The sound of fingers over keys fills the phone. “I’m checking camera footage, but you didn’t hear that from me.”
From behind me, I hear Levi on the phone with Davis. He’s filling him in, but I can’t wait for law enforcement. I left her alone, and now she’s gone. I knew we should’ve stayed home. I only blame myself for allowing a day of fun when I was aware of the threat. Alcohol clouds judgment, and today it blinded me. I ignored my intuition. My training. And look where it got me.
“Riggsby!” Blackwood, my Army buddy, shouts, pulling my attention to the present.
“I can’t lose her,” I say through heaving breaths. Panic floods my vision with dark edges.
“You’re not going to,” he assures me. “Breathe, Riggs.”
I do as I’m told, even though the blood coursing in my veins is ready to wage war. If I’m going to find Wren, I’ve got to keep a calm head.
“Give me a few, and I’ll get back with you.”
Within minutes, the alley is surrounded by law enforcement. Blue lights flash, mixing with the night sky as crime scene techs observe the surrounding area.
“Jett.” Greer’s voice shakes from outside the taped-off section.
Stepping closer to her, I notice the tears streaking her cheek. “Is it true? Is she gone?”
I can only nod.
“She said she was going to the bathroom. I offered to come, but she told me she’d be fine.”
“Not your fault,” I assure her, even though I want to yell at her. To ask her what she was thinking. “I’ll call if I hear anything.”
Davis steps beside me. He gives Greer’s forearm a gentle squeeze, silently soothing her.
“We’ve got someone going through The Spillway’s surveillance video. Roads are blocked for the fireworks. That helps narrow down their direction. What else can you give me?”
I grit my teeth so hard, I’m afraid I’m going to crack my molars.
“He’s in an older model RV camper van, California plates, registered to an assistant at his firm.”
Davis eyes me skeptically. “And how would you know?”
“Does it fucking matter? Find Wren.”
Davis’s gaze locks on mine, and I can see him waging an inner battle of how far he wants to push this. He knows I haveconnections; anyone in the military who knows the right people has connections far greater than any small-town department.
“Stop keeping shit from me and let us do our job.”
“Then find her.”
Davis steps forward. “Do I need to arrest you for interfering in police business?”
I point my finger in my friend’s chest. “If that's what it takes to find her, because I will stop at nothing until Wren Drummond is in my arms, safe.”
Both of our chests heave, but this fight is wasting time. We both want to find Wren, and I refuse to be sidelined over a technicality.
“Where the fuck is my sister?” a deep voice echoes off the buildings.
All heads, including mine, turn in the direction of Nate Drummond as he strides deeper into the alley dressed in his sheriff deputy uniform.
“Why the hell am I finding out over my goddamn radio that my sister is missing?” he asks, voice dangerously controlled as if he’s going to snap in seconds. “And you two dipshits are standing here arguing.”
I raise my hand, trying to break the tension, but the glare Nate casts my way is sharp enough to cut the words off.
“We’re searching surveillance,” Davis supplies.
