Detective Baum looked him up and down. “I looked into you. You were a SEAL, injured in combat. Sit, I want to hear what you have to say. Honestly if you’d been anyone else, I would have dismissed you as a nut job. But join us.”
“Thank you.” Thario pulled out the chair and took a seat beside the detective. “I know I didn’t give you much information on the phone. I’m worried. There’s a woman out here who found cameras on her property.”
“Did she call the police?”
“She didn’t. She had no proof, so she didn’t think calling would do anything. She also thinks someone broke into her house.”
Thario saw the doubt shining in their eyes. “I wouldn’t be so worried, but when I found the information about the two women who’d been abducted, I wanted to come out here and make sure she is okay.”
“Is she your girlfriend?”
“No, sir. My friend knows her from high school. He recently reconnected with her.”
The detective nodded. “So you don’t know her personally? Why your interest?”
“Shortly after I lost my legs and was medically retired from the military, I began helping search for people who disappeared. I’ve been part of teams who have recovered at least fifty missing people.”
“That’s a lot.”
“We’ve worked with departments all over the world, but honestly my interest wasn’t at first to find the two women. I know it’s an open case for you.”
Detective Baum shook his head. “I’ve got no leads. Wherever they disappeared to, we don’t know.”
“I can look at the files.”
“Okay. I can’t bring you on officially, but I’ll let you look at the files. If you happen to find the copier and make copies, no one at the station will know. Before that, how about we head out to your friend’s place and find out if there’s any evidence left.”
“Sure.” Thario shared the address for the cabin and they headed out.
On the way, he called Elowen, but she didn’t answer. Maybe she was busy. He sent a text, hoping she would answer.
Frog whined, and he glanced over at the next stoplight. “What’s up, buddy?” Frog rested his head on his paws and his eyebrows bunched together. “I know. I’m worried and you can sense that.”
Frog yawned loudly, then put his head back on his paws. He reached over and scratched behind Frog’s ears.
“I brought you because I know you will help.”
The light changed, and he took off with the detective following. They were approaching the cabin, but he still hadn’t heard from Elowen. Worry filled him and Frog yawned again. His emotions were high, and he needed to calm down.
They pulled into the drive that would take him to the cabin. The place was beautiful and he could see what Griz liked about the area. They drove past the larger cabin, and he could see that Elowen had put in a lot of work. It was a place anyone would want to stay. It had charm and beauty.
When they arrived at the smaller cabin, Frog jumped out and seemed on high alert as he ran to the corner of the building. “Frog, get back here.”
“Is your dog military?”
“He is trained. He thinks something is wrong on the other side of the building.”
The detective reached for his gun and they headed around the building, Frog leading. When they reached the back of the cabin, Frog sat facing the back of the house and barked.
Thario saw the blinds blowing in the wind. At first he thought the door was open, then he realized the glass in the door had been broken.
“That’s not right,” Thario said.
Detective Baum called out. “Hello. Anyone there?”
“Shit. Someone broke in.”
Baum lifted his chin. “I’m going to clear the space. Stay out here. Keep your dog out, too. Forensics and all, don’t want them messed up.”
