I fidgeted as I waited in the booth next to the window at Café Central on Silver Spring Drive. J.T. was late, and that was unheard of. Our new Wednesday routine had been going well, and it gave us a nice morning distraction before our workday began. Whenever we were in town, we’d enjoy that weekday breakfast together before heading to the office. Our conversations centered around our siblings, pets, and current events. Shoptalk was shelved for fifty minutes once a week, and we’d enjoy good food and discuss everyday life.
I stared at my phone and willed a call or text to come in as it lay on the tabletop, but the phone remained silent. With a frustrated sigh, I looked over my shoulder through the wall of glass and peered down the street behind me. I did the same looking forward. The hustle and bustle of passersby going to work was evident on the sidewalk and street, yet J.T. was nowhere in sight.
“Agent Monroe?”
I glanced up and saw Amy, our usual waitress, holding the coffee carafe.
I forced a smile. “Hi, hon.”
“Would you like a refill?”
I nodded then stared out the window again.
Amy tipped the carafe and poured. “You look worried. Do you want me to bring the check, or do you want to continue waiting?”
I glanced at the clock hanging on the back wall. J.T. was a half hour late and hadn’t answered the ten calls I’d made to his phone. Each one went directly to voicemail. I was becoming more alarmed as the minutes ticked by. “Let’s settle up.”
“Sure thing. I hope everything is okay with Agent Harper.”
I gulped the half cup of fresh coffee she’d poured. “Me too.”
I tossed a buck on the table and followed Amy to the counter, where I paid for my coffee and left. I called Spelling as I climbed into my car and pulled out into traffic.
He picked up on the second ring. “Morning, Jade. What’s so urgent that you’re disrupting your Wednesday breakfast?”
“Sorry, sir, but are you at the office yet?”
“I’m pulling into the parking lot as we speak. Why?”
“Is J.T.’s car there?”
“Hold on while I get around to the back. I thought your Wednesday breakfasts were a standing thing?”
“I did too, but he didn’t show and I can’t reach him.” I rubbed my forehead and said a quick prayer that his car was parked behind our building.
“No sign of him, Jade. You tried his phone how many times?”
“At least ten. Do you have Julie’s contact information?”
“I do in my desk.”
I turned left at the green light with two blocks to go. “I’ll be there in five minutes.” I clicked off and slipped into the far right lane. One more turn and I’d be at the driveway to our office in Glendale. I turned the last corner and pulled around to the rear of our building and parked. The void to my right, where J.T.’s car usually sat, felt like a bad omen. I rushed to the back entrance and swiped my badge then passed through the security door. Spelling’s office was the largest, so it was located at the end of the corridor. Our conference room stood directly across from it, taking up half the length of the hallway. I knocked on Spelling’s closed door. The rest of the team was due to show up within a half hour.
“Come in, Jade.”
I entered and took a seat then placed my phone on the empty guest chair to my right. “I’m really getting worried, sir.”
Agent Spelling pulled J.T.’s file out of the bottom drawer and lifted it to the desktop. He opened it, swiped his index finger across his tongue, and began flipping through sheets of paper. “Here we go. I have Julie’s cell number and email address. What does she do for a living, again?”
“She works in radiology at Community Memorial Hospital in Mequon. I hope her phone isn’t stashed in a locker during the day.”
He held up his hand. “It’s ringing.”
I stared at Spelling as he waited, his brows furrowed with deep signs of concern. I heard the back door open and close—somebody had arrived. The two female voices in the hallway told me Val and Maria were headed in our direction. I rose and walked out before closing Spelling’s door at my back.
“Morning, Jade.” Val gave me a quick smile but seemed to realize something was the matter when she didn’t get one in return. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m not sure yet.” I glanced back at Spelling through the glass. “We can’t find J.T.”
“What does that mean—exactly?” Maria asked with hesitation in her voice.
“I don’t know, guys. I have to find out if Spelling got ahold of Julie.” I turned and knocked.
Spelling called us in.
“Any news?”
“I didn’t get through. Jade, you’re coming with me. Delgado and Val, keep trying J.T.’s phone every five minutes and fill Cam in when he gets here. Other than that, stay busy and conduct the morning meeting as we normally would. We’re heading to Community Memorial Hospital where Julie works.”
Val gave us her best confident nod and squeezed my shoulder. “Keep us posted.”
Spelling and I climbed into an available cruiser and took off. The fastest route was I-43 North. We’d reach the hospital in twenty minutes, maybe less with the lights and siren on.
“Jade, call the hospital and have them track down Julie. I want her waiting for us at the emergency entrance when we arrive. Time is of the essence.”
“On it, sir.” I made the call and was put on hold. I placed the phone in the cup holder and pressed the speakerphone icon. Soft jazz played on a loop in the background as we waited.
“Was there anything different when you parted ways yesterday? Did he seem sick, headachy, or worried about anything?”
“Not at all. The last thing he said to me was, ‘See you at breakfast.’” I put up my hand. Somebody had returned to the phone. I picked it up and held the microphone near my mouth.
“Hello. This is Adam Beres, Julie Harper’s supervisor. Who am I speaking with?”
“Mr. Beres, this is Agent Jade Monroe from the FBI.”
“FBI? What is this in regards to?”
“I need to speak to Julie about her brother. Put her on the phone, please. It’s urgent.”
“I would if I could, Agent Monroe, but Julie didn’t show up for work this morning. No show, no call, which is completely unlike her. Our department has tried her phone numerous times this morning, but she doesn’t answer.”
I mouthed the word shit then thanked the supervisor and hung up. Spelling exited the freeway at the next ramp and squealed to a stop at the shoulder. Dust and gravel sprayed out from under the car.
“J.T. owns that condo, right?”
“Yeah, and that means there isn’t a manager with a key.”
“We’re heading back. Get Cam on the phone and have him pull up J.T.’s exact address. Tell him to call the Whitefish Bay Police Department and say we need a wellness check on that residence immediately. Make sure they’re told there’s a dog in the house and let Cam know we’re on our way. Have them meet us there.”