“We’ve got a situation and need information ASAP,” Shane says, not exchanging any pleasantries. “Cost is not a factor.”
“Got it.” Logan’s tone is clipped and all business.
“I’m going to turn it over to Charlie,” Shane says.
I spend the next fifteen minutes filling him in, and twenty minutes later, Logan is back on the phone, telling us he got a line on a hunting cabin Decker rented a couple months ago deep in the woods on the outskirts of the county.
The intel sends my instincts flaring to life.
I lock eyes with Ryder. “This has to be it.”
Ryder’s brows furrow. “It’s a lead, but for all we know, the guy could be across state lines already.”
“True, but it’s a trail.” I point at Sam to emphasize my point.
Ryder’s expression is still skeptical.
I’m already itching to get in my car and drive like the devil is chasing me to find her, but I must not let my fear take over. That won’t help Jessica. “Would he risk driving aimlessly with a woman in his vehicle? Where would he be driving to? He hasn’t used his cards anywhere, nor has he taken cash out of an ATM. He’s a resident of Revival. Between the gossip mill and Jessica, I assume he knows I’m the sheriff. Wouldn’t he be paranoid about the BOLO we put out on him?”
“It’s a lot of fucking assumptions,” Ryder says, his mouth bracketed by harsh lines.
“This is the place,” I say, then look at Sam for confirmation.
His gaze gets that unfocused look again, then he nods. “Feels right.”
A wild, untamed hope rushes through my blood. “She has to be there.”
Ryder scrubs a hand over her jaw. “I hope so.”
For the first time since this nightmare began, I feel steady. Certain in the way that has kept me alive my entire life. She’s there.
I return to the phone call. “Who owns the cabin?”
There’s a pause before Logan’s no-nonsense voice says, “A guy named Ford Shaw. Lives in Revival. I’ll text you his primary.”
“Thanks.” The name isn’t someone I’m familiar with. To the rest of the room, I ask, “Anyone know anything about Ford Shaw?”
Ryder shakes his head.
“Never heard of him,” Mitch says.
Sam’s forehead creases. “Guy doesn’t like people.”
I shift my attention to him. “Do you know this because you know him? Or from the cosmos?”
Sam crosses his arms over his chest. “He comes in occasionally, always on odd nights. Moved here a couple years ago. He’s reclusive, lives on the outskirts of town, and isn’t talkative. You’ve probably seen him around. He’s about our age, tall, dark hair, rugged, has a beard.”
My mind’s too scattered to comb through my memory of Revival citizens, and it doesn’t matter right now. All that matters is that he’s the key to finding Jessica.
I straighten. “All right. Let’s pay Ford Shaw a visit.”
I don’t care what I need to do. I will find Jessica. I will burn this place to the ground and leave no stone unturned until she’s back in my arms where she belongs.
And when she’s there, I’m never going to let her go.
Chapter 28
Jessica
