“We sent a patrol car to the address you gave us,” Burton said. “She wasn’t there.”
“I wouldn’t expect her to be.”
“Has anyone heard from the girl?” Chief Davis asked.
“Not really,” I said. “She was sitting in the parking lot the other day, but not since then.”
“Are we considering that she could be a flight risk?” Burton asked, and Hansen and I exchanged a shrug.
“Could be,” I said. “But I get the impression that she’s the kind of person who just wants to watch the world burn.”
“We’ll have officers out to keep an eye open for her,” Burton said, getting to his feet. Denny did the same. “If any of you see or hear from her, you need to let us know.”
“Of course.”
The officers left, leaving me, Hansen, and Chief Davis alone in his office. Chief turned to look at me, crossing his hands over his stomach.
“How bad is this?” he asked, and I looked at Hansen before answering.
“It’s bad,” I said. “It’s awful.”
Chapter38
Peyton
I woke a few hours later, head still in my mother’s lap, a tiny drop of drool escaping from my lips. I sat up abruptly, running the back of my hand over my mouth, and looked at my mom, whose eyes were still closed as she took even breaths on the bed.
“Morning,” Doc Shaffer said, coming into the room with her chart in his hand. “How are you feeling, Peyton?”
“I’ve been better,” I said with a humorless chuckle, and Doc Shaffer nodded.
“You look exhausted. How about you go home and get some food, maybe a nap? I will, of course, call you at once if there’s any change.”
“She’ll be safe here?” I asked, and Doc Shaffer nodded.
“Security is outside the door. Nobody can come in.”
“Thanks, Doc,” I said, scrambling to my feet with fatigue. “Is it a bad sign that she’s not awake yet?”
“Not necessarily,” he said, checking her vitals and IV. “The fentanyl is still trying to leave her system. Let’s give it a little while longer before we panic.”
I nodded, reaching out to squeeze my mother’s hand before turning to leave, willing my legs to walk towards the door. I didn’t want to leave her, but I knew I should for my own sanity. Besides, the main priority was finding the monster who had done this to my mother.
Knowing that Korbin would be late getting home if he made it home, I drove through a local coffee shop for an espresso and a poppyseed muffin, then headed home to shower before I had to face the day. It was a chilly morning in Eagle River, and I wrapped my coat tightly around my neck as I made my way up to our floor, muffin bag under one arm. I shoved my key into the lock, hesitating when the lock didn’t click again. It was unlocked.
But it wasn’t supposed to be.
“What the fuck,” I said aloud, stepping through the door. I looked around before shutting it behind me, noticing nothing actually looked out of place. I wondered, not for the first time, if the damn thing was just broken; I’d have to see if Korbin could fix it when he got home.
Dropping my food onto the counter, I removed my shoes, hung up my coat, and then went to the bathroom to relieve myself. As I washed my hands and dried them, reaching for the bathroom door handle, I heard the sound before I saw it.
Someone was in the house.
I caught my breath as a trill of fear crawled up my spine, reaching automatically into the pocket of my sweatpants to grab my phone and call 911. I cursed when I realized I’d already taken it out of my pocket and put it on the kitchen counter.
“Shit.”
I had no choice now but to leave the bathroom. I had to either confront the intruder or run for it. Neither option sounded good, but those were the choices I had.
