Page 32 of A River of Crows

“How did you escape?” Sloan asked. If it were possible Ridge was one of Daughtry’s victims, it was also possible he’d gotten away too.

Dylan chewed and swallowed a bite of his chicken strips. “I got clean. Flushed the drugs. Eddie used his victims to make money, including selling us for a few hours here and there.”

Sloan squeezed her eyes shut. And she thought she’d had it bad growing up.

Dylan traced a crack in the table. “The guy I met with was drunk; he passed out. I emptied his wallet and just walked out of the hotel.” He shook his head. “It’s unbelievable when you think about it. I just walked out. Just got on a bus. Just walked in my front door like I hadn’t been in hell the past eight months.”

Felicity placed a hand over her heart. “And he never came back for you?”

“No. I was getting too old for Eddie’s tastes. I hoped if I kept my mouth shut, I’d be fine. But I still got a gun and learned to shoot. Always looked over my shoulder. Still kinda do.”

“And you didn’t tell anyone?” Sloan asked.

Felicity nudged her under the table.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

Dylan met her eyes. “It’s okay. No, I never told a soul till they found Logan. I worried Eddie would hurt Dad, so I told him I’d hitched a ride to Oklahoma and had been living with a friend.” Sloan saw tears forming in Dylan’s eyes.

Felicity seemed to notice, too, because she reached across the table and took his hand. “You’re so brave, Dylan. Thank you for sharing your story, but we’ve asked enough for one day. Let’s talk about something else.”

Sloan wasn’t ready for this conversation to end. Even though Dylan didn't remember Ridge, too much didn’t add up. There were too many coincidences. The timing, the town, the man who’d tried to take her. “Would Eddie remember if he took Ridge?” she asked.

“Sloan!” Felicity was still holding Dylan’s hand. Sloan couldn’t tell if this was an attempt at flirting or if Felicity June really was as sweet as everybody claimed.

“You can’t trust Eddie to tell the truth,” Dylan said. “He’s denying everything. Plus, he’s got a lot of connections, and I wouldn’t want to put you in danger.” He pulled his hand away from Felicity’s. “I probably shouldn’t have even met with you in public, but I figured you may be creeped out if I suggested my house.”

Felicity reached across Sloan to grab the check. “Well, I hope we don’t get you into any trouble with your lawyer.”

“Let’s meet again,” Sloan said. “Privately.”

“Yeah, absolutely.” Dylan reached for a napkin. “Do you want my number?”

“I’ve got it,” Felicity’s said. “I’ll for sure call you.”

Sloan shook her head. Felicity was actually flirting with this poor man.

“Sounds good.” One corner of Dylan’s mouth raised when he smiled, and it occurred to Sloan that he didn’t mind the flirting. She needed to get out of here.

“I should get going.” Sloan slid out from the booth. Dylan started to stand, but Sloan waved him down. “You guys stay, though. Nice meeting you, Dylan.”

“You too.” Dylan slowly lowered himself back onto the booth.

“Dylan and I will work out the details for our next meeting, and I’ll text you. I’m thinking dinner at my apartment.” Though Felicity was speaking to Sloan, her attention was still anchored on Dylan.

Sloan forced a smile. She didn’t like Felicity, didn’t like being the third wheel, but she’d do what she had to do to get to the bottom of all this.

“I’ll be there.”

Chapter 12

Mallowater, TX, 1989

“Can Sloan stay for dinner?”

Sloan held her breath, waiting for Walt and Doreen’s response. She caught the look they exchanged and knew the answer before they said a word.

“Let’s give Sloan time with her mother,” Walt told Noah. “We’ve kept her away all week.”

---