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He tried to picture taking his leave of her, kissing her forehead and watching her get in her vehicle and drive away.
Immediately his brain switched to a vision of her seated around a bonfire like they often threw at the base, a marshmallow speared on the end of the stick extended over the flames. Of course, she’d be lambasting his team with her sassy tongue.
“Bryson?”
He swung his head toward her. “Sure thing. We’ll swing by the station.”
He made a detour and he parked in front of the building. Alexia reached for the door handle.
“You want to come with me?”
“It’s best if I stay here.” He didn’t trust himself not to blow his top at those guys after what they did.
With a nod of understanding, she went into the station. A minute later, she settled into the seat beside him again and stowed the thick file on the floor between her feet.
They started on the road leading out of town. Just knowing they were headed back left him with mixed feelings.
“You’re quiet today. Are you sure you aren’t the grumpy party?” Her voice pulled him from his deep thoughts.
“Just thinking that I’m not sure what to do with myself now that Kelsey’s case has progressed.”
She stared at him. “It’s not solved, though.”
“No, but we’re closer to answers. My sister—her mom—will be relieved to know that Caden wasn’t to blame.” His throat closed up on the statement.
“So you won’t be taking those long weekend trips into the mountains to do research anymore?” Alexia asked.
“I’ll give you everything I’ve uncovered and compiled so far on the case. I hope something I have helps you finish it. I’m also thinking we need to bring Rafe and the team in on things.”
He still hadn’t told her about Rafe’s find in the cabin and the murdered couple. He opened his mouth to tell her when he spotted brake lights ahead.
He gently braked on the slippery road. Alexia leaned forward to get a better look. “What the hell?”
His stomach dropped. “That car’s sliding out of control.”
“Oh no!” she cried as the other driver skidded sideways and struck the guardrail. The impact spun them in the opposite direction.
“Fuck!”
The car hit the side of the mountain and flipped, blocking the road.
As much as he hated the reason for it…at least he got more time with Alexia.
Alexia grabbed Bryson’s forearm. Her heart couldn’t even slow down. They were almost part of the accident. If he hadn’t gained control of the Humvee in time, they would have slammed into that car when it first hit the guardrail.
He shot out of the vehicle and ran for the flipped car. It took her a second longer to make her limbs cooperate, but she came to a skidding stop beside him.
The roof was crumpled. The windows had shattered.
“We have to get them out!” she cried.
Bryson was already ducking through the driver’s window and calling out to the victims of the crash.
Alexia squatted at the back window to peek in. What she saw left her stomach heaving and her blood running cold.
A child in a baby seat.
The silence cracked through her shock. Nobody was screaming.
