Page 13 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

“You know he did. He’s looking at the kid’s social media now.”

Damon picked up his speed. “We are only a few minutes away.” He drove through a rundown side of town, surveying his surroundings every second. He didn’t normally take his car for these cases. He would’ve taken Xavier’s massive truck, but it was still where he’d left it to drive Ella’s car.

“This is it,” Xavier announced. “Slater says to pull around back. That’s where they’re parked.”

“This is a wonderful negative-two-stars motel.” Damon maneuvered around what appeared to be broken glass and a fewneedles before spotting Slater’s car and the guys next. Slater and Ryker stood outside Slater’s vintage muscle car, with a woman who stood as tall as Slater. She wore black exercise pants and an old T-shirt. And she looked exhausted.

“That must be Mom.”

“I’m not sure the woman has slept since her son went missing.” Xavier let his head fall back against the headrest. “Can’t blame her.”

“I didn’t sleep when Hayley went missing.” Seventy-two hours without sleep until he’d found his niece. With that fresh memory, he climbed out of the car, focused. “Let’s go.”

“Ready.” Xavier moved ahead of him, holding out his hand. “Mrs. Livingstone, I’m Xavier. I spoke to you on the phone.”

“Hi. Thank you for helping.”

Ryker stood at the back of Slater’s car, his laptop open on the trunk, his fingers typing fast. “Have you found anything?” Damon asked.

“Just getting into it. Can’t say I don’t leave a little traumatized after looking through a teenager’s social media accounts and their DMs. I was into Dungeons & Dragons at fifteen. I didn’t even know girls existed.” He grimaced and looked at the sky. “The idea that all of these are teenagers makes me sick to look at.” Holding his breath, he searched

back through the direct messages.

Damon avoided the screen and looked at Mrs. Livingstone. “Your son had a very active social media.”

She shook her head. “I gave him too much freedom.”

“With some kids, even if you don’t give them the freedom, they still find a way around everything,” Slater said. “I’ve seen it most of my career.”

“Bingo.” Ryker pointed at the screen.

Damon leaned close as Mrs. Livingstone rushed around to look at the computer screen. “Did you find him?” She chewed on her fingernail. “Please say you found him.”

“No. But I did find who he met here. That’s step one.” Ryker pulled up a separate system. He hesitated and stared at Damon. “Did you have any more questions for Mrs. Livingstone?”

Got it. He needed her away from the computer screen for whatever he was about to do. “Can you show me some pictures of your son?”

They walked away, and she pulled out her phone. “Absolutely. I can’t tell you how hard it is to hear the police say they’re not going to keep looking for my son.”

Xavier crossed his arms, keeping an eye on their surroundings. “It’s not that they’re not going to keep looking, but for the active investigation, they’ve collected everything they can see to collect. His social media account would’ve been next on their list. They have certain steps to get to it legally. There’s no real set amount of time that will take. Remember, you called us for a reason. And that contract you signed includes an NDA. You can’t tell anyone how we found your son.”

“I know. Believe me, I don’t care how you find my son. I’m not telling a soul. I want him back.”

“Good,” Xavier said, with a firm nod.

Damon continued with various questions, most of which he didn’t need to know. He wanted to keep her busy and occupied. That was the best way to keep someone from losing hope and to distract them from Ryker.

Ryker cleared his throat. Xavier moved to stand beside him, his eyes meeting Damon a second later.

They’d gotten something.

But based on the looks on their faces, it wasn’t good news.

Slater crossed the parking lot from where he’d snooped around the complex.

“Hey, come see these other pictures of Jerry.” Passing her off to Slater, Damon went back to Ryker. “Shit. Again?”

“Seems to be,” Ryker said.

---