Page 61 of Coveted Justice

They looked around the office but didn’t find anything else that was all that interesting. A sweep through the bedrooms and kitchen didn’t turn up anything either. If Abby had left a note or some sign of where she was going, she’d hid it where they would never look.

“You’re pissed off at her. Just admit it out loud,” Logan said when they were finished. This had been a complete waste of a trip. “Just say it. Nothing bad is going to happen if you do.”

Tanner exhaled noisily, his neck tight with tension. Nothing was ever easy with his ex-wife.

“Fine, I’m mad at Abby. It makes me want to stop helping her. She only thinks about herself. Shit, it’s one thing to run off and not tell me or Sam where she’s going, but her own children are worried about her. You’d think she’d consider them.”

Logan glanced around the room before responding.

“I don’t want to bring this up, but have you thought that perhaps she didn’t leave of her own free will?”

That thought had crossed his mind briefly but then he’d discarded it.

“The neighbors saw her place a suitcase in her car and drive away. They didn’t see anyone else. Also, there’s no sign of a struggle here. It looks like she left of her own volition.”

“Maybe she left on her own, but she hasn’t returned because of something else. Or someone else. You said yourself that this wasn’t like Abby.”

“I said that, but I’m beginning to think that I don’t really know her anymore. I knew her well once, a long time ago. Hell, we’ve both changed. But I don’t like what you’re implying here. Do you think that someone is holding her against her will? If so, we have to find her fast.”

“Sam will have the video from the traffic cameras. If he can tell us what road she was on, we can track her from there. Jared’s been dying for a reason to hack into something. Highway cameras should do the trick. If we can follow her tracks, we can find her. He’s also put a tag on her credit cards. If she uses one, we’ve got her.”

Tanner fervently hoped so. They needed to find Abby as soon as possible. If she was in danger, there was no telling what might happen.

Marty was already dead. Was Abby next?

“You know I can’t sleep without you,” Tanner said in a teasing tone as Maddie shoved a few items into her overnight bag. Presley had invited all of the girls over for a pajama, wine, and chocolate party. With everything that had happened, she thought it might cheer Maddie up. It couldn’t hurt. “I can’t believe you’re just abandoning me here.”

“With all your guy friends,” Maddie laughed. “I don’t think you’ll be alone even if you wanted to be. What are you going to do? Order pizzas and play video games?”

“You know…the usual,” Tanner said with a grin. “Wrestle bears, flex our muscles. Maybe flip over cars with our bare hands.”

“I don’t have an issue with the first two, but please leave our vehicles right side up.”

“You don’t mind me wrestling a bear?”

She wasn’t going to take the bait.

“I’m sure between all of you the bear will be handled.”

“Maybe we were going one on one.”

“As a doctor, that isn’t something I would recommend. Seriously, you guys are going to have a good time.”

“I think you ladies are going to have a better time. Presley knows how to throw a party.”

Presley was famous for her get-togethers. She loved to theme a party, and somehow everyone always ended up having a good time. People clamored for invitations when she was the hostess.

“I don’t feel a bit sorry for you. You’re going to be fine. If you need us, just call.”

“Even Amanda is going this time,” Tanner said with a laugh. “It’s just going to be a bunch of smelly guys and the smelly dog.”

“Wrong. I gave Clark a bath today. He smells divine.”

Tanner waggled his brows, almost looking like a villain in an old silent movie.

“I wouldn’t mind you giving me a bath.”

“Play your cards right, and I just might.” She zipped her overnight bag closed. “But not tonight. Let’s take a raincheck.”

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