Chapter 16 #2
Donovan laughed. “Yeah, a little something to make you more compliant. That way, when Butler shows up, you won’t be able to warn him he’s in danger.
” He checked the window and then sat on the floor, his back propped against the closed door.
“And afterward, we can finish our business. We’ll have as long as I want to take. ”
No.
Her eyelids grew heavier, and she struggled to sit upright. A silent prayer was on her lips for protection for herself and Ethan.
But unable to stay awake, she couldn’t form the words.
Ethan paced in front of Renegade Mountain State Park. The location-sharing app on Jenna’s phone said that Aubrey was here.
A long shot, but he was willing to follow any lead if it meant he got her back.
The tops of the pine trees swayed in the early-evening breeze, and the deep purple of night descended over the area. No one was at the small picnic shelter other than a family of raccoons digging through the trash.
This couldn’t be right.
He called the office, but it went straight to the main voicemail box. Emma had gone to the hospital to find out if Stanton would recover, but where was Howard?
Liam jogged up to him, out of breath. “Nothing, Butler. There’s no sign of her around here, and the cabin is empty. They haven’t returned to it.”
“Either they messed with her phone or we’re missing something.” And they had no idea where to search for her.
The raccoons tipped over the trash can and scurried away. A flash of silver caught his eye. Ethan knelt and used a twig to move away some of the wrappers and uneaten food. There, among a pile of cold fries, sat a phone.
He stood and pulled his phone from his pocket and called Aubrey’s number. The phone on the ground vibrated and rang.
Ethan swore under his breath. “They obviously left the phone here to send us on a wild-goose chase.” He kicked the pile of trash and stomped away, trying to get his emotions under control. Lack of control had cost him his team two years ago, and he was determined not to make the same mistake.
Liam, Montgomery, and Glover stood around in a circle, staring at the pile of trash.
“So, what are we going to do now?” Glover asked.
“It’s late.” Montgomery gestured at the sky. “We’re running out of daylight.”
“You don’t think I know this?” Ethan felt anger rising, his face flooding with heat. He paced away from the group and inhaled, looking up at the sky.
God, I need wisdom.
Guilt tripped him up, and he turned back to look at his team. Regret and shame for his outburst heated his skin. He kicked a rock, bouncing it into the trash. “I’m sorry, guys. That wasn’t necessary. I’m simply frustrated.”
“We all are.” Liam placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed.
Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose. “Aubrey needs us. She’s alone out here with a killer.”
If he lost her now, he didn’t know what he’d do.
He swallowed back all the emotion from the past few days. “I’d like to pray over her, and all of us, if you’re so inclined.” He held out both hands, needing the connection to stay grounded.
Ethan prayed.
He ended with a hushed amen, and the moment felt anchored in something bigger than them all.
A ball of emotion clogged his throat, and he looked at his team with a new appreciation. “I know not everyone is a believer, but I want to thank you for being here. We will find Aubrey.”
Liam nodded in agreement.
Ethan thought about Stanton, in critical condition, fighting for his life. “We need our Sunshine back in the office.”
Every person assembled nodded in agreement. He needed Aubrey—and once they rescued her, he would make sure she knew it.
“We move forward, but nobody goes anywhere alone. Whoever has Aubrey is still out there.” Ethan nodded to his team, standing here in the fading light, determination on their faces.
A cool breeze kicked up some debris, and it tumbled across the picnic area.
“Albright and Glover, head into town,” Ethan said.
“Check the doctor’s office again and the surrounding area.
See if any other witnesses might’ve seen a car or where they went.
Adam, Liam, and I will head over to Destiny Rousseau’s house.
I’m fairly certain she knows where Roger is hanging out and is our best lead. ”
Liam nodded. “She knows something but will protect her son at any cost. We just need the right leverage.”
Ethan checked his watch. “Everyone checks in every half hour, beginning in thirty minutes.”
The teams split up and headed their separate ways.
“You really think you’ll be able to get any information out of Destiny?” Adam asked. “Seems like we’ve already been over things with her.”
Ethan cranked his truck. “Roger is up to his neck in this, just like his dad was. She knows more than she’s saying.”
“Yeah, and we’re running out of daylight.” Liam’s mouth was set in a tight line.
Tall pines flanked the entrance, and the driveway wound about half a mile through lush landscaping.
Ethan rang the doorbell, and this time a maid in a black uniform with a crisp white apron answered the door.
She squinted up at them. “Can I help you?”
