Page 9 of Truck Stop Titan

I reached for the door handle. Yanked it open, then slammed it shut. “The guy I found them with, Wilson Kyle, he’s dead, too. Real piece of work, that one, and it was a pleasure doin’ that sick fucker in.”

“You took care of him?”

“And then some.”

“Good.” He nodded, looking over his shoulder at the house, then meeting me with a hard glare.

The fucker had something to say.

His hesitation gave me time to blow him off. “Listen. I gotta go.” I reached for the door again.

Tucker slammed a palm against the window. “Not yet. You and me got some things to discuss.”

Moriah

“DISCUSSION OVER.” I STEADIEDmy voice, considering my surroundings. “I can’t make the dinner tonight. I’m sorry, but I don’t know how many more visits I have left with her.” I bit my lip, fighting the swelling tears.

“Everybody is bringing their significant others, Moe. How do you think that makes me look every time you bow out?”

“Matthew,” I warned. “We’ll talk when I get home.” I ended the call, lacking the energy required to argue with that man.

Three deep breaths, composure gathered, I entered her room. “Mom.” I pressed my lips to her forehead, eyes closed, inhaling her scent.

“Baby,” came her weak reply, head tilting up in greeting.

“How you doing today?” I asked, tucking the blankets tighter around her frail, weathered frame.

“Mmm,” was all she managed.

I scooted the rocker closer to her bed and settled in. “I broughtThe Silent Girlstoday. I think you’re gonna like this one.”

Mom loved her horror novels.

I read. Mom drifted in and out of sleep. The nurse came and went. I sat until the sun made its descent, then kissed my mother goodnight. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Baby,” she whispered, voice strained, lips sallow.

“Yeah, Mom?”

“I’m sorry about your sister.”

“Oh, Mama.” My chest caved. “It’s not your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

“I couldn’t find her for you.”

God, my heart. I gripped her hand in mine and brought it to my chest. “I’m sorry I couldn’t find her foryou, Mom.”

“She’s a good girl, just like you. She just fell in with the wrong man.”

Ha, the wrong man. I refrained from laughing. Bless my mother’s well-meaning heart. Thatmanhad led my sister straight to hell. Thatmanhad convinced her twice to leave rehab because he was lonely. Thatmanstole her identity. Her soul. Bled her dry, then disappeared, dragging her deeper into the bowels of hell. Thatmanwasn’t a man at all, but a monster.

I hadn’t seen my sister in over seven years.

“I won’t stop looking for her.” I raised mom’s knuckles to my mouth for a kiss. “I promise.”

“It’s time to stop. You have to live your life. For you. Promise me. No more looking. No more worrying.”

Her eyes fell closed in exhaustion, her chest rising and falling in rapid bursts. I was tired, too. But I would never stop looking for my sister. How could I?

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