Panic rose in her throat as she realized her lack of options. Seeing no other place to hide, she dropped to the floor and rolled under the Suburban. The motion stirred up dust, and she inhaled the filthy air. Coughing, she squeezed her eyes closed at the sight of mice droppings scattered across the dirt floor.
When Eddie came to check the barn, and she knew he’d come to make sure his secret was safe, hopefully, he wouldn’t find her. Then later, she could sneak out or at least call 911.
Wishful thinking? Yes, but it was the only positive thought she could conjure at the moment.
She jumped at the sound of the door to the house slamming.He’s coming.
Blood pounded in her ears, and spots filled her vision. It’s a good thing she was lying down because she thought she might pass out. She was in trouble here. With no one to help her.
Oh, why did I come alone?
Her desire to find Ben’s daughter had driven her to make stupid decisions. Decisions that might cost her life and rob Kallie of a mother.
Amy bit back a scream when the door she’d used to enter the barn swung open.
* * *
“Don’t call me back,he might hear my phone. Call Robert!”
“Amy?” Ben shouted.
The line was dead.
A vice closed around Ben’s heart. Amy was in danger. His thumb hovered over Amy’s name on his call list. Instead, he scrolled down a few calls and tapped Robert’s number.
Not bothering to tell his secretary where he was going, he walked out of his office. He was on the street, headed toward the sheriff’s office two blocks down by the time Robert answered.
“Did you get Amy’s text?” Ben asked.
“I’ve been in a meeting with the Mayor. I was looking at it when you called.”
Ben spun around and headed the other way, taking long strides. The city offices were around the corner from his office.
“What’s going on? Where is she?”
“That’s what I want to know,” Ben demanded. Spotting Robert standing on the sidewalk, Ben walked up behind him and spun him around with a firm grip on his shoulder.
Both men dropped their phones into their pockets. Then Ben grabbed the front of Robert’s uniform in both fists, taking him by surprise. “What have you put her up to? Do you realize the danger you’ve put her in?”
Robert grasped Ben’s wrists in a defensive hold. “Chill, Bro.” He ground out through gritted teeth. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Amy was at the office when I left this morning.”
Ben released a pent-up breath and the front of Robert’s shirt at the same time. “She’s in danger.” Robert’s eyes widened, and Ben spoke over his shoulder, as he walked toward Robert’s Tahoe. “I called her after I received her text. She spoke really fast and quiet, like she was afraid someone might hear. She said something about Lance and his drummer and something about Deer Creek. Then she said someone was coming, and she didn’t want me to call her back for fear he would hear her phone. She sounded terrified, Robert.”
They drove the two blocks back to the sheriff’s office and raced in, hoping to find Amy at her desk. Instead, Janice greeted them.
“Where’s Amy?” Both men said in unison.
“I don’t know. Rudy was covering when I came in.”
Hearing his name, Rudy walked out of the large office he shared with the other deputies.
“Where’s Amy?” Robert demanded again.
Rudy’s eyebrows rose as though surprised by Robert’s gruff tone. He shrugged. “She said she had some personal things to take care of this morning and asked if I could cover for her for a couple hours. I assumed she’d cleared it with you. She’s probably at the diner by now.”
Robert pulled out his cell phone.
He snapped it closed again after a quick call to Aunt Charity. “She asked for the afternoon off.” Scowling, Robert turned to Ben. “Tell me, again, everything she said on the phone.”
