Page 32 of Searching for Valor

Ash’s gaze was steady, assessing. “Monica’s ex-husband, Gavin, filed for emergency custody of the kids last week. Claimed she was growing increasingly paranoid and unstable.”

“That’s bullshit.” The words burst out of her, hot and defensive. “Monica is the most levelheaded person I know.”

Ash opened a folder he’d brought in with him and slid a document across the table. It was a copy of the court filing.

Izzy scanned legal document in disbelief. Monica had never mentioned anything about a custody battle or her ex causing problems. But then again, they hadn’t spoken much in recent months, not since...

She swallowed hard. “I didn’t know. She never said anything to me about Gavin or a custody issue.”

“Is it possible Monica took the kids herself? That she made up this abduction story to keep them away from their father?”

“That’s ridiculous,” Izzy scoffed. “Monica is an amazing mother. She would never do anything to jeopardize her kids.”

Ash arched a brow. “Like sending them to a different city without their father’s knowledge or consent?”

Izzy opened her mouth to argue, then snapped it shut. Dammit, he had a point. But still... “There has to be more to the story. She was genuinely terrified, Ash. This isn’t about a custody battle.”

Ash was silent for a moment as he jotted something down in the notebook. Then he looked up and met her gaze. “Do you know where she is?”

And they were back to this again.

“No. I told you I haven’t seen her since this morning.”

“And she hasn’t contacted you?”

“No. You can check my phone if you don’t believe me. I’ve called her multiple times and left voicemails, but she hasn’t gotten back to me.”

“You’ll contact me if she does?”

She’d worked with Ash long enough to recognize an order even when it was voiced as a question. “Yes. If she does.”

She only felt the slightest twinge of guilt about lying to him, but at least it wasn’t a total lie. Shewouldcall him… eventually. After she made sure Monica was okay and pried some answers out of her.

Ash studied her for a long moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to decide whether to believe her. Then he sighed and snapped the folder shut. "Alright. I think that's all for now. But, Delgado, I need you to keep me in the loop on this. No going rogue, okay? You are not a deputy anymore.”

She nodded, not trusting herself to speak without betraying the lie.

He stood and opened the door, waiting for her to exit ahead of him. She could feel his gaze on her back as she walked down the hallway and out of the station.

chapter

eleven

Rylan was leaningagainst his truck in the parking lot, his arms crossed over his broad chest. He straightened when he saw her, his expression a mix of concern and something else she couldn’t quite read.

She stopped a few feet away from him. “You’re… here.”

Something like embarrassment crossed his features before he schooled them into a polite mask. He held out a to-go cup from the coffee shop down the street. “Peace offering? Two creams, one sugar, right?”

Izzy blinked in surprise as she accepted the coffee. Her fingers brushed against his, sending a jolt of awareness through her. “You remembered.”

“Of course I did.” His lips quirked up slightly, but the smile faded as quickly as it appeared. He stuffed his hand in his jacket pocket and rocked back on his feet as if he was uncomfortable. “Listen, about earlier...”

Shit, was he going to rehash that kiss? She really didn’t want to hear about what a mistake it was again. Not when her body hummed every time she thought of it.

She held up a hand to stop him. “I need to say something first. I’m sorry for what I said about your drinking. It was outof line. It’s none of my business, and it’s not my place to say anything to your team.”

Rylan’s posture relaxed a fraction. “I appreciate that. And I owe you an apology, too, for the comment about your judgment. It was a low blow.”

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