“After I left the diner, I went to the creek,” I start, and my eyes are on Kallie. She looks down at the floor, and I see her wipe a tear away. “I just needed to clear my head.” She shakes her head. “I was walking there, and I saw a guy. Knew right away he was not where he was supposed to be. He was taking pictures,” I say, and now she looks up at me with her mouth open. “He claims he got lost on the trails.”

“There are no trails,” Billy says, looking at Casey who takes another swig.

“I got his picture,” I tell them and open my phone. “He said his name is Dwayne.” I hand the phone to Olivia, who shakes her head, then passes the phone to Kallie, who takes it in her hand and shakes her head also.

“I walked him to his car and got his plate number,” I say. “I’m running the plate, but I’m not expecting it to be that easy.”

“You are not allowed at that creek,” Casey says to Kallie.

“You don’t have to worry about that. After today, I think it’s safe to say I’m going into hibernation,” she says, getting up. “I’m not feeling well.”

“I’ll go with her,” Olivia says, and then looks at Casey. “Enough of the drinking please.”

Casey does not do what he’s told. He does not listen to anyone but his mother, and that is only on occasion. I’m waiting for him to laugh at her and take another gulp. Instead, he nods at her and puts the bottle down, and I’m not the only one with their mouth hanging open. Olivia looks at him and gives him a shy smile, and she walks upstairs just as my phone rings.

“Hello?” I say, looking at Casey when I hear Grady. “I’m with Casey. I’m going to put you on speaker.”

“Okay, so the plate you got is from a rental agency,” he says, and I shake my head.

“I knew it,” I say.

“But get this, when I called the rental agency, they said that this car was not rented out. So the guy goes to check, and the plate was stolen off the car,” Grady says. “We have two of the guys going over there to check the surveillance footage. I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thank you,” I say and hang up.

“What in the fuck is going on?” Billy says.

“I have no idea,” I say and look upstairs, “but whatever it is, those two should never be alone.” I want to go up and check on her. I want to make sure she is okay. Instead, I turn around and head for the front door. “I’ll be in touch,” I say right before I slam the door behind me.

Chapter Fourteen

Kallie