Lawson ruffled his hair. “Sorry about that, bud. I’m still going to try to make dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s.”
“I can take them and drop them off if you’re late,” I offered.
“You sure you’re okay watching them on your day off? I could call Grae and see if she and Caden can come over.”
I shook my head. “I’m fine. I don’t have any plans today. We’ll figure out something fun to do.”
Something passed over Lawson’s eyes. “Stick close to the house or in town.”
My stomach dropped. “Okay.”
Lawson moved then, grabbing his wallet and keys. I followed him to the door, pitching my voice low. “What happened?”
His deep blue eyes locked with mine. “Another woman’s missing.”
24
LAWSON
“Fill me in,”I clipped the second I hit the deputies’ desks.
“Harriet Johnson called thirty minutes ago,” Clint began, reading from a notepad. “Thought it was weird her daughter, Adrienne, wasn’t up yet since she’s an early riser. Knocked on her bedroom door, no answer. Opened it, and the room’s empty, bed hasn’t been slept in.”
Nash’s expression was hard as he leaned back in his chair. “Adrienne’s home from college for winter break and picked up some shifts at Dockside. She usually walks to and from since they live close, but she worked the late shift last night.”
I cursed, an ominous feeling sweeping over me.
Reed shifted in his chair. “She probably went out partying with friends after work. That’s what I’d be doing at her age. Probably just forgot to text her mom that she was staying with a friend.”
I stared at the man, understanding why he’d never made it past officer rank in all his years on the job. Reed had moved to Cedar Ridge from Idaho about six years ago and was more of a headache than any help.
“Do you really think we shouldassumethat a young woman around the same age as our murder vic just went to hang out with friends and forgot to tell her mom?” My voice vibrated with fury.
Reed grimaced. “I’m just saying she might be fine.”
“And I hope to God she is, but we are going to get all of our asses out to look for her,” I snapped.
Daniels sent his partner a quelling look. “Hope for the best but prepare for the worst, right?” He turned to Nash. “No one saw her on the way home? Getting into a vehicle? Anything?”
Nash shook his head. “No one from that last shift saw her after she headed out. So far, no one that lives on her route has either.”
Daniels drummed his fingers on his desk. “God, I hope this sicko doesn’t have her.”
“Law.” Roan’s voice cut in from behind me.
I turned, my back molars grinding. “Thanks for coming in.”
“Of course. You got a photo I can send to our officers?” he asked. While Fish and Wildlife mostly dealt with poachers and wildlife issues, it wouldn’t hurt to have them out looking.
Nash stood. “I pulled a recent one from social media. Texting it to you now. And I have Wren putting together some flyers.”
“Thanks, man.”
Nash clamped a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “We’re gonna find her.”
We would. I just hoped we weren’t too late.
* * *
