I glance at Ty, who’s standing at the bottom of the steps, arms crossed tight.
“Tony, I’m in the middle of something. Can’t someone else…”
“Nope. The witness will only talk to a female. Captain’s not giving you a pass.”
Of course he’s not.
“Fine. I’m on my way. Be there in thirty.”
I hang up and walk over to Ty. “I’ve gotta go. Work emergency.”
He frowns. “You’re leaving?”
“Just for a few hours. I wouldn’t if it wasn’t serious.”
He looks at the house, then back at me. “You sure they’ll be okay with this?”
“They know what’s going on. They’ll keep you safe. Just stay inside, alright?”
The front door opens and Mom steps out, arms already wide. “Hey baby,” she says, pulling me into a hug. Then she sees Ty and softens. “Come on in, sweetheart. We’ve got lunch started.”
Dad’s behind her, nodding at Ty. “We’ll keep an eye on him, honey.”
I turn to Ty. “Don’t answer the door for anyone. Don’t go outside. I’ll be back soon.”
He nods, but I see the fear in his eyes.
“You’re safe,” I say, kissing his check, and heading back to the car.
As I pull away, I glance in the rearview. The door closes and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding.
I tell myself he’s fine.
I tell myself I’ll be back before anything happens.
But my gut’s already twisting.
The station’squiet when I walk in. Afternoon shift’s still settling in, and the place smells like stale coffee and felons. Tony’s near the bullpen, flipping through a folder. He sees me and waves me over.
“The witness is already in the interrogation room. Been waiting twenty minutes,” he says.
“Sorry,” I reply. “I had to get Ty settled, and traffic was heavier than I expected.”
Tony gives me a look. “Everything okay?”
“Not really. But it will be.”
“Anything I can help with?”
“No. I can handle it. I’m taking Ty to a rehab facility outside the city. Somewhere the Royal Bastards won’t look. I’m pretty sure they’re looking for him.” I’m not ready to tell Tony about my connection just yet. I need to get my brother situated first.
“Where is he now?”
“At my parents’ place. I didn’t tell anyone we were going there. It’s off the radar.”
Tony nods, grabs a folder from the desk, and hands it over. “Here. Witness says she saw Keller with the girl the night she went missing. Claims she knows where he took her.”
I flip through the notes. It’s thin, but enough to lean on.