Ethan stepped forward. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Deputy US Marshal Ethan Butler, and these are my associates, Deputy Marshals Roberts and Montgomery.” He showed her his badge.
Her eyes widened. “I’m sorry, sir, but Mrs. Rousseau is otherwise engaged.”
Destiny Rousseau sauntered up to the door just then, her deep-red dress accentuating her curves. “Miranda. Who do we have here?”
The maid looked over her shoulder and then stepped back. “They say they’re from the Marshals office.”
“Ah, yes, Deputy Marshal Butler. We meet again. As you can see, I’m rather busy with a Renegade Ladies’ Auxiliary meeting. We’re discussing improvements for the more unfortunate areas of Renegade.”
Poor. Why didn’t she just say the word poor? What a load of fake concern.
Ethan cleared his throat, forced himself to bite his tongue and not say what was really on his mind. “I promise I won’t take up much of your time.”
Destiny paused a moment. “In that case, come in.”
They stepped into the marble-tiled foyer. Adam and Liam looked as uncomfortable as he felt among this opulence.
“Miranda, please show our guests to the sitting room. I’ll be right back.”
Destiny strolled on those impossibly high heels, clicking against the marble floor. Feminine voices drifted down the hallway.
Ethan studied the pictures over the mantel. Most of them were of Roger when he was young. Roger riding his bicycle in the driveway. Roger, probably pre-teen, holding up a small fish, the catch still attached to his kid-sized fishing rod. A teenage Roger in his high school soccer team uniform.
“Ah, I see you found my little gallery of Roger’s exploits.” Destiny took one of the photos and gazed at it, her eyes unfocused, as if seeing Roger as a little boy.
“Yeah. Looks like he had a great childhood.” Unlike Ethan’s. His had been full of uncertainty, until his grandma rescued him and took him home to live with her.
“I thought I answered all your questions when you were here a few days ago.” Destiny glided onto the small love seat, crossed her ankles. Always the lady. But there was a sinister element underneath that polished exterior.
Ethan sat across from her. “I’ll get right down to it. Do you happen to know where Roger is tonight?”
She laughed and waved her hand. “He’s a forty-year-old man. He does what he wants. You really think he checks in with his mother?”
Ethan was beginning to think the guy did. “Roger is involved with the kidnapping of a woman who works for the Marshals office.”
He waited for that to sink in.
“When was the last time you saw him?”
Her face seemed pinched. “Two days ago.”
“Did he seem upset?” Liam asked.
Ethan studied her, and he was impressed she didn’t shift in her seat.
“No. Why would he be?” She arched one eyebrow.
Ethan raised his hands. “Hey, we have to cover all our bases.” He forced himself to smile. “Where is he now?”
“I have no idea.”
“Where would he go? Does he have a place he hides?”
Destiny sighed, rising in one graceful motion. “If that’s all, Deputy Marshal?” She let the question hang, daring him to keep her any longer than necessary. “I have nothing more to say.”
And he’d need a warrant to press her further—which meant enough probable cause for a judge’s signature. Ethan’s head pounded. “We’re finished. Thank you again for your time.”
Off to the side of the main foyer, a foam-core board was placed on an easel, a small light illuminating an artist’s rendering.
Ethan leaned in and studied the poster. “Adam, Liam. Look at this.”
The other two leaned in, and a look of understanding passed between them. Out of the way. Not much traffic. Perfect place for someone like Donovan to hide.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Rousseau,” Adam said.
She paused, and he watched as she visibly stiffened her back. When she turned around, a saccharine sweet smile graced her face. “Yes. Is there something else?”
Adam pointed to the diagram. “This your property?”
Destiny crossed her arms. “Yes. What of it? My dear husband left that farmland to me when he passed. We’re in the process of developing all one hundred acres of it. We’re calling it Rousseau’s Landing. Higher-end homes with a mountain view.”
Liam chimed in. “Did Roger ever go out there?”
She shrugged. “Sometimes. We’ve had problems with trespassers lately. He keeps the riffraff away.”
“I see,” Liam said.
She stared at Liam a moment and then gave the maid instructions. “Miranda, will you see the gentlemen out, please.” She smiled at Ethan. “Always a pleasure, Deputy Marshal Butler.”
Leaving the house, they quickly returned to his truck.
Ethan said, “Liam, text the other team members. Tell them to gear up. Get Glover to send us some aerial views too. We’re going to get Aubrey tonight.”