Duke gave him a firm handshake. “I appreciate you stepping in earlier.”
“Old habits die hard.” Ben said with an easy shrug. His eyes flicked briefly toward the crowd beyond the curtain, then back. “Former Army.”
That got a faint smile from Duke. “CID.”
“Figures.” The corner of Ben’s mouth lifted. “You move like it.”
Andi watched the exchange, noting how the tension in Duke’s shoulders eased just a fraction—enough to tell her he trusted this man or at least recognized the same instincts in him.
“You’re a rep for SafeStride?” Duke asked.
Ben was quiet for a moment. “I actually started the company.”
“Impressive,” Andi said.
“I actually didn’t start SafeStride because I wanted to build a company,” he said finally. “My niece went missing when she was seven. For three hours. Long enough for everyone to tell us she’d probably wandered off, that kids do that.” His jaw tightened. “I knew better.”
“That must have been scary,” Andi said.
Ben exhaled slowly. “She was found. She was okay. But those three hours? It was wasted because no one believed it was serious yet. I couldn’t get past that. So I built a response team that didn’t have to wait for permission. A team that answered the one question that mattered—where are theyright now?”
Duke didn’t speak right away. He studied Ben, the set of his shoulders, the controlled edge beneath the words.
“Any delay can get people hurt,” Duke said at last. “You saw a gap and closed it. I appreciate that.”
Ben met his gaze. More tension eased.
“Anyway, I’ll be with you for the remainder of the tour,” Ben said. “Even though I’m officially a sponsor, I’d be more than happy to be another set of eyes for you.”
“That would be helpful,” Duke said. “We won’t turn down the extra help. People can be unhinged.”
Ben nodded once, then stepped back, already scanning the room again.
Before anyone could speak, Rupert swooped in, clipboard in hand and expression pulled tight.
“Wonderful job. Absolutely wonderful!” He lowered his voice. “Now—quick reminder—you’re slated for a live local news segment this evening. Six p.m. Sharp. Studio’s in the city, so plan for extra drive time due to traffic.”
Andi’s brain immediately started clicking through logistics—time, travel, energy, what they could and couldn’t say on air.
Another appearance. Another audience.
Another chance for someone to be watching.
She tucked the thought away as the team began to shift again, already moving on to whatever came next.
It was barely four o’clock. That meant they had two hours.
Two full hours to make the most of things.
Urgency pressed on her. Every impulse told her to drop everything to investigate, but she knew she couldn’t do that. It wasn’t fair to ignore the obligations she was contractually bound to perform.
Mariella must have seen the conflict on her face because she turned, eyes sharp and knowing.
She gave Andi a small nod. “We can hold down the fort here and make Rupert happy. You and Duke should go see what you can find out. We don’t have much time left here.”
Andi didn’t hesitate. “Emily still hasn’t called back, but?—”
Just then, her phone buzzed in her hand.
