Missing in Mudbug (Ghost-in-Law Mystery/Romance Series) by Jana DeLeon Read Free Book Online Page B

with that crowbar?” Burton stood at the edge of the pond, alternating staring at Colt and peering into the pond at the car.
    “I need to pop the trunk. Make sure there’s nothing inside.”
    Burton’s eyes widened. “You think someone’s in that trunk?”
    “That’s not what I said.”
    “You didn’t have to. What the hell is going on here? There’s something you ain’t telling me about all this.”
    “Later,” Colt said and looked over Jadyn. “I’m going to need two hands for this. Can you light up the back?”
    Jadyn nodded and tried to swallow, but the lump in her throat was so big it seemed to be choking her. She took a couple steps up the bank and placed the packet on the edge of a rock. As she made her way back down the bank, she pulled her mask on, popped her regulator in her mouth, then gave Colt a thumbs-up. He nodded and walked into the pond until he disappeared below the surface. Jadyn said a silent prayer and followed him into the murky depths.
    As she approached the rear of the car, Colt’s spotlight created an eerie glow in the water surrounding her. Algae and who knew what else floated in tiny pieces around her, minnows darting away as she moved through the water. When she drew up next to Colt, she tapped his arm and he handed her his spotlight.  
    She directed the light at the center of the car’s rear and watched as Colt stuck the crowbar underneath the trunk. Her heartbeat pounded in her chest, then echoed through her ears with a whooshing sound. He shoved the crowbar down but the trunk didn’t budge. He turned a bit to the side for better leverage and shoved the crowbar down once more.  
    At first, Jadyn thought it was another failed attempt, then she realized the trunk lid had crept up an inch but was being held in place by the tide. As Colt reached for the lid, she tightened her grip on the spotlight until her hand ached. Every inch the trunk moved seemed to match a heartbeat until it was wide enough to peer inside. The very back appeared empty, so she moved closer to illuminate the far depths of the trunk.
    When she saw nothing but water between her and the backseat of the car, she released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She sucked in air through the regulator, and the rush of oxygen made her dizzy for a couple of seconds. She felt Colt tap her shoulder and looked over to see him pointing up.
    She nodded and pushed off the muddy bottom toward the surface, tearing the mask and regulator off as soon as she breached the surface.  
    “Anything?” Burton yelled from the bank.
    “It’s empty,” Jadyn replied.
    Burton’s relief was apparent. “Thank the Lord for that.”
    Colt surfaced a second later. “Let’s see if we can get anything off those papers.”
    “Crap,” Jadyn said as they walked up the bank. “I didn’t even think to look at the make of the car.”
    “I did,” Colt said.
    “And?”
    “It’s a Cadillac DTS.”
    She froze. “Like Raissa and Zach’s?”
    Colt paused. “I don’t know Cadillacs very well, so I can’t be certain about the year, but yeah, it looks like theirs. There were also a couple bullet holes in the back windshield.”
    Jadyn stared after him a couple of seconds before scrambling up the bank behind him. He stopped to talk with Burton, but she didn’t pay any attention to the conversation. She looked back at the pond, already unable to see the top of the car any longer.  
    Nothing made sense. Too many pieces were missing.
    And the worst part was, she had to return to the hotel without a single answer.
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    Colt hurried into the sheriff’s department, greeting Eugenia, the night dispatcher, without even slowing. Jadyn practically jogged behind him, trying to keep up, but he was too anxious to slow his pace. When he hurried into the restroom, Jadyn slid to a stop in front of the door. He pulled a blow-dryer out of the bathroom cabinet and motioned her to his office.  
    He plugged in the