by Laura Scott
He set about making coffee and breakfast, keeping an eye on the clock. He wasn’t sure how much time she’d need to get ready.
But he needn’t have worried because he heard Naomi’s door open followed by the bathroom door closing before the coffee pot had finished brewing.
Naomi came into the kitchen ten minutes later. “Good morning, Sawyer. I’d ask how you slept, but I’m fairly certain you didn’t.”
He smiled wryly. “I managed to get some sleep, thanks. Sit down, breakfast will be ready soon. I have to work today, so we need to leave here by seven.”
“Okay.” She brushed past him to help herself to coffee. “Do you think my car will be repaired before the end of the day?”
“I hope so, but we’ll check on their progress.” Personally, he cared more about getting the bullet from her vehicle than the repair itself.
They needed something to go on to find these guys. The only good thing about the intruder showing up last night was that it proved the kidnappers were still in the area.
If he were the praying type, he’d ask for God’s help in finding and arresting these guys by the end of the day. Before they took off for parts unknown where they might never be found.
He focused on the scrambled eggs in the large frypan. He filled two plates and carried them to the table. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Sawyer.” He dropped into the chair across from her and bowed his head, knowing she was going to pray before eating.
“Lord, we thank You for keeping us safe in Your care last night, and we ask that You continue to protect us as we search for Kate. Amen.”
Amen. His brain automatically echoed her sentiment, which surprised him. He hadn’t stepped foot in a church or prayed since leaving the Preacher. He had a faint memory of attending church with the first foster family he’d lived with back in Charleston. Yet he couldn’t shake the Preacher’s ranting and raving at them, hitting them while screaming they were going to hell.
So why was he thinking about God now?
Naomi was messing with his head in more ways than one. Not only did he find it incredibly hard not to kiss her last night, but now he was beginning to think more about God and faith.
A subject he normally avoided like the plague.
“Could we leave earlier than seven?” Naomi’s question interrupted his thoughts. “I’d like to take you past the gas station in East Ridge.”
Mentally smacking himself on the head for forgetting something so important, he nodded. “Sure thing.”
They ate in silence, and when he was finished, he quickly hit the shower and dressed, which took longer than it should have since he had to iron his uniform shirt. When he emerged from his room, he heard the sound of a blow dryer.
He didn’t own one but assumed Naomi must have packed one in her duffel bag. Sure enough, five minutes later, she came out of the guest room, carrying her duffel and looking amazing after her turn in the shower.
Despite the small clean bandage she’d applied to her wound, her fresh-faced beauty hit him like a rock between the eyeballs. He tried not to gape like a lovestruck teenager as he stepped forward to take her bag. “Here, I’ll carry that for you.”
“Thanks.”
Oh yeah, he needed some distance from her. Naomi was his witness, not a potential date.
The sooner his brain accepted that fact, the better.
Glancing at the woods bordering his property, he wondered if it would be helpful to search for clues. Not now, but maybe later, while it was still daylight.
Possibly, as he could use all the clues he could find. Yet he couldn’t make that a priority at the moment. There was barely enough time to scope out the gas station in East Ridge prior to clocking in for his shift.
And he still needed to find Naomi a safe place to stay.
“Sawyer?”
He glanced at her. “Yeah?”
“Don’t you think it’s strange that the kidnappers keep coming after me?”
“I do,” he admitted. “It’s unusual behavior for two men involved in sex trafficking to keep going after one target. Usually, if they get caught trying to snatch one girl, they simply move onto the next.”
“That’s what I think too.” She stared out the window for a moment. “I could even see how they might be mad at how I escaped, but that seems a lame reason for them to keep coming after me.”
“I know.” The same thoughts had been bothering him. “You mentioned Kate’s father taking off when she was about five. Do you know his name? Or anything about him?”
“His name is Garret Ivy, and I was roughly fifteen when he left.” She frowned. “I’m pretty sure he was a car mechanic at a local garage in Dalton. He also liked to stop for a few beers after work. I remember him coming home drunk on occasion.”
He made a note to dig into Garret Ivy’s background. “So Kate’s last name is Ivy?”
“No, our mother never married Garret. Which is why we were so far in debt when he left so abruptly.”
He could easily imagine the scenario. “Any idea why he left? Did he and your mother have a fight?”
She grimaced. “I was pretty selfish back then, focused on making the cheerleading squad and being a gymnast. I don’t remember a big argument, but they could have had a fight since my mother often asked when he was going to make an honest woman out of her. Personally, I assumed Garret took off because he didn’t want anything to do with becoming a husband and a father.”
“Any chance he could have come after Kate for some reason?”
She glanced at him in surprise. “It never occurred to me that he would. And honestly, I never got a creepy vibe from him. I can’t imagine him being involved in a sex-trafficking ring.”
“I know, I was just thinking Garret may have wanted to renew his relationship with Kate. That they could be off somewhere, spending time together.”
Naomi bristled. “And what, the white van I followed had nothing to do with my sister being seen leaving work in a white van? What about being rear-ended and kidnapped?”
