Page 47 of Blackwood

“I’ll be sure and tell the missus you said that.” Gene winked and lifted the back gate of the trailer into place.

The rumble of an engine filtered through the trees. I glanced to Garrett, but his eyes searched the expanse of woods around the driveway.

“Something else?” I followed his stare.

“Not that I know of.”

“Well, I’ll be off then.” Gene tipped his hat at me. “Keys are there, and if you have any issues, you know where to find me.” Gene shook Garrett’s hand and gave me a smile before climbing into the truck.

He cranked the engine and pulled to the back of the house to turn around. The source of the other engine noise appeared on the driveway—a muddy SUV emblazoned with the sheriff’s logo.

“Whoa.” I stood and watched as my car approached behind the SUV. It looked none the worse for wear. How did he find it?

“What is it?” Garrett kicked the tires on the other ATV.

“They found my car.”

Sheriff Crow pulled into the grass as Gene passed and waved. A deputy parked my car behind the SUV and got out. I hurried over, ignoring the chill that started to set in despite the bright sun.

“Where did you find it?” I leaned inside and put my knee on the driver’s seat. Everything seemed untouched. Popping open the glove compartment, I found my gun just where it should have been.

“It was on a logging road, the L-8.” The red-headed deputy, who couldn’t have been older than I was, watched as I looked around.

Not possible. “That’s where I left it. When I went back, it wasn’t there.”

“We rode up on it this morning, found a spare key under the floor mat, and cranked it right up.” The redhead smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Deputy Fields, by the way.”

I shook his hand but stared at my car. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too. I’ve heard a lot about you from Bonnie and the sheriff. I’ve been looking forward to making your acquaintance.”

“Thanks.”

“Little Rory Fields.” Garrett walked to the passenger side and leaned over the roof of the car. “Last time I saw you, you had a mouthful of braces and a real body odor problem.”

Rory narrowed his eyes. “That was a long time ago.”

“Yeah, I see the braces are gone.” Garrett sniffed the air. “Not so sure about that other issue.”

I glared at Garrett, who gave me a shit-eating grin and shrugged. “What? It’s all true.”

“Mr. Blackwood, I don’t apprecia—”

Sheriff Crow put a hand on Rory’s shoulder and pointed his hat at me. “I told you we’d find it.”

Rory bit back whatever tirade he was about to start.

Garrett opened the passenger side door. “Anything stolen?”

“No, it’s all here. But I don’t understand how.” I shook my head, trying to figure out what the hell it meant. “You found it on the L-8?”

“Yeah.” Sheriff Crow patted the hood. “About seven miles off the highway, just like you said.”

“But it wasn’t there.” I stared at the car, wondering if I was losing my mind.

Rory hitched a thumb into his belt right next to his gun. “Maybe when you walked out of the woods, you were disoriented about what part of the road you were on?”

I wanted to tell him that wasn’t possible. My compass and my memory were just fine. But then again, if they found it on the road, maybe I’d missed it somehow?

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