“I’ll talk to Emmett and see if he can arrange a safe house.”
“In the meantime, maybe it would be best if I took them to a hotel and kept watch. I’ll see if the Ridge PD can provide additional protection.”
“That sounds good. I’m sure you’ll want some time for that arm to recover.”
“Keep me in the loop about Mia’s case,” said River.
“For sure. I’ll follow you to the hotel.”
River went to Lydia to explain the situation. Norm was still out there and seemed bent on taking Elsie and ending Lydia’s life.
TWENTY
Lydia stared around at the cabin where she and Elsie had stayed with River and Frankie for two days. The cabin consisted of two bedrooms and a large room that served as a living room and kitchen. From the bedroom where she and Elsie slept, she could hear River playing with Elsie and Frankie in the living room. She smoothed the blankets over the bed. They’d only had time to grab a few things for Elsie from Lydia’s house on the way to the cabin, but River had been coming up with games for Elsie to play ever since they’d come here. Keeping a three-year-old child inside and out of sight was proving to be a challenge, but River seemed to be up to it. Unfortunately, Elsie seemed to have grown used to confinement. Frankie let out a happy-sounding yip.
Lydia entered the living room and kitchen area where River had twisted together what looked like a makeshift tug toy for Frankie. She stared down at one of the long-sleeved shirts River had brought with him, which no longer had any sleeves. He must have braided the sleeves together to make the toy.
“Wasn’t that one of the new shirts we got at the store before we came out here?”
“I can still wear it.” He turned his attention back to Frankie. “I think we needed this more. Dog and child were getting restless.”
Elsie squealed with delight as Frankie tugged and growled. She clapped her hands. “Let me do it.”
River handed Elsie the tug toy, cupping her hand and placing it in her palm. Elsie waved the toy up and down until Frankie took it. The dog seemed to adjust to Elsie having less strength than River, tugging lightly.
The picture of the three of them together warmed Lydia’s heart. River seemed to have a natural ability to connect with children. Or maybe it was just that he connected with Elsie.
Lydia hurried over to the kitchen. “Elsie, are you getting hungry? I’ll make us a snack.”
“Sure, Mama.”
“I need to take Frankie out for her potty break anyway.”
River headed outside with Frankie. From the kitchen window, she watched River head down a trail. This cabin was one of three that looked out on a lake and was used by the police to keep witnesses safe. The other two cabins were not occupied. At night, a Ridge police officer was parked outside.
Lydia was beginning to wonder if Norm had just decided to save himself and leave the country. She longed for her and Elsie to get back to their home and normal life. She opened a package of crackers.
Elsie moved toward the table. “I think Mr. Binkins would like a snack, too.”
Lydia set the crackers on the table along with a box juice. “I’ll go get him. You get started on your snack.”
Mr. Binkins had always been a source of comfort to Elsie and she was glad she’d thought to grab the teddy bear.
She picked the bear up off the bed and returned to the kitchen. She stuttered in her step as shock spread through her. The door was open, and Elsie was gone. Heart pounding, Lydia ran outside in time to see Norm feet away from a car that was partially hidden by another cabin.
She ran toward her daughter.
Norm turned around and fired a gun in her direction.
* * *
From the lake where he’d been letting Frankie get some exercise, a child’s faint scream reached River’s ears. Had he even heard right? He scrambled up the trail. The sound of a gunshot made his stomach lurch. He couldn’t believe that Norm had found them. After so many days, he’d begun to think Norm had fled to save himself. In response to the gunfire, he pulled out his own weapon. With Frankie by his side, he burst through the trees in time to see Lydia lying on the ground.
She lifted her head and pointed. He heard the sound of a car starting up but didn’t see it until it pulled out from behind one of the other cabins.
Adrenaline surged. He could see Elsie through the window on the passenger side. Her hands pressed against the glass. Fear etched in her features. He couldn’t risk hitting her to take out Norm.
He aimed for the tires, shooting twice.
