Page 15 of The Last Straw

While she was waiting, she’d called Addison-Tunnell, and asked if they’d made the missing person report to Dallas PD.

“Yes, we did. Mr. Addison reported it himself. If you’ll hold a couple of minutes, I’ll get contact info for you and text it to your phone.”

“Thank you,” Millie said, and disconnected. Her gut was in knots and she was so scared it was hard to breathe.

A few minutes later she got the text, pulled up the name and number and quickly made the call. It rang twice, and then a man’s voice was in her ear.

“Detective Floyd, Missing Persons.”

“Detective Floyd, this is Millie Chriss. I’m Rachel Dean’s sister, and I was told you are the officer looking into my sister’s disappearance.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you know anything? What can you tell me?” Millie asked.

“We know she’s missing, and under suspicious circumstances. I’m with the crime scene team right now. We’re in her apartment gathering evidence, but with no signs of a struggle, or any evidence of foul play, we’re at a bit of a loss. We’re hoping something will pop from what we’re gathering.”

“I’m coming to Dallas tomorrow. Even if I can’t help, I need to be there. Rachel and I are all that’s left of our family. I can’t lose her. I just can’t,” Millie said, her voice breaking from emotion.

“We’ll do everything we can,” Floyd said. “I have your phone number. If we find out anything, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Thank you,” Millie said.

She disconnected, then began sending Ray a text, explaining what had happened, and that she was leaving for Dallas in the morning. He wouldn’t get the message until he landed, but he’d call her once he did, and she needed to hear his voice.

Another two hours passed before her car was fixed, and she was on her way home. Once she got there, she got a suitcase from the closet and began packing. She didn’t know how long she was going to be gone, but she wasn’t coming back until Rachel was found.

She’d missed lunch, and was too upset to be hungry, but she knew she needed to eat. She was in the kitchen getting out a loaf of bread when her phone rang. She grabbed it, praying it would be the Dallas Police telling her they’d found Rachel, but it was Ray.

“Hello?”

“Millie, honey! What the hell?” Ray said. “Rachel’s missing?”

“Yes!” she wailed, then sat down at the kitchen table and began giving him details. “I’m already packed. I’m heading to Dallas early tomorrow morning. I know I can’t really do anything to help, but I feel like I have to be there...to be close.”

“Of course. Where are you going to stay?”

“At the same place we always stay when we visit, the Warwick Melrose on Oak Lawn,” Millie said.

“Do you need me to join you? I will. I hate to think of you waiting all on your own,” Ray said.

Millie wanted to be selfish and say yes. But this conference was important for him.

“No, I’ll be fine. You go to your meetings. Do your thing and I’ll keep you updated if there’s any news.”

Ray groaned. “I hate this. I’m sick about Rachel. And I’m so sad for you. We have to have faith they’ll find her.”

Tears finally rolled as her voice began to shake.

“They have to. They just have to.”

“I know, baby. I know. Listen... I’ve got to go. I love you. I’ll check in with you after I get to Seattle, okay?”

Millie sighed. “Yes, yes, I love you, too. Be safe, sweetheart.”

“And you drive safe tomorrow. Don’t get distracted by worrying and get yourself hurt,” Ray said.

“I won’t. I promise. I’ll feel better just knowing I’m heading her way. Talk to you later. I love you.”

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