Page 90 of Hunting Justice
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t know, man, but what if Austin saw his dad hurting Noelle when he was young and that’s what changed him?”
“It’s possible. And it makes sense.”
“She was the only girl to escape.” Matt pushed through the glass doors at the entrance of the building and jogged to his car. “Hear me out. What if Austin had planned all along to finish what his dad started?”
“How did he know who Noelle was?”
“Officer Taylor found pictures of the girls Nelson killed. It’s possible Austin saw them, but with the age difference and lack of information, he couldn’t find her. That is, until he came face-to-face with her.”
“Then why target me?” Jonah slid into the passenger seat while Matt tapped the address into his GPS.
“To keep you from exposing his kills. He hadn’t anticipated Ken revealing the truth to you. He’s mitigating the fallout.” Matt pulled from the parking space and raced down the street. “But when Noelle saw his eyes on the trolley, he must have realized who she was, and the opportunity to finish her became his priority.” Matt called Decia and gave her the rundown. “Decia will meet us at the cabin. She’s informing the boss man and asking for backup.”
Jonah lay back against the headrest and mulled over Matt’s theory. “I think you’re right.”
“My theory? It’s nonsense.” Matt adjusted the air vents.
“It’s not. In fact, it makes perfect sense.” Jonah shifted and peered out the passenger window. God, please let her be there and keep her safe. I’m trusting You with her life. He stiffened. Had he really taken the leap to trust God again?
“You okay, Doc?”
“How can I be? Some maniac has the woman I love. So no, I’m not all right.” Jonah froze.
“You didn’t mean to say that, did you?” Matt’s soft tone surprised him.
He shook his head. “No. But that doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“I’m happy for you, Doc. You’ve carried the guilt over your wife’s death for a lot of years. It’s time to let go and live again. And I can’t think of a better woman for you.”
“What happens if we can’t find her? Or worse yet, we’re too late.” Tears pooled on his lashes.
“We will find her. We will bring her home—alive.” Matt’s hands tightened on the steering wheel, turning his fingers white. “No other option is acceptable.”
But what if?
Jonah swallowed past the lump in his throat. Noelle needed him, and he’d do anything to save her.
He’d allowed anger to control him for too long. He wanted the peace of giving God his fears and allowing Him to take control, like he’d done so many times in the past during an emergency surgery when he thought he’d lose the patient no matter what he did.
Jonah tossed aside years of resenting God and prayed like he hadn’t since the day his wife died.
NINETEEN
THURSDAY, 12:30 P.M.
The woman who’d caused Jack’s father’s obsession sat on a chair in the middle of the cabin’s detached garage with a clear plastic tarp spread under her. Jack paced the length of the room. He’d used the old picture his father had had of the girl to search for the one that’d gotten away. For years he’d scoped out the mall and other known hangouts without any luck, until he’d finally picked up where his old man had left off. What choice had he had? He had to protect Sanford from those women.
He checked his watch. Three hours. The dumb broad was still out cold. He ran a hand through his hair and continued pacing. He’d planned to take care of business, clean up his mess, and get out so Sanford wasn’t the wiser. With the cops and Dr. Harris in the mix, he’d avoided his normal workroom in case they found out his name.
After two more laps, he stomped to the chair. He slapped her face. “Wakey wakey.”
Nothing. He did it again, a little harder this time.
She stirred, but her head drooped.
He squeezed her chin and lifted. “Wake up!”