“Where will you look that you haven’t already?” This time it’s Cara asking, and her question gives me a small bit of confidence in my desire to return to California.
“When I came back I looked in only the obvious places—housing, parks—and the PI’s I hired there said they didn’t find anything at any of the schools in the area. They also said the highway patrol cameras weren’t working that night, but I don’t believe them.”
“Why not?” she asks, pulling out a notepad from behind her. It’s like all Federal agents have a supply of notebooks in their back pocket.
“It’s too convenient. Those cameras are always working, it’s how the state makes their money, and for them to be suddenly down when she’s leaving? I don’t buy it. Not anymore after learning what I have.
“Also, the more I think about the other PIs, I realize they only asked if Claire was in school or if there was someone matching her description.
“Don’t you think your PI is doing that now?” Cara questions.
“I’m sure she is, but there’s one thing I need to check.” I take a deep breath. “Every time I deployed, regardless of how long, Penny would have my motorcycle put into storage. She didn’t want it to fall on Claire if she was to get into the garage and she didn’t want it damaged. So I’d leave and she’d call a tow company to come get it and take it to storage.”
“Where’s your bike now?” Rask inquires.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I forgot about it until this morning. It’s the last thing on my mind, but I’m wondering who the storage owner sold it to because if Penny is gone, she isn’t making the payment, right?”
They all nod, but don’t say anything as Ryley walks in.
“Why so quiet?” She moves to stand next to Evan, placing her arms around him. “You guys look like you’ve seen a ghost … or three of them at least.” She laughs at her own bad joke.
“I’m talking about heading back to San Diego because there are some things I need to check out. Things I didn’t remember until this morning.”
“Okay, so why is everyone so glum about it?”
“Because, babe, it’s not safe and we can’t protect McCoy when he’s there.”
Throwing her hands up in the air, Ryley huffs. “Archer, yes I’m looking at you, too, Nate … you guys, come on. Tucker is a big boy and if he needs to go back to his home then you let him.”
“Thanks, Ryley.”
She sends a wink in my direction.
“But what about meeting with your PI?” Cara is the logical one. “She’s already uncovered things the others couldn’t, or wouldn’t. I’m sure she’ll have more.”
“I won’t be gone long. I just need to check out a few things that I didn’t before.”
“I’ll go with you. You can’t fly yet, but I can escort you on the plane. I’ll have to make a few calls, but it can be done.”
“I can take the bus,” I say to Cara. “I don’t want to take time from you and Nate.”
Cara brushes off my statement and gets up from the table.
“I’ll go, too. EJ and I haven’t seen my parents in a while, and I can do some wedding stuff down there.” Ryley’s words cause Evan to freeze. The Archer brothers are going to kill me.
“Ry—”
“Don’t, Archer. If, and that’s a big if, Frannie is there, which I doubt she is, I’ll be with Cara. EJ will be safe at my parents.”
He sighs, knowing he won’t win this battle with her.
“Okay, we’re all set,” Cara says when she comes back into the room. “Tucker McCoy, your under arrest.”
“For what?” I balk.
Cara shrugs. “Don’t know, but I thought it’d be funny to say that. Either way, you’re in my ‘custody’ although that doesn’t really mean anything since we just faked the documents.”
“Gotta love the government.” I’m trying not to laugh at the situation, but it’s funny. I can’t fly because the government doesn’t accept that I’m alive, but yet they let a Federal agent escort me on the plane. It’d be easier if they just gave me my driver’s license back.
THE REST OF MY day went on as if I never heard the name Ted Lawson. I focused on my tasks, greeted each customer, made the best sandwiches, and did it all with a smile. When Chloe’s classmate came in to get a milkshake while she waited for her dad to get off, I happily made it and listened to her talk about her day and what her and Chloe did during recess. Her chatterbox mouth and sweet smile reminded me why I did what I did—to save my daughter.
When Laura returned and the nighttime crew showed up, I hesitated at the counter, staring at the newspaper. I didn’t want to touch it for fear the dirtiness of Lawson would get on me and taint the life I’ve built, but I had thoughts of sitting in the courtroom during his trial so I could see his smug face as his verdict is read. But I won’t. I’ll never see him again and if I do, I’ll kill him.