Page 63 of Dangerous Secrets
“The assaults mesh withFetterly’s penchant for the forcible rape of women in his patrolcar.We found plenty of evidence Grafton refused to investigateaccusations against his nephew in that box of records Mrs.Watkinsgave you.It’s only a step from forcible rape to carving up womenwith a knife.”
Cam made a sound that had both menturning to her.The dark couldn’t hide her pale face.“We have tofind her.I can get a flashlight from Clara and start searchingaround the farm.”
“No,” Sawyer ordered.“You’re sticking with me.”
It was hard to miss the look of alarmon Cam’s face.“No.I can look for her on my own.I’ll takeCallie.”
“Not happening.We’resticking together.I’m not having you running around out there inthe dark where you could be in danger.There’s a predator on theloose.”
Cam straightened.“You’re nothaving me out there?What gave you the idea you’re the boss of me,Deputy McGrath?And I wouldn’t berunningaroundlike I was a child.”
Sawyer crossed his arms like it wasthe only way to keep from shaking her.“I will handcuff you to meif I have to.You’re not heading out on your own.”
While Sawyer didn’t ruffle easily,clearly something about Cam got under his skin.Walker didn’t likeplaying peacemaker, but he wanted to be done with whatever wasgoing on between them so they could work out a plan for findingDelaney.
“We need to search thegrounds first, and taking Callie is a good idea.Besides thefootbridge, there’s only one bridge over the creek from the farm.We’d have seen if any vehicles went down this road.If Fetterly hasher, he could’ve cut through Shane’s ranch or used one of the dirtroads behind the farm going into the mountains.”He pointed toSawyer.“Roads coming out of the mountains need to bemonitored.”
Sawyer nodded.“Cam saw him at themill.He had to leave his car someplace and come in on foot to getthere and it wasn’t that long ago.I’m thinking he’s still up inthe hills.”
Sawyer tapped on his phone and Walkertamped down on his impatience while his brother spoke to thesheriff.Minutes later, he disconnected to report, “All roads outof the mountains will be monitored.What are you thinking?”heasked Walker.
“I’ll stop at my place topick up my Ruger, then I’ll update Clara and get Callie.I plan tosearch the north orchard and fan out from there.”He glanced at thenight sky.“Wish there was a damn moon for at least some light.I’ll grab a couple more flashlights and backupbatteries.”
Sawyer nodded.“Keep in touch.I’llcall Shane, get him and his crew to start searching on his ranch.”He glanced at Cam, who had her hands tucked in the front pocket ofher hoodie.“You got a warmer coat?”
“I’m fine.”
He shook his head but said to Walker,“The night will only get colder so we’ll get Cam a coat, then startsearching.I want to check what’s visible from the back porch ofthe house and see where Fetterly might have been watching from, seeif there’s any evidence there.”He laid his hand on Walker’sshoulder.“We’ll find her, brother.”
Walker gave a grim nod before settingoff to get his gun.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Delaney slowly became aware of hersurroundings, blinking to clear her vision.The effort was useless.It didn’t matter whether her eyes were open or shut, she could seenothing but unremitting blackness.That and the absolute absence ofsound made her feel like she’d been dropped into a black void.Sheshifted and added another item to her “oh shit” list.Her handswere bound in front of her.
“Damn, damn, damn.Wheream I?”Her voice echoed.An echo meant she was in some sort oflarge, enclosed space.She grabbed at the minute detail like itwould tether her to reality.
A surge of panic had her heartpounding in her ears and a pain at the back of her head throbbed.Something had happened, something bad, but she couldn’t rememberwhat.
Instead of giving in to the desire tocurl into a fetal position and cry, she pushed up and realizedshe’d been lying on a dirt floor up against a wall also made ofdirt.Dirt she could deal with, but her wrists being bound?Thepanic was growing to tidal wave proportions, making her shake sohard it felt like her body would break apart.
Fighting the fear, she focused onmoving to sit all the way up.Once sitting up with her legs bent,she rested her forehead on her knees, wincing as the movement madethe back of her head hurt even more.She swallowed convulsivelyuntil she felt relatively sure she wouldn’t vomit.
God, she wished Walker werehere.
Strong, steady.The man who melted herheart with that wicked grin, who made her feel safe.The man who’dheld her heart since high school.She’d never stopped loving him.She might be mad at him, but she knew no matter what was betweenthem, he’d protect her.
Just imagining him there beside hermade her feel steadier.Had he been honest when he’d stated hisintention to stay in Sisters?If he did stay, could she trust himenough to build a future with him?If a future together was evensomething he even wanted.Whatever the possibilities, they wouldonly exist if she could find a way out of whatever pit she’d beendumped into.
She lifted her head, making an effortto stay in the here and now, as dismal as it was.She needed tofigure out where was she and how she’d gotten there.
Her head throbbed with the effort, butshe came up with zero memory of how she’d ended up in what appearedto be a dank and dark dungeon.Rubbing a fist against her foreheadin concentration, she focused on the last thing she couldremember.
Cam had called to report a fire at themill.She’d woken her grandmother and remembered setting out forthe mill with a flashlight in her hand and seeing the orange glowof fire from the direction of the mill.Her phone.She patted thepockets of her coat and her joggers and nearly cried indisappointment.
No phone, no flashlight, nonothing.
She’d had her phone when she’d leftthe house, she was sure of that.
