Chapter 6 - The Hunt BeginsGrant knelt down beside Ellie, softening his expression. He couldn't let her see the full extent of his anger.
"Ellie," he said gently, taking her small cold hands in his. "Your dad went this way toward the highway. Do you know where he might go? Does he have a friend? An aunt? Grandma?"
Ellie shook her head slowly. "Just us. Ever since Mom went to heaven, it’s just been the truck and us. We stayed in Ohio, then Kentucky, then here. He kept saying we were going to find a house with a green door."
Grant felt a tear slip down his own cheek, though he quickly brushed it away.
"Okay," Grant said, standing up and unlocking the car doors. "We’re going to find that green door for him. But first, we need backup."
He pulled out his phone and dialed a private number.
"Vance? It’s Grant."
"Boss? Merry Christmas Eve. What's up? I thought you were off."
"Drop everything. I need your security team. I want every traffic camera, toll booth record, and gas station security feed along Route 40 scanned for a 2010 rusted Ford pickup, license plate ending in 4982. The driver is Michael Delaney. He’s driving erratically, and he’s a suicide risk."
On the other end of the line, Vance’s tone shifted instantly from casual to razor-sharp professional. "Got it. Running plates now. Where are you?"
"Pinerest Lodge. I’m bringing a little girl with me. We’re heading to my estate in the city. Call me the second you have a hit on that truck."
"Consider it done, boss."
May you like
Grant ended the call, got back into the car, and looked over at Ellie. She had curled up against the center console, hugging his wool coat around her like a shield.
"Try to sleep, Ellie," Grant whispered, shifting the car into gear. "I’ve got you."
