Page 18 of Shrouded Past

“Who does it belong to?” Bryce prayed this would lead to something useful.

“A man by the name of Amos Larada from Bridgewood, Michigan. He reported his green Toyota Corolla missing two days ago.”

The car was stolen, as Bryce had feared. Stolen meant the owner probably wasn’t part of the kidnapping. Had Piper been taken from Michigan, or was that just another crime committed by her kidnapper? Why come to Hope Island . . . unless her family lived here? If so, they might have more of a problem than finding the kidnapper, especially if what Protector said were true.

“Amos is eighty-seven and doesn’t drive all that much. The car could have been missing for several days, maybe even a week,” Eric was saying.

“I don’t suppose Amos has security cameras?” It was a longshot that was quickly confirmed by Eric.

“Nope. He lives in the country several miles from any other houses. He’d make the perfect victim of a stolen car.” Eric blew out a breath. “What’s this about, Bryce?”

Bryce couldn’t betray Piper’s confidence. “The car was parked down the road from me. Had me curious. It’s gone now, so I’m assuming whoever took it has long left the area.”

Silence followed where Bryce could almost imagine Eric’s surprise. “You need me to put out a BOLO on it?”

Bryce believed the car was probably hidden someplace where it would never be found, maybe even at the bottom of the ocean. “Thanks, but it really doesn’t matter now. I appreciate you checking for me.”

“Anytime, man,” Eric assured him. “You’re my brother.” Another pause. “You’d tell me if you were in trouble wouldn’t you, Bryce?”

Bryce closed his eyes. He hated keeping secrets from Eric but this wasn’t his story to tell. “I promise I’m not in trouble.” Well, not exactly the truth but he wanted to ease Eric’s mind. And he couldn’t afford to have him prying too deeply right now.

“Alright.” The single word was filled with a wealth of doubt. “I’ll call you in a few days.”

“Thanks, Eric.” The call ended, and he stuffed the phone back into his pocket and searched around the small downtown area.Where are you?He sensed that the kidnapper wouldn’t leave the island without Piper.But why come here? Why this island?

Was her family here?

If what he suspected were true then there could be more people coming for Piper, and anyone who stood in the way would be collateral damage.

???

“I went through something similar.”Rachel Wyatt reached across the table and covered Piper’s hand. “I was being stalked by a killer, and I couldn’t remember anything about my past.”

Piper jerked her head back. Rachel had been a victim? She seemed so together Piper would never have imagined.

“Thanks to JT and the rest of the Hope Island Securities team, I was able to find out who I really was and get my life back.” Tears shone in the depths of her eyes as she turned to her husband. “You can trust us, and you can trust Will.”

Bryce returned, and she sensed he had news.

He slid into the seat beside her and faced her. “Don’t be mad, but I had my brother-in-law run the plate on the car.”

Brother-in-law? Was Bryce married? Or had been. There was no wedding ring and he lived alone. Perhaps he was divorced. “Who was it registered to?”

“The man’s name is Amos Larada from Tramble, Michigan. He’s eighty-seven. He isn’t the kidnapper.”

Her hope deflated. “So, we still don't know who he is.”

He shook his head. “But there might be some evidence on your clothes that can help us.”

He wanted to test her clothes. It was on the tip of her tongue to say yes, but what if it identified who she really was? What if she was a monster like the family Protector claimed she belonged to?

“Whatever we find out . . . we’ll go through it together,” Bryce assured her.

“Why? Why are you doing all this for me? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate it. But you aren’t obligated to do this. Don’t you have a job to report to?”

“It just so happens I’m between jobs right now. And I know I’m not obligated. Iwantto help you.”

She slowly nodded. “Alright.”

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