Page 132

ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE

FEATHERWOOD FARM

Cord’s heart beat like an out of control freight train.

“Captain Hale has a second address for Huller,” Sheriff Waters said as the ambulance peeled away with Fox. “It’s an abandoned chicken farm where Huller lived with his uncle.”

“Let’s go.” Cord jangled his keys but the sheriff shook his head.

“We’ll take my police car.”

Cord didn’t bother arguing. Seconds later, the sheriff’s siren screeched in the night, lights twirling as Bryce tore down the dirt drive. His fingers curled around the steering wheel in a white-knuckled grip.

“He must have caught Ellie off guard,” Cord said out loud.

“Yeah, but she’s smart and a fighter,” Bryce muttered as he swung onto the highway.

Traffic slowed and pulled over as they flew down the road, rainwater spewing as Bryce plowed through big puddles and over slick asphalt.

The fog made the woods look haunted, the rain drizzling down the windshield, the wipers working overtime.

A strained silence fell between them. Neither of them were good at chit chat.

“I guess congrats are in order for you and Lola,” Bryce finally muttered.

“What for?” Cord asked.

Bryce shot him an angry look. “The wedding. The baby.”

Cord narrowed his eyes, the truth dawning. Bryce had dated Lola for a while after she and Cord had broken it off. Was he in love with her?

“Lola and I are done,” he said flatly.

A muscle ticked in Bryce’s cheek, and he shot Cord a disapproving look. “So you’re going to be one of those deadbeat dads?”

Cord frowned. “I’m not going to be a dad at all,” he snapped.

“You’re a piece of work, McClain. Cutting out when she needs you.”

Cord’s temper sparked. “Listen to me, Sheriff, she needs the baby’s father and that’s not me.”

Bryce’s eyebrows shot up. “What?”

“You heard me,” Cord said. “Now shut the hell up and let’s focus on finding Ellie and those little girls.”