Page 44 of Mystery at Rescue Ridge

“I’m afraid not.”

“In pursuit?”

“We’re at a standstill with the investigation.”

“How is Evie holding up?”

“That’s the reason for the standstill.Evie’s gone.”

Those words gutted Owen.They couldn’t be right.

“She was abducted right underneath my nose.”Travis heaved a sigh.“This is my fault, Owen.I’m sorry.”

All of those words bounced around somewhere outside of Owen’s skull, unable to break through bone.

“The sonofabitch caught Joann Garza off guard when she tracked him.He tied her up and locked her inside a shed.And then he strapped what we all believed to be a bomb to her chest.By the time we figured out it was an internet-bought fake, Evie had disappeared.”

“You said abducted before.”Owen finally managed to find his voice.

“She was right behind me.Here, one minute, gone the next.There was no way she would have willingly walked away or disappeared to investigate on her own.The bastard has been killing animals deep in his grandmother’s yard.They were around the shed where we found Joann.The stench made it seem like she might already be dead, so I asked Evie to stand back a distance to protect her from seeing a dead body when I broke into the shed.Like I said, I take full responsibility.”

“Anyone can be caught off guard.”Owen should know.“Doesn’t mean you did anything wrong.”He needed Travis to know that.Guilt and shame could consume you if you didn’t give yourself a break when you made a mistake.Owen knew firsthand.

His grip on Evie’s cell was enough to cause his knuckles to turn white.He pressed the phone to his forehead and shut his eyes for a second.“I was just about to call you,” he said.“Give me the address.I got a ride and I’m heading your way.”

“Meet me at Evie’s house instead.He wouldn’t keep her on the property here.We’ll finalize a plan once we meet.”

“On my way.”

The timing of animal control showing up couldn’t have been more perfect.It was the only thing that had gone right today.“I’m in need of a ride.Can you drop me off somewhere?”

Angie, based on her nametag, nodded after putting the Rotty in the back of her vehicle with Owen’s help.

“Thank you,” he said before claiming the passenger seat.He held onto Evie’s phone like a lifeline.The thought of losing her a second time, permanently, was a hot poker to his chest.He shook his head and clamped his lips down, making a silent vow to find her before it was too late.

Ms.Bart’s number was on the phone in the contact list.She deserved to know what was happening so she could keep her eyes peeled.

He tapped on the name and put the phone to his ear.She answered on the first ring.He could hear theDino Doo Doocartoon playing in the background.He thought about how content the children had been while watching the show yesterday.Despite everything that happened to them, kids were resilient.He held onto the thought as he gave a quick update.

“What can I do to help?”Ms.Bart asked.He had a new respect for her after finding out how supportive she’d been of Simone.Based on her tone, the loyalty had just shifted to Evie.Good.Evie was going to need all the help she could get raising the kids.Ms.Bart’s support was worth more than gold.

“Exactly what you’re doing.Take care of the kids until we bring her back safely.”

“You can count on it.”Ms.Bart’s tone left no room for doubt.“This may sound woo-woo, but I believe in speaking things into existence.Evie will be home tonight.”

He hoped like hell she was right.

“If I have anything to say about it, she will.”

“Thank you, Owen.She’s been lost these past few days after losing Simone and having to step into her sister’s shoes.I’ve been too hard on her because I misunderstood her.I thought she was coming back to value the farmhouse and land, so she could sell it and cut bait.We didn’t get off on the right foot.”Ms.Bart’s hiccup said she was getting emotional.She paused.“Bring our girl home, all right?”

“Will do, ma’am.”

Owen ended the call before he made more promises he couldn’t guarantee that he could keep.

The rest of the drive seemed like it took forever but wasn’t more than half an hour.Diablo, his Jeep, sat next to the house beside Evie’s sedan.Her sister’s sport utility was parked on the opposite side, by itself.

He thanked Angie for the ride before saying, “Take good care of the guy in back, okay?”

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