, and I’m sorry she found out the way she did. But do you really think it excuses this kind of behavior?’
‘No of course not. That’s not what I’m saying.’
‘Good,’ I snapped. ‘Because it sounds like you’re blamingmefor her stupid, selfish actions. And that’s not fair.’
‘I didn’t… I’m not… Who’s blaming anyone?’ he asked, sounding confused. ‘I feel like I’ve missed something.’
‘Jack!’ I yelled, grabbing his arm without thinking.
Jack swerved the truck slightly, quickly recovering. ‘Jesus, Taylor, what the hell?’
‘Turn around. I think I saw something.’
He indicated and pulled over, before performing another U-turn.
‘It was back here somewhere,’ I muttered, craning my eyes out of the window into the darkness. I could only see where the car headlights illuminated. ‘There.’ I pointed. ‘Broken branches.’
‘And brake marks,’ Jack said solemnly. ‘They look fresh.’
‘How can you tell?’
‘They’re still dark. Haven’t had time to fade.’ He pulled over, tires crunching on the gravel, and turned his truck off, leaving the headlights on. Opening the glovebox, he pulled out a torch, clicking it on and banging it a couple of times when it flickered. ‘Wait here while I check it out.’
‘You really should know me better than that by now,’ I replied, opening my door. I followed him to the edge of the road, where it dipped down into a gully and darkness. The undergrowth was thick, but as we got close we could clearly see where it had been disturbed. Jack ran the torch over the brush.
‘Can you see anything?’ I asked, my heart in my throat.
‘No.’ He moved the torch further to the right. ‘Wait. What’s that?’
I peered where he was shining the light. Something shiny reflected back at us. Something metallic.
‘Oh God, it’s a car,’ I told him. ‘Do you think it’s her?’
‘Unless she’s run someone else off the road and kept going,’ he replied grimly.
I froze.
‘Go back to the truck and get my phone,’ he instructed. ‘Gerry’s number is saved in my contacts. Call him and tell him we need police and ambulance. I’m going to try and climb down.’
When I didn’t move, he touched my arm. ‘Taylor?’
