“No, I told you that. Hell, I had to kick the door in. It was locked.”
“I hate to be the one to tell you, but it sounds like she ran. I mean we tracked her phone to a trash can, and you said exiting here was spontaneous, right?”
“Yes.” His stomach ached. It was a conclusion he’d come to himself.
“Neither of us got where we are by not facing up to the facts, brother.”
“I know. I’m just wondering what the fuck she was thinking,” Rocky spat, sinking down on a bench nearby. They had everyone combing the area while Specs and Gadget hacked the web, searching for signs of activity from Levi or Evonne.
“She’s had a lot of shit come her way recently. Her brain’s got to be crowded and frazzled. That’s a breeding ground for stupidity. No offense.” Hawk held up his hands.
“None taken, I’m going to paddle her ass ‘til it’s red when we get her back.” If we get her back. The small voice inside his head made him want to rip his hair out at the roots. His phone vibrated and he quickly removed it from his pocket. A number he didn’t recognize lit his screen. Fuck. He answered, “Hello?”
“I did something…”
The tone of Evonne’s voice immediately stopped any ranting he’d planned on doing. “Evonne, where are you?”
“With Levi.”
“What?”
Hawk stood up and Rocky held out his hand, shaking his head. “Why are you with him, Evonne?”
“Oh God. I killed him—and there’s blood everywhere, all over me.” Her voice grew shrill.
His jaw dropped. Holy shit. “Okay, just…calm, down and give us an address, we’ll take care of the rest, okay? I need you to calm down, so we can get through this.”
Hawk leaned in.
“Yes, y-you’re right.”
“Good girl, now give me that address.” Rocky kept his cool as he rattled the address back, glancing at Hawk to make sure he got it.
Hawk gave him a nod and stepped to the side to start the phone calls.
“Okay, we’re sending our boys now. Tell me. Do you think anyone heard you? Can you get to a safe place? Make sure you take the…weapon with you.”
“Oh, Jesus, What did I do? What did I do?”
The broken tone in her voice sliced at his heart. “I need you to keep it together. Do you think anyone saw you or heard the shots?”
“No, it’s a .22 and I was so close.”
“Just keep talking to me, mama.” He heard Hawk barking orders. He would have a car here for him soon. As much as he hated to get into a cage, he knew if he hung up right now, Evonne would go off the deep end. “What made you do this?”
“I couldn’t lose anyone, not because of me. I kept playing last night in my head, thinking about what I’d do if it was my mom next, or you.”
“You should have said something.”
“You would never let me do this. I know you,” she said.
“Damn straight.” Rocky bristled. His anger rose and he locked it down, tight. That’s not what she needs right now. “We’re going to come and make it right.”
“No one can do that. I’ve got blood on my hands now. It won’t wash off,” Evonne said.
“You think he didn’t deserve it?” he asked.
“No, that son of a bitch deserved every bullet I put into him. I wish I’d had more.”