Cold Case at Cobra Creek by Rita Herron

Author:Rita Herron [Herron, Rita]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780373697984
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 22309786
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-10-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Dugan stopped for lunch at a barbecue place called The Pig Pit, but Sage’s appetite had vanished. She kept replaying the story Janelle Dougasville had told her about Ron Lewis...rather Lewis, the foster kid.

His upbringing had definitely affected him, had motivated him to want more from life, especially material things. He was trying to make up for what he hadn’t had as a child.

Being shuffled from one foster family to another had turned him into a chameleon. A man who could deftly switch names, lives and stories with no qualms or hesitation.

A man who had learned to manipulate people to get what he wanted.

One who played the part but remained detached, because getting attached to a family or person was painful when you were forced to leave that family or person behind.

That, Dugan could relate to.

“I almost feel sorry for him,” Sage said, thinking out loud.

“Don’t.” Dugan finished his barbecue sandwich. “Sure, he had some hard knocks in life, but a lot of people have crappy childhoods and don’t turn out to be liars and con artists.”

“You’re right. He could just as easily have turned that trauma into motivation for really making something of himself.”

“You mean something respectful,” Dugan clarified. “Because he was something. A liar and a master manipulator.”

“Yes, he was.” Sage sighed. “If he really loved this woman, Sandra Peyton, do you think he might have tried to reconnect with her?”

“Anything is possible.”

Sage contemplated that scenario. If Sandra Peyton had Benji, at least she was probably taking care of him and he was safe.

But where was she?

* * *

DUGAN SNATCHED HIS PHONE and punched in a number as they left the restaurant and got in the car. “Jaxon, it’s Dugan. Did you learn anything about that women’s shelter where Carol Sue volunteered?”

“Women there are hush-hush,” Jaxon said. “But when I explained that Benji might have been kidnapped they were cooperative. That said, no one saw him, and the lady who runs the house denied that Carol Sue brought Benji there.”

A dead end.

“See if you can locate a woman named Sandra Peyton.”

“Who is she?”

“Lewis’s foster sister, Janelle Dougasville, claims that he was involved with Sandra Peyton years ago, so he might have reconnected with her.”

“I’m on it.”

Dugan’s other line was buzzing, so he thanked Jaxon and answered the call. “Graystone.”

“Mr. Graystone, this is Ashlynn Fontaine. I ran the story for Ms. Freeport about her son in the paper, and my friend covered it on the news.”

“Yes.”

“Ms. Freeport gave me your number to contact in case any leads came in regarding her son.”

His pulse spiked. “You have something?”

“I received a call from an anonymous source who said that a woman and a little boy Benji’s age moved in next to her about a month after Ms. Freeport’s son went missing. She’s not certain the child is Benji, but she said the woman was very secretive and kept to herself. Thought you might want to check it out.”

“Text me her name and address.”

A second later, the text came through. Dugan headed toward the address.

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