“I saw it, Emily. You’re not crazy. Stay with me.”
“I can’t. I need to know.” She jerked out of his arms and took off up the mountain. Mitch cursed, drew his weapon and started after her, his mind whirling. Emily’s scar was vicious. She’d almost died. Had that been the perp’s first mistake? If Emily had died from the wound, the whole hit-and-run could very well have been classified murder-suicide gone wrong.
The perfect crime. Her son would’ve been presumed dead.
She ran up the hill. She was in good shape. Normally Mitch would’ve caught her in a few steps, but his strides were uneven these days. He was gaining on her, but not fast enough. Mitch’s eyes scanned the surrounding terrain. On one side of the road, the cliff was steep. Not impossible to hide there, but tough. The other side made them vulnerable.
Finally, he caught up with her. She’d stopped, bent over, trying to catch her breath. Her swaying made him curse again. “You’re pushing too hard. You could be hurt and not know it.”
“I’m not stopping until I get that blanket.” She sucked in a lungful of air. “You wanted evidence. That’s evidence.”
“I should tie you up, but I can see it won’t do any good.” As frustrating as he found her determination, he admired it. “When we get there, don’t touch anything. And stay on my right. Between me and the steep side.”
Together they rounded the last curve. The cross poked out of the ground—a wreath of plastic poinsettias draped around it, a light dusting of snow completing a hideously wrong yet serene picture.
No blanket.
“What?” Mitch had seen the blanket and the red splatter pattern.
Emily collapsed on the side of the road. “They’re trying to drive me crazy.”
“You’re not crazy.” Mitch pulled her to her feet and lifted her chin. “Whoever’s doing this is vicious. They used the blanket to make you hit your brakes. It was a setup. They tried to kill you and make it look like an accident, but they failed. You didn’t go over the side of the road. You’re here.”
“But the blood?”
“It wasn’t real. Too bright. Dried blood is dark in color.”
She sagged against Mitch. “Joshua has to be alive. I can’t go on if he isn’t.”
“We’ll find Joshua. I promise.” It was a vow he would probably regret making, but right now, at this moment in time, it was the right thing to do.
He scanned the area. Just to the side of a recently replaced guardrail, several tall pines and an outcropping of boulders would be good cover—at least until the units showed up. Mitch lifted her in his arms and walked to the shelter. Such a tiny thing. He set her down and unzipped his coat, tucking her against his chest, and held her.
He stood there, holding her, their body heat combining, the outside cold seeping away as he surveyed the landscape surrounding them, searching for a sign, a movement, of anyone watching them. A slight shiver fluttered through Emily.
“Why are they doing this to me?”
Her quiet voice twisted Mitch’s heart. He’d seen enough depravity in his time at SWAT to realize human beings could do almost anything, but what they’d done to Emily took true desperation…and a special kind of callousness.
“I’m going to find out,” he said.
She shifted away from him and pushed her hair out of her face. “I need to call Perry. He’ll worry.” She reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out the phone. Not much charge, but she pressed the button. “It still works.”
Mitch stayed her fingers. “Perry knew when you were going to rendezvous. You realize that.”
“I could’ve been anywhere when he called. He didn’t know I was home.”
“Not unless he’s been following you,” Mitch said. “You have to consider he’s been paid off. His history—”
“I don’t want to believe that. Except for William, he’s the only one who ever helped me.”
Mitch wanted to shout, “Until me,” but he couldn’t. The words were almost true. How could investigating her and deceiving her be considered helping her? No. Too many lies lay between them. He couldn’t add one more. Trouble was, she was getting to him.
Screaming sirens tore up the mountain. Mitch’s focus shifted from Emily to the decorated cross to her cell phone. He couldn’t be sure who to trust, either. This case had just become very complicated.
E
MILY SAT IN A
PATROL
car, out of the freezing wind, as law enforcement crawled all over the mountain like a swarm of ants. Quite the response when a SWAT officer’s personal vehicle blew up. They’d blocked off the road and now searched for evidence.
