Walker’s eyes narrowed. “There’s no sign of forced entry, so either someone had a key, or the door was unlocked from the inside.”
I gritted my teeth. I knew the how was important, but not nearly as important as the where. “How do we figure outwhereshe was taken?”
Walker straightened from his crouch. “I’ve called Cain, he’s working on things from his end, tracking a new bank account. And Tuck is on his way, too. It’s going to take him a bit because he was working a ways away, but he’ll get here as fast as he can.”
My shoulders relaxed just a bit. Tuck was one of the best trackers in the state, maybe the country. He had been the one to help Walker find Taylor when she was abducted. If Tessa had been taken somewhere in the surrounding forest, Tuck just might be able to bring her home. “Thank you.”
Walker jerked his head for me to follow him inside. “Honestly, our best bet is information from the Kettle’s customers today. They may have seen something and not even realized it.”
Crime scene techs were already at work in the pantry. Walker gripped my shoulder as we passed the open door. “We’re doing everything we can.”
“I know.” I just prayed it was enough.
* * *
The last fewhours had passed in an impatient blur. Jensen and I had talked Walker through everything that had happened, every customer we could remember who had come through. Officers had gone to interview those whose names we knew, hoping to catch a break. So far, nothing.
My mind flashed to another gathering of police when Taylor was taken. Yet again, I was powerless. Yet again, I had failed to protect someone I loved.
The bell over the door jangled as Tuck strode through, a look of pissed-off determination on his face. “Do we know anything new?”
Our whole group stood, but it was Walker who spoke. “One witness who was taking a smoke break in the back a few shops down reported seeing a dark SUV idling in the alley. She didn’t get a look at the plates, though.”
Tuck swiped a hand through his hair. “Fuck. Any idea where he might have taken her?”
Walker’s jaw tightened. “We’re working on that.” Walker turned to talk to one of his officers who was finishing up with one of the few remaining customers in the tea shop.
Tuck’s gaze traveled to Jensen. She was hiding her distress well, but I knew she was struggling. I’m sure it was bringing back all sorts of memories of when Taylor was taken, of when Jensen’s ex had almost killed her. Tuck pulled her into his side. “You hanging in there, Little J?”
Jensen scowled at the nickname, shaking off his arm. “Don’t call me that.”
We were all on edge. Impatient. I began to pace. There had to be something we could do. Sitting around here wasn’t getting us anywhere. I palmed the keys to my SUV and turned to tell Tuck I was going to drive around and see what I could find, but I stopped as my gaze caught on something out the window. Someone.
Kimberly Speakman. The fan whose obsession had twisted her mind. My stomach dropped.What is she doing here? God, no. Please, no.What if none of this had to do with Garrett? What if it was I who had brought a monster into Tessa’s life?
41
Tessa
Pain woke me, waves of it crashing over me in a relentless storm. I blinked, trying to alleviate the pressure in my head. There was a ringing sound that felt deafening. I needed to find the source and make it stop.
I blinked my eyes again. My vision was blurry at first, but it slowly began to clear.What happened?I tried to pull my hand up to my head, but there was pain there, too.
I looked down. My wrists were bound together with plastic twine. A zip tie, my brain slowly processed. That sent a jolt of adrenaline coursing through me, clearing my mind a little bit more.
My gaze shot around the space.Where am I? Am I alone?I prayed the answer to the second question was yes. The room was small. Old. Bare. A worn, wooden floor, and wallpaper that had yellowed with age. The only furniture was the twin bed I lay on, and a chair with a sagging seat in the corner.
I let out a shuddering breath. I was alone. For now. My body tensed at that thought, sending another flash of blinding pain through my skull. I slowly reached my hands up to prod at my face. I winced as they touched the right side of my head.
I eased my exploration, ghosting my fingers as carefully as possible over my skin. That side of my face was definitely swollen. My fingertips touched a large bump, and I bit down on my lip to keep from crying out in pain.
I pulled my hands away from my head and found dried blood.Shit. I focused on keeping my breathing even. The last thing I needed was to have a panic attack and pass out. I counted my inhales and exhales. I needed to try and sit up.
I rested an elbow on the bed and tried to push myself up. The zip tie dug into my already raw wrists. I whimpered. I hated the sound of weakness as soon as it escaped my lips. I wasn’t the girl who cowered in the corner anymore.
I clasped my hands together in an attempt to prevent the zip ties from cutting into me any more. I gritted my teeth and pushed as hard as I could on my elbow, swinging my feet over the side of the bed at the same time.
The room swam as I sat up. I squeezed my eyes closed as waves of nausea hit me hard.Do not puke. Do not puke.Gradually, it subsided, and I opened my eyes again. The world wobbled for a moment and then straightened. Moving slowly would be key.
