Cammie’s gaze went a little unfocused. “I bit down on his hand and threw my elbow back. It stunned him, but he recovered quick. He caught me with a punch as I was trying to run away, but he lost his balance, I think. I heard a crash, and I just kept running. I screamed the whole way.
“Katie met me halfway back to our spot, and I told her to run. We both got onto her paddleboard, and she rowed us back. I left everything there. I couldn’t… I was too scared. What if he came back? I shouldn’t have left our stuff there like trash. Am I going to get a fine?”
I took Cammie’s hand and squeezed it gently. “You did everything just right, and your dad’s gonna be so proud of you. I’ll send some deputies to get your belongings. Don’t you worry.”
Young stepped forward. “Ruiz sent techs that way just before you got here. They can retrieve everything.”
“See, already being dealt with.” I patted her hand. “I need you to think really carefully. Can you describe the man who attacked you?”
Cammie’s eyes flared, panic setting in. “I-I don’t know.”
I met her gaze. “Squeeze my hand.” She did as I ordered. “I’m with you. No one’s going to hurt you. Just close your eyes and tell me everything you remember. There’s more there than you think. Was he bigger than you? What about his hair?”
“Dark, I think. There was dark hair on his arms.”
“Good. That’s really good, Cam. What about his build?”
Cammie’s eyes stayed closed, but she trembled beneath the blanket even though it was almost ninety degrees out. “Bigger than me. Really strong. And fast. I…I didn’t see his face. I didn’t want to. If I saw it, I was scared he would kill me.” Her eyes flew open, tears spilling over her lashes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see anything else.”
I laid my free hand over hers as her nails dug into my palm. “It’s okay. What you gave us helps. We’re going to do everything we can to find him.”
“Cammie!” Her father charged past Officer Williams, headed towards us. “Oh, God, are you okay?”
“I’m okay, Dad. Really.”
He pulled her into a hug. I stepped away but I couldn’t seem to move my gaze. Sobs wracked Cammie’s body as her father held her. The only thing I could see was my father holding Shiloh as EMTs inserted an IV. He’d had to lie on the gurney with her because she refused to let go of him.
Ruiz appeared to my left. “Boss? You okay?”
I shook my head and turned to him. “I’m fine. Do we have anything yet?”
“Nothing much. Techs think they found the site of the attack, but they haven’t found any sign of the attacker.”
I checked my watch. Whoever did this could’ve made it around the lake by now. “Has anyone come off the trails?”
“I don’t think so. No one has been able to leave the parking lot, at least.”
“Okay. I want two four-person teams. One takes the north side trail, the other the south. If he’s coming back out this way, I want us to get him. And check all the male onlookers’ hands. He could’ve slipped into the crowd.”
“You got it.” Ruiz looked up at me, trying to choose his words carefully. “I can take point if you need me to.”
My back molars ground together. “I’m fine. But thank you.”
Ruiz nodded hesitantly as if he didn’t believe a word coming out of my mouth. But I was fine. I had no other choice.
13
Everly
I washed down the last bite of my egg salad sandwich with a drink of my soda. I had a feeling Spoons would become the lunch spot I treated myself to whenever I needed a pick-me-up. I needed to bring lunch from home as much as possible, but today being the first day of my new job meant that I deserved a little treat.
A young woman who’d introduced herself as Jill gave me a warm smile as she stopped at my table. “Are you all finished?”
“I am. That was delicious. Thank you.”
“I’m so glad I didn’t steer you wrong. The egg salad is my favorite.”
I looked down at my empty basket as she picked it up. “You certainly didn’t, and the focaccia it’s served on is amazing.”
She beamed. “We make it right in-house.”
“I’ll definitely be back soon.”
“We’ll be glad to have you. Welcome to town.”
Jill hadn’t recognized my name when we’d engaged in idle chitchat as I ordered, so I figured she was newer to Wolf Gap. But I was grateful for a friendly face, and a spot where I knew prying eyes wouldn’t greet me. “Thank you. I hope you have a good rest of your day.”
I pushed to my feet and headed back towards the vet’s office. I had time to meander if I wanted to. Maybe pop into a shop or two. But as I peeked into windows, my mind traveled to the same place it had dozens of other times over the past few days.
Hayes hadn’t returned to the cabin this weekend. And he hadn’t called or texted. I felt a flare of disappointment that was completely irrational. I barely knew the man, and he didn’t even like me. His father, on the other hand, was a complete charmer. He’d made me laugh, even after he’d informed me that we needed to tear down the barn. And he’d helped me take down the rest of the dilapidated fencing.
Yet, I couldn’t stop myself from worrying about Hayes. The call he’d received. I’d never known anyone who ran straight towards danger every day at their job. And it was clear why. Hayes was a protector. And he’d likely become that way because of Shiloh’s kidnapping.
That familiar swirl of guilt, anger, and grief swept through me. That potent array always seemed to be nearby. My brain knew that my father’s actions weren’t mine to take responsibility for, but the rest of me had a harder time recognizing that fact.
A shadow fell across the sidewalk in front of me. “What the hell are you wearing?”
I lifted my head to see Ian glaring at me in disgust, Ben just a few paces behind him. Instead of answering, I did my best to step around the man who used to be my brother. But he blocked my path. “I’m talking to you.”
“And I’m walking away.”
Ian grabbed my elbow, yanking me back. “You don’t walk away when I’m speaking to you.”
I tore my arm free. “Touch me again, and I’ll make it so the possibility of you having children is non-existent.”
He chuckled, throwing a look at Ben. “Isn’t that cute? She thinks she can defend herself.”
“Quit it, Ian,” Ben barked, pushing him back.
“What? I can’t hit her with the cold, hard truth?”
Ben looked at me. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I gritted out. “I can take care of myself.”
Ian stalked towards me, the flare of rage in his eyes so familiar that it sent memories hurtling at me one after the other. “You need to be taught some manners, Everly.”
Ben stepped between us, pushing my brother back. “Enough. You need to cool off, Ian. Evie, get out of here.”
I didn’t argue. I simply left. I didn’t run, but I fled, just like I had all those years ago. I hurried down the street and slipped inside the vet’s office.
Tim looked up from his desk. “Hey, how was lunch?”