Page 46 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

Allye replenished her display yet again. The temp had dropped overnight, and her fingerless gloves, hats, and mittens were selling like hotcakes.

She’d been worried that the few hours’ sleep she’d managed with her head resting on Eric’s shoulder wouldn’t be enough to get her through another busy day, but so far, she was doing surprisingly well.

They’d gotten moving early so Eric could log last night’s evidence, then follow her out to the festival.

She would have preferred to have just come together, but though he was off duty today, there was always a chance he could get called in if a major crime occurred, and she didn’t want to risk getting stranded here without her car.

Eric smiled as she sank back into her lawn chair. He’d brought an extra chair for himself, and they’d spent the last few hours enjoying each other’s company in between customers. They’d kept their conversation light, and it had been nice not to talk about attackers and intruders for a while.

Someone with a brisket sundae passed near the booth, and Allye’s stomach gave a loud rumble as the scent of rich layers of mashed potatoes, gravy, and smoky brisket wafted by. Her cheeks warmed, but Eric chuckled.

“I’m hungry too. Want to get lunch?”

She glanced at the crowded tent and the woman browsing her wares. “It’s not a great time to leave my booth.”

“I could grab food and bring it back.” He surveyed the area. “I really don’t like leaving you alone though.”

“I didn’t have any issues here yesterday. I’ll be fine.”

He frowned but stood. “Still . . .”

“Seriously, I won’t wander off by myself.” She gave him a teasing grin.

“All right. What do you want?”

She gave him her food order and watched as he walked away. She appreciated his concern, but there were too many people around for the men after her to try anything.

A woman who’d spent several minutes eyeing her canvases asked about where one of the photos was taken.

Happy to share, Allye chatted with her for several minutes about the nearby farm and the couple who had given her permission to photograph their property.

The woman ended up purchasing the canvas, and Allye wrapped it for her before tucking the payment into her cashbox.

When she looked up, she caught sight of Wesley rushing toward her. His expression made her stomach drop. Something was wrong.

He reached her a few seconds later and braced his hands on the table. His breaths came in pants. “Hailey just got a call from your mom. Bryce and Corina are on the way to the hospital. Something’s wrong with the baby.”

“Oh no. Why didn’t anyone call me?” She checked her phone as she asked the question, then blew out a breath. “Never mind.” No signal again.

She looked for Eric. People filtered into the tent entrance, but he wasn’t among them. She glanced at her screen again. One fifteen. Prime time for the food vendors, meaning extra long lines. How long had he been gone already?

Wesley shifted. “Your mom wants you to come as soon as possible. Hailey sent me ahead to find you.”

“I promised Eric I wouldn’t go anywhere alone.” But she hadn’t expected something like this.

He puffed his cheeks. “I can take you.”

“What about Hailey and Jenna?”

“We just got here. They’ll be okay long enough for me to get you there and get back. I know Hailey will want to be at the hospital with you guys, but she won’t want to take Jenna.”

Allye hesitated a second longer before nodding. Eric would understand. She jotted him a note and slipped it under a paperweight before grabbing her cashbox. A wave of dizziness hit her as she stood. Not now. She closed her eyes and leaned against the table for a moment.

“You okay?” Wesley asked.

“Yeah, just stood up too fast.” She shouldered her bags and tucked the cashbox under her arm. “I’m good now. Let’s go.” She started toward the parking area, Wesley close behind.

DION BIT INTO HIS HAMBURGER. First thing he’d eaten today. His mom would have told him he was wasting his money coming here, and maybe he was. But it wasn’t like she hadn’t wasted all hers on drugs.

He’d hoped Lucky’s foster parents might choose to come today, but although he’d gotten here early, he hadn’t spotted his brother.

An ache formed in the pit of his stomach. Lucky shouldn’t have to be in a stupid foster home. It would be almost four years before Dion could legally get him out of that system.

A large group with several children entered the festival area. Dion scanned each face. No Lucky. His shoulders sagged.

Two men split off at the tail end of the group and headed for an uncrowded area along the fence line. Dion straightened. What were Bernie and Lenny doing here?

Things were never good when they showed up.

