Page 61 of Trapper Road

I smile. “Sounds like you’ve maybe taken the truck for a turn or two then.”

His cheeks color a little. “Maybe once or twice.”

“You ever pick up girls and drive them around?”

His cheeks blaze a brighter pink and he shrugs. He mumbles a maybe.

“You know a girl named Juliette Larson?”

He scratches at his head. “Who?”

I repeat the name. He thinks about it for a moment. “I don’t think so. But my school’s pretty big.”

I realize that he might know her under the fake name she used on her dating profile. I ask him about that one as well and study his expression, looking to see any hints of recognition, but I see none. He shakes his head. “Nuh-uh. But like I said, big school, and I ain’t too good with remembering things.”

I can hear the police long before I see them, their sirens echoing across the empty countryside. Trevor hears them too because he tilts his head to the side and frowns. “Wonder what that’s all about?”

It definitely sounds like more than one cop, and I realize that it would probably be best if I’m not standing near Trevor when they arrive. Especially since I’m holding a gun in my hand and I’m not willing to holster it until I’ve a good bit of distance between me and Trevor.

“I should get going,” I tell him. “Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions.” I start making a wide berth around him as I circle toward the top of the driveway.

“Was I helpful?” he asks. His expression is eager and hopeful, completely at odds with what I’d expect from someone who’d perhaps kidnapped a fifteen year old girl.

I nod. “You were.”

He grins, clearly pleased by my response. “Good. Have a nice day, ma’am.”

There’s something about him that sets off my maternal instincts. I feel an intense need to protect him, but why that is, I have no idea. He continues down the driveway toward the trailer, but I stay where I am, half into the nearest field to keep my distance.

I think about jogging after him, letting him know that the cops are coming for him and telling him to give himself up without a struggle. But what if my instinct is wrong? What if Trevor’s just good at manipulating people into believing he’s not a threat?

After all, isn’t that what he did with Juliette? Catfishing her online, then convincing her to meet up?

In the end, I’m still standing in the same spot when the first cruiser turns down the driveway. It’s followed by several others, all with sirens and lights blazing. Trevor hasn’t even made it inside the door yet, and he turns to face them.

The cops are out of their cars, guns drawn, yelling at him to raise his hands and drop to his knees. He freezes in confusion, which only makes matters worse because he’s not obeying their orders. The shouting intensifies, the orders coming louder.

Finally Trevor throws up his hands and cries. “Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it. I’m sorry, just there are too many of you, and I don’t know what you want.”

Two officers rush him. Each taking one arm and pushing him to the ground. He lands with a thud, but doesn’t resist as they rip off his backpack and cuff him. He’s crying now, deep hiccupping sobs, as they drag him to one of the police cars and push him inside.

My stomach twists at the violence of it all. It seems so unnecessary. After all, we still don’t know if he’s the guy we’re looking for.

One of the officers peels off from the rest and starts toward me. “You Gwen Proctor?” he asks as he nears. “You’re the one who called it in?”

“I am. I’m also armed. I have a handgun in a shoulder holster — left side. I just want to let you know so there are no surprises.”

He nods in acknowledgement. “Chief’s on his way in with a warrant and wants to talk to you. Asked that I make sure you don’t go anywhere.”

“I’m parked on the road. I’ll go wait in my car.”

He grimaces. “Unfortunately, he’s asked that I keep an eye on you, and I can’t do that if you’re all the way out there.”

I cross my arms. “Then what’s your suggestion?”

“Perhaps you’d be more comfortable waiting in one of the cruisers?”

Hell no. I’ve spent enough time in cop cars. “I’ll sit on the steps.”

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