Page 16 of Lost Love Cove 2
The wind rattled the shutters hard enough to make her jump. She turned to find Matt and Andy striding toward her, both looking grim.
“Carrie,” Matt began, his eyes steady on hers and his brow pulling into a frown when he noticed the look on her face. “You have heard, haven’t you?”
Her pulse jumped. “Heard what?”
“About Ian Marshall,” Andy said, glancing at Matt before continuing. “Matt told me about my partner, Detective Lawrence. He was supposed to take Ian across to Key West after the collapse. I called the department to check. But DetectiveLawerence never radioed it in. They found the dinghy tied up, but there was no sign of either of them.”
Cold spread through Carrie’s chest. The memory of Detective Lawrence stepping from the study before Ian went in flashed before her eyes. His nervous expression. His overly expressive declaration that nothing was amiss in the study.
Were Detective Lawrence and Paula working together?The thought sprang into her mind.
Before she could share Alisha’s call, the sharp ring of a landline echoed from Trevor’s old study. Carrie’s stomach tightened. She hurried toward it and lifted the receiver.
“Mom?” Trent’s voice came through, calm. Too calm. She knew that tone.
“Honey,” Carrie answered. “How did you get this number?”
“That is not important. Listen to me. I found Alisha.” Trent’s voice was still way too steady, and Carrie didn’t like it.
Carrie’s chest seized. “Is she all right? The kids?”
“No,” Trent said, his voice flat with control. “Alisha is not alright. She has a gash on her head and will need stitches.”
Carrie’s knees weakened. “And the kids?”
There was a muffled sound, then a weak voice in the background. “Tell Carrie I am so, so sorry. Please tell my dad.”
“Sorry for what?” Carrie whispered, her ears roaring.
“Mom,” Trent’s voice returned, quiet and grim. “Stay calm, okay?” No, Carrie did not like the sound of his tone at all. “Look, someone knocked Alisha out. She came to a few minutes ago.”He paused, and his voice dropped. “But whoever did this to her took Maggie and Cody.”
The words landed like a blow. Carrie pressed her hand to the desk, her breath strangled.
“They have the children,” Trent said softly. “But I will find them.”
The storm outside roared louder, rattling the glass panes. Carrie closed her eyes for a moment, her heart breaking with fear.
END OF BOOK TWO
