Sam’s phone buzzed with an incoming call. “I’ve got to take another call. I’ll be back to you soon.” She somehow managed to switch over to take a call from Lieutenant Haggerty from Crime Scene. “Hey, Max, what’s up?”
“We’re at the Aherns. I thought you’d want to know we found a handwritten note from Ethan to Luna Ahern, telling her he thought she was pretty and would like to get to know her. He included his phone number and told her to call him anytime.”
“My niece Brooke had confirmed that Ethan knew Luna and they’d been friendly. She said Ethan really liked her but wasn’t sure if it was anything special for Luna.”
“I’ll pass the info about the note to Ruiz.”
“Thanks for the heads-up. I appreciate it.”
“We’re all hoping your nephew gets home safely, Sam.”
“Thank you.” She slapped the phone closed. “Shit, fuck, damn, hell.”
“What?” Nick asked as he returned to the office in time to hear her outburst.
“Crime Scene detectives found a note at Luna’s that can further tie Ethan to her.”
“A note doesn’t mean anything other than that he wrote her a note.”
“I know but… it’s another thing that connects him to her. I’m scared of someone making a case that he was involved in her disappearance, as preposterous as that would be.” She ran a hand over her face as her eyes watered from exhaustion.
“Babe, you need to get some sleep.”
“I couldn’t. Not now.”
“You won’t be any good to Ethan or Tracy if you collapse.”
“I’m a long way from collapsing. When I hit the wall, I’ll say so. I promise.”
He came around the desk. “Come here.”
Sam stood and stepped into his outstretched arms, sinking into his embrace and absorbing the special kind of comfort only he could provide. The scent of him—citrus and starch and sexy man, the scent of home—helped to calm and center her. It would’ve been so easy to close her eyes and nod off, but not as long as Ethan was missing.
“Thank you for this. It’s just what I needed.”
“I wish there was more I could do for you.”
“Having you here with me helps. Is everything okay back at La Casa Blanca?”
“For now. A few things brewing, but Terry and Derek have them handled.”
“If you have to go, I understand.”
“I’m where I need to be.”
“It helps to look up and see your face when I start to feel overwhelmed with fear.”
“I’m right here for as long as you need me.”
“Gonna be the rest of my life.”
“That works out well, because your face is my favorite one in the whole wide world.” He caressed her cheek and gave her a soft, sweet kiss. “I’ll be watching my favorite face for signs of impending collapse.”
“Thanks.”
“Love you forever, and I hate to see you suffering.”
“I’ll be okay. I just need to find him.”
