Page 97 of Shadow of Deceit
Maybe she was searching for God. Ryan said God could fix everything, but death was unfixable. Final. The end here on earth.
The worst thing she could imagine could come to pass—Chuck’s death—and it would be her fault. She might as well have attacked Chuck herself for as bad as she was feeling. God hadn’t taken her pain or helped with it when her mother died, so what made her think He could make this pain better?
* * *
Ryan struggled to breathe evenly and glanced at Mia standing near the trailer. She’d just sent him packing when he wanted to help her so badly. Unbelievable. And unexpected.
Had he misread her actions today? Did she really want to be alone for the rest of her life, or did she just not want to be with him? And he never got a chance to help her see God was still here. He hadn’t deserted her no matter their relationship.
A cue Ryan needed to follow right now. God hadn’t given up on her and neither could he. She may have put distance between them, but Ryan would do his best to be sure she stayed safe, giving him another chance to help her see her need for God.
But he knew her. Knew her well and she needed time to cool off and process. He would give her that space. Probably should’ve from the beginning. He needed to talk with Russ about the safety of his staff and students, and now was a good time.
Ryan crossed over to his brother, who leaned against his patrol car.
Russ’s cell phone jangled from his belt holder. He snatched it free and looked at the screen then lifted it to his ear. “What’s up, bro?” He took his hat off and clapped it against his knee. He shoved it back into place and went still. Perfectly still. “What do you mean she’s missing?”
Ryan took a step closer and caught Russ’s gaze.
His brother’s face paled to a sickly shade of white. “I’m on my way.”
Ryan recognized that haunted look. Exactly like Russ’s last days as an officer in Portland when a child was murdered, and he blamed himself for the death. Something beyond horrible had gone down.
What now?
Ryan was nearly afraid to ask, but he had to know. “What is it? What’s happened?”
“That was Reid.” His voice caught. “Jessie’s missing.”
* * *
Mia stared at Russ. She couldn’t have heard him right. Did he just say Jessie was missing?
She had to know. She raced toward him. “Jessie’s missing. Really? How?”
The fear in the strong lawman’s eyes upped her anxiety.
He shoved his phone into the holder. “Reid put her to bed about an hour ago. He just checked on her, and she’s gone. Pope likely discovered she saw him in the barn, and he’s tying up loose ends.”
“Pope?” she asked. “But how could he know?”
Russ shook his head. “I don’t know, and I don’t have time to discuss it.” He pivoted like a precision soldier and faced Ryan. “If Pope is still in the area, I need you to get your staff and the kids into the rec center and lock the door. Mia, you go with them. I’ll post one of my deputies for everyone’s safety.” He returned to his men and shouted urgent orders.
Mia couldn’t move. Couldn’t process. Couldn’t fathom what had happened. How could this be? Little Jessie likely in the hands of a killer all because a gambling habit caused Kurt Loomis to embezzle money?
Mia should go to the rec center like Russ said. No. She couldn’t. This whole tragedy was brought on because Loomis wanted her gone. If she stayed with the students and staff, she might bring the danger to their doorstep. No way she would do that. She had to think of their safety above all else. And if Pope had Jessie, Mia had to try to find them. To free Jessie.
She turned and rushed to the UTV.
“Mia, wait,” Ryan called after her, his pleading tone almost stopping her.
Almost.
She turned the key.
Hard to believe it had only been two hours since he’d sat next to her as they’d driven to this end of the property. Life seeming better. Heading toward a possible future together.
Two hours. Only two hours.
