“We can’t—not if that sergeant is heading out there.”
“Then we should try to find the warehouse. But I don’t know how.”
“I saw a flyer up at the station,” Dallas said. “It was for a town barbecue in the park today at five. There’ll be lots of locals there, right?”
I glanced at my watch. “It’s almost seven.”
“They had a band playing too. Might go on for a while.”
“Think we should ask around?” I said.
“Someone might’ve seen them in town. Maybe it’s like that cop said, we shouldn’t rule anything out, you know? We could at least ask people to check their properties and see if anyone knows of any old warehouses.”
“It’s worth a shot,” I said. “But what if the men are there?”
“We’ll get the hell out as fast as we can.”
*
Balloons and streamers were strung up at the park and a country band was playing on a small stage, a few couples dancing to the music. It looked like some of the booths were being dismantled, but a few still had barbecues going and people were handing out small plates of samples. You could tell things were winding down, the garbage bins were overflowing and litter was scattered on the ground, but there were still quite a few people standing around or sitting on picnic tables.
The officer had called to tell me he’d gone out to the ranch, but neither of the men was home. He was going try again later. We kept our eyes peeled for them as we walked around, showing a photo of Skylar and Crystal that I had on my phone to people in the lines, asking if anyone recognized the girls or knew of any abandoned warehouses or buildings in the area. No one knew anything.
Disheartened, I was turning away from one booth, when a man stepped in behind me.
“Heard you were asking about some girls?”
I looked up. “Yes, we—”
Brian. Those black eyes, the small mouth.
I glanced down, tried to think, but my nerves were on fire, everything in my body telling me to run away. “We’re … we’re hoping someone might have seen them.” I stared at my feet. Please, please don’t recognize me.
“That a photo?” He had his hand out for my phone. He must’ve seen me showing it around. I couldn’t refuse now.
I passed him my cell, noticed his chipped nails, remembering them digging into my thigh. I felt shaky and light-headed, my skin clammy. I was worried I might be sick. Glad I was wearing sunglasses, I tried to see where my sister was. Dallas had a beer in her hand and was walking my way. I had to warn her somehow, but she wasn’t looking at me, she was staring at her phone.
Brian was talking, “Pretty girls. I haven’t seen the blonde, but the dark-haired one worked at my ranch for a couple of days.” His voice was casual, almost pleasant and friendly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was missing.”
I was stunned he was admitting he’d seen Skylar, and that she had even worked at his ranch. I didn’t know how to respond.
Now Dallas was next to me, still looking down at her phone, her warm arm bumping into mine. “I was thinking we should talk to some of the regulars at the pub,” she said. When I didn’t answer, she glanced up from her phone and said, “What do you—” She stopped as she noticed Brian, gave a little gasp.
He looked back and forth between us, his face confused as he registered our fear. The moment stretched out, settled around us. His eyes narrowed, his gaze lingering on our faces. Then the flash of recognition, followed by shock.
He stared down again at my cell in his hand, like he was trying to understand what was going on. I could see his gaze focus on Crystal.
He looked back at us, handed me the phone. “If I see them around, I’ll let you know.” He walked toward a small group where a woman seemed to be waiting for him. Her soft brown hair was pulled into a low ponytail, some of it coming loose around her face. She looked sweet but a little haggard.
A tall girl was standing beside her and I sucked in my breath. She could have been Skylar’s twin a few years ago. The girl was younger, maybe twelve or thirteen, and they had different noses and a slightly different face shape, the girl still with the round face of a preteen, but there was no doubt they were related.
As he got closer Brian paused, watching someone walking toward him.
Gavin.
He was heavier now, his belly rounded, and wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap, but I’d recognize his walk anywhere. He had on a white T-shirt with a Budweiser logo, faded jeans, cowboy boots. He moved quickly, like he was late or something, his skin flushed and sweaty.
Dallas was staring at him, her face pale. She swayed on her feet, and I grabbed her arm.
“You okay?”
She wrenched her body free and started walking so fast she was almost running back to the car. I pushed through the crowd, trying to catch up. I kept glancing back over my shoulder at Gavin. Brian met him partway, said something.
Gavin turned around, and looked straight at us.
I got to the parking lot, my breathing loud in my ears.