To take his mind off the pain in his shoulder, he returned his thoughts to Liam as the possible arsonist. No one particularly liked the young man. Well, maybe a few females, but he certainly didn’t receive what most men, most people, wanted. Respect.

His best bet would be to formulate a timeline of Liam’s movements. At best it would be circumstantial, but Liam might confess if he thought there was a witness or other evidence. Yesterday when Bram asked Liam if his mother had met Shadow Woman, Liam mentioned the only fire where someone had been killed. He’d said, “Mom was really upset, but I . . .” Bram was willing to bet his mom was upset because she thought Liam set the fire, and Liam was about to say, “But I had nothing to do with it.”

Liam’s time of reckoning was approaching fast.

*  *  *

Something was hitting me, pushing me, wet, pounding.

My eyes were open, but the blackness did not go away.

The back of my head throbbed. My throat ached from screaming. Something clawed, whined, and licked me. I reached out to push it away. A soft coat, floppy ears. “Holly?”

The dog shivered and nudged me.

Panting and warm air came from behind me. “Maverick?”

The big dog lay beside me and let me hug him before he moved away.

“Good dogs.”

I tried to put it all together. I was shot. Shot! Bleeding! Reaching for my belt to apply a tourniquet, my hand encountered a small object. I felt it with both hands. Of course, this was the GPS. I wasn’t bleeding.

I was . . . wherever this black hole was.

My brain seemed scrambled from the blow and memory. I’d never had such a powerful and detailed flashback. Why hadn’t I fired my gun five years ago? Why had I run instead? Did I let my husband . . .

“Stop! Ground yourself in the present. Got that? Okay, my name is Darby Carson. No, Darby Graham Bell. My husband and my baby . . . No!”

Present. Not past. Not another flashback. “I’m soaking wet from sweat. It’s hot here and it stinks. The ground is . . .” I felt around me. “Dirt. The dogs are here, so they had to get here . . .” I shook my head, then immediately regretted it. Reaching back, I touched the aching spot. My hand came away wet. “Someone hit me over the head and put me . . . here. Did they put you two here as well? No. Maverick, you wouldn’t have let anyone near you. You must have found me or followed me here.”

I felt my jacket, then pants pockets, on the remote chance I had a flashlight or match. I found the two remaining rocks Scott had given me. No help there. I reached out and explored the space. Rock. A rock wall was within arm’s length.

I shifted to find out what was on the other side. Something’s wrong!