Page 86 of Asher's Assignment

“Because she didn’t want you digging too deep into her background,” Edie said. “But that cat’s out of the bag and you now know what we do.”

Audra’s phone pinged. “She sent the photograph.”

Stroud moved toward her. “Let me see that.”

She turned the device around.

From her position, Esther caught a glimpse of a handsome blond man.

“Hell.” Stroud glowered at the screen. “Add ten years and make the hair a little darker and you’ve got the guy from the restaurant.”

“You’re sure?” Brooke walked over to take a look.

“One hundred percent.”

“Should we put that on the news?” Esther asked. “He doesn’t know we know his identity. What if he decides it’s not worth it and kills one or both of them?”

Stroud’s expression turned thoughtful. “I could put out the still from the restaurant surveillance. Call him a person of interest. It might give him a sense that we don’t know as much as we do, but still get the public looking for him. Because like it or not, we need a lead on his whereabouts. We won’t find Leah and your friend without that.”

“I agree,” Audra said. “Just be careful about your wording. We don’t want to spook him. I don’t think he’ll harm Leah. But Asher’s a different story.”

Esther’s heart clenched. The urge to run and hide from the conversation hit her again, but she planted her feet. Wallowing in her fear wasn’t productive. They—she—needed to stay proactive. “What can we do? And don’t say stay out of your way.”

“Actually, you all have been helpful. Just keep me looped in to anything you discover. And please don’t go off on your own if you get a lead?” His voice and eyes pleaded with them to agree.

Esther just stared at him, unwilling to promise anything. She knew she would do whatever was necessary to bring Asher and Leah home safe. Her sister and their friends would too.

Edie caught her eye, understanding in her gaze. She offered Stroud a smile. “I can promise you we’ll be careful. That’s as good as it gets.”

Thirty-Five

It took everything Esther had to get through the school day on Monday. She’d contemplated staying home, but decided she needed the distraction. There was nothing she could do sitting around her house. But she’d been absentminded all day and not the kind of teacher she wanted to be for her students. Tomorrow, she’d stay home.

Which was why she was still holed up in her classroom, twenty minutes after the end of the school day, prepping plans for the sub. She’d talked to her principal during lunch and got the okay to take the next couple of days off. If things went beyond that, she could take more, but it put pressure on the substitute pool. And she might go stir-crazy sitting at home without anything to do.

“Hey, girl.”

Esther glanced up to see Liv in the doorway. She gave her friend a tired smile. “Hey.”

“I heard about what happened. I’m sorry I couldn’t get over here before now. It was one crisis after another today.” She wandered into the room and perched on a desk nearby. “And why the hell are you here?”

“Because I thought it would be better than sitting at home twiddling my thumbs.”

“Was it?”

Esther lifted a shoulder. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’m taking the next couple of days off, though. I wasn’t with it enough to teach well today. I’m just finishing up some lesson plans for the sub, then heading home.”

“Good. Do the police have any leads?”

“Some. But things are at a standstill until something pans out or something else happens.”

“I don’t want to think what that something might be.” Liv shuddered.

Esther didn’t want to contemplate it, either.

“Do you need anything?”

“No. My sister came up.” She didn’t mention Edie’s friends. It would just bring questions Esther didn’t want to answer. “And I have my folks. I’m okay.”

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