Page 6 of Engaging the Deputy

She shook her head, her mind whirling like the tornado. They were trapped in a dirt hole with human bones. It was too easy to imagine her own bones decaying down here when no one found them. She was trying so hard not to cry, not to panic, but it was useless. She’d never been so terrified.

“I left my phone in the truck,” Cody said. It was still dark outside, except for the stars and moonlight. She had no idea what time it was without her phone. Why had she left it and her purse in the truck? Because they’d only been going for a walk? Who’d known a tornado would hit and they’d end up almost buried alive in an old root cellar?

She shivered, avoiding looking at the pile of bones as she tried to pull herself together. “You think it’s Evangeline Rusk?” Olivia asked, her voice trembling.

Cody shook his head. “It could be anybody.”

“Hello!” she called, her voice echoing, her throat raspy. “Anyone out there? We need help!” No answer.

It didn’t help that Cody was trying so hard to reassure her. “Someone will come looking for us.”

“If anyone is still alive.” Her eyes burned with tears.

“Let’s just keep our cool. I’ll see about using some of the shelves as a ladder, but we have to be careful, so we don’t make the dirt cave in any more, okay?”

She nodded, trying not to think about the rest of the dirt walls toppling down on them.

“Hey,” he said, putting his hands on both of her shoulders. “Breathe. You’re fine. You’re here with me.”

Her vision blurred but she nodded again. His words both soothed and hurt. Earlier, Cody had been angry with her, unforgiving. But he’d saved her during the storm. Probably saved her life by insisting they find a place to ride out the storm. He was still trying to protect her. “I’m so sorry,” she cried.

“You’re okay. We’re okay.” He held her tighter.

“You saved my life,” she said, sobbing into his shoulder.

“Not yet,” he said. “Come on.” He pulled back to look into her eyes before taking the tail of his shirt and gently wiping her face. “Even now, you look beautiful.”

She scoffed but made an effort to stop crying. She’d always prided herself on her strength and determination. Where was that woman right now?

“Can I help you with the shelves?”

He smiled. “That’s the girl I used to know,” he said. “Too bad we found old bones instead of the gold.”

The silence was getting to her. Where were the others? Suddenly, she was even more afraid. “What if everyone is—”

“Hey,” he said. “They’re probably just like us, digging themselves out.”

“Sure.” Except she didn’t believe it. It was too quiet.

* * *

As he walkedup the road, Jaden spotted three of the survivors huddled together by the van. They were some distance from the demolished community, as if wanting to be as far away from it as possible. The largest of the group rose as he approached. He recognized Emery Jordan, but not the two young women with him. They were all filthy—their faces blackened with dirt, their clothing torn and dirty—but they didn’t appear too badly hurt.

Emery, he saw, had what appeared to be superficial cuts and bruises, except for the one leg he was favoring. Mostly, he looked scared as the deputy walked toward him.

Jaden felt the weight of the quiet that had settled over the place. It made his skin crawl.

As he reached them, the two young women began to cry, holding tight to each other. “My mother’s going to kill me,” the brunette sobbed.

Seeing that they didn’t appear to need medical attention, Jaden pulled out his notebook and took down their names, Tammy Bell and Whitney Clark. Both were underage to have been at a party where alcohol had obviously been served. Both said they had already called home and their parents were on their way to get them.

“I can’t find Rob,” Emery said. “He was there one minute and then…” He put his head in his hands.

“Give me the names of the others with you,” Jaden said.

“Cody Ryan and Olivia Brooks. Rob Per—”

“Olivia Brooks?” Jaden stopped him. “She’s back in town?” This was definitely news to him.

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