Page 49 of The Missing Couple

His expression turned noncommittal. “Martin is a nice guy and Briana loves him but he’s not a fighter. Briana will be the one rescuing him if either of them has the opportunity. Martin will be a great husband and father for the long haul. He’s the kind of guy that once he makes a decision there’s no going back. He’ll be faithful and true.”

“But he doesn’t deserve your sister,” she teased.

Billie glanced at her. “No one does.”

“They sound like a perfect couple.” She and Alex were that way. They were different but in ways that complimented each other. They were happy.

She stared out her window and wondered if she would ever find that kind of happiness again. Not once in three years had she even thought such a thing.

Her eyes darted in the direction of Billie. He prompted those thoughts. Or maybe she’d have to take moments of happiness and be satisfied with those.

By the time the digital clock on the dash flicked to one p.m., Charly figured those guys weren’t coming out—at least from this side of the property.

“It’s time we have a look around back,” Billie suggested, clearly thinking the same thing. He started the SUV and nosed up to the road.

“Take a right.”

They drove for three miles and she instructed him to take the next left. In another two miles they reached the road she’d told him about. “Go left here, too.”

He made the turn.

“There’s a narrow little turn off on the left…” She leaned forward. “It’s not marked because it doesn’t really go anywhere. We’re almost there…turn there.”

He made the left and they drove about a quarter mile into the woods before the narrow dirt road ended. There was a double gate but no road beyond it. Just a path. Wide enough for UTVs.

“Now we walk,” she told him.

He shut off the engine. “Do you have any idea where that cabin is located?”

“I do.” She laughed. “I hid in the hatchback of Kerrick’s first vehicle when he picked up my sister once. They came to party here. It was the only time she ever agreed to a date with him.”

“You rode all the way here.” He frowned then. “How’d you get home?”

“I took a guy’s cell phone and called my dad.”

Confusion dominated his expression. “You did what?”

“The guy was passed out on the ground. I slipped his phone out of his back pocket and made the call. Then I walked back out to the road and waited for him.”

“What did your father say about this?”

“He wasn’t happy, but he was far more interested in how these kids were getting alcohol and whatever else they were partying with. He sent a couple of deputies to check things out. Half my sister’s class was grounded for weeks.”

Billie laughed. “Did your sister ever find out it was you?”

“No way! It was my secret. Mine and my dad’s.”

“Have you been back here since then?”

She shook her head. “But don’t worry. I can find it.”

“As you say—” he opened his door “—famous last words.”

She waved him off. It might take some time, but she would find it.

And whatever Kerrick and his pals might be keeping there.

Chapter Fourteen