Don’t think of the worst, Collin. Remain positive.

The second the helicopter landed; I was on the phone. Harry was there to pick me up.

“Dr. Barnes speaking.”

“Hello, Chrissy, this is Collin. How are you?”

“I’m fine. Is Kara all right?”

I sighed. “Actually, she’s missing.”

“What?” she gasped.

“Yes, I need Eric’s phone number and address. Harry and I believe Peter kidnapped Kara and possibly her father.”

“That fucking asshole. I want to kill him. One second, I’ll text you the information.”

I waited for the info to appear on my cell.

“Collin, is there anything I can do?”

“Yes, can you and Michelle ask shop owners when they last saw Mr. Riley? And if they’ve seen Peter.”

“Absolutely, I’ll talk to the sheriff first.”

“I’ll contact the sheriff. Don’t worry about that. Talking to the folks in town would be a big help.”

“Not a problem. Keep me posted.”

“Will do.”

I ended the call.

Didn’t need to involve the sheriff at this time. I planned to kill the bastard for kidnapping my pregnant wife.

**P**

Eric, Harry, and I trekked toward the mountains that were two hours away from where Mr. Riley lived.

“Eric, was this a place Peter frequented?”

“Not to my knowledge. When we were kids, Kara, Peter, and I hung out in the caves up here. Our parents weren’t aware we hung out in the caves. Peter wouldn’t hurt Kara.”

“Eric, I don’t think he would either, but he might harm her dad.”

He gawked through his binoculars. “We should reach the caves in an hour. Time isn’t on our side. It’ll be dark around four thirty.”

I sighed, gripping my backpack straps, I kicked the snow.

Something orange caught my eye.

I picked up the snack food. “These are Kara’s favorites.” I walked further uncovering more cheez-its.

A smile curled my lips. “My baby’s trying to send us a message.”

Harry and Eric smiled.

Eric smacked my shoulder. “She’s a smart woman.”