Page 212 of Perfect Pitch

Instantly, the lights turn back up. Caleb’s lips are compressed as tightly as Kane’s eyes are closed. Since I’m not going to get any answers by asking questions, I resume my activities sniping, “Fine, Crash, I’ll go back farther.”

I review the papers and begin writing on the board. The pages drop to the floor as the pattern starts emerging. “No, no, no...”

I draw the line back—all the way back. Back to the start when Austyn truly came into my orbit—June last year.

When she started looking for a place to live.

My handwriting is frantic as I draw fishbones off the timeline. I bark at Kane, “Pull up my brother’s credit card receipts for the time Austyn was traveling—personal, business. Whatever you can find.”

He huffs out a laugh. “What? Trevor? You’ve got to be kidding.”

The lights go pitch black again. I shout, “No! I’m not kidding! And whoever Crash is, isn’t either.”

Caleb doesn’t hesitate. He whirls around to my computer, unlocks it with his admin password and begins typing. Soon, data appears on monitors around the room. “I’m not seeing it, Mitch.”

“Stop! Right there!” I walk up to the screen and see multiple days of gift card purchases in high dollar denominations—mere days before Austyn left to go to Seven Virtues. Sick to my stomach, I order, “Trace the charges made to those numbers.”

Caleb says, “I’m going to need Sam... Damn it, Lee! Stop!”

Kane growls, utterly furious. The problem is, I’m not sure at who when Trevor’s credit card information disappears and the gift card information scrolls on the screens instead. Then one monitor clears. In its place, a map tracks the charges leading from Manhattan all the way to Seven Virtues.

Kane’s eyes narrow. He bellows, “Crash, who made the fucking charges in Seven Virtues?”

A picture of a Seven Virtues local pops up. We all get closer to the screen and read. “It’s the owner of the cab company who claimed one of his rides was stolen from his lot,” I murmur.

Caleb gives Kane the side-eye. “Your Crash knows an awful lot for being out of the business.”

Kane’s mouth clamps shut.

We’re shown receipts for what the company owner bought with the gift cards in and around Seven Virtues since the day of the hit and run.

“Complacent,” I mutter.

The next thing Crash flashes up on the screen chills my blood.

Exterior security cameras of an individual with long dark hair shaking a man’s hand.

Accepting the keys. Driving off.

Hours before the same car hit Austyn.

“He normally wears it tied back,” I croak.

Kane snarls to the air, “I don’t know whether to kiss you or...” He leaves the rest of the old saying unsaid. Instead, he asks, “Now what? None of what Crash found is admissible.”

I’m saved from answering because Chin strolls into the room. “Hey. What’s up?”

“What are you doing here?” I lean around the door to see if Austyn is outside. “Where is she?”

“She? Oh, Austyn? Your brother said he’d hang with her since...”

None of us bother to catch Chin after he stumbles backward when the lights flicker madly. We’re too busy racing downstairs to the ops headquarters, yelling to Keene and Colby on our way to start tracking any and everything electronic that may be on Austyn Kensington.

Please don’t let me lose her now that I’ve just gotten her back.

* * *

CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIX

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