“Part of the Dark Angels. And I think the other guys are part of the senator’s security team. If that’s the case, then they are retired cops,” Josh said.
“But why? Why wouldn’t the senator want his daughter’s killer found? And why work with a gang when one of their members supposedly killed her? I don’t understand.”
“I don’t either,” Josh said. “My thought is that the senator had something to do with Sydney’s death and needs it to stay hidden.”
“Would he have killed her?”
“I don’t know him well. My dad actually knows him better, but Sydney told me once that he liked to slap them all around to keep them in line. Her, her brother, and her mother. Maybe he lost his temper and went too far,” Josh said.
“Wouldn’t be the first time that happened,” Elena said.
“No. It wouldn’t be.”
Josh was letting the wheels turn in his mind as they sat in the dark. Now that the sun had completely set, the only light came from the moonlight that splashed across the back deck.
Shadows appeared in the light. Two of them. And one of them was holding a shotgun.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Maya was at her patrol vehicle when Josh’s family arrived. She hadn’t even thought to call Spencer when she heard about the jail transport crashing, but Pops had probably filled them in. Doc’s coroner vehicle was right behind them and pulled ahead. The road had been closed until the deceased victims could be removed from the scene and the jail van pulled out by a tow truck with a very long winch.
Maya waved at Doc. She’d catch up with him later. For now, she needed to talk to Josh’s family, although she wasn’t certain what she could tell them. A part of her, as Josh’s girlfriend, wanted to fill them in completely, but the law enforcement side of her wanted to be vague and not tell them too much.
Another vehicle parked behind Josh’s family and Maya paused. The senator and his family? Why were they constantly showing up? Although Maya knew why. They wanted to know what was going on with this investigation. Or at least the senator wanted to know. His son would probably stand there and say nothing while his wife would exclaim over the poor victims. It seemed to be their MO. Where were their security guys? Maya was wondering what they were doing at the time of the hit-and-run.
“Be patient,” she muttered to herself. Patience was something she was always working on. Dr. Meyers would tell her that this was a good opportunity to work on her skills.
Maya closed her patrol vehicle’s door. Juniper started barking indignantly. The Mal had been certain that Maya was going to get her out and work her.
“I promise, I’ll be right back,” Maya assured her.
Bianca was the first to get out of the car and come over to Maya. “Is it Josh? Is he okay?”
Maya didn’t answer at first, trying to pick her words carefully.
“Oh, God. It is him, isn’t it?” Bianca asked.
Maya knew she better speak up fast, as Josh’s parents arrived with the Bradfords right on their tail. “There’s been an accident and there are a few fatalities, but not Josh.”
“He’s okay? Where is he?” Josh’s mother, Natalia, asked.
“That’s the thing,” Maya said, again trying to think about what to say. “Josh is missing.”
“Missing?” Natalia asked.
“Yes, but we’re going to find him. I’m sure he’s fine,” Maya said, trying to believe what she said.
“How are you going to find him?” Natalia asked. “He could be anywhere out here in the mountains. What if he’s injured? Why did he have to move to Colorado?”
Ignoring the part about moving to Colorado, Maya said, “I have Juniper. She’s the best and she loves tracking. She also loves Josh. She’ll find him. If he’s injured, then she’ll take me to him. I also have his dog, Finn, coming with another officer who knows how to work him. Between Finn and Juniper, we can trade off all night long if need be until he’s located. I need to get to work. The best thing you can do is go back to where you’re staying. As soon as I know something, I’ll contact you. I promise.”
Natalia nodded, tears streaming down her face. Laura stepped over and embraced her, telling Natalia she was certain it would be okay. The senator was already back in their vehicle, on the phone, and he seemed upset. Maybe someone had called him to say that Josh had escaped.
Maya needed to find him first. And then Elena. Two missing people in the mountains were like a needle in a haystack. Luckily, with both Finn and Juniper, she had a great way of locating them.
* * *
Elena was munching on a granola bar, unaware of what Josh had seen. He unholstered his gun and she turned to him, eyes wide. He put a single finger up to his lips, hoping she wouldn’t scream.
