Page 168 of State of Alert

“She’s not comfortable having you in her room.”

“I’ll stay out here. Just in case.”

“Of what, Archie?”

“I’m not sure. Whatever she needs.”

“Stay out of there. I mean it. She’s very fragile, and she didn’t recognize you. I’d feel better if you came back to HQ with me.”

“I care about her, Erica. I mean… I’ve only known her a short time, but there was a connection. I’ve been out of my mind with worry about her since she went silent on me a few days ago. The Harlowe I know would want me here.”

“The Harlowe you know isn’t in there right now, and she needs you to keep your distance. Come with me so you don’t get yourself in trouble.”

“I won’t get in trouble. I promise. I’ll stay right here with Officer… Smyth and stay out of the way.”

Erica looked to the tall, muscular officer. “Keep him out here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Archie didn’t remind them that he outranked them both. That wouldn’t serve his purpose of being allowed to stay close to Harlowe.

“I’ll check in in a bit,” Erica said.

“I’ll be here.”

After she left, he slid down the wall, withdrew his phone and got busy. Hearing what she’d endured, he was determined to do what he could to help her, starting with the thing he’d hesitated to do before now—a deep dive online.

Sam wasin the conference room with her team, going over each piece of evidence in the Myerson case, when she received a text from Erica Lucas.

My vic is Archie’s friend. She doesn’t recognize him and is nervous about having him in the room. He’s undone in a way I’ve never seen before and insisted on staying outside the room. Officer Smyth is under orders to keep him out of the room.

I’ll check on him in a little while.

He gave me some good info I can use to track down her family. I’m on that when I get back to the house.

Let me know if we can help.

Will do.

Captain Malone came into the conference room and handed Sam two printed pages. “Warrants for the Myerson girls’ second cell phones. Judge McHenry said he wants solid proof they’re involved before he’ll issue any more warrants.”

“Does he realize that’s what we’re trying to do?”

“I believe he does, but since they’re minors, he’s treading carefully.”

“What’s the latest from CSU about the processing of the house?”

“They’ve done the basement and are finishing up on the first floor. They haven’t found anything they would deem helpful.”

“I’d like to look through the girls’ rooms myself. Let’s head over there, Freddie.”

“I’m with you, boss.”

“Let me run these warrants up to IT first. I’ll be right back.” Sam went up the stairs and into the IT cave. “Who’s Archie when Archie isn’t here?”

A young man with brown skin and close-cropped dark hair stood. “I’m Sergeant Walters, Lieutenant. How can I help you?”

Sam went to him and handed him the warrants. “Can you get me a dump on these two lines ASAP?”

---