He held up a hand. “I’m just asking questions, that’s all. The way those kidnappers keep coming after you makes it seem very personal.”
“I doubt Kate’s father is involved.”
“Okay, but I had to ask.” He slowed to turn toward East Ridge. “Tell me again where this gas station is located?”
She leaned forward, peering through the windshield. “I came in from the other direction, so that means it would be located on the left-hand side of the road.”
He swept his gaze over the area. “You were probably closer to the east side of town too, right?”
“Yeah.” A small frown furrowed her brow. “It looks so different.”
Hopes of her finding the gas station waned. “It’s okay if you can’t find it.”
She didn’t answer, still looking around intently.
He continued following the highway, wondering if this was nothing more than a wild goose chase. Even if they found the gas station, it wasn’t likely the kidnappers would use the same one again.
Although he did think it was possible the area had been used as a spot to pick up stray girls or hand them off to another driver.
“There! The gas station is up ahead.”
He slowed down to turn into the gas station. It wasn’t anything fancy; in fact, there wasn’t a convenience store to entice drivers to come in to spend more money.
So not a tourist type of gas station, but one used primarily by the locals. He swung through the parking lot and returned to the main highway.
“When he left the gas station, he went toward the interstate.” Naomi waved a hand at the on-ramp. “That way.”
Eyeing the time, he decided to follow the same route. He turned and headed onto the interstate. After a few miles, he decided this was pointless and headed off at the nearest exit.
“Sawyer? Isn’t that a black Buick?”
“Where?”
Naomi gripped his arm. “I think it went past
us on the interstate.”
He hesitated, knowing there was more than one black Buick in the area. Then he turned left and went back onto the interstate.
Pressing the gas, he tried to catch up to the traffic up ahead. Sweeping his gaze over the area, he found the Buick.
He moved into the right lane. The black Buick was three cars ahead, making it impossible to see the license plate. He quickly hit the red and blue lights on the top of his squad.
Instantly the car in front of him pulled over, then the next driver did the same. One more vehicle separated him from the Buick when the black car abruptly shot off the exit.
“He’s getting away,” Naomi cried.
Wrenching the steering wheel, he drove onto the shoulder to go around the idiot who hadn’t pulled out of his way. By the time he’d gotten down the exit, he stopped. Had the car gone left or right? He searched the road in both directions.
But there was no sign of the black Buick. It was as if the vehicle had vanished into thin air.
Chapter Nine
Naomi tightly gripped the armrest as she listened to Sawyer radioing his dispatcher about following the black Buick and how they’d lost it after exiting the interstate.
So close. They’d been so close to getting Melvin Curtis.
She hadn’t been able to get a good look at the license plate, but the way the driver had bolted off the interstate to get away from Sawyer’s police vehicle indicated, at least in her mind, criminal intent.
Most drivers pulled over as the first two cars had done. But not the Buick. The driver had taken off and managed to get away rather than pulling over.
She released her grip and glanced at Sawyer. His features were set in a grim expression, and she couldn’t blame him for being upset.
Without saying anything, he turned toward downtown Chattanooga. It occurred to her that if she hadn’t been in the squad with him, he may have continued searching for the driver of the Buick.
Disheartening, but she wouldn’t be in his hair much longer. Not that she was heading back to Dalton the way he kept suggesting. Instead, she hoped to find a hotel that wouldn’t break her bank account.
When he pulled into the parking lot of the precinct, she broke the strained silence. “I’m sorry we lost him.”
Sawyer glanced over. “We don’t even know that was our guy. But I would have liked to pull him over to find out for sure one way or the other.”
“I know.” She pushed her car door open. “Hopefully, he sticks around the Chattanooga area long enough for someone to grab him.”
“Yeah.” Sawyer rested his hand on the small of her back as they went inside. He stopped at the main desk. “Naomi Palmer is here to pick up her driver’s license and other personal belongings.”
“I believe they’re in the lieutenant’s office.”
“Thanks.” Sawyer glanced at her. “Follow me.”
Sawyer led the way through the precinct. Like last time, several officers were standing around talking and drinking strong coffee. Sawyer rapped on the door of an office belonging to Evan Watkins.
“Where have you been?” The lieutenant frowned when she followed Sawyer in. “Oh, this must be our witness.”
“Lieutenant Watkins, this is Naomi Palmer.” Sawyer made the introductions. “Naomi, Lieutenant Watkins is my boss.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Lieutenant.” She offered a smile.
The lieutenant didn’t smile back. “Ms. Palmer.” He handed her a large bag from his desk. “This is your purse and wallet found at the side of Highway 60.”
“Thank you.” She opened the evidence bag and pulled out her purse, checking to make sure it was really her driver’s license. It was amazing how much better she felt having her ID back. As if she hadn’t really existed in the world without it.
Next she pulled out the photograph of Kate. She’d given a copy to the Dalton police and gave this copy to Sawyer. “This is my sister, Kate.”
Sawyer gazed at the photograph for a long moment. “I’ll make sure copies get to all the squads.”
“I’d like that.” She was secretly relieved that Sawyer was taking her sister’s disappearance so seriously.
More so than the Dalton police had.
