Reid
Shirley did what I asked after some further convincing, and when I look towards Cruise after she walks out the back door, he drops his chin low to his chest.
“Do you trust me?” I take a sharp inhale, hopeful Cruise will see that what we need to do far outweighs any possible need for him to go running through the house and alerting Max as to what’s unfolded. Cruise might play the hero on screen, but in reality, he’s far more analytical, and law abiding.
He nods.
“You said you’d help me bring Morgan home. Help me, brother.”
He doesn’t answer.
“John. John knew. He …” I stop speaking as I try to control my racing thoughts and bury the betrayal from a man I’d considered to be a second father to me. “If John can do this to us, then the police can’t be trusted either. Hell, I know someone on the force is involved. Dusty, that guy Linda’s seeing, he told me not to trust the police. He had intel, Cruise. Those pigs haven’t told us all they know, just bits and pieces. They can’t help us. Max is the only one I trust, but he’s only one officer, and he’s not even high ranking. Do you see what I’m saying?”
Cruise doesn’t reply. He doesn’t even bat an eyelid. He just stares.
“I’m going to get Morgan, and you’re coming with me.”
Cruise's lips part, but I give him no time to speak.
“You need to get the biggest butcher’s knife from the kitchen, and grab Ronald’s car keys. They’re next to my wallet on the bench. Cruise, do it quietly. I know where the cabin is. I know where to go.”
He shakes his head.
“You will get the knife and the keys.” My tone is strained. “I’m going to write a message for Max and tape it to the back of the front door.”
“Reid, no. Let the police handle this. The kids, they —”
“They will be safe. I know they will be okay.”
“No. They’re not. Morgan would want you to go to them.”
“Morgan needs me. Max will get the kids out safely. Trust me. Cruise, please be here for me.”
“I am,” he mumbles.
I reach out my hand, placing it on his arm. “This is my wife, and I know if Natalie was out there you’d —”
“I’d move hell and high water to get to her.”
I grind my teeth together as I nod.
“Okay.” He places his hand on top of mine. “Okay, I’ll help you.”
I release a long exhale. Tears well in my eyes just as I see tears brim in Cruise’s. “You get the knife and car keys, and I’ll write the note.”
I sneak towards the office. Slowly, I turn the handle and push open the door. Flicking the light switch on, I rush towards my desk. I pull out the printer tray and remove an A4 sheet of paper before grabbing a pen.
Max,
John is involved in Morgan’s disappearance. Get my kids out of that fucking house and keep them safe. You’re the only person I trust.
Now, I need you to trust me. Shirley is not involved. She didn’t know. I know where Morgan is, she’s in a cabin John owns at Corbet’s Landing. I’m bringing my wife home.
Reid.
I pull four long strands of tape from the tape dispenser on the desk and stick them to my finger. I turn off the light and hurry down the hallway until I’ve reached the closed front door where Cruise stands, holding a long carving knife in his hand as he shifts from foot to foot.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” he whispers.
I nod.
“Okay.”
I tape the note a little higher than my line of sight knowing that the moment I start Ronald’s four-wheel drive, and blow the horn, Max will wake and realise I’m gone. He’s been a light sleeper every time his eyes have closed since he’s been here. I predict he’ll bolt to the front door to chase us, and hopefully, he’ll see the note. It’s what I need to believe will happen.
I flick my hand towards Cruise, indicating it’s time for us to leave. Cruise’s Adam’s apple bounces in his throat in response.
I swallow hard as I quickly spy the clock hung on the kitchen wall. 4:50 a.m. I know I’m not thinking clearly, but this is what my instinct is screaming for me to do. I need to run. Run until I find Morgan. She needs me. She’s not dead. Shirley mustn’t have heard John right.
“Give me the knife,” I whisper the moment I gently close the front door to the house. “Get into the car. I’ve got this.”
I stop. I take a deep breath, then draw my hand back with the knife held tightly in my grip. “I’m sorry, Max,” I say as I plunge the blade into the back tyre of his police car.
Hissssssss, hisssssss.
I slash all four tyres in minutes. I run towards the open driver’s door of Ronald’s car. There’s no turning back now.
I need to know if Morgan is alive, and this is the only way. Now I just have to hope the screeching tyres, and the long blow of the horn, are enough to have Max jumping out of the lounge, or even the complete neighbourhood rising. I need someone to see that note—to safeguard my children.