Page 12 of Missing

“Just dropping off the keys to the sedan, she’s gassed up and ready.” He walked over and dropped them on my desk.

“Thanks man.”

“You okay? You look… disorganized.” His eyes scanned my desk.

It was cluttered with the spread-out case files covered in post-it notes. “Yeah, just doing some research.”

“Well, I suggest you call it a day, you’re the muscle on this mission, not the brains.” Jack laughed at his own joke. Like father, like son.

“I just want to know what might be coming my way. The guy behind this sounds like the type to call in a cleaner.”

He nodded. “I’ve got a meeting in the morning, but it shouldn’t last long. Call me if you want backup.”

“Thanks. Appreciate it.” One of the many things I loved about working at SSI was the people. I could always count on anyone here to have my back, and I’d always have theirs.

I packed up my notes and shut down my laptop. I’d done all I could do from here and I needed to get some rest.

“Meg and Emily are having a girl’s night with Ma and Beth on Friday, so the guys hanging out at our place, video games, pizza, beer. You in?”

“Yeah, thanks.” The Friday night gaming sessions were relatively new, and a great way for us to bond. It was also better than gaming alone.He mentioned Beth, but not our date.

Doeshe know yet?If he didn’t, it was only a matter of time. If Meg didn’t hear about it from Beth she’d definitely hear about it from Mary. I sighed as I realized I wouldn’t have an ounce of privacy if I started dating Beth.

There were worse problems to have.

#

The next morning, I escorted the client in, unseen, through a service entrance in the back, waited outside the door while she gave her testimony, then escorted her back out the way we’d come in.

A few clever reporters had migrated to the back, and got in her face.

“Get back!” I yelled as I stepped between them. I used my left hand to guide her as I moved, so I wouldn’t lose her.

The reporter shouted something about the public having the right to know as she tried to push her way around me, microphone held high.

I should have called Jack. I couldn’t scan the area for threats while keeping the reporters at bay.

To protect her privacy, I took my jacket off and used it to cover her head. I strong-armed my way through rowdy crowd, forcing them to keep their distance while shouting, “No comment.”

Once we were back in the car, I checked on her. She was pale and shaking from fear, but otherwise okay. I didn’t like leaving her alone when I dropped her off, but my job was to get her to the courthouse, then home again. I was done for the day.

Hopefully, she was no longer in danger now that she’d testified. I wondered if the little girl was safe, but didn’t know enough about the circumstances to hazard a guess.I hope so.

Just because the unknown suspect had threatened her didn’t mean he had the ability to go through with it.

After seeing my client safely in her apartment, I went back to the office to return the sedan and file my report.

The rest of the week was less exciting, I served a few papers, flirted a little with Beth on my self-appointed coffee runs, and covered an overnight security shift on Thursday for Eric, one of our part time security guys so he could cover a shift at his PD.

No one, other than John, had said anything to me about my date with Beth. Though judging from their glances, and on more than one occasion Meg’s wide-eyed, ear-to-ear all-knowing smile, I figured they all knew.Why hasn’t she said anything?I could only guess the amount of effort it was taking her to keep quiet.

I decided to let the cat out of the bag Friday morning.

“Hey Meg, got a sec?”

“Of course, what do you need?” she answered, a wicked gleam in her eyes.

“I’m sure you’ve heard I’m taking Beth out on a lunch date.” Her smile split her face in half as she nodded a little too vigorously. “I’d like to bring her flowers. Do you know her favorite flowers or colors?”

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