Page 25 of Cassidy

“Try not to focus on the worst-case scenarios,” Steele said, obviously sensing his anger and frustration. “Getting mad won’t help. We need to deal with the evidence as it’s presented to us.”

“I’ll try,” he said grudgingly. “But Travis is just a kid. I can’t stand the idea of something bad happening to him.”

He noticed how Steele and Cassidy exchanged a quick, grim expression and knew they were worried about Travis as well.

“How soon will the crime scene techs get here?” He was suddenly anxious to get to the closest store. “I need to buy a replacement phone. If I can remember my password, I’ll have access to my text and phone messages.”

“Do you think you can remember it?” Steele asked with a frown.

“I don’t know. I was able to access my work computer without really thinking about it.” He suspected that was mostly because it was a task he did every single day. “I’m hoping the same is true for my phone.”

“Good idea,” Cassidy said, looking encouraged. “The way you knew the code to your garage door makes me think you can do the same with your phone. We’ll head out as soon as the crime scene techs arrive.”

“Take my car,” Steele suggested, tossing his key fob to Cass. “I’ll wait here for them. You and Gabe can buy the phone, then swing back to pick me up.”

“Thank you, Steele,” he said, meaning it. The way the team was rallying around him was humbling. “I appreciate you and the others more than you know.”

“Hey, you’ve been there to back us up when we were in tough situations.” Steele waved a hand. “This is the least we can do in return.”

“Steele is right, you’ve been a rock for the team.” Cass favored him with a sweet smile. One that made him wish he had the right to kiss her. “We won’t stop until we get to the bottom of this.”

He was too choked up to respond, so he turned and headed for Steele’s SUV. When they were back on the highway, his thoughts went back to Travis. “I need a picture of my half brother,” he said. “It’s bugging me that I can’t remember him.”

“We’ll find one,” Cassidy assured him. “But you may have one on your phone.”

“I hope so.” He fell silent, the image of the Sorcerer’s Sword video game on Travis’s phone nagging at him. He’d recognized it as the new game that had recently hit the market. It was being touted as the hottest Christmas gift for gamers, and the software was already flying off the shelves.

But there was a way to get the software without going to the store to buy it. Wasn’t there? From gaming systems maybe? He pressed his fingertips to his temples as he struggled to remember.

“Hey, are you okay?” Cassidy put a hand on his knee. “Don’t stress, Gabe. We’re going to find him.”

He didn’t have the heart to tell her he was thinking about a stupid video game rather than his half brother. He tried to smile and covered her hand with his. “I know. I trust you, Cass.”

“I’m glad.” Her soft husky voice sent ripples of awareness coursing over him. Talk about the wrong time, wrong place, and wrong situation. “And you should trust in God too. He will guide us to the truth.”

He nodded, realizing faith was a core value for Cassidy. And for him too? Maybe, although he didn’t have a clear memory of attending church. Still, he needed all the help he could get. “I will put my trust in God. But to be honest, I have just as much faith in you, Rhy, the entire tactical team. I hope that’s not the wrong answer.”

“It’s not.” Her smile brightened, and they held hands until the familiar big box store came into view.

“There,” he said, waving at it. “That will work.”

Cass exited the interstate and headed for the store. When they walked in, he couldn’t help but feel as if the place was familiar. Had he worked in a place like this while attending college? Or was it just that he tended to like video games and electronics? Either way, he quickly found the phone section.

“I’ll take this one,” he said without looking around at the others.

The clerk widened his eyes and nodded. “Good choice. I’ll ring you up over here.”

That’s when he remembered he only had the cash he’d found in his dresser drawer. He pulled it from his pocket and counted the bills.

“Better if I put the phone on my credit card,” Cassidy said, adding two more disposable phones to their purchases. “These will increase the cost anyway. And I don’t want to waste our cash in case we need it later.”

He bit his lip, nodded, and stuffed the money back into his pocket. “Okay, but I promise I’ll pay you back.”

“I’m not worried,” Cass assured him. “We work together, remember? It’s not like you can hide from me.”

That made him smile, despite the circumstances. It didn’t feel good to allow Cass to pay for his phone, but as soon as he had the device, he stared at the screen, willing his password to come back to him.

It didn’t.

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