Holden's Resurrection (Gemini Group Book 6)

were walking down a dark country road in the wee hours before dawn. The caller was a man, had told the dispatcher he didn’t want to approach and scare the girls but he’d keep them in his sights until units could arrive.
“His name’s Cory Saddler. He said he didn’t see anything. No other cars on the road, he didn’t pass anyone else walking. Just Elliana and Ayla.”
“Do you know this guy?” Weston asked.
“I know of him,” Jonny answered. “His daughter, Miranda, graduated a few years ago. Went to Ole Miss on a full ride.”
“Academic?” McKenna rejoined.
“Soccer. Cory coached rec soccer until Miranda went to the high school, then he started coaching there. He still does.”
A tingle of concern hit Holden and he glanced at Nixon. The apprehension he saw there confirmed he wasn’t the only one who didn’t like the sound of the 911 caller having ties to the high school.
“What was Cory doing out on Caulks Field Road at four in the morning?”
“Leaving for work. He lives in Rock Hall and works in Annapolis. He leaves early to avoid the Bay Bridge traffic.”
“That’s mighty early,” Weston noted. “As in two hours earlier than he needs to. Is he married?”
“Divorced.”
“Did you ask his ex-wife if this was normal?”
Jonny’s face bleached and he shook his head. “No. I didn’t question anyone in regard to Cory. Why would he call in the sighting if he had something to hide?”
“Cover. Establishing doubt,” Micky started. “He’d call it in to do exactly what you’re doing right now—dismissing him.”
“I’ll contact his ex-wife.”
“What do you need from us?” Nixon shuffled the papers in front of him.
“I need a fresh set of eyes. If this is what I think it is, we have just about two months before he’ll find his next victim. Something happened to one or both of those girls and they’re lying through their teeth. Something also happened to the other four girls but they’re shit scared and won’t talk. Vaughn and I are working it on our end but Kent County’s experiencing a crime wave and we’re low on resources. I can’t give this case the manpower it deserves. I need your help.”
“Anything you need,” Alec joined the conversation. “How open is Kimberly Lot’s mom to talking to the police? She might be the key.”
Jonny’s guilt-ridden gaze went to Alec and Holden felt bad for the man. This last year had not been good for him personally, and by the sound of it, he was taking hits professionally as well.
“She is, or she was, a single mom. Kimberly’s father lives in Florida. As expected, she’s completely undone. We offered victims assistance and she turned it down. Her house is on the market and last I heard she wants away from Cliff City as fast as that can happen. She might be open to talking, but I recommend sending in McKenna.”
“I can do that. I’d be interested in looking around Kimberly’s computer and phone.”
“Appreciate your help on this. I’ll leave the files. Let me know if you need anything else. Vaughn knows I was coming here today to ask for help. He’s good but he’s new, so he appreciates the help as well.”
Jonny stood and the rest of the men followed. Holden and Chasin stayed in the conference room with Micky while the rest of the team walked Jonny out.
“How’d the talk go?” Holden looked at his friend and shook his head. His conversation with Charleigh still churned in his gut, the bitter taste of his words still on his tongue.
“We’re not going there.”
They were stuck in a never ending circle of grief, and no matter what Holden did, he couldn’t find the off-ramp. He had no clue how to end their misery. She needed to move on and find a good man, not only for her but for Faith as well.
Saliva pooled in his mouth at the thought.
And with all due haste, he hightailed his ass out of the office.

7
“So,” Kennedy started, and I turned from watching Tank chasing Faith around the backyard to my friend. “Time to spill.”
“What?”
“I’ve given you ample time to get to know me. You trust me with Faith. So, now it’s time you spill the beans.”
She was asking about Holden.
Shit.
The last thing I wanted to do was dig through painful memories—not only because the shame that came with that time in my life was something I’d tried hard not to think about. I glanced back at my daughter and my heart started to throb. My daughter was the best thing that had ever happened to me. But the heartbreak that surrounded her conception still stung.
“You’re hurting and stressed out,” Kennedy went on. “I can see it, we all can. But today it’s worse. Did the Towlers do something new?”
I needed a friend. I had to talk to someone about what was going on or I was going to explode.
With one more glance at Faith to make sure she was happily occupied with Tank, I launched in.
“Holden came over.”
“Today?”
“Twenty minutes after you left. He showed up, said he wanted to talk, and pushed his way inside my house.”
Kennedy gave me big eyes and said, “I kinda thought he was avoiding you. I know, you know, that we all know, you and Holden used to be together, then you…well…you…um…”
“Got pregnant and married Paul. Who happened to be one of Holden’s teammates and friends,” I offered in an effort to put her out of her stammering misery.
“Well…I’m sure it’s way more complicated than that. I’ll be honest with you, I was curious, I mean we all are about what happened. I asked Jameson but he wouldn’t tell me anything. McKenna knows some, but obviously not directly from Holden.”
I was surprised to hear that. I’d actually thought that Holden would’ve happily painted me as the bad guy.
“You’re surprised to hear that,” Kennedy noted.
“Yeah. I figured the way things ended, he’d be all too happy to make me sound like a cheating bitch. Which I’m not. I never cheated on him.”
I fidgeted