Page 48 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Ethan***

“Are they sure he came this way?”

“Eyewitness placed him at the train tracks over in Lincoln

two days ago,” Charlie replies.

“Okay. I’ll call the sheriff there and see if we can

coordinate a search. In the meantime, we impose a curfew. No one out after dark.”

“I’ll get on it.”

“Thanks, Charlie.”

Great. Just what I need, a fugitive of the law running

around. Alex Croger, wanted for a double murder, is believed to be somewhere in

the vicinity. He checked into a motel, but the clerk recognized him and called

911. He took off on foot into the woods, and they lost him.

I let out a frustrated sigh as I dial the Lincoln sheriff’s

office. They have more men, and I can use all the help I can get.

“Bob… Ethan,” I say when he answers.

“What’s the plan?”

“I was hoping we could work together, catch the son of a bitch

before he gets away… or worse.”

“Of course. What do you wanna do?”

“Why don’t you and your boys come down? We’ll work on a

strategy and start a search. He can’t have gotten too far.”

“We’ll be there as soon as possible.”

“Thanks, Bob.”

Casey. I pull out my cell phone and dial her number.

“Hi,” she answers in a soft voice.

“Hello, beautiful.”

“Sweet-talker.”

“Actually, that’s not why I called.”

“What’s wrong? You sound weird.”

“We have a situation. I’m imposing a curfew. That means I

need you to stay put tonight. At home.”

“What’s going on?”

“We may have a felon running around here, and I need to know

that you’re safe. I’m sending someone out there to keep an eye on you.”

“You think that’s necessary?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Call me later.”

“I will.”

When she hangs up, I toss the phone on my desk.

“Brick! Get in here.”