Ian had played them all. Regret hit Tessa hard. How had she not seen through Ian’s charade? He’d accused Frank to take suspicion off himself. But why had Ian killed Gavin? All questions for Ian, not Carl.
“When did it happen?” She handed Logan the phone. He swore softly.
“Two weeks ago?” Carl lifted a shoulder. “Maybe a little less. I’m not good at keeping track of the days.”
“Thank you, Carl.” Tessa rose. “I’m going to put you in the holding cell while we check out your story.” She needed someone to babysit him. She called Bruce, who was out on patrol. As soon as Bruce arrived, Tessa and Logan headed out to her SUV. Behind the wheel, Tessa called the social worker who had removed the three boys from the Waldens’ home. She put the call on speaker.
“Where is Ian?” Tessa asked as she started the engine.
“We were lucky,” the social worker said. “We were able to place the boys together in a temporary home. I really didn’t want to separate them after all they’d been through. Is something wrong?”
“I need to talk to the boys again,” Tessa explained.
“They’re staying with the Abbots.” The social worker gave her an address on Bishopton Road, just north of Harlot Harbor.
“Thank you.” Tessa ended the call without giving the social worker the details. She didn’t want the woman getting in the way. Ian needed to be safely taken into custody. She turned to Logan. “We need to talk to Mark and Trevor again as well.”
“Ian already killed one boy. Those two could be in danger.”
“Yes,” Tessa agreed. “At the time, I attributed their emotional distress to the news of Gavin’s death, but maybe there was more to it. They could have been under duress.”
“Poor kids.” Logan stared out the windshield. “Did Ian make Trevor and Mark lie for him? Or were they in on it?”
“I didn’t see them in the photo, and Carl didn’t mention anyone else being with Ian.” Tessa drove out of North Sound and raced onto Bishopton Road. Tessa slowed the vehicle as they neared the address. “I want to play it cool until we get Ian away from the other kids.” Tessa tightened her grip on the steering wheel. “Who knows what he’ll do if he’s cornered.”
It was nearly eleven o’clock when she parked in front of a large two-story house that backed to woods. She and Logan stepped out of the vehicle. The house was well lit and homey looking. They walked up to the front door and knocked. A middle-aged man opened the door.
Tessa introduced herself and Logan. “Are you Mr. Abbot?”
“Yes,” Mr. Abbot said. “Can I help you?”
“We have some follow-up questions for the boys. Is Ian available?” Tessa smiled. “I know it’s late, and I apologize. But it can’t be helped.”
“Of course.” Mr. Abbot stepped aside. “Please come in.”
Tessa and Logan followed him back to a large kitchen. The long table had benches on each side and could have seated a dozen people. Mr. Abbot gestured to the table. “Make yourselves comfortable. The children are all in bed. I’ll fetch Ian for you.”
A blonde woman in pajamas and a robe came into the room. “Is something wrong?”
“They’re here to ask Ian some follow-up questions.” Mr. Abbot introduced his wife, then walked out of the room.
Mrs. Abbot gave Tessa a disapproving frown. “This couldn’t wait until morning? It’s a school night.”
“No, ma’am,” Tessa said. “I’m sorry. It’s important.”
“All right.” Mrs. Abbot tightened the sash of her dark-blue robe. “Do you want coffee?”
“No, thank you.” Tessa leaned on the edge of the table. “How many children are you fostering?”
“Four,” Mrs. Abbot said. “We also have two daughters of our own.”
“Six kids are a lot to handle.” Logan folded his arms.
Mrs. Abbot clutched the lapels of her robe together. “It is, and we were told this was an emergency—and that it would be temporary. There were no other placements available on the island. It was late, and the boys needed a place to sleep. We couldn’t say no.”
Mr. Abbot walked into the kitchen. Instead of simply bringing Ian, as Tessa had requested, he was followed by all three boys. Ian led the pack. Mark hung back, wary. Trevor looked like he was going to cry. The boys wore sweatpants, sweatshirts, and tennis shoes.
Ian gave Tessa a sincere glance. “Is something wrong?”
“We have a few follow-up questions for you.” Tessa gestured toward a kitchen chair. “Mark, Trevor, would you two please wait in the other room? We need to speak with Ian in private, just like we did before.”
Ian lifted his gaze to meet Tessa’s. She concentrated on her poker face but saw his eyes change and go cold.
He knew.
Before Tessa could react, he simultaneously pulled a gun from the pocket of his baggy sweatpants and grabbed Trevor by the ear, dragging the younger boy in front of him. Ian pressed the muzzle of the gun into the side of Trevor’s head.
9
Logan’s heart catapulted into his throat. He drew his gun and pointed it at Ian, but Trevor was in the way. Logan had no doubt Ian would pull the trigger. He’d already killed once.
“Put your hands up!” Ian yelled. He released Trevor’s ear and grabbed his shoulder, crouching behind the younger boy.
Next to him, Tessa had her weapon leveled at Ian. “Drop the gun!”
“Fuck you!” Ian yelled back.
“You can’t get away, Ian,” Tessa called out. “More deputies are coming.”
“Bullshit!” Ian said. “There are only three of you on the island. It’ll take hours for more to get here.”
Ian was right.
“What do you want, Ian?” Tessa asked.
“We’re leaving.” Ian nodded toward Mark. “Get the door.”
Mark hesitated.
“Do it now!” Ian yelled. “Or I’ll blow a hole in Trevor. I can’t stand the little whiner, always sniveling and crying. If I shoot him, I’ll make you go with me instead. You pretend to be tough, but it’s all an act. You’re no better than him.”
Tears poured down Trevor’s face. Mark walked toward the kitchen door and opened it.
Ian stopped next to the doorway. A rechargeable flashlight was plugged in on the wall. “Give that flashlight to Trevor.”
Mark reached for it, his face colorless. Trevor took the flashlight with shaking hands. Ian walked backward, dragging Trevor with him, right out the door. The younger boy’s eyes were wide open with fear. His gaze locked on Logan’s, silently pleading for help. Ian kept walking backward, glancing at the ground behind him every few seconds.
They disappeared into the woods.
Trevor had looked terrified. Logan couldn’t let Ian hurt him.
Logan and Tessa ran outside.
“We have to follow them,” Tessa said, her face grim. “We can’t let him take Trevor.”
“You follow.” Logan started for the woods. “I’ll run and get ahead of them.” Logan ran and hiked in the forest every day. He could move faster than Ian and Trevor.