Never Let Go

by Elizabeth Goddard

  God, I don’t know what I’m doing.

  When the jet touched the runway, she opened her eyes.

  Austin rubbed his jaw. “In this case, I’m not sure it matters what we know about Katelyn. We’re looking for Jamie’s abductor. A random stranger. Law enforcement already looked at everyone close to Katelyn, including her late brother, Shane, and Cliff’s brother-in-law, John Houser.”

  “I’m not ready to give up on the possibility of a connection. That it wasn’t random. On the other hand, maybe we can’t find Jamie, and it’s a mistake to even try.”

  “We won’t know unless we see this through. We have a thread.” Amusement danced in his eyes.

  A small thrill shot through her. Focus, Willow. “Yes. The Wyoming Silversmith Company. I’m not sure what to ask them. They might not tell us anything.”

  Why were you really going to Wyoming, JT? She sensed that there was something more.

  “Didn’t you tell me JT said that in following the threads, other doors will open? That’s why we’re going. We can walk in a direction and hope it will lead us somewhere. When I was in the FBI, I learned to canvass a neighborhood. Just get out there and walk door-to-door to meet the neighbors. You’d be surprised what talking to people reveals.”

  “That’s how you learned about the neighbor who took the video of JT’s so-called accident.”

  Could she ever think about that without getting a lump in her throat? “I know you’re right. I’ve spent hours talking to people. Listening to their family stories. That usually results in revealing things previously hidden.” Oh, now why had she said that? She was getting off track. The fact that Austin was still hiding things from her shouldn’t matter. It didn’t matter. Not one bit. She didn’t care . . .

  The plane taxied along the runway toward the terminal at the small airport. This was meant to be a quick trip. In and out. They’d spend the night in a local hotel, just two professionals working together to find answers for a client. They would leave tomorrow. If they didn’t find anything definitive by then, she wasn’t sure what to do next. At least Dana had already commissioned the forensic artist to rework the age progression of the baby and the abductor, based on what could be seen in the grainy image from the hospital security camera.

  Chin resting on his palm, Austin edged closer and spoke in low tones. “In addition to finding Jamie, let’s not forget there’s another investigation. One involving the attacks on your life and property.”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” She was glad to get out of town for a couple of days. The detective had all he needed from her at the moment in their search for the person responsible for JT’s death, the house fire, and the warehouse break-in. He’d even suggested she leave for a few days if she could. The trip to Wyoming couldn’t have come at a better time.

  At the airport they rented a four-wheel-drive Jeep Wrangler and Austin drove, steering them out of the airport parking lot and toward town without punching information into the GPS or looking at a map. Did he think she wouldn’t notice? Still, there was only one road out, and the obvious sign directing the way. GPS wasn’t exactly required. Austin headed toward Jackson, named after Jackson Hole, the valley where it sprawled, and Willow took in the sights, a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind all at once.

  They passed a sign for a wildlife sanctuary. “An elk refuge? I’d love to see them.” What was she thinking? They weren’t on a vacation together.

  He remained silent. She tried not to glance his way but caught his controlled frown. He didn’t like being back here, did he? She should divert his attention to the reason they’d come. “Have you thought of anything else that could help us while we’re here?”

  His shoulders eased back. “Why don’t we run through what we know again. Two decades ago the authorities were looking for a woman who posed as a nurse. And a few weeks ago Mrs. Mason had the interview that was shown nationally. JT was killed and your home was burned down. You barely escaped with your life. Your warehouse was set to be burned down. It seems our female abductor has the ability to hire someone, considering a man was at the warehouse, and she is determined to keep the truth hidden.”

  “Could it be her husband? He loves her. Learned the truth about the child. Doesn’t want her to go to prison.”

  “Or he doesn’t want to lose his daughter.”

  It was the first time he’d injected anything resembling hope about Jamie’s current status. “You think she’s still alive?”

  “I hope so, for everyone’s sake.”

  “Whoever was behind this must believe we can learn the truth.” This thought only served to propel Willow forward. With so many failed searches, Katelyn must have remained strong for so long because she truly believed her child was alive.

  Austin steered them through the busy town of Jackson—a modernized western town with a rich history she would love to explore on her own outside of looking for clues. He parked the Jeep against the curb near the town square. Wyoming Silversmith Company was nestled between a T-shirt shop and a cafe boasting the best bagels this side of the continental divide. A big stuffed moose stood in front.

  Willow couldn’t help but stop and stare at the empty-eyed beast that stood two feet taller than her at its shoulders. “It’s ginormous!”

  Austin gently grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the taxidermied creature. “Stay on track, Willow.” At the entrance he paused. “You ready?”

  She nodded. “Here goes nothing.” God, please let it be something. She had a copy of the photograph of the necklace with her, just in case.

  Austin opened the door and allowed her to enter first. The odd scent of leather mingled with mossy stone met her. Display cases presented all manner of silver jewelry under lights, as if incubating the cold silver could somehow hatch a sale. Gorgeous western-styled necklaces, earrings, and bracelets hung on open display racks. Belt buckles covered one wall, and silver-studded saddles and cowboy hats another. Customers perused the display cases and examined the saddles.

