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Pushing off the couch, I pocketed my phone and strode toward the front door. My stomach growled, and I tried to remember the last time I’d eaten. Yesterday, maybe? I didn’t know. Every hour, every second of the day, had been consumed by thoughts of Jules and trying to trace her whereabouts. I didn’t have time to eat; I barely had time to sleep. But I could do all of those things later. Right now, I needed to put all of my time and energy into finding her and bringing her home.
The house was still dark, and I moved from memory as I exited into the garage and slipped into the cruiser. Though I’d questioned her coworkers and searched her desk, something kept nagging at me. I decided to go back up to Briarleigh and take another look around.
Even this late at night, it was still well-lit now that operations were in full swing. I pulled into the side lot where the employees parked, then headed for the staff entrance. The office doors along the hallway were closed up for the night, and I assumed everyone had gone home. Retrieving the key Jack had given me, I strode toward Jules’s office.
I unlocked the door, then stepped inside, once more taking in the sparse furnishings. She hadn’t had time to decorate, and the only pieces of furniture were a sturdy oak desk and two chairs—one for Jules, and one for a guest. Winding my way around the desk, I sank into her chair and glanced around.
Everything was exactly the same as yesterday; I don’t know why I expected anything different. Her desktop computer hummed in sleep mode, and I jiggled the mouse to bring up the main screen. Though I’d searched all of the files yesterday, I did so again just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything.
Each document I opened revealed carefully researched notes regarding the new spa: licenses, restrictions, and other business-related information. There were photos of Briarleigh in a separate folder labeled “website” that I assumed Mia had taken. I casually flipped through them, looking for anything that jumped out at me.
I stopped at one in particular, a tiny smile curving my face. In the new addition for the spa, Jules stood off to the side of the photograph, pointing at something. Only her profile was visible, and most people wouldn’t have even been able to tell it was her. Except, I knew every line of her body, every curve of her pretty face. Even from this position, I could see the smile lighting her expression, the joy in her eyes. The sight made my heart hurt. She’d been so happy here. She wouldn’t have just left—I refused to even entertain the possibility.
I propped my elbows on the desk and looked around. The room smelled like her, and I drew the scent into my lungs, holding onto it, storing it in my memory until I saw her again. I reached out to touch the notepad sitting to the right of the computer. Her pretty, flowy script was scrawled over the lines, and I gently traced the letters.
Goddamn, I missed her. I hadn’t been able to get a full breath since she’d been gone, the oppressive weight of depression sitting on my chest like a stone. My body physically hurt, like I was missing part of myself. I knew exactly what it was; Jules was the other half of my heart. I wouldn’t feel whole, complete again until she was home.
I leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. I was missing something. But what?
My phone rang, and I picked it up, more so just to give me something to do than because I actually wanted to speak with someone. “Donahue.”
There was a brief hesitation at my gruff greeting, then a man’s voice came over the line. “Hey, Sheriff. This is Ernie from the Gas ‘N’ Go.”
I scrubbed one hand over my face. The Gas ‘N’ Go was situated only a few miles out of town near the Fox Hole, a strip club where several of the locals convened each night. There wasn’t much crime in Pine Ridge, but it was unfortunately common for some of the younger kids to shoplift candy and other small shit.
“Hey, Ernie. What can I do for you?”
“I was at Rosie’s earlier,” the man began. “Word around town is you’re looking for any strangers who may have been through recently.”
“I am,” I responded cautiously as I sat straight up in the chair. We’d questioned the owner, Lyle, but he hadn’t seen anything. How the hell had we missed Ernie?
“Sorry I’m just now callin’. Had to visit my mama down in Kalispell in the nursing home there. She’s got dementia bad, and...”
I made a frustrated gesture as I clenched my jaw to keep from screaming. Trying to hurry him up would do no good. It was like pushing rope; if I interrupted, the man would likely forget where he’d left off and have to start all over again.
“Well, anyway, two men stopped in for gas a couple mornings ago. Dressed all fancy-like, both of ’em in suits. Didn’t think nothin’ of it, just figured they was headed up to the ski resort. But now that I think on it...”
He trailed off and irritation surged inside me. I swore I was going to fucking strangle him if he didn’t spit it out. “You see something?”
“Not sure,” Ernie responded. “Only one came inside, bought a map and a pack of smokes. Never took his sunglasses off. You know them types? Didn’t get a good look at the other guy out pumping gas. But it seemed a little off, if ya know what I mean.”
“Did you see the plate when they drove away?”
“Didn’t get a number, but pretty sure it had a picture of Abraham Lincoln on it.”
That last bit of information brought me straight up in my chair, immediately alert. “You catch the make or model?”
“One of them expensive, big ol’ Cadillac Escalades, looked like to me. All black, even the windows. They paid in cash, so I don’t have any names for you.”
“That’s fine,” I replied. “This is great. Thanks, Ernie.”
I felt like a thousand pounds had been lifted from my shoulders as I hung up. Abraham Lincoln. The car was plated in Illinois. I had a lead—fucking finally.
A noise from the doorway through my attention, and my gaze collided with a pair of bright blue eyes as Mia stumbled into the office.
“Oh.” Her face fell as she drew up short. “I thought...”
Sadness creased her pretty features, tugging at my heartstrings. “Just me,” I said softly.
Mia’s gaze dropped to the floor, but not before I saw the glittering of tears hovering just above her lashes. Pushing from my chair, I rounded the desk and approached her.
Mia lifted her head as I rested one hand on her shoulder. “I’m worried about her.”
I swallowed hard, resisting the urge to admit my fear of the same thing. It was literally as if she had disappeared into thin air, not even a trail of breadcrumbs to follow. “We’ll find her.”
My words lacked conviction, but I had to say them. I had to keep believing that she was out there somewhere, that I could bring her home to me.
Without warning, Mia threw her arms around my waist and buried her head against my chest. I let out a small grunt at the impact, then gently wrapped my arms around her shoulders in an awkward embrace. Sobs wracked her tiny body, and my strength leached away as her sympathy tore at my heart.
It never ceased to amaze me how many people loved Jules, despite the fact that she’d only been here for a few months. But she was sweet and lovable, and she had touched the lives of so many people, myself included. What would we ever do without her? I stood there feeling helpless, and I clutched Mia more tightly to me. Lowering my head, I closed my eyes against the now familiar burning sensation and fought to wrestle my emotions under control.
I had to find her—I would. We’d been through too much together, and I’d be damned if I let someone take her away from me.