“When you’re talkin’ to people, ask them if they saw a redheaded guy. Probably five-nine, a hundred and fifty pounds. Nineteen or twenty, I’d guess. He’s got acne scars on his face and wears braces.”
Jeff was jotting down the information in his notepad. “Got a name?”
“No. But he approached me and Reese the other day when we were at the diner, so he’s been in town.”
Jeff’s gaze skimmed each of them. “What does he want with JJ?”
“Question of the hour. We don’t know what his motives are, but he’s definitely a person of interest.”
And Brantley intended to put Luca to work identifying the guy as soon as possible. If they were lucky, Luca would be able to track his movements for the past few days, and they’d find where he was holed up sooner rather than later.
While he was all for sharing details with the sheriff, Brantley didn’t want to give him too much information and have him put up roadblocks that would keep them from doing their job. If they mentioned Molly, there was a good chance the sheriff would get someone to her residence, and they wouldn’t have a chance to look around first.
“We need everyone looking for her,” Baz barked. “Everyone.”
Yes, they did. But theeveryonein Brantley’s scenario did not involve the small-town sheriff’s department or local law enforcement. Brantley had a team for that. Not to mention friends and family who would come in droves as soon as the news got out. They were the ones Brantley wanted to help because they didn’t ask permission. They preferred to ask for forgiveness after the fact.
“I’ve called in the cavalry,” Brantley told him, squeezing Baz’s shoulders to get him to pay attention. “The entire team’s on notice, ready to do whatever we need them to do.”
Baz’s wild-eyed expression sobered somewhat. “They are?”
“Of course they are.”
Reese stepped closer, blocking the view from the spectators gathered in downtown Coyote Ridge. No doubt the phone tree was ringing already, and the town was going to rally shortly. As much as Brantley appreciated their efforts to help, he wanted to maintain control of the situation right now. He had more than enough manpower and technology to find JJ. It was merely a matter of getting to work.
“I’ll have my guys check with all the businesses. See if anyone caught what happened on a surveillance camera,” Jeff said.
“Thanks, Sheriff.”
“Keep me in the loop, Brantley.”
He nodded. “I will.”
“To ensure you do, I’d like to send one of my deputies to your headquarters.”
Brantley looked at Reese.
Reese shook his head. “We’ll set up the command post at Baz’s house.”
Jeff nodded, his gaze cutting to Brantley. Jeff’s arched eyebrow said he wasn’t sure he believed they would readily share information, but Brantley didn’t have time to placate him. He would do his best. That was all he could promise.
“Let’s go back to your house,” Reese told Baz.
Baz swung his gaze to Reese. “Okay.”
Reese looked at Brantley. “I’ll drive Baz’s truck and meet you there. You take him home.” He passed over Tesha’s leash. “Take her with you.”
Brantley nodded, then urged Baz to the passenger side of his truck before helping Tesha into the back seat.
With Baz and Tesha safely in the truck, Brantley paused to thank Sheriff Endsley.
“Don’t cut me out. I can help.”
“I know, Sheriff. I don’t care who finds her first. Just that we do.”
“Then we’re on the same page.”
Brantley hoped so.
