Janice Johnson - Jack Murray, Sheriff

He took the porch steps two at a time. “Any word?”

Beth shook her head, her lips pressed together. Hold me, her heart cried.

She stood back and said stiffly, “Thank you. For coming.”

“I told you to call me.” He stopped on the doorstep, his brown eyes searching her face. “Why did you wait so long?”

“I was sure he’d show up. It’s a game for him. No, it’s not,” she reversed herself. “He hurts, and somehow that’s warped him. He wasn’t like this. He loved the girls!”

Without a word, Jack stepped forward and enfolded her in his arms. Off balance, she had to wrap hers around his waist. It felt so natural to lean against him and lay her cheek against his broad chest. His heart drummed beneath her ear and for just an instant she felt…safe.

But she wasn’t. Steph and Lauren weren’t. She couldn’t assume some man would fix troubles made by another one.

Beth stiffened and drew away.

Briefly his arms tightened, then freed her. Without comment, Jack said, “Give me his address and phone number. We’ll start there.”

Beth led him into the kitchen. “I just left another message ten or fifteen minutes ago.”

“I’ll send a deputy to his place.”

“Thank you.” She swallowed and willed herself not to cry. “I don’t think he’s there, but…thank you.”

He reached for her but stopped himself. “You’re welcome.”

She listened as he made the call. Brewing coffee gave her something to do while they waited. When she put the cup in front of him, he looked up.

“Where else does he take them?”

Beth sagged into the chair. “Not much of anywhere. Just recently Steph was saying that he’s always promising something special and then reneging. They mostly hang around at his place. Play computer games and watch TV. They get bored.”

He watched her steadily. “Do they go fishing? For walks? To the softball field?”

A spark of hope flared to life. “Wait. A friend of his has a cabin on the Deschutes. I wonder…”

The phone rang. She pounced on it, her heart drumming. “Hello?”

“Sheriff Murray handy?”

Almost holding her breath, she passed the phone to him.

“Yeah?” He frowned. “Okay. Let me call you in a minute.” Setting down the phone, Jack shook his head. “No sign they’re there.”

“Oh, no.” She twisted her fingers together and tried desperately to think. “The friend’s name is Bill. Bill… Oh, what is it?” she exclaimed in frustration. “Why can’t I remember?”

Jack’s big hand covered hers. “Hey.” His voice was a soft rumble. “Calm down. It’ll come to you.”

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.