Stay out or die a horrible death involving slimy snakes and enormous, creepy spiders.
He grinned. How long had she owned this? And who did she think she had to warn against peeking inside? A horrible death involving snakes and spiders? He opened up the first page. It was a deep intrusion of privacy, but he hoped to find some more clues. He was surprised to find the first entry was only from two and a half years ago. Was she younger than he thought?
A sick feeling developed in his stomach. He read the entry and that sick feeling grew until he thought he might well vomit.
Daddy lost big at the races today. All the money we were supposed to use for food and the bills is gone. He got mad when there was no dinner on the table. I tried to explain. But he wouldn’t listen. This time, he hit me on the face. I had to take time off work until the swelling went down and I could cover the bruise with make-up.
This time? He hit her on the face? Macca’s hands shook as he stared down at the short entry. He noted the next entry was on the same page and just as short. She was obviously trying to make the journal last as long as possible.
He closed his eyes briefly. Jesus. Jesus.
How had his grandmother met Gigi? His father called her a charity case. Had her grandmother known that her father beat her? Was that why she’d moved Gigi in here?
Fuck.
He looked at the last entry. It was dated six days ago.
Penny is very ill. Her family have put her in hospice care. I know what that means but I don’t want to think about it. What will I do without her? She’s the only person in this world who cares about me. I love her. I don’t want to lose her. I’m so scared.
Fuck him. God damn it. He’d sent a lost, scared girl out into the world without even the meager belongings in this room and he had no idea where to find her. Shit. With fingers that trembled he sent off a text to Corbin, uncaring about the time difference. His friend kept odd hours anyway. If anyone could find her, Corbin could. Although he wasn’t giving him much to go on. Just a name and approximate age.
He ran his hand down his face. He couldn’t sit around and wait for Corbin to get back to him. But what could he do? A headache thumped in his temples and he strode across the hall into the bathroom. He pulled open the door of the medicine cabinet to grab some painkillers. The bottles in there caught his eye.
The name printed on the label wasn’t the one he’d expected. Instead of his grandmother’s name, it was Gigi’s. What the hell? There were several bottles here. He didn’t recognize the names of the drugs. He took photos of each of the labels, though. Maybe this would help Corbin.
There was a doctor’s name on the labels as well. Maybe he could look him up.
He brought up Google on his phone and tapped in the name. A rheumatologist? Why would she need to see that kind of doctor? Did she have arthritis? Fuck. He had no clue. He grabbed a couple of painkillers and downed them. What he did need to do was find her. He was going to start calling some of the motels. Maybe he’d get lucky.
3
A loud noise woke her. But her eyelids were just so heavy. She was tired. And sore. Her joints ached. She was hot and sticky. She whimpered in distress. She wished someone would turn the air conditioning on.
Voices reached her, they sounded loud. Another whimper escaped. Was that her dad? Please don’t let her be in trouble. She didn’t want any trouble.
“I really don’t think this is a good idea,” a woman’s voice said.
“I just want to make sure. . .oh fuck!”
A small cry of alarm escaped her at the sound of his voice. What was he doing here? Had he brought the police?
She forced her eyes open, staring up blurrily into his gorgeous face. Too bad he was such a jerk.
“I’m sorry I was a jerk, baby girl. I haven’t handled these last past few days since I found out Nan was sick all that well.”
“Whoops. Didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
“It’s all right.” He sat on the bed, facing her. “You have the right to call me all sorts of names after how I treated you.”
“Jerk. Ass head. Butt face,” she mumbled. “Pimple bum.”
“Okay, it seems you two do know each other,” an amused voice said. She turned her head slowly to see the lady from the reception desk standing behind Macca.
She gave her a concerned look. “Oh, love, you don’t look well. I knew I should have taken you to the hospital.”
“Why didn’t you?” Macca snapped.
Gigi reached out and touched his hand. “Not her fault. I insisted.”