“Mama!” Cady yelled. “Nightmare!”
We were both on our feet in a flash, all heat vanishing. Roan was out the door and down the hall before me. The second he opened her door, Cady flew at him.
Roan cradled her in his arms, rocking her back and forth. “It’s okay, Tiny Dancer. I’ve got you.”
“There was a monster under my bed, and he was trying to get me,” Cady sobbed.
“No monsters are gonna get you when I’m around,” Roan said, his voice gruff.
My heart squeezed painfully. This man was everything I’d ever wanted for my girl and so much more.
“Look, I’m doing a check, Katydid.” I bent and peeked under the bed. “Nothing here but a few stuffed animals.”
“Y-you’re sure?” she asked.
“Totally positive.”
Cady burrowed deeper into Roan’s hold. “Will you stay with me for a while?”
“Always, Tiny Dancer. As long as you want.”
Elsie winced as she strode toward the register. “Should you be working today? You look a little rough.”
I gave her a wan smile. “Gee, thanks.”
“Sorry. I just meant your shiner. And you seem a little tired.”
I sighed. I felt like I’d been run over by the same truck Roan had. “Cady had a couple of nightmares last night, and it took us a while to get her down.”
“I’m sorry,” Elsie said. “Is she okay?”
“She was a little sleepy and cranky this morning but hanging in there. Hopefully, she goes down early tonight.”
“Let me know if I can do anything,” Elsie offered.
“Thanks. I really appreciate it. Now, what can I get you?”
“I’ll take one of those chocolate peanut butter cup muffins. You’ve got me addicted.”
I laughed as I grabbed the muffin. “I love to hear that.”
Elsie handed me a few bills. “Keep the change.”
“Thanks,” I said, adding the extra to the tip jar.
I lost myself in the rhythm of customers. The sun was out, and things were busier than they had been lately. It wasn’t just Jonesy and Elsie filling seats. A handful of tourists, locals on their lunch breaks, and a mom out with her infant were also in. But Officer Hall stayed perched outside to ensure we had no unwanted patrons.
The hustle and bustle were a welcome break. It helped to distract me from everything else that was going on. One hour bled into two, and people came and went in a steady flow.
A curse sounded from the kitchen, and I winced. “You okay, Zeke?”
“Need you to watch the stove or take out the trash,” he called back.
I did not want to be responsible for ruining whatever Zeke was cooking. “I’ve got the trash.”
He was right. It was full to bursting and needed to be taken out now. I lifted the bag and swore it weighed more than I did. It took me two tries to tie it off, but I finally succeeded and swung it over my shoulder.
I unlocked the new deadbolt Holt had installed on the back door and stepped into the alley. The forest behind us meant I was greeted by birdsong and the wind. At least the breeze kept down the smell of the dumpster. I pushed the lid up and threw the bag in.
As I turned to head back to the café, movement caught my eye. But I was too late.
Something struck the side of my head. Blinding pain flashed, and I fell. I hit the ground hard, groaning. I tried to sit up, to do anything, but a boot stomped down on my neck.
“Time for you to get yours, bitch,” a voice growled.
A needle plunged into my arm, and the world started to melt away. I tried to scream, call for help, yell for Roan. But every word was stolen from my lips. And then there was nothing at all.
47
ROAN
“How do we have nothing?” I said, slamming my pen down on the pad of paper.
Lawson and Nash eyed me warily. Nash scooted his box of donuts toward me. “Need something to eat?”
Lawson’s lips twitched.
“It’s not fuckin’ funny,” I snarled.
Lawson just rolled his eyes, not put off by my bellow. “Sorry, but any time Nash offers to part with food, you know you’re in a bad way.”
“I panicked,” Nash defended. “I don’t want him going over the edge and punching us both.”
I grabbed the box and flipped it open. “Just for that, I’m taking the Boston Cream.”
“Hey! I was saving that one.”
“I know. That’s why I’m taking it.”
Nash turned to Lawson. “You’re right. I think I liked him better when he just brooded silently.”
I took a huge bite of the donut in answer.
Lawson chuckled, then patted Nash on the back. “I’ll get you some more tomorrow.”
“I wanted it today,” Nash grumbled.
Lawson just shook his head. “I think you’ll survive.” He leaned back in his chair at the head of the conference table. “Let’s go over everything from the beginning.”
I groaned. “We need to interrogate Steven.”
The podcaster had retained a lawyer—one who ordered him not to answer any of our questions this morning. We’d gotten nothing.
“It’s not like that prick will tell us a damned thing,” Nash muttered.
“I put a call in for the visitor logs from John’s prison. I want to see just how often those two got together,” Lawson said.
“Oren Randal, too,” I added.
The reporter had made bail late this morning after being served with a restraining order. Lawson had Clint and Adams tailing him at a distance to make sure he obeyed it. Another two officers were sitting on Steven’s rental cabin, but they hadn’t seen any signs of movement, and his vehicle was still in the drive.
“I want to take a closer look at anyone who had a lot of contact,” Lawson said.
Nash pulled the box of donuts back in his direction. “I think we need to get posters up at all the trailheads. Ask people to call in if they see any suspicious behavior. Maybe a hiker saw something and they just don’t know it.”
“Not a bad idea,” I said.
Lawson tapped his fingers on the table. “I didn’t want anyone to panic.”
I pinned him with a stare. “I think we’re past that. Two people are dead.”
His jaw tightened. “Point taken.”
Lawson shouldered everything, including the weight of the entire town. He didn’t want to frighten a soul if he didn’t have to.
Nash glanced at our older brother. “Word has already gotten around to most everyone. This will warn those who haven’t heard to be careful on the hiking trails.”
“All right. I’ll have something drawn up.”
A knock sounded on the conference room door, but the person on the other side didn’t wait for an answer. The door swung open, and Wren appeared, one hand on her pregnant belly, her face pale. “Abel’s on a call from The Brew. Aspen’s missing.”
Everything in me stilled. The air in my lungs seized. I must have heard her wrong.
My ears rang as Nash and Lawson leapt to their feet. Nash was at my side instantly, hauling me up, his expression full of concern. “Roan.”