Missing in Texas by Karen Whiddon

Author:Karen Whiddon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-05-15T13:40:20+00:00

Chapter 9

Edie had always considered patience to be one of her strengths. Dealing with a small child required a lot of it, as did working at the bakery with the general public. But right now, wishing she could magically transport Jake’s truck up and over the I-45 traffic, any coolness or composure she might once have possessed had definitely vanished.

Her rapid heartbeat played like a drum in her ears, saying her little girl’s name over and over. Laney. Laney. Laney.

She didn’t know how much more of a delay she could take.

“Are you all right?” Jake asked, glancing at her. “You seem a bit jumpy.”

“That’s a nice way to describe it,” she replied, shifting in her seat. “I feel like a little kid who wants to keep asking if we’re there yet. This traffic is driving me up a wall.”

“I get it,” he said. “Believe me. Even if we were in a police car with lights and sirens on, I doubt we’d make any faster headway in the gridlock.”

She groaned. “I feel like every minute that ticks by is giving him some sort of advantage.”

“I hope not. On the bright side, at least we don’t have to go into Houston itself. Traffic is definitely worse there.” He glanced at the dashboard clock. “But I’m with you. Too much time has passed. They’ve got to know something. Why don’t you try Rayna again?”

Her gut twisted. She knew he was right. No news at this point almost certainly was a bad thing. Hand shaking, she grabbed her phone and tried Rayna again.

This time, the sheriff answered. “Edie, put me on speaker,” she said.

Instantly, Edie complied. “Done. Go ahead.”

“It’s not good,” Rayna said.

A sick feeling in her stomach, Edie almost dropped her phone. “What do you mean?” she asked, her mouth dry. “Did you find Laney?”

“No, and that’s the only good thing at this point.” The grimness in Rayna’s tone spoke to the gravity of the situation. “When Conroe PD pulled up to the address, the house exploded. One officer has been transported to the hospital with serious injuries. The other fared a bit better. The fire department is on the scene trying to extinguish the blaze. The house is a total loss.”

Next to her, she heard Jake’s sharp intake of breath.

“Was...” Edie could hardly force the words out. “Do you...” Her voice broke. “Do you know if Laney was inside?”

“Not yet. As of right now, I’m being told they’re thinking the house was empty. I hope like hell it was.”

Edie closed her eyes, feeling dizzy. She struggled to breathe, to keep from bursting into tears. Laney had to be safe. She had to be. Edie couldn’t bear to think of anything else.

Jake touched her arm lightly, apparently understanding her struggle.

“Look.” He pointed toward a plume of black smoke on the horizon. “That must be it.”

“The fire captain is there and he’s expecting you,” Rayna said as if Jake hadn’t spoken. “Call me as soon as you learn something concrete.”

“We will,” Edie rasped, blinking back tears.

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