The stench of burning rubber and plastic filled the air. The odor made her stomach roil, though not as much as the thought of what someone was willing to do to get her out of the way. All she wanted was to find Joshua. Why couldn’t they let her have her son back?
Thank goodness Mitch had seen the blanket. Two attempts on her life in front of a cop had made Tanner take her more seriously. She couldn’t let up, though. If she didn’t push, no one would.
Emily shifted her gaze from the search to Mitch, who was focusing intently on his conversation with one of the bomb-squad techs. His ability to ignore the pain he had to be feeling left her in awe. If only he’d lean against the vehicle and ease the weight, but his dogged determination wouldn’t let him show any vulnerability. She’d learned that about him in the short time she’d known him.
Her hand slipped into her pocket and pulled out her phone. It had gone dark. The battery must have died. She needed to try Perry again. They were ninety minutes late. Maybe the PI had attempted to call. She got out of the car and walked over to Mitch. “Can I borrow your cell to call Perry?”
His expression more grave than she’d ever seen, Mitch handed her the phone. He clasped her arm and walked her a few feet away from the tech, bending his lips to her ear. The warm breath bathed her neck, and she shivered at his closeness. “Don’t tell him where you are. Just set up another meet. We can’t be too careful.”
Mitch backed away, his expression stonelike and chilled as he continued the conversation with the other officer.
She hated not being able to trust anyone. She stepped a few feet away. Her call went straight to Perry’s message. Where was he?
The phone vibrated in her hand and started playing an unrecognizable tune.
“Turn that thing down, bud. You want to make everyone sick with that stupid fight song?”
Emily’s gaze flew toward the voice. A striking-looking man walked toward Mitch, grinning and holding a cell in his hand.
“You never did have good taste, Ian.”
Ian tapped his phone and Mitch’s stopped ringing. His tension eased, and he smiled in a way she’d never seen. He looked at this man with complete trust and confidence. As the strong friendship between the two men became clear, Emily had never felt more alone. Mitch had connections. She’d witnessed the trust when he’d spoken to a few of the cops. Without hearing a word, the camaraderie between them spoke volumes. How could Mitch ever be totally on her side? He’d saved her life, yes. But he was loyal to them. She should remember that.
“Did you find me a ride?” Mitch said.
Ian grinned with a mischievous glint deep in his eyes.
“Your brother Noah’s SUV. He won’t miss it.”
“True. After that last big software deal, he went nuts and bought the Hummer. He’s got five cars now.”
Mitch tried to pluck the keys from his friend’s hand, but Ian closed his fist. His face turned serious. “It’s not every day my best friend’s car gets blown to smithereens. What’s up, bud?”
Emily’s body tensed. How would Mitch respond? Had he believed her?
He looked around at the few cops who still stood near them. “Not now.”
The vise around Emily’s heart eased a bit. He might. He just might be on her side.
“Then I’m not leaving,” Ian said, the keys still in his grip.
Emily recognized the tick in Mitch’s jaw. She’d seen it when Ghost had cut the girl, and when he’d studied the pictures of the children on her wall. Friends were too precious. She couldn’t be the cause of problems between them.
“It’s my fault,” Emily said quietly, stepping into their circle. She held out her hand. “Emily Wentworth.”
At the mention of her name, Ian paused, the openness in his face evaporating. He reached out his hand to hers. “I’ve followed your case. Ian Archer. I’m the investigator for the coroner’s office.”
He’d probably studied the accident. She nodded, trying to gauge his judgment. Was she a black widow to him?
“No matter what you’ve heard, I didn’t kill my husband,” she said, deciding to meet his doubts head-on. “I just want to find my son. It’s starting to look like someone doesn’t want me to.”
Ian studied her expression, and, as if he had made some decision, his face softened a bit. “I understand. I hope you find him.”
She clutched at the small opening. “Did you look into the accident? Was there anything that stood out to you?”
