"I said no."

Erikka followed Chuck into the kitchen. "Why not?"

"Because we can go faster when you're not on the back of my Harley." He finished the last drop of his coffee and set the mug in the sink.

"I get it, but can I take my car and drive around? I won't stop or get out." She planted her hands on the tile atop the kitchen island.

"No." He stopped beside her and kissed her forehead. "Gomez is coming by at eleven o'clock. You need to stay here and meet with him."

"How do you know?"

"He called fifteen minutes ago." He walked out of the kitchen.

She hurried into the living room after him. "What did he say?"

"Stoddard's mom thinks her son's car was parked at the old G.I. Joe store late last night." He bent over and picked up his gloves and helmet.

"The G.I...that building is empty. They closed almost a decade ago."

"Right." He put on his helmet without latching the strap. "They built a huge apartment complex out front by the road in front of the store. Mrs. Stoddard doesn't know if he has anyone he knows who lives there but the parking for the apartment is assigned, which means visitors of the tenants often use the abandoned parking lot."

She rubbed her forehead trying to absorb all the details. "If it's out of sight from the road now, how did his mother see the car?"

"She didn't." He shook his head. "She has a friend who sells makeup and was making a delivering to one of her customers at the apartments. That friend parked in the parking lot and mentioned she thinks Stoddard's car was there. Mrs. Stoddard called Gomez when she heard. He's sending a policeman to do a drive-by now to see if the car is still there. Notus is going to take a closer look and ask some questions at the apartments."

"Oh, my God. What if he's there?" She grabbed on to Chuck. "That could mean Rachel is being kept in one of the apartments. You could find her."

"It's only a lead." He cupped her face. "I need you to stay here. Meet with Gomez."

"I will." She nodded, changing her mind about searching on her own while Chuck went in a different direction.

Whatever he wanted her to do, she'd do it if it meant he'd rush over there and find Rachel. This was the closest they've come to finding a possible location in St. John's.

"Go, go." She kissed him quick. "Ride safely."

He walked to the door. "Lock it behind me."

"I will."

"Remember to keep your purse in the living room and make sure the safety is off your pistol." He stood in the doorframe. "Don't answer the door, unless it's a Notus member or Gomez. Keep your cell phone on you."

"Got it." He'd told her the same thing every day since she started staying with him. She knew the drill.

Alone, she flipped the lock. Her stomach spiraled and tightened with nerves. Hope filled her. She'd woke up that morning with a niggling feeling she couldn't explain. It must've been a premonition that something would change today.

"God, Rachel, hang on. They will find you," she whispered to the empty room.

Pacing the house, she couldn't stop moving. Nervous energy bounced around inside of her, alternating making her weak, and then strong. If she got Rachel back, she'd agree to join the gym with her instead of stubbornly turning her sister's offer down to use her visitor pass. She'd go, even though she would probably end up glaring at the desk worker who flirted with Chuck the whole time. As soon as she got a job, she'd save money and take her first vacation to Italy, even though she had no desire to go out of the states. Whatever Rachel wanted, she'd do. Never again would she take time with her sister for granted.

She tripped on Chuck's extra pair of boots and caught herself on the couch before she fell. Picking up his shoes, she carried them over to the stairs and set them on the bottom step. Love filled her. She wouldn't have survived the last two months without Chuck supporting her emotionally.

He'd been her strength. On her low days, he kept her going. On her high days, he kept her safe when she wanted to tear down all of St. John's and search for Rachel. She pressed her hand to her upset stomach. Rachel would like Chuck, once she got to know him.

A wave of dizziness hit her. She walked into the kitchen and poured herself a cup of coffee, adding extra sugar. Cupping the mug, she carried the drink to the living room and sat on the couch. The warmth helped settle her nerves.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and set it beside her. Her purse sat on the end table. It was a little after ten o'clock. Lieutenant Gomez would be here in less than an hour.

Time moved slowly the more she looked at her phone. Eventually, she set the empty mug on the coffee table, went pee, and returned downstairs to find that only twenty minutes had passed.

Rapid knocking on the door startled her. Lieutenant Gomez had come early.

She hurried over and looked through the peephole. Pressed against the door, she wasn't sure if she was seeing right when the fisheye view of her sister appeared.

"Rachel?" she whispered, fumbling blindly with the lock.

Afraid to tear her gaze off her sister, she muffled her scream at her clumsiness. Her fingers refused to work on the lock.

"Rachel?" she yelled. "Hold on. Don't go. I'm trying—"

"Erikka?" said her sister, knocking again.

"Yes. Yes. It's me." She stomped her foot in frustration. "I'm here. I'll help you."

Her fingers finally found purchase on the deadbolt, and she turned the lock. In her panic, she fell out of the house and grabbed onto Rachel. Her overwhelmed muscles weakened, but her resolve and relief squeezed Rachel to her. She was never going to let her sister go again.

"Are you okay?" She patted her sister's back. "Are you hurt?"

"I'm tired but fine." Rachel groaned. "Though I can't breathe with you hanging on me."

Erikka raised her head, scanning the driveway, and pulled her sister inside and locked the door. "We need to call the police."

"Erik—"

"Oh, my God. I can't believe this. You're here." She rubbed Rachel's arms. "Did he hurt you, sis?"

"He—"

"I'll take care of you. The police will have you go to the hospital and get checked out, but I'm not letting you out of my sight." She pulled Rachel over to the couch. "I won't let him get you again."

"Erikka, stop. I came back because I need your help. We need your help." Rachel pulled on Erikka's hand, forcing her to sit. "Listen to me. I don't have much time."

A cold chill passed through her. She stared at Rachel, taking a hard look. Only with the proof of the ordeal they'd lived through all summer sitting beside her could she see the truth, and fear took hold.