“Murphy, I need a word.” The lieutenant glanced pointedly at her. “Alone.”
“Oh, uh, okay. I’m going. Thanks again.” She didn’t see any alternative but to leave them alone. She made her way through the building and paused in the police station lobby. Now what? She knew Sawyer would ask her to go back to Dalton, but that wasn’t her plan. She stepped outside into the parking lot. Her overnight bag was still in Sawyer’s squad, so she went over to grab it.
Being alone in a strange city without a vehicle made her feel vulnerable. But she refused to let fear rule her life. Sawyer had mentioned checking on her Toyota, but that was before he’d gotten into trouble with his boss.
Because of her. It pained her to have put Sawyer in a bad position, but looking back, she didn’t know what she could have done differently.
Well, she could help him now by taking care of herself. With her duffel bag looped over her shoulder, she gathered her bearings, creating a map of what little she knew of the city in her head. She walked toward the busiest street, feeling certain that’s where most of the hotels would be located.
There were several possibilities, but they looked pricey. She had cash, but it wouldn’t last long if she had to spend most of it for a roof over her head.
Traffic whizzed by, and she found herself cringing when she saw a black car. Turned out not to be a Buick. A smaller hotel well off the main drag caught her eye, and she gladly turned down the less busy side street.
As she approached the motel, she realized her ability to get a room this early would be slim to none. Yet she was curious to know their room rate.
Times like this, she missed her smartphone too. There was no way to look up and compare prices on her cheap disposable phone.
The interior lobby of the small motel was cool and dark. When she spoke to the woman behind the desk, Naomi was surprised when the woman agreed to give her a room immediately.
Naomi offered her ID and credit card but quickly added her need to pay in cash. The woman eyed her suspiciously but eventually agreed.
Business must be slow, Naomi thought as she paid for the room. Key in hand, she found her room, wrinkling her nose at the musty smell. She set her bag on the bed and stood for a moment, wondering if she was crazy to stay in the Chattanooga area while the gunman was still on the loose. Then again, it wasn’t as if she’d been followed from the police station to the motel.
Her cell phone rang, startling her. Sawyer was the only one who had this number, so she answered it. “Hello?”
“Where are you?” Sawyer’s voice was sharp.
“At a motel. Why? What happened with your boss?” She prayed he hadn’t lost his job.
“I expected you to wait for me.” His tone was more reasonable now. “Which motel?”
She gave him the name, then added, “I don’t want you to get in trouble because of me.”
“I’ll be there in five.”
The line went dead. She frowned. What on earth was that about? He’d sounded upset, but he’d known her plan was to stay in Chattanooga.
And why was he coming here anyway? Didn’t he have to work?
While she was placing her toiletries in the bathroom, a loud knock echoed at the door. Warily, she peered through the peephole before opening it. “Hey,” she greeted him, stepping back so he could enter.
“They gave you a room without a credit card?”
She managed not to roll her eyes. “Obviously.”
He turned to face her, his expression somber. “I checked on your car. They’ve released it for repairs.”
“That’s great news.” She picked up the small notepad and pen from the bedside table. “Can you give me the number so I can call to make arrangements to have it repaired?”
“I’ve alrea
dy taken care of it.”
She frowned. “Thanks, but I need to know how much so I can repay you.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He waved her off.
She swallowed a wave of impatience. “Sawyer, this is all very nice, but aren’t you supposed to be working?”
“Yeah, it’s just . . .” He hesitated. “I guess I panicked when I discovered you’d taken off without telling me. I was worried you’d been kidnapped again.”
His concern for her welfare was touching, and she felt bad for causing him grief. “I’m sorry. I guess I should have left you a note. Honestly, I feel awful for getting you in trouble with your boss.”
Sawyer finally smiled. “Nah. It’s not you. He was ticked that I’d followed the black Buick with you in the squad with me, and prior to my shift. But he’ll get over it.”
Somehow, she knew the discussion had been more serious than Sawyer was telling her, but there wasn’t anything she could do to change things now. “Thanks again for everything you’ve done for me. I won’t keep you from your duties.”
Sawyer held her gaze for a long moment. “I can’t deny you’ve been a distraction, Naomi. But I need to know you’re safe. Please don’t take any chances, okay?”
“I won’t.” She honestly didn’t want to go through another kidnapping. Even though she was desperate to find Kate. “And I’ll probably call you for an update later.”
He stepped closer, his musky scent filling her head with memories of being held in his arms. “I’ll probably call you to make sure you’re safe.”
She was ridiculously pleased to hear that. Her smile faded when Sawyer reached out to pull her into his embrace. Her heart stuttered in her chest when he lowered his head to capture her mouth in a sizzling kiss.
Sawyer had no idea why he’d kissed his off-limits witness, but once he’d tasted Naomi’s sweetness, he couldn’t find the strength to let her go.
The way she eagerly participated in the kiss didn’t help any. It was only when his radio squawked that he was forced to let her go.
“Ten-four,” he said in a hoarse voice. It took a minute to realize he’d agreed to respond to a call. “I’m sorry, but I have to go.”