Page 33 of Shrouded Past

“It was probably due to Edmon’s caution that it took so long for your kidnapper to locate you.” Rachel covered Piper’s hand. “Although he didn’t go about it the most ethical way, he was a protector for you.”

She seemed to struggle to hold her composure. “He died protecting me.”

“This isn’t your fault,” Bryce told her. “You are just a pawn in a game that only Edmon and the people who hired Skeleton Man know.”

Piper glanced up at him. “Thank you. I know it’s true, but it’s because of me that they killed Edmon.” She shook her head. “In his own confusing way, he just wanted to protect me for whatever reason.”

“You have to remember, Edmon chose to do what he did. He knew the risks. We have to assume from the things you’ve mentioned that Edmon believed your family was a danger to you.” Bryce sat down beside her. “Can you think of anything else he might have said about the situation?”

She placed her chin in her hand and considered the question. “He didn’t like to talk about it. Mostly, all he would say was he was trying to protect me from the devil . . .” She stopped suddenly. “There was something strange that happened.”

Bryce sat up straighter. “What was it?”

“Someone called.” She met his gaze. “In all the time I was there, I’d never heard his phone ring. I didn’t even realize he had one.”

“What happened?” Bryce prompted while trying not to rush her too much.

“He had been talking happily about God at the time it rang. We were discussing Psalms when the call happened, and his demeanor changed radically. He actually looked frightened. He took the call in front of me, and whatever the other person was saying only increased his fears. He said, ‘It may be time to implement phase two of the plan.’ Then he listened for a while longer, and the call ended.”

“When was this?” Bryce wondered how close it was before she’d escaped.

“About a week ago. After he hung up, he left the basement. I didn’t see him again until the next day. He was back to being his usual self then. I tried to ask him about the call but he told me not to concern myself about it.”

“That’s very strange,” JT said. “It sounds like he might have been worried something was about to take place. Will, can you ask the officers at Edmon’s place if they found a cell phone? It would be nice if we could find out who called Edmon.”

“I’ll ask. I’m going to let you go for now. Call me if you need anything.” Will signed off.

Rachel’s phone beeped an incoming text notification. She retrieved it and scanned the message. “It’s the babysitter. Ellie is getting fussy.” She told them that their youngest child wasn’t feeling well.

“You should both go home,” Piper told her. “She needs you.”

JT rose along with his wife. “We’re close if you need us. Hopefully, everything will be quiet. I’ll check in with the team and see if they’ve uncovered anything. If so, I’ll let you know. And as soon as Will has more information about Edmon, I’ll call.”

Bryce walked them to the door. “Thanks for your help.”

JT nodded then told Piper goodbye as he and his wife left.

Bryce closed the door and locked it before returning to the kitchen. It was early afternoon, but neither he nor Piper had gotten much sleep. “Why don’t you try to rest? You have to be exhausted.”

She eventually nodded. “I am. You should try as well.”

He didn’t believe sleep would be possible for him. His arm hurt like crazy but more than the physical pain, he couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out. “Maybe I’ll try in a little while.”

Once she was in her bedroom, he walked around the living room and kitchen, his mind analyzing every piece of information they had so far.

Someone had alerted Edmon to a possible threat. Why hadn’t he taken Piper and left? Perhaps the threat hadn’t been confirmed or Edmon feared the risk of taking her from the house would possibly be a problem.

It might be a wasted effort, but he Googled Edmon’s name. Nothing came up. Almost as if Edmon didn’t have any online fingerprint.

Maybe a fake name? On a whim he typed in Marina. Nothing came up. What was the connection between Edmon and Marina?

Bella rubbed against his legs, and he lifted his roommate up. “How are you holding up, girl?”

The kitten purred, unaware of the danger they faced.

“How about something to eat?” Bryce took care of the cat’s hunger and then returned to his musings. Somehow there was a connection between Marina, Edmon, and Piper. Without knowing the real names of the players, it would be impossible to piece them together.

A sound behind him had him turning. Piper came into the kitchen.

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