Retribution Read Online Free PDF Page A

a whisper. “Please.”

    At the police station, Jillian and Colton watched from the other side of the two-way mirror while Dominic questioned Megan’s coach.
    â€œWhere is she?”
    â€œI don’t know! For the millionth time, I don’t know!” He slammed a fist on the table and Colton sighed.
    â€œFine,” he said. “You don’t know. Give me a reason why we should believe you.”
    Jillian’s phone beeped. A text from Serena.
    S: Where r u?
    J: At the police station. They’re questioning Meg’s coach.
    S: Can u meet me? I know I can’t take ur mind off Meg, but I can buy u a cup of coffee.
    Though touched by the gesture, Jillian wasn’t sure she was ready to do anything.
    J: When?
    S: Whenever’s convenient for u. I want 2 be there 4 u.
    Jillian tapped Colton’s arm. He turned and she showed him the text. He rubbed his chin. “It might be good for you. Go talk to her.”
    â€œI don’t want to. I can’t do anything until Meg comes home.”
    He turned and gripped her shoulders. “Go meet Serena.”
    Jillian sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.
    â€œSerena spends almost as much time with Meg as we do. She loves her like her own. Go talk to her, see if, between the two of you, you can come up with anything, a name, a friend, a date we don’t know about. Anything.”
    â€œYou really think it would help or are you just trying to get rid of me?”
    He leaned his forehead against hers. “I really think it might help. I don’t want to get rid of you. You’re smart, you love Meg. You’re the best person to bounce something off of Serena.”
    He was right. She drew in a deep breath. “All right.” With shaky fingers, she texted back,
    J: Can u meet me in an hour?
    S: Of course. Where?
    J: Billy’s?
    A small café near the hospital. She’d been there several times.
    S: C u there in an hour.

14
    Colton watched Jillian walk out of the police station. Her shoulders drooped, her face had lines that weren’t there before Meg’s disappearance. His heart ached for the pain she was enduring and fury boiled in his gut at the person causing it. Revenge burned hot, acid bubbling just beneath the surface of his skin. He wanted to hurt the person who’d taken Meg.
    No, he amended silently. He wanted to kill the person.
    Colton swallowed hard, pushed aside the destructive thoughts, and sent up yet another silent prayer. He turned back to find Dominic leaving the interrogation room.
    Colton headed for the door to meet Dominic. His friend looked like an angry bear.
    â€œI’m sorry,” Dominic said, “but I really don’t think he knows anything.”
    â€œAnother dead end.” The rage returned swift and hot, to mingle with the fear twisting inside him. A fear so tangible, he could taste it. His head spun. He stumbled.
    â€œHey, are you okay?” Dominic grabbed his arm and shoved him into one of the chairs just outside the interrogation room.
    Colton didn’t bother trying to resist. He dropped his face into his hands and caught his breath. Then he cleared his throat and looked up and caught Dominic’s eye. “I’m never going to see her again, am I?”
    Tears appeared in Dominic’s eyes for a brief flash before his friend grabbed his shirt just below his throat and jerked him out of the chair. Dominic gave him a ferocious glare. “You listen to me, Colton Brady. We’re going to find her. She’s strong, she’s smart, she has God and us. Evil is not going to win. It’s not going to take her from us.”
    Colton swallowed his panic and gave Dominic a gentle shove. His friend stepped back. Colton firmed his jaw and nodded. “You’re right. Sorry. I just . . .”
    Dominic slapped his shoulder. “I know.”
    Colton took a deep breath. He wouldn’t give up. He would do anything for his