“Over to Blackmon Boat Rentals. Jack Blackmon recognized the man on the flyer being passed about as a man who rented a boat from him earlier today. I’ll call and let you know what I—”

“I’m going with you, Sawyer.”

Sawyer suddenly stopped, and with a fierce frown on his face, he turned and stared at Kaegan. “You need to stay here with the others. This is police business.”

“Then deputize me, dammit,” Kaegan snapped. “You’ve done it before—that time when several of your men came down with the flu.”

Sawyer seemed to consider his words and then said, “Fine, but do what you’re told, Kaegan, and if you try and take matters into your own hands, I will arrest you myself.”

He then raced toward the police cruiser with Kaegan right on his heels.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

THERE WAS ONLY a quarter moon in the sky. The night was drenched in total darkness and Bryce had no idea where she was. Jeremy had returned to the cabin, pulled her up and practically dragged her off the boat.

“I discovered this place a couple of months ago when I came here to go fishing. It’s a private island off the swamp and I’m told people are afraid to even come here,” he said, finally removing the gag from her mouth.

Bryce’s heart began pounding as she began working the soreness from her mouth. Had he brought her to Eagle Bend Inlet? Would she lose her life here? Jeremy hadn’t said what he intended to do with her, and she was too afraid to ask him.

“Please let me go, Jeremy,” she said, backing up away from him. “It’s not in you to hurt anyone.” She wanted to believe that.

He laughed. “If you think that then you really don’t know me, Bryce. And had you truly known me you would know I’m a man who doesn’t like being ignored. Two others found out the hard way.”

Fear settled in her stomach when he slowly began walking toward her. Was he saying he’d hurt two other women before her? How could she have thought he was someone she wanted to be interested in? Someone who could help her move on from Kaegan?

“Please don’t do this.” Even with the low light she saw another rope he held in his hand. It was similar to the one her hands were tied up with. Did he intend to strangle her, squeeze the life out of her here? She backed up. “No, Jeremy, please don’t. Just leave me here to die.”

“Why should I make things easy for you?” he asked her, grinning.

“You won’t be making it easy,” she insisted. “There’s no way I’ll survive the swamp,” she said quickly, hoping she could convince him to let her live. If this was Eagle Bend Inlet, Kaegan would have gotten an alert that someone had trespassed on his property. At least she hoped he would.

Jeremy stopped walking, as if to consider her words. “Hmm, you just gave me an idea,” he said, as a huge smile touched his lips.