April looked back and forth between her uncle and Brock. “Did you and Brock have a nice conversation out there?” she asked Sonny.
“We did.”
“You all done checking his teeth?”
Sonny grinned. “I’m done checking his teeth.”
“They got coffee stains?”
“I wouldn’t have let him back in here if they didn’t.”
April patted her father on the arm. “Good Papa.” She hugged Brianna. “Now you two get outta here. We got this.”
Chapter 23
When Brock and Brianna got back to the festival, the news had already spread about Brianna’s brother. Brock kept a close eye on her mood as well-wishers told her how sorry they were. He didn’t miss the side-eyes a couple other people gave her and the way they avoided going near her as they whispered to each other. He did his best to make sure she missed seeing that. The last thing she needed was some sort of bullshit reinforcement that she was less than anyone else.
Brianna soaked up the positive attention, much to Brock’s relief. She kept up a brave face, assuring everyone that she was ready to perform that night and thanking them for their support. God, his woman was strong—Brock knew how much she was hurting inside. He’d make sure she had a safe place to land in his arms that night, where she could sleep or cry or talk, anything that she needed.
Anthony was especially kind when he found them. “Hey, Brianna, I’m so sorry. I talked to the folks in charge and they’re willing to let us practice in the farmhouse on the grounds, so you can have some privacy if you’d like.”
“Oh, that is so considerate. Thank you for asking.” She took a moment to deliberate. “I appreciate the gesture, but you know, I think I’ll be okay out here.” She nodded to herself. “Yeah. I want to stay connected to everyone else at the festival.”
Anthony beamed. “Wow. You have come such a long way this week. I would’ve thought you’d jump at the chance for privacy.”
Brianna’s smile looked surprised. “I guess I have.” She glanced up at Brock. “Thank you. You’re the reason.”
Brock shook his head. “Nope. I’m not taking that credit. It’s all on you, Lifesaver.”
Brianna laughed as Anthony looked puzzled. “My new nickname,” she told him. “From the van situation.” Her cheeks reddened.
“It fits.” He grinned. “Now, since you’ve got a show to put on tonight, I suggest we get started going over your songs. I have a few last suggestions. Wanna practice by the river?”
“Sure, sounds good.” Brianna stood on her tiptoes and gave Brock a kiss. “I know you need to patrol, so I’ll see you in a while?”
“Of course. I just need to check in and then I’ll be back.”
* * *
Brock entered the security station where Kyle, Jake, and Wolf waited. They were with Sargent Williams and three officers from Boulder—Tom Hicks, Sylvie Madden who Brock recognized from police dog classes at Watchdog, and another officer Kyle introduced as Frank Morris. Valkyrie sat patiently in the corner, watching the men.
Officer Morris started with an apology. “There is no excuse for Brian Taylor to have gone missing and I’m not here to offer one. I’m only here to give my apologies for our slip-up. As soon as Mr. Taylor wakes up, we’ll be getting a statement from him. In the meantime, we’re still trying to find the records of the officers who took him to rehab.”
Fat lot of good that does BrianBrock thought, but he bit back his comment. He couldn’t help but notice Officer Madden giving Morris a little side-eye as well.
“IfBrian wakes up,” Brock said. “I just got back from the hospital and he’s in a bad way.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Officer Madden said. “We’ll get to the bottom of this. The problem is, the officers were in plainclothes, and Brian’s parents don’t remember getting names or badge numbers.”
That was news to Brock. From the looks on Kyle’s, Wolf’s, and Jake’s faces, it was news to them, too.
“Which brings up the possibility that they weren’t cops at all,” Officer Hicks said, glancing at Morris. “In the meantime, we’re here to keep an extra eye on the contestants, given everything that’s occurred this week,” he continued. “Backstage, we’ve got extra security, along with officers in plainclothes roaming the crowd.”
Kyle crossed his arms. “What about Jerold Glass?”
“What about him?” Morris asked.
“Is he talking?”
