An electric buzz passed between Alyssa and Cord and then Joe and Alyssa. Tony’s hunting cabin was in the Pecos, giving yet another tenuous but definite link between Adam and him.

Chapter Forty-Four

Wednesday, October 9

Addis’s feet hurt, as did the rest of her, after having spent the past several hours glued to Tony’s side. The sun had long since peaked high in the sky and was now eking its way into its western descent, winking in and out above the tree line. But she pushed that and the dip in temperature to the back of her mind as they tracked what they hoped, once again, was Emerson’s trail.

After the second trail they’d explored had turned out to be another bust, Tony had released a string of curses under his breath before turning to Addis and apologizing. ‘I’m really sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I should’ve taken the risk to get you to safety and get a real rescue team in here. It’s no excuse, but I’m a damned good tracker, and I just thought I had a better chance of finding her before Search and Rescue got set up.’

The tortured expression on Tony’s face almost managed to send Addis into another bout of bawling. Swallowing several times, she waited until she was positive she wouldn’t once again turn into a blubbering mess before she touched his arm and told him the truth. ‘I would’ve fought you all the way. I know you would’ve won out in the end because you’re stronger, but I would’ve resented you for it.’ Emotion clogged her throat as she added, ‘I couldn’t live with myself knowing I was safe while my best friend is out there somewhere probably fighting for her life, if she’s even alive, especially knowing she wouldn’t be in this situation at all if—’

Tony jerked his head up. ‘Listen to me; you are not at fault. The people who killed your parents and kidnapped you are the only ones responsible.’ Addis opened her mouth to contradict him, but he cut her off. ‘Are we going to stand here and argue or go find Emerson?’

Addis sniffled. ‘Find Em.’

And now here they were on their fourth possible trail, and it had been Addis who noticed the trampled, broken brush that led to what appeared to be a circular path. As they passed it, she pointed out the passenger window. ‘Is that a trail?’