Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
“Do you know Rowan?”
“Lived on this street for forty years. I know everyone.” The way her voice hitches and shoulders bow up could mean two things.
We either happened upon the leader of the neighborhood watch or the resident nosy Nettie.
How she marched in here leads me to believe the latter.
“Have you seen her today?”
She looks through us, her tough exterior dissolving. “She’s in trouble, isn’t she?”
“Why would you say that?” Talon asks thoughtfully, playing to her emotions.
“Because she’s been distant lately. I figured it was trauma after the accident. Then today, I saw her here with girlfriends and they were all giggles and smiles. It’s unusual for Rowan to be here in the daytime since she’s busy at the salon, but I figured she’s getting back to normal.”
“Sounds nice, no reason to suspect trouble.”
“Not until I was out walking my pups a while ago…” At their mention, they go wild again, yapping uncontrollably. She carries on, “that I was almost run over by that snake oil salesman she used to call her boyfriend.”
“Craig Johns?”
“Yes, that man is the devil in sheep’s clothing. All the ladies on the block saw him for what he was, but Rowan is an optimist, always finding the good in people. Today, he whizzes and whirls along the street like we’re the Bristol Speedway, slamming to a stop so close he almost took out her flowerbed. He followed her to the door, a little close for my comfort, and they disappeared inside. Ten minutes later, they were back in the car and he was racing away.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Within the hour.”
“No one else was in the truck?”
“What truck?”
“Craig’s SUV?” Talon clarifies.
“He wasn’t driving an SUV. He was in his sleek midnight black BMW with tinted windows and rims worth more than my first car.”
I jolt as two things slam into me.
He ditched the beater.
And Jewls was not seen with them. Either she was left with the getaway vehicle or she was still drugged and in the back of his car.
“And you noticed all of this while walking your dogs?” Talon pries.
“Sure did. Now, tell me, is she in trouble? If so, I can rally up the team and help.”
“No need for that. Let’s leave this up to the professionals.”
Her eyes narrow into slits and her mouth twists unpleasantly. “I’ll have you know I’m the president of our neighborhood watch committee. I have connections with the police, fire department, and the city council.”
I was right on both accounts—Neighborhood watch and nosy Nettie.
“Right, let’s go out to my truck and let me get you my card and jot down your information. We may have more questions.”
He closes in on her, waving his hand in front for her to lead the way. She looks at us one more time, her gaze lingering on me.
“Something bad has happened. I’m not stupid. But please, Lord, take care of that girl. She’s been through so much.”
A bullet to the gut would be easier to stomach than the etching of fear on her face.
She guides her dogs out, Talon following.
“He snapped,” Finn concludes. “He beat information out of Darla and went after Rowan. Waits for her at the salon in a getaway truck, knowing she won’t come willingly. Sees her enter through the studio door, but Jewls was an obstacle he didn’t expect. With the way Rowan keeps the studio, he doesn’t figure out she’s living there. The syringe was his assurance he could get her out, and now he’s forced to use it on Jewls.”
“Fuck! How did I miss this?” I fight the overwhelming urge to throw my fist through the wall.
Ford turns, his own blazing fury barely contained. “Need to talk to Darla.”
I drop my chin, rubbing the back of my neck to ease the solid mass of ticking muscle. “I’ll do it.”
“Not what I meant. You need no more shit. I’ll do it.”
“You three go to the station. I’ll go through the house and wait for Ace.” Finn speed-types on his phone with the concentration of a professional. “APB out on the SUV and BMW. Have a man at Craig’s house. No one is there, and no sign of struggle anywhere. He’s on the run. See what else you can get out of Darla. We’ll meet you after I get a team over here to process the scene.”
I jut my chin in approval, heading back to the truck where Talon is finishing up with the neighbor and walking her to the sidewalk. She’s hesitant, but whatever he says has her on her way.
“What’s the plan?”
“Station, we’re talking to Darla.”
He nods wordlessly, jumping in his truck.
When we get on the road, I pull out my phone and find my contacts with dread coiling low in my stomach.
“Heard you’re popping the question tonight. ‘Bout time you call for my blessing,” Caleb jests.