Page 32 of Captive at Rescue Ridge

“I’m guessing the asshole she was running from figured out Owen was a Sturgess after abducting him.” Annalee had been trying to piece it all together herself. She didn’t understand why the evidence wouldn’t be more important to the kidnapper than any money. Nothing about interactions with her mother was ever straightforward, so Annalee was used to the weirdness when it came to dealing with Becca.

Beau was right, though. It was weird.

12

Events had been coming at Archer so fast that he hadn’t had five minutes to stop and process the big picture. Beau had made a good point. The situation was weird.

Annalee studied the wall for a long moment. “The change of plan came after the bastard found my mother and the law got involved,” she said after a thoughtful pause. “I’m guessing he still wants the weapon, too. The instructions about calling off the law meant they must be close enough to see the chopper. Do it, or Owen and my mother will die.” Annalee shivered. She bit her bottom lip—a lip that he’d had no business letting his gaze linger on earlier. Damn kissable lip.

Hudson’s gaze shifted to Archer once Annalee was finished talking. “Your truck has been towed to the main house, by the way. The deputy collected shell casings that appear to have come from a bolt action rifle.”

“I thought hunters used those,” Annalee said. “Does that mean we’re dealing with some kind of deer hunter?”

Archer was impressed she knew even a little about guns. “Not necessarily, but it might be a clue toward putting together a profile.” In all the excitement, he’d forgotten to ask about her mother’s known associations. This seemed as good a time as any. “Travis is likely going to ask you for a list of names: boyfriends, friends, and any known associates of your mother’s.”

Annalee sucked in a breath. “I’ll do my best, but I can guarantee that she doesn’t have any friends. As for boyfriends, I’m afraid that’ll read like a rap sheet. And, besides, do we really have time for him to track down her past boyfriends?” Her cheeks turned a darker shade of pink as she spoke. He understood being embarrassed by one of your parents, or both. Archer didn’t have much of a relationship with his mother. The woman had abandoned her children for her own safety, according to Kade. He’d also said their mother leaving had been necessary for her own survival, so Archer couldn’t judge her for abandoning the family. Beaumont would never have let her take “his” children away from him. Keeping them was another way in which the asshole had punished his wife for walking. It was odd because Beaumont would have turned over heaven and earth to find them and bring them home if his wife had run away with them. Yet, the cold-hearted man hadn’t wanted to have anything to do with them once he had sole custody, a feat the family lawyer had most likely pulled off. Now, Beaumont was dead. His lawyer had been murdered. The two could rot in hell as far as Archer was concerned.

The note Beaumont had written to Archer popped into his thoughts. Should he open and read it or burn it? That was the question. Until he decided for sure, he’d keep it tucked in the miscellaneous drawer in the kitchen on top of a box of matches.

Switching gears back to the case, he could see how someone figuring out they’d abducted a Sturgess might make them decide to take a shot at a big payday. Something else was bothering him. “Why keep holding onto Annalee’s mother? What purpose does she serve?”

Hudson picked up his coffee mug. Before taking a swallow, he said, “Insurance?”

“Could be,” Archer said. “In case things go south with Owen.”

Annalee cleared her throat after taking a sip of fresh brew. Her gaze bounced from Hudson to Beau and back. “I’m so sorry that my mother got you guys tangled up in this mess. This is my fault.”

To Archer’s surprise, both his brother and half-brother were shaking their heads before she finished her first sentence.

“Life happens to all of us,” Beau spoke up first. “We make mistakes and then hope those people we care about and want in our lives forgive us. No one is perfect.” He issued a grunt. “Least of all me. Save your apology. It’s not necessary here.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself,” Hudson chimed in. “We aim to be good people, but we’re far from perfect. The best we can do is show up for each other and have each other’s backs.”

A mix of emotions passed behind Annalee’s eyes. Gratitude. Appreciation. Loneliness.

Archer wished there was a way he could take away the last one because it broke his heart. Then, again, she’d broken his once already. If he let her in a second time, would history repeat itself? Prove him a second-time fool? Show him that he didn’t learn from his mistakes?

Or would something else happen? Something he’d wished for a long time ago and had a damn difficult time moving on from?

Shoving the questions down deep, he reached for Annalee’s hand. The muscles in her face relaxed a notch at contact. He liked having an effect on her. It showed him what her words couldn’t, that she still cared more than she wanted to voice.

He needed to change the subject before he went down a rabbit hole. “Do either of you know when Travis should get here?”

“I’m here right now.” Travis’s voice drew the attention of the quartet. With his hair sticking up at odd angles and stubble on his chin, he looked like he hadn’t slept in a week. Becoming acting sheriff while gaining a three-year-old in the snap of a finger looked to be taking a toll. Not to mention the fact more criminal activity had occurred in the once-sleepy town recently than in the county’s entire history. The last part was probably an exaggeration, but it sure as hell felt true.

Everyone stood. After greetings and an introduction, Travis joined them on the couches. He clasped his hands together.

“I called all available deputies to search for the suspect,” Travis said. “Aerial support is on standby, waiting for a green light.” His gaze shifted to Annalee. “I’d like to know where you stand on using all available resources to locate Owen and your mother.”

Annalee stammered. “It’s not an easy decision.”

“We will take every precaution on our end, including backing off when we think it’s required.” Travis leaned forward. “Ultimately, this is my call. However, I want your input. And I want the family’s input since this impacts their brother.”

Annalee pulled out her cell. “You’re welcome to take a look to see if you pick up on anything different in the messages. They were clear to me. Bring in the law and our loved ones die.”

She set the phone on the coffee table after unlocking it. With two fingers, she pushed the small device toward Travis. “Please. Be my guest.”

He heaved a sigh before picking it up and scrolling. Then, he set it down between them. “If they kill Owen or your mother, they lose all the leverage they have. We need to tread lightly because situations like these can go south.” He shot a look of apology. “It’s true.”

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