Page 78 of Back To Our Beginning

“All the girls. It was a group text for all five of us. So, it’s real, Simon. Maddie is alive!”

I was trying to keep up. “All five of who?” I asked.

“Me, Evie, the twins, and Piper. I’m betting ours are the only phone numbers she has memorized.” I could hear that she was laughing and sobbing at the same time.

“Not Drake?” I asked.

Simon glanced over at me, giving me a look that said I was stupid. He was right, I needed to focus on finding Maddie now. It was a stupid question.

“After Drake left, we had to learn how to take care of one another,” Trenda answered my question. “So, it was us girls against the world. She wouldn’t have thought to include Drake on the text.”

“Honey, you did good,” Simon said. He looked over at me. “Did you get the info?”

I nodded.

“Trenda, can you text Roan with the phone number the text came from, and what the text said?”

“I’ll do it as soon as I hang up,” she promised.

“Love you,” Simon said as he pressed disconnect.

He kept his eyes on the highway but spoke to me. “What’s your take?”

“Sounds like Maddie wasn’t in a position to get any names or addresses of where she was currently being held, but somehow she found out that whoever the owner was, he was a Bronc Riding Champ.”

“That’s my take,” Simon nodded.

Roan’s name popped up on the display, and Simon took it. Before Simon could say anything, Roan was already talking.

“The phone belongs to Lana Fletcher. She’s in the system. Drugs and prostitution. Last known address was in Chicago, but according to her parole officer, she’s no longer there.”

“Do you know anything about the Bronc Rider Champion?” I asked.

“I have Clint’s wife Lydia doing a search. It’s kind of odd, don’t you think?” Roan asked. “I mean, where would Maddie have come up with that?”

I started to get mad. “What does it matter? She thought it was pertinent, and she sure as hell wouldn’t have wasted her time texting that information if it wasn’t critical.” I kept my voice low, but I was fucking pissed that Roan had even asked the question.

“Calm down, Beau. We’re following up as fast as possible.”

I looked down at my watch. Kai and Jase should have landed by now. “Have Kai and Jase talk to the parole officer. Maybe he or she didn’t do a real search on Lana. They must have a huge caseload.”

“Good call,” Simon agreed.

“Will do,” Roan said. “I’ll call back as soon as I have info on the Bronc Rider. I see you’re in Kentucky. It looks like you’re making good time.”

“I didn’t realize that SEALs had lead feet,” I said with a semblance of a grin.

“When necessary,” Simon nodded. “Push Lydia, Roan. We need this information as fast as we can get it.”

“She knows,” Roan assured Simon. “You might want to call your wife back. She’s really worried.”

“She’ll be busy keeping her sisters calm. I’ll call her when I know something. Thanks, Roan. Call me when you have something.”

The call disconnected. I flexed my fingers that I’d balled into tight fists.

Simon glanced sideways at me. “Your girl is smart.”

“Yeah.”