Page 24 of Her Wild Coast Promise

“When was the last time he called?”

“He tried to help that girl.” Her gaze has drifted to the window across the room, and a tear trickles down her cheek.

“Terrilynn?”

“Her daddy was hurting her.”

“Tell me more about this. How did Zach try to help Terrilynn?”

A vehicle approaches, the engine a deep buzz.

I barely turn around before a man bursts through the door.

Danger signals fire in my brain. I’m on my feet, muscles coiled for action.

“Who the hell are you?” His dark eyes are cold and confident. He’s tall and lanky, but with enough testosterone flooding the room to let me know that beneath his black work jeans and grungy hoodie, he’s strong. And dangerous.

“Deputy Seth Dalton. Mrs. Hayes invited me in,” I say to make it clear that I have consent to be on the premises.

This must be Kristov Stoll, the man who married Mrs. Hayes six months after Doc died. He nods at Mrs. Hayes, who walks to him. He wraps his arm around her, but the hard look in his eyes doesn’t soften.

I’m disappointed I didn’t get an answer to my follow up question about Terrilynn’s father. What I remember is that Terrilynn’s dad passed away and that’s why she was in foster care, but maybe I’m wrong.

“It’s Mrs. Stoll now,” he says, then rubs Vera’s arm up and down.

She gives a little squeak. “That’s right.”

He releases her. “Why don’t you go rest and I’ll show the deputy out?”

“Okay.” Mrs. Hayes—Stoll—replies, and shuffles away, melting into the dark hallway.

Stoll tilts his head and raises an eyebrow. “Deputy?” He indicates the door with a head nod.

I ignore his not-so-subtle hint to usher me out the door. “When was the last time you heard from Zach?”

Stoll grunts. “The day he left.”

“Where was he headed?”

“No idea.”

“What did he take with him?”

“Look. I didn’t see him go. He didn’t tell me shit. I have no idea what he snatched.”

Snatched? That’s interesting, coming from this guy. “You don’t seem worried.”

“He’s nineteen. He can fend for himself.”

“What about William?” This is going off script but I can’t help but want to rattle this guy. From investigating Terrilynn’s death, I’ve learned that Zach and William spent time in foster care. The first time was when Doc Hayes was in the hospital for an extended period and Mrs. Hayes was unable to care for them. The second time was after he passed, for similar reasons, though now I’m wondering if Stoll might be partly responsible.

Sadly, Vera Hayes—Stoll—has changed. Is she just fragile after the death of her first husband, or is Stoll abusive?

“Enough questions,” Stoll’s mouth is relaxed, but his eyes tell me a different story. He’s angry about William. Or about me being here, or both. Why?

“My wife needs her rest,” he adds.

I remove my card from my inside jacket pocket. There’s no room on the coffee table thanks to the dirty dishes and trash, so I hand it to him. “If you think of anything that could help me locate Zach, or if he calls, please let me know.”

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