“I know,” Samantha said. “They don’t call it Stone County for nothing. Listen, it’s going to be dark in an hour or so but I’m not ready to quit looking. We could head over that way and see if something comes back to you when you see the area. What do you say?”
The forlorn mother seemed to brighten. She smiled slightly. “Do you think we could? Since my car was stolen I have no way to go anywhere on my own. If you don’t mind, I’d like to try. Anything to help find Danny.”
“My pleasure,” Sam said as she turned west. “Just say whatever comes to mind as we drive, even if it seems silly.”
“At this point, everything I think or say seems totally irrational,” Lindy confessed. “It’s as if I’m living a nightmare where I hear Danny calling to me, can’t find him and can’t wake up, either.” She took a noisy, shaky breath. “Do you have children?”
“Not the human kind,” Sam said. “I know it isn’t the same thing you’re going through, but when you love someone or something the way I do, the loss can feel just as unbearable.”
“Tell me what happened,” Lindy said compassionately as she straightened and adjusted her seat belt across her shoulder. “Maybe listening to your story will help me think more clearly.”
“All right. When I was fifteen I saw this poor little puppy being abused and stole him to save his life. That’s how it all started.”
* * *
John’s world had gone spinning out of control the instant he realized he’d lost track of Samantha. If he could have trusted her to have headed straight home he might have worried less. However, she had taken Lindy with her so there was no telling what she was getting herself into.
He immediately tried to phone her and the call went to voice mail. Furious, he pounded his fist into his palm. They had a kidnapping to solve, the sooner the better, and he was having to concern himself with the woman who drove him to distraction on a regular basis. If she had conspired specifically to unhinge him she could not have done a better job of it.
Although he was hesitant to bother Chief Kelso with his personal problems he decided it was wisest to confess. He had expected a gruff reprimand. Instead, Kelso laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“You are, Waltham. I knew how you’d react when you discovered your girlfriend was gone.”
“You knew she was leaving? Why didn’t you stop her?”
“Stop her? No way. I gave her my blessing when she suggested offering Mrs. Southerland a ride home. Harlan and I figured that woman knew more than she was admitting and would try to sneak off, anyway. Thanks to Samantha, we know exactly where she is. We have an unmarked car following them right now. Don’t worry.”
“How can you be sure she won’t ditch the tail?” John was holding his breath.
“Because there’s a bug on her, too.”
“Is that legal?”
Levi Kelso arched a brow. “Samantha happened to give us permission. Even if she hadn’t, a little boy is missing. If it was your son, Waltham, what would you have done?”
“Bugged her,” John replied without delay. “Which way did they go?”
“Toward Melbourne and Sylamore. I take it you intend to head that direction yourself.”
“I am off duty, chief. With your permission I’ll provide extra backup.”
“Sure. You’d do it, anyway,” he said wryly. “Just watch yourself. We’ll keep you advised by radio. The tracking car Harlan sent has about a half-hour head start but you should be able to overtake it. Adelaide Crowe is driving. She reported that Samantha is taking it real easy, as if she and her passenger are looking for something along the road, so don’t go charging up to them and blow the whole operation.”
“Gotcha.” John was already jogging toward his truck. He didn’t have the benefit of a siren or flashing lights but that was just as well. As the chief had warned, the less attention he attracted, the better.
The chances of those two women finding Danny were slim to none, yet John wasn’t ready to write off their efforts quite so soon. Lindy might be directing Samantha, and if that was the case they could actually be successful.
His biggest concern was how involved Sam would get if and when she confronted the men who had snatched the child. She’d already kicked one of them where he lived and was just stubborn and feisty enough to try something equally as dangerous a second time.
Hands fisting on the wheel he put the pedal to the metal and roared out of town.