Followed by Janae’s request. “Please.”
“Let’s call the police,” Aja suggested.
I dragged my hands down my face, struggling to maintain my composure.
“You both don’t understand. There’s so much more to this that I haven’t explained. It’s not just this person after Evelyn. Danny’s been working to uncover a network of corruption within the justice system. We don’t know who we can trust.”
I watched as their facial expressions morphed from confusion to fear. Janae had always been more in tune with her emotions than Aja, but this time it was Aja’s eyes that were filled with unexpected tears.
“We have to go. You guys can ride with me, or you can follow me back to the house,” I said while moving towards the door.
They moved silently beside me and piled into my truck.
We were gatheredaround the table in the kitchen while Gerard and William paced the room, glued to their phones.
Night had fallen, and we were still no closer to finding Evelyn.
My mother had joined us at the table, and she was rubbing circles on Janae's back as she wept quietly. The twins had filled her in on as much as they could.
William’s eyes cut to mine before he looked away in shame. I’m angry with him even though I know I have no right to be. Whatever they hit him with, they hit him hard. The twins had to convince him to get his head checked out.
“Parker, I see the look on your face. I know what you’re thinking, and you're wrong,” my mother said, trying to be the voice of reason.
How could she possibly know that my heart was breaking in two?
All I could do was respond with a silent nod of my head. I didn’t know what to think. It had been hours since Evelyn was taken. Who knew what Charles was doing to her, or what he had already done?
I reached for my phone for what seemed like the 100th time today and sent another message to Danny.
SOS
Evelyn is missing
“I need some air,” I said abruptly and strode out of the room.
What I really needed was space to think.
I halted my steps once I reached the main room. Sheriff Strauss and my father were standing by the door talking.
“I’ve heard the buzz around here is that the new girl is gone,” Strauss says with a chuckle.
My father reached out to shake his hand. “Oh yeah? Well, good riddance.”
He’s the reason that I had to leave home.
He’s the reason that I didn’t get to see my sisters grow up.
He’s the reason why the woman I just realized I’m in love with is out there no doubt fighting for her life.
“What did you do?” I bellowed, as I marched across the hall to my father.
“Ms. Howard left on her own. I had nothing to do with it.” He says facing me with ire in his eyes. “At least she’s smart enough to know when to leave.”
My sisters appeared at my side placing a hand on either side of my shoulders holding me back.
“Dad,” Aja said with a warning in her tone.
“What I can’t seem to figure out is how you’re involved in all of this?” I grit out looking between my father and the sheriff.
