Chapter 43
chapter
forty-three
Before Caleb could rise and check out the rest of the building, Max groaned.
“Max.” Caleb leaned closer, relief flooding through him. “Hey, you with me?”
Max’s eyes opened, unfocused and confused. He blinked several times, squinting against the light. “What—?” His hand moved to his head, and he winced. “What happened?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out. What do you remember?”
Max struggled to sit up, and Caleb helped him, steadying the man with a hand on his shoulder.
“I was checking the dogs,” Max said slowly, his voice rough. “Making sure they had water. Then I heard a footstep behind me.” He paused, his brow furrowing. “Then everything went black.”
Caleb’s throat tightened at the thought. “You didn’t see who it was?”
“No.” Frustration tightened Max’s jaw. “Didn’t even have time to turn around. It all happened too fast.”
Kendra hovered nearby, already off the phone and wringing her hands. “Oh, Max. Are you okay? Should you be sitting up?”
“I’m fine,” Max muttered, though he didn’t look fine. His face was pale and his movements sluggish.
Caleb’s gaze shifted to Kendra.
She’d shown up at just the right time.
Had her appearance been too convenient? He might think so. Except . . . he glanced at his watch. She’d actually shown up right when she was supposed to arrive for her shift. There was nothing suspicious about that.
He hated to look at everyone as a suspect, yet circumstances had led him to do just that.
“Did you see anything when you got here?” Caleb kept his tone neutral. “Anyone leaving? A car on the road?”
Kendra quickly shook her head. “No. Nothing. I parked and came straight inside, and that’s when I found him.” Her voice trembled. “I didn’t see anyone.”
Caleb studied her face a moment longer, searching for any sign of deception.
She appeared genuinely shaken.
But Caleb had learned a long time ago that appearances could be deceiving.
“Stay with him.” Caleb rose to his feet. “The ambulance should be here soon.”
He moved away from them, his eyes scanning the kennel more carefully.
The dogs were still restless, pacing their enclosures and whining. But nothing looked disturbed. Food bins were closed. Leashes hung neatly on their hooks. Gates were latched.
He moved deeper into the building, checking each kennel, each corner.
Nothing.
Why would someone knock Max out?
What were they looking for?
Or were they trying to send a message?
Caleb stepped back outside, his unease growing with every unanswered question.
First the PI in the woods. Then Valentina’s disappearance. Now Max, attacked in broad daylight.
Things were escalating.
And Caleb had no idea who was behind it—or what this person wanted.
But one thing was clear.
Whoever it was, they were getting bolder.
And that terrified him more than anything else.
Millie was in the living room when she heard the sirens.
Naomi had slipped outside several minutes ago, her voice tight as she told Millie and Sissy to stay inside and lock the doors.
After everything that had happened, they obeyed.
Hearing those sirens now made Millie’s heart lurch.
She rushed to the window and saw an ambulance pulling up the drive, lights flashing, gravel crunching beneath the tires.
A moment later, paramedics jumped out and hurried toward the kennel.
Millie’s chest tightened. What was happening?
She’d known there was a commotion in the kennel, but no one had told her anything. She figured one of the dogs had gotten out or something.
But an ambulance? Was Caleb okay?
She couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think.
Who was hurt?
A moment later, the side door opened, and Caleb strode inside, his expression grim. Dirt streaked his jeans, and his jaw was set in that hard line she recognized.
“It’s Max,” he said without preamble. “Someone attacked him in the kennel. Knocked him out.”
Sissy gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Is he okay?”
“He’s conscious. Paramedics are checking him now.” Caleb rubbed a hand over his face. “He didn’t see who did it.”
Millie’s stomach twisted into knots.
This was getting worse. Spiraling out of control.
Anxiety clawed at her throat until it was hard to swallow.
Caleb’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out, glanced at the screen, and his expression darkened.
“I need to take this,” he muttered, stepping toward the hallway.
Millie watched him go, dread settling like a stone in her gut.
She knew that look.
It was more bad news.
Sissy disappeared to her room, saying she needed to lie down.
A moment later, Caleb returned, his face ashen.
He met Millie’s gaze. “That was my friend in DC. The one I asked to keep an eye on Garrick.”
Millie’s pulse hammered in her ears.
“Your ex-husband just took a leave of absence from his job,” Caleb continued, his voice flat. “No one’s seen him since around eight o’clock last night when a dinner meeting ended.”
Millie felt the blood drain from her face.
Since last night.
Garrick had been incognito for sixteen hours.
Which meant he could be anywhere.
Which meant he could be here.
Terror washed through her at the thought.