“No, but she left a note.” He told her what it said.
“Oh, crap. She didn't say anything at the time about that guy, but Cassidy was looking out the window when she stiffened. I asked her what was wrong, but she said nothing. I didn’t want to press her on it.”
“How did she act the rest of the day? Nervous, relaxed, or what?”
Tawny took a moment to answer. “Fine, I guess? I mean, she was mostly with the animals.”
He bet Cassidy put up a good front. “Thanks. I’ll let you know if we hear from her.”
Though she wouldn’t be calling them since she didn't have her phone. If she managed to borrow someone's cell, Cassidy would have to know that Mike and he would try to convince her to come back.
“Please do.”
Zach told Mike what Tawny told him.
“Now what?” Mike asked. “I’d ask your dad to put an APB out on her, but we have no idea if she took a bus, rented a car, or hitched a ride.”
“Given how clever Cassidy is, I’m surprised Sherman Watts learned she was in Wildwood.”
“Maybe Mindy happened to mention to her mom that Cassidy called her from Wildwood and was safe.”
“It's possible, but even if she did, why would Mindy's mom say anything?" Zach asked.
He huffed. “Well, if I were Doug, I would go to Mindy’s mom and say that if she didn’t find out where Cassidy was that I would really hurt Mindy this time.”
“That seems to be the most logical way to get the information. I'm assuming Doug is certain that Cassidy didn’t tell her parents her location.”
Someone knocked. “That must be Mason,” Zach said.
Since Mike was standing, he rushed to the door, looked through the eyepiece, and opened up. “Mason.”
His brother had his laptop case slung over his shoulder. He walked over to the dining room table and sat down. “Learn anything new?”
“Just that Tawny said Cassidy acted a bit strange at lunch while they were in town. Cassidy denied anything was wrong though.”
Mason opened his laptop. “Let’s look at the bus schedules. I called Dad on the way over. He’s doing a little research himself.”
“Good.”
Mason checked the site. “There was a bus that left at six for Bozeman. One left at seven headed to Kalispell, and the next one leaves at ten tonight—wait for it—to Casper, Wyoming.”
“I’m not sure what we can do if she left already, other than ask the stationmaster if a tall, beautiful blonde got on one of those buses. If she decided to head straight to Wyoming, which I doubt, she’d be at the station now,” Mike said.
Zach stood. “Let’s go.”
“I’m coming with you,” Mason said.
“I was hoping you would.”
Mike and Zach took Mike’s truck, and Mason followed them into town. Zach wasn’t all that hopeful Cassidy would still be there, but if he didn’t do anything, he’d never forgive himself.
“At least she’s not in any immediate danger, assuming she didn't write the note under duress,” Mike said.
“She would have left us a clue if Sherman Watts had found her. Still, I don’t trust this Doug guy. If Sherman didn't find Cassidy, I wonder how long it will take him to learn where I live? Or where you live?”
“If he shows up tonight, it’ll be three against one,” Mike said.
“Do you really think he’d come alone? Cassidy said he travels with a group of his men."