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THE STALKER

A s I climb into the driver’s seat of my truck, Jason’s cell phone rings. He pulls it from his pocket as I shut the door, then turn my head to his.

“It’s Bryce.” He answers it while I sit there, waiting to hear how Abby is.

We spent hours combing through the Ice Queen’s office, then her bedroom. I found a ton of shit implicating her in the illegal, corrupt bullshit that’s been going on in this town for years.

But more disturbing is what is inside the two folders I hold in my hands.

Looking down at them, my hands tremble as I see my former name, Jagger Williams, on one. Inside was all the evidence she collected against me, twisting everything I ever told her, along with the words of others. The reports that she meticulously typed up contained detailed statements from my dad, who lied his ass off about everything, painting me as a crazy, lying psychopath.

She also twisted all the statements from my adopted parents. I know what they told her. I spent enough time at the Brandt’s house whenever I could, and sometimes I’d inadvertently hear private conversations between John and Alicia when I was heading to the kitchen to get a drink or returning to the basement after using the restroom. I’d pause, my ears prickling as soon as I heard my name, then cautiously creep forward so I could hear what they were saying. They had more love and compassion for me, and knew me far better than my dad ever did.

The other folder was on Benjamin Adler, a thick case file from Florida. He was the eleven-year-old son of James Adler, a convicted serial killer in Florida. A nagging sensation washed over me the second I laid eyes on that file. I found a couple of pictures of him and his mother inside, including an article cut from a local newspaper that his mother swallowed a bottle of pills which ended her life after her husband was sentenced to serve a life in prison without parole. Benjamin Adler was sent to Falls Creek, Pennsylvania, to live with his grandparents. Unfortunately for young Ben, his grandparents were in a fatal accident one day while he was in school. With no other relatives, Maura Hendricks was the social worker assigned to his case.

Just three years after she tried to fuck me over.

Jason and I suspect Benjamin Adler became Benjamin Cromwell, as Cromwell was the last name of his deceased grandparents. We headed back to my truck to do some research on the laptop when Bryce called.

I tune into the conversation when Jason puts Bryce on speakerphone. “Abby wasn’t in labor. She experienced Braxton Hick contractions from dehydration and stress. They will be discharging her soon. Right now she’s drinking water, then they’ll be checking her vitals and urine levels again. Once she’s hydrated, we’ll be out of here.”

“That’s a relief. I’m glad she’s okay and didn’t go into premature labor.”

“Same, Jagger.” We hear Bryce’s footsteps and then he says, “I didn’t want the nurse in the room with Abby to overhear us. I’m in the elevator heading to get something to drink. How are you holding up, Jagger?”

I blow out a breath, filling him in on what has transpired and what we’ve found. Bryce immediately guides Jason on how to confirm if Benjamin Adler became Benjamin Cromwell. Sure enough, we get a hit.

“Listen, as soon as Abby and I can leave, I’m going to take her home. I have my whole set up there, and I’ll dig into anything and everything on Ben, as well as his dad, James Adler. What was Ben’s mom’s name?”

“Becky Adler,” I say.

“Okay, I’m going to guide Jason to get you guys started. What about Maddie’s friend, Ashlynn? Does she know Ben?”

“Good question. I overheard Maddie and Ashlynn talking about him, and Ashlynn didn’t seem to like him. She’s a student at Falls Creek College.” My gaze locks on Jason, who looks up at me from the laptop screen, eyes glimmering from excitement. He thinks Ashlynn is gorgeous and has been finding excuses to bump into her on campus, despite not being a student, as well as the coffee shop and gym she frequents. “Let’s go pay her a visit.”

Jason nods, returning his gaze to the laptop and continuing his research.

“What about that guy, Ryan, who was Maddie’s dad’s best friend? Doesn’t he work for the Falls Creek police department?”

“Ryan Walls. And yes, he does.”

“Jason, can you hack and get his phone number?”

“No need,” I say before Jason can answer. “We found it in Maura’s files.”

“Good. I can track it so it sends alerts to my laptop that Jason has, as well as both of our phones, Jagger. I can track any phone calls he receives as well, including any towers they ping off, to give us his location.”

“Thanks, Bryce. You’re the best.”

“Thanks, Jagger. You know I’d do anything for you and Maddie.” His voice lowers. “We all really love her and want to see the two of you together. I’ll do anything to help you get her back.”

Emotion clogs my throat. I’m so fucking lucky to have these people in my life. But they pale in comparison to her.

Bryce changes the subject. “Abby was able to describe the van. I’m pretty sure it’s one of those 1978 GM utility vans. That may help with the license plate, even though it’s likely the plates or van are stolen. I’ll work on that. The two of you dig into Ben and his parents.”

“What about Maura?” Jason says. “Do we think his motive for kidnapping her was because of the foster home situation?”

“More than likely. I’ll dig into the foster family. Jagger, take pictures of the names from that file and send them to me. I’ll see what I can find on my phone, then once Abby and I are home, I’ll continue digging.”

Starting my truck, I put it in gear, heading for Ashlynn’s apartment. “Sounds good, Bryce. Keep us updated and we’ll do the same. We’re heading to Ashlynn’s right now.”

“Great. Talk to you soon.”

“Bryce. Give Abby a hug for me and tell her I’m sorry.”

Bryce chuckles. “No need. Abby has been so worried about Maddie. She wants your focus on her. You know she’d tell you to find her and bring her home if I was with her right now.”

A small smile curls my lips, despite the crushing agony that’s been swirling through me since I found out Ben has my baby girl. “Yeah, you’re right. She loves Maddie.”

“We all do. Now let’s find her and get her back home with you.”

I hang up, to overcome to say anything else. Jason’s hand squeezes my shoulder after I set my phone inside the cup holder in my center console. “We’re gonna find her and bring her home, Jagger.”

My eyes meet his. “Yes, we are. And I’m going to fucking destroy that motherfucker for touching her.”