Chapter 18
18
COURT
I didn’t know what it was, but when Ryan told me Donnie was refusing to leave the cabin with Morgan, I got a gut feeling something was off. I’d thought he was just sneaking in a little getaway before he got his next shipment in, but maybe there was more to it.
“What’s the address of the place again?” I asked Ryan as we got dressed to leave.
He gave me the place near Tully Lake, and I racked my brain trying to come up with anything in the area that would be suspicious, but nothing stood out.
We got into my Dodge, and then I drove to the nearest gas station and filled up. Once we were on I-93 heading north, I looked over at Ryan and asked, “What if we’re about to ruin his proposal?”
Ryan blinked. “You think Donnie’s about to propose?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Why else would he leave her alone for a few hours while he ran into town?”
Ryan snorted a laugh. “If Donnie’s about to propose to Morgan in a shitty cabin, he knows nothing about my high-maintenance sister.”
“I don’t know,” I said, tapping the steering wheel. “Maybe he’s got something more planned, and we’re about to ruin it.”
“I hope whatever is happening, my sister will finally realize he isn’t the man for her.”
I stole a glance at him. “You think Donnie’s bad for her?”
“I’ve told you I’ve always felt like something was off with the guy. I don’t know. I didn’t really picture my sister dating someone who sees naked women all day.”
I raised a brow and he chuckled.
“You’re not straight, so you can see all the naked women you want.”
I grinned. “I know, but it’s a business. I haven’t seen him hook up with anyone.” Why the fuck was I defending Donnie?
“That’s good to hear, but I don’t know. You’ve met my sister. I think she’d want to meet a doctor or a lawyer like our father. Someone who would make more sense for her to.”
I couldn’t believe the words that were about to come out of my mouth. “I suppose you can’t choose who you fall in love with, right?”
He sighed. “Right.”
“But what about you?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me. “Tell me, if someone were to propose to you, what would be your ideal proposal?”
He looked over at me, a smirk playing on his lips. “Whoa, slow down there, Court. You’re asking me how I’d like to be proposed to? We’re barely dating, and now you’re planning our engagement?”
I snorted. “I’m not planning anything. I’m just curious. You know, hypothetically. If you were ever going to be proposed to, how would you want it?”
He took a moment to think and then shrugged. “I don’t know. I never really thought about it. But maybe on the beach or something with the sunset. Maybe?—”
He was cut off when both of our phones went off with an emergency alert. I grabbed mine and read the screen:
EMERGENCY ALERT An inmate has escaped from the FCI Berlin Federal Penitentiary in Coos County at approximately 6:45 am today. Joseph Hughes was incarcerated on serious criminal charges, including conspiracy to commit murder. Description: white male, 6’2, medium build. Hughes is believed to be headed to the Boston or Atlantic City area. Do not contact or approach Hughes. Call 911 or local police immediately if seen.
“Holy shit,” Ryan breathed. “Joseph Hughes escaped?”
“That’s the guy connected to the person who shot Fallon, right?”
“Yeah. How the fuck did he escape prison?”
I shook my head. “No clue, but that’s crazy.”
“I’m going to call my dad and see if he got the alert too.”
“I’m going to get a drink.” Needing to get off the road so I could contact Dalton, I pointed toward a McDonald’s sign off the interstate. “Do you want anything?”
“Sure. I’ll take a Coke.”
I pulled off and drove to the drive-thru. While in line, I grabbed my phone again and sent a text to Dalton while Ryan spoke with his father.
You hear about Joseph Hughes?
Yeah got the alert
I might know where he’s going
Really? Where?
Tully Lake. Ryan and I are on our way there to get his sister. She’s having a shit time with Donnie and asked to be picked up
Why do you think Hughes’ going there?
It’s a cabin in the woods and Donnie is refusing to leave
Do you have your weapon?
It’s in my case in the back of my car
If things go bad it will blow your cover
I took a deep breath and moved up in line.
I know but apprehending a fugitive takes priority
Just be careful. If he shows up and there’s a way to avoid revealing yourself, text me and I’ll contact local PD
Will do
I got our drinks and when I handed Ryan his, he smiled and said into the phone, “Yeah, maybe I’ll bring him next week.”
I arched a brow, and Ryan shook his head.
“All right. We’re getting back on the road. Let me know if you hear anything more about that Hughes guy.” Ryan hung up and turned to me. “I still can’t believe that guy escaped prison.”
“Yeah. Do you think he’s going to go after Fallon?”
Ryan balked. “Ummm, I didn’t think that before, but do you think that might happen?”
I lifted a shoulder. “I have no idea.”
“Maybe he’s just going to disappear somewhere.”
“Maybe.” I took a sip of my iced tea.
If my gut was right, he was going to the cabin where Donnie and Morgan were. I had a lot on the line, but I wasn’t going to let anything happen to Ryan or his sister. If Hughes showed up, I would try to get a text to Dalton so he could contact the local police department, but if things went sideways, my cover and the drug case would take a backseat to protecting Ryan.