There was a brief pause before his mother’s bubbly voice filled the room again. “Walter, honey, I couldn’t find what I needed at the store. Elijah’s corner market didn’t have those tiny sliced carrots and those white raisins I love so much for the potato salad. I took a cab to that larger natural foods place a little farther out. I should be back soon.”
The call ended, and panic settled in the pit of Elijah’s stomach as he yanked his burner phone from his pocket.
Camden stepped into the room, placing a comforting hand on Elijah’s shoulder. “What’s wrong? She’s just at the supermarket.”
“Camden, you’d see world peace before my mother put unnecessary shit like carrots and raisins in her damn potato salad. That was a code. My mother’s in trouble.”
Elijah put the phone to his ear, relieved Captain Searlington answered on the first ring.
“What’s wrong?”
Elijah had never been more grateful for Captain Searlington’s directness, because he didn’t have time for pleasantries when his mother was in danger. He let out the shaky breath he’d been holding since he waited the moment before Captain Searlington’s voice traveled across the line, then uttered the words no son ever wanted to speak. “The Path has my mother.”
ELIJAH’Shand throbbed where his nails cut into his palm as he stood in the middle of his living room watching Captain Searlington and his fellow officers set up command.
This wasn’t his first time being part of a missing persons search. He’d watched family members standing around hopelessly as law enforcement set up shop. But in all his years on the force, he’d never surmised that he would be the one waiting while those in charge figured out what to do. No, he didn’t do waiting, and the endless sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach as he stood unable to do anything about finding his mother, told Elijah he liked being on the other side of the table much better than his current position.
“Dear God, what have I done?”
The soft sound of Camden’s voice pulled Elijah’s attention from the unfolding scene and made him focus on Camden. Elijah moved toward him, placing a single finger under Camden’s chin, forcing the man to look up to him. “This is not your doing, Cam. This is the work of a madman.”
Elijah was technically correct. But as his father, brother, and sister-in-law filed down to the basement together when the police arrived, Elijah couldn’t help but wonder if they stepped aside to give his fellow officers the room, or if they blamed him so much for this fiasco that they couldn’t stand to be in his presence right now.
Elijah could see doubt cloud Camden’s wide eyes. “Elijah, we both know the reason this is happening. There’s no place else to lay the blame except for on my shoulders.”
Captain Searlington interrupted Elijah’s response, calling his name from across the room.
“We’re ready.” Captain Searlington’s voice was steady but direct. She stood with her hands braced on her waist and her legs shoulder-width apart. With her gun holster sitting on her hip, she looked like a fierce superheroine ready to conquer the villains with her superpowers.
The description wasn’t far off. There were times this woman had in fact slapped anSon her chest and saved the day. For his mother’s sake, he hoped this time would be no different.
“They haven’t called to notify us of the kidnapping or make any demands. My guess is they’re still figuring out how to leverage your mother’s capture.” Captain Searlington was right. No calls had come in yet. If this were any random snatch and grab, he’d be worried, well, more worried than he already was. But knowing that they’d forced her to give his father that bullshit line about shopping for potato salad ingredients, it inclined him to agree with Captain Searlington. They didn’t want them to notice she was gone yet.
“We’ve got everyone in your family’s phone tapped, including your home phone. The Westchester PD are allowing us to take point on this, so we’ve got boots on the ground canvassing the areas she was last known to be in. Smyth and his team are going through the street cams to see if we can pick up anything that way too. We will find these bastards, Stephenson. We’ll get her back.”
Elijah believed her. He had to. Thinking of any alternative where his police brethren didn’t save his mother wasn’t something Elijah could make himself do.
“What do you need me to do, Captain?”
Captain Searlington took a long breath before raising her eyes to his. “Elijah, you know I can’t have you involved in this investigation.”
His heart beat faster in his chest as he saw resolve settle in Captain Searlington’s eyes. “You can’t cut me out of this. This is my mother, Cap. Is it because you don’t trust me? I know I haven’t been in the field for a minute, but I’m still a good cop.”
Elijah stiffened as he said the last line, realizing his voice had silenced the entire room, drawing the eyes of the other cops to where he and Captain Searlington stood. He took in a breath, trying his best to ignore the other people standing around them and to focus on his boss. He knew what they all must think. He couldn’t protect himself. How could he be trusted to protect someone else?
He couldn’t concentrate on their assumptions. Before his attack, he was a good cop. That’s all he could think about right now. This was his mother. There was no way he’d fuck this up. He had to be the one to bring these bastards in.
Captain Searlington placed a firm hand on his shoulder before tipping her head toward the doorway. Elijah nodded and followed her out of the family room, down the hall, and to the empty kitchen.
“Elijah, I have no doubts about putting you back on the street. If I did, I would never have assigned the ADA’s case to you.”
Elijah lifted his brow and crossed his arms over his chest. “I thought you said you assigned me because brass demanded it? That Camden’s boss requested it?”
Half of her mouth lifted into a knowing smile. She didn’t even have the decency to look apologetic when he caught her in a lie.
“His boss requested it. And I agreed that you would be the best candidate for the job.”
Elijah released a rough sigh and let his arms fall to his side. “Why would you do this? Why would you play with Camden’s life like that?”
