Garrett glanced in the rearview mirror in time to see Tanner and Martin walking up to his truck. “Heard you could use some help,” Tanner said.
“And here I thought I was going to spend my night off with my feet up,” Martin teased.
“How did you -” Garrett started to say.
“Luke texted when you first left the hospital,” Tanner said. “Now, are we just going to sit around here counting stars, or what’s the plan?”
Garrett sighed. Of course, his friends came to help. “Thanks for coming, Guys.”
“Don’t mention it,” Martin said. “Now, what are we doing?”
“We’re splitting up,” Garrett said. “Three possible options. Going on foot, a dive bar about six miles up an adjacent road, or some farmland and a gas station ten miles out.”
“I’ll go on foot with you,” Tanner said.
“Me too,” Luke said.
“Guess I’ll hit the bar,” Martin said.
Blake held up his keys. “I finally get to drive the beast. Martin?”
Martin chuckled. “I’m ready when you are. Let’s do this.”
“I have a couple of radios and a case of water in my trunk,” Tanner said. “Grab some waters, and Garrett, you and Martin each take a radio so we can stay in touch. The third group can take Garrett’s truck and use the radio there. Let’s go to channel twelve, and we’ll check in every thirty minutes.”
“Got it,” Garrett said. He was glad Tanner was taking charge, and he was proud of his friend for being so prepared. He remembered when Tanner was Luke’s rookie a few years ago, and he’d definitely come a long way.
Garrett pulled a couple of flashlights out of a crate he kept in the back of his pick up and handed one to Tanner and Luke, keeping one for himself. He checked the batteries on them regularly so they’d hold up through the night if need be. Then he emptied all the supplies from his first aid kit into a bag and flung it over his shoulder, across his body. He had a feeling he’d need whatever was in there when he found Reese.
With water bottles, flashlights, a first aid kit, and a radio in hand, the three men headed into the woods. It was still pitch-black outside. Most people would wait for first light to start searching, but Garrett wasn’t about to sit on his ass while Reese was out there alone and possibly injured. He was grateful that his friends understood that.
“So, Garrett is having another barbeque this weekend to introduce us to Reese,” Luke said just loud enough to be heard as they made their way through the tree line.
“Really?” Tanner said. “How did you get her to agree?”
“She felt safe,” Garrett said, hoping he could give her that feeling again after he found her. “I gave her a place to stay where she felt safe, and she was finally coming out of her shell.”
“We’ll find her.” Tanner placed a hand on Garrett’s shoulder, giving him a light squeeze of reassurance. “And she’ll be safe again. We’ll all make sure of it. Especially when we find the asshole who took her, and arrest her brother for all the shit he’s pulled on her and Orly.”
Garrett had considered how this could all be related to Russell, and he didn’t put it past the man to kidnap his own stepsister considering how he’d taken Orly and nearly killed her. If Luke hadn’t busted through that vent when he had, Garrett had no idea if Orly would be with them today.
He picked up his pace, pushing away stray branches and unsettling thoughts. Orly was safe now, and they’d find Reese soon.
Garrett wouldn’t stop until she was safely back where she belonged. With him.
