Midnight Exposure (Midnight #1)(80)

Two girls emerged from the kitchen.

“Can I help you, Mr. Kimball?” the taller one asked. Reed recognized her as one of Scott’s classmates, Emily something.

“I’m looking for Scott.” But Reed knew his son wasn’t in the house before she answered.

Emily smiled. “I don’t know where Scott and Brandon went. We were upstairs. When we came down, they were gone.”



The Druid added logs to the bonfire that roared at his feet. He moved to check on the initial sacrifice. A young man in his prime. Two more were necessary. Brigid plus another healthy specimen. He sent a prayer to the gods that his apprentice would not fail in his quest. Great salvation could not be achieved without great sacrifice. The balance must be maintained.

An engine approached. Minutes later, boots crunched on frozen snow.

His apprentice carried a young man over his shoulders like a fireman.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t obtain the woman. I brought a substitute. I have no excuse.” The apprentice carefully lowered his burden to the ground in front of the second pillar, then knelt in the snow at his master’s feet. “I failed.”

The Druid placed a gentle hand on the beloved blond head. “I failed in that task as well. The situation is not ideal, but we will make do. We have little choice. Now be quick and bring me the final sacrifice. The hour nears.”



“Becca doesn’t have any idea where they went.”

Reed snapped his cell phone closed. Next to him, Jayne flinched.

“She thought the boys were still here.” Reed’s eyes flickered to the driver’s window. The two teenage girls exited the Youth Center, locking the door before giggling their way down the walk. Scott should be hanging around, chatting up the pretty girls while he waited for Reed. The pressure inside his chest increased until he thought his ribs would crack under the strain.

Jayne reached across the console to grab Reed’s hand. He didn’t pull away. He didn’t respond in any way. Shock had dulled his reflexes. She gave his fingers a light squeeze, but Reed’s gaze didn’t waver from the window. He dragged in a breath, the muscles of his chest constricting like an ever-tightening vise.

“We’ll find him. Maybe they got hungry and went to grab something to eat.”

“There were empty pizza boxes inside.”

“Oh.” Jayne drummed the fingers of her free hand on her thigh. “Anywhere else they might have gone? Is there an arcade or video game store in town?”

Reed shook his head. Jayne’s question prodded him into action. She was right. Sitting here wasn’t getting Scott back.

“We start looking for Aaron. We’ll try Nathan’s place. That’s where he’s been staying.”

“Want me to try Scott’s cell again?” she asked.

“He didn’t answer the last three times, but sure.” He tossed her the phone. Reed had already called the state police. Surprisingly, so had Doug. Unfortunately the state cops were coming late to the party and the whole catch-up process would take more time than Reed could spare with his son missing and a resident killer on the loose.

Jayne selected the number from the outgoing-calls list and pressed Send. From the driver’s seat, he heard the call flip to voice mail.

“Didn’t even ring that time.” She left another message.

“I’m gonna stop at the diner. See if anyone saw the boys. We can try to catch Nathan there, too.” Reed jerked the gearshift into drive, and the truck roared away from the curb. “I could drop you off with Mae. She and her twenty-gauge would keep you safe.”

Part of Reed wished she’d agree, though he hated to let her out of his sight. Rationally, he knew she’d be safer with Mae than actively going after a psycho with him. The other part wanted all the help he could get to save his son. The decision was tearing his soul apart.

Jayne took the choice away. “I’m with you all the way. We will get Scott back.”

Reed had no doubt Jayne would do anything for Scott. Her face was full of the same fierce determination and strength as when she’d stepped between him and the coyote.

Love, fear, and gratitude continued to play tug-of-war with Reed’s heart. “Let’s try the diner.”

They arrived at the restaurant a few minutes later. Reed jumped down from the cab. Jayne met him around the front of the vehicle. From the sidewalk, they peered through the big plate glass windows. No Scott. No Nathan.

“You go in the front door.” Reed started toward the back.

“OK.”

Reed jogged around the building, entering through the rear door. He made a quick tour of the storage rooms, Nathan’s office, the restrooms, and the kitchen before sweeping into the dining room. He saw Jayne across the room, standing by the entrance. She shook her head.

Shit.

Reed scanned the dining room. Business was slow. Only three tables were occupied. Jed sat in his usual booth. Mandy balanced a tray in the aisle. She stopped at Jed’s table.

Reed careened to a stop, his boots squeaking on commercial linoleum. “Has anyone seen my son?”

Mandy slid the tray onto the table and turned to greet Reed. Her smile evaporated as she met Reed’s gaze. “No. What’s wrong?”

“I can’t find him. Is Nathan here?” Reed’s voice rose with his frustration, and Mandy backed away. Her baby blues went wide.