Ian stiffened and slid a sidelong glance to Mitch.
“Emily’s private investigator, Perry Young, indicated he had information that there might be some…irregularities in the police work. We were on our way to meet him when—”
“I see. Can I tag along?” Ian asked. “I’d be
very
interested in his theories.”
She could use his expertise. “Sure.”
“No,” Mitch bit out at the same time.
She whirled on him. “Why? If he can help—”
“Ian has a daughter to take care of.”
Mitch’s face was uncompromising. The friends’ gazes held, obviously communicating in a way she didn’t understand. Ian finally nodded. “Fine. See you at your dad’s for the tree trimming,” he said. He turned to Emily. “It’s nice to meet you. Good luck.”
Ian tossed the set of keys to Mitch before walking away.
“Why did you do that?” she asked. “He might know something or have suspicions about who could be involved.”
“He and my goddaughter have been through enough. Too many cops saw him here as it is, and if one of them is our mole, I don’t want him associated with a case involving missing children. Understand?”
The fierce protectiveness in his words made her tremble with regret. What had she been thinking? She had no right to bring anyone else into her nightmare. “You’re right. I’m sorry. There’s no need to put anyone else in danger.” She faced Mitch. “Detective Tanner is up that hill. Why not just give the assignment back? I don’t really need you. I have Perry. I’ll get by.”
“I didn’t mean it like that. I’ll connect with Ian later. I just don’t want to be obvious or make Haley a target.”
Back stiff, she ignored his words and started toward the crowd of cops. Mitch yanked her arm. “I’m not letting you go,” he said, tugging her against him. “You
do
need me. I saw the blanket. I believe you. Do you think these other men will?”
“Perry does. Keep your friends and family close, Mitch. I know what it’s like to lose them.”
“I’ll look out for mine. That doesn’t mean I’m going to abandon you. I’m in too deep.” He gave her a small smile. “Now let’s talk to Perry. He may suspect who wants you dead.”
After a quick consultation with Tanner, Mitch led her to his brother’s pristine SUV. The recently detailed smell assaulted Emily’s memories. Her last fight with Eric had been about the compact. He’d wanted to get her something new. She hadn’t wanted to risk it. He’d been furious with her, but she’d known they couldn’t afford it. They’d struggled to meet the mortgage when he’d left his father’s company. She didn’t care, but Eric hadn’t been used to budgeting or doing without. She ran her hand over the supple leather seats, and her eyes burned. This vehicle was just her husband’s style. Top of the line. All the bells and whistles.
As Mitch steered the car down the mountain, she clutched at the armrests until her fingers hurt. Her breath hitched, and a small sound escaped. She rubbed her eyes. No. She didn’t need to think about the past. She had to have faith that with Mitch and Perry she’d put what was left of her family back together.
“You okay?”
Emily cleared her throat. “I’m fine. Perry’s office is just around the corner. I don’t blame him for not waiting for us, but I wish he’d pick up.”
Mitch pulled onto a rundown street. Iron bars decorated most windows. A few unsavory characters loitered on the corners. “He’s not exactly in the garden district, is he?”
“He stayed on the case. I’m grateful.
“Just tell me you didn’t come here alone.”
“Sometimes.”
“Emily, you’ve got to start being more cautious.”
“I’ll do what I have to do to find my son, Mitch.”
One glance at her companion’s strong jawline and determined expression reminded her things had changed. Mitch believed in her. She’d given him the out, and he hadn’t taken it. He could have. Maybe, just maybe, she’d found an ally who would stick with her. And not because he received a check.
He parallel-parked and stopped the engine before twisting to face her. “I take the lead here.”
“He trusts me.”
“Precisely why I do the talking this time. I’ll put some pressure on him, but I want to know if he’s blowing smoke or not.” Mitch’s eyes grew cold, and his expression dangerous. “If we’re really dealing with a breach in the department, I want to know now.”