Dion tugged his ball cap lower and sidestepped into a narrow opening between two tents, keeping his eyes on the men. Bernie leaned casually with his back against the fence as if enjoying the view. Or waiting for someone. A crowded family-friendly festival wasn’t his usual stomping ground.

He turned his attention to the other man.

About the same size and build as Bernie, Lenny’s attempt to give off a carefree vibe fell a bit short.

The average festivalgoer might not notice, but there was a subtle tightness in his shoulders and a hardness in his eyes that belied his easy grin.

The man didn’t talk much and had a reputation for being willing to do anything for a price.

Dion would bet he was in Bernie’s pocket.

Dion ate his burger slowly, as if savoring it, but he’d stopped tasting it the moment he caught sight of the two men. They were trouble.

After a few minutes, Bernie shifted, his eyes locking onto something. He nudged Lenny with his elbow.

Dion followed his gaze.

That redheaded chick who’d been with Eric at the park was heading for the exit with someone he didn’t recognize. The two men waited until they passed before falling into step behind them.

Dion shoved the rest of the burger into his mouth.

This wasn’t good.

He looked around for Eric. He knew Detective Thornton was here. He’d had to dodge him a few minutes ago to avoid being spotted.

Eric was nowhere in sight.

The small entourage passed through the exit. He didn’t have time to find Eric. Not if he wanted to warn Allye of the danger she was obviously in.

He knew he shouldn’t get involved. Bernie would kill him if he caused him trouble. But Allye had been kind to him the other day, and she obviously meant something to Eric. She didn’t deserve whatever Bernie had in mind. He could at least see where they were going and pass on the information.

He jogged after them, dodging oblivious festival attendees on his way to the exit.

JUST OUTSIDE THE EXIT, Wesley stopped and slapped his forehead. “Hailey has the car keys.”

“That’s okay. I can drive.” She’d planned to follow him in her car anyway.

“Do you mind? It’ll take more time than we have to track her down in this crowd.”

“No problem.” She fished her keys from her purse and searched for her Jetta. “Did my mom say what exactly is going on?” All the things that could go wrong in a pregnancy shot through her mind.

“No, but she sounded panicked.”

She cringed. Her mother’s calm and collected demeanor flew out the window when danger threatened one of her kids.

Allye couldn’t blame her. None of them were prepared to lose another family member, even one they hadn’t met yet.

She finally spotted her car—three rows from where she thought she’d left it.

She redirected them. As they walked, she looked toward the lane leading to a side road.

Traffic was backed up as far as she could see on the way into the festival area, but the road out was clear.

“Are you sure you want to go with me? I’m probably okay in my car, and I can call Mom to meet me when I get to the hospital.”

Wesley shook his head. “No guarantee of that. You know what happened to Corina when that stalker was after her.”

A shiver ran through her. He was right, but she couldn’t help another protest. “I hate to pull you away from time with your family. I know Hailey’s been looking forward to today.”

“She’ll understand.”

Yeah, she would, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be disappointed.

“She’d rather you be safe than have our afternoon uninterrupted,” he said as if reading her mind. “I’ll get an Uber back to Kincaid after you’re settled and take Hailey out to dinner. We’ll be okay.”

Accept help. She pulled in a breath as they reached her Jetta. “Okay. Thank you.” She stashed her cashbox under the driver’s seat and climbed in.

Wesley checked his phone.

“Anything new?”

He shook his head. “No. Just letting Hailey know what’s going on. Signal’s low, so it probably won’t go through until we hit the main roads.” He tapped out a message as she started the car.

“Tell her I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine, Allye. Really.”

“Thank you.”

She retrieved her phone from her purse. Had Eric found her note yet? No notifications had come through, but she still had only one bar flickering in and out. She opened her text messages.

The phone was snatched from her hands.

“Hey!” She looked up as Wesley tossed her phone out the window. “What are you—”

The back passenger door popped open, interrupting her. A man slid inside. Her stomach bottomed out as she recognized the attacker from outside her studio.

He smirked at her. “Hello.”

She plunged her hand toward her seat belt release, but Wesley caught her wrist. She stilled at sight of the gun in his other hand.