Page 85 of Rival

Sucking in a breath, I shake my head slowly. “No. Fuck. I wasn’t even thinkin’. I beat the shit out of him, then went lookin’ for her.”

“Check the roads into town. Maybe she’s on foot. I’ll have Bill call Mason while I get some police over to the house.” I immediately turn away, but she stops me with a hand to my forearm. “Would you stop by and let us know if you find her? She’s a sweet girl and I hate to think she’s alone and hurting.”

“She’s pregnant,” I blurt, wincing that I’ve shared private information with these strangers, but I need them to know how dire this situation is. “She’s pregnant, and he beat her to hell. She was bleedin’ before she ran.”

“What’s your name?”

Holding out my hand, I quickly shake both of theirs. “Griffin Graham. I know your son, but we didn’t run in the same circles, so he’s likely to not be a big fan of me, if I’m being honest. I’m gonna try to find her. Thank you for calling the cops. Clay’s pretty beat up, so would you let them know I’ll call as soon as I can with my information, since I’m the one who did it?”

“Go.”

I’m urged off the porch. Giving them a quick thanks, I don’t waste any more time. I keep my speed slow as I drive just in case she’s keeping to the trees, but there’s no sign of her as I make it to town.

While doing my best to keep my eye on the road, I dial my brother’s phone and place him on speaker.

“Yeah?”

“Did you know that Clay’s been abusin’ his daughter?”

I won’t dance around this topic with any sort of trepidation.My brother is a great guy, although dumb as a doorknob at times, but if he knew…

“What the fuck are you talkin’ about?”

Nodding once, I explain as my eyes fly over every shop window and side street with no sign of Edith. “Remember when you mentioned that Clay was lookin’ for Edith? Well, I went over there just now to find out if she made it home.”

“Why—”

Cutting him off, I don’t answer what I know he’s about to ask. “Not important right now. So, I show up there and he’s pushin’ her over in their backyard, screamin’ his head off.” I debate sharing that she’s pregnant, but I decide against it. I’ve already told two people, and it’sreallynot my place. I don’t even know for sure where she and I stand. “I backed him off and went ‘round to pull up the truck. When I went inside to grab her so she didn’t have to stay with him, I could hear him hollerin’ in her room and found him layin’ into her with everythin’ he had.”

Corbin doesn’t say a word, only blows out a whoosh of air at the news I just spilled at his feet.

“So, I’m gonna need to know now since you spent way more time over there than I ever have. Didyouknow he’s been abusin’ her?”

“No!Christ, Fin. I had no idea. Thought she just liked to keep to herself. That’s what he always said. She alright? What’d you do to Clay? I’m gonna fuckin’ kill him for layin’ hands on a woman like that.”

The amount of relief I feel removes some of the tension from my shoulders. Sagging in my seat, I gentle my words. “I don’t know where she’s at. I’m out lookin’ for her, and the neighbors are callin’ the cops on Clay. I’m tellin’ you right now, we’re done with him. You hear me?”

“Shit. I got it. I know he’s always had a temper, but I didn’t think… Well, there’s nothin’ to say about what I thought. Need any help lookin’ for her?”

A flash of dark hair draws my attention, so I slam on my brakes, only to be disappointed. It’s not her. “I want to say yes, but I have no idea where she’d go. I don’t know who her people are.”I was her person for a brief moment, but I fucked that up.

“Brother… when we talked the other day about the girl…”

His voice trails off and I close my eyes, knowing what he’s asking.

“Yeah,” I croak out. “She’s the girl I was talkin’ about.”

His noisy exhale crackles through the phone. “Damn. You really got yourself mixed up in some shit, huh? Lemme know if you find her. I’m sure the wife and I can help if she needs anythin’ too. We’ve got room here at the house.”

I want to rage out my denial that anyone is going to take care of her other than me, but I bite my tongue. “I’ll let her know when I find her. Call ya later.”

Hanging up the phone, I spend the entire afternoon driving down every road I can think of, only stopping long enough to fill my tank up with gas when I run low. My call to the cops didn’t take long, and I’ve now got them keeping an eye out for her.

I heard they took Clayborn in to treat his well-deserved wounds, but without Edith and her statement, there’s not a whole lot they can do at the moment. Luckily, he was so intoxicated when they showed up that he’ll spend the night in the drunk tank until he sobers up. They’re at least asking him questions.

Once evening falls, I feel absolutely defeated. Going home sounds like an awful idea, and as much as it seems to be a terrible idea to hit the bar, I go anyway.

Tonight deserves whiskey. Tomorrow, I’ll continue my search for Edith Hughes.