Page 92 of Tangled Up

BECK

“Doug just called from the toll plaza.” Kevin bursts through the glass doors, making the little bell ring wildly. “A brunette in a beige Honda Civic just blew through the gates without paying or even slowing down.”

Henry’s on his feet at once. “Was she alone?”

We all crowd around the young officer—Jessica, Aunt Viv, Libby, even Mr. Callahan. It’s been more than twelve hours since Carly disappeared, and we’re all feeling desperate. I’m ready to crawl out of my skin.

We’ve combed every inch of this island. We’ve traced up and down the hill between the strip mall and the ocean. We’ve gone door to door with Carly’s photo. We scoured every dune, every patch of sea grass, every open space and abandoned lot.

I walked all the way from the very end of Eden to the end of Pleasure Island asking everybody I passed if they’d seen two young women walking along the shore.

Of course, everyone had seen young women out at the beach. None of them recognized Carly’s picture. Kevin set up shop at the toll bridge, checking every car leaving. It’s pretty dead mid-week, but none of them turned up any leads.

He’d just gotten permission to start searching hotel guest lists for single young women or young women who recently checked in alone.

Now this.

The bridge is the only way off the island, and the keys to my Rover are in my hand.

It’s possible Alize Willis could have driven out of here before any of us even knew what happened, but I have a feeling that was her.

“He didn’t see anyone with the driver in the car, but that doesn’t mean she was alone,” Kevin continues. “Carly could have been lying down in the backseat or in the trunk.”

“Did he get the tags?” Henry urges. “Did the cameras get it?”

“There are cameras, but they’re pretty old. The best we can hope for is the tag number.”

The thought of my girl tied up in a trunk makes me physically ill. “I’m going after her. Henry, send me anything you get.”

“Hell, no, I’m coming with you.” My friend is right on my heels. “Jessica, man the radio.”

“Hang on.” Kevin’s steps forward. “State troopers have been notified. We should take the cruiser to avoid getting stopped.”

“Do you think that’s a good idea?” I argue. “If it was her, she might do something reckless at the sight of a cop car.”

He only hesitates a moment. “If we get pulled over, it’ll cost us valuable time.”

Passing a hand over my mouth, I think about this. He’s right, but I still feel like the element of surprise is safer for Carly.

“This girl’s a wildcard. Would it be possible to notify the troopers what we’re doing and give a description of my Rover and my tag number?”

“Hell, we can try. At least I’ll be with you.”

“Let’s go,” Henry says.

Ten minutes later we’re flying northwest on the Interstate, and I’m praying she didn’t decide to take an alternate route to Pensacola—if that is where she’s going. It’s our best guess.

Silence fills the cab. Kevin’s in constant communication with his chief, and Henry’s staring out into the darkness, studying every car we pass. I glance at him in the rearview mirror, and I’m pretty sure he’s praying as well.

Tension burns in my throat. All I can see are Carly’s eyes, her pretty smile, that little pinpoint dimple I love to kiss. My fist tightens on the steering wheel, and I press the accelerator harder.

Kevin exhales heavily, pushing back in his seat. “It’s as much as we can do for now. I’ve let everyone know, an APB has been issued, troopers are watching for her.”

Glancing over at him, I think about Carly’s life in Pensacola. She’d been there seven years, and I’m sure she has friends, contacts. I know she’s established a professional reputation. It’s a world of factors I hadn’t taken into consideration when I impulsively left for Tampa to get an engagement ring. Now I’m driving like a bat out of hell to find her, realizing I’ll do anything to be with her.

“Have you known Carly long?” I ask him.

“Long enough to know she’s a good person.” He gives me a brief grin and looks down. “She’s got a great reputation as a criminal psychologist. The chief loves her.” He clears his throat. “I mean in a professional way.”

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