Page 75 of Summer Ride

“Yeah.”

“Does Kara still have the letter?” Brett asked.

“Yes, I put it in the safe last night at my parents’ suggestion.”

“Good idea. When you can, shoot me a copy of it. I’ll have them put it in the file. Just as backup.”

“Will do. What happens now?” he asked.

“Now…” Brett was quiet. “Nothing. We’ll get this air tag off her car and add it to the evidence. After that, if the police need to talk with you or Kara, they know where to find you. From what I can tell, everyone is pretty convinced that the case is shut.”

“Thanks,” he said. He ended the call when a woman rushed in with an injured dog.

Shortly after six that night, he walked into the house and smelled something cooking.

Kara stood at the stove in cut-off shorts, a tight white tank top, and bare feet. Her long blond hair was pulled back in a braid and still wet from the shower she must have taken after getting home.

Even with the big cast on her arm, she managed to look comfortable and happy. When he put his arms around her, she held up a spoon of sauce for him to try.

“Mm,” he said after taking a taste of the lemon-butter sauce. “Good.”

“I think it needs more salt.”

“Then add some.” He kissed her cheek. “Do I have time to head up and shower?”

“Yes, the chicken won’t be done for fifteen minutes.” She glanced at the oven.

He kissed her once more and then headed up. After a quick shower, he pulled on some comfortable clothes and then took his grandmother’s ring out of the safe.

He had wanted to give it to her the night before, but since his parents were there, he’d held off.

This was something he wanted to do when they were alone. When he went down the stairs, he was surprised by the smell of burnt sauce and chicken.

Rushing over, he shut both the stove and the oven off.

“Kara?” He glanced around and then froze when he noticed the back door stood wide open. It hung oddly on its frame, as if someone had rammed through it quickly. He called her name as he rushed out it, screaming for her.

Had she screamed? Had she called out for his help? He must not have heard anything because he’d been in the shower.

The property was large enough that he quickly realized he couldn’t search for her alone. As he raced through the barn, he called Brett.

“Kara’s missing. I’m searching the property,” he said, without waiting for Brett to answer. “Get your ass over here.” He hung up and continued to call out.

He had just rushed around the front of the house when he noticed her cell phone lying in the dirt by a set of tire tracks.

“Shit, shit,” he said over and over again as he dialed 911.

When Brett drove up, he made sure to stop him before he ran over the tracks.

“Someone was here. They broke in and took her out the back and drove away.” He motioned to her cell phone and the tracks. “Where in the hell is her father staying?” he growled out.

“Whoa, you think it was him?” Brett held out his hands. “Let’s just take a breath here. What would he have to gain from kidnapping her? Did he get the cashier’s check?”

“No. But the man is a psychopath,” he said, remembering some of the stories Kara had told him about her youth. “Besides, he’s the only one I can think of.”

“Right,” Brett said as a police cruiser stopped beside his truck. “I don’t know where he’s staying, but I know he lives in North Carolina. I doubt he’s taking her that far.”

“Do you know what kind of car he drives? Would those match it?” He pointed to the tracks as one of Brett’s friends walked up.