Page 89 of Montana Memory
“Jada is gone.”
“What do you meangone?”
My jaw was locked tight. “She left a note, saying she couldn’t stay. And I get it, Lachlan. There’re a lot of factors surrounding Jada and her situation that might cause her to bolt. But this isn’t sitting right with me.” I explained my argument: not being willing to wait one more day when it would’ve given her so much more to start a life with—clothes, car, ID.
And then especially the kittens.
Another long pause. Then Lachlan’s voice sharpened. “Yeah, I agree. Something’s not right here. Meet me at the station as quick as you can get there. We’ll go through the interview recording together. Maybe you’ll see something I missed.”
“I’m on my way.”
Chapter 28
Hunter
The drive into Garnet Bend was usually scenic and peaceful, but today, everything looked gray and felt like razor blades in my gut. It was also taking fucking forever. Every curve in the road, vehicle or tractor I passed, every moment I wasn’t sure exactly what was going on—it all made my grip on the steering wheel tighter.
I beat Lachlan to the station, but Sheriff Charlie Garcia was in the parking lot when I pulled up. The older man looked like he’d stepped off a ranch brochure—battered cowboy hat, thick mustache, slow shuffle. But the eyes were sharp. He spotted me, lifted his chin.
“Hunter. Wasn’t expecting to see you here at this hour. Or any hour. Something wrong?”
I shook Charlie’s hand. “Sheriff. We can’t find Jada. Lachlan said some out-of-town detectives were questioning her yesterday, so we’re doing some follow-up.”
He frowned, tugged the toothpick from his mouth, and gestured toward the building. “Inside. Let’s talk.”
I followed him in, trying to keep my patience as he said good morning to the receptionist—Maryann—and made his way down the hall much slower than I’d like.
Although anything less than a full-on sprint was going to be much slower than I liked.
The sheriff’s office was small, dated. Comfortable. It didn’t belong in the same universe as the panic crawling up the back of my throat. Charlie listened as I explained—Jada, the note, the kittens she wouldn’t have abandoned. My gut screaming it didn’t add up.
He sighed, rubbing at the back of his neck. “I’ve been out of the loop lately, and I’m down to part time now. Transitioning out. Got a few months left before I hang this badge up for good.” He gave a tight smile. “Lachlan will be stepping in as sheriff. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
“Yeah. Lachlan is solid. He’s meeting me here in a few. I know you’ll be missed, Charlie.” I forced out the appropriate words. And they were true. Charlie would be missed.
But right now, I couldn’t think about that. All I could think about was Jada.
Charlie seemed to sense it. “You let me know if you need me. Otherwise…I’ll keep clear.”
Lachlan stepped in just then, a travel mug in hand, looking sharper than he probably felt this early.
“You catch any sleep?” Charlie asked him.
Lachlan rolled his eyes. “Define sleep.”
Charlie clapped him on the shoulder, then looked at me. “He’s all yours.”
Lachlan didn’t say a word, just jerked his chin toward the hallway. I followed him without a sound, the rubber soles of my boots silent against the polished linoleum. His office was small,neat, and too damn bright. The blinds were open wide, sunshine spilling across the desk like it had a right to be here.
He motioned to the chair across from his desk, but I stayed standing.
Lachlan dropped into his chair. “You going to sit, or just hover like a pissed-off shadow?”
“I’m fine right here. Tell me what happened.”
He raised one eyebrow at my tone and the fact that I was demanding answers from him rather than the other way around as he was used to. But he still answered. “All right. Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the diner for a coffee. Lisa the waitress mentioned two cops had been in, asking about Jada.”
The words hit like a gut punch. “She say what they wanted?”
