CHAPTER 31 Cross
Cross
ALEX CROSS LOOKS DOWN at the abandoned bicycle half covered by underbrush that Bree found. Then he picks up a stick and uses it to part the branches.
“It’s all in one piece,” he says. “Nothing looks bent or broken.” He stands up. “We need to be sure it’s Damon’s.”
“I think he sent some pictures of it a while back,” says Bree. She starts flicking through photos on her phone.
“We’ll also need fingerprints,” Alex continues. “What’s the weather been like? I don’t think it’s been rainy here, so nothing should’ve washed away.” He looks over at Bree, who’s still searching her photos. “Check with Melissa. She’ll know if it’s Damon’s bike.”
Bree nods, clicks out of the photo app, and opens her contacts. She dials Melissa’s number and leaves yet another message.
“Hi, Melissa. This is Bree Stone. Again. Damon’s dad and I are at the Pearson Trailhead, off Barbee Chapel Hill Road. We need you here. Now. If we don’t hear from you, we’re calling the police.”
Bree stabs the End Call button. Alex puts his hand on his wife’s shoulder. He can see the frustration on her face. “We can just take a photo of the bike and send it to Melissa,” he says.
“No,” says Bree. “I want her out here. She needs to be a part of this. And we need to be sure.” She puts her phone away and sighs, then looks down the trail. “Let’s explore a little farther. Maybe Damon got hurt falling off the bike and went down the trail for help.”
“Why down, not up?” says Alex. “That wouldn’t make any sense.”
Bree shoots him a look. A little desperate. They’re both grasping at straws. What does it mean that they’ve found Damon’s bike abandoned halfway down the trail? Where did he go from here? Was he alone?
Alex nods toward the trail. “Let’s stick together this time.”
He leads the way past the abandoned bike, wanting answers but more nervous than ever about what they might find.