Page 79 of Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage 2)

THIRTY-THREE

The thunderous sound of logs bouncing down the mountain still echoed in her head, even though yesterday was behind her. Other than that, Mom’s house was quiet this morning as Erin sat at her desk in the makeshift office and stared at her computer. If there had been any doubt before that she and Nathan had been targeted, the logs tumbling down the hill and the shooter standing in the road with his sick smile removed it. She and Nathan had given their statements about the logging truck incident after an already exhausting night that included practically fleeing from Boston.

Mom was already struggling, and Erin had brought danger into their lives. And in the middle of yesterday’s chaos, she’d missed the Seattle detective’s call. She’d left a voice mail in response, though, explaining that she would need to reschedule the conversation. She felt bruised inside and out.

At least Nathan had seen to security so she didn’t have to be concerned. He’d made sure a deputy was on duty twenty-four seven to watch Mom’s house. If Erin went somewhere, the deputy would go too.

As for Mom, she’d started back at her volunteer job today, so Erin had seen her off this morning to work at the Main Street Thrift Shop. Already Mom’s spirits seemed lifted. Erin hadn’t shared with her the full nature of the events in Boston or their drive home from Bozeman. Keeping that to herself was for the best. The extra security was a simple measure provided because Nathan’s father had been targeted, she’d told Mom, who hadn’t asked for further explanation.

Erin needed to take a few steps back from Nathan’s covert investigation—though it sounded like he would be working with the sheriff and detective, after all. Time would tell if that was a mistake. As for her part, she couldn’t look at the crime board again until she cleared her mind.

In the meantime, she could focus on completing her podcast, especially since she was growing an unintended audience—Carissa, Nathan, and now Detective Munson from Seattle, who let her know he was anxiously awaiting the next episode. Closing her eyes, she tried to quiet her thoughts and think about what came next. Except her mind still churned too much information, and every small sound, every noise, set her on edge. She understood that she could be suffering from PTSD after a week’s worth of terrors.

Erin rubbed her eyes. This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t real life—or at least any life she’d ever known.

Lord, what is going on? Please, please just give me peace. Help me to rest in you, despite everything that’s happened.

And her continual heart’s cry resounded . . . I need answers.

Blowing out a breath, she focused on creating episode4. She had to get the story out for her own peace of mind, and for the old fans and new ones who were waiting for the next episode. No matter what else happened, she needed to consistently build her fan base—growing it could help solve crimes. Maybe she could even build this into a sustainable income instead of going back to work writing forensic evaluations.

She read through the script she’d written for the next episode. After opening up the software, she put on her headphones and took a deep breath.

Welcome to Missing Children: Deadly Rabbit Trails, Episode 4

Erin recapped the previous podcast, then moved on to the new material.

With her mother’s permission, Erica shared her story with the police. She and Missy had gone outside after playing in her bedroom and discovered her rabbit—Mr. Bojangles—was missing. They searched the yard for him, then decided he must have somehow found a way through the chain-link fence and escaped into the woods. Erica and Missy loved Mr. Bojangles and were worried a predator would get him. Though they had each been instructed not to go off into the woods alone, or at least without permission, they didn’t want to waste time asking for it.

They ran around the front to go through the gate, then made their way into the darkening woods. Erica had snagged a carrot from the refrigerator to coax Mr. Bojangles close enough so that she could grab him. Before long, though, she and Missy had gotten lost, and the woods were dark. Erica was scared.

The police report said she told them what happened through tears. Officer Farley hated pressuring the child, but she didn’t want to waste time. Any information Erica shared could help save Missy. Erica continued with her story, stating that a man emerged from the darkness, from behind a tree. Erica and Missy both backed away from him, instinctively knowing he was a bad man. Erica told police, “He scared us when he looked at us and smiled.” Erica then sobbed into her hands. Her mother, Mrs. Weeks, insisted the police had enough information, but they countered that they must hear the entire story in order to help find Missy. Erica continued and explained how the man lunged for Missy, but they escaped and ran as fast as they could. Erica held Missy’s hand and wouldn’t let go. “I wouldn’t let the man take Missy,” she said.

According to the report, Erica then sobbed, barely able to get the rest out. “I was wrong,” she said. Erica stumbled and fell, and the man grabbed Missy, then disappeared into the darkness. Erica scrambled to her feet and called out to her friend. But Missy and the man were gone.

The last few days weighed heavy on Erin, but she powered through even as her voice shook.

Your assignment is to think back to that night when the bridge collapsed and a little girl was abducted. Taken in the night. Talk to friends and family. If you remember anything out of the ordinary, no matter how small, or if you think you saw Missy Gardner, please call the Wisconsin FBI field office or your local police.

Erin gave those numbers, added the appropriate advertisements, then ended the podcast. She didn’t want to revisit this episode, so she published the recording. Then she blew out a breath and hung her head, truly spent for the day—maybe even the week—but she still had more left to do today. At least she’d finally gotten most of the podcast out to help find Missy Gardner, and her efforts had utterly drained her.

She needed to pull herself together for Mom, who would return in a few hours. And Nathan, who would stop by this afternoon. He had questions for her about Seattle and wanted to know the truth, but after yesterday’s events on the highway, maybe he had forgotten. In the meantime, she needed to shower and change out of her T-shirt and sweats.

After getting ready, she took one last look in the mirror and dabbed on concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes.

Her cell rang, startling her. She glanced at the number.

Detective Munson. She didn’t have the emotional stamina to speak to him at the moment, but if she didn’t get this over with, he would just keep calling.

Erin headed down the hall to her office as she answered the cell. “Yes.”

“Dr. Larson. This is—”

“Hello, Detective. I know I missed our agreed-upon time yesterday. I was in an accident.” She eased into the chair at her desk.

“I’m sorry to hear that. Are you okay?”

No. “Yes. I’m alive.” She waited for a breath, then asked, “Have you learned anything more?”

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