Not that her own parents were perfect.
Her dad was about as far from perfect as a person could get. But at least she’d grown up with a mom who actually gave a damn.
Her dad loved her, too, she supposed. In his own way. The problem with Robert York was that the man had always loved his money more.
After dealing with Kennedy’s mom, Riley and Eric had traveled north where they spent the remainder of their day working along Harry Hines Boulevard , Shady Trail, and Southwell Road. That chunk of real-estate was known for its prostitution and homeless population. Given Kennedy’s appearance and the fact that she was a run-away, it seemed like the best place to start.
At the end of the day, just when Riley was about to tell Eric they should give up the search and go home, they got lucky.
One woman, who appeared to have been in the business a long while, claimed to have seen Kennedy in that same neighborhood three nights prior. Her statement was corroborated by the description she’d given Riley of the young girl.
Long, dark hair. Black turtleneck. Worn jeans and sneakers.
According to their witness, Kennedy had mentioned she was done with the life. That she was going to quit hooking just as soon as she had enough money to get herself back home.
The thought broke Riley’s heart.
If the woman’s statement was true—and they had no reason to believe it wasn’t—Kennedy had been close to getting out.
So close.
So now their theory was she’d gotten into the wrong guy’s car at the exact wrong time. A guy who liked to control women.
Hurtthem.
A nameless, faceless man who could be anyone. Anywhere. And it was Riley and Eric’s job to find the son of a bitch before he could hurt anyone else.
The sound of Mötley Crüe’sDr. Feelgoodbroke through the steady rush of running water, tearing Riley away from her steamy escape.
It was the ringtone Riley had set specifically for Maggie as a joke. But when the sweet medical examiner heard it, she’d laughed and commented how much she loved the eighties tune. So, Riley had kept it.
Turning off the water, Riley grabbed the towel from over the door and dried her face before wrapping it around herself. She stood on the plush bathmat and stretched to retrieve her phone from the vanity to avoid dripping water all over the tiled floor.
Sliding her thumb across the screen, she answered the call with a rushed, “Hey, Mags. Sorry it took me a second. I was in the shower and—”
“Is Eric with you?” Maggie cut her off.
“No.” Riley frowned. Putting the phone on speaker, she set it back onto the vanity so she could start towel-drying her hair while she talked to her friend. “I just told you, I was in the shower.”
“And?” A slight pause preceded Maggie’s sharp intake of air. “Oh, right. I’m not supposed to know about that.”
The towel froze against Riley’s head. “About what?”
“You and Eric.”
What the...
She kept her voice slow and steady as she asked, “What about me and Eric?”
“Nothing,” Maggie answered a little too innocently. “Forget I said anything.”
“I’ve told you before that Eric and I are just partners.”
“Right. Of course. Whatever you say.”
It was clear the other woman didn’t buy it for a second.
“Seriously, Mags.” Riley’s heart beat a little harder. “We aren’t—”
