“Knew you would be. Brady and Tank are allocating grids now; the briefing will be in my office in thirty, if you can get Willow to cover you by then.”
“Done. Katie was just in here, and looking much better don’t you think? Even considering the news about Jilly?” Buster rested a hip on his counter. “At least this shit with her seems to have settled, and there’s been no sign of those Italians.”
“Last I saw of her she was talking with her new best friend Brady outside the Lair, and for the record, that shit’s still simmering and hasn’t gone away. People like the Alessi brothers don’t forget.”
Cubby could have bitten off his tongue as soon as the words left his mouth. For the last few days he’d had to listen to Brady talk about Katie, and how he’d bumped into her out running and now they planned their morning jogs together. He’d left his office to come here for food, and found them talking on his doorstep like they’d known each other a lifetime. He’d snarled at his deputy to stop loitering and get some work done, and for Katie to find something useful to do, then walked away before either of them could comment. He wasn’t jealous; Brady just needed to understand that there was serious police business to do.
“No shit?” Buster walked around the counter to look out the window. “Well hell, they’re kissing now.”
“The hell they are!” Cubby was beside him in two steps, ready to step out on the street and beat the shit out of Brady.
“No, my mistake, it was someone else.”
The breath left Cubby in a loud hiss as he looked at his friend’s innocent expression.
“I could kill you seventeen different ways with my bare hands, Griffin, so tread very carefully.”
“Sure, but then Willow would kill you, and then she’d go away for life and it would all get messy, so how about you settle down, take a few breaths, and I’ll refill that coffee cup you drank in under ten seconds while you eat one of my cinnamon muffins.”
“That could work,” Cubby muttered.
Men and woman gathered,grim faced, inside the Lair. All were dressed in sturdy hiking boots and wet-weather clothing, and ready to face whatever was necessary to find Melanie.
“Thank you all for coming,” Cubby began as the rain beat a steady tattoo on the roof. He then went on to tell them he now believed Melanie was out there somewhere. He explained they would be in pairs, and that no risks were to be taken. Each was equipped with a first-aid kit, and supplies necessary for whatever eventuality may occur. “I understand the conditions are not ideal, so please take care, and report anything suspicious.” When he’d finished, Brady and Tank allocated grids to each group and then they got in their vehicles and headed out to their search start points.
Ethan, Newman, Jake, Declan, and Patrick McBride were there, along with Walt and Lizzie Heath. Jilly’s parents were there to support Melanie’s family, all huddled together, their faces lined with grief and worry. Everyone who was able to search had come, as he’d known they would. This was what living in a small town was about: you watched over each other, and when things turned bad, you rallied, supported, and did what needed to be done.
“You doing okay, son?” His mother stopped before him. “You look tired.”
“I’m fine, Mom, don’t worry about me.”
Cubby accepted the kiss she brushed over his cheek before something made him look over his shoulder.
“Hi, Mrs. Hawker.”
Katie came to stand beside him.
“Hello, dear.” Cubby watched his mother hug her. Cubby’s heart did not beat harder when Katie gave her a gentle smile.
“We have to get moving now, Mom. I’ll catch up with you later, okay?”
“All right, and I’ll have a hot meal ready when you do. You two be careful out there.”
“We will, Mrs. Hawker, promise.” Katie shot him a quick look. “Brady put us together because we have the biggest grid to cover, Cubby. You ready to go?”
“I’ll just grab my pack.” Heading back inside to his office, he had a few words with Rona, who would be the main point of contact, before collecting his things. “Let’s go,” he said when he was back outside.
They jumped in the cruiser and headed along the road to where the main track started.
“So Melanie has been missing for six days now?”
“Yes.” He outlined what he knew and Katie listened quietly, then asked a few questions and offered a few suggestions that were insightful. He’d make a note of them when he got back to the Lair.
He pulled in behind several other cars when they reached the beginning of the trail. Slipping on their packs, he and Katie then headed into the trees. Their grid started forty minutes in.
“This weather’s a bitch.”
Cubby agreed, and then they fell silent again. When they’d reached their entry point, Cubby led the way off the path and into the trees. Silence settled around them, and he usually liked being here among nature, but not today. Today he was certain they would find the body of Melanie Peters, and that made him edgy.
