Free Gem Stone by Dale Mayer Page B

property, back by an old tree. She should check it out in daylight. She glanced at Mark.
    Â 
    "Well, go get yourself a pop or something and let me look." Already consumed with the project, he sat down in her chair and bent closer to the monitor.
    Â 
    â€œI could use some fresh air,” she said. "Why don't we go take a look in a bit? It's morning. You never know what we might find in the light of day."
    Â 
    Only their walk never happened.
    Â 
    John was also keeping everyone close to home, and so far, had stymied both Mark's and Gem's attempts to get outside. They didn't want to push it with John, nor did they want to cross any other lines right now. Too much was at stake.
    Â 
    By afternoon a maudlin gloominess had overtaken the home. They'd had news that Misty was continuing to experience severe nausea from drugs she'd been given, so she wasn't going to be released any time soon. Hadn't even been able to talk to the police although she had managed to say she didn't remember anything of what happened to her.
    Â 
    That pissed Gem off. She wanted Misty back to normal and back here where she could ask her what the hell happened. If Misty didn't remember anything, Gem wanted to hear it straight from her.
    Â 
    Reid was researching but hadn't been able to find out anything on the three men – yet. No surprise there. However, he had found and downloaded an older trial version of a better imaging program, allowing Gem to manipulate the photos for more clarity. With it, she could see the canister better, but it still wasn't clear enough to make out any lettering or symbols. They could tell the Ford pickup was dark green. That was the extent of the useful details.
    Â 
    Mark had given Reid the information he'd pulled off the car. But so far, Reid hadn't any luck getting more information.
    Â 
    So she had nothing concrete. The one profile picture she had looked like Dumpty – but she couldn't be sure.
    Â 
    Would they have left anything behind? She was itching to find out. Considering there'd been a new lock on the pump house, they might have even stashed stuff in there then removed it when they dumped Misty. She glared at the open window. She wanted to get out. It was so dark last night she might have missed tons of stuff.
    Â 
    Gemma pondered the problem as she finished wiping the counters. Then she vacuumed the floors. Right now would be a perfect time to go look. She'd finish the housework first then maybe they'd be allowed a couple of hours of free time. Mark was cleaning windows and Reid was scrubbing the kitchen floor. She hadn't seen Stephen but he was probably helping with the laundry. Everyone was on their best behavior.
    Â 
    They had to make sure that what happened to Misty didn't happen again. And they needed to know who did it and why…
    Â 
    Opening the closet, she stored the vacuum away for another week and headed back into the kitchen. Doris sat cradling an empty coffee cup at the table, John at her side. Giving them a closer look, Gem realized how tired and worn-out they both appeared, obviously from more than just a bad night. Maybe they'd taken some serious flack over Misty's kidnapping.
    Â 
    Misgivings fluttered through her belly. Surely, not? Misty had been found, safe…but even she knew it had been a close call – too close.
    Â 
    Then, who knew what the sheriff had said to John and Doris?
    Â 
    "Hi, the vacuuming is done." She walked over to the sink and filled a clean glass with cold water. She smiled at the two of them. "Mark is almost done the windows too."
    Â 
    "Thank you, Gem." Doris smiled, her face brightening. "You've been a big help today. We both appreciate it."
    Â 
    "Last night was enough trouble for a long time. You two don't need more right now."
    Â 
    They nodded. "The police said they might come back this afternoon for further questions. I need you to be ready to talk to them," John said, slumping back into his chair.
    Â 
    "No problem." She