Page 114 of A River of Crows

They might be anywhere. She would never find them.

Caroline knew that Vince had connections. Libby had hinted that Vince’s father and brother had ties to organized crime. Caroline had always wondered if that’s how the Turners made so much money. She wiped a puddle of sweat from her forehead.

Caroline called the realtor listed on the sign next. He told her that Vince and Libby had only been renting the house with plans to buy one of the homes being built in a new subdivision close to LSU. However, they’d unexpectedly decided to move out of town with two months still remaining on their lease and had left no forwarding address. “The owner has had enough of these unreliable renters just skipping out, so he’s decided to sell.” The realtor had one of those salesman voices, like Jay. “There’s an open house next week if you’re in the market. It’s a great property.”

Caroline hung up and wiped more sweat from her forehead. Renting. Caroline knew then that stealing Ridge and leaving Louisiana had been Libby’s plan all along. Why else would the Turners do something so beneath them? So “middle class,” as Vince would say.

“Forgive me for asking, but is there a reason you need to get in touch with them so badly?” the kindly neighbor asked. “Are you okay? You don’t look well.”

Libby stole my Ridge. They kidnapped my son, and I can never tell without implicating myself in his disappearance. Of course, I’m not frickin’ okay. I’ll never be okay again.

Caroline stood to leave. “Thank you for letting me borrow your phone.” She couldn’t even manage a smile. “They just owed me some money is all.”

“You found them?” Caroline leaned over the private investigator’s desk. Three months of searching, and he’d finally found them. “Where are they?”

Mr. Garcia looked down at the folder on his desk. “El Paso.”

Caroline couldn’t figure out why he didn’t look happier about this news. Maybe he had just realized he could no longer bill Caroline an exorbitant amount of money each month with nothing to show for it.

She tapped her foot against her chair. “Do you have an address?”

He loosened his collar. “That’s the thing, Ms. Radel. An associate found their house on Friday. He returned Saturday, and they were gone.”

Caroline’s insides vibrated. “What do you mean gone?”

“The Turners had left, moved out. The owners said they gave no notice at all.”

“So, they saw your guy?” Caroline raised her voice. “What kind of PI is dumb enough to be seen?”

Mr. Garcia held up his hands. “These things happen sometimes. I can assure you that he was as careful as possible.”

“No!” Caroline slammed her hand on the desk. “He wasn’t careful at all, or they’d still be there.”

“I understand you’re upset. But we found them. I suspect they realize you’re looking for them and thus are keeping their guard up.”

Caroline sank back in her chair. “Okay, so what’s next? Back to square one?”

He closed the folder. “That’s all up to you, Ms. Radel. You already put a lot of money into this. I suspect it will cost just as much or more to locate them again. And, of course, there are no guarantees.”

Caroline covered her face with her hands. As much or more? If she weren’t careful, her inheritance would disappear, and then what? How would she pay her bills? How would she take care of Sloan?

“Don’t get me wrong,” he said. “I’ll be glad to continue working the case. You mentioned the Turners owed you money. I guess you have to ask yourself if the amount they owe is worth the amount you are spending to find them.” He drummed his fingers on the desk. “Unless you have another motive for locating them. Either way, it’s your decision to make.”

Caroline’s skin prickled. He suspected something. Or else he would if she continued searching. She’d hired this private investigator out of Dallas on purpose, so he wouldn’t know who she was—wouldn’t know who Ridge was if he found them, but she was kidding herself. Their story had made national news. If she kept this up and one of these detectives recognized Ridge, she was signing her own warrant.

“You’re right,” she said, forcing her shaky legs to stand. “It’s not worth the money at this point. Thank you for your help. I’ll mail you your last payment.”

Mr. Garcia stood and gave a sympathetic nod. “I’m sorry, Ms. Radel, but sometimes you just have to cut your losses and move on.”

Chapter 32

Tyler, TX, 2008

Sloan called Noah on the way to the Hadfield’s. History was repeating itself, and Sloan needed Noah now, just as she had then.

“Noah, are you at work?” she asked as soon as he answered.

He hesitated for a few seconds. “I’m with Ridge. Don’t get mad. He just—”

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