Читать книгу: «The Cradle Conspiracy»

FIVE

Devin grabbed the phone from Sienna, slid the back off and took the battery out. He knew time was of the essence, and they couldn’t risk being followed.

“Why’d you do that?” Sienna asked, her mouth dropping open slightly.

“Just in case someone tries to track your number,” he said. “It’s unlikely, but it’s possible. I’m not sure how high-tech these people are, but, until we know more, we shouldn’t take any chances.”

She shivered, and the slightly offended look in her eyes disappeared. “Good point. The last thing I want to do is lead this man right to us.”

Devin heard the concern in her voice, and his heart panged with compassion. “I’m going to keep an eye on you guys, Sienna.”

She didn’t seem to hear him.

“I knew he wanted Colby, but he wants to kill me?” She shivered again. “I just... I don’t understand.”

Devin resisted the urge to touch Sienna’s arm or to put his hand on her back. It was tempting, and she looked like she needed comfort. But it wasn’t his place. No, he would keep her and Colby safe, but that was all.

“You should try and get some rest,” he encouraged her.

“I wish I could. But I’m certain I can’t. My brain is working overtime.”

“Maybe I can find something to make some coffee with, then.” He stood.

Thankfully, power was still connected to the place. It would just take a while for it to heat up sufficiently. And turning the lights on seemed too dangerous, a surefire signal to anyone going past that they were here. They couldn’t take the risk.

“Coffee sounds good.” She pulled her sleeves over her hands, making her look more like a college student than a teacher.

Devin made his way into the kitchen and found what he needed. A few minutes later, the pot percolated. Once it was done, he brought two cups over—one for himself and one for Sienna.

He handed Sienna hers. “Sorry—no cream or sugar. But it’s warm.”

“Thank you.”

He sat across from her again, his thoughts spinning toward the unknown future. “You said you brought something for Colby to eat in the morning, correct?”

“Yes, that’s correct. I grabbed some of his favorite snacks and some juice, cereal and bananas before we left.”

“Good, at least we don’t have to worry about that.” He had so many other things on his mind—food wasn’t at the top of his list. He and Sienna could make do with whatever they found, but not the baby.

He glanced up as he felt Sienna studying him.

“Why are you helping us, Devin?” she asked, not looking the least bit embarrassed or apologetic to be caught staring. “Why put your own life at risk?”

“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I sat back while something happened to you.”

“But you don’t even know us.” Confusion stretched through her voice.

“I don’t have to know you. I know enough. You’re a single woman and Colby is a child. I can’t leave you on your own with someone trying to kill you.”

She held her coffee in front of her with both hands, ready to take a sip. “Well, that’s really nice of you. I just hope you don’t regret it. I’m not sure what lies ahead.”

“None of us do, do we?” Devin’s voice caught. His whole life had been proof that what a person hoped waited for them in the future was often not reality.

Sienna took a sip of her coffee and leaned back. “No, we don’t. Funny how we’ve lived beside each other for six months and this is the most we’ve ever spoken.”

If Devin was smart, he wouldn’t be too chatty now, either. Sienna did look so inviting, though, with that black-and-red flannel blanket around her and with her fingers hugging that coffee mug.

Maybe that was why he’d always stayed away from her, for that matter. Because Sienna was inviting, and he didn’t want to tempt himself.

His heart would always belong to his wife. To even entertain the idea of giving his love to someone else felt like a betrayal. So his walls went up. And they stayed up. It was all he knew to do.

Devin needed to make sure those walls stayed stronger than ever. Because the peril around them could test all of his limits.

* * *

Sienna took another sip of her coffee, her mind racing. She hated just sitting here and waiting. Hated the questions fluttering in her mind. There had to be something she could do—something besides thinking about the turbulence in Devin’s gaze and the haunted look in his eyes.

She swallowed hard and pushed down the questions about her handsome neighbor. She had other much more pressing things she needed to consider and figure out. The sooner they had answers, the sooner she could resume her life.

“Devin, is there a computer here?” she finally asked.

“There’s one in the corner. Why?”

“Do you mind if I use it? I’d like to do my own research on Anita.”

“I suppose it can’t hurt.” He stood and directed her to an old desktop. “We’ll have to use my hot spot to log in. No internet here.”

“I should have guessed.”

