31
Evan woke up to discover Dale staring at him from the shed door.
The hot fire in his thigh reminded him he’d been stabbed, and his stomach did a slow churn from either hunger or fear.
Probably both.
It was dark behind Dale. Night. Evan had no concept of what day or time it was. He had no means of keeping track, and he might have easily slept through a day or two.
“Where is the evidence?” asked Dale.
He’s not going to like any answer I give.
“I understand Sophia said I had it,” Evan said slowly. “But if I do, I’m not aware of what it is. I’d only texted with Rod over the last few months. I haven’t seen him. He hasn’t given me anything or mentioned evidence. I mean ... maybe it’s something I’ve had for quite a while and don’t know it?” He braced himself for a boot.
Dale said nothing and continued to stare.
Evan took that as a good sign. “If you tell me what it is, maybe I’ll recognize it.”
“It’s photos.”
That’s the first helpful thing he’s said.
Now how to figure out which photos.
“You know that I work with a lot of photos in my job.”
“But how many of them pertain to me?” asked Dale.
Evan’s brain scrambled through the past few years. He hadn’t thought about Dale Forbes in forever. “You’re referring to photos that were part of the evidence back then?”
“No!”
Boot. Gut.
Evan couldn’t breathe. He rolled into a ball, his vision tunneling. Terror swamping him. He heard Dale laughing as if from a distance.
He closed his eyes, waiting for his diaphragm to relax, and then he finally drew in a shuddering breath.
“I’ve got an assignment for you,” said Dale, sounding as if he’d never lost his temper.
“Okay.” The word squeaked out of Evan.
“You get to tell Zack his mother is dead. And that it was your fault.”
Zack? Fuck. Did Dale find him?
“In a phone call?” Evan asked, still trying to breathe normally.
Dale laughed. “No.” He stormed out of the shed, slammed the door, and locked it.
Evan melted into the floor in relief.
He’s fucking with me. Enjoys making me suffer.
He lay there and focused on his breathing, willing his muscles to relax and the pain to ease. But nothing calmed the pain in his thigh. He gently touched the surrounding tissue. It was hot. Infection had started.
Who knows what was on his knife.
He cringed as he imagined the same knife had been used on Rod. Or Sophia.
The lock clinked and the door opened. Dale shoved someone inside. “Tell him.” He shut the door and locked it again.
The room was completely dark.
“Zack?” Evan asked tentatively.
“Yeah.” The fearful voice came from near the door.
Relief along with fear swept through Evan. The boy was here, but what were Dale’s plans for him? “It’s Evan Bolton. Are you all right?”
“Where’s my mom?” Tears were in his voice. “He said he was bringing me to her.”
“What happened?” asked Evan, avoiding the question. “How did you get here?”
The boy sniffed, but the sound was closer. “I was stupid.”
Oh no.
Zack shared the tale of how he had been grabbed at the farm. “I don’t know how long I’ve been locked in a bedroom. I know it was Tuesday when I got here.”
“That’s the same day I was locked up here,” said Evan, not wanting to tell the boy about his injuries.
“Have you seen my mom?” Zack’s voice cracked.
“No. Was the man who just brought you here the one at the farm?”
“It was another guy. Not as old,” he said. “They must have put my mom in a different room. I yelled for her at first, but the older guy slapped me. Told me he’d burn me with his cigarettes if I didn’t shut up.”
“I’m sorry,” said Evan.
“My dad burned my mom like that,” Zack whispered. “I asked her about the scars. She said it hurt really bad. I’m glad my dad went to prison for it.”
“I am too,” said Evan. “I haven’t seen a second man here. Can you describe him?” he asked, hoping to figure out who was helping Dale.
Zack’s general description could have been that of any man.
“I’m really tired,” said Zack, the tears back in his voice. “I can’t sleep in that room. I think I’ve been awake for days.”
“There’s a pad on the floor here if you want to lie down. It’s not great.” Evan scooted most of the way off and felt the pad shift as the boy crept over. Zack lay down, his arm pressing against Evan’s. He knew the boy needed a comforting touch and patted his hand.
What will Dale do to me if I don’t tell Zack his mother is dead?
Evan decided to wait and find out. Any beating was better than breaking the boy’s heart.