Page 13 of Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage 2)

FIVE

Missing Children: Deadly Rabbit Trails, Episode 2

When police finally arrive at the home, they find the woman, Angela Gardner, with her mother, Shelley Woodley, the abducted child’s grandmother. They learn that neighbors, family, and friends are already searching the woods for the missing child who is lost in the dark. Officer Felisha Farley later reported that she remained hopeful and tried to encourage the recently divorced Mrs. Gardner that her daughter would soon be found, but that she’d spoken too soon when Mrs. Gardner shouted at her that a man had taken Missy.

Officer Farley needs to confirm that an abduction has taken place before she can issue an Amber Alert, which are mostly reserved for “stranger” abductions, and Farley has questions regarding Missy’s father. She radioes for additional law enforcement to be dispatched to Cliff Gardner’s home. While further questioning Mrs. Gardner, Officer Farley learns that the missing child, nine-year-old Missy Gardner, hadn’t been alone when she went into the woods. Missy had gone to the woods with her best friend and neighbor, Erica Weeks, who allegedly could confirm the abduction. Officer Farley radios for one of the officers who is searching in the woods to return and remain with Mrs. Gardner so that Farley can go next door to take statements and question Erica and her mom.

In the next episode, we’ll listen to the 911 call, and let me warn you, it will give you chills. Your assignment? For those who lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin, or the surrounding region in 1998, think back to the night the bridge went out. Talk to family members and show them Missy’s picture. If you have any information on this missing person, please call the Wisconsin FBI field office or the local Kenosha police.

Erin wrapped up the podcast episode and shot out the door for a desperately needed run. Her escape from the reminders of the evil in this world. The podcast gave her purpose, but it drained her in a thousand ways. In lieu of kayaking, she’d taken up jogging. Twenty minutes in, sweat dripped down her back and gathered at her temples as she pushed herself along the sidewalk near the city park. The last couple days here in Big Rapids had left her more scattered than she wanted to admit.

The fresh air and exertion would clear her head. She hadn’t had a chance to breathe, much less think clearly, since her carefully planned life had imploded.

She could probably say goodbye to that promotion she’d been hoping for, if she even had a job to return to. She had to face the facts—she might not ever go back to Seattle. Once Erin was certain her mother was well and truly mentally healthy, she would try once more to convince Mom to move out to Washington. After all, there weren’t nearly as many job opportunities for her line of work here in Nowhere, Montana.

Her cell buzzed, and under normal circumstances she would ignore it, but since this could be Nadine or Mom, who were having coffee together when she left, she needed to check. Erin slowed her jog and glanced at her cell—it was the Seattle Police Department detective she’d spoken with before leaving Montana. But she’d missed the call and it had gone to voice mail. She would listen after her run and continued on.

But it buzzed again. Terra. Erin jogged in place and answered. “Hey, what’s up?”

She hoped her friend had news for her.

“What’s with the breathing? Is something wrong?”

“Calm down. I’m on a run.”

“Oh, phew. Okay, well, I called to let you know that Jack learned Nathan’s father is still unconscious. He made it out of another surgery to relieve some hemorrhaging, but he remains unconscious as his brain heals.”

Erin stopped running in place and bent over her thighs to catch her breath. Heartfelt pain engulfed her. “I’m so sorry. That’s ... just awful. I’m glad he’s alive, but still...”

“Yeah.”

“Have they found the shooter yet?”

“Not that I’ve heard.”

“Thanks for letting me know.” Erin had informed Terra of what happened last night at the hospital, and that she didn’t feel comfortable returning today. Besides, she was more or less anchored to the house. She needed to think about Mom right now.

Terra remained quiet.

“Are you still there?” Erin asked.

“Yes. Just making a turn on a bumpy road here. Before I lose my signal, let me get to the main reason I called. Nathan isn’t at the hospital, even if you changed your mind and decided to make the drive over there.”

“Thanks for the intel. I won’t be changing my mind.” Erin straightened and tried to decide if she should resume her jog or if she was done. “Anything else?”

“Yes.”

She thought so.

“Jack is worried about Nathan. Says he’s in a bad way.”

“Who wouldn’t be?”

“Jack can’t find him. He’s not answering his cell.”

Smart man. “He probably needs time alone to think.”

“Maybe, but it’s been a few hours.”

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