Noah. You know who this is. I’ve got information about a man named Cody. Works for CowTown Fire and Water. He’s also a firefighter. Says he knows you. We’re here at The Usual. I’ll explain why when you call me back. No wait, I’ll call you back.
“What the hell, man!” Mark had jumped up as if the dresser had bit him in the ass.
Noah knew his expression had given him away. It must have turned murderous. He pressed the Speaker button and hit Play again.
This time it was Mark’s face that changed from surprise to concern as they both listened to Carly’s message. “Who’s Cody?”
“J.W. His full name is John Wayne Cody.”
Mark mouthed an obscenity, but Noah was pressing Play for the second message, which they listened to together.
Hi. Just making sure you’re still expecting me. Yes. No more than thirty minutes. I promise, auntie.
Mark frowned. “What was that one about? Wrong number?”
“No. Distress call. Carly’s in trouble.”
Noah’s voice was flat, but his heart rate was anything but.
He checked the time and calculated the interval between Carly’s two calls. She’d called the first time at 7:21, just minutes after they’d left to pick up barbecue. She’d called the second time ten minutes later. That ten-minute gap made his gut tighten. Something had changed. Her voice in the second message was higher pitched, as if fear were squeezing her vocal cords.
He brushed past Mark. “Your theory about J.W. just grew legs.”
“Wait up. How is Carly Reese involved in this mess?”
Noah grabbed his wallet and Harley’s leash. “I’ll tell you on the way.”
“Way where?”
“To Carly’s apartment.”
Noah went to his kitchen and opened an upper cabinet to pull out his pistol and shoulder holster.
Mark was watching him with hard eyes. “You don’t want to do that.”
“We’re police officers, as well as arson investigators. I have a right to be armed.” Noah’s voice held a challenge.
“Yeah. But you’re angry. Firearms and anger are not a good combination.”
“I won’t shoot him unless I have no other choice.”
“Man.” Mark wiped his mouth. “What if Cody’s packing?”
“I’m a very good shot.” Noah finished strapping on, then bent down and rubbed Harley’s head, who whined in excitement. To Harley the gun meant “on the job.” “It’s okay, boy. We’re going for a ride.”
He leashed Harley then looked up at Mark. “You coming?”
Mark nodded. “I’m driving. Seeing you like this reminds me why I was a firefighter, not a cop. The fire might kill you, but it doesn’t shoot back.”
*
On the way out the door, Noah called Carly again. No answer.
He crushed every negative feeling that tried to crawl up and gain a foothold in his consciousness.
Carly wasn’t answering. That’s all he knew. She might still be with Cody.
He checked his watch. Eight thirty. Doubtful. She might have gone home. Or, she might have decided to go to her aunt’s, for safety’s sake. That would explain the second message.
He dialed Fredda Wiley as he opened the back door of Mark’s truck to let Harley in. “Hello. Mrs. Wiley. Is Carly with you?”
He hung up thirty seconds later with his ears ringing from the dressing down the judge had given him. It started with “No, she’s not.” It ended with, “If she wanted to speak with you, Mr. Glover, she’d do so. If you have any decency, you’ll leave her alone.”
Not at her aunt’s.
Noah called Carly several more times on the drive. No answer. He decided against leaving a message, or sending a text. If J.W. was with her, he might have possession of her phone. A text message or the sound of Noah’s voice would let him know he and Carly were connected. Perhaps even tip him off that she had called.
They made it to Carly’s apartment building in record time. On the way, they had passed The Usual and made a turn through the parking lot. No Mazda.
Noah surveyed the parking lot at Carly’s apartment. Carly’s Mazda was not there, either. He took a second to absorb that fact. It was still early. She could be at the grocery store or even the mall. But he didn’t think so.
Noah opened his door. “Stay here with Harley. If she’s at home I’ll call you.”
“No way.” Mark opened his own door. “I’m kind of responsible for you now.”
He pressed Carly’s intercom button. No answer. Noah keyed in her pass code.
Mark didn’t say a word but his eyebrows were eloquent in their surprise.
They ascended the stairs like a pair of SWAT team members.
No answer to Carly’s doorbell or knocking.
“You got her key, too?”
Noah ignored Mark as he pulled out his phone.
“She’s not answering, man.”
Noah punched a number. “Wiley? Noah Glover. Do you know where Carly is? Hear me out. She called me twice tonight, and left messages. Said she had some information for me. I’m at her apartment and she’s not here or answering her phone. Do you have a key? Right. I’ll wait here, in case she comes home.”