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Well, damn.
“What about Lulu?” my dad asks, jumping up.
“Who’s that?”
“Their twenty-one-year-old daughter. She lives with them. She’s a friend of my daughter’s. We can help search for her. My sons are good trackers. No animal outruns Kaleb,” Dad brags.
“Lulu’s gone,” McCallister says, re-entering the room. “Had one of the boys run to the house and check on her. Her bedroom has been cleared out. She left a note to her mom stating she couldn’t put up with her stepfather putting his hands on her anymore. Looks like she left before the murders, thank God.”
That piques Collins’s interest. “He was abusive?”
Sheriff shrugs. “Everyone knew, but nothing I can do without a complaint.”
“The Cromwells did it,” Cooper throws out desperately. “They killed Paul and Darrell. Now this family.”
“Enough, Cooper.” It’s McCallister who snaps at him. “Lulu isn’t dead. Her note was clear. Michael and Daniel have been here all night.”
“What about the other one?”
“Oh, you mean the cute one who’s been sitting on their porch with a knife all night?” Collins huffs. “McCallister’s been fielding calls from the officers who sat out there all night.”
Sheriff shrugs. “It creeped them out.” He tries defending his men.
“See, they’re violent,” Cooper spits.
“No, they’re worried. That man has sat outside all night, awake, to secure half of his family while the other half sit in here.” The woman sounds impressed.
I expected no less.Kaleb’s a good brother.
Collin’s phone pings. “We have backup coming. My boss is sending out a full team.”
“What about the Cromwells?” McCallister questions.
“Let them go.” She waves off.
“What?” Cooper screeches.
“There’s no evidence Darrell Cooper is dead. There is, however, evidence that your nephew had a tendency to spike drinks with his friend Paul, who also happens to be missing. Maybe he and Paul are on the run. Maybe they’re lovers gone to start a new life. Who knows. Who cares,” she says sarcastically, shrugging into her jacket. “What I do know is that the I-90 Killer struck in this town last night. A real serial killer we’ve been chasing for years. This may be the closest I ever get to catching a big fish. I’m not wasting it because you hold a grudge against a family who, asfar as this town’s police force and I can tell, have never broken the law.”
“I’ll be taking this up with your superiors, Agent,” Cooper threatens.
“You do that. But something tells me you’ll be too busy fighting the numerous lawsuits the Cromwells bring against you and this department.”
“Starting with a restraining order.” My dad smiles, raising a brow at McCallister.
The sheriff nods stiffly. He ruined his career for nothing. “Jake will start you on the paperwork. I just need to walk Agent Collins out. We’ll be swamped with the FBI soon. Let the boys out,” McCallister grimaces, motioning to my brother and me.
Thank fuck for that. Time to go home and see my girl.
I remember that Lara should be my wife by now, and if it hadn’t been for Cooper’s insistence and Agent Collins’s need to make a name for herself, Lara would be a Cromwell now. Suddenly, I’m not so grateful as Jake unlocks the cell door.
I hope Collins doesn’t find her man. Lulu‘s earned a new life. He clearly adores his daughter; Lulu deserves someone who will care for her as only a killer can.
Wholly. An all-encompassing and breathtaking kind of love.
Jake holds up a finger to my dad and Edward, saying he’ll be one minute. Cooper stands by the benches, looking bewildered. He really thought hecould wing it when it came to having someone arrested for murder.
Jake peers at his boss when Daniel steps out of the cell, uncertainty written all over his face.
