Cut and Run(59)

“There’s Su Morgan. The two of them liked to go out a lot.” Vivian provided Su’s contact information. “I’ve talked to her every day for the last three months, and she’s heard nothing from Paige.”

“And she never told Brittany or Su the name of the baby’s father?”

“They swear she didn’t,” Vivian said.

“How far along would Paige be now?” Hayden asked.

“Thirty-nine weeks. The baby is due any day.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I have dreamed of the worst possible scenarios, but I never thought in my heart that she might be dead. She’s my baby, and I would know if she was gone.” She closed her eyes and then shoved out a breath. “The last few nights I’ve worried about her giving birth alone. I had to have a C-section when she was born, and if we’d not been in a hospital, one or both of us would have died.”

“All right, ma’am,” Hayden said. “I’ll have a look at your daughter’s social media posts.” He flipped the page in his notebook and then asked, “What about letters or threatening calls? Was anyone harassing her?”

“No.”

“Did she use drugs?” Hayden asked.

“Not that I know of,” Vivian said. “And after she went missing, I tore her room apart. There wasn’t a square inch that I didn’t search. I found condoms but no drugs. She was a good kid, Ranger Hayden. But I think not as grown-up as she believed she was. She was also very naive.”

“Has she had any legal trouble?” Hayden asked.

“A speeding ticket last year, but we had an attorney take care of it.”

“Okay,” Hayden said. “One last question. She ever been to a bar called Second Chances?”

“When I went through her room, I found matches from Second Chances,” Vivian answered. “I even went by the bar and spoke to the owner. He said he hadn’t seen her but put up one of the flyers I gave him. Is the bar related to her case?”

That was an important tidbit Garnet hadn’t mentioned. “I can’t say yet.”

“How does this help with your case?” Fred asked.

“I’ll know better once I meet with local police tomorrow to compare notes.” He especially wanted to know if there’d been other blond, pregnant teen girls who’d vanished. Healthy infants could be sold for a lot of money.

Vivian gripped his arm. “She’s running out of time, Ranger Hayden.”

“Yes, ma’am, I know. We’re doing our best to find her.”





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Wednesday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.

A quick search on her phone told Faith the Second Chances bar was on Third Street. It took only minutes to cross town and park near the small place that looked like the typical dive bar. Small windows and a plain front door led to a dimly lit interior that, combined with a collection of round tables made of reclaimed barnwood, fell short of cozy.

All the tables were full, and piped-in country western music added a buoyancy to a room that might not have fared so well in daylight. The woman behind the bar was young, with a shock of red hair pulled back in a ponytail that could not calm the curls. She was smiling as she pulled a draft and then poured a shot of whiskey, all in one fluid motion.

Faith found a spot at the end of the bar. If there was anyone who didn’t look the part of a Second Chances customer, it was her. She settled her purse between her legs and tried to pretend she belonged.

The woman came up to her, wiped the wet bar, and set down a paper napkin. “What can I get you?”

“Bourbon, neat.”

“Ah, the lady knows the wisdom of not ruining a good bourbon with water or soda.”

“I’m a purist,” she said, smiling.

“Be right back. And sorry for the delay. We’re shorthanded tonight.”

“No worries.”

The waitress took her order to the bartender, who filled a shot glass. “We also have menus if you’re hungry. Nothing fancy, but tasty.”

“Thanks. Just a bourbon for now.”

“You look familiar,” the woman said.

“I’ve never been in here before.”

“I could have sworn I’ve seen you. But then I’m new at all this and don’t remember the faces as well as the boss.”

Had she seen Macy? Or had she caught Faith on television a few weeks ago? “Maybe I’ve got that kind of face.”

“The boss would know. He’s good with faces. Never forgets one.”

Then he would remember Macy. And he would notice her. She sipped her bourbon, certain if she asked about Macy or started showing pictures, she’d only raise suspicions.

The waitress was summoned by a customer at the other end of the bar, leaving Faith to stare into the mirror behind the bar and watch the crowd behind her. No one seemed to toss her a second look. She was just another woman at the bar.

Saloon doors that separated the front end of the house from the kitchen swung open, and a man in his late fifties pushed through. He was fit for his age and had a full head of hair. If not for the crow’s-feet around his eyes and the deep laugh lines running the length of his face, he could have passed for a decade younger.

He crossed behind the bar, grinning. “I can take over, Jill. Why don’t you check in on your tables?”