Chapter 6 - The Hunt for Kyle
While the family court had settled Ethan’s custody, the criminal justice system was sharpening its claws for Kyle Rayner. However, a sudden complication arose forty-eight hours later that threatened to plunge our lives back into terror.
I was at my apartment—which I had swiftly child-proofed and rearranged to make Ethan’s temporary home as cozy as possible—when Detective Miller called my cell phone.
"David, we have a situation," Miller said, his tone grim.
My heart plummeted. "What happened? Did something happen to the charges?"
"No. Kyle Rayner’s associate posted his bail through a shady bail bondsman in another county late last night before our federal firearm hold was fully processed," Miller explained, cursing under his breath. "Rayner is back on the street. He missed his court check-in three hours ago, and his ankle monitor was found cut off in a dumpster downtown."
"He's out?!" I yelled, my blood running cold. "You let a child abuser walk out the door?!"
"It was a clerical error at the county jail level during the shift change," Miller said, his voice laced with frustration. "A felony warrant has been issued for his arrest, and the US Marshals Violent Offender Task Force has taken over the hunt. But David... you need to be extremely careful. Rayner is a cornered rat. He knows he’s going away for fifteen to twenty years if caught. He might try to target you or Lena to cover his tracks or seek revenge."
I didn't panic. Panic was a luxury I had burned away days ago. In its place was a cold, protective rage.
"He won't get near my son," I said softly.
"I’ve placed a marked squad car outside your apartment complex," Miller added. "Do not go anywhere alone. If you see him, call 911 immediately."
I hung up the phone and turned to Marcus, who was sitting on the rug playing a gentle board game with Ethan. Ethan’s left arm was resting comfortably in his bright blue cast, a tiny smile playing on his lips for the first time in days as Marcus intentionally lost a turn.
"Marcus," I called softly.
Marcus looked up, sensing the shift in my tone instantly. He stood up, excusing himself to the kitchen.
"Kyle skipped bail," I whispered, keeping my eyes on Ethan. "He cut his monitor. Marshals are looking for him."
Marcus’s jaw set like granite. "He knows where your apartment is?"
"He might. He knew where I lived before the separation," I replied. "I'm not sitting here like a duck waiting for the police to catch him."
"We aren't going to hide," Marcus said, pulling his truck keys from his pocket. "You and Ethan are coming to my ranch in the countryside tonight. It's forty acres, completely fenced, gated, and I have high-definition security cameras on every tree. Nobody gets on that property without me knowing. And if Kyle Rayner steps foot on my land, he won't be leaving in a police car."
"Is it safe to move him?" I asked, looking back at Ethan.
"It's safer there than anywhere in this city," Marcus stated firmly.
May you like
Within an hour, we packed Ethan’s clothes, his favorite stuffed elephant, and essential medical supplies. We slipped out the back entrance of the building, escorted by Marcus, and loaded into his heavily tinted truck.
As we drove away from the city lights toward the quiet, dark hills of the countryside, I watched the rearview mirror constantly. The hunt for Kyle Rayner was on, but as long as I had breath in my lungs and my family by my side, that monster would never lay a finger on my boy again.
