Page 74 of The Sleeping Girls

Digger blinked, choking on the muddy river water as he swam to the surface. Rain slashed his face and he gulped for air.

Caitlin’s voice again. We’re going to fight them. You deserve to be free.

Did he? Could he fight this without her help?

Her face broke through the darkness. Yes, dammit. He couldn’t let her efforts be in vain.

She deserved justice. That meant finding the person who’d attacked her tonight and clearing his name.

EIGHTY-ONE

HOLLY LANE

Ellie was wiped out, but she couldn’t go home yet. Her mind wouldn’t shut down. One girl dead. Another missing and presumed dead. An attempted murder of a true crime podcaster.

All related to Darnell Woodruff and the murder of his sister.

Deputy Landrum’s brother… their primary suspect.

Her phone buzzed. Cord. “Hey. Did you find anything in the woods?”

“Afraid not, El. Sorry.”

“Me, too. Hopefully Ms. O’Connor can fill in the blanks when she comes to. Meanwhile, I’m on my way to Caitlin’s house in case the man who tried to kill her is after her files.”

“Is Fox with you?”

“No,” Ellie said.

“I’ll meet you there.”

“Not necessary, Cord.”

“You’re damn well not going on your own, El. Too dangerous.”

It was dangerous for him, too. And now he was going to be a father.

“What’s the address?”

She sighed. “1024 Holly Lane.”

Needing to focus on the road, she ended the call. The details of the case swam around in her mind, thoughts tangling together like the twisted vines in Kudzu Holler. Rain pounded the car and ground, fog blurring her vision. The wipers swished vigorously, the defroster blaring. Traffic lights of an oncoming car cut through the fog, nearly blinding her.

Night had set in long ago, bringing the shadows of doubt and fear. She had to untangle the pieces until they made sense.

Fueled by determination, she steered her Jeep toward Caitlin’s house. She didn’t have the warrants yet, but time was of the essence. The killer might already be there.

She cut the steering wheel, turning right into the drive of a small cottage. Painted yellow with a bright blue door, the cottage looked cheery as if a ray of sunshine was shining through the black gloomy skies.

Quickly, she surveyed the property for an intruder, but shivering trees and the heavy downpour made visibility difficult. Tree branches snapped off and the wind flung them to the ground. One hit the hood of the Jeep and she startled.

She pulled her flashlight and shined it around before she got out, but she could barely see two feet in front of her. She checked her weapon, pulled on her rain jacket, tugged up her hood and slogged through the rain to the front door. A “Welcome” wreath hung on the blue surface, the wind banging it and trying to tear it from the house.

Ellie ducked beneath the stoop, inserted the key she’d found in Caitlin’s car and opened the door. She knocked water off her boots then stepped inside, the hum of the furnace echoing in the silence. The house layout was similar to hers with an open-concept living room and kitchen. A light glowed over the kitchen sink illuminating the room, which was painted a soft teal.

The big picture window over the pine table and color scheme looked airy and feminine, like Caitlin took pride in hersurroundings. Lightning zipped outside, zigzagging in a fiery pattern and thunder boomed off the walls.

Ellie stood ramrod still for a moment, listening for sounds someone might be inside. She hadn’t seen a car parked outside. And inside, things appeared still and quiet. She shined her light across the interior and noted blue coffee mugs on a tray along with a cutting board. Other than that, the counters were uncluttered.

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