Page 50 of Cassidy

Pursing her lips, Cassidy surveyed the area. “Yeah, I agree. We should focus our efforts on the empty wrappers, along with the dirty dishes in the sink. I highly doubt the previous owner and his or her employees would have left them behind.”

“Probably not if they were hoping to sell.” A wave of hope lifted his spirits. “How soon can we get those prints run through the system?”

“I’m sure Rhy will expedite the evidence processing,” she assured him.

He nodded, then frowned when he saw the corner of a napkin peeking out from beneath an empty bag. “Cass, is there writing on this napkin?”

“Let me see.” She drew on a pair of gloves and moved the bag aside. “No writing, just a scribble as if someone was trying to make a pen work. Maybe the intent was to write a note, but there wasn’t time.”

“What about identifying the place where they bought the food?” he asked. The idea of Travis wanting to leave him a note but being unable to made him feel guilty for taking so long to get here. If they could have moved faster...

“There’s a receipt in the bag, looks like it came from a place not far from here.” She shrugged. “We can head over in the morning and ask if they remember anyone matching your brother’s description being there recently.” She shrugged. “Maybe something about your brother or the other guys was memorable.”

“Maybe.” He wasn’t sure why any fast-food worker would remember a routine sale of food items.

“Hey, don’t give up hope.” Seeing his expression, she reached out to pat his arm. “Let’s stay positive. This was their first mistake. They realized Travis or his friend made the call to you and bolted out of here. We have them on the run, which means they’re likely to get sloppy again somewhere along the way.”

He appreciated her attempt to keep him from spiraling into despair, but the fact remained that Travis was gone, and their only lead was the phone he’d used to call into the station was now a dead end.

Travis and the guys he was with could be anywhere. Driving one or more unknown vehicles.

They’d been so close to finding Travis, and now it seemed as if they were further behind than ever.

He closed his eyes and prayed.

Please, Lord Jesus, guide us to the truth. Help my mind heal and grant me the strength and knowledge I need to find Travis! Amen.

Cassidy drew Gabeoutside when the local cops and crime scene techs arrived. She felt bad that they hadn’t found Travis, but she was hopeful the crime scene techs would find fingerprints.

The hour was twenty minutes past three in the morning by the time she and Gabe were free to go. “I think we should head back to the precinct.” She glanced at him. “There’s time for you to get more sleep.”

“I’ve been off screen for several hours now,” Gabe said firmly. “I’d rather get back to work. I can’t help but think Travis is in more danger now than ever. We can’t afford to waste any more time.”

“Rest isn’t wasting time when you can’t even see the screen clearly,” she protested. “Come on, Gabe. You’ve been doing everything humanly possible to find Travis.”

“Doesn’t feel like it,” he said with a sigh.

She knew his mother’s guilt trip was weighing on him. And yes, if Gabe had his memory, they’d be much further along in understanding what in the world was going on. But they could only work with what they had.

Which wasn’t much. A phone, some fast-food wrappers, and dirty dishes.

The local cops and crime scene techs had agreed to fast track the evidence when they learned a missing teenager was suspected to have been held there as an unwilling captive. She was glad she hadn’t needed to wake Rhy to sway their decision.

She only hoped that these guys weren’t smart enough to force Travis to make the purchase, divvy up the food, and stack the dishes.

“There’s something about that code that makes me think the answer is staring me right in the face,” Gabe muttered. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes. “What am I missing?”

She had no answer. Concentrating on driving, she frowned when a pair of headlights flashed on behind her. Tightening her grip on the steering wheel, she increased her speed, putting more distance between them.

Within three seconds, the car behind her did the same.

Had the bad guys left someone behind to watch the restaurant? Fearful of a trap, she pushed the SUV faster. At the upcoming intersection, she abruptly turned left.

“What’s going on?” Gabe asked, his eyes opening in alarm.

“We picked up a tail.” She wished she’d considered the possibility of someone keeping an eye on the restaurant before now and quickly reviewed her options.

There were only two. Implement evasive maneuvers to lose the tail or head back to the restaurant where the officers were likely still hanging out.

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