I turned onto our street, and my grip on the handlebars tightened. My truck wasn’t in the driveway. I pulled into the empty space and turned off my bike. I was already moving towards the house before I got my helmet off.
I unlocked the door and shut off the alarm. “Addie? You here?” I already knew she wasn’t. I jogged through the space, checking every room, the backyard, the garage. I tapped her contact, and it started ringing. It cut off on the second ring as though she’d sent me to voicemail. I called again. This time, it went straight to her greeting.
“This is Addie. I’m not available right now. Please leave me a message, and I’ll return your call.”
I’d smile if I weren’t so damn worried. Her voicemail greeting was so politely formal. A little bit stilted but adorable. It reminded me that I was one of the few people she let see beyond that exterior.
I hurried back to my bike and started it up again, hoping that Addie was simply in an intense discussion with Cora, one that she didn’t want interrupted. I’d apologize later for doing exactly that.
I did my best not to blow through any stop signs or traffic lights, but my speed was well above the posted limits. Cora’s home was at least fifteen minutes outside of town, but I made it in five. My shoulders relaxed a fraction when I saw my truck in the drive. I shut off my engine—and that was when I heard it—the cries.
They were louder than they should’ve been. I knew Jack had a set of lungs on him, but this was too much. My gut clenched as I set my helmet on the bike’s seat and started for the house.
Blood roared in my ears as I took in the wide-open front door. Jack’s cries got louder. I moved as silently as possible, climbing the side of the stairs and peeking through the door. Jack’s playpen came into view. He held onto the side as he wailed, his face red and splotchy.
My gaze swept the space. Everything in me froze as I took in the crumpled form on the floor. Blood. Too much blood.
Images flashed in my mind. Memories. All the blood. Jael’s screams. Adrian’s cries.
I gripped the side of the door, forcing the memories back and swallowing the bile that crept up my throat. My vision blurred as I moved towards Cora. I knelt on the floor, blood soaking the knees of my jeans. I didn’t have a lot of hope, but I still pressed two fingers to Cora’s neck.
I felt the faintest fluttering against my fingertips. My phone was already in my hand, and I was dialing.
“Carson County Emergency Services, what is your emergency?”
“A woman has been shot.” I rolled Cora to her back and placed my hand on her wound. The blood loss had slowed, but she couldn’t afford to lose any more. Cora let out a soft groan as I applied pressure. It was a good sign.
“Where are you? Is the shooter on the premises?”
“Cora Maxwell’s on Long Lake Drive. I need EMTs. And have them bring extra fluids. And tell Hayes that Addie is missing.” My voice cracked on her name. Oh, God, what if she was still here and hurt?
“Who is Addie, sir?”
“My girlfrie
nd. She was visiting Cora. When she didn’t come home, I went looking for her. Hold on.” I set the phone down and grabbed a towel from the counter. I folded it and laid it over Cora’s wound, leaning one of the chairs against it.
I picked up my phone as I stood. “I’m back.” I jogged through the small house, looking in every room. Then I started outside.
“Is this Beckett?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I circled the dwelling, but there was no sign of Addie. My lungs constricted, but I ran back inside, moving the chair off Cora and replacing it with my hand.
“Is the victim Cora Maxwell? Is she breathing?”
“Yes, and yes. Breath sounds are shallow. I think the wound is a through and through, but I have no idea what the bullet may have hit.”
“The EMTs and the sheriff’s department are on their way.”
“They need to hurry.”
Cora’s breathing sounded more and more labored. Jack shrieked, and I turned my head towards him. “Hey, Jack. Hey, buddy. I’m trying to help your mama, okay? You were so brave crying for help so someone could hear you. I’m gonna get you out of there as soon as I can.”
His cries quieted a little. Cora made another noise, and I turned back to her. Her eyes fluttered.
“Cora, can you hear me? It’s Beckett.”
More fluttering. “Beckett.”