“I’ve got people reaching out to every mine worker to see if he’s been in touch with them,” he continued. “Plus high school friends, drinking buddies, whoever—anyone who knew Ricky when he lived here. He’s got to be staying nearby. Someone knows where he is, or someone has seen him around town. It won’t take us long to track him down.”

I wanted to share Darrell’s confidence, but I knew Ricky. He knew this area inside and out, and he knew every hiding place around the county. If he didn’t want us to find him, we wouldn’t. Not until it was too late.

“Until we lock him up, you’ll stay with me,” Darrell said.

I shook my head. “No. No way.”

“It’s not up for debate. You aren’t staying in this house.”

“All I need is a new gun.”

“I can get you a gun, but I want you out of this place.”

“So I let him chase me out of my own home?” I asked. “He threatens me, and I run away scared? That’s what he wants, Darrell. He’s trying to terrorize me, and I won’t give him the satisfaction.”

“It’s just until we arrest him.”

“I appreciate the offer, but the last thing I’m going to do is put your family at risk. You’ve got Marilyn and the girls to think about.”

“Then you’ll go to a motel,” Darrell said. “You can stay there for a few days while we look for him. No one will know where you are. If there are other people around, it’s less likely that Ricky will want any trouble.”

I sighed. “I can take care of myself.”

“In most circumstances, yes. But right now, I’m sorry, you can’t.”

I couldn’t really fight him about that. So I finally gave in. I packed a bag so that I could be away for several days. Darrell put the suitcase in my trunk, and I followed him to a motel not far from the 126, where he got me a room and insisted on paying for it. I had to admit, it did make me feel better to see other cars in the parking lot and realize that there would be people in the rooms on either side of me. I liked knowing I could get help if I needed it just by shouting.

After I was checked in, I told Darrell I would go back to the sheriff’s office with him, but he refused to let me do that. He told me he’d bring me a takeout lunch a little later, and until then, I should relax. Sleep. Read. Take a bath. Whatever. I tried to do all of that, but I couldn’t get Ricky and his threats out of my head. I knew I was playing his game, but I didn’t have a choice.

I own you.