She used to think that. “There’s an understatement.”
The lanky boy had grown into a man. One with an MBA on the road to a big-time financial career. Emery realized despite the height and self-assurance, he didn’t compare to Wren. Not even close.
Tyler shot her a questioning look. “You’re being cryptic.”
She waved off the concern in his eyes and amped up her smile. “Sorry, it’s been a weird night.”
Tyler finally stopped checking around and leaned against the back of the love seat. “Because of the boyfriend?”
She didn’t bother to deny the relationship. Wren wasn’t that, but she really had no idea what he was or why she’d wanted to burrow against him and not let go. She’d never been the needy type and was not thrilled that she moved in that direction now, but she’d grown weary and more frustrated by the case than ever before. It was as if she’d journeyed this far and this was her last chance. Nothing in the evidence suggested that, but battling alone just wasn’t working. The idea that she might not be able to find the answer for her friend wrecked her.
“It’s about Tiffany.” Everything, most of her life, had been about Tiffany. Her father complained about it. Her boss, Caroline, worried about it. The detective warned her about it. Now she could add Wren to the list of people who looked at her differently when she talked about what happened back then.
Tyler stood up again. “What?”
“Never mind.” She couldn’t think of a good reason to inflict her madness on him.
“Emery, come on.” He stood in front of her. “Don’t blow me off. Not on that topic.”
The zing didn’t hit her. This close to Wren she’d been all but jumping on top of him, dying to move in. With Tyler all she wanted to do was find that leftover Chinese food and sit on the couch and eat it.
Before she could get there, she did owe him an explanation. She was talking about his friend and his childhood, too. “The investigation is stalled.”
His head shot back as he made a face. “I didn’t even know it was ongoing.”
His shock sent her temperature spiking. It was probably unfair to judge him, but come on. “She’s still missing.”
“Look, I know I haven’t been here, but . . .” He winced.
Her patience expired. It had been a long-ass day and it was getting longer by the second. “Just say it.”
“It’s been thirteen years.”
He acted as if she couldn’t count. Talked to her like she was a child. She didn’t appreciate either.
She walked around him to the couch. She had a feeling she’d need to be sitting down for the rest of this conversation. “Is that supposed to mean something?”
Instead of taking the chair perpendicular to the couch, he slumped down next to her. Stretched his arm out across the back of the cushions. “It’s a hell of a long time.”
And imagine if she’s alive how long it’s been for Tiffany. “Other kidnapped people have been found in that time.”
She was about to reel off a list of names, but stopped herself. She worked in this field. She saw the miracles but nowhere as often as she saw the tragic endings. Lobbying Tyler, or anyone else, to believe Tiffany could be one of those rare cases was a lost cause.
He just kept wincing. “Yeah, but—”
“I thought you were in New York City.” There. A nice, safe topic that didn’t make her want to lecture or fear her head might explode in rage. She knew he got the hint when he smiled.
“So, we’re done having a rational conversation about Tiffany and your ongoing—”
“If you use the word obsession I will be pissed.” That was her breaking point. Wanting closure and answers didn’t mean there was something wrong with her. Worse, using that word shifted the focus from where it should be—Tiffany.
“Okay, how about we call it your drive for answers.”
She shrugged. “It’s my job.”
“Tiffany is not your job.”
She wished Wren were here. He might annoy her and say odd things, but he didn’t condescend to her or write her off or hint that she’d crossed some sort of line. “Cousin or not, I help bring people home.”
“Emery.”
“About New York?” She sank back into the cushions and tucked her feet under her.
Tyler sat there for a second, not saying a word. The silence lengthened, but she didn’t do a thing to fill it. If talking about Tiffany made him upset then he’d get mundane conversation, but he needed to join in. Talking about nothing important was safer, and right now she welcomed the mindlessness of it.
After another second of hesitation, his big smile returned and he started talking. “I’ve been back for a few days. I should have called first before just stopping by.”
“Nonsense. You’re always welcome here.” That wasn’t completely true. Tonight she wished he were somewhere else, but Wren had already gone. Having company wasn’t a bad thing after the night she’d had.
“Then fill me in on what happened here and the men who threw me into a wall.”
Ah, that. How in the world did she explain anything about tonight? “Did they?”