“Hey, Max, it’s Royce.” I laughed self-consciously. “Uh… hate to bother you, but just wondering if you’ll be home soon? I’m tempted to eat the couch. If you’re out having fun… or something… that’s fine. I’m just a little worried because I haven’t heard from you. Anyway, call me back when you get this message.” I hung up and glanced at a curious-looking Grumpy. “He’s probably fine, right, buddy?”
Grumpy blinked at me, wagging his tail. He no doubt hoped he was about to get a treat. I went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. My mind raced with all sorts of bad scenarios. Being a cop, it was hard not to assume the worst. I knew better than to completely panic—that certainly wouldn’t help the situation. It was, however, difficult not to worry at all. I wasn’t a machine, and trouble did have a way of finding Max.
I gulped down most of the bottle and peered out the kitchen window. A big milky moon hovered above the cottonwood in the front yard. It illuminated the driveway and the empty spot where Maxwell’s car should have been. It was the not calling part that had me troubled. Max wasn’t the type to just not call.
Grunting, I turned away from the window. The last place he’d been was River’s house. Would it be weird to go over to River’s house? Not in an accusatory way but simply because I was worried about Max. Perhaps it was more normal to call River and ask when Max had left his house. But something inside of me didn’t want to give River a heads-up. I couldn’t tell if that was my instincts talking or if I was just a suspicious bastard. Maybe it was both.
Sitting around waiting wasn’t doing me any good. I grabbed my keys and gave Grumpy anapologetic look. “I need to go check on Max. I won’t be long.”
Grumpy wagged his tail, and I told myself that meant I had his blessing.
I grabbed a jacket and left the house. My feet crunched on the gravel as I made my way to the car. I couldn’t shake the feeling something was horribly wrong. I prayed Maxwell hadn’t driven off the road or been involved in some sort of accident. I got in the vehicle and started the engine.
It was a short drive to River’s home, and I parked in front of his house. I was deeply disappointed that Maxwell’s car wasn’t anywhere in sight. Feeling frustrated, I got out and made my way to the front of the house. There were lights on inside but no sounds discernable. I made my way up the porch steps, ducking so I didn’t bump my head on some windchimes hanging above. I noticed a red bicycle leaning against the railing of the porch. It seemed out of place on the otherwise pristine veranda.
I rang the doorbell, pulse racing. I really hoped River could shed some light on when Max had left and where he’d been headed. Since Max wasn’t here, I needed a trail to follow.
The door opened, and a wary-looking River stood there. “Oh, Sheriff,” he said breathily. “I couldn’t imagine who’d be ringing my bell this late at night.”
I took in his flushed cheeks and flustered demeanor. “Sorry to drop in so late.”
He waved his hand at me. “It’s no problem at all. I simply didn’t know who it was. My door’s always open. To you.” He gave a flirty laugh. “Would you like to come in?”
“Sure.” When he moved aside, I stepped inside. Pulling off my hat, I took in the sleekly furnished living room. It looked about how I’d pictured River’s home might look. Modern. Colorful. Staged. My eyes landed on a bottle of tequila on the dining room table and the single shot glass beside it.
River followed my gaze, giving a nervous giggle. “Uh-oh. You caught me drinking alone. Lock me up and throw away the key.”
“Celebrating something?”
He avoided my gaze. “Not really. Truth is, Lucas is out of town, and I’m bored to tears.”
“I see.” He seemed nervous. Fidgety. There was a sheen of sweat on his brow, and his pupils seemed dilated.
“Would you like some? I can get another shot glass.” He fluttered his lashes. “What do you say, Sheriff? Wanna loosen your tie and have a little fun tonight?”
“Nah. I’m good.”
“Oh, come on, I’m sure you’rebetterthan just good.” His smile was coy.
River was always flirtatious with me, but it felt like he was laying it on a little thick, even for him.
I cleared my throat. “I know Max dropped by to sign some paperwork. He should have been home by now, but he isn’t. I can’t get him on his cell either. I was wondering when Maxwell left your house?”
His gaze flickered. “Left my house?”
“Yeah. I’m trying to get a timeline of sorts.”
“Oh, well, I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“Well, gosh, Royce. Maxwell never showed up.”
Shock jolted through me. “What?” I asked sharply.
He turned his back on me and moved to the tequila bottle. “That’s right. He stood me up.”
“What? No. Max wouldn’t do that.”
