Page 105 of Lost Lake
All my love,
Kenna
El’s heart swelled with emotion, and she could barely keep her tears from falling. She looked at Gabe. His head was down. She didn’t want to trouble him, so she sat silently at his side. Waiting. Hoping he would let her help him.
His phone rang. He freed his hand from hers to swipe it over his eyes before grabbing the phone from the table. “Yeah?” He listened, then gave a sharp nod. “We’ll be right there.” He ended the call. “It’s my brother,” he said, stuffing his phone back in his pocket. “Says he has information about Kenna that will change our investigation and wants to meet with us.”
Say what? “Where does he want to meet?”
“At the forest preserve.”
She didn’t like that at all. “Why such a secluded location?”
“You’re a cop, and I’m a former one. He doesn’t want anyone to see us together.”
That made sense, but… “Do you believe he has information about Kenna, or do you think it’s a trap?”
“I’d hate to believe he would set us up,” Gabe said. “Regardless, I have to go, but you don’t need to come with me. I don’t want to put you in jeopardy.”
She released his hand and stood. “There’s no question in my mind. If you’re going, I’ll be right there at your side.”
25
Gabe pulled his vehicle into the turnout near the entrance to a forest preserve owned and managed by the city. He opened the locked compartment between the seats and removed his weapon and holster.
“Do you think that’s necessary?” El asked. “We’re meeting your brother, after all.”
Gabe seated a cartridge in his sidearm. “I don’t really think he would hurt us, but it never hurts to be careful.” Not thinking about it any longer, he got out and clipped on his holster, then waited for El to join him.
“Keep an eye out,” he said as they started ahead on the road to the preserve.
He followed his brother’s directions down a nearly hidden path through soaring pines, needles littering the ground. Under any other circumstances, he would enjoy this walk with El, but today enjoyment was one emotion he couldn’t find.
They reached the designated gnarled and deformed tree, but Brad wasn’t in sight.
El turned, taking in the area. “Do you think he’s coming?”
Gabe shrugged. “You could be right, and he’s setting us up. Let’s take cover in case.”
He led them to a pine large enough for both of them to fit behind the trunk.
Footfalls rustled in the pine straw.
“Someone’s coming,” he whispered and pointed his weapon.
Sure, the use of his sidearm was probably overkill. If he were alone, he might not be so proactive, but he wouldn’t let anything happen to El.
They waited. He counted down in his head.Five. Four. Three.
A man rounded the curve in the path, his head on a swivel. He walked closer. Closer.
“It’s Brad.” Gabe let out a long breath and heard El blow hers out, too.
Gabe waited to see if anyone else followed, but convinced Brad was alone, he stepped out from behind the tree. El followed him.
His brother approached, his steps slow and apprehensive. “Hey, thanks, man, for meeting me. I didn’t know if you would.”
“If you hadn’t called me, we would’ve come to see you anyway.” Gabe widened his stance. “We know you were seeing Kenna.”
