I stepped even closer, and Miles put a heavy hand on my shoulder. “And shortly after she left, someone attacked her and took her.”
His skin seemed to pale. He was a good actor, I’d give him that. He grabbed his office phone and hit a series of numbers that I could only assume had to be her cell phone. After about a minute, he pressed the receiver and hit some more numbers. “I’m calling the boutique now.”
Silence.
His empty hand clasped the desk.
A moment later he hung up. He tried another number.
What maybe her home phone?
“She’s not going to answer. She’s gone. Now stop fucking around. Where is she?” I said through gritted teeth.
Something darkened in his eyes as he listened to a ring that wasn’t going to be answered. “I don’t know. Did she go home sick?”
“She’s not fucking sick, someone took her. Tell me who.” I lunged toward the desk, but Miles grabbed me.
“Calm down, buddy. Getting physical isn’t going to help.”
I tried to shove him off me. O’Shea was my ticket. He was the one who was going to take me to her. He had to fucking know where she was.
O’Shea ran a hand through his hair. “How do you know Elle?”
I stopped trying to lunge for him. “It doesn’t matter.”
He seemed a little disoriented. “Why do you think she’s missing?”
That’s when I snapped. I flew across the room and pinned him to the bookcase behind his desk. “Because she is. Because I was talking on the phone with her when someone took her. I heard her crying for help and now I can’t find her.”
“I don’t know where she is, I swear.” He was gasping for breath and his words were barely a whisper.
“Fuck,” I cursed and let go of him. I wanted to collapse where I stood because I had no other direction.
O’Shea straightened his tie. “I care about her. I wouldn’t hurt her.”
My chest tightened so much it ached. I wanted to pummel him just for saying that, but I had to think about Clementine, and Elle’s relationship with her. I might have already damaged it and I knew I shouldn’t cause any further destruction.
I turned toward Miles, who was shaking his head at me.
“We’re wasting time here—let’s go.”
Miles gave me a nod and stepped toward O’Shea, who was looking like he was in a fog. He ripped a piece of paper off the legal pad on his desk and wrote something on it. “Here’s my number. I used to be in law enforcement and I’m trying to find Elle. If you think of anything that will help or if you hear from her or anyone concerning her, give me a call.”
With clenched fists, I shook my head and sprinted out of that office.
Maddening futility enveloped me.
I felt crazed.
Wild.
Insane.
Out of control.
My pulse was pounding louder than the rain, drowning out everything but the memory of her scream.
As soon as I hit the sidewalk, I felt it. My world was tilted. I took off with my fists flying and my feet stomping on the bricks of the sidewalk. Faster and faster I went. My legs cramped and my stomach knotted, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t falter. Until I realized I had no destination.
“Logan! Where are you going?” Miles called after me, gaining strides on me with my new slower pace.
The rain was coming harder, making it impossible to see more than a few feet ahead.
His hand grabbed my shoulder and jerked me back.
I stared at him, having forgotten the purpose of that visit to begin with until I saw his face. “Did you plant the bug?”
Lightning flashed like a warning to get off the street. “Yeah, I did. Now come on, man, let’s go to your old man’s and see if he makes any calls.”
We were both freezing, shivering even, as we turned around and headed for the car. “Sorry for losing it back there,” I said. “I knew he wouldn’t tell us anything, but I didn’t think he’d be so fucking convincing.”
“I don’t think he was lying.”
Thunder rumbled through the sky. “Are you shitting me?”
He shook his head. “Up until my recent retirement from the force, I’d been grilling suspects for years, and they have a tell about them when they’re lying. O’Shea didn’t have one. In fact, he looked more terrified than he let on. I could see it in his eyes. I honestly don’t think he’s involved, but I’m not so sure he doesn’t know who is.”
I had to give credit where credit was due; Miles was always one to keep a level head. “Okay, so what if you’re right? What’s next?”
“We wait and see what he does. If he knows anything he’ll make a move soon.”
Rain slid down my face and into my mouth. “Yeah, it’s not like we have a choice.”
“What about the sister’s place? Do you want me to go alone?” he asked.
“No, I want to go. Maybe we can find something that will help us.”
“Yeah, okay. Let’s make a quick stop there. I can monitor O’Shea with my phone for now.”
I shook my head to get some of the water off it.
We got to the Rover and Miles took the keys from me. “I’ll drive.”