Page 113 of The Girl in the River

No pulse.

“Damn you for scaring that child,” Ellie growled to him.

Breathing out in relief, she stowed the gun, grabbed the paddle and maneuvered the lifeboat to the riverbank. “It’s okay, Mia, Pixie. You’re safe now.”

Pixie was clinging to her mother, shaking and crying. Mia stared in shock at Kevin, for a moment unable to move.

“He’s gone, Mia. He can’t hurt you or Pixie anymore. I promise.” Ellie waved her over. “Come on, let’s get out of here.” Ellie extended her hand again to encourage her. “Please, Mia. We need to get Pixie out of the storm.”

Lightning zapped a nearby tree, jolting Mia from her dazed state.

“Come on, Pix,” Mia murmured to her daughter. “We’re going home.” Mia scooped Pixie into her arms, pressing her little girl’s face against her chest to shield her from the sight of Kevin’s bloody body.

Ellie took her arm and helped them climb on board. Mia sank onto the seat, turning away from Kevin and rocking Pixie as Ellie rowed them back to safety.

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-TWO

MOONDOGGY’S

Cord stepped outside onto Moondoggy’s dock and settled at a picnic table with a cold beer. He casually leaned back in his chair, a man simply enjoying his drink, as patrons imbibed and chowed down on Moondoggy’s famous wings and chili burgers. With his jeans, T-shirt and boots, he blended with the locals.

Whitewater raft guides finished for the day, gathering to celebrate and a couple of truckers loped in for a dinner break.

He spotted Chester and Lloyd lumber outside then walk around the corner of the building, snarls on their faces.

Curious, Cord carried his beer with him down the steps and eased along the front of the dock, peering around the corner. There stood Ronnie’s sons receiving a heated dress-down from Ronnie.

“You sorry shits,” she growled. “We have to move the cargo for now. Too many pigs snooping around.”

“We just done what you told us to,” Chester mouthed off.

Ronnie lifted her hand and backhanded him across the face. “Don’t give me no lip, boy.”

Lloyd cowered backward as if he’d been hit too. “Where do we move it?”

Ronnie pulled a slip of paper from her pocket. “Here. And don’t let anyone see you, you hear me?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Chester muttered.

“Yes, Mama,” Lloyd said.

Ronnie stomped toward the rear entrance and Cord set his beer on the dock edge, retrieving his keys.

As soon as the man got in his truck, Cord called Ellie. She didn’t answer so he left a message.

“Ronnie told her boys to move the cargo. Didn’t say what it was, only she knew the cops were getting too close. They’re in a white utility van. I’ll follow and see where they’re going.”

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-THREE

NORCROSS

Derrick’s heart ached as he studied Rick’s son. Poor kid was suffering. He was only nine but he probably felt like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

“Evan.” He laid a gentle hand on the boy’s arm. “Your mom is worried about you. Why don’t you come out and talk to me?”

Anguish radiated from the little boy’s lean body, but he climbed out then sat on top of the bench and stared out the window of the caboose. “I don’t wanna talk.”

Derrick gave a nod. “Okay, for now. But I need to text your mom that I found you.”

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