“What do you think?” Quinn asked Reid.
“It’s hard to determine if he’s telling the truth.”
She nodded. She hated that people lied so often.
“I think we should go back to the cabin. We can stop at my place. You and JJ can wait in the car while I run in and get your phone and our bags.”
“Do you think it’s safe?” She didn’t want to put them in any danger for a few changes of clothes and a phone.
“I think so, but I don’t know for sure. You can drive. If I take too long or something happens, you can drive off.”
“Okay.”
They checked out of the hotel. Quinn drove, following Reid’s directions. They turned onto his road.
“I want you to drive past my house slowly and then turn around and make another pass. I’ll look for anything out of the ordinary.”
She slowed the car as they approached the house. Goose bumps covered her arms. It didn’t look like something horrible had taken place inside twenty-four hours ago.
Reid studied the house and then looked at the neighboring houses. “Okay. Turn around up here and pass by again.” He continued studying his neighborhood. He also watched the rearview mirror. Nothing was different on their second time passing by. “Turn around again. This time, pull up to the curb, but don’t pull into the driveway. Keep the car in drive.”
“Okay.” She did as he instructed.
“I’m going to go inside. Lock the doors when I get out. If anything gets hinky or if I’m not back in five minutes, drive off.”
“I can’t leave you,” she argued.
“You have to think about JJ.”
He was right. JJ was their number one priority.
“Watch the mirrors. Five minutes.” He exited the car and jogged to the front door, which was shut.
She locked the car doors. The digital clock showed 1:24.
Reid had to pull the keys out of his pocket and let himself in. Sweat was forming on her forehead. Her palms were sweaty against the steering wheel. She looked from the front door to the side mirror and the review mirror. She repeated the process. The clock showed 1:27.
Quinn bounced her left knee. She didn’t want to leave Reid behind, but she would if it meant keeping JJ safe. She checked all the mirrors again. Looked around the neighborhood.
“Look, Momma. Here comes Mr. Reid.”
Reid was coming out of the house, carrying their bags. He shut the door and jogged to the car, opened the back door, and put the bags next to JJ.
“Go,” Reid said once he was in the front seat and the door was closed.
She didn’t hesitate and mashed down on the accelerator. The farther they got from Reid’s house, the more her body relaxed. She was almost certain the steering wheel had permanent indentions from squeezing it so tight.
“It’s okay.” He patted her forearm. “Want me to drive?”
“No, I think I’m good for now. Just get me to the highway.”
She followed his instructions, and soon, they were on the open road.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Quinn pulled into town about aquarter to six. She’d driven the entire way. When they stopped for JJ to use the bathroom, she insisted on continuing to drive. He didn’t argue. He used the time to take a quick nap.
They needed to find Madison, but it was Saturday, and the banks were already closed and wouldn’t be open tomorrow. They’d have to wait until Monday.
