Page 48 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

Clara held up a hand. “Stop. I know he’s your son and that means you see him in a way I never will—never have. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about your feelings toward the monster you helped create. Right now, all I care about are my children.”

“I don’t know where they are,” Hope whimpered. “I would tell you if I did. I promise.”

“What about last night? Do you know where Mitch stayed? Where he was hiding?” Heath asked.

She dropped her gaze to the well-polished wood floor. “He was here.”

“What?” Clara yelled then winced, her fingers flying up to rub at her temples. “How could you lie to the deputies?”

“He’s my son. I don’t want to see him in a jail cell. I thought if a little bit of time passed, things would calm down. You guys could figure all this out and everything would go back to normal. I didn’t think it would hurt anything if he crashed in the garage for a night or two.”

It took every ounce of self-control he possessed not to react to Hope’s admission. Instead, he grabbed his phone. “Give me a second.”

He didn’t wait for Hope’s reaction or permission and sidestepped into the formal living room to call Owen.

He answered on the third ring. “Hey. I’m just finishing up with Fred Parson. Can I call you back?”

“Did he tell you anything you didn’t already know?”

“Nope. He’s sticking to his story. Doesn’t know where Mitch is and hasn’t heard from him.”

“Keep pushing. Hope just confirmed Mitch stayed in their garage last night.”

“Excuse me?” Owen asked, temper clear in the clipped words. “I’ll try and get Fred to admit to this without letting him know you spoke with Hope. Are you still with her?”

“Yeah. She’s a nervous wreck.”

Owen snorted. “No surprise there. See if she’ll let you in the garage. Maybe Mitch left something behind that will help us find him now.”

“I’ll see what I can do.” He disconnected the call and met the women back in the foyer.

“Are you sure there’s nothing else you can tell us?” Clara asked. “Did he mention any friends or places he wanted to visit? Does he have money with him that would allow him to leave town? I know you love the kids, and you know the best place for them is with me.”

Hope firmed her mouth into a tight line. “They need their father, too.”

“But not like this,” Heath said. “Not while their dad is running from the law. What kind of a life is that for them? He can’t give them what they need right now. If you help us, maybe it will create a path forward for you to have a better relationship with them. Hell, it could even create a better situation for Mitch and the kids. But first, we have to find them.”

“I don’t know where they are,” Hope repeated, throwing her arms in the air. “He left this morning and hasn’t been back. He didn’t tell me where he was going or what he planned to do. Why would he? He’s never told me anything. If I knew where my grandbabies were, I would tell you. I swear.”

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Clara leaned against the wall and swallowed hard. “This is a waste of time. We need to think of something else.”

“Hope, maybe there is something you can do to help. You can let us see the garage. Maybe Mitch left something behind we can use. We won’t be long, and we won’t disturb anything. Just let me take a look.”

Indecision bounced Hope’s gaze between the two of them before she turned on her heels and walked down the hall. “Come with me. You have five minutes then you have to go. If Fred finds out you’re here, he’ll kill me.”

18

The pungent scent of oil and dirt assaulted Clara’s senses, making her dizzy. The garage door remained closed, blocking out all the natural light. A four-wheeler and dirt bike were parked in the middle of the room on the concrete floor. Old tools sat on top of a long work bench stretched along the back wall, and an unmade cot took up the corner closest to the house.

She hesitated, reaching for the cool cinder block wall for stability. Mitch had been right there all night. If Hope and Fred had been honest when they’d had the chance, he’d be in jail right now. Not gone with their children, leaving her with bruises and a broken heart.

Concern wrinkled Heath’s brow. “Are you okay? Do you need to sit?”

She wished she could take a minute to do just that. To sit, to lay down, to scream out her frustration and pain. But none of that would do a lick of good. As long as her two legs would carry her, she’d stay upright.

“I’m fine,” she said, forcing a small smile. “Let’s get this over with.”

She hated being here. In this house, in this place. When she’d first started dating Mitch, they’d spent a lot of time at his parents’ house. At the time, she’d thought it sweet he wanted to have family dinners and movie nights with his mom and dad.

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