Page 47 of Shadowed Witness (The Secrets of Kincaid #2)

Eric balanced a bottle of Snapple peach tea and two brisket sundaes on top of a take-out style box from the food vendors. The lines had been long, as usual. But brisket sundaes and homestyle french fries were totally worth it.

Weaving his way through the crowds, he was headed back toward Tent B when a booming voice called his name. He turned to see Chief McHenry approaching him.

“I hear there was another disturbance at Allye Jessup’s. What happened?”

Eric gave him the short version.

“Not good. Any evidence?”

He blew out a breath. “Not enough. A possible DNA specimen or two, and he left his gun behind.”

“Description?”

“Suspect is tall and muscular, with a possible puncture wound in his upper torso or shoulder and a splitting headache.”

The chief rubbed his mustache. “Interesting injuries.”

“Allye stabbed him with a knitting needle, then took a baseball bat to his head.”

Chief McHenry actually laughed. “Somebody picked a fight with the wrong gal.”

Eric allowed himself a smile. He wouldn’t have expected anything of the sort from petite Allye Jessup, but her quick thinking probably saved her life. He sobered. She could easily have been killed last night. He doubted she could have held out much longer on her own.

At least she was all right. And there were witnesses this time—and physical evidence. Whoever was after her had messed up.

McHenry’s wife joined him. She offered a hello to Eric, then looked up at her husband. “The band is about to start.”

The chief offered Eric a rueful smile. “Guess that means I need to get a move on. Keep me posted about the situation.”

“Yes, sir.” He’d have to figure out whether it was safe to share the details or if he’d need to keep things vague.

But as the chief and his wife disappeared into the crowd and Eric continued on to the tent where Allye’s booth was set up, he considered all he knew about the man.

He just couldn’t see him being involved. He’d have to think more on that later.

As soon as Eric stepped inside, he noticed Allye’s empty booth.

She was supposed to stay right there. He glanced around but didn’t see her with any of the nearby vendors.

Maybe she’d run to the restroom. He walked to the edge of the tent and looked toward the nearest restrooms. No line outside, so if she was in there, she should be out shortly.

He waited a few minutes, but she didn’t emerge.

An uneasy feeling started prickling his gut as he returned to her booth.

The booth next to hers was unoccupied as well, so he crossed the aisle to the wood-carver.

“You happen to notice the photographer leaving?” He pointed with his thumb over his shoulder.

The guy nodded. “Yep.” He peeled a layer of bark from a thick stick.

“Did you happen to hear where she was going?”

“Nope.” Another strip of bark fell to the ground.

“Can you tell me what happened?”

“Some guy came up and talked to her for a minute, then she grabbed her cashbox and left with him.”

“Did she seem upset?” Had someone forced her to leave?

He shrugged. “Dunno. They did seem to be in a hurry.” He swiped at some wood shavings on the table. “The guy was acting kind of nervous.”

“Nervous how?”

“Out of breath, glancing over his shoulder like he was afraid someone was watching him. Grabbed something off the table before he followed her out.”

Not good. “When was this?”

“’Bout ten minutes ago, I guess.”

“Which exit did they take?”

“The front.” Wood-carver gestured with his knife toward the northeast opening Eric had just come back through.

“Thanks.” Eric pulled out his phone and dialed Allye’s number as he strode that direction. Immediately, her perky recording greeted him. Either her phone was off or she didn’t have signal. He hung up and dialed again. Same thing.

“Hey.”

He barely stopped in time to avoid plowing into Bryce as he and Corina rounded the corner to the entrance.

“Have you seen Allye?”

The couple’s grins disappeared.

“She isn’t here?” Bryce asked.

“No.”

“We were on the way to check out her booth,” Corina added.

“She was supposed to wait there while I grabbed lunch.” Why had she left without telling him?

“Oh, Corina!” A woman Eric only vaguely recognized engulfed Corina in a hug. “What are you doing here?”

“Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?” Lines formed between her brows.

“No, no, of course not. I just—well, I must have misheard.”

“Misheard what?”

“I thought Wesley told Allye you were at the hospital. She left with him right after that.”

“Are you sure?” Eric asked.

“They walked out together, yes. But obviously Corina is here, so I’m not sure who he was talking about.”

“Did Allye say anything to you?” he pressed.

The woman shook her head. “I wasn’t quite to her booth, and I don’t think she noticed me.”

“Bryce—” But Bryce already had his phone out. A moment later, he shook his head. “He’s not answering.” He dialed again, then growled. “Lost signal.”

“Keep trying. I’m going to look for her.”

Eric rushed from the tent and scanned the people milling about. Too many people. He glanced at his phone. Nothing from Allye.

“Eric!”

He stopped and searched for the voice. Male, not Allye. But with the crowd he couldn’t quite place who... His gaze landed on Dion. “Where have you been?”

“Come on. Bernie took Allye.” The teen started back toward the exit.

Eric jogged after him. “Dion, wait.”

Dion glanced over his shoulder. “No time.”

The words sliced at him. But he needed details. Needed to know where they were. How they’d gotten her. How many suspects they were up against. And what was Wesley’s part in all this?

He broke even with the teen as they passed through the exit. “Who is Bernie?”

“Trouble.”

“You know him?”

Determination slipped over his features. “Yeah.”

“How?”

Dion didn’t answer him, just kept running. Eric grabbed his shoulder. “How?”

Dion shrugged him off. “That’s not what’s important right now, man. You wanna save her or not?”