Page 71 of Wasted Memories
Easton answered. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Are you with Emerson?” My words were rushed, too many possible scenarios swimming around in my head.
“I’m on duty.”
“Where at?”
“Right now, I’m blocking off main street from the flood of rain the gutters can’t keep up with.”
“Can you check the Tavern, see if her car is there?”
“The restaurant? Yeah.” I heard him set the phone down to put his patrol car in drive. I tapped my pen against the side of the laptop, needing to move in some capacity to attempt to keep my patience in check.
It felt like forever until he spoke again. “Her car is sitting in the parking lot at the side of the place.” I heard his door open, then close, the sound of rain filling the silence of the call. A few beats later, he spoke again. “She’s not in there and it looks like the place is empty. Everyone went home for the night.”
I dropped the pen, grabbing the paper and folding it in half to slip it into my pocket. “She’s not home, Easton.”
His car door opened and closed again, the sound of pouring rain silencing. “Take a deep breath, Wes. I know you’re nervous because of everything that’s happened, but we’ll find her.”
“Stella has her phone’s location; she said the phone was heading up Merritt Peak.”
“That wouldn’t make any sense in a storm like this.”
“I know. That’s why I’m fucking worried.” I ran my hands through my hair again, my eyes roaming the kitchen countertops to double check I hadn’t missed a note from her or something.
I heard him tapping something into the computer in his car. “I’ll send some deputies that way, see if they spot her. You stay at home, Wesley. I mean it. It’s not safe to go out there with the roads like this.”
“You know I can’t just sit here. If Jett did anything..” I trailed off.
“Then we’ll find her, Wesley. I’ll call you if I hear anything.”
I hung up the phone, fighting the urge to throw it across the room. My hands were shaking, the fear of the unknown taking over my thoughts. I had no idea where she was, why she wasn’t answering her phone, or who was with her.
My mind jumped back to how Jett was acting this afternoon, almost like he was hiding something. I should have trusted my gut instincts and known something was going on.
My phone ringing pulled me out of my thoughts. I picked it up, hoping it was Emerson. Instead, it was an unknown number.
I answered, holding the phone up to my ear. “Hello?”
There was a long pause, then a deep, raspy voice spoke. “Meet us at the cabin off the highway pass up Merritt Peak.” I pulled the paper out of my pocket, writing down the address he gave me. I didn’t have to ask to know whoever it was had Emerson with them.
“Let me talk to her.”
He laughed, the sound grating my bones. “She’s not in a position to talk right now.”
I tensed, gripping the pen so hard that it snapped. “If you lay one finger on her-”
“I don’t think you’re in a position to make threats right now, boy. Come alone. I’ll know if you bring anyone.”
The call ended.
Without hesitating, I called Easton back.
“Don’t send the deputies,” I said as soon as he answered.
“What? Why?” I could hear his blinker through the phone, his windshield wipers swiping back and forth in a fast rhythm.
I explained the anonymous phone call, making sure not to leave out any details. “He gave me an address that he wants me to meet them at.”
