Page 116 of The Girl in the River

She explained about finding Kevin’s car and tracking the GPS. “Mia – Jesse – and her daughter were being held in the lower cabin. Kevin and his father were arguing about what to do with them when Kevin pulled a gun. They fought and he shot his father.”

Shock flared on Kincaid’s face. “Kevin shot his father?”

“Yes,” Ellie said. “I tried to subdue him but he pushed me overboard. Mia escaped the cabin and she and Pixie made it to a life raft. Kevin chased after them. I caught Kevin and he tried to kill me, but he was shot in the struggle and didn’t make it.”

“And the woman and child?”

“Are safe and on their way to the hospital,” Ellie said.

“Well, you’ve certainly been busy,” Kincaid said, his voice full of derision. “This is my county and you didn’t bother to keep me abreast as things unfolded?”

No, she hadn’t. “It all happened too quickly, there wasn’t time.”

His eyes pinned her with accusations. “Since you didn’t request back-up, you have no witnesses to corroborate your story.”

Ellie’s heart thundered. “Mia will be able to confirm my statement.”

His lips curled into a smile. “Why should I trust anything she says? She faked her own death, lied about who she was and planned to marry another man while she was already married.”

“Because she was terrorized,” Ellie said. “I think you know that and you were covering up for the Moons because they own you just like they own everyone else in this godforsaken town.”

He threw his shoulders back. “I don’t like accusations, Detective.” He extended his hand. “Now give me your weapon. You’re coming to the station with me for questioning and I intend to hold you until we clear up this matter.”

Fury sizzled through Ellie. Damn him. She’d known he was involved and should have kept her mouth shut. Now he’d probably lock her up until he could find a way to cover his tracks.

ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-SIX

BLUFF COUNTY HOSPITAL

Mia soothed Pixie as the doctors examined them and gave Mia IV fluids, then confirmed that she would be okay. She sent prayer after prayer to the heavens, thanking God that Pixie was alive and safe now. That Kevin could never get his dirty hands on her.

Thankfully Mark had survived, too. But he’d almost died because of her. She never should have become involved with him or allowed herself to fall in love. Everyone around her seemed to die.

But Mark was in this same hospital and even if he hated her, she owed him an apology.

Gathering her courage, she stroked Pixie’s arm. “Honey, I think we should visit Mark. Mommy needs to tell him she’s sorry for what happened.” And for her lies.

Pixie’s small hand tightened into Mia’s as they found his room and knocked. She waited a second, then knocked again, and eased open the door.

The sight of him in that hospital bed made her heart throb with both love and fear. He was hooked up to tubes, an IV, his coloring was ghostly white, his breathing shallow.

All your fault.

Pixie tugged at her hand and halted at the door, trembling as she stared at Mark and the machines beeping around him.

Mia knelt in front of her daughter and rubbed her arms. “I know it looks scary to see Mark this way. But the doctor said he’ll be okay. That tube is just helping him breathe for now and they’re giving him medication.”

Pixie clung to her hand. “Really?”

Mia lovingly tucked a strand of Pixie’s hair back behind one ear. “Yes, honey, really.”

The rustling of bedsheets broke into the silence. Mark lifted his head and looked over at her, his dark hair mussed from sleep, his eyes dazed slightly. Mia stood still, afraid to move forward. Although in spite of his pallor and the tubes, he was so handsome she wanted to run into his arms and tell him how much she loved him.

Instead, she remained frozen.

For a moment he didn’t move or speak. He simply stared at her as if she was a stranger.

Seconds later, he blinked and pulled the oxygen from his nose, his eyes filling with mixed emotions as his gaze raked over her and Pixie. “You’re okay?” he asked gruffly.

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