Chapter 32

"Savannah?"

No response.

He set the box of games on a chair and pushed the door open. "Savannah?" he called more loudly. "Simon?"

Silence.

The cottage's back door stood ajar. The familiar horror threatened to strangle him as he pushed it open. She'd been attacked once. He should have made sure she was using her security. Horrific images of finding her and Simon lying in a pool of blood ran through his head.

"Over here!" she called from a brushy area at the back of her property.

"Where would he go?"

"I'm not sure. He doesn't know anyone here except Jess."

"Have you told him where she is?"

Her shoulders sagged with relief. "That would be great. I'm so glad you came."

Her gratitude stirred a warm glow in his heart, despite the stress of the situation. He made the call. No blond ten-year-olds had shown up and asked to see Jess, but they promised to let him know if one appeared.

Savannah's brows drew together in a quizzical frown. "Hmm. How would he get there? He'd have to take a bus, wouldn't he?"

***

"About now is when you need an old-time southern tracker," Hez said.

She slipped her hand into the crook of his arm. "There's no one I'd rather have with me right now. He's only ten and he doesn't know his way around. Poisonous snakes and gators are everywhere. And mosquitoes and ticks." Her voice wobbled at all the things that could have happened to him. Wildlife might be the least of the danger. "We have no idea what tree he's even in."

"Try calling him again."

"I've tried three times. I don't have a good signal."

He laid his other hand on top of hers. "He's a smart kid, Savannah. Maybe he's heading for the jail to see his mom."

"Not right through the swamp. It would make more sense to catch a bus." She took a few steps and studied the trees.

"Seems a dangerous place for kids."

Her phone sounded, and Simon's picture showed on the screen. "It's him!" She swiped it on. "Simon, where are you?"

"Aunt Savannah, you have to come! I'm afraid I'm going to fall, and the gator will eat me."

"Are you on a platform?"

"I couldn't make it to that one you and Mum built, but I can see it from here. I'm on a tree limb."

She heard a gator roar as he spoke. "We'll be there as fast as we can. Stay on the phone and tell me when you see us."

"You there, Aunt Savannah?"

"I'm near the platform, but I don't see you."

Hez slogged out of the water to join her. "Any sign of him?"

"I see you." She ended the call and started that way.

Hez picked up some sticks and threw them at the gator. He then found a heavier branch and wielded it like a baseball bat, whacking the undergrowth and water as he approached the gator, shouting at it the whole time. It hissed and lumbered away. While he had the gator distracted, Savannah ran to the tree and reached up toward the boy. "Lower yourself down, and I'll help you."

Once he was on the ground, Savannah palmed the boy's face. "What were you thinking to come out here alone?"

His gaze dropped away from hers. "I—I wanted to explore."

He was lying. She took a step back and held out her hand. "Give me your phone."

She turned the phone around to face him. "What's this about?"

Hez moved closer. "I'm defending your mom, and we'll get to the truth. I know this is all confusing, but you have to trust us. No more running off, okay?"

"I'll see what I can do," Hez said.

***

When will the bomb go off? That's out of my control—but it will happen soon. Savannah and Hez now have all the pieces to the puzzle. Once they manage to put them together, it will all be over.

All I can do now is wait for the right moment. And try to get some sleep.