Sienna sat there, her fingers poised to begin typing. As she hit a key, the computer came to life. The glow from the screen cast its light in the room.

Devin didn’t move from his spot beside her, peering at the screen in curiosity.

And something about his nearness had Sienna’s nerves on edge.

It was the situation, she told herself. And that was all.

After getting signed on to Devin’s hot spot, she typed Anita’s name into the search engine. A little ball formed on the screen, letting Sienna know it was going to take a moment to get her results. Sienna couldn’t help but muse at the complete silence around her.

At home, she could hear the air blowing through her vents as the HVAC either chilled or heated her house. Could hear the hum of the lights. The swish of the dishwasher. Cars passing by on a nearby highway.

Here...there was so much stillness that it was almost unnerving.

The wind blew a spattering of debris against the cabin just then, breaking up the tension that had begun to stretch across her shoulders. She hoped that was the only unexpected sound she heard tonight. No more windows being shoved open or unexpected footfalls or the click of a gun being cocked.

Finally, the little ball on the screen disappeared, and results were listed down the page.

It was like Detective Jenson said. Anita’s social media account didn’t appear until four months ago. But Sienna herself hadn’t opened an account until six months ago. Social media just wasn’t her thing.

Sienna clicked on the woman’s profile picture and studied it a moment. Anita was petite—probably just over five feet—and twenty pounds or so overweight. She had blond hair that was cut to her shoulders in no particular style. She hardly ever wore makeup, but she did wear a necklace with a crown trinket at the end.

Sienna had asked her once if there was any significance to the jewelry, but Anita had told Sienna that she just liked the piece.

There were no pictures of Anita with Colby, nor did her profile share very much information other than the fact she liked ice cream with caramel on top, she loved working with children and she was born in September.

Why were there no pictures of her with Colby? Someone as bubbly as Anita should thrive on social media. And the woman was always snapping pictures on her phone. She insisted on showing them to everyone when she got to school each day. It wasn’t a bad thing. But even when Sienna was in a hurry, Anita didn’t seem to notice. She had all the time in the world.

“It just doesn’t make sense,” Sienna muttered, leaning back in the rickety computer chair.

Devin shifted beside her. “Maybe she doesn’t like being online.”

Sienna shook her head. “Anita seems like the type to love stuff like this. I just can’t believe she had nothing until she moved to this area. She was the type of person who would insert herself into conversations when she wasn’t welcome. She was clueless about it. Or she’d interrupt you to tell you something new that Colby had done. She had one of those grating personalities where everything was all about her.”

“It sounds suspicious that she doesn’t have a more flourishing social media presence then, doesn’t it? People that like attention seem to thrive on social media.”

Sienna twisted in her chair to better face Devin and see his expression. “Why would she move here and create a new identity?”

“Maybe she’s running from something. Maybe an abusive ex-husband?”

Sienna’s heart ached with a jab of grief—grief that quickly mingled with excitement. Maybe Devin was on to something. She’d considered that possibility before but what if this was much more serious than she’d allowed herself to believe?

“Maybe that is what happened,” Sienna said. “Maybe she left him, and now he’s trying to get Colby back.”

“I’ll make sure the police look into it. But that could be a decent lead.”

Just then, she turned and their knees brushed. Another jolt of electricity traveled through her, and she let out a gasp and quickly pulled back.

She hadn’t expected that. Not at all.

And she didn’t welcome it happening again, either. Whenever she did decide she was interested in dating again, it would not be with a man like Devin. No, it wouldn’t be with someone who was brooding and cranky and unfriendly. She needed someone who was relaxed. Laid-back. Kind.

The first jolt of electricity had just been an accident. A misunderstanding between her brain and her heart. But for it to happen twice? That wasn’t good.

She cleared her throat, embarrassed by her reaction. “Until we learn Anita’s real identity, we won’t know if the theory—that she’s running from someone—is correct, though.”

“Don’t you have to be fingerprinted to work at the school?”

Sienna nodded. “That’s right. They could trace her fingerprints.”

“But only if she has a criminal record.”

Her excitement died just as quickly as it had risen. “It’s true. It’s a good thing I’m not in law enforcement, because I’m all out of other ideas.”

Devin squeezed her arm. “I know the police are on it right now. Let them worry about it. You should get your rest. Tomorrow could be a long day.”

