me the video feed from the storm shelter camera. It was recorded live, but Bear and Hawk made a trip to the home where the IP address was located. The place had been quickly abandoned.
They did, however, find a laptop that had been encrypted. It didn’t take Slim long to hack it, though. He found the video files from the camera feed hidden deep within the hard drive.
The camera was a night vision camera, so it’s easy to make out Jessa’s features. But there was no sound. I’ll never get the image of my frightened woman’s mouth open as she screamed. I’m thankful there was no sound during those moments.
We don’t think the camera recorded every second of Jessa’s captivity because Slim only found fifty hours of video. He’s confident that it hasn’t been doctored. Timestamps show that’s it’s just snippets of moments caught over her six-month captivity.
We only saw someone come in seven times to drug Jessa. Each time the man stood with his back to the camera. Chains went over the video with a fine-toothed comb multiple times but couldn’t identify any marks on the man.
But we haven’t given up.
I relayed all the information we had over to Coach so he can update the men he has looking into it. We will find the motherfucker’s who took my woman. And, when we do, even Trigger will cringe when I’m done with them.
“She was going a bit stir crazy in the house.” My dad and I are outside watching Jessa help one of the farmhands brush the horses. She quickly fell in love with the magnificent beasts. She’s even claimed one for herself.
“I know,” I tell dad. “I hate that she has to be locked away again, even for a single second.”
“She’s not locked away, son,” he tells me with a glare. “She’s free to run around the farm and do as she pleases. She knows this. She’s not unhappy. She’s just a little lost.”
I watch as Jessa finishes brushing the little mare and wraps her arms around herself. I frown at the act and make a mental note to have heavier winter gear picked up for her.
“Your mother wants to have a barbecue this coming weekend.”
I smile. My mother will come up with any excuse to have people over to eat her food.
“I think it’s a good idea,” I tell him. “I’ll talk with Jessa about it and see how she feels.”
Over the past few weeks, Jessa has become more relaxed around people. She told me that she feels mentally stronger than where she was before. The doctor told us that she might have moments of claustrophobia when around more than a few people from where she was alone for so long.
“I’m going to go talk her into taking a ride with me,” I tell my dad.
He grunts and walks towards the house.
I make my way down to the barn and lean against the door while she listens adamantly to Steve.
“You don’t have to be so gentle, Ms. Jessa,” he tells her. “This one here has a pretty thick mane. You need to apply some pressure to get all the way through. Don’t worry; he’s a tough boy.”
Steve hands her the brush, and she starts brushing.
“If you keep pampering Obsidian, he’s going to expect it every single time he sees you.”
Jessa turns towards me and gifts me with her beautiful smile.
“She’s a natural, Mr. Parker,” Steve tells me. “I’ve never seen someone pick up horse grooming quite like our Ms. Jessa here.”
I smile as Jessa’s face burns.
“His mane sure is looking mighty fine, darlin’. It’s not easy to get that black shining as well as it is now.” Jessa rolls her eyes and turns back to the horse. “I got this, Steve. Thank you for keeping her company.”
“She was the one keeping me company, boss,” he smiles before walking away.
“Want to go for a ride?”
Her wide eyes turn in my direction and points at the horse.
“You know it, darlin’. Obsidian here loves giving rides. He would trot around the fields all day long if you’d let him. I’ve had this Stallion since he was a mere foal. Ain’t a single horse on this farm or the next who would treat his rider better.”
“Yours?” she whispers.
Oh, did I forget to mention that she’s talking now? Well, not full sentences and nothing above a soft whisper. But she’s talking. She says her throat no longer hurts when she tries, but she’s still too afraid to speak louder than she is.
She