Page 45 of Seeking Evil

“Such an awful thing,” Inez muttered. “I hope you find those girls.”

Zeke couldn’t get words out. He nodded, and the three returned to their Tahoe. Cooper parked close to their adjoining cabins.

“Get some sleep, buddy. We need you sharp.” Cooper unlocked his and Hannah’s room.

Zeke waited until the two were inside before entering his cabin. He tossed his bag on the bed and took in the rustic setting. It was furnished simply with just a log-framed bed and nightstands.

As much as he wished he could fall into bed and sleep for hours, the case wouldn’t let him go. More importantly, his and Sierra’s relationship and the mistakes he’d made kept spiraling through his mind.

He stepped outside, intent to take a walk to hopefully release his pent-up energy. As he passed the office, he noticed Inez inside and went in.

“Well, hello there.” She skimmed his expression, her smile fading. “Can’t sleep?”

No need in denying it. “No. Too much going on up here.” He pointed to his head.

“I just put on some coffee. Come back through.” She started away without waiting for him to agree.

Zeke swiped his hand across his neck and followed. “Where’s your husband?” The scent of fresh-brewed coffee was inviting.

“He’s out on a run. The job keeps him busy. He’s gone a lot.”

This grabbed Zeke’s attention right away. Being a truck driver would supply the prefect alibi to his wife for being gone and cover up any nefarious activity such as kidnapping. Zeke made himself a mental note to ask Patrick about Inez’s husband.

“Here you go, young man.”

Young man?Zeke almost laughed at her description.

“Have a seat. Want a cookie?”

Zeke accepted the chocolate chip cookie she offered him and took a bite. “This is good.”

“Why, thank you. My mother’s recipe.”

He glanced around at the crowded sitting room. “Do you and Terrance live here at the cabins?” A door past the room had him wondering if this might be Inez’s private quarters.

“Mostly. I do have a house outside of town, but we like it here.” She looked around. “We like being close to our guests in case they need anything.”

Zeke finished off the cookie. “How long have you and Terrance been married?”

Inez offered him a second, but he declined. “Almost twenty-five years. We met here at the cabins believe it or not?”

“Really?” Zeke arched a brow, and she laughed.

“Yes. He was traveling through the area and stopped in for the night. We got to talking. He ended up staying for a week. Before you know it, we were married.”

He digested what she said. Terrance obviously traveled through the area a lot around the time of the first disappearances. Once more his thoughts turned to Sierra. “Did you get to talk to Sierra much?”

Her eyes locked onto his, sympathy softening the lines around her mouth. “I did. She’s a sweet girl. I suspect she was struggling with something, though.”

Him. She was struggling with what to do with him.

“Was that you?” Inez had guessed the truth.

He inclined his head. “That obvious?”

“A little,” she said gently. “I sensed she was way ahead of you in the relationship.”

Inez had succinctly nailed it.

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