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Something clicked for Cade, and he rounded the desk to get to Matthew’s computer. “What’s your password?” he asked, bringing the screen to life.
Matthew spit out the password.
Brooke moved the chair over to give him space. “What are you doing?”
“You’re right. Your dad used you. He uses everyone, and always has.” He clicked on the internet browser. “It’s something he has in common with Isaac, and their relationship has always bugged the shit out of me. I even told Deputy Owens to ask your dad if he helped Isaac hide last night.”
“You don’t really think Jenson would help the man who threatened his daughter, do you?” Brooke asked.
Jude let out a light laugh filled with zero humor. “You have no clue the shit he’s done.”
Cade worked his jaw back and forth, hating Jenson Metcalf as much as he hated Isaac. “Police couldn’t find any property Isaac owned and have no idea where he could be. But what if he doesn’t own it? What if your dad does, or at least purchased it? What if he used you again?”
Matthew stood and came up behind him, bending to peer over his shoulder at the screen. “Is that the county auditor’s website?”
Cade nodded and typed in Matthew’s name.
“Why my name? You know everything Brandon and I own, and it’s not much.”
A new screen popped up, listing multiple properties under the name Matthew Metcalf.
“What the hell?” Matthew’s voice pitched high, broadcasting his panic. “That’s Brandon’s and my home and the one underneath is the office building. I don’t know what the third property is. Dude, I promise.”
A beat of hope pushed its way through the fear eating Cade inside out. “Someone call Deputy Owen. We might have figured out where Isaac is holding Laura.”
22
Abucket of icy water over her head couldn’t have stunned Laura more. She darted her gaze between her father and Isaac, trying to wrap her mind around what was right in front of her eyes.
But she couldn’t make it make sense.
“Daddy?” She barely recognized her own voice. It was so small, so quiet—like the little girl she used to be.
The little girl who’d held out hope for so long that her father would one day shower her with love.
Jenson didn’t even bother to acknowledge her. “What the hell were you thinking? We had a plan. Now that plan has gone to shit.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry. She just…. pushed me into this decision. I didn’t have a choice. And really, it’s not that big of a deal.”
She wanted to scream, to interject, to demand to know what was going on but she couldn’t form the words. Couldn’t assemble the myriad of thoughts jumbling her mind into actual sentences.
Jenson rolled his eyes. “Not a big deal? How do you figure?”
Isaac shrugged. “That old woman has to be dead, and there’s no reason for anyone to suspect she was pushed. All I need is for Laura to tell everyone she found me because she wanted our family back together. Everything else is a big misunderstanding.”
Her jaw dropped. Did he honestly think she’d just willingly go along with his plan? Pure, hot rage pooled in her core. She crossed her arms over her chest. “Forget it. I’ll never cover for you. I’ll never be with you.”
Isaac swiveled and pointed the gun at her. “You’ll do what I tell you, bitch.”
Jenson blew out a frustrated breath. He marched to Isaac and lowered his arm so the gun was aimed at the floor. “How many times do I have to tell you to watch your temper? You lose your patience and make stupid decisions. That’s why we’re in this spot now, on the brink of ruining everything we’ve worked so hard to put in place.”
Isaac deflated. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“Well, you should be,” Jenson snapped. “She’s obviously going to make this difficult, and police are combing the streets looking for her. Not to mention I’ve heard rumblings about Mrs. Collins waking briefly to tell that meddling jackass she was pushed. Didn’t take much to put things together.”
A sliver of hope shined through the deepening despair of Laura’s situation. If Mrs. Collins told Cade what happened, the search for her would have started sooner than she thought. And waking at all had to be good news for Mrs. Collins.
“Shit,” Isaac said, grounding the heel of his hand against the side of his head.
