“We’re losing time.” Adrian didn’t even look up from the laptop.
Lane nodded as if he understood.
That made one of us.
“I’m staying too,” Ethan spoke as he followed Jonah out of the van.
We were all a little surprised.
“My parents are dead. The least I can do is help Lane with his sisters.” He looked at me. “I need to stay busy.”
I nodded. Ethan seemed to have aged ten years since we left his house. I truly hated to leave them, but both boys were over eighteen and had the right to make their own decisions.
Lila spoke up next. “I’m staying too.”
I frowned. “What about your parents?”
“My mom had a conference in Dallas, and my brother is dead,” her voice caught. “I’m alone now.” She shrugged and wiped the tears from her face. “And I’m sure Mrs. Carter could use a hand with the girls. She’s really old.”
“The Carters are both in their late forties,” Ben said wryly.
“Yeah, old.” Lila looked confused.
I found myself smiling, amazed that my face still knew how to form that expression.
Ben cleared his throat, “I’ve got some stuff we can drop off before we retrieve Taryn.” I was surprised by his offer.
“We’re good for now, Mr. Calder,” Lane said politely.
Ben nodded. “I’ll check on y’all in a few days.”
Maybe the guy did have a heart.
“If you’ve turned, I’ll put you down,” Ben rolled up his window.
Maybe not.
I got back into the van, keeping them in my sight as Ben pulled the truck away.
Five kids.
A week ago, their biggest problem had been homework and football games. Now one of them was dead, and the other four were facing circumstances that were beyond anything we could have prepared for.
As soon as I helped Adrian find Taryn, I’d come back to check on the kids. I was afraid things were going to get exponentially worse before they got better… if they ever did.
Up front, Adrian tapped at the computer again. Then he went very still.
“That’s not good,” he murmured, mostly to himself.
Ben frowned. “What?”
Adrian turned the screen so that we could see. The blue dot marking Taryn’s location flickered.
Once.
Twice.
Then disappeared altogether.
