Andi’s jaw tightened. The man obviously didn’t respect true crime podcasters, and part of her could understand why. However,The Round Tablewasn’t a regular group of podcasters. They were skilled at what they did.
And none of that changed the fact that a woman was in danger.
She leveled her gaze with the man. “We’re here because a woman is missing, and someone needs to take that fact seriously.”
Hawkins narrowed his eyes but said nothing.
“We visited Ms. James’s apartment this morning,” Duke continued. “There are subtle signs of an unauthorized entry, including a jimmied window latch and fresh scratches consistent with a quiet access point. Her sister, her name is?—”
“Pam James,” Hawkins cut in with a long, drawn-out nod. “Yes. I know who she is. She called to report the incident.”
“Then you also know Pam is convinced something happened to Gina,” Andi said. “And now there’s evidence the apartment was accessed without force.”
Hawkins leaned forward, planting his elbows on the desk. “You want to know what I know?”
They waited for him to finish.
“I know Gina James is an adult,” Hawkins said. “She’s highly capable. Recently ended a relationship. And when things get stressful for her, she checks out of reality.”
Andi blinked. “Checks out of reality?”
Hawkins’s mouth twitched. “You mean, you didn’t learn about that during your investigation?”
His mocking tone made Andi want to reach across the desk and smack him.
Duke’s spine stiffened. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the fact that Gina’s taken off before,” Hawkins said. “Not exactly like this, but close enough. A little over a year ago, she took a leave of absence without telling anyone, rented a cabin near Yosemite, and didn’t talk to anyone for almost two weeks.”
Andi stared at him, surprised this was the first she’d heard of it.
“No one told you that, huh?” Hawkins sounded entirely too satisfied. “Ms. James showed back up. Voluntarily. No crime. No charges.”
“Pam didn’t mention that.” Andi’s voice dipped in irritation. She’d specifically said that Gina would never just disappear like this.
Hawkins smirked. “People don’t always mention facts that weaken their story.”
The words landed like a slap.
Andi fisted her hands at her side.
She really didn’t like this guy. But she’d handled men like him before—usually in the courtroom—and she could do it again.
Duke didn’t like where this conversation was going—nor did he appreciate the detective’s arrogance.
He leaned forward, determined to somehow get through to this guy. “Okay, so maybe Gina took off again. Maybe you’re right. But that still doesn’t explain the break-in.”
“We truly have no evidence of a break-in,” Hawkins said. “Those marks you saw could be from something else. No one saw anything.”
“What about the zip ties?” Andi asked.
“She could have used them to tie up some cables for all I know.”
Duke’s shoulders tightened. “Then why go through the trouble of reporting it?”
“For attention. Some people will do anything for it.” The detective shrugged.
“What if something did happen to her?” Andi finally asked.
