Page 412 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

She had begun to realize wasn’t the most constructive thing if she wanted peace or hope for the future. It was far too easy to let her life self-destruct for a few moments of happiness. She knew that.

The most challenging part was figuring out how to do things differently next time.

Russ would tell her to go to church. If she was honest, he wasn’t often wrong. Probably she should give it a try at least. It seemed like going back to service was a good start.

As soon as she had the time to attend. Maybe Jake would go with her, or she could go with him—since he attended.

Mona glanced at Russ. “I didn’t know how to break it off. Austin was getting kind of…smothering. Spending a lot of time with his ex. I wanted to end it, so thanks for forcing me to get out.”

Russ squeezed her hand. “It’s what I’m here for.”

Addie didn’t need them to get off track. “Any idea where he is?”

“I knew you were going to do this.” Mona’s eyes flashed.

Addie figured there was no way to sugarcoat it. “I was nearly burned alive. By someone with knowledge of what happened to Jake and me. If he didn’t do anything, then he has nothing to hide with me asking a few questions.”

Russ lifted his chin. “Want some backup?”

Addie shook her head. “I need someone here to make sure nothing happens to Jake.”

And Mona, but the girl would bristle if she thought Addie was purposely “taking care of her.” Which, of course, she was, whether Mona knew it or not.

“Take backup with you.” His tone didn’t invite any argument.

Mona leaned back in her chair. “And if I don’t tell you where he is?”

“It’ll take me only slightly longer to find him.”

The teen pressed her lips together.

“Where is he?”

“Fine.” Mona blew out a breath. “He stays at that cabin sometimes.” She winced. “The one where you were held.”

Addie tried not to react, but this guy was a real winner. Mona had fallen for it. Not that Addie could blame her, since poor choices about men happened to every woman at some point in their life. Especially the women in their family.

“That’s where he is now?” Addie asked.

Mona shrugged. Nodded.

Addie pulled out her phone and opened her email. She asked Mona a few more questions and got his last name, date of birth, and phone number. She sent all of it to the two agents who’d shown up from Seattle—Kyle and Stella.

Addie pushed back her chair. “Got any to-go cups for that coffee?”

Russ stood as well. “I’ll get you one.”

They met at the front door, and Russ handed her a thermos. “Thanks.” Addie slipped on her coat.

“I was serious about that backup.”

Addie kissed his cheek. “I’ll make some calls on the way.”

He watched her drive away. Addie used her dash screen to call Hank. It rang for a while, then went to voicemail. She left him a message to call her but didn’t tell him where she was going. Maybe Hank didn’t care. He was busy looking for Celia’s father.

Both were missing, along with Celia’s mother as far as she was concerned.

“What are you doing, Hank?” Addie sighed, then called Captain McCauley.

---