A beat of hope pulsed through him as a new theory took form. Maybe Katherine couldn’t remember what she’d done to wrong someone because she hadn’t known the wheels she’d set in motion.
But someone did. And they had to figure out who before it was too late.
21
While Mike jumped on the phone, Cody rounded the sofa and sat next to Ollie. As much as he loved having the boy close, it’d be better for him to leave with Elsie. There was no telling what lay ahead, and he needed to be shielded as best as possible.
“Did you find my mom?” Ollie asked, eyes wide and filled with fear.
“Not yet, buddy. But we might have gotten one step closer. Your grandpa, uncles, and I will leave soon to track down some leads. I think you should go home with Elsie until this is all done.”
Tears slid down Ollie’s cheeks. “I want to stay with you.”
The statement yanked at his heartstrings until they were pulled all the way off. “I wish you could but that’s not possible. I need to focus on your mom right now, and I can do that better if I know you’re safe with Elsie.”
“What about Bailey?” Ollie rested his head on top of the dog’s. “She shouldn’t be alone.”
Elsie joined them, standing behind the couch. “You know, I think Jimmy would love to meet Bailey. If Cody’s okay with it, she can come with us.”
Ollie still didn’t look convinced, but he swished his lips to the side in consideration. “Will you call me when you have Mom?”
The fact that he saidwhenand notifbuoyed Cody’s own hopes. “I will.”
Ollie heaved out a sigh. “Okay. I’ll go with Elsie.”
Cody gave the boy a big hug and kissed the top of his head. When he stood, he fought his own tears from falling. “I’ll see you soon.”
Forcing himself away from Ollie, he slipped into the guest room and packed a bag for Elsie to take. He prayed Ollie would be back in his own bed tonight but there was no telling what the coming hours would bring.
A bright flash of pain slammed against him so hard his vision wavered. He wanted this room to be Ollie’s, wanted the bed covered in a superhero blanket and toy cars scattered on the floor. Hell, even stepping barefoot on Legos sounded like heaven.
He hoped to make that vision reality, but before that could happen, he had to bring Katherine home.
With Ollie’s stuff in hand, he waited for the boy to say his goodbyes to his family then helped Elsie get Ollie and his wheelchair in her car. When everything was loaded, he stood in the driveway and waved goodbye as he watched them leave.
He turned around and found Mike standing on the front porch.
“He means a lot to you, doesn’t he?” Mike asked.
“They both do, sir.”
Mike nodded. “Then let’s find Katherine so the three of you can put this nonsense behind you. I spoke with the Holms County sheriff. We were able to pinpoint when Katherine wasat that party, and she pulled some files. They made a big bust that night. A drug dealer was using some frat as a way to traffic product and he happened to be at that party. He was put away for fifteen years. Released a month ago.”
“That’s got to be him,” Cody said. “Do you have a location?”
“I have an address,” Mike said. “Lives about ten minutes from here. Near the county line between Cooper and Holms.”
Owen and Tommy poured out of the house, determination clear in every stride.
“I’ll drive,” Owen said.
Cody hurried to Owen’s cruiser and climbed inside. He sat in the back with Tommy, leaving the front seat for Mike.
Owen settled behind the wheel and took off.
“What all do we know about this guy?”
“Name is Keith Stiller. Age forty-seven,” Tommy read off his phone. “One previous arrest prior to the one that put him away for fifteen years. Here’s a photo.” He tilted the screen toward Cody.
