The thought was chilling. If they’d stayed at the house would the killer have ambushed them while they slept?
In the distance, the lights of Pine Haven had never been more welcoming.
Ryan tried his mic again this time the transmission went through. The sheriff himself responded.
“What’s going on, Ryan? I’ve been trying to reach you.”
Ryan explained about their harrowing flight from danger.
“I’m on my way. I’m rolling Will to back me up.”
“Thanks, Boone. Be careful, it appears this guy is becoming more unhinged.”
“Get to the station and lock the doors. We’ll radio what we find.”
Ryan ended the transmission. As they entered the city limits two sets of flashing lights came up quickly.
“There’s Boone and Will.” Ryan flashed his lights as his people passed.
Charlie clutched her hands tight in her lap to keep them from shaking. When they reached the station, Ryan pulled around behind the building and got out. He rushed Charlie inside and locked the door.
“Are you both okay?” Sarah Ames, the dispatcher, hurried over to where they stood.
“We’re fine,” Ryan assured her. He hurried to lock the front entrance.
“Come and sit,” Sarah pulled out a chair near the heater for Charlie.
She shook her head. “I’m too keyed up to sit.” The attack had come out of nowhere. While Abby’s fate remained unknown, her uncle had been silenced by drugs that mimicked a heart attack. Now, she and Ryan were targets. He was collateral damage. The killer wanted Charlie taken out.
“Why don’t we reach out to Abby’s parents?” Ryan stopped beside her. “I know it's late, but we need answers, and it’ll take our minds off what happened.”
She nodded. “That’s a good idea.” She needed something to occupy her thoughts.
“Sarah, we’ll be in the conference room. Find me if anything comes up. Don’t let anyone in except the sheriff and Will.”
“Copy that.” Sarah returned to her post.
“It’s down here.” Ryan led the way down the hallway past a couple of offices until they were standing in a large conference room.
He pulled out a chair for Charlie and waited until she was seated before claiming the seat next to hers.
Charlie watched him scroll through numbers until he found Deborah’s again before hitting call.
Three rings followed before Deborah answered. “Ryan, is everything okay?”
Abby’s mom would understand Ryan wasn’t calling so late without needing something.
“I’m here with Charlie who remembered something Abby told her before Abby went missing.”
“What is it?” Jim Tucker’s voice came through sounding strained.
Ryan looked to Charlie to tell the story.
She began by telling them what Abby said. “She seemed to hint that she might be seeing someone. Do you have any idea who that might have been?”
The silence that followed stretched tight.
“She never mentioned anyone to us,” Deborah told them. “I have her diaries. I’ve looked through them many times searching for answers. There’s no mention of her seeing a boy. . .”
