Page 37 of Rectify

“Wasn’t it?” It sure felt like it was.

The front passenger door swung open and a large man climbed in.

Aedan sat forward, pushing Natalya behind him in an attempt to shield her. The person turned, and Aedan’s heart started beating again.

“Bloody hell, Stanton!” he growled. “What do you think you’re doing?”

A disapproving frown scrunched up Stanton’s forehead as he glared at them from the front seat. “What are the two of you doing?”

“Waiting for news on Mateo,” Natalya replied incredulously.

“What do you think we’re doing?” Aedan asked. Did he go out of his way to be oblivious?

“Tanner should never have let you come here. Do you want to draw attention to yourselves?” Stanton asked.

“What do you mean?” Aedan had no idea what he was talking about. How were they drawing any attention?

“The cops are going to start wondering who you are. A child is spotted falling into the lake. No one has come forward to claim him. But, oh wait, there’s a woman sitting in a car over there, looking traumatized. Hmm, wonder if that’s a coincidence?” he pondered sarcastically.

“Well, maybe we should be talking to the police,” Natalya said.

“Do you want the Fuerte Cartel coming after you?” Stanton snapped. “The only reason you’re alive is because you haven’t blabbed, Natalya. Don’t you think the cops will have plenty of questions regarding Diego and his activities? You’d be a gold mine for them and a liability for the cartel. I’m shocked the cartel hasn’t come after you already. If I were them, I’d have killed you a long time ago.”

“Cheerful thought.” Aedan glared at the other man while tightening his hold on Natalya.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to harm her.

“While you’re here, you might as well make yourself useful. I’ve got Miguel and Eion searching close by for any dark vans or anyone suspicious. You two head over to the RV campground and check around. But do it discreetly, got it?”

“But what if they find Mateo? I need to be here.” Natalya turned to stare up at him worriedly. Aedan gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“They’re not going to find your kid.”

Aedan frowned. “How do you know that?”

“Because that woman was lying. She didn’t see anything.”

“Why would she lie?” Natalya asked. “How can you be so sure?”

“She lied because she was paid to lie. I tried to find her, but she seems to have disappeared. A few days ago, she started to splash the cash around. Folks around here are puzzled about where the money came from. My best bet is the kidnappers had her set up as a diversion before they even took Mateo. She’s pulled everyone’s attention to searching the lake and away from them.”

What kind of person would do that?

But at least it meant Mateo hadn’t drowned.

“Aedan, move into the front seat and drive us away unhurriedly. You can drop me off when we’re out of sight. We do not want to draw any attention to ourselves.”

Aedan climbed out of the car and slipped into the driver’s seat.

“You really don’t think she saw Mateo?” Natalya asked, hope in her voice.

“No, I don’t believe so. There’s something else, though.”

“What?” Aedan peered into the rearview mirror. But it was too dark now to make out Natalya’s expression.

“Your cousin María has disappeared as well.”

Natalya gasped and sat forward. “Do you think she’s okay? You don’t think she’s been taken as well?”

---