I got out, but as much as I wanted to rush over to Penelope’s car, drag that piece of shit out, and pummel him until he told me where she was, I let Garrett take the lead.
The other deputy joined Garrett, handing him the guy’s ID. They approached Penelope’s car while I hung back a few feet.
“Mr. Redfern,” Garrett said. “Will you step out of the car, please?”
Curt seemed to hesitate, but a second later, the door opened, and he stepped out.
“Hands where I can see them,” Garrett said.
“Look, this doesn’t have anything to do with me,” Curt said, holding his hands shoulder height, his palms facing out.
“What doesn’t?” Garrett asked.
Curt just shook his head.
“Why are you driving this car?”
“Penelope. She asked me to.”
“You sure about that?”
I gritted my teeth together and clenched my hands into fists. Curt’s eyes darted toward me, then back to Garrett.
“Yeah, I’m sure.”
“This car is stolen.” Garrett’s voice was matter-of-fact. “And the owner is missing. What can you tell us about that?”
Curt shook his head but didn’t reply.
“Listen.” Garrett took a step closer. “We want to find her. And I think you know where she is. Why don’t you tell us before this gets worse for you?”
Curt’s eyes darted around again. I’d never wanted to hurt someone so badly in my entire life. It took every last shred of self-control not to tackle him to the ground.
“Gina has her,” he said finally. “Gina Morris. I don’t know what she’s going to do. Gina wouldn’t say.”
“Where?” I snapped.
“My house,” Curt said. “This isn’t my fault. I swear. Gina didn’t tell me what she was doing. I think she drugged her, and she made me help move her. Insisted on taking her to my place, not hers. Then she told me to get rid of the car.”
Garrett held up Curt’s license. “This your address? This is where she is?”
“Yeah, but it’s not my fault.” His tone was anxious. “I didn’t do anything. Gina made me help her.”
I heard Garrett tell the other deputy to take Curt in as I raced to get back in his car. I didn’t give a shit what happened to Curt. We had to get to Penelope before it was too late.
Garrett got in and talked to dispatch while he turned the car around and started back toward town. We flew down the highway, lights flashing.
We’ll get to her in time. We have to.
I’d never been so scared in my life. Not even when I’d been lying on the field wondering if I’d just been paralyzed.
We arrived at a nondescript house in a residential neighborhood. A small SUV was parked out front. Garrett didn’t bother telling me to wait in the car. He got out and I followed him to the front door.
Blinds covered the windows, so I couldn’t see inside. Garrett drew his weapon and motioned for me to stand back. He checked the knob. Locked.
He rattled the door again and seemed to check for something. I was about to ask him what the fuck he was doing when he nailed the door with a swift kick. Wood splintered. He kicked it again and it swung inward.
“Tilikum Sheriff ’s Department,” he announced as he rushed inside. I followed, close on his heels, looking frantically for Penelope.