  She and Austin split up to search the small store. She looked for jewelry that was similar to the pendant necklace, but nothing quite fit the description. Finally, she stopped at a display case and admired a western-styled pendant necklace. She wasn’t normally a jewelry person, but the appealing presentation worked its magic, and she considered buying something. Only for a split second. It seemed heartless under the circumstances of her search for a dying woman’s missing child.

  Willow sensed the instant Austin approached from behind. She tensed. Then he peered over her shoulder. She wanted to lean into him. Why did his nearness do such crazy things to her insides?

  “I don’t see the necklace anywhere, do you?” she asked.

  “You didn’t know what to ask them, but now you do. You can ask them when they made the necklace in question. It could have been a commissioned piece since it’s handmade. Says on the wall they do custom belt buckles and more.”

  “Like we could get that lucky. The authorities would have found the abductor long ago.”

  “But they didn’t. They missed something before. Something we’re hoping to find. It’s still worth a try.”

  Willow approached the petite girl at the cash register who didn’t look a day over seventeen.

  “Can I help you?”

  “You sure can,” Willow said. “My name’s Willow Anderson, and this is Austin McKade. We’re wondering if you can tell us about this particular necklace.” She placed the photograph on the counter. “This picture was taken around twenty-one years ago. We want to know if it’s one of a kind and who commissioned it.”

  “Well, I’m only nineteen, so I wasn’t around if it’s as old as you say. We don’t make anything here, but let me ask if there’s someone who can help.”

  The girl disappeared through a door for employees.

  The minutes ticked by and Willow tried to be patient. Austin had wandered off and studied a saddle as he spoke to another employee. When the cashier returned, her expression answe
red Willow’s question. It was a dead end for now. She hadn’t expected much.

  “I’m sorry. Anyone who could answer your question isn’t around. Like I said, we don’t make them here, especially if they’re one of a kind. There’s a catalog that features all the old pieces we’ve made. But I don’t know where it is. Hank’s one of the owners and would probably know, but he’s not here. Can I make a copy of this picture?”

  “Sure—”

  “No.” Austin interrupted Willow. “We’ll hold on to it and show Hank ourselves.”

  “I’ll leave a message for him to call you.”

  Austin nodded. “Fair enough.” He wrote his name and cell number down on the back of a Wyoming Silversmith Company card he had grabbed from the counter, then handed it to the young woman.

  “We appreciate your help. Oh, and I’d like to buy this.” Austin dangled a pendant necklace. The same one Willow had admired. Her throat constricted. Emotion welled thick, slowing her response. “What are you doing?”

  “What does it look like? I’m buying some jewelry.” He winked.

  Seriously? She didn’t want to assume he was buying it for her, and if he wasn’t, then it hurt. Why had he picked the one she’d considered getting?

  His purchase complete, he ushered her through the store and out the door. “Just trying to get on her good side.”

  So you spent two hundred bucks?

  “Give me a sec.” He left her waiting next to the moose while he put his packaged purchase in the Jeep. Maybe he checked his cell, too, because he took longer than he should have. Just as well. She needed the time to compose herself.

  She didn’t believe the excuse he had given her for buying the necklace, but it wasn’t her business. Had she read the current between them wrong? A romantic current she had no business considering. Was he involved with someone else? Hard as it was, she turned her thoughts to Katelyn’s missing daughter. That was far more important than her own issues.

  Austin returned, his smile disarming her.

  “I don’t understand. Why didn’t you just let her take the photograph or make a copy? That would save time.”

  “We want to see Hank’s reaction when he first sees it. I didn’t give my card either, because I didn’t want to alert him that we’re investigating something. Just in case. You never know. It could be that any question over an old necklace will alert him. But, on the other hand, Hank might have no information for us.”

  “Good thinking, but now what? We can’t wait forever. We’re leaving tomorrow.”

  “Now we grab some lunch.” His thick dark hair ruffled in the breeze. Hands in his pockets, he projected the air of a young boy guilty of mischief, especially with those sunglasses hiding his eyes. He peered up at the sun. “I need to talk to you about something.”

  His serious tone gave her pause. Would he finally tell her?

  About Wyoming and the fact you grew up here? About the necklace? What? Willow held back her questions. If she’d learned anything from their breakup, it was that Austin didn’t want to be the subject of an inquisition. She hoped he would tell her about his life here. She’d waited for this moment for so long. The moment when she would hear Austin’s story. He hadn’t wanted his life’s story unraveled by her or anyone else.

  And for them, that had been the end of the story.

  Chapter twenty

  Uneasiness swept over Austin with the sudden chill in the breeze. He had nothing to attribute the sensation to, and that bothered him. He had a well-honed skill set. Awareness that went beyond the five senses. Had too much time with Willow distorted his abilities? Whatever. He couldn’t take any chances and was in the process of putting extra security measures in place.

  Even though they’d left Washington, Austin was watching, always watching. It would help if he had a better handle on who was behind the attacks on Willow. He had to remain vigilant.

  Someone could be following them.

