“I assumed home.” Kyle’s gaze flickered to Emma before settling back on Reed. “I thought it was strange he was coming back so late from a fishing trip, but I didn’t question it.”
No, he wouldn’t think to challenge his good friend and fellow deputy. Dean had been counting on that.
A state vehicle slid to a stop and Cooper got out. The Texas Ranger’s stride was furious, his hands balled into fists. “What do we have?”
Reed got him up to speed. Cooper stepped over to look at the vehicle himself. Kyle followed. Their flashlights bounced off the chrome bumper of Aunt Bessie’s car.
Emma shivered again. Her face was drained of all color and, when Reed touched her skin, she was frigid. He shrugged off his jacket and wrapped it around her before pulling her into his arms. Sirens wailed in the distance.
“Hold on, Em. We’ve got backup coming and every available unit working on this.”
“I don’t know if I can keep it together, Reed. My little girl—” Her voice choked off.
“Lily is in God’s hands. He’s watching over her. I know it’s hard, but your faith has pulled you through so much. It will get you through this, too.”
She took a deep breath. Then another. Reed rested his head against hers and closed his eyes. He quietly whispered a prayer. It was as much for him as it was for Emma. Lily had stolen his heart and the idea of anything happening to the little girl was enough to cripple him. But what he’d said to Emma came from the depths of his own faith. It was the mantra that got him through the long nights after Bonnie’s disappearance. No matter where his sister was, Bonnie was in the Lord’s hands and He would see her through.
Emma cupped his cheek with her hand. “Thank you, Reed. I needed the prayer.”
“So did I.”
A shout from Cooper drew his attention. Releasing Emma, Reed snapped back into professional mode. “What is it?”
“I’ve got drag marks.” Cooper’s flashlight drifted across the tall grass a short distance from Aunt Bessie’s car. “They disappear into the woods.”
Emma raced to Reed’s SUV. She unhooked Sadie.
Reed studied the marks. “Those are obvious. The perpetrator wanted us to find them. He practically hung a sign.”
“No kidding.” Cooper frowned. “It could be a trap, a way to lure Emma and Sadie into the woods.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Emma said. “We still have to go.”
Sweat dripped down Emma’s back despite the chill in the air. The Kevlar vest was heavy and more than uncomfortable. With every step, it pressed down on her shoulders. The woods were a tangle of limbs and bushes in the faint glow of the moonlight. Sadie’s collar jangled.
Reed’s flashlight led the way. He’d insisted on walking ahead of her for safety. Arguing would’ve eaten precious time, and Emma wasn’t willing to waste a minute of it. She needed to keep moving. Each step brought her closer to Lily and Vivian. At least, she hoped so.
The sound of running water reached her ears.
“What is that?” she asked.
“There’s a natural spring on the property. It feeds into a river,” Austin answered. He was behind her, providing cover from any potential attack. “Teenagers often come here to tube down it when Old Man Franklin says it’s okay.”
Sadie barked.
Reed stopped short. Emma bumped into the back of him. His flashlight beam bounced off the dog’s reflective vest.
“I don’t see Vivian,” Emma said.
Austin pointed. “There.”
A tree curved at the water’s edge. Some of the branches drifted into the water. Vivian was balanced precariously on the edge of one. She was unconscious, and when Reed’s flashlight drew close to her face, Emma’s throat clenched. Her sister-in-law had been beaten. Badly. Sadie barked again.
“Where’s Lily?” Reed said.
They scanned the immediate area but saw no sign of the little girl. Emma refused to even consider her daughter had been out there on the branch with Vivian but had already fallen in the water. No, she had to focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise she would collapse and wail a mountain of grief.
They scrambled down the bank. Emma took a few precious moments to praise her dog. Reed had pulled his weapon and was keeping watch on their immediate area.
“There’s no way to reach her without climbing out on the branch,” Austin said. “I don’t have rope in my bag. Anyone else?”
Reed shook his head. “We need to call for backup.”
They’d purposefully refused to allow troopers and other deputies to traipse through the property since Sadie could search the area faster. Emma sent up a prayer of thanksgiving. It would’ve taken hours to find Vivian without the dog, and her sister-in-law would’ve probably died.
“We don’t have time to wait for backup.” She tore at the straps of her bulletproof vest. “Reed, you hold on to me while I climb out to get her.”
“No,” Austin said. “I’ll go.”
“That branch looks ready to break off. It won’t support your weight. Or Reed’s. I’m the lightest one. I have to go.”
Reed’s mouth tightened. She felt he wanted to argue with her, but he couldn’t deny physics. She dropped the Kevlar vest on the ground. Bark bit into her hand as she shimmed her way into position. Underneath her, the water in the river swirled. It was black as ink. Spring-fed meant it was cold, too.
“Slow and steady,” she muttered to herself. “Okay, Reed, hold on to my feet.”
His hands grasped her ankles. The grip was firm and steady. It grounded her. Emma eased out on the branch. It swayed closer to the water.
“Vivian, can you hear me? I’m coming to get you. Don’t move.”
Her sister-in-law stayed motionless. Only the faint movement of her chest indicated she was breathing
