Out Of The Shadows (HADES) (Whiskey Bend MC Series, Book #4)

Caden took Cole’s badge and stared at it very carefully. This was one time when he didn’t want the Feds involved. He didn’t want any distractions, especially now with Ethan missing.

Cole grabbed his wallet back and put it in his pocket. He glanced from Caden to Jake to Lori. “Has something happened?” he asked.

Jake straightened his body up. “The killer has my six year old son.”

Cole stared at Lori as the silence in the room lengthened into an uncomfortable feeling. Finally, he broke the silence by asking, “Has anyone started a search yet?”

“There hasn’t been time,” Caden replied.

“Well, you might want to start in remote areas with plenty of underbrush,” Cole suggested.

Caden stared at him. “And why would we do that?”

Cole lifted his foot and rested it on a chair. Looking directly at Caden, he spoke, “Because he likes to hide where he can see what’s going on around him. He’s out in the open, yet hidden in plain sight. I’ve tracked this monster over five states.”

“In that case, why haven’t you caught him yet?” Jake asked.

Cole glanced at the floor then turned to address Jake, “The bastard strikes quickly and disappears, only to show up somewhere else. We can only track him when he surfaces.”

“Has he ever murdered a child?” Lori asked with an overwhelming fear in her voice.

Cole snapped his head around to look at her. His eyes were tortured as he struggled with her question. He breathed deeply and whispered. “Yes, he killed a child once.”

Lori closed her eyes and groaned in pain. She buried her face in Jake’s chest.

Jake held on to his wife and shared her pain.

Caden looked away. He had grown to love Ethan and shared in his parents’ pain, but he had something they didn’t. He still had his objectiveness. “We have to get organized.” He looked over at Jake, “I think he’ll rabbit. He only did this to spread us too thin, while we’re searching the city he’s going to get Harper. I’m going to Whiskey Bend.”

“Who’s Harper?” Cole asked.

Caden gazed at Jake then turned to Cole to explain about Hope being Harper, “Your killer was here about five years ago. We thought we had him but he escaped. He did however leave a victim alive. Her name is Harper Mallory. Now that he’s back he’s going after her.”

Cole frowned. “And you know this how?”

“He told us,” Caden stated.

Cole was stunned. “You’ve talked to him? You’ve actually talked to him, in person?”

Caden nodded. “He called us right after we found another of his victims. His first kill since he’s been back. He called to tell us her name.”

“What else did he say?”

“His name is Drake, and he’s playing a goddamn game of catch me before I kill again.” Caden muttered.

Cole paled. “He told you his name?”

Caden scoffed. “He told me a name. I’m not sure the bastard told me the truth.”

“Well, first things first. Let’s go if you think Whiskey Bend is where he’s going. The police can handle things here,” Cole said.

Caden glanced over at Jake and Lori. Neither of them said a word, but they didn’t have to. Time was quickly passing and Caden knew they had to find Ethan before night came, or they might not find him at all. “Good luck buddy. Keep me updated. You know I’d stay but I have to protect Harper and hunt down this bastard, so he can’t hurt anyone else.”

Jake nodded. “I know. You be careful out there, you’re on the man’s list too, you know.”

Caden nodded. “I’ll call you. You find Ethan and hold him tight, you hear me? Protect your family.”

On the way out of the office, Paul assured him he would search under every rock for Ethan but Cole also told him he wouldn’t be left behind. When Caden’s car spun out of the parking lot, Cole was riding shotgun. When they got close to Whiskey Bend Cole asked what he knew about the man they were here to stop.

When they stopped in front of Harper’s house Caden had told him everything he knew.

Cole looked over at the dark house and wondered why Drake had come all this way just to kill her. He looked over at Caden. “Why? Why do you think he’s come back after her? After you and Charlie?”

Caden shrugged. “I thought maybe he just wanted to tie up loose ends but the more I think about it the more I’m thinking there’s something more to it than that. Right now, I’m not sure but before this is over I aim to find out.” With that he pushed open his door and climbed out of the vehicle. As he walked up to the front door, he felt Cole beside him.

Knocking on the door, they heard Chloe barking before the lights came on and the door was opened. When she saw who was at her door she glared at him. “What the hell are you doing back here? I told you this morning I wasn’t going to hide from this.”

Caden glared right back. “This isn’t funny Harper. You have a killer after you. He’s been watching you. Are you so willing to die?”

Harper shook her head. “I’ll be okay here with Chloe.”

Caden sighed deeply and folded his arms over his chest. “I don’t think so. He took a six year old kid tonight. We don’t know if Ethan is dead or alive, yet but that bastard has him.”

Caden leaned forward until he was inches away from her face. “Well, you may not know this, but this killer is wanted for murders in at least five states. He shows no mercy and he’s probably watching us at this very minute. He’s been watching all of us for some time now, so he probably knows about Chloe and knows exactly how to get around a dog. Besides, I told you this morning, it’s not only you he’s after. Charlie and I are on his list too.”

Harper looked shocked. “I still think I’ll be okay here.”

Caden groaned in frustration. “Hope, I really don’t want to have to worry about you while we hunt down this bastard. Even if you think you’re safe you aren’t, you know just like last time you won’t see him until it’s too late.”

Harper just stared at him, then she took a step back and quietly shut the door in their faces.

Caden just stared at the closed door and slammed his hand against it.

Finally, Cole grabbed his arm and pulled him away. “We’ll just have to do what we can from afar. She doesn’t want to hear from us right now, it’s called denial.” He stepped away. “Let’s get in touch with this Charlie and see what he has to say.”

Caden took a few steps away from the house then turned and watched as the lights went off downstairs. He didn’t want to just walk away but he had no choice.