Page 107 of Love Me Fierce

“Did you see the driver?”

“No.”

I quiz her some more, nailing the timing and the length of time the maroon Taurus spent in The Meadows. Beverly didn’t see the driver or a passenger. Didn’t see the driver or anyone else leaving the vehicle. Didn’t see anyone entering or leaving Vivian’s trailer. The only link I have is the car.

There has to be more to this, but it’s like grasping at thin air.

What am I overlooking?

An idea is forming, but it’s so bizarre, such a mind fuck…

“Thank you,” I tell Beverly, forcing my attention back to her living room. “You’ve been very helpful.”

“Of course,” she says.

I stand and Beverly follows my lead.

“Do you know if Vivian and Matty will be moving back soon?” she asks me at the door, a hopeful edge to her voice.

“I don’t, sorry.” And if I did, it’s not my information to share, not even with a kind neighbor.

Her eyes fill with a soft warmth. “I would love to see Mateo’s tornado chaser costume for Halloween.”

Tornado chaser, huh? “Thank you again,” I say.

She closes the door behind me. I hurry through the rain to my truck, but once I’m inside, with the rain pounding on the roof only seems to make the questions in my mind spin faster.

Shawna has so far denied entering Vivian’s trailer. Is she telling the truth?

Who is Jordy Clarke?

He hasn’t returned to his job in Idaho Falls. He’s an ex-con who steals and has no problem using violence when necessary. The biggest problem right now is that I don’t know where he is.

Unease ripples through my gut.

I slip out my phone. Vivian hasn’t texted me yet. She should have made it to Ruby Gulch already. Cell service at the cabin is spotty, and she might have decided to put Mateo to bed before texting me, but when she doesn’t pick up, the anxious ache in my gut only strengthens.

I hang up and call Mom.

“Everett?” Her voice is tense with worry.

“What’s wrong?”

“Vivian said she was on her way, but that was almost a half hour ago.”

Icy needles walk down my spine. “I just tried calling her. She didn’t pick up.”

“With this rain?—”

“I’ll drive your way, just to make sure,” I say, failing to keep the edge from my voice. Vivian’s probably just driving slower, or she stopped and forgot to let Mom know.

It’snotwhat I fear.

“That’s a good idea,” Mom says.

“We’ll see you soon,” I say with confidence I don’t feel. I end the call and dial Zach while starting my engine and pulling a U-turn.

“Hey,” he says as I accelerate onto the wet highway. “I’m still running down Shawna’s story. I think?—”

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