She held his gaze for a long moment, then gave a brief nod and turned to stare into the fire.
Tonight’s conversation was a good start, but he wouldn’t give up. With Fowler in the wind and Ella’s illness, Megan needed to believe God was beside her. Reid could help her work through her struggles and find her way to God again.
Even if it meant losing his heart in the process.
17
Reid sat on a stiff sofa in the waiting area outside Dr. Browne’s office located in the hospital. Ella had blood drawn when they’d first arrived that morning, and a rush order was given to the hospital lab for processing. The moment the results were in, Megan and Ella had gone into the exam room to meet with the doctor. Thirty minutes ago. Long, ticking slowly past, anxious minutes. Reid didn’t know how Megan was staying as strong as she was without her faith. He was uneasy and sweaty and would be a wreck in her position.
His phone rang. He lurched.
Calm down, man.
Jack’s name popped on caller ID, and Reid quickly answered.
“You’re not going to believe this.” Jack’s voice rose with each word.
Reid could think of only one thing that might be surprising. “You arrested Fowler?”
“No, but he called his probation officer an hour ago. Surprise. Surprise. Said he missed the appointment because he was home sick, and he would check in tomorrow.”
“You trace the call?”
“Number’s for a burner phone, but we don’t have probable cause to have the signal triangulated.”
“Of course he would be smart enough to use an untraceable phone.” Reid gritted his teeth. He hated that people could buy prepaid phones without providing contact information, and they were virtually untraceable, often with the intent of committing a crime. “I know he’s not at the motel. Colin confirmed that not more than ten minutes ago. So we still don’t know where he is.”
“He could be with his gas station friend.”
“You get that warrant yet?”
“I tried again, but nothing’s changed, and Kade’s still a no-go.”
Reid expected that answer, but he was getting desperate. Jack’s supervisor, Oliver Kade, who served as Assistant Special Agent in charge of the FBI’s Portland Field office, wasn’t an easy guy to deal with. Reid had worked under Kade for only six months before leaving the FBI, but had learned from day one that he was a tough guy who made his agents jump through hoops. Seemed like he was doing the same thing with Jack right now.
“Fowler going AWOL could help with that,” Reid said.
“How? We don’t have an official investigation open yet. Kade still won’t go for it.” Jack let out a long breath. “Everything else going okay on your end?”
Was it? Reid didn’t know. Megan had kept him at arm’s length all morning. Maybe she was afraid he would pressure her on her faith. Or maybe she didn’t want to deal with him.
“Reid?” Jack pressed.
“As well as can be expected,” Reid answered truthfully, as he didn’t expect much.
“Something I can help with?”
Reid wasn’t about to share the struggle his feelings for Megan were causing. “Nada. Just keep me updated on Fowler’s whereabouts and any new developments with the local PD.”
Reid disconnected and let out a long breath. He stood and paced the small area.
Then Megan and Ella stepped out of the doctor’s exam room, and Megan flashed him a big smile. Ah, good. The appointment had gone well. They would be returning to the lodge instead of Ella being admitted again.
He met them on the far side of the waiting area.
Ella smiled at Reid and slipped her hand into his. “I don’t have to stay.”
Megan reached out as if to pull Ella free, but instead she let her hand fall to her side.
