Page 28 of The Firefighter's Angel
“What the hell’s going on?” I bark.
Her mom’s eyes meet mine, and the fear in them makes my blood run cold. “She ran off,” she says, voice trembling. “Earlier. There was a—a little argument, and then she got upset and she ran into the woods. We haven’t been able to find her.”
My heart slams into my ribs. “She what?”
“I tried to go after her,” Lenny adds quickly. “But she was gone before we could even get to the trees. She just…disappeared.”
“She was upset?” I repeat. “Why the hell was she upset enough to run?”
And then the bastard steps out of the house.
Lyle, calm as a cucumber, hands in his pockets like he’s out for a casual stroll. Like he didn’t scare the woman I care about so bad she had to hide behind a bush yesterday.
Red washes over my vision and I step forward, jabbing a finger in his direction. “That guy. That’s why.”
Ben’s brow furrows. “What do you mean?”
“He attacked her yesterday. Cornered her in the woods. I found her, shaken, bruised, and crying because he chased her downlike prey. I saw her injuries with my own damn eyes. That’s how we met. I was the one who pulled her out.”
Lyle snorts, like I’m making up a story to impress the cops.
I take a step closer, fists clenched, my body one twitch away from throwing him through the wall. “I’ll say it again so it’s real clear—that guy is dangerous. He’s got a problem keeping his hands and his threats to himself.”
Ben turns his serious gaze on the group. “Is that true?”
Cindy’s mom lowers her head. “We…we don’t know for sure. There was some confusion. Cindy felt unsafe, but Lyle swears—”
“She felt unsafe?” I snap. “That’s all it should take.”
Lenny lets out a sigh, eyes darting toward the floor. “Maybe we should’ve handled things differently…”
“You think?”
Ben looks between them, then back to me. His eyes narrow. “You sure about this, Daniel?”
I meet his gaze head-on. “You and I served together. You know I don’t lie. I don’t exaggerate. I know what I saw. I know what I heard. I intervened. You want a witness? I am one.”
Ben looks at Lyle again, longer this time. Then back to me.
He nods. “Alright,” he says slowly. “Lyle, you need to come with me. We take accusations like this real serious in these parts.”
Lyle sputters. “You’ve gotta be kidding me—”
“Now,” Ben commands, cutting him off with a motion.
Two deputies move in behind him, and Lyle, now not quite so smug, starts arguing under his breath as they lead him toward the cruiser.
I turn back to Ben. “Where was the last place anyone saw her?”
He pulls a notepad from his pocket. “Ran into the woods out back. Behind the rental. My men are already canvassing the area.”
“I’m going,” I say immediately.
Ben frowns. “Daniel—”
“I know these woods better than anyone. Every ridge, every hollow, every runoff path. You want her found? I’m your best damn shot.”
He must see the desperation I’m trying so hard to hide because his eyes soften and he gives me a curt nod. “Northwestern quadrant, near the river drop-off. The rain’s slowed us down, and that slope’s slick as hell.”
