Page 24 of Rescued Dreams

Ridge wasn’t sure it was the best plan, but there had to be a reason he had all these resources in his life. Trained former-military soldiers. Operators. Spies. Investigators. Why not use what God had given him?

He had a feeling that before this situation was over, they might need all the help they could get.

“Hey.” Officer Thomas held his hand out, and Ridge shook with him. He would’ve introduced his cousin, but Kane had slipped away, remaining anonymous. “Tazwell is going to speak with Patterson. I’d like you to run through what you saw happen.”

Bryce said, “They took Amelia to the Truck lieutenant’s office, so you can use mine.”

“Thanks.” Ridge showed Officer Thomas the way. By the time they were done talking, Amelia had already left. He found Zack in the kitchen, cleaning up. “Is Trace around?”

“The ambulance got called out. The floater is here, in case Truck 14 gets a call.”

“Thanks.” Ridge didn’t care what the implication was, he just spat out the question. “How was Amelia?”

“Shaken up, not that she’d ever admit that.” Zack tossed the wipe he’d used on the counter in the trash and washed his hands. “Bruises. Trace didn’t give a lot of detail, but he wasn’t happy. No one was. Probably because it happened right under our noses.”

“What about surveillance? The chief said he was going to check the cameras.”

“Can’t see their faces. But there were two guys, and they shoved her down.” Zack got two water bottles from the fridge and tossed one to Ridge as he came over. “Let’s hit the gym. You look like you need to bench-press something heavy.”

“I really do.”

Ridge worked off his frustration with the barbell, focusing on the physical strength he needed for this job until his shift ended. He ignored his phone, prayed for Amelia, and then set aside everything his mind wanted to go around and around on. When the twenty-four-hour shift ended, he walked outside to his truck and checked his phone once he was in the driver’s seat.

A text from Kane came first.

Kane

Dude. Followed her to her house. Du

de.

A series of GIFs followed it, images of rich people in their houses. Lying by a pool. Wearing fancy clothes and drinking cocktails.

Ridge called his cousin and pulled out of his space, onto the street. When Kane answered, Ridge said, “What are you telling me?”

“I’m going to send you the address.”

Ridge hit the turn signal. “Why would I need it?”

“Because you’re gonna come over and talk to her.”

“Why—”

Maria cut him off. “Ridge, she has a piece of particleboard. She’s trying to board up a broken window, but she keeps having to put it down so she can clutch her side, like she’s in pain.”

And they didn’t want her to know they were watching her, so they hadn’t gone to help.

“Fine. Send me the address.” They had to be exaggerating about the fancy house. That didn’t fit Amelia at all. He highly doubted she lived in some rich neighborhood.

“Good,” Maria said. “She needs help, even if she won’t admit it.”

“She won’t like me showing up.” He pulled up to a stoplight and tapped the address, which opened the app for directions. “She might send me packing and never speak to me again.”

“So be charming,” Kane suggested.

Ridge frowned. “I’d rather hear from Maria what worked for her.”

He heard Kane’s girlfriend chuckle quietly. “Well, Kane isverycharming.”