Page 110 of Forged in Peril
“Doesn’t matter, it still counts,” Ben said with a chuckle. “You lose.”
“I think I have to side with Ben on this one,” Grace added, climbing out of the passenger seat before Asher could insist on getting her door.
“How shocking,” Asher said, poking her in the ribs with an elbow. “Grace, taking Ben’s side, whyever might that be…”
Ben felt his cheeks going hot. He picked up his pace as he strode toward the hospital’s door, glad for a couple of seconds to collect himself before they all headed inside. Worrying about Grace’s possible crush on him wasn’t important at the moment, however embarrassed he felt.
Today was about his cousin Reilly, his wife Lauren, and the beautiful twin girls she had just delivered a little early. After spending a week in the NICU, they were healthy enough to meet the family. As far as he knew, the rest of his brothers and his father were already here.
“Let’s get going,” he said, pausing as Asher and Grace came up beside him.
Just then, someone’s phone rang.
“Ha!” Asher crowed as he ducked through the sliding door of the hospital.
“Hold on,” Grace said, following him as she dug her phone out of her purse. “It’s not Gabe, actually. Sorry, Asher.”
“Hey, dad, what’s up?” Grace said, tucking the phone into the crook of her neck as she ushered Asher and Ben to keep walking inside.
Ben opened his mouth to taunt his twin about the five dollars he owed, but promptly closed it again as he watched Grace’s face fall.
“What do you mean, she’s gone? When did this happen?” Grace was saying, her voice rising in volume with each word.
Asher stopped walking and turned back to his companions, his brow furrowing with concern as he shot Ben a questioning glance. Ben shrugged and placed a finger to his lips, though Grace was making no effort to avoid being heard.
“Last night? Do the local police know?” Grace continued, pacing back and forth in the hospital entranceway. “Of course that’s what they think. Typical. I know Katie, and she wouldn’t do that. I know she wouldn’t. Well, tell Donald I’ll call him, alright? We’ll get someone on this. I just have to talk to Gabe.”
Ben and Asher caught each other’s eye. Apparently, whatever was going on was about to become FBS business.
Grace hung up the phone and rubbed at her temples.
“What’s going on?” Ben asked.
“We’re needed on a case?” Asher added.
Grace looked up at them, her blue eyes filling with tears.
“A family friend of mine, Katie Fairman, has disappeared on spring break,” she choked out. “And I just know something terrible must have happened to her. You need to help me talk to Gabe. Please. We need to help her.”
Without stopping to think about what he was doing, Ben stepped forward, enveloping Grace in his arms and holding her tight against his chest.
“Don’t worry, Gracie,” he said. “We’ll find her. It’s going to be okay.”
