She floored it and took the sharp curves like an Indy driver until she reached the main highway and headed east. She probably should have called Russ, but he still needed to find Jessie, and bringing Eddie in shouldn’t be a big deal. Though Mia couldn’t handle him earlier, she was sure after she explained what had happened and that Pope might come after Eddie next, he’d be willing to go with her to the sheriff’s office for his own protection.
At the cabin driveway, Mia slowed and turned right. She killed the engine and headlights then maneuvered the car as far down the rutted drive as she could without risking Eddie seeing her.
She quickly climbed out, closing the door as fast as she could to douse the dome lights, and made the trip down the steep incline, feeling her way over the uneven ground with only the moon shining above. She would love to use the light on her phone, but she was counting on a surprise visit to keep Eddie from bolting.
A small car was parked in the drive. She didn’t know the make of car Nikki drove, but it would be a good choice for a teenager.
Keeping low, Mia made her way to the vehicle and looked inside. A girl’s garter, pink fuzzy dice, and a lipstick on a string hung on the rearview mirror. Yeah, could well be Nikki’s car.
Mia squatted and watched for signs of life in the cabin.
There.A flash inside. Between the blinds on the front window.
They were smart enough not to turn on any lamps and moved around by flashlight. Just as Mia and her gang had done back in the day.
Mia had to get in there. She remembered the brick path around back well and started that way. Some were loose back then. If not fixed, they could be treacherous in the dark. She slowly picked her way over rough path. Stumbling on a sharp edge then catching herself on a tree that had been much smaller the last time she’d made this trek.
She approached the back door, looking around for another person. Anyone. Friend or foe.
No one. Nothing. No movement. Not even small animals.
She turned the doorknob. Slowly.
The catch clicked open, sounding like an explosion in her ears. She waited. Held her breath. For Eddie or Nikki to come to the door.
Neither did.
She slipped inside. She could easily make her way to the front room where she’d seen the flashlight without turning on a light. As long as they hadn’t remodeled the cabin in the past ten years.
She crept along the kitchen cupboards, running her fingers over the worn Formica and along the wall to the narrow hallway.
Soft crying came from the bedroom at the end. A muted conversation drifted from the front room. The entire house remained dark.
What now? Crying or conversation?
Conversation. She could eavesdrop and learn something to help, like maybe who was crying and why.
She turned toward the family room and stopped just shy of the doorway.
“Who’s gonna believe me?” A male voice asked.
Eddie!It was Eddie.
“I can tell them what happened.” Nikki’s unique high-pitched voice gave her identity away. “I’ve never been in real trouble. They’ll believe me.”
“I can’t risk it. If they think I had something to do with this, I’ll go away for a long time. You need to take the kid to the cops and tell them what happened.”
Kid? What kid?
“And what about you? You gonna hoof it all the way back to Portland?”
“I don’t know, but I’m not turning myself in.”
Before either of them decided to make a move, it was time for Mia to announce her presence. She spun around the corner and felt along the wall where she remembered a light switch was located and flicked it up.
A bright glow flooded the room, blinding her. She counted on Eddie having the same reaction and wouldn’t jump her or run. She blinked away the spots, and her eyes adjusted.
“Mia,” Nikki shouted. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