  Like that black Suburban. Or the red Ford pickup. Maybe the silver Acadia. They’d all been behind him on the road to Jackson. Now were they just like everyone else, tourists circling the town square, looking for parking? He couldn’t be too careful.

  But here in Jackson, he was distracted. Here in Jackson, he had the sudden desire to show Willow around town. Take her to his favorite places. See where he grew up through her eyes as she saw it for the first time. Maybe that could wipe away the tarnish on his memories.

  What was he doing even thinking that way? He and Willow were far from a couple. He couldn’t share his past with her like that. Not until he was sure he wanted to be here himself. He had to hold it together long enough to tell her what he hadn’t been willing to talk about before.

  He’d always wondered why she’d been attracted to him in the first place.

  Maybe he’d been an enigma to her. A mystery to solve.

  But right now he needed her to trust him. His past—that he’d opened up about it or not—shouldn’t matter.

  Million Dollar Cowboy Steakhouse called to him from across the road, but he wasn’t in the mood for a crowd today. “Let’s grab some fast food and find a picnic table. The weather’s great. What do you say?”

  “I’d love that.”

  Those simple words took him back in time. The way she had looked at him then, how her dark hair fell over her shoulders, when their relationship was new and fresh and all the baggage he’d brought with him didn’t hang over them. His fault, of course, for not having worked through his issues long ago.

  They got back into the Jeep. He drove them around the square, through a McDonald’s drive-through, then north out of Jackson. Twenty minutes later he steered into a small roadside park on the way to his hometown—Grayback. “I hope the food isn’t cold.”

  “It’s worth it for the view,” she said. She eyed the Teton Range on the one side, then the Gros Ventre Range on the other.

  They carried their sacks and sodas to a picnic table. The wind picked up and blew napkins off the table, which Austin quickly recovered. Sitting across from him, Willow ate her burger, neither of them talking. It was a comfortable silence and yet he sensed Willow was waiting to hear from him.

  She knew. Of course, she had to know . . .

  He hadn’t wanted to admit to himself that she already knew his secret. Her straw sputtered as she sucked the last of her soda from the cup. Time was up.

  She eyed him, then pulled her sunglasses down to shield her eyes from a burst of sunlight breaking through a puffball cloud. “So what did you want to talk to me about? You made it sound important. But you’re taking your sweet time getting there.”

  “And you’re done waiting.” He wadded up the trash and stuck it in the sacks.

  She shrugged. “Maybe.”

  “I think I know why JT called me and wanted my help.”

  “Because you were in the FBI before. Worked with the CARD team. This is an FBI cold case.”

  He shook his head. A hawk screeched above them, then swooped down after a rabbit not far from the picnic table. Beyond that was an old cemetery. “He already has everything even I could get from them now.”

  “Okay, then why did he call you?”

  “Because he was coming to Jackson. He must have learned that I’m from the area.”

  She didn’t flinch. Didn’t react. She remained focused on him from behind the sunglasses. When she didn’t speak, he continued, finally able to share his story for the first time. Or at least some of it.

  “I grew up on a ranch in Grayback. Me and my two brothers. My father started drinking heavily when my mother died in a fire. Became more brutal. Was hard on us. An embarrassment.” This shouldn’t affect him so much. “Each of us found our way out, our escape. I went into the air force. From that experience . . .” Not now. He couldn’t tell her that story now. “Let’s just say I knew I wanted to join the FBI. I went back to school for the required degree. I focused on helping people find their kids.” Entirely too much emotion cracked through his voice. He struggle
d to compose himself.

  “I hadn’t seen my brothers since leaving until I came home for a short visit four years ago . . . as it turned out, I was here the week Dad died. Haven’t seen them since the funeral. When he died”—and took another family with him . . . steady, now, you can do this—“Heath got the ranch. He turned it into a guest ranch, popular in these parts.”

  That was it. That was all he could give at this juncture. Other people wouldn’t find it so hard to share such details about themselves, but Austin didn’t want to go there, so why take someone else to a place he never wanted to go?

  Willow said nothing but, instead, stared off into the distance. What was she thinking? He didn’t want this to take a dive and be about their breakup. But how could it not?

  “Why are you telling me this now?”

  This was his chance to steer the conversation where it needed to go. “Because we’re here and maybe it’s time for me to face a few of my demons.” He injected a grin, hoping to bring levity. “And my brother Heath called me a few days ago. I need to return that call.”

  “I’m so sorry about your father, but I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me this before. Things might have . . .” Tears choked her words.

  “Oh, come on, Willow, we don’t have to dig up our past.” Besides, he had no answers for her.

  She sat taller and lifted her chin. “Maybe JT called you because he wanted just that.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “He wanted us to do this. He knew how much you hurt me, and I hurt you. But he wanted you to go back to Wyoming to face things.”

  “That’s absurd. JT couldn’t know the depth of my—” Regrets. He couldn’t have known. “It was only about this case for him. That’s what we both need to focus on now for your sake, and safety, and for Katelyn Mason’s sake. Finding her daughter. If she’s even alive. And if she is, she could be in danger too.”

  She nodded. “Just tell me this one thing. Tell me why you felt like you couldn’t be open with me before.”