“Break-ins happen. So do misunderstandings. So do dramatic interpretations when folks watch too much true crime.” Hawkins’s eyes flicked pointedly to Andi then Duke.
“That’s not a fair statement.” Duke squared his shoulders as he stared at the detective.
“You two show up in San Francisco with a podcast and a sponsor list,” Hawkins continued. “Putting on a show and signing merchandise for fans. Forgive me if I’m skeptical. We get influencers in here all the time looking for a compelling angle. Makes for great content. But we’re not about content here. We’re about real life, real crimes, and real answers.”
Andi bristled beside Duke, but she kept her voice level as she said, “We’re not looking for content or likes or more monetization. We’re looking for Gina.”
Hawkins stood, signaling the end of the conversation. “If new evidence turns up—realevidence—you bring it in. Until then, we don’t have a case.”
Duke rose as well, jaw set.
Andi followed, her hands curled into fists at her sides. “So that’s it? You’re comfortable assuming she walked away?”
“I’m comfortable assuming there’s not enough to prove otherwise. And until there is? This stays low priority.” Hawkins didn’t look at them again—his way of dismissing them.
Duke didn’t like this guy, and he knew they weren’t going to get anywhere with this conversation.
They walked out of the station in silence, the door closing behind them with a hollow click.
Outside, the drizzle had finally stopped, leaving the pavement dark and slick beneath the gray sky.
Andi drew in a slow breath. “Well, that was a waste of time.”
Duke glanced at her. “Yeah.”
She lifted her chin as if her resolve was settling into place. “Which means we’re on our own.”
A corner of his mouth lifted. “We usually are. We could really use a Gibson right about now.”
Logan Gibson was a state trooper in Alaska. He’d helped them on several occasions and was a valuable asset to their team.
Unfortunately, Gibson wasn’t here nor did he have jurisdiction in this area.
“But what about what the detective said about Gina disappearing before?” Andi paused and turned toward him. “What do you think about that?”
“It does make the police less likely to take her disappearance seriously—like the Boy Who Cried Wolf, right?”
Andi nodded slowly, unable to deny the comparison. “Do you think Gina just ran this time? Got freaked out by the break-in and left?”
Duke squinted with thought. “If she did that, then why wouldn’t she call her sister?”
“It doesn’t sound like she called her before either.” Andi crossed her arms, clearly wrestling through the possibilities. “I guess we should ask Pam about it next time we talk. Maybe she can clarify. But . . .”
“But what?” Duke waited to hear her idea.
“I can’t help but sense Pam has a secret,” Andi murmured. “Maybe this is what she’s been hiding.”
CHAPTER
FIFTEEN
Andi and Dukemade it to the venue with two minutes to spare.
She’d tried to call Pam on the way there, but there was no answer. Pamhadsaid earlier that she was supposed to be in a meeting today, so maybe that was why.
Maybe.
Even before she and Duke stepped fully inside the convention center, Andi felt the hum of anticipation vibrating through the venue. Fans milled about the spacious lobby, clutching programs and branded merch bags, their voices rising in an excited buzz that echoed against the sleek glass walls.
