“Sheriff? It’s me. Ronnie? Your assistant?” The teen’s been working for me for two weeks, and yet still introduces herself every damn time.
“Yes, Miss Barkley. What’s up?” Taking a deep breath, I tone my voice to sound patient—pleasant—anything but annoyed.
“The State Police called. They want you to call them back ASAP. I told them you were unavailable.”
Pen in hand, I wait for her to finish the message.
Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
Biting my tongue, I roll my eyes. “Did you get a name? A callback number?”
“I didn’t ask.” She has the audacity to sound offended.
Counting to ten, I release my breath. “Okay. Did they say what it was about?”
“Nope. But it sounded important.” While her gum snaps on the other side of the airwaves, I hang up.
Three transfers later, Sergeant Thomas Griffin picks up on the first ring. “Took you long enough. What’s with the stupid girl answering your phone?”
The jerk can be rude to me, but my staff is off limits. “She’s new. Show a little respect.”
“Whatever. Listen, a hiker’s gone missing. A city woman named Briana Gainsborough. May be suicidal. Not heard from since Sunday night. Last seen near Hazel’s Notch.”
“Five days? Seriously?”She could be dead by now.
Griff clears his throat. “Not my doing. Her parents waited—said she’s known to go off-grid. We all know reception on the trail is spotty.”
“Why now? What’s the urgency?” In my mind, I’m already going over my checklist.
“The woman sent a text which set them on edge.”
“To be clear, you want me to call my search and rescue team?” Phone tighter to my ear, I step away from the firefighters so I can hear him better.
“Unless you’d rather I do your job for you?”
Job? Asshole. I’m a volunteer.I take a slow sip of lukewarm coffee. “If they put you in charge, can’t be too urgent.”
“Cut the crap.” Picturing his oval New England face turning red, I manage not to snicker.
“Message me the location. I’ll round up the usuals. Oh. Send me her file while you’re at it. Everything.”
A long silence passes before he asks, “What for?”
What bug got up his ass?Reminding myself I’m a fucking adult, I unclench my fists. “You want my help or not?”
“Don’t go thinking you got jurisdiction,Sheriff.” Figures he’d play the who’s-the-boss card.
“Untwist your shorts, Tom. It’s your case. The intel’s for my volunteers.”
He curses, but a moment after he hangs up, I receive his link. I’m still scanning her bio when I pull up our group chat.
Jeff jogs over while I finish typing. “Martin says he’ll store our stuff. I’ll ride with you.”
“Sure. First stop—Becca.” As I shrug off the heavy jacket, the carefree blond drops his go-bag and winter coat in my back seat.
His grin makes me laugh. “How’s my best girl doing?”
I swear he likes my dog better than me. “She’ll be thrilled to stretch her legs.”
