Page 18 of The Last Straw

Charlie grinned. It was rare to be able to get under her skin, but when he did, it was something to celebrate. He glanced at the clock.

Noon. On the dot.

Lunch was happening somewhere.

He got up and opened the door between them.

“Hey...lunch is on me if you’ll order.”

Wyrick paused, then looked up from her computer.

“What do you want to eat?” she asked.

“Two Arby’s roast beef sandwiches with horseradish sauce and fries.”

“How high-class of you,” she drawled, then pulled up an open window, clicked on a link and began scanning the menu for the Arby’s nearest their location.

He ignored the dig. It was payback because of what he’d said earlier, but he didn’t care. He poked the dragon, but he was a grown-ass man and big enough to take it. He went back to get his phone and Stetson, then stopped at her desk on the way out.

“Just so I know they got the right order, what are you having?” he asked.

“I wanted crow, but it wasn’t on the menu, so I’m having one of what you’re having.”

He grinned again, and by the time he got out into the hall he was laughing.

Damn, but it feels good to laugh. I need to do it more often.

Goose bumps rose on Wyrick’s arms when she heard his laughter fading away as he disappeared down the hall.

She frowned. Damn man is too sexy for his own good. He should have to wear a warning sign that says Too Hot To Handle.

Millie Chriss reached her hotel just after 1 p.m. and checked in. Now that she was here, she needed to know wheels were turning and things were happening. Maybe they had news. Maybe they had a lead. And she wanted to let Detective Floyd know she was in Dallas. So she pulled up his number and called. Just when she thought it was going to go to voice mail, he answered.

“Detective Floyd. Missing Persons.”

“Good afternoon, Detective Floyd. This is Millie Chriss, Rachel Dean’s sister. I wanted you to know that I am now in Dallas, and staying at the Warwick Melrose. Do you have any news?”

Floyd hated to be the bearer of bad news.

“No, ma’am, but it’s early. Evidence was gathered from the scene only yesterday and it will take time to—”

Millie’s heart sank. The disappointment was huge, and she interrupted, her voice trembling with barely suppressed emotion. “It’s not early for Rachel. What I know is that tonight will be the third night my sister has not slept in her own bed. God only knows what’s happened to her, but I have to believe she’s still alive. Time is not on her side. Am I right?”

“I can’t argue with any of that,” Floyd said. “Just know that we’re not taking this lightly. When we have something valid to go on, I will let you know.”

“Yes, all right,” Millie said, then disconnected and burst into tears.

She was still crying when her cell phone rang, and when she saw it was from Ray, she groaned. She’d promised to let him know when she got into Dallas.

“Hey, honey,” she said.

“I’m just checking on you. Are you still traveling?” Ray asked.

“No, but I haven’t been here long. I’m in my room at the hotel and just got off the phone with Detective Floyd.”

“Any news?” Ray asked.

Millie burst into tears all over again. “Not yet. They haven’t found anything in her apartment that even gives them a clue as to what happened to her.”

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