She nodded, feeling a wave of exhaustion come over her. If it was just Sienna taking care of herself, it would be different. But chasing after a twenty-four-month-old was no easy task. It required energy and focus. “You’re right. I should. I’m going to need my energy to take care of Colby.”

“You can take the other twin bed in his room.” Devin stood.

“That sounds great. That way I can keep an eye on him.”

“I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

Reluctantly, she stepped away from Devin. Strange, she thought, how she instantly felt more exposed. She hadn’t realized it until this instant, but something about Devin’s presence had made her feel safe. He had that bodyguard type of presence. It felt good to know someone was watching her back. Protecting her.

But she had a child to care for. She didn’t have time to worry about her own feelings or fears. No, she had to keep Colby away from the man who’d broken into her house.

And she would.

If it was the last thing she did.

* * *

Devin paced the wooden floor of the cabin. He couldn’t sleep. No, he wouldn’t let himself. He needed to stay awake. To listen.

Whoever had followed them had been clearly desperate. Desperate people wouldn’t stop just because their car was hanging off a cliff. No, as soon as that driver got his car back in order, he would keep looking. Or, even worse, maybe he was working with someone.

Either way, Devin couldn’t rest. His adrenaline still pumped through him, and his thoughts raced.

If someone was determined enough, he could hit each of the side streets leading up this mountain. If he did that, he would eventually find this cabin.

Devin didn’t want to think like that, but he had to be prudent. He had to face the fact that it was a possibility.

If worse came to worst, he could bring someone else in to help them. He hoped it didn’t come to that, though. He preferred keeping his circle small, especially in situations like this. The fewer people who knew where they were, the better.

He chewed on the theory about Anita having an abusive ex. It could be plausible. What if Colby’s father was trying to get him back and would stop at nothing to do just that? It made sense, and it was the most plausible excuse he could think of.

Devin called Detective Jenson and ran the theory past him.

“That’s an interesting idea,” Jenson said. “I’ll look into it. But until we know this woman’s real identity, I’m not sure we can prove any of it.”

“Any headway in that area?”

“We’re running her fingerprints and photo through one of our programs. We’ve also sent a team to her house to see if we can find anything there. So far, there’s nothing.”

“That’s unfortunate.”

“Whoever she really is, she was careful to conceal her true identity.”

“She’s either smart or desperate.”

“Maybe both.”

“Maybe both,” Devin conceded.

After Devin ended the call, he stepped toward the window and peered outside.

Darkness stared back. A good acre of trees stood between the cabin and the road. The lane snaking through the woods to the cabin was concealed by the forest, so unless someone was looking for the entry to the place, a person could pass it.

Devin had a lot of great memories of coming here as a child. Memories of hiking through the mighty pine forests surrounding the mountains. Of fishing with his dad at the creek that was only a short walk away. Of taking their catches of the day and grilling out on the back deck. His mom would make her grilled corn salad. They’d play games outside and just enjoy each other’s company.

Family time. He remembered that far more than he remembered the birthday gifts he’d received.

He also remembered bringing Grace and Willow here. He’d wanted to share the memories with them, though Grace had been more of a city girl. He’d been hoping she’d warm up to the idea of a cabin life, but it had felt too much like camping to her.

Still, this was the place where a person could find peace. Could he say the same when all of this was over? He didn’t know.

Devin paused as something in the distance caught his eye.

Was that light between the trees?

Devin sucked in a breath.

He squinted.

A flashlight? Coming through the woods?

No, Devin realized. It was the distant headlights of a car passing on the lane.

He tensed. It could just be someone traveling through the area. Or it could be the person who was looking for them.

He pulled the gun from his shoulder holster and waited.

Another set of lights went past.

Two cars in five minutes? Or was it someone who’d driven past, missed the lane and turned around to come back and check it out?

His mind raced through possibilities. Should he wake Sienna and Colby and run? Or stand his ground?

Right now, his bets were on standing his ground. Until he knew if he was overreacting, he had to keep a cool head.

He continued to wait, looking for another glimmer of illumination through the foliage outside the cabin.

He saw nothing.

But he didn’t let down his guard. Not yet. Because he knew there was a chance the driver had cut his lights. That he was traveling by foot.

And, if he was, Devin would be ready and on guard when he arrived.