Page 88 of Just One Kiss

A buzzing sound drew her gaze to her bag. "Oh, my God it's Adam," she said, shooting him a scared look. "He wouldn't call this late unless he had news."

"Can you put it on speaker?"

She did so, then said, "Hello? Adam? Have you found Kelly?"

"No, but we tracked the car she was driving to a gas station on the road leading into Black Falls. Your sister bought gas and snacks there. She was alone and appeared to be in good condition. The image we received from their security camera was blurry, but we were still able to make a positive identification."

"Black Falls is only fifteen miles from here," Hannah said with surprise in her voice. "I thought she'd be farther away by now."

"Well, that's where she was yesterday morning. Do you know of any place in that area where she'd be going?"

"We used to camp there with my dad, but that was in the summer, not in the winter. I have no idea where she'd go."

"If you think of anything let me know. I'll be in touch as soon as I have any additional updates."

"Thanks for working so hard on this, Adam."

"I'm determined to bring your sister home, Hannah."

Jake pulled into her driveway as she ended the call. "That's good news," he said.

"Is it?" she mused, dark shadows in her eyes. "I want this to be over, Jake. I want Kelly home. And I have no idea why she'd go to Black Falls or where she'd stay if she did. There's a big storm coming in tomorrow. If she's outside, if she's hurt in any way…"

"Adam said she appeared in good condition."

"On a security video. Who knows what kind of detail that picked up? And she's pregnant, Jake. If she's not eating or drinking enough…"

He could hear the frustration and fear in her voice, and despite the wall they'd just rebuilt between them, he couldn't just sit there and do nothing. He pulled her into his arms and held on tight.

"You have to keep the faith," he murmured, happy that she was actually letting him comfort her. "Focus on what you do know. She's alive. She bought gas and food. She didn't ask anyone for help."

Hannah pulled back and lifted her gaze to his. "She wouldn't ask for help if she's running from the cops."

"True. But the important thing is she's all right."

"Yesterday morning she was all right, but I don't know about now. I wish I could do something to help."

"You are doing something. You're taking care of Brett."

"Not tonight I wasn't. I was just having fun."

"Hannah, stop," he said forcefully, refusing to let her wallow in guilt. "You took a short break. That's not a crime. Brett was bonding with his grandmother, which was good for both of them. And whether you'd sat at home all night or gone skating, whatever is happening with Kelly would still be happening."

"I know, but I feel helpless. I hate this feeling of being out of control."

"I get it. But Kelly is alive and well, even if we don't know where she is. One thing we do know is that your sister is a survivor. She's very resourceful. She's been on her own since she was nineteen. She has a son and a daughter on the way. She'll fight for them. She'll do whatever she needs to do."

"Except maybe turn herself in."

"There could be a reason she's buying herself time. She could be trying to build a case for self-defense. Or maybe it's something else entirely. She could have asked you for help, but she didn't. All she wants you to do is take care of Brett, and that's what you're doing."

"Maybe." She didn't sound convinced, but the bleak look was fading from her eyes. He suspected that had more to do with her fighting spirit than his words, but he was still happy to see her bouncing back. "I should go in." She put her hand on the door, then looked back at him. "I know this night has gone a lot of different ways, Jake."

"That's an understatement. Look, we don't have to decide anything tonight, Hannah."

"I think it's already decided," she said with a heaviness in her voice that disturbed him.

"I don't agree. We need to have another conversation. We'll talk tomorrow," he said firmly.

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