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Patrick was easygoing and rarely got riled up. He was incredible to watch in the courtroom, but even there, he kept his cool in such a way that it was difficult to disagree with whatever point he made. Now, he sounded as if he were about to reach through the phone and strangle Buchan’s sister. He felt she might be our best hope of finding him if he used their attorney-client relationship.
We’d tried Trish’s old house. Drew had us inside faster than if we’d used a key. I’d prayed she would be in that basement at the same time I’d hoped like hell she wasn’t. I kept willing the phone to ring, Mrs. Quinn calling with good news that she was safe and sound back at Paths of Purpose.
That hadn’t happened.
Instead, I’d been subjected to the torture chamber where Bright Side had been held for years. There wasn’t much evidence of it now that the authorities had pawed through it, but I felt it. Could see her curled up in the corner, forced to do unspeakable things.
I’d been the first one out of there. Couldn’t breathe in that hellhole.
“Just because he’s out on bond doesn’t mean we don’t have a trial to prepare for.” Patrick listened to whatever the woman on the other end of the line said with a clenched jaw. “Was that so hard?” Patrick hung up. “The son of a bitch is at her house.”
Daniel raced toward the address Patrick rattled off.
“Is Trish with him?”
Patrick lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know. But his sister was acting strange.” He leaned forward between the two front seats. “We need to get there fast before they get an idea to take off.”
“Why is she protecting the fucker?” I threw my hands up.
“There’s something weird going on between those two. Sheknowshe’s guilty as sin.” Patrick clapped my shoulder.
“So we’ve got at least one dirty cop we’re up against.” I kneaded my thighs. “What are we going to do? Go in there guns blazing?”
“Sounds like the best option,” Drew offered.
“We’ll all be the ones who go to jail,” I muttered before I pulled out my phone. “I’m calling the guy I know.” I had to take a leap. We needed Timothy Wilson.
“We can’t wait for him to show up. Time’s too valuable,” Daniel said as he made a sharp left turn.
“We don’t have to, but I think it’d be better to have him as backup.”
“Are you sure about him?” Daniel pressed.
“No. But I’m not sure about anything except we have to get Trish back.”
The front porchlight was on when we pulled up to the address. Four white rocking chairs were perfectly spaced apart. A fall-themed wreath adorned with autumn leaves welcomed guests to the home. A lamp perched on a table by one of the front windows glowed from inside. This place was what anyone would want to come home to.
“Are you sure this is it?” I asked before we got out of the SUV. I had a difficult time believing Trish was being held captive here.
“This is it,” Daniel confirmed. “Everyone back in the car. Let my team handle this.”
No one got back inside.
“I’m going in with them.” I wouldn’t breathe easy until I saw Trish with my own eyes, and I wasn’t going to sit out in the car while someone else went in to save her.
Baker took a step forward and pointed at Drew. “Are you gonna ring the doorbell?”
“My version of it,” he tossed back.
Baker and Patrick disappeared around the dark side of the house before Daniel could protest. Two of his team followed them. A dog barked from the neighbor’s yard but was quickly quieted.
“What if she’s not here?”
“Then we get booked for breaking and entering,” Daniel said.Was that a joke?“But not until we get answers from her husband.”
“Why would this sweet little house have four deadbolts?” Drew mused as he worked to unlatch all of them.
“Because whoever lives here is hiding something.” My palms grew damp with sweat, and my pulse kicked up a notch until I could hear